Wednesday Do This — CRAFT, Stelliferous Live, TIGLFF and Tampa’s revolutionaries
Today is chock full of enlightening and mingling opportunities, and you can see a TIGLFF movie at night! First up: Creative Pinellas' CRAFT: Cultural Meetups series of free monthly continues this afternoon with a visit to the newly opened Sideshow music venue in Safety Harbor. The meeting/social is open to artists, performers and representatives from…
Do This: Cabaret Silliness at the Flamingo
Years ago, the Suncoast resort offered strong drinks, a great Tiki bar, and one of the best places in south St. Pete where anyone could go and be themselves. The resident theater company, Gypsy Productions, showcased some brilliant local talent and brought new audiences to the tired venue. Two of those most prominent local talents…
Catch Alton Brown on his Edible Inevitable Tour
Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall to host food whiz Alton Brown’s Edible Inevitable Tour Feb. 3.
St. Pete Police Chief Holloway on Ferguson, neighborhood policing and why he’s after your stash
New-ish St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway told a room full of Tiger Bay Club members Wednesday that in a perfect world he'd police the community like Andy Griffith. Which means, he said, preventing crime by knowing everyone in town. That's why he's implemented a "park, walk and talk" program since taking the reigns of…
Food-slingers, breweries team up for more beer feasts
Spring is (sort of) in the air, which means a fresh lineup of beer dinners throughout the region.
SCENE BREAKER: Romeo redux, TV news that knows theater and Broadway discovers Tocobaga territory
Here’s what’s behind the curtain this week in Tampa Bay theater… ONE TEEVEE SHOW KNOWS WHAT’S UP: While local arts get scant coverage from our two daily papers and virtually none from local TV, one network affiliate program alone has consistently aimed its cameras at the Tampa Bay theater and cabaret scene, and recognition is…
Gulfport’s Get Rescued needs volunteers
What's more fun than spending the day with furry friends in the idyllic trappings of Gulfport? What's more, by buying food and beverages and other items at Gulfport's Get Rescued next month, you get to help local dogs and cats in need (and we don't need no stinkin' Sarah McLachlan to persuade you with a…
The Laugh Tract — who’s bringing the funny
Kathleen Madigan will be at the Capitol Theatre Saturday night. Famous comedians, clowns and free shows. Need we say more? Okay, maybe a little: There's a lot of variety this week, and prices range from more than $60 for tried-and-true performers to absolutely nothing for funny locals. And yes, there are some clowns, too. Pick…
Concert review: Midge Ure soars alone at the Local 662, St. Petersburg
A look back at the Tues., Jan. 20 show
Sh*t happened 1/21/15: STFU, SOTU & More
It would be wonderful to say that Tuesday came on like a juggernaut, crushing the bones of the withered past under it like the killer robots in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Unfortunately, Tuesday came on quirky and ineffectual, tapping its oversized suit-sleeve like David Byrne to let us know it's the same as it ever…
Hillsborough School Board votes to oust Superintendent Elia
Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia — Florida’s Superintendent of the Year and one of four finalists for the American Association of School Administrators 2015’s National Superintendent of the Year — lost her job Tuesday night. In a narrow 4-3 vote, school board members decided to give Elia the boot at Tuesday’s meeting in front…
Live(drunk)blogging the SOTU
10:58 Okay, well, the commentators are doing that spinning thing they do so well, so I'll leave it at that. It was a pretty cool night up until about 10:11. Kind of surprised the Tea Party is still a thing. But oh, well. Maybe next year they won't be. 10:49 Economic shackles of Obamacare? Um, guy?…
Two St. Pete lawmakers, an R and a D, file bills Duke Energy probably won’t like
When State Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Pete, ran for re-election last year, told this reporter he really wanted to go back to Tallahassee and be a champion for renewable energy, something lacking in the legislature, at least within the majority party. It was taken, no offense to him, with a grain of…
Meatless Monday: Snag free Chipotle for Sofritas purchase Jan. 26
Chipotle Mexican Grill to offer diners a free entrée deal with their meat-free Sofritas orders.
