Brooksville Watermelon Festival returns next week
The festival is celebrating all things watermelon, with watermelon-themed snacks, as well as art, jewelry, and other handmade goods, plus line dancing and contests. There will also be a kid zone and petting zoos.
Tampa Bay’s best stand up comedy gigs for June 2026
June brings a diverse group of comedians to the Bay area. Comedians with a loyal, independent following (Kyle Kinane, Nick Thune), social media viral sensations (Omgitswicks), long-standing comedians with decades of experience and credibility (Godfrey), known talents from television competition shows (Josh Blue), and local headliners with national touring experience (Rahn Hortman).
Colombian-American R&B star Kali Uchis brings fempower tour to Tampa this month
The 31-year-old singer-songwriter is riding high off the release of her latest album Sincerely, initially described as a collection of songs related to major life changes related to loss, reconciliation, and new motherhood.
‘Love Island’ star Charlie Georgio will watch the show live with fans in Tampa tomorrow
The season 7 bombshell will be alongside fans at South Tampa restaurant 1983 tomorrow as part of the restaurant’s new weekly “Love Island” watch party of Peacock’s hit reality dating series. Fans can meet Georgio and watch the live premiere of episode three.
St. Pete Pride vows to keep fighting in its hardest year yet
“We’re tartare at this point, but not cooked. The fight is nowhere close to actually just starting, so if you think we are cooked, please hear me loudly saying, ‘Baby. They haven’t turned on the stove.’”
Community organizers say St. Pete Pride ignored them this year, too
St. Pete Pride took heat for accepting sponsorships from polluters and weapons manufacturers, and for having indirect ties to federal immigration enforcement. This year, amid increasing hurdles imposed by the Florida legislature, local queer leaders critical of the organization told The Sapphic Sun that St. Pete Pride isn’t changing its tune yet.
Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including Pride kickoff, vibrator races and more
There’s a ton of stuff to do in Tampa Bay this week, including The Notebook Broadway musical, vibrator races, a roller derby expo, a queer diaspora debut book talk, the Underground Book Fair, St. Pete Pride’s kickoff weekend with ‘Drag Race’ star Miss Vanjie and an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention seminar.
Allendale UMC hosts an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention seminar next week
The LGBTQ+ mental health crisis is worsening among young people in the U.S., according to a 2025 Trevor Project study. It’s not hard to understand why in a state where rainbow crosswalks are banned, DEI is being erased from anything Republicans can get their hands on and conversion therapy is still legal—not to mention the…
Bobuq Sayed brings queer diaspora debut novel to St. Pete this weekend
Afghan-Australian author Bobuq Sayed’s novel takes place more than a decade and 6,000 miles away from Tampa Bay, but the story will resonate with many who pick it up at Tombolo this weekend. Sayed’s “wry, provocative” debut, “No God But Us,” follows two gay Afghan men leave their respective countries in the 2015 migrant crisis…
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ star Miss Vanjie kicks off LGBTQ+ Pride month in St. Pete this weekend
Sunshine is just about the only thing that’s free and accessible these days, so it’s fitting that this year’s St. Pete Pride theme is “Here comes the Sun.” It’s a message of hope in a dark time for LGBTQ+ people of Florida, and a lowkey reminder to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen for the notoriously…
Tampa Bay cyclists share their thoughts on the newly opened Howard Frankland Bridge trail
For St. Pete cyclists who don’t want to risk riding the roads, the best long trail starting in the city has been the Pinellas Trail—which features frequent traffic stops—or Fort DeSoto, which is notoriously bumpy and about as far for some residents as Tampa or Clearwater.
Meet the Pasco County die-hards keeping skydiving alive
Like many sports, skydiving requires structured training and demands physical, mental, and technical skill. But when you make mistakes in other sports, you go home and ice your elbow. When you make mistakes skydiving, you could die.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers respond to Ye concert, Daily Eats closing and more
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay keeps reaching into the mailbag, and treading carefully into the comments section. The exercise leaves us increasingly grateful for readers who come to us in print—and especially online—to read the news and thoughtfully respond.
