Creative Loafing Tampa — January 11, 2024 by Chava Communications

JAN. 11-17, 2024 (VOL.37, NO.02) • $FREE CREATIVE LOAFING - CLTAMPABAY.COM

Authentic Mexican food is considered to be healthy by many nutritionists. This is because many of the dishes include a

perfect blend of all of the food groups your body

needs (carbs and proteins).

Added bonus: Many

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PUBLISHER James Howard EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ray Roa

COURTESY

Editorial DIGITAL EDITOR Colin Wolf MANAGING EDITOR Kyla Fields THEATER CRITIC Jon Palmer Claridge FILM & TV CRITIC John W. Allman IN-HOUSE WITCH Caroline DeBruhl CONTRIBUTORS Michael Murillo, Jennifer Ring, Arielle Stevenson PHOTOGRAPHERS Trenton ‘Junior’ Butler, Yvonne Gougelet SPRING INTERN Inquire by emailing rroa@cltampa.com Creative Services CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joe Frontel ILLUSTRATORS Dan Perkins, Cory Robinson, Bob Whitmore Advertising SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Anthony Carbone, Scott Zepeda Events and Marketing MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Leigh Wilson MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Kristin Bowman SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING MANAGER Corrie Miserendino

For people who can’t decide what flavor to order.

Circulation CIRCULATION MANAGER Ted Modesta

A Chicago ice cream staple is coming to Tampa Bay, p. 28.

Chava Communications Group FOUNDER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Michael Wagner CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Cassandra Yardeni Wagner OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Hollie Mahadeo DIRECTOR OF AGENCY SERVICES Mindi Overman SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Meradith Garcia DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT STRATEGY Colin Wolf ART DIRECTOR David Loyola DIGITAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Jaime Monzon

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EDITORIAL POLICY — Creative Loafing Tampa Bay is a publication covering public issues, the arts and entertainment. In our pages appear views from across the political and social spectrum. They do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

FOOD & DRINK ��23 A&E ��33

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This feels like closing the circle. Don’t Call Me Kathy makes its live debut, p. 37.

The newspaper is produced and printed on Indigenous land belonging to Tampa Bay’s Tocobaga and Seminole tribes.

ON THE COVER: Assets c/o Universal. Design by Joe Frontel.

Our main number: (813) 739-4800 Letters to the editor: comments@cltampa.com Anonymous news tips: cltampabay_tips@protonmail.com

twitter.com/cl_tampabay instagram.com/cltampabay facebook.com/cltampabay Creative Loafing is printed on a 90% recycled stock. Please do your part & recycle it when you're done with this copy.

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YVONNE GOUGELET

/food Fucked up fair food /music Listen to newsprint /news Brace for session /arts Things to do /slideshows More Strings

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do this

Tampa Bay's best things to do from January 11 - 17 Dream big

CITYOFSPETE/FLICKR

Each January, St. Pete-based organization Advantage Village Academy organizes an entire weekend full of community-focused events that celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—and 2024’s rendition is here. St. Pete hosts one of the oldest MLK day parades in the entire country, with 2024’s installation being the ‘Burg’s 38th annual celebration. Before Monday’s big parade, the weekend kicks off with a “Big Dream” spelling bee on Thursday, Jan. 11, a banquet on Friday, a scavenger hunt on Saturday and a MLK big band showcase at Lakewood High School on Sunday. And right after Monday’s parade concludes around 2 p.m., folks can head over to Tropicana Field for a family fun day full of kid-friendly activities, vendors and more. Local businesses surrounding parade festivities often host MLK parties or specials of their own, so it’ll be pretty easy to spend the entire day in St. Pete celebrating the life, legacy, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade: Monday, Jan. 15. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover. Travels east to west on 1st Avenue South in St. Petersburg. mlkdreambig.com —Kyla Fields

The daughter of a former slave, Nellie Mae Rowe (1900-1982) didn’t have access to great supplies or the best art instruction, but she could make a sculpture out of scraps of wood and chewing gum. “I take nothing, you know, take nothing and make something out of it,” she once said. Rowe’s colorful drawings and paintings live in East Coast art museums from Florida up to New York. But what she’s most well-known for is turning her private home in Vinings, Georgia into a work of art. She called it her “playhouse,” and it was a local tourist attraction before developers tore it down in the 1980s. Filmmakers Petter Ringbom and Marquise Stillwell, aka Opendox, recently created a scale model of Rowe’s home for their documentary, which tells the story of Rowe’s life and art. Rad more on p. 34.

