Spotlight on: SPOT Tampa Am 2013 music festivities
This weekend marks the 20th annual edition of the Tampa Am, Skatepark of Tampa’s well-regarded international amateur skateboarding competition and fall follow-up to spring’s Tampa Pro showings. SPoT officially kicks off the festivities on Thursday with a Welcome to Tampa Party; aggro funk-raging alt hip hop outfit Samurai Shotgun headlines. On Saturday, a few days…
Bill’s Sports Binge: Yucky Bucs suck again, Gators gave Pease a chance and more shiny objects at the Trop
It's the week after Thanksgiving. Time to un-tuck those work shirts, poke a new hole in your belt and brace yourselves for the winter months when temperatures can dip into the 30's and 40's for literally seconds at a time. The holiday season is in full swing. The moment Santa's fat ass officially brought up…
Canceled: Chris Cornell’s “Songbook” concert at Mahaffey Theater
Ticket sales weren't the issue for this Friday's now-canceled date featuring an acoustic performance by Chris Cornell, the piercing-voiced frontman of Soundgarden and the late Audioslave. In fact, Mahaffey Theatre was looking at a sold-out house this Fri., Dec. 6. But now the show is officially off because of a severe shoulder strain he sustained…
Letter to a young panhandler
Why I didn’t give you any money.
Best of the Day: SYCOM at USF
The acclaimed student ensemble performs tonight at USF’s School of Music Concert Hall.
DCCC wants to know what CD13 GOP candidates think of Ted Cruz
The Friday in St. Petersburg all of the candidates for the Congressional District 13 Pinellas County seat vacated by the death of Bill Young will engage in a candidates forum for the first time. The event takes place as the two best known Republicans in the race – businessman and lobbyist David Jolly and state…
Good things growing at Bradenton’s Geraldson Community Farm
Over the Skyway and through the woods to Geraldson Farm we go.
Holy Hog BBQ coming to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s food truck rally
Facebook Holy Hog brings its BBQ to downtown Tampa. Every month, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn hosts a food truck rally at downtown Tampa's Lykes Gaslight Square. Buckhorn always shows up and grabs a bite to eat from one of the Tampa Bay area's local food trucks in attendance. For Wednesday, December 4, food truck rally…
New study finds Florida seriously lacking in jobs that pay a living wage
According to a new study published today, the living wage required for a single person in Florida to support him or herself is $16.84 an hour. That amount jumps to $39.48 for somebody with a family of three others to support. Unfortunately, the majority of available jobs in the Sunshine State don't pay anywhere near…
Rick Kriseman names Nikki Gaskin-Capehart to serve as his Director of Urban Affairs
Mayor-elect Rick Kriseman talked a lot during the campaign about how important it was to St. Petersburg's future for the area south of Central Avenue to prosper as much as other parts of the city have in recent years. His commitment to honoring that campaign pledge got another shot in the arm this morning with…
Mitch Perry Report: Downtown Tampa parking woes continue
Let's talk about something that ain't very sexy, but is relevant. Ever since the city of Tampa went with their cool, new solar-powered parking meters in the downtown business district a few years ago, I've been slightly befuddled about the actual rules of the road, so to speak. For instance, on more than one occasion…
New Music Tuesday! (December 3): Britney Spears, Muse, Xiu Xiu & more
Releases out this week; audio & video included.
Bow Ties & Clutches: A reason to get all dolled up
Calling all the suave gents and lovely ladies; it’s time to bust out that trendy get-up you’ve been dying to wear and strut your stuff at the Bay Area’s premier fashion party. Brought to you by The Fashion Movement, Bow Ties and Clutches makes its return to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts after its…
Plan to cripple Hillsborough County Civil Services Board remains on track
The Hillsborough County legislative delegation met to discuss local bills on Monday The local delegation of Hillsborough County lawmakers voted this morning to take a bill up to Tallahassee next spring that could see the power of the County’s Civil Service Board be severely limited — if not slowly killed. The bill is being sponsored…
Hillsborough County shakes up the leadership in its troubled Animal Services Division
Ian Hallett, seen here when he worked in Austin Although everybody seems to like Ian Hallett, the man who took over Hillsborough County's Animal Services division in May of 2012, an excess of bad news coming out of his department had been cascading down around him in recent months. Today it finally cost him his…
Do This: Angelic voices and art from USF and UT
Celebrate the USF Choral Christmas tonight at Sacred Heart, and the Sister Cities Arte Exhibition has its big mayoral reception at UT tomorrow.
