Local Gallery attracts homegrown artist and Florida carver
Gulfport may not have the number of galleries it did 15 years ago – something decried by the artists who once called Beach Boulevard their stomping ground — but the few galleries popping up in the Historic Waterfront District are attracting some impressive local talent. No better example than & Gallery — no, that's…
Flat-out fantastic: Oregano & Cracked Pepper Flatbread
This flatbread recipe is easy enough to overcome anyone’s fear of baking.
It’s The Great Florida Craft Beer Guide, Tampa Bay
Beer writer Mark DeNote to present his must-carry Florida beer guide at Inkwood Books.
Meet the Brewers: Julia and Ken Rosenthal of Pair O’ Dice Brewing
Experience and detail help this Pinellas craft-brewing couple succeed.
Tampa Bay’s weekly literary happenings
Spooky stories and ghostly tales dominate local literary events this week.
CL on the road photo review: Austin City Limits Music Festival, Weekend Two.
As the saying goes, I'll try anything once, twice if I like it. Not only do music fans love the Austin City Limits Music festival, they love it enough that organizers C3 offered up a second full weekend of musical madness. Thought not quite as large as Lollapalooza or Bonnaroo, the fest takes place in what has become…
Mitch Perry Report 10.23.14 – Will PSTA’s unforced errors doom Greenlight?
The PSTA board continues to stand firmly behind CEO Brad Miller, believing that there's not much "there, there" to the most recent report by Mike Deeson on WTSP-Channel 10 that aired last Friday night. That story focused on emails that Miller and the PSTA staff sent to the Dept. of Homeland Security regarding a public awareness…
Legacies celebrates World Pasta Day with free noodles
Snag a free bowl of pasta and marinara from Legacies Cucina Italiana Saturday.
Dead on: Christopher Buehlman’s The Lesser Dead
A local author brings life to a suffocated genre. Hollywood might just take notice.
Themed Screams: Halloween Horror Nights 24 and Howl-O-Scream
Exploring the scares on tap this season at Busch and Universal.
Chris D’Elia delivers laughs Under No Influence
Steadied by mellow abstinence, D’Elia has crafted the perfect drunk girl impersonation.
Nightmare on 19th Street: The hauntrepreneurial spirit of Cody Meacham
Family and friends have always lurked closed behind at St. Pete’s Radley House.
Movie review: St. Vincent is heartwarming despite itself
Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy deliver career-milestone performances in a sweet if sometimes too maudlin dramedy.
Yes on Greenlight going all out in last days of the campaign
With less than two weeks to go before Election Day, Yes on Greenlight, the PAC behind the Greenlight Pinellas transit tax initiative, is going all out to blanket the airwaves and try to persuade undecided voters to choose "yes" when they fill out their ballots. They've just purchased their biggest buy of the campaign season,…
On the menu: Beignets, baklava waffles for brunch
Bamboozle Tea Lounge in Tampa and downtown St. Pete’s Acropolis dish new brunch lineups.
SCENE BREAKER: Priapic poles for Lesbians, a shot at (radio) stardom, and just being nominated may not be such an honor
Here’s what’s behind the curtain this week in Tampa Bay theatre… THIS IS SO NOT YOUR FATHER’S VAMPIRE LESBIANS PLAY: According to director David M. Jenkins, Jobsite Theater’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, which starts previews a week from tonight, will feature “priapic guard spears” tipped with sex toys left behind by a different company’s production of…
Astronautalis and Why? announce December 20 stop at Orpheum in Ybor City
Florida hip hop acts Samurai Shotgun and Bleubird play support.
World Stroke Day event to take place in Tampa next Wednesday
On the day after Labor Day this year, Tampa Verizon employee Victor Diaz was part of a training conducted by officials with the American Stroke Association Tampa Bay, where he learned about the warning signs to detect if a friend or family member may be suffering from a stroke. That following Sunday he was talking to…
Restaurant review: VIP en la playa
VIP Lounge, a Treasure Island institution, serves up Mexican-American fare with bargain prices and a beach-town vibe.
Call for artists and crafters for 41st Annual Temple Terrace Arts and Crafts Festival
The Temple Terrace Arts Council is accepting applications from fine artists and crafters for its 41st Annual Temple Terrace Arts and Crafts Festival, to take place Nov. 8-9, at the Event Field at Greco Middle School, 6925 E. Fowler Ave., Temple Terrace. Applications are available on the Festival website, templeterraceartsfestival.shutterfly.com, or may be requested by…
Review: A look back at Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2014
Clearwater Jazz Holiday celebrated 35 years this past weekend.
