Whether you live in the neighborhood or visit often, there’s plenty to do. Here’s a smattering of venues with ongoing events and one-time special events in the ’hood April and May.
Hillsborough High Earth Day Celebration Hillsborough High School’s environmental club and alumni association celebrate Earth Day with master gardener Q&A session and a release of butterflies and ladybugs at Hillsborough High School’s Positive Park Garden. RSVP requested. Mon., April 22, 10 a.m., 813-300-6361, free admission.
Independent Bar and Café The popular craft beer hub and eatery always has nice outdoor live music action in addition to occasional beer tastings, its first Monday Movie Night and more. Acho Brother performs Sun., April 7. The Sunday School for Sinners features the Florida Mountain Boys on Sun., April 21, at 6:30 p.m. independentbartampa.com.
Karaoke Nights at the Corner Club A bona fide tradition in the Heights that earned the CL Best of the Bay award in 2012. On any given weekend evening, lovable bartender Patty Denmark will grace the clientele with her rendition of “Short Dick Man,” a Vietnam vet named Animal might ask you to dance, or Miss V will lead a chorus of drunk girls in singing “Kiss Me Deadly” by Lita Ford. 813-231-5010.
Live Music at Ella’s Kick back at the popular eatery that combines American folk art and quality cuisine — and tunes. See local, regional and even some national acts on Fri. nights at 10 p.m. and Sun. afternoons at 4 p.m. Upcoming shows include Red Rockits, April 5; Hymn for Her, April 7; Rebekah Pulley Twosome, April 12, and Y Los Dos Pistoles with Jeff Brawer and Rodney Smith, April 19. ellasfolkartcafe.com.
Mermaid Tavern The North Seminole Heights casual beer, wine and grub hang offers some choice music nights. Every hump night, enjoy Mermaid Late Nite Wednesday: Bring-Your-Own-Vinyl with DJ Sam Esser, 10 p.m.-3 a.m. On the last Thursday of the month, The Mermaid hosts a “swing-ding” benefiting a local nonprofit or charitable organization with music by Six Volt Rodeo. mermaidtaverntampa.com.
Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market The popular fresh and fun event is in its fourth year with more than 100 vendors. Browse locally grown produce, local agricultural producers, artisans, crafters and specialty foods vendors. Live music and activities for children are usually featured. Hillsborough High School, 5000 N. Central Ave., Tampa. 813-649-8747, tampabaymarkets.com/seminole-heights-sunday-morning-market.
Seminole Heights Bicycle Club The fun, informal group is free to join with a variety of ongoing events for all levels of skill and experience. They include a slow ride, which, like all of the club’s other rides, leaves at 8:30 a.m. from the Seminole Heights Garden Center, 5800 Central Ave., on the first Saturday of the month. The more intermediate ride alternates themes each month, from river-oriented to urban routes. The next river ride is Sat., April 13, taking a 10-mile tour of Seminole Heights’ neighborhoods along the twists and turns of the Hillsborough River. The urban ride on Sat., May 11, heads to Downtown Tampa and Hyde Park. For more dates, check the club’s calendar at seminoleheightsbicycleclub.com.
15th Annual Seminole Heights Home Tour Presented by the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association and the Old Seminole Heights Preservation Consortium, the tour starts at the Seminole Heights Garden Center, 5800 N. Central Ave., and can be taken on foot, trolley or bike. Sun., April 7, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $15 advance, $20 day of; oldseminoleheights.org/hometour.
Seminole Heights Running Club Step to it at regular club runs Wed. nights at 6:30 p.m. at the Independent Bar & Café. seminoleheightsrunningclub.com.
Seminole Heights Saturday Social The monthly music, craft beer and food event features live music monthly. April features tunes by The Skull and Bone Band and Shoeless Soul.
Seating is limited. Blankets and lawn chairs permitted but pets and coolers have to stay home. First Saturday of every month, 6-10 p.m., at Cold Storage Craft Brewery. saturdaysocial.org.
Sherry’s YesterDaze: 15 Years of Flashbacks Celebration Week Celebrate the popular vintage shop’s 15th birthday at a weeklong event that continues today through April 7. yesterdazevintage.com.
Storytelling Festival and Book Fair The day of free family-friendly fun brings in hundreds of youth storytellers, roving characters, and arts and crafts. Local food trucks, a storybook parade, and performances by the Atlantic Coast Theater are also featured. Sat., April 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Hillsborough High School. tampastory.org.
Team Trivia League Join a team in the free league that’s hot on trivial pursuit. Competitions are at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at Cold Storage Craft Brewery. playteamtrivia.com, 813-374-2101.
Third Saturday Market Partake of food trucks, live music and craft beer at a monthly fest and market presented, by the Tampa Bay Markets Inc. and Florida Avenue Ales. Free parking; dogs okay. 4101 N. Florida Ave. tampabaymarkets.com/3rd-saturdays-in-seminole-heights.