Fusion Bowl, Hablo Taco bring food favorites to Tampa
Tampa’s Hablo Taco and Fusion Bowl have the latest in food and drink news.
American Stage welcomes Producing Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte
American Stage has hired a multitalented dynamo with hopes to “move the needle a little bit.”
New Music Tuesday! (January 20): The Decemberists, Marilyn Manson, Fall Out Boy & more
A look at releases out this week; audio & video included
Sh*t happened 1/20/15: The Infiltrator, the baby gorilla and The Penis Kid
The robbery of a convenience store in Holiday Monday night appears to be related to a series of similar robberies that took place in New Port Richey over the weekend. Authorities assume they'll have several more opportunities to catch the perpetrator in the act, as he continues his mad quest to steal enough money in…
State House subcommittee to weigh bill allowing (sigh) guns on college campuses
The only thing as 'Merican as Jesus riding a bald eagle eagle is a frat boy, preferably a quarterback, with a gun. Which is, presumably, why a group of Florida lawmakers is poised to decide whether or not the House floor will hear a bill allowing concealed weapons during the March legislative session. On Tuesday,…
Tonight in live music: Greensky Bluegrass, Ben Howard, Midge Ure & more
Concerts on this Tue., Jan. 20
The Florida Aquarium honors sunken Civil War steamer
The Florida Aquarium and The Florida Department of State will join-up to host a live underwater dedication ceremony this Tuesday morning for the USS Narcissus, a Civil War tug boat which sank off Egmont Key in 1866. The tug was on its way to New York when she hit a storm near the mouth of…
Ulele scores spot on Emeril television show
Catch Ulele on Emeril’s Florida via the Cooking Channel this month.
Drink for gold: Club sport Bar Olympics starts Feb. 28
Another kind of bar brawl will happen during Tampa Bay Club Sport’s Bar Olympics.
Brewery guild head offers insight on craft beer wars
Last month, when two Tampa Bay lawmakers filed bills that would make the sale of 64-ounce beer growlers legal in Florida the state's craft beer purveyors and fans thought their fight was finally over. With more and more lawmakers starting to get that the whole craft beer thing is about more than just delicious beer,…
Movie review: Blackhat
The Michael Mann cyberthriller is heavy on style and light on characterization.
Sh*t happened 1/19/15: Supreme court to consider gay marriage (heh), Pasco rabies alert
FRIDAY, JAN. 16 The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to address gay marriage. And all it took was everybody in the country picking a side. Way to go, activist judges! According to Vinepair.com, Florida is a big wine state, with a bit of heavy rum action going on down there to the south. Apparently "wine"…
American Stage announces its 2015-16 season
A look to next year’s offerings by downtown St. Petersburg’s professional theater company.
The Well-Played List: Most anticipated albums of 2015
From Sleater-Kinney to Kendrick Lamar, find out what we’re looking forward to hearing (and what’s coming out that you should know about)
QUAID Artists Collective debuts new 2015 lineup
America’s Next Top QUAIDs secure their places in Tampa’s edgiest group.
Sazón’s Spanish-Caribbean flair, Noble Crust’s Southern accents
Two fusion-style St. Pete dining spots, Noble Crust and Sazón, have the latest in food news.
Zephryhills Pie Festival attracts bakers, tasters
A sweet and savory overload is in store for regionites during the Pie Festival in Zephryhills.
U.S. Supreme Court will take up same-sex marriage after all
Come June, the question of whether gay couples can marry, which for some reason is still a question, is likely to be decided once and for all. The U.S. Supreme Court said today it will take up a case against same-sex marriage bans in four states, which confronts the question of whether such bans are…
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
A BC Woo tribute, freeFall’s new play, Jim Jefferies, Seth Rudetsky, the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Fest and more highlight a jam-packed weekend.
Keep the dream alive — MLK, African-American heritage events
Info about MLK Day parades, an outstanding fine art exhibition about African American life back in the day and more.