Movings and shakings in TV land
TOTALLY CANCELED: Kamau Bell's Totally Biased news, media and pop culture show fell through the cracks during the FX to FXX spinoff. A lot has happened in the world of television recently. Here's a quick rundown. FXX cancels Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell The late-night talk show on politics, pop culture, race, religion and…
This week’s top LGBT events
Monday, Dec. 2 Tampa’s Francis House will hold a World AIDS Day vigil at 5:30 p.m. to remember those who have died from HIV/AIDS in the past year. Join Hamburger Mary’s in Tampa, 1600 8th Ave., for a night of fun, food and prizes to benefit the Tampa Bay Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.…
Proposal to kill Hillsborough County’s controversial Transportation Commission dead … for now
Chip Weiner Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist is a strong supporter of the PTC. No local government agency has received more scorn and ridicule than Hillsborough County's Public Transportation Commission (PTC). The PTC's most recent embarrassment occurred over the summer, when then-executive director Cesar Padilla retired after being busted moonlighting as a sheriff's deputy while…
The unchaste sins of Chastity Lynn (NSFW)
The petite adult star talks Japanese porn, spinning fire naked, and gangbanging fans.
Santas in Speedos show their support for World AIDS Day
Race winner Malcolm Williams crosses the finish line for the 2013 Santa Speedo Run Tampa Bay What do you get when you take more than 100 people, dress them in Speedo bathing suits and other holiday gear, and ask them to race through the streets of Ybor City? You get several thousand dollars to help…
Best of the day: Globe Coffee Lounge pop-up in St. Petersburg
Arielle Stevenson Nearly two years after closing, friends of the Globe Coffee Lounge reunited for a day of food, coffee drinks and dessert. The Local 662 on Central Avenue's 600 Block hosted the one-day-only "pop-up." Former Globe owner/coffee maven JoEllen Schilke whipped up sheets of Supa-Fudgey brownies, orders of her infamous Sloppy JoEllen sandwiches, and…
Mitch Perry Report 12.02.13: BCS brilliance
Some sportswriters are describing the stunning ending of Saturday night's Alabama-Auburn football game as not only the greatest finale of any college contest ever, but the greatest ending of any sporting event (Specifically Mike Vaccaro with the New York Post). The two previous greatest endings that immediately come to this reporter's mind in college football…
On World AIDS Day, Bono praises U.S. Congress for no longer “playing politics with the poor.”
Though today marks the 25th anniversary of World AIDS day, ABC's This Week was the only Sunday morning national public affairs program that devoted a few minutes to the virus that currently infects 34 million people around the globe, and has killed approximately 35 million people since it was first discovered in the early 1980's.…
Make merry, holiday shop at Art on the West End
Take part in a festive throwback that offers more than 20 artists and artisans conjuring the Ybor Square Arts and Crafts Festival of yore. Taking place for the first time in 17 years, in the very same spot it was held pre-NWB, Art on the West End launches a new-old tradition at New World Brewery…
Show Boat floats on at Asolo
Frank Atura GOOD OL' TIME: (L to R) Denis Lambert and Daniella Dalli in Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of Show Boat After filling yourself with Thanksgiving leftovers, join the fun with Asolo Repertory Theatre’s as they present their lavish revival ofShow Boat. Based on the novel by Edna Ferber, with music by Jerome Kern and…
World AIDS Day 2013 events
Musician Wyclef Jean is featured in the documentary Keep the Promise: The Global Fight Against AIDS, which premieres in Florida as part of TIGLFF's Dec. 1 World AIDS Day program. Each year, World AIDS Day is held on Dec. 1, turning the spotlight on a disease that affects 1.1 million people in the United States…
Do This: Penguin Appreciation Weekend, Seminole Heights Shop Hop
Black-footed penguins take over Black Friday in Tampa — say whaaat? Salute nature’s cutest critter in a perpetual suit and tie —not Justin Timberlake — at the Florida Aquarium this weekend. Penguin Appreciation Weekend allows you to get up close to African black-footed penguins and learn about the adorable and, sadly, endangered animals. There will…
Walmart employees among those protesting superstore in Tampa on Black Friday
Wal-Mart employee Mike Ortiz (at right) was protesting against his employer on Black Friday Protests spearheaded by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) against Wal-Mart were held across the country on Black Friday. At the demonstration in front of the retail giant's superstore on Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, approximately 20 people gathered to…
Stylish stocking stuffers
A vicarious gift guide.
Depressing finale
Tell me I did the right thing by ending my relationship.
Cyber Monday & Giving Tuesday: High season for CL’s Holiday Auction
A great time to shop from your laptop and help others.
Toss me a meatball
Living with a near-vegetarian on Thanksgiving.
Review: Bonnie Raitt proves her musical mastery at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
A look back at the Tues., Dec. 3 concert.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis storm the USF Sun Dome, Tampa
A review of the Sat., Nov. 23 concert with Talib Kweli and Big KRIT
A chat with the well-versed Billy Collins
The former National Poet Laureate checks in before headlining the Jaeb Theater on Wednesday evening.