‘The World is Not My Own’: Next Thursday, Jan. 18. 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. $10 & up. Green Light Cinema, 221 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. greenlightstpete.com —Jennifer Ring

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KATHERINE GIBSON

World building

See more (and submit your event) @ cltampa.com Meat up

NORDCRY/ADOBE

St. Pete Bacon & BBQ Festival: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 13-14. Noon-10 p.m. & 1 p.m.-9 p.m. $15 & up. Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. stpetebaconandbbq.com —Kyla Fields

COURTESY

Happy beerthday

It’s been almost a full year since longtime Seminole Heights residents Kendra and Mike Conze opened the doors of their long-awaited brewery, and the couple hosts a day-long celebration filled with good food, exclusive beer releases, live music and free-to-play arcade games courtesy of Lowry Parcade for Common Dialect’s first “beer-thday.” Tampa-based food truck Trash Panda will be slinging gimbap and other Korean treats all day-long, while musicians like Jamie McElman, Lauris Vidal and Perception turn the brewery’s kid and pet-friendly patio into a temporary music venue. And for all of the craft beer enthusiasts out there, Common Dialect drops a special 11% double hazy triple IPA collab with Cigar City Brewery, alongside an 8% double west coast IPA collab with Coppertail Brewing Co. Both brews are available on draft and in four-packs. “Let’s raise our glasses to the incredible journey we’ve had so far, to the laughter, the clinking of mugs, and the friendships and conversations,” the Conzes write on social media. “Thank you for making Common Dialect Beerworks a home away from home.”

Common Dialect’s 1st Anniversary: Saturday, Jan. 13. Noon-midnight. No cover. Common Dialect Brewery, 5023 N Florida Ave, Tampa. commondialectbeer.com

—Kyla Fields

Lots of laughs

The Bay area is becoming a pretty strong stand-up comedy destination, with plenty of clubs, independent shows, and open mics to keep crowds entertained with live performances. What it doesn’t have is a comedy festival, like the famous ones in Montreal, Atlanta, San Francisco, New York, and so many other cities. Now we do. The four-day Sunshine Comedy Fest, includes dozens of comedians performing stand-up, record podcasts, hold meet-and-greets, and have fun in the sun when a lot of the country is shoveling sidewalks and sporting thermal underwear. Shows will be held at comedy clubs such as Side Splitters and Sunshine City Comedy Club, as well as venues like Coastal Creative and The Floridian Social Club. See the full lineup via cltampa.com/arts.

COURTESY

Treasure Island might not have many city commissioners left (they’re all leaving in the wake of Florida’s new financial disclosure law for elected officials), but the seaside city celebrates a different kind of flight with this two-day get together behind the Thunderbird Beach Resort. There’ll be lessons on quad and dual line sky fliers, plus a night flight once the sun goes down (weather permitting). Running the festivities is Florida Windworks, a Madeira Beach shop that specializes in pretty much anything that flies.

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Take flight

26th Annual Treasure Island Sport Kite Competition and Festival: Sunday-Monday, Jan. 14-15. 10 a.m. start. No cover. Behind the Thunderbird Beach Resort, 10700 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. mytreasureisland.org —Ray Roa

A popular, weekend-long food festival returns to The ‘Burg this weekend, and it seems like organizers always make it a point to do it bigger each year. Not only a food festival packed with dozens of local vendors, restaurants and food trucks, this annual event also features a stacked lineup of live music both days. Just a few of the Bacon & BBQ Festival’s bands include Tropidelic, The New Rulers, Taylor Jansen Trio, Seranation, The Sub Herb and Neverless. In addition to its music lineup, annual BBQ competition, games and prizes, 2024’s festival will feature over 25 food vendors slinging over 100 barbecue and bacon-focused dishes, from smoky brisket and fall-off-the-bone ribs to cheeseburgers and perhaps a few savory-inspired dessert. The Bacon & BBQ Festival’s full food vendor lineup can be browsed on its website and includes Florida-based businesses like Just Smokin’ BBQ, City Wings 305, The Bacon Boss, Kurt’s Sausages and Creative Coastal Cuisine among many others.