Bob Buckhorn no fan of medical marijuana
There's no doubt that the liberalization of marijuana laws is spreading across the county, with Alaska and Oregon attempting to join Washington and Colorado as the only states to legalize the recreational consumption of pot next month. Meanwhile, Florida is attempting to join the other 23 states in the U.S. that have legalized medical marijuana,…
Felipe Gustavo returns to Tampa Bay on Saturday when ‘Skate The Bay’ brings top skaters to kick, push alongside locals
Idolators of Lebron James, Tom Brady, or Steven Stamkos don’t really get chances to be on the field of play, participating alongside their heroes. That’s where big-time professional sports organizations like the NBA, NFL, and NHL fall short of being truly accessible to their fans, and while Red Bull’s Skate The Bay isn’t a trip…
New Q Poll headline: Florida likely voters dislike Crist a little less than Scott
The latest Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday morning shows Rick Scott and Charlie Crist in a dead tie at 42 percent, with Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie is in third place with 7 percent. Crist gets 41 percent of independent voters, to Scott's 38 percent, with 11 percent for Wyllie. And among those who have already voted,…
Get your gin and jerky on at Quaid
Closing reception for Ericka Richardson’s Night Moves is beefy, pine-y.
Tonight in live music: Los Lonely Boys at Capitol Theatre
The Garza brothers have been making music together as Los Lonely Boys since the 1990s, but didn’t really reach mainstream audiences with their blue-eyed soulful Tex Mex until delivering No. 1 AC charter “Heaven” in 2004. Fifth and latest full-length Revelation was released on the band’s own LonelyTone imprint and toys with new sonic flavors…
Mitch Perry Report 10.22.14: Crist takes the final debate
Although Charlie Crist didn't come into Tuesday night's gubernatorial debate with a sterling reputation for debating, he was positively Lincolnesque compared to Rick Scott in their final televised encounter, broadcast live nationally on CNN from Jacksonville. As we mentioned after the #FanGate debate last week, Scott is not a very good speaker, and frankly it…
Eddie V’s announces inaugural lineup of Thanksgiving eats
Diners may enjoy a turkey dinner entree or the full Eddie V’s menu on Thanksgiving.
Mayor Rick Kriseman announces fair hiring practices in St. Pete
Mayor Rick Kriseman and Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin announced their initiatives for fair hiring practices in St. Petersburg today. They pledge for St. Pete to be a “City of Opportunity.” On January 1st, 2015, they are “banning the box.” There will no longer be a box on job applications requiring individuals to disclose prior convictions.…
Parsons Brinckerhoff getting paid big to help prepare Hillsborough transit plan
Two weeks from tonight, Pinellas County voters will decide whether to approve a one-cent transit tax to help pay for a major new transportation project called Greenlight Pinellas. Meanwhile, today in Hillsborough County, preparations to place a similar measure intended for the November 2016 ballot were jump-started, with an ambitious goal of being ready to…
Review: Don’t Stop St. Pete brings nearly 50 bands to seven downtown venues
A look back at the Sat., Oct. 18 fest.
Sneak peek of the new Taste A La Cart cooking demos
Taste A La Cart will offer demos by local chefs using St. Pete Saturday Morning Market goods.
The Laugh Tract — who’s bringing the funny
Political humorist Bill Maher will do what he does best at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Saturday night. Bill Maher is in town. If that brings a smile to your face, hope you saved your money. It's not a cheap ticket, but promises the fireworks you love. But if you roll your eyes when you hear…
Sunday’s Cyclovia will hopefully pave the way for a bike-safe Tampa Bay
Last Sunday, my friend Kat Flynn was hit by a car on her way from Ybor Heights to Cyclovia Tampa Bay, a bike safety awareness-spreading and recreation event that closed off roads in eastern downtown Tampa. Luckily she wasn't seriously injured, but talk about sending the important point home that "safety doesn't happen by accident."…
Judithanne McLauchlan says Jeff Brandes’ reference to a personal bankruptcy was “mean spirited”
One of the most notable ads of the local political season in the Tampa Bay area has been the Republican Party of Florida's "Pop Quiz" attack spot on Judithanne McLauchlan, the USFSP political science professor who is trying to knock off Jeff Brandes in the State Senate District 22 race that encompasses much of the…
New music Tuesday! (October 21): Taylor Swift, Primus, Annie Lennox, T.I., & more
Releases out this week; audio & video included.