Daily Eats closing in South Tampa next month for rebrand
The restaurant at 901 S Howard Ave. will be closed starting June 15 to reopen a few weeks later as Meeting House, “a neighborhood restaurant centered around lunch, dinner and weekend brunch,” per Daily Eats’ post. “A place where guests can ‘meet, eat… and repeat.'”
Tampa Roller Derby hosts a free expo next week
The open gender league hosts a free expo on a smaller track, great for first time viewers who can also meet skaters and learn about what it takes to jam.
St. Pete beer staple Green Bench opens new location in downtown Tampa
One of its trademark green benches popped up outside its new location at 200 N. Tampa St. a few weeks ago, along with a “coming soon” sign.
Tampa icon Mel’s Hot Dogs celebrates 20 years in the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame on Memorial Day
The Tampa hot dog shop was one of the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame’s first inductees in 2006, and now its new owners—The Szabo family as of 2023—want to celebrate two decades of all-beef doggin’ on Memorial Day.
New sushi restaurant O-ku opens in South Tampa tomorrow
It’s on the ground floor of the Bayshore Gardens building at 2909 W Bay to Bay Blvd., which also houses Jeannie Pierola’s Counter Culture and O-ku’s sibling restaurant, Maru. The Japanese-Peruvian concept opened on the rooftop last May.
Fans of Tampa Bay weatherman Denis Phillips can try his new ‘Rule #7’ beer this weekend, and get a selfie
After Hurricane Irma hit in 2017, the suspenders-sporting weatherman was honored with his very own beer. And just before hurricane season starts again, he’ll grace fans at Crooked Thumb with that TV-worthy smile for at least a couple of hours this weekend.
In his new novel, ‘Fish Kill,’ Dennis Mitch Maley frolics in the world of Florida
Mitch Maley will be signing copies of “Fish Kill” at the Kerouac House, 5169 10th Ave. N., St. Petersburg on Saturday, May 30, from 12-4 p.m.
Hibiscus show promises big blooms in St. Pete this weekend
Hibiscus only bloom for one day, but luckily for us, blooming season is most of the year in Tampa Bay and southern Florida.
St. Pete pole dancers collab with local bookseller for ‘Booty, Books + Bubbles Party’
To celebrate Impulse Studios’ sweet 16, St. Pete bookseller Pages & Perks will be among the poles for a daytime “Booty, Books & Bubbles” party that includes “booty-rific class fun,” raffles, and spicy reads.
Paranormal investigators will teach table tipping in St. Pete this weekend
The Victorian séance ritual—where participants put their hands on a table and use its movements to interpret communication from the spirit world—led to the creation of the Ouija board.
New speakeasy 31 South opens in St. Petersburg Distillery
Cocktails are the focus, and will be made from the distillery’s own handcrafted spirits. A few of the drinks up for grabs include a Maple Old Fashioned with Old St. Pete Sunshine Whiskey, and a specialty Espresso Martini, Matcha Latte Martini with Banyan Reserve Vodka, and more, says the press release.
Popular Tampa sandwich shop Cousin Vinny’s is coming to St. Petersburg
“Our customers were planning their weeks around picking up a sandwich on Saturday or Sunday—it was absolutely wild,” owner Vinny Andriotti previously told Creative Loafing.
Before St. Pete show, The 502s’ Ed Isola details how Mumford & Sons changed his life
Hey honey, The 502s are doing a second leg of their “Nonsense All Night” tour to kick off the summer, and the run starts in downtown St. Petersburg this month. Last year, the self-described beach-folk outfit signed with Nashville’s Big Loud Records, and celebrated by releasing its fourth studio album Easy Street. The 13-tracker, said…
Oracle of Ybor: How do I stop my middle schooler from becoming a bad guy?
The Two of Pentacles is a card of balance, and trying to juggle supporting your son while agreeing that there needed to be some consequences is a fine needle to thread.
USF’s printmaking studio sells rare art at big discounts in Tampa this weekend
Graphicstudio artists use traditional hand-printing processes, including relief, etching, photogravure, screenprinting and lithography. Bronze cast sculptures will also be available. Graphicstudio’s collaborative printers will conduct live intaglio demonstrations throughout the day.