Guitar heroes, before there were guitar heroes: re-issues from Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix
A thoughtful look at Give Me Strength: The ’74/’75 Recordings and Miami Pop Festival
Tampa police & downtown businesses chip in to provide free shelter for the homeless
Tampa Police Dept. Chief Jane Castor announces "Operation Gimme Shelter" It ain't easy being homeless, especially in Tampa, where the City Council passed and Mayor Bob Buckhorn signed several new ordinances earlier this year banning panhandling in most parts of the city. It also prohibited sleeping in public spaces. People who violate the ordinance are…
T-Day Countdown: CL Holiday Auction, Week Two, closes Thanksgiving Day at 5 p.m.
Get some great deals while you’re digesting your stuffing!
Out to Kill: Tampa’s gay whodunnit
Out to Kill. Also pictured are boom operator Ralph Barnette and camera operator/director of photography Paul D. Hart." width="400" height="314" /> Filmmaker Rob Williams directs actors Mark Strano, second from right, and Scott Sell, far right, during a scene from Out to Kill. Also pictured are boom operator Ralph Barnette and camera operator/director of photography…
Mitch Perry Report 11.27.13 – Will healthcare.gov be all good by the weekend?
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah to all of our readers out there today. While those fortunate enough this weekend will gather with friends and family to eat, shop, watch lots of pro and college football, see movies and do other fun things together, there's another group of folks who are going to be under a…
Pre-Turkey day festivities happening around Tampa Bay
Lots to do on the eve of Thanksgiving — because the holiday we have off from work involves alot of eating and lounging around and napping, so the night before is primed and ready for carousing. I've compiled a list of likely fun-having possibilities, all with their own pre-holiday drink specials and at least one…
The Well-Played List, 11-27-2013: Aceyalone, Bob Dylan, The Limiñanas & more
Music we’re jamming this week; audio, video & Spotify playlist included.
Repeal Day recalls Tampa’s noble experiment
Prohibition meant bootlegging and police-sanctioned organized crime.
High times at Bleu Acier
Gregg Perkins revisits historic alpine images in First There is a Mountain.
Dinner party strategy
Plan the perfect evening of food and wine pairings.
A Marvelous Party! indeed
But the good stuff arrives during Act II of American Stage’s latest production.
The Book Thief tries too hard
Excellent performances can’t save this latest cinematic exploration of the Holocaust.
This week in Tampa Bay area live music: Kanye West, Koffin Kats, Genitorturers, Bonnie Raitt & more
Concerts, Nov. 28-Dec. 4.
Plantain primer
Everyone loves plantains, but cooking them at home can be a chore.
Homefront is an action-movie affront
Jason Statham and James Franco square off in the boonies.
The Laugh Tract — who’s bringing the funny
GREEK GEEK: Yannis Pappas brings his cavalcade of characters to Tampa this weekend. It's Thanksgiving week, and comedy clubs in Tampa Bay have a nice mix of traveling performers and local talent. There are clean shows, dirty shows and even a few puppets. There are also opportunities to go for free (if you donate a…
Creative Loafing Fiction Contest: Time’s running out
The deadline for entering is Wed., Nov. 27, at 5 p.m.
D.C. operatives engaging in daily warfare in Pinellas’ CD13 race
Kathleen Peters Although we're not even sure which two major candidates will be on the ballot next spring to replace the late Bill Young in Pinellas County, the Democratic and Republican congressional campaign committees in Washington are wasting no time in trashing the opposing party's (potential) nominees. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) sent out…
Consumer advocates warn about dangerous toys as the holiday shopping season begins
FPIRG's Dalyn Houser handles a toy smartphone that she says is way too loud for kids At this time of year, mainstream media outlets focus ad nauseum on retail sales. Assignment editors send photographers to outlets like Best Buy or Target to snap pictures of Americans willing to sleep in tents for days to win…
You’ve got to try our stuffing …
This holiday recipe will have you giving thanks for the awesome flavor.
Spirited away at the Bourbon & Brew Festival
The cocktails rocked at the event held on the Tampa Heights’ waterfront.
Tampa’s Rivergate Tower turns 25
It’s a less than happy birthday for the downtown icon, and its architect challenges the city to finish the job.
Frozen goes cold
Disney’s latest tries to re-capture the magic of its 1990s renaissance.
New Music Week!: November 25-26 + Record Store Day Black Friday releases
Audio & video included.
Live & Local Spotlight: Microgroove 2nd Anniversary Festivities
As if it weren’t awesome enough Tampa Bay has so many vinyl enthusiasts that we can support several noteworthy indie record shops, now one of the youngest is celebrating its second year this Sunday. Microgroove, the shop owned and operated by New Granada Records’ Keith Ulrey, is blowing it out, too, with live music over…
