Legendary ’80s Miami skate-punk band tops stacked Tampa concert happening Friday
Doors open at a dangerously-late-for-old-timers 7 p.m. ahead of this gig that could anchor a localized version of the When We Were Young Festival. Quit is an absolute legend in Florida punk folklore, famous for spending the late-’80s and early-’90s defining what Sunshine State skate-punk could sound like. The group, which bucked its moniker by…
Tampa Bay Blues Festival kicks off 30th anniversary with intimate theater show
The Tampa Bay Blues Festival celebrates 30 years in the game this month with a stacked lineup that includes Taj Mahal with The Phantom Blues Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimmie Vaughan, Tab Benoit, Los Lobos, Samantha Fish, and more. Before that weekend, however, the festival throws a kickoff with Boston power blues trio GA-20 and…
Throwback pop band The Surfrajettes plays Ybor City on April 9
The Surfrajettes mark a decade of bandom this spring with a “Road Dogs 2” tour alongside Alaska-raised, Los Angeles-livin’ songwriter Bethlehem Shalom. The ‘jettes are popular for the Britney Spears cover on the B-side of a 2019 single, but the rest of the Canadian instrumental quartet’s catalog is just as spin-worthy, especially for fans of…
Jer, one Florida’s best ska bands, plays Tampa this month
Tolerance levels to oi vary. Jeremy Hunter invites ska expats to come back home. The Gainesville songwriter created YouTube’s popular Ska Tune Network and has hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Their 2025 album Death of the Heart is a dramatically-fresh take on the genre that doesn’t abandon any of ska’s energy or roots. Tampa punk…
Surfer-songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter plays emergent Ybor City live music venue Zodiac this month
Live music has a rich history at 1507 E 7th Ave. (read: The Rubb, Twilight), and Zodiac has an opportunity to write its own chapter in that story. The nightclub (last known as PTL) has been hosting well-received DJ nights and this week welcomes Jack Johnson pal Donavon Frankenreiter. The 53-year-old surfer-songwriter arrives riding the…
Sam Farmer, Roc Helton will play John Prine songs in St. Pete on Tuesday
Prine, a part time Gulfportian, died six years ago.
DeSantis says birthright citizenship ‘kind of cheapens the process when you make it a tourist thing’
As the nation’s highest court weighs whether to greenlight Trump’s citizenship ban for certain U.S.-born babies, Gov. Ron DeSantis argued Wednesday that traveling to America to give birth “cheapens” the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. “I don’t think [Reconstruction-era lawmakers] intended someone to just come here on a visit who’s foreign, have a kid, then…
USF hosts ‘Arthouse XXVI’ open studios and concert on Friday
The University of South Florida’s School of Art and Art History’s big Arthouse XXVI party includes open studios from artists like ceramist and multidisciplinary artist Varvara Tulina, Ghanaian mixed-media artist Enoch Appiah, image-based MFA candidate Patrick Michael Carew (from the 2026 Spring Arts Issue), and more. The tunes around USF’s Contemporary Art Museum will be…
On Friday, indie-pop band Clementine plays comedy venue concert in Tampa
Commodore founder Kelly Buttermore recently told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the comedy venue has started hosting concerts. This one is headlined by Illinois band Clementine, which plays a brand of anthemic emo FFO of Motion City Soundtrack, OK Go, and even Saves the Day. Walking Blue, Orlando makers of “Midwest Pajama Pant Indie Emo…
Lot Lizards headline Friday concert benefiting Tampa Bay trans community
Every day, it seems, life gets harder for our trans neighbors. Organizations like TransNetwork are pushing back by connecting folks to healthcare, legal assistance, or community support, and more. To send some money to the nonprofit Ybor Heights’ best brewery hosts a fundraiser headlined by pop-punk band Lot Lizards. Tickets to the Benefit Fundraiser for…
Meet three candidates running to unseat St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch
This year, it looks like St. Pete’s mayoral candidates want the city stormproof—so, they’re flooding the ballot for the Primary election, which ends Aug. 18 ahead of a potential Nov. 3 runoff. Five names have filed to unseat Mayor Ken Welch, who’s running for reelection. Maria Scruggs was the first to file back in August…
Mayoral candidate Kevin Batdorf says Ken Welch didn’t give St. Pete ‘true leadership’ during hurricane recovery
The 64-year-old told CL he filed ‘out of necessity’ and highly disapproves of the city’s leadership as it stands.