Dwight Dudley isn’t certain about about recent GOP criticism about Duke Energy
Although most Democrats running for the state legislature in the Bay area are being out-fundraised by their GOP opponents, St. Petersburg-based House Democrat Dwight Dudley isn't one of them, as he faces Republican Bill Young with two weeks to go in the House District 68 race, which encompasses St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park. Dudley has kept…
A la Carte TV: Good or bad?
The future of television is here. Not in the widespread state it will no doubt be in the coming months, but, it’s here. Last week HBO announced it will launch a stand-alone streaming service in 2015 with no cable subscription required. CBS beat them to the punch and went ahead and launched a streaming service,…
Mitch Perry Report 10.21.14: Real & imagined fears about Ebola & immigration
I covered the initial visit of African-American journalists to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg in 2009, an event that has become an annual occasion — until now. On Friday, school officials canceled this year's visit, with Han Reichgelt, the university's regional vice-chancellor for academic affairs, saying that students and faculty had expressed concerns…
Tonight in live music: Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band at Crowbar
The name reflects a brash cheekiness that matches colorful bumpin’ music with definite P-Funk appeal. Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band does indeed dish out deep, nasty, funkadelia but songs like “Trunk Fallin' Off” off 2013’s Onward! introduces old school rap while “Lovin’” turns up the grooving modern soul and vintage R&B. Keys-playing, keytar-wielding Mary…
GOP women demand Crist return campaign funding from strip club owner
Speaking in front of "Scalett's Ybor Strip" in Tampa, Republican Party of Florida chair Leslie Dougher and Representative Kathleen Peters demanded Charlie Crist return the $90,000 he received in campaign finance from strip club owners today. Crist received $40,000 from “Cheetahs” and $50,000 from “Scarlett's” in Hallandale Beach, Florida. This comes less than a week…
App cruncher — One million zombie kills contest giveaway, Kickstart Basement and Tiny Thief gets Bewitched
Age of Zombies ($.0.99) Created by HalfBrick Studios 19 OCT, 2014 Age of Zombies reaches 1 billion kills as shown on their Global kill counter. Right as they approach the final weekend of Zombie Month, and their great multi-player update (Up to 4 players at the time), which brought a lot of support from the…
Can April Griffin keep her seat on the Hillsborough County School Board?
In Tampa/Hillsborough County politics, collegiality is highly valued. April Griffin would argue perhaps a bit too highly valued. That's because her at times unsparing criticism of Hillsborough County Superintendent MaryEllen Elia has offended some sensibilities. That public perception makes her vulnerable in her attempt to secure a third four-year term on the School Board. But…
Scott Orsini doesn’t like his integrity being questioned regarding Peters robocalls
Early Sunday morning — as in 3 and 4 a.m. early — a number of residents in Pinellas County and beyond were awakened from their slumber with robocalls advocating that Kathleen Peters was the right person to represent the voters — in Washington D.C. But Peters is not running for a federal office this year; she's…
Charlie Crist says he can’t worry about Rick Scott’s millions at this point
Although he was 40 minutes late for his photo op appearance at an early voting location in downtown St. Petersburg on Monday, Charlie Crist appeared to be in good spirits, despite the report that Rick Scott is about to dig deep into his checking account to flood the airwaves further with the gubernatorial election just…
Tampa tradition: Landmark Goody Goody eatery to reopen under Gonzmart
Restaurateur Richard Gonzmart will revive Tampa’s iconic Goody Goody burger brand.
Tonight in live music: Justin Hayward at Capitol Theatre
The Moody Blues primary plays a solo date in Clearwater.
Mitch Perry 10.20.14: Rick Scott’s millions coming to his own rescue?