St. Pete’s New Moon Makers’ Market is an accidental queer bastion
New Moon brands itself as an independent market “highlighting the weird that still remains in our ever-changing landscape.” The market follows the cycle of the new moon to highlight the themes of change, rebirth and potential.
Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ watch party, New Moon Makers’ Market and more
There’s a ton of stuff to do in Tampa Bay this week, including a new Ybor City gallery opening, Preserve the ‘Burg Restoration & Design Expo, a Lucky Starzzz-studded ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ watch party, Graphicstudio’s open house and benefit sale and a queer, feminist play about Mexican immigrants.
Rooster & the Till founder to open music-driven ‘Peppermint Lounge’ in Tampa Heights
Tampa Heights’ Yellow Brick Row is getting a shot of flavor this fall. Today , Rooster & the Till founder Ty Rodriguez shared plans to open the music-driven Peppermint Lounge at 1607 N Franklin St., on the same block as Rialto Theater, Hidden Springs Ale Works, and Florida School of Woodwork, and just a block…
Guy Fieri did indeed film ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ at Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine—and the episode will air on May 22
Reddit wasn’t lying. Last month, the Mayor of Flavortown was indeed in downtown Tampa filming “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” at Supernatural Food & Wine. The episode airs on Friday, May 22 at 9 p.m. EDT according to the Supernatural crew, which will host a watch party at Mighty Fine, located at 1018 E Cass St.…
A St. Pete artist is tattooing every Florida bird to make a field guide
Harley, also known by artist pseudonym Grouchy Goblin Ink, announced this April that she was working on a field guide to Florida birds. Instead of pictures of each bird, Harley plans to use pictures of the tattoos she gives her clients. The book will be completed once she has reached the end of the list…
DeSantis signs bill banning local climate change efforts, putting Tampa’s plan in limbo
On Earth Day, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill stopping local governments’ climate change efforts. But now, the future of Tampa’s extensive Climate Action and Equity Plan is up in the air. In 2023, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor joined others to present the city’s Climate Action and Equity Plan. “Today, we’re proud to release…
West Tampa’s Salcines Park officially reopens
Last week, the ribbon was cut on the newly renovated Salcines Park in West Tampa. Once a hub for political and cultural gatherings. Originally opened in 1991, the park has been a major cultural and historical part of West Tampa. It was named after Emiliano Salcines, a civic leader who community members called the mayor of West…
Tampa City Council’s CRA agenda includes a $50 million request for Ybor Harbor development
This week Tampa City Council sit as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board for a 13 item agenda with a 12 item evening land use agenda. Discussion will range from a $50 million request in the CRA Channelside district to mid-year budget realignments in the Drew Park and East Tampa districts in the morning to the first reading of…
Tampa Indie Night founders say the sense of community they’ve built goes beyond the venue
The five years after coronavirus shut down nightclubs across the globe came with a lot of lessons, especially for Andres Hernandez. Together with his bandmates in the Tampa band Rohna, the 28-year-old bassist built a giant community around a simple concept: indie-rock. Since its formation in 2021, Indie Night has become a national brand, staging…
Tampa art scene staples open new ‘General Admission’ gallery on Thursday
Ask any Tampa Bay artist older than 40 about old Ybor City, and they’ll inevitably land on a story about how the district used to be home to a myriad of art colonies. And while the neighborhood hasn’t gotten too far away from those roots, it’s pretty heartening to see a new house gallery and…
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers respond to Chick Corea’s home sale, Bodega Bus and more
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay keeps reaching into the mailbag, and treading carefully into the comments section.
Interview: Jason Mraz talks okra, equality and more ahead of Clearwater concert
In case there was any doubt, Jason Mraz is a gentleman. “If I’m at someone’s house, I’ll eat whatever they’re serving,” he told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. The 48-year-old songwriter’s grandma—who he’s described as “a kind and inclusive woman, a jokester, and an amazing cook”—always asked him to finish his okra as a youth, slimy…
Downtown Tampa’s new Bodega Bus deli promises chopped cheese and more until 4 AM
Owner Khalil Mohammad is still working on the menu and pricing, but said his food will be halal with an emphasis on high-grade beef, including wagyu. He’s looking for a local bakery to source bread from and use beef tallow for his fresh-cut fries.