In pitch to become mayor, former fire chief Jim Large says St. Pete’s infrastructure has to catch up with the growth
Retired St. Petersburg fire rescue chief Jim Large said he has always had a desire to lead. So it makes sense to see him enter the race to be St. Petersburg’s next mayor. “I think at some point I figured I would move to the next level of public service, whatever that would be, when…
In mayoral race, Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard said she’ll bring ‘proactive decision-making leadership’ to get St. Pete back on track
The race to unseat St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch includes a councilmember. District 2 Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay she feels St. Petersburg is “at a critical crossroads right now.” She wants to “hit the round running on day one of being elected.” “We need proactive decision-making leadership that is going to…
Facing reelection, Mayor Ken Welch believes his administration did well to help St. Pete recover after hurricanes
Ken Welch is St. Pete’s first African American mayor and was the first Pinellas County commissioner to represent District 7 in the city. The 61-year-old is running for re-election, too. Welch’s PAC, the St. Pete Pelican PAC, will generate its last contribution report this quarter. The PAC had a rough start after former committee treasurer…
Op-ed: When it comes to concerns about their safety, our soldiers deserve better than ‘shit happens’
Once again, the United States is at war, this time in Iran. Whether the actions of our nation are warranted is currently being debated. That debate will probably never be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone. One thing that is not debatable, however, is who bears the cost of this war. It is undeniably and…
Tampa chef Bryce Bonsack is a James Beard award finalist for ‘Best Chef’ in the South
Michelin stars are all the rage, but Tampa’s culinary scene has something new to celebrate this week. Bryce Bonsack, chef at Michelin-starred Tampa Heights Italian restaurant Rocca, is among the nominees in the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards—with winners to be announced on June 15 during a ceremony in Chicago. Bonsack, who is…
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Brittany Broski, Ali Wong, ‘Hunky Jesus’ and all the best Tampa Bay events [April 2-8]
Have a look at what’s going down the week of April 2-8, and don’t forget, you can always submit to CL’s calendar.
Easter brunch, Tokyo Swimming and more Tampa Bay food news
Here’s what’s going down in Tampa Bay’s food scene this week, including Easter brunch spots and the top food and drink events
West Tampa and the beach collide when Cheeky’s and Lucky Tigre collab this month
Two of last year’s biggest newsmakers in the Bay food scene come together this month when a Filipino-flavored seafood boil lands in St. Pete’s Grand Central district. Lucky Tigre chef and founder Chef Julie Sainte Michelle Feliciano and chef Philip Cleary from St. Pete fish shack Cheeky’s just announced a Kamayan-style collaboration between the two…
Ask a Dyke: lessons in nonbinary love from a Quaker
Even the butchest lesbians and hairiest bears can be girlypop when they want.
‘I was not involved at all in that race’: DeSantis distances himself from GOP’s Hillsborough special election loss
In the aftermath of last Tuesday’s Democratic upset victory in the Florida Senate District 14 special election in Hillsborough County, Gov. Ron DeSantis has drawn some shade for his refusal to help Josie Tomkow, the Republican who lost to Democratic union organizer Brian Nathan. He won despite her 10-1 advantage in fundraising and a nearly…
Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival brings Food Network star back to Tampa Bay
Food Network star Robert Irvine, known for “Restaurant: Impossible” and “Dinner: Impossible,” will serve as the host of the week-long festivities, joined by honorary chef host Sean Brasel of Meat Market. Chef Beau MacMillan, AKA BeauMac, makes his festival debut, bringing his expertise to co-host Rock the Range and the Milagro Tequila Bartender Showdown.
The Wet Spot celebrates Easter with ‘Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary’ contest
People of all gender expressions and body types are encouraged to participate in any category, where the grand prize is a staycation at the Mari Jean Hotel.
Ali Wong is doing two nights of standup in St. Pete
The Emmy-winning comedian, actress, writer and producer is bringing her signature unfiltered humor to Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater for a nearly sold-out weekend of stand-up.