It's starting to get real in this year's midterm in Florida. In addition to early voting beginning in Pinellas and many other counties today (but not Hillsborough, which doesn't start until Thursday), there are just two full weeks left for all of the candidates vying to win election on November 4 to lay it all…
Downtown St. Pete ollies for Freshly Squeezed
On Saturday afternoon, an alley between Central Avenue and 1st Avenue North just off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. in St. Petersburg became a skate park in celebration of Freshly Squeezed’s two-year anniversary. If you wanted to purport street cred on your social media existence, you should have been at the celebration for Freshly…
Northern Florida exposure — the Mattie Kelly Arts Festival in Destin, Oct. 25-26
If you're in the mood to make the most of the great Florida October weather but feel like getting away for the weekend, head to the Panhandle for the Mattie Kelly Arts Festival Saturday and Sunday. The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation hosts the 19th annual festival, showcasing the original works of more than 100 juried…
Pride: A feel-good film that actually makes you feel good
An impeccable cast saves the film, which is based on a true story, from falling into the schmaltz pit.
One last chance to see Ned Averill-Snell as Teddy Roosevelt — a must see
“What am I getting myself into,” I ask myself as I am getting ready to go see The Apocrypha of Theodore Roosevelt play at Tampa Prep. I have not taken history since high school and even then i found it to be a bore. How was I supposed to make it through a almost two-hour…
RNC Chair calls Obama’s Czar on Ebola a “political hack”
With just a couple of weeks before the midterm elections, Fox News Sunday hosted the first cable news confab of the political season with the respective heads of the Republican and Democratic National Committees, Reince Priebus and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, to talk about (and over each other) the issues of the day, which first and foremost today is…
Teams gear, beer up at Brew Mile Friday night
This reporter wasn’t ready for Brew Mile’s shenanigans at Bright House Field.
This weekend in live music: Macy Gray, Givers, The Toasters, Lyle Lovett & more
Concerts, Oct. 18-19
Advocates for the closure of the health care coverage gap meet in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and City Council member Darden Rice joined representatives of some of the leading healthcare advocates: Florida CHAIN (Community Health Action Information Network), Families USA — the national organization for healthcare consumers, Doctors for America — and local residents affected by Florida’s coverage gap for a news conference on Friday. On…
Do This: Must-see art shows tonight!
Infuse your Saturday night with uniquely compelling eye candy on both sides of the Bay.
Get in the Halloween spirit at City of Imagination’s Gallery of Mortality
Head to Gulfport for a unique haunted house for the literate.
All in the family: Marcella Hazan’s son to host Sarasota cooking classes
Learn homestyle Italian cooking tips from Giuliano Hazan, in his Sarasota home kitchen.
Savage love: Polyproblema
Four years ago, I met a man on a “married but looking” website. We exchanged fantasies, which included wanting to have threesomes and a D/s relationship. He was 19 years my senior. I was 42 at the time. For three years, we met twice a week for drinks or sex. The sex was amazing. We…
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
Five by Five — A fun night out and favorite among local arts enthusiasts, Five By Five brims with diverse offerings, well-known names and surprises galore. The third annual art exhibition and night of performance features 5-by-5-inch anonymously displayed works for sale, signed by the artist on the back and available for $25 each. All…
Foo Fighters docu-series Sonic Highways debuts on HBO
Following a week-long residency on The Late Show with David Letterman, Foo Fighters will premier their new docu-series, Sonic Highways tonight on HBO. Much like Dave Grohl’s 2012 documentary Sound City, each of the eight episodes will trace the lineage of a legendary recording studio and the music culture of the city surrounding it. At…
Public art installation kicks off St. Pete Science Festival
Ellen Kirkland Current Collections challenges viewer/participants to look up through a swirling ocean gyre of plastic debris St. Pete has once again achieved international recognition for its commitment to public art for its latest installation: Current Collections. The event was carried internationally on BBC and also mentioned in the Wall Street Journal. At yesterday’s St.…
A tale of 2 counties? Pat Kemp & Al Higginbotham’s different views on the health of Hillsborough
Although Al Higginbotham has served on the Hillsborough County Commission for eight years, he's only represented one quarter of the county during that time, in the more conservative District 2 regions of Riverview, Brandon and other far eastern parts. That's why it's no shoo-in that he'll take the countywide district 7 seat, where he faces…
App cruncher — mobile games that take you to other worlds
Machinarium (Google Play) $4.99 (free Demo)Available on iTunes Developed by Amanita DesignEnter a hand-drawn post-apocalyptic world, where you guide a disassembled robot named Joseph, through the city of Machinarium, to save his girlfriend, Bertha, from the Blackcap Brotherhood. This award-winning-cross-platform game, from the makers of Samorost and Botanicula won IGF's Excellence in Visual Art Award. (2009) Each…
Florida climate scientists request a followup with Governor Scott
Last week CL reported on the Climate Science & Solutions Summit, an event organized by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Speakers included scientists, elected officials, environmentalists and businesspeople making a living in solar power. The first panel featured three of the five climate scientists who met with Governor…
New beans in town: Java’s Coffee holds two-day grand opening
The new Java’s Coffee & More set to celebrate its official Palm Harbor launch for two days.
