The Intern Issue: Welcome to Sweden
I wish someone had warned me about the surströmming.
Reptilian Gulfport fun — Gecko Crawl and Poker Run
The events kick off the town’s annual bohemian art and party season Aug. 7-8.
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
Stars of TV and film descend on Comic Con, SNL’s young dude, art show/play openings and closings, the new Brew Bus ride and more.
Changes, schmanges: Dunedin dining scene’s still got it
Expansions, menu updates, openings and more are impacting Dunedin restaurants.
Dining of the future: Datum grows, helps more local restos with culinary innovation
Sarasota’s technology solutions biz Datum is engaging more independent eateries and customers.
Streaming Sanders speech ignites grassroots at St. Pete’s Venture Compound
There were roughly 60 people packed into the Venture Compound, an experimental music venue in St. Pete's Warehouse Arts District. This time around, the music wasn't the main event. It was a streaming speech of a U.S. Senator hailing from about a thousand miles away, Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president…
Shut up, Marco Rubio.
The Trumpification of the GOP primary has entered new territory. Specifically, Zimbabwe, where popular, protected lion Cecil was shot with an arrow and later killed by Minnesota dentist and Romney campaign donor Walter James Palmer. Marco Rubio, a U.S. Senator from Florida vying for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, tweeted a jawdroppingly idiotic thought…
Attention visual artists — time to get squared away for Five by Five
The Hillsborough Arts Council has announced its call for artists for the popular annual event.
Ol’ Dirty St. Pete makes its debut
DJs Casper and LeSage bring the vibes and sounds of Ol’ Dirty Sundays to The Bends, on Thursdays
Tonight in live music: Dave Matthews Band, Authority Zero & more
Some concerts happening this Wed., July 29
On Sale Friday: Martin Lawrence at The Straz
See Martin Lawrence Sept. 12; buy tickets this Friday. Most people have seen Martin Lawrence's sitcom, Martin. If you're old enough, you caught it when it first ran in the 1990s, and helped establish Fox as a legitimate contender in the network ratings wars. If not, you've probably seen it in reruns on a random…
Sh*t happened 7/29/15: Bucs slogan, Lexus lanes opposition, annual skeeter panic
He gazed balefully at the computer screen, then dutifully typed out the biased stories he selected based solely on his religious affiliation. You'd think he didn't like it. Actually, he thought the whole thing was kind of funny. This isn't really sports news, it's marketing news, so I can pretend for a moment to know/care…
The Mill adds seasonal kick to St. Pete’s 200 Block
Downtown St. Pete’s The Mill premiered along Central Avenue with seasonal New American cuisine.
Restaurant review: Fuel up at Ford’s Garage
Ford’s Garage in Brandon pairs comforting classics with new-school twists and brews.
Drink More Wine: Head south in search of wine
Exploring wines in Mexico’s stunning Valle de Guadalupe.
FL Senate admits to redistricting corruption oops
The League of Women Voters of Florida is applauding Florida Senators' admission that they indeed drew Senate districts to Republicans' advantage despite a constitutional amendment barring such a practice, #sorrynotsorry. The League and the progressive nonprofit Common Cause filed suit in 2012 after being, shall we say, underwhelmed at the level of attention the Senate…
Castor and a Republican file long-shot — though appreciated — bill to lift Cuba embargo
While the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba has undergone a sea change since last December, there is, of course, only so much that President Obama can do to modernize the way the two countries interact. While last week the U.S. reopened its embassy in Havana, thereby restoring diplomatic ties, and travel has gotten easier…
Nuance Galleries owner Rob Rowen is allowed back at Starbucks — not enough, he says
Starbucks banned him and later revoked the ban after the media found out, but he wants more from the mega-coffee chain.
Skipper’s Smokehouse names new executive chef
Ska godfather Ed Lowery is the new chef and kitchen manager at Tampa’s Skipper’s Smokehouse.
Rally brings local homebrewers together for beer, community
Hobbyist brewers flocked to Cigar City for an American Homebrewers Association Rally on Sunday.
New Tunes Day: Big Scary, Battles, Here We Go Magic, Doomtree & more
Some fresh videos & songs off new and forthcoming LPs, a mini documentary, and a peek at what’s out on Friday, with links to full streams
Rain didn’t douse the Tampa Zine Fest Saturday
The annual event offered interesting reads, info and the musical stylings of Jeremy Gloff at the Ybor Daily Market.