DeSantis signs ‘Missy’s Law,’ calls for House impeachment of judge
Felons convicted of violent and sexual crimes won’t be released prior to sentencing under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday. The bill (HB 455) is called “Missy’s Law” after Melissa “Missy” Mogle, a Tallahassee 5-year-old allegedly killed by her stepfather, Daniel Spencer, last year as he awaited sentencing for an unrelated charge…
Clearwater Beach’s Sugar Sand Festival’s patriotic sculptures include a big, sandy Hulk Hogan
The 2026 theme, “United in Sand: Celebrating Sports & Spirit,” turns more than 1,000 tons of Clearwater Beach sand into a walk-through art exhibit inside a 24,000-square-foot tent. 18 master sand sculptors from around the world bring everything from ballerinas and motorcycles to football scenes and late Clearwater legend Hogan to life.
Tampa Bay home featured in ‘Magic Mike’ slashes $1.4 million from asking price
A local mansion where Tampa Bay’s greatest stripper-related movie was filmed just got slightly cheaper in Pinellas County. Located at 100 Sands Point Dr., in Tierra Verde, the 7,825-square-foot waterfront home was completed in 2013. But just before it was finished, the property served as the opening construction site scene for Channing Tatum’s character in…
Gigglewaters hosts adult Easter egg hunt this weekend
Gigglewaters is once again hiding 1,000+ eggs stuffed with cash, candy and gift cards for its second annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt. Egg-pect the hunt to be paired with plenty of Easter-inspired libations to keep your inner child…hydrated.
Keep Pinellas Beautiful collects un-recyclable plastic Easter Eggs
The organization is accepting clean, dry plastic Easter eggs as well as other small #2 and #5 plastics (like those pesky yogurt containers) for use in its plastic fabrication system—a creative reuse program that turns previously single‑use plastic into new objects.
DeSantis signs bill to spend $5.5 million to rename Florida airport after Trump
Gov. Ron DeSantis wasted little time signing a bill that will rename Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump. A little more than a year after the two clashed over the Republican presidential nomination, DeSantis on Monday signed legislation (HB 919) delivered to him earlier in the day, which dubs the West Palm Beach…
Red Bull’s cliff diving series comes to the St. Pete Pier this summer
The water’s not that deep around the St. Pete Pier, but some of the world’s most extreme athletes will dive into it anyway this summer, because Red Bull. Today, the energy drink announced that its “Cliff Diving World Series” has plans to come to St. Petersburg in June for two days of buttcheek-clenching leaps into…
‘Bloom’ flower festival returns to Lakeland’s Bonnet Springs Park this month
Spring has officially arrived in Lakeland. Bonnet Springs Park will be covered in flowers—more than just the peas and amaranths that naturally decorate its foliage—during this month’s two-day “Bloom” flower festival. The free and family-friendly event includes an outdoor market in the park from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 11-12, with local businesses like Apothic…
Tampa City Council to discuss Rome Yard changes, and $21.7 million to help relocation of police facilities
Tampa City Council meets this week for single regular meeting Thursday morning, April 2. As is custom the Thursday before Good Friday, councilmembers and the public have a short 35 item agenda. Items range from $18,588 to New Tampa Players (through the Social Action & Arts fund) for “services provided during Fiscal Year 2024 to closing…
Photos: Everyone we saw getting tipsy for Tequila & Tiki Takedown at Tampa’s Hotel Flor
Formerly known as Margarita Wars, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s annual tequila tasting and throwdown is always the publication’s tipsy-est event. Known in 2026 as the Tequila & Tiki Takedown, the evening featured sample galore, food to soak it all up, plus the opportunity for attendees to crown “Tampa Bay’s Ultimate Tequila Cocktail.” At the end,…
Tampa Jan. 6 rioter files $18 million lawsuit, alleging police assaulted members of ‘peaceful’ crowd
Dozens of people who participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have filed a federal class action in Florida against the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police, alleging actions by officers that day caused them physical and emotional injuries. Three Florida residents filed the lawsuit in the Ocala division…
On WECX, students at St. Pete’s Eckerd College keep rebellious radio alive
CDs line the ceiling above Taj Sorensen as she moves through Eckerd College’s radio station like it’s muscle memory. Drawings from years of student DJs plaster the walls, classic rock rings loudly, and somewhere nearby, another DJ is waiting for their hour on air. Sorensen is from Utah, but this cramped, buzzing space–WECX 99.9-FM–is where…
Florida’s reddest counties saw massive crowds at last weekend’s ‘No Kings’ protests
The third “No Kings” protest of Donald Trump’s second term lured crowds across Florida, even in areas dominated by Republican voters, including cities with strong military presences like Pensacola and Jacksonville. Even deep-red Polk County, where Trump won by 21 points in the 2024 presidential election, saw an enthusiastic crowd of at least 2,000 people…
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Gulfport sees 2,000 demonstrators at ‘No Kings’ protest [PHOTOS]
Tens of thousands of people turned out Saturday for No Kings demonstrations across the country, as well as around the Tampa Bay region. In the South Pinellas County beach city of Gulfport, about 2,000 people waved signs and chanted slogans spread out along several blocks of Gulfport Boulevard. Alyssa is a protester who asked that…
Tampa Museum of Art celebrates 20 years of ‘Pride and Passion’ this fall
Pride & Passion, the museum’s yearly celebration of the LGBTQ community and Tampa Bay’s diversity, returns Saturday, Sept. 19 with the theme “Go Greek and Roman.” The date was moved from its usual time in May due to TMA’s expansion.