Jimmy Eat World brings ‘Bleed American’ 25th anniversary tour to Tampa this fall
Released three months before 9/11, Jimmy Eat World was forced to rename its mainstream breakthrough Bleed American after the attack on the Twin Towers. But 25 years later, the album stands the test of time and serves as a watershed moment for the Arizona emo outfit. Recorded on the band’s own dime after Capitol headscratchingly…
Florida gas prices expected to spike after Trump rejects Iran’s plan to end war
A decline in gas prices across Florida the past week isn’t expected to continue as oil prices surged early Monday after President Donald Trump called Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal to end the war “totally unacceptable.” Florida’s average pump price dipped to $4.40 per gallon Monday, a 7 cent decline from the prior Monday.…
St. Pete ‘Restoration & Design Expo’ includes free guided tours of the Mirror Lake neighborhood
May is National Historic Preservation Month, and while Tampa’s taken way more Ls than St. Petersburg, there’s not a municipality out there that doesn’t have to fight to protect the buildings and spaces that tell its history. To bring like-minded folks together. Preserve the ‘Burg hosts a no-cover expo for anyone interested in restoration, preservation,…
Tampa police arrest Black 12-year-old during ‘teen takeover,’ then illegally share name in press release
On Friday night, May 8, a massive group of teens descended on Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park for what’s referred to as a “teen takeover,” a trend where young people gather in large numbers and cause general chaos, occasionally leading to fights or property damage. However, when the Tampa Police Department arrived, they didn’t just disperse…
Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 8-14
Tampa Bay’s live music is here, and it has tunnel vision thanks Chemical Lex and friends who’re launching a new club night in St. Petersburg this weekend. That gig is just part of a packed listing of Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 8-14, including shows from Kid Cudi, Chuwi, Sulynn Hago and more.…
Chris Kirkpatrick from Nsync plays Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this weekend
If there was a tour built around late-’90s/early-2000s “Total Request Live,” it might look like this gig coming to local theme park Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Chris Kirkpatrick, the kooky, formerly-braided countertenor from Nsync (stylized all-caps_, tops the festivities along with “All Or Nothing” boy band O-Town, LFO “Summer Girls,” and Ashlee Simpson ex-boyfriend Ryan…
The Florida Orchestra’s free Mother’s Day concert is back in Tampa
A revered Mother’s Day tradition returns to downtown Tampa for this no-cover, bring-a-blanket-and-picnic kind of concert at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Chelsea Gallo conducts as The Florida Orchestra and vocalist Jenny Kim-Godfrey work through a program that includes Gershwin, plenty of classical (Beethoven, Tchaikovsky), plus movie scores (John Williams’ “Jaws” and “Star Wars” suites,…
‘Razorblade Suitcase’ is 30 years old, and Bush will play a lot of it at Clearwater concert
Razorblade Suitcase was the sound of puberty for many folks, who’ll all be extra tired at work on Thursday following this 30th anniversary show from Bush. Gavin Rossdale’s band just released a re-imagined version of that album’s lead single “Swallowed,” which the frontman explained came as he was writing songs about his life falling apart.…
Sulynn Hago, one of Tampa’s best guitar players, comes home for Thursday concert
One of the greatest guitar players to come out of Tampa comes home this week. Sulynn Hago (Career, Feral Babies, Propagandhi) is now based in Brooklyn and finally branching out on her own for a 10-song solo debut, Faith in the Doghouse, which brings together a background in punk, metal and jazz. Already sold-out on…
Tampa Democrat Kimberly Overman will challenge Gus Bilirakis in US congressional race
Former Democratic County Commissioner Kimberly Overman has switched districts in her effort to win a seat in Congress. She will now challenge incumbent Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who represents District 12. That district was drastically changed by the Florida Legislature and Governor Ronald DeSantis to include a large portion of western Hillsborough County. Before redistricting,…
Under new Florida law, data centers can’t rely on taxpayers to pay utilities
AI data centers will be required to pay for their own utilities and not shift the costs to customers now that SB 484 is law. Appearing Thursday in Lakeland with Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly, Gov. Ron DeSantis thanked the Legislature for passing the bill, even though it was less expansive than what the…
‘It was always designed to be a temporary facility’: DeSantis addresses rumors ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may soon close
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday the Everglades immigration detention center has served its purpose, responding to reports that the temporary facility may close. The New York Times reported Thursday morning that “Florida is in talks with the Trump administration” to shut down the facility dubbed by DeSantis’ administration as “Alligator Alcatraz,” adding that the talks are…
Ask a Dyke: Are bisexuals just lesbians suffering from patriarchy?