Sh*t happened 7/28/15: Gay Boy Scout leaders, new Bulls uniforms, Sarasota cop trouble
It is Tuesday, and has rained every day since, well, what, Easter? But once we wring out our weary souls, we'll find them fuzzy with the healthy, green, growing sprouts of new hope and ideas. Or maybe we'll all just die of Wader's Lung — what am I, a doctor? Good news for common sense:…
Brew Bus shuttle connecting Ybor, Seminole Heights debuts Sunday
Beginning Aug. 2, the Brew Bus will offer a Sunday shuttle service from Ybor to Seminole Heights.
Jose Gonzalez, Thee Oh Sees, Death Grips, Purity Ring & more scheduled to land in Tampa Bay
A peek at some noteworthy concerts on the near (and far) horizon.
New brasserie restaurant from Taps opens in Tampa
Taps Restaurant launched its newest Tampa concept Monday afternoon at International Plaza.
A purrfect event! Grumpy Cat and other feline celebs to hit Tampa Theatre Aug. 4
Celebrate the premiere of the newest BuzzFeed video, Happiness Finds Grumpy Cat.
Sh*t happened 7/27/15: Hulk boned, Bern’s honored, Megatoad victorious, more
Happy Monday! Please swim down through your flooded home to your waterlogged Internet Viewing Terminal, and let's begin. FRIDAY, JULY 24: The last few grapes of aging human cartoon Hulk Hogan's celebrity turned sour and had to be purged from the vine of stardom when evidence of an n-word-laden rant emerged. Thousands of vaguely racist…
Tonight in live music: Harry & the Potters; Victor Alvarez, Michael Frazier & The Dogwood Tales
A few in-stores happening this Mon., July 27.
Generation Food Court reveals opening day lineup
Churros, soul food and other street eats will be featured at Generation Food Court’s Aug. 3 debut.
On the menu: Tuesday’s Taste of Grand Central
Five St. Pete restos will donate their sales with your help at the Taste of Grand Central Tuesday.
The Laugh Tract — Who’s Bringing the Funny
Pete Davidson and Jamie Kennedy head the list of comedians in town this weekend.
Movie Review: Paper Towns
The coming of age dramedy charms but doesn’t color outside the lines.
Kriseman in a climbing harness? Don’t mind if we do.
Running a city like St. Pete is no easy job. You have meetings with police unions, a historically disenfranchised black population you want to help, the whining privileged folks upset that the curbside recycling program isn't exactly as they think it should be… and then you have your rock climbing wall ribbon cutting. Climbing a…
Listen: YG, “Twist My Fingaz”
Catch the Compton rapper at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater on Aug. 16
The Weekend Shift: your mysterious uncle Cuba
Growing up in Tampa, Cuban culture was always in the peripheral. Sub-par Cuban sandwiches were a daily lunch option in every school cafeteria. I had Cuban teachers, Cuban friends, ate at Cuban restaurants, my parents even had a Cuban coffee phase. But as far as I was concerned, Cuba was like some long lost uncle…
This Sunday in live music: Slightly Stoopid with Dirty Heads, Sealion with Pleasures & more
A look at some shows happening this Sun., July 26
This Saturday in live music: The Revivalists, Kacey Musgraves, The Bricks & SPoT Ybor 5 Year Anniversary Party & more
Shows happening this Sat., July 25
Do This: Black Tides — Secrets of the Sea art show
Water, water everywhere, but here’s some sea lore art to make you think …
The Hip Hop ABCs: Winner of the Letter T; vote on Letter U
The latest round of alphabetical rap battles feature a winner that is sure to spark controversy
There are sandbags if you want ’em, guys
If you've looked outside, you've noticed the bullshit weather, which is probably going to carry on through the weekend, which is bullshit. If you live in flood-prone areas like South Tampa, this news is extra bullshit. That's because you probably face insane flooding on a daily basis this time of year because of routine afternoon…
Inaugural wine, food fest announced for St. Pete’s Beach Drive
Beach Drive set to be the star of the high-end St. Pete Wine & Food Festival from Sept. 24 to 27.