No recount after Hillsborough Democrat flips Florida Senate seat, says division of elections
Even Brian Nathan thought his race against Republican Josie Tomkow was going to a recount. The union leader and Democrat flipped Florida’s District 14 Senate seat blue last Tuesday night, but was not quite within the 0.5% margin of victory to avoid a recount. Still, most credible news sources called the race for Nathan after…
Florida universities remove sociology from general education courses
The State University System Board of Governors on Thursday removed sociology from the public university general education catalog. At a meeting in Pensacola, the board nixed “Introduction to Sociology” from general education offerings and made the class an elective for the 2026-2027 year. The move, which wasn’t on the public agenda, was brought up by Chancellor…
Jazz trio Arenas, Lasky & Nash Project bring new album to Tampa this weekend
Early this month, Alejandro Arenas, Simon Lasky and Allison Nash started recording their debut album The Bacharach Book. Jazz audiences in the know have had plenty of chances to see the bass-piano-and-vocal trio better known as Arenas, Lasky & Nash Project perform material from the effort in a living-room style setting inspired by “MTV Unplugged.” Expect…
Food Not Bombs hosts a food drive and benefit show in Tampa this weekend
Our friends, and our neighbors, are hungry. The Tampa chapter of long-running mutual aid group Food Not Bombs has always worked hard to help because humans have a right to food. The group is joined by the pop duo of Shae Krispinsky and Jeremy Gloff (aka Shower Beers), plus noise-rock outfit Carpet Drugs, and the…
Floating Boy, Deep Bite and more lead another stacked Emo Night Tampa
Deep Bite and Blacksmith have found themselves on bills together lately, and this gig curated by Emo Night Tampa is another chance to see an up-and-comer and OG, respectively, of the scene under the same roof. Homegrown grunge-rock trio Hovercar tops the offering along with Floating Boy, the Sarasota emo outfit that rang in the…
High Noon’s Shaun Young coming to Tampa for this weekend’s Rockabilly Battle Royale
Break out a black leather jacket and those jeans that barely fit. Shaun Young, vocalist and rhythm guitar for ‘90s-era Austin, Texas rockabilly trio High Noon brings a new band to Tampa’s 11th annual Rockabilly Battle Royale. The get together is a full on revival of the storied American sound, and Young will be joined…
‘Rentfest’ house concert brings together an eclectic bill of Florida artists
We don’t know where Rentfest organizers plan to put more than a dozen bands on two stages, but live music fans that DM them can find out. The soundtrack will be on point, too, thanks to this eclectic lineup of heartbreak-pop singers (Tone I.E.), emo outfits (Floating Boy), DJs (Emmpower), rappers (Joheem Ason, Nimbu$), hardcore…
Los Angeles power-pop band Redd Kross plays Tampa’s Orpheum
Redd Kross’ Tampa ties are deep because of the late Eddie Kurdziel. The guitarist died in 1999, but not before laying down tracks for the Los Angeles power-pop band’s biggest albums, Phaseshifter and Show World. Kurdziel was also in ‘80s local new wave outfit Real Cameras. Expect Redd Kross’ McDonald brothers (Jeff, Steven) to talk…
Tampa’s Rock The Park brings Florida, Jacob Marcello and more to Curtis Hixon
After bending the knee to illness that forced a Rock the Park cancellation in February, Bill. (stylized all-lowercase) finally gets to bring a loud, unforgiving debut LP, Wimmer, to the Curt. The Tampa rock outfit is in the heart of this bill where one of the Bay area’s original guitar gods, Billy Summer, leads his rock…
Michelin-star restaurateurs opening new concept Mei in downtown St. Pete
Orlando-based Michelin-starred restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung recently announced plans to open a new rooftop experience in Tampa, and they apparently have even more plans for Tampa Bay. Yesterday, reps for the Tung brothers told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about Mei, a concept debuting in the former Bento space at 320 3rd St. S this…