“I believe that every person’s sexuality is influenced by a lot of factors. A lot of people who are attracted to men might be attracted to them because they were socially conditioned that way. If that’s the case, so be it.”
New coastal Mexican spot coming to Tampa, Mother’s Day brunch events and more local food news
Ebisu Life Store, a wildly popular Japanese lifestyle shop filled with viral snacks, blind boxes and obscure collectibles, will soon open its largest location in Tampa Bay.
Fresh Kitchen will reopen in South Tampa next month, and redesign other locations
FK stores in St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Miami and Davie will be remodeled with white brick exteriors and brown and tan interiors. Its signature pink will be a little brighter, with FK in bubble letters.
Viral Japanese convenience store Ebisu will open world’s largest location in Tampa Bay
Ebisu Life Store, a wildly popular Japanese lifestyle shop filled with viral snacks, blind boxes and obscure collectibles, will soon open its largest ever location in Tampa Bay. According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Ebisu signed a lease to open a new location at 6234 Commerce Palms Dr., in Tampa Palms. The space is a…
Whataburger opens third Tampa Bay location in Brandon
The chain opened a Lutz location also in April and a Largo spot in February. Whataburgers are also planned for Orlando and Fort Myers later this year, adding to more than 50 Florida locations.
Tampa Bay’s best comedy gigs this week, including Healing with Humor fundraiser, Kill Tony and more
Healing With Humor, a non-profit founded by local comedian (and previous Best of the Bay winner) Rahn Hortman, raises funds for individuals and their families impacted by sickle cell disease
The best events in Tampa Bay this week, including WWE, ‘Heated Rivalry’ and more
Plus, an East Coast documentary premiere, a hurricane expo and more of the best events May 7-13.
Pinellas nonprofit to give away generators, chainsaws and more at hurricane expo
At this Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation this weekend, several Pinellas County departments will have info on how to prepare for and respond to hurricanes.
Tampa Bay has two viral ‘Heated Rivalry’ dance parties this month
The Bolts may not have the Stanley Cup this year, but Tampa Bay has two chances to go to the cottage this month. Six months after “Heated Rivalry” premiered on HBO, the gay guy hockey mania is still far from cooling down. Raves and dance nights themed after the show have been popping up around…
DeSantis and the people suing him, can agree on one thing: His new map violates Florida’s Constitution
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the groups suing him over Florida’s new congressional map can agree on one thing: The DeSantis-drawn districts violate parts of the state Constitution — but they sharply disagree about what that means. DeSantis says those portions of the Constitution are invalid. His challengers say otherwise. “We believe the [Fair Districts provision] does not…
78-year-old Democrat Lois Frankel says she’ll run in Florida’s Congressional District 23 this year
U.S. Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel, who represents a large part of Palm Beach County in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, says she will run this year in District 23, where much of her district was moved on passage of Florida’s new congressional map. That map, drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis office and presented to lawmakers with…
Sunflower season is back at Tampa Bay’s Sweetfield Farms
There are lots of ways to celebrate Mom this weekend, like grabbing fresh veggies and a bottle of wine for dinner after strolling through the sunflower maze and doing crafts.
Tampa Bay Abortion Fund hosts book talk in Tampa next week
The Tampa Bay Abortion Fund is helping abortion-seekers with out-of-state healthcare, running period pantries and educating the public about why abortions matter. Its event at the Black English Bookstore brings “Liberating Abortion” co-author and activist Renee Bracey Sherman.
USF professor tells queer migration stories in new Tampa play
For nearly three decades, Mujeres en Ritual focused on telling migration crisis stories through a queer, feminist lens. As part of Arreola’s project, Queering the Border, the troupe performed at migrant shelters and camps at the U.S.-Mexico and Mexico-Guatemala border.