Sunshine Comedy Festival: Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 11-14. Various venues, sunshinecomedyfest.com — Michael Murillo

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“It’s completely unacceptable for us as a body to approve an ordinance that doesn’t have steps to follow.” POLITICS

ISSUES

OPINION

Cart, meet horse

Tampa advances juvenile curfew ordinance, despite lack of comprehensive data or enforcement plan. By Arielle Stevenson

t the final Tampa City Council meeting of combined violent and property crimes shaded “We have funded the police department over a violent crime compared to those who didn’t 2023, council members voted 4-2 to advance a based on frequency, from zero to 10 instances and over and over, and y’all have said your- participate. proposed juvenile curfew ordinance to its sec- or more. From Jan. 1, 2022, until Nov. 30, selves that violent crime continues to increase,” “We also know from police officers that it’s ond reading and final vote later this month. The 2023, Tampa had 615 “juvenile calls for ser- Angel D’Angelo, cofounder of the Restorative going to burden them,” Carlson said. “Why would vote came just two months after gunfire killed two vice.” That means any call with the keywords Justice Coalition, said at the meeting. we want to put a burden on police officers and people, including a 14-year-old boy, and injured “minor,” “juvenile,” “juv,” or “juvie.” D’Angelo encouraged Council members to potentially commit civil rights violations if we 16 others during an Oct. 29 shooting in Ybor City. Hurtak asked DeFelice what would happen research violence interruption programs in cit- don’t even know if it’s worked in any other cities?” “I’m disappointed that this conversation and to youth picked up under the proposed curfew. ies like Chicago and Baltimore. In contrast to a A 2016 review of 12 studies on juvenile curthe urgency just came when this happened in “This is an ordinance that we’re talking growing body of evidence on the ineffectiveness fews found the practice “ineffective at reducing Ybor City,” Robin Lockett, local organizer, said about passing, so it is very new of juvenile curfews, intervention crime and victimization.” at the meeting. “East Tampa has been crying in nature,” DeFelice said. “To say programs like Baltimore’s have Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, who didn’t out about gun violence for years.” that we have all the guidelines shown success. attend the Dec. 21 meeting, is supposed to Councilwoman Gwen Henderson, who ini- thought of and policies in place, A recent report from Johns present his updated public safety master plan tially proposed a curfew ordinance in November, that would be incorrect because Hopkins on Safe Streets Baltimore sometime this year. It isn’t clear if that plan was absent from the vote due to her mother’s we haven’t had time to speak to council, to found that homicides in five of the longest-run- includes violence intervention programs like hospitalization. Council members Bill Carlson the members of the community, to see exactly ning sites were “32% lower than in the first four Chicago’s or Baltimore’s. Bercaw has said and Lynn Hurtak voted against the ordinance’s what would happen.” years of program implementation.” repeatedly that he is looking at Orlando as advancement, citing concerns over how little data Hurtak said that without a clear plan, the The analysis also noted that the Safe Streets a “model city” for how Tampa can respond to has been presented to the Council. council should wait to vote on the ordinance. program had reduced nonfatal shootings by 23%. the Oct. 29 shooting. “The very simple ques“Major DeFeliece, you made my point for A study published last month by “The crisis in Ybor City me, which is we don’t have systems in place,” Northwestern researchers found that tion is, has it worked in any has been a long crisis in city where it’s been impleHurtak said. “To me, it’s completely unaccept- those who completed Chicago’s East Tampa,” Connie mented?” Carlson said at able for us as a body to approve an ordinance gun violence reduction-aimed Burton, community orgathe meeting. “We don’t even that doesn’t have steps to follow.” Create Real Economic Destiny nizer, said at the meeting. know that basic question.” Many in the community voiced or CRED program were Burton raised conThe proposed citywide concerns over the proposed 73% less likely to have cerns about how TPD will ordinance prohibits youth ordinance. an arrest for enforce the ordinance in under the age of 16 from a community with many being out after 11 p.m. and youth in crisis. could result in a $50 fine. “Are they [TPD] social City attorney Andrea workers now?” Burton Zelman presented a chart asked. of juvenile calls for service Carlson’s motion for in Tampa as the only data city staff to give a report for the ordinance’s first on whether juvenile curreading. fews have reduced violent “One of the data points crime rates in other cities that I wasn’t aware of until passed unanimously. yesterday… is how many “We just heard that the juvenile-related calls come city doesn’t have answers to in from districts all over almost any of the questions,” the city,” Zelman said. Carlson said at the meeting. District 3 Commander “We know where the ordiMajor Eric DeFelice, nance came from, we know whose 24-square-mile diswho originated the idea. We trict includes Ybor City, don’t know any of the data.” presented what TPD now That report is slated to says is an ongoing citycome immediately before wide problem. Areas in the final ordinance vote on all three districts showed SUNDOWN TOWN: A proposed citywide ordinance prohibits youth under the age of 16 from being out after 11 p.m. Jan. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