Rays president talks about the Rays so here’s a post about the Rays
It was a dark and stormy afternoon. Tampa Bay Rays President Brian Auld approached the podium at a meeting of the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club at the St. Pete Yacht Club, where he stood before a packed room of well-heeled individuals. We sat on the sidelines, waiting. We figured it was a good time to…
Sponsored Content: Meet the Bartenders of CL’s Margarita Wars
These 17 mixologists go into battle July 30 at Tampa’s TPepin Hospitality Centre.
Scott signs bills preventing human trafficking
A while back, we covered a press conference in which State Sen. Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) and State Rep. Ross Spano (R-Sarasota) touted the overwhelming passage of bills aimed at curbing human trafficking. It was one of the few notable (positive) accomplishments to come out of the 2015 regular legislative session before all hell broke loose…
Hillsborough Taps Out Against Winery Owner
It looks like the county wimped out in their precedent-setting reimbursement for defense costs case against the owner of Keel & Curley Winery in east Hillsborough. Owner Joe Keel filed ethics charges against Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham in September of 2014 claiming that the commissioner used the power of his office illegally, trying to…
Bo Burnham visits The Straz in October
Musical youth: Bo Burnham brings his comedy to The Straz on Oct. 15. Bo Burnham is a popular musical satirist whose layered wit creates a theatrical presentation on stage that goes far beyond stand-up comedy. You might expect that from a seasoned vet with 25 years of stage experience. Burnham isn't even that old yet.…
WWE fires Hulk Hogan after racist rant
Say it ain’t so, brother! Hogan is trumping Trump with his foot-in-mouth disease.
Sh*t happened 7/24/15: Tampa budget, BombWatch 2015 continues, TIA, scumbags
Welcome to Friday, your bon voyage party in honor of the week, and gateway to those days Republicans would like to see added to your week. Shall we run down yesterday's news before lunch beers lead to the inevitable afternoon decline in productivity? Yes, let's: Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn announced the city's $850 million 2016…
Spirited celebration: Cocktail recipes for National Tequila Day
Keep your Tequila Day merriment going with six tequila cocktail recipes from CL’s archives.
Tonight in live music: Have Gun Will Travel Album Release Party, Smashing Pumpkins & Marilyn Manson + more
Concerts happening this Fri., July 25, plus a peek at what’s to come this weekend
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
Bricks and Barley Mow anniversary parties, CL’s Cuban issue photo show, Fanboy Expo and more.
Movie Review: Southpaw
It’s a by-the-numbers boxing flick, but Jake Gyllenhaal turns in a knockout performance.
Bernie Sanders watch parties set for Wednesday throughout Tampa Bay
On Wednesday, Senator Bernie "the Berninator" Sanders (I-Vermont) is going to make the case for why he should be the next president. The passionately outspoken liberal candidate obviously faces an uphill Democratic primary battle against Hillary Clinton, who is fueled largely by gobs of name recognition and corporate campaign money. Although he's still relatively unheard…
Textual healing: Grand Central Lit Crawl & Tampa Zine Fest this Saturday
If you are of the word-nerd persuasion, plan to attend one or both page-turning events happening the same evening on opposite sides of the bay. The Grand Central Lit Crawl showcases narratives read aloud by prominent local scribes, including Ben Montgomery, Tampa Bay Times reporter and author of Grandma Gatewood’s Walk, who kicks off the…
The Cuba Issue: Afro-Cuban music maker Freddy Montes keeps the son alive in Tampa Bay
A vet musician from a family considered Cuban music royalty practices his craft in Tampa Bay
Theater Review: Occupation
A terrific premise, the cast is strong, but the script is cloying.
Tonight in live music: Purple Rain at Reel Deal Thursday, Majors and Minors of Jazz II
The film-and-live music series kick-off, plus jazz vets paired with emerging stars on this Thurs., July 23, in live music
Southern Exposure: The Cuba issue
Our island neighbor is colorful, complicated and closer than ever.
Tigris (Eugenie Bondurant) shows her stripes in new Hunger Games trailer
St. Pete-based actress Bondurant is burning bright.
The Cuba Issue: A brief survey of Afro-Cuban sounds, from traditional to avant garde.
Dizzy Gillespie, Irakere, Arturo Sandoval, Ibeyi and Freddy Montes included
Poet’s Notebook: The Muse and the mic
I do not like to apologize much For these words, but I must. Such Success as I have had has come From carefully sitting loose and dumb, Encouraging the gods to overlook me… The gods in our country, as well as Americans in general, have often overlooked its poets. This usually doesn’t bother our young…