The Strokes, Pixies, Hozier, Passion Pit lead Big Guava Lineup
The 2015 Bay area festival season is looking good so far.
Tampa candidate roster solidifies
Noon marked the qualifying deadline for Tampa's Mayoral and City Council hopefuls, which means things are due to heat up in this city (to people like us, at least). Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn almost squeaked by without any opposition, but on Thursday he gained an opponent in a guy named Jose Vazquez, a write-in whose…
Pinellas minimum wage hike a “good first step,” says union
Responding to County Commissioner Ken Welch's proposal to raise the minimum wage to $12.50 for county government employees, the Service Employees International Union applauded the measure. Welch suggested the wage hike at a County Commission meeting Tuesday,and asked County Administrator Mark Woodard to look into what it would take to put the wage hike in…
Ask The Locals: Dynasty
Diana “Dynasty” Hardy was born and raised in New York City, but she relocated to Tampa seven years ago, drawn by the weather but planting roots for love. By the time that relationship came to an end, the music scene had taken hold and her career had taken off. “I couldn’t go back. I was…
Watch a previously unreleased music video from the Beastie Boys and Nas
“Too Many Rappers” directed by Roman Coppola
Sh*t happened 1/16/15: Pitbull honored, Buckhorn challenged & more
The greatest thing about Friday is this: It isn't Thursday. The greatest thing about Thursday? The news, of course: Bob Buckhorn may be the only name on the ballot in the upcoming Tampa mayoral election, but he's got competition. Sulphur Springs's Jose Vazquez has registered as a write-in candidate, meaning that while he won't appear on…
Tonight in live music: King Tuff, Borgore, Voices of the Wetlands Allstars & more
Concerts this Fri., Jan. 16
Live & Local Spotlight: The Tim Version Album Release Party
The twangy Tampa-bred indie rock quartet presents a fourth full-length, Ordinary Life, on Sunday.
Local Earful: Underoath’s crowd funded farewell documentary, Sur Back’s art pop goes visual, and a new St. Pete band to warm up your Friday
A whole lotta local to kick off 2015
Theater review: Tampa Rep’s Imagining Madoff and Gypsy Rep’s Life Upon the Wicked Stage
The two productions miss the mark for Mark.
Tampa Council cool with reimbursing Vinik for roads, other infrastructure the city pays for anyway
Lightning owner Jeff Vinik's plan to dramatically overhaul the Channelside area cleared one of its first hurdles today despite a splash of criticism from people concerned that the project looks a little, well, pasty. The Tampa City Council, operating in its capacity as the Community Redevelopment Agency, unanimously agreed to reimburse Vinik's development company for…
Poet’s Notebook: Out of troubles, solidarity
Tomorrow is Thursday. If the world meets its obligations the following day will be Friday… When we lived in Poland during 1978-79, its citizens were still under Russian control. Nothing worked. Everyone, except the Communist leaders, was underpaid, resulting in massive inequality. Bribes, fraud, and corruption were normal. No one believed the papers. No one…
Dark & Sinful: Dammit, Janet
Like many people, my New Year’s resolutions involve my body. It started young. Terminator 2: Judgment Day came out in the summer of 1991. On New Year’s Day 1992, I decided I’d lift weights until I had Linda Hamilton’s arms. A 12-year-old girl with guns. Diesel. In July of 1993, I saw Janet Jackson’s “If”…
Once a “sundown town,” Gulfport reaches out to its black residents
I’m sitting at Gulfport Vice Mayor Christine Brown’s blue-flecked kitchen table, debating whether or not to include her husband Louis Worthington’s use of the N-word in this article. While discussing how attitudes about race have evolved in the sleepy-fishing-village-turned-quaint-arts-hub, Louis tells me, “There’s black people and then there’s niggers.” He’s trying to explain the distinction…
Big Noise Institute prepares to launch in St. Petersburg
Two men with decades of music-industry experience open a new school catering to music industry careers
Tonight in live music: David Bromberg Quintet, Side Door Jazz, Kayo Dot
Concerts this Thurs., Jan. 15