Tampa Bay’s best live music happening March 27-April 2
Tampa Bay’s live music weekend has arrived, and it’s all over the place, from old-school acts (Warren G, Slim from 112) to righteous homegrown rock and rollers playing no-cover concerts in the park (Florida, pictured above). Look below for Music Week, a listing of the best live music happening across Tampa Bay from Friday, March…
Gigglewaters wants to open more restaurants with Tampa franchiser
Tampa tire and custom wheels giant RNR Tire Express, which reorganized as multi-brand holding company DX3 Brands, has acquired the franchise rights to the 1920s-inspired eatertainment spot, signaling plans for Florida-wide expansion.
Amy Goodman is bringing ‘Democracy Now!’ documentary to Tampa this summer
Nine months after its debut at the DC/DOX film festival in the nation’s capital, Amy Goodman is bringing a documentary about “Democracy Now!” to Tampa. Goodman, 68, founded the fiercely-independent news program 30 years ago and has co-hosted it ever since. It’s carried on more than 1,500 radio and television stations—“more stations that NPR and…
Tokyo Swim Club incoming, refreshing The Bricks and more Tampa Bay food news
Here’s what’s going down in Tampa Bay’s food scene this week, plus food & drink events happening March 26-April 1.
DeSantis Administration claims NFL’s ‘Rooney Rule’ violates state’s anti-DEI law
The Florida GOP-controlled Legislature earlier this month approved legislation that would ban local governments from funding, promoting, or taking official actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Now the attorney general of Florida wants one of the biggest and most popular corporations in the country, the National Football League, to stop implementing what he calls…
St. Pete home of Florence Robinson, owner of historic Floronton Hotel, is now for sale
The 2,396-square-foot home has since been remodeled and updated over the years, but now comes with five bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as a circular Augusta brick driveway, a private in-law suite, a hot tub, a whole house generator, and a dock overlooking Boca Ciega Bay.
Before Sarasota gig, Drake Milligan recalls the album that opened his eyes
Now that he’s seasoned with experience on “America’s Got Talent,” and has penned enough country music material to open for the likes of Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson, Milligan is taking his new, sophomore studio album Tumbleweed on the road for a proper run of gigs
Delicious wine bar opens in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District
Delicious (that’s the name, not our review) offers a selection of red, white and sparkling wines, alongside beer and a short list of mocktails. The wine list is intentionally limited, with a rotation of 11 wines rather than an extensive catalog.
DeSantis says if Cuba falls, he hopes exiles will want to leave Florida and rebuild the island
Florida is planning for a regime change in Cuba that doesn’t lead to mass migration into the state. While in West Palm Beach on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said a “a pro-Western, pro-America government in Cuba would be a boon for that island.” DeSantis envisions those who fled the island nation under its communist government…
Weezer, The Shins and Silversun Pickups are coming to Tampa this fall
The “Weezer: The Gathering” tour will stop at Benchmark International Arena on Oct. 14, and will include performances by The Shins and Silversun Pickups.
The South Tampa home of award-winning architect Rick Rados is now for sale
Located at 4223 W Cleveland Dr., the modern contemporary home was completed in 1986 by the late Rick Rados, a well-known and award-winning architect in Tampa Bay for over 40 years.
American Stage brings St. Pete park ‘Into the Woods’
Demens Landing Park is a waterfront peninsula with scattered palm trees, but at each sundown for the next month, American Stage turns it into a deep, enchanted wood. The St. Pete company’s long-running, outdoor theatre series returns with a production of “Into the Woods.” And it is already drawing buzz—opening night on March 25 sold…