New HART member Mickey Jacob says he can’t wait to get started working on transit issues
Architect Mickey Jacob set out for Tampa upon graduating from college more than 30 years ago, and has been been a working architect here ever since. A founding principal with Urban Studio Architects, he's served as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at BDG Architects since 2013, where he is responsible for the…
Mitch Perry Report 10.17.14: Medical marijuana amendment burning out?
While the U.S. political media establishment was guffawing over #FanGate, some pretty important things happened in the past 24 hours. Like the San Francisco Giants making it into the World Series for the third time in the past five seasons. Please forgive me, Tampa Bay area, but like so many non-native Floridian sports fans, old…
Tonight in live music: Tim Reynolds & TR3, Willy Porter, DrFameus + more
A breakdown of concerts taking place this Fri., Oct. 17
Raices en Tampa asks City Council to support licenses for all undocumented immigrants
Members of Raices en Tampa and supporters stood before Tampa City Council Thursday morning. They asked the council to vote on a resolution in support of issuing drivers licenses to all undocumented immigrants. While similar laws have already passed in eleven states, Governor Rick Scott vetoed efforts in Florida that would have provided temporary licenses…
Tampa Bay’s weekly literary happenings
Investigative journalist and senior writer for NBC News Tony Dokoupil will speak at Eckerd College Thursday, Oct. 16, 7 to 8 p.m., about his new memoir, The Last Pirate: A Father, His Son, and the Golden Age of Marijuana. Unbeknownst to him at the time, Dokoupil's father was a major marijuana smuggler in the 1970s…
Congresswoman Kathy Castor helps USFSP launch the PSTA U-Pass Program
Ellen Kirkland (L-to-R) Congresswoman Kathy Castor, USF's Rocky, Ken Welch and others aboard PSTA Congresswoman Kathy Castor was on hand in St. Pete on Wednesday to tout the Greenlight Pinellas plan and to kick off the addition of USFSP to Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) U-Pass program. She launched the event with what she called…
Dennis Ross to propose legislation to ban commercial flights from West Africa
Saying that he is now "putting my foot down," CD15 Congressman Dennis Ross announced today that he is sponsoring legislation that would ban commercial air flights and the issuance of visas to counties affected by the Ebola virus. It comes a day after House Speaker John Boehner issued a statement that a temporary ban on…
Don’t Stop St. Pete brings nearly 50 bands to seven downtown venues this Saturday
The Antiwarpt spin-off returns for a second go-round with Ex Cult & others.
A taste of fall: Apple Pie Caramels
‘Tis the season to whip up artisan caramels in your kitchen.
Do This: Fed up, Dixie’s Tupperware Party and much more make up an eventful Thursday
The Huffington Post calls it a film we "can't afford not to see" — for one screening only tonight at 7:30 p.m., Tampa Theatre will screen the documentary Fed Up, which follows a group of children over a period of two years as they try to put into practice conventional diet and exercise guidelines. The film…
Tonight in live music: Porter Robinson at Amphitheatre, Ybor City
Though he had some successes with releases on Skrillex’s OWLSLA label and his Big Beat Records single “Language,” and produced official remixes for Avicii and Deadmau5, Porter Robinson really gained some traction in the EDM scene after collabing with Mat Zo on 2012’s synth-fizzing progressive house single “Easy.” He took a synth-pop turn in full-length…
Creative Loafing’s 2014 Election Guide
Vote wisely today with the help of our handy guide.
CL Voting Guide 2014: Hillsborough
Hillsborough residents, make your voices heard November 4.
CL Voting Guide 2014: Amendments/Referendum
Voice your opinion on conservation, medical marijuana, judicial appointments and Greenlight Pinellas
CL Voting Guide 2014: Statewide Races
Get the scoop on Crist, Scott, Wyllie, Bondi and more
CL Voting Guide 2014: Pinellas
All the information you need for Pinellas County’s most important midterm races
Talking with Charlie Crist: “I can fix it”
CL’s News & Politics Editor interviews the man who would be governor — again.