LOCAL NEWS

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Facing realities

Reports on Hillsborough school’s low reading and math scores ignore readiness and chronic absenteeism. By Lynn Gray

here are three central factors which result in students performing low on statewide testing: lack of “effective teachers”, students not “reading ready”, and chronic absenteeism. In Hillsborough County Public Schools, we have a fourth barrier; that of the ability to pay competitively in comparison with other large districts our size. We stand alone among the state’s largest districts without any additional money to pay employees a competitive amount. The lack of competitive employee pay influences all three factors above as our HCPS district faces a lack of bus drivers, social workers, nurses, teachers, administrators, and other staff members. Many employees, including our effective teachers, have left to go to the private sector or to nearby school districts where higher pay ranges from $3,000-$30,000 per year higher. Attaining higher test scores is a direct correlation of an effective teacher in front of students, vs. a long-term substitute, one teaching out of

field, and those who teach multiple subjects per school day. HCPS currently has 373 instructional vacancies with most leaving in part for higher salaries and educational freedom. Recent test scores reported by the Tampa Bay Times reveal low reading and math proficiency, however, fail to mention two realities. One being many of our elementary students come to us not “reading ready” and secondly, there are learning gains made already. For example, within our 50 Transformation Schools network our high needs schools currently have average learning gains in reading, math, and science up by 35% or more. This growth occurred in the face of 13% of our student population being English language Learners, over 12,000 immigrants, and 2,000 migrants; most of whom have little if any English language competence. On top of language challenges, many students who begin Kindergarten are at Level one or two with little or no phonetic and reading comprehension.

OP-ED

To augment language acquisition together with reading readiness, we did an about face last year with Pre-K and K with phonics and phonemic awareness known as “The Science of Reading”. Also, we initiated IAWA-Intensive Afterschool and Weekend Academy-20 combined elementary and middle schools who meet on Saturdays to remediate learning loss. We are reminded whether it be these 50 Transformation Schools plus other schools with needed reading emphasis; it takes two-three years to gain the highest proficiency scores. Our district will see a rise in state test scores come May and June. Chronic absenteeism is a nationwide challenge. Ask middle school and high school principals their number one concern and most will reply getting students to show up daily. The lack of bus drivers amplifies student absences and tardiness; especially true in south county; where Amazon pays delivery drivers $2 or more than what Hillsborough offers its bus drivers. On any given day, we are 350 bus drivers short. Moreover, 35% of our student population missed 10% or more school days in the 2022-23 school year. Simply put, students cannot learn nor pass any exam if they are not getting the education provided. To address chronic absenteeism our central focus is three-fold. We have developed an “Attendance Dashboard” which pinpoints those students missing classes thus enabling teachers

WHEELS ON THE BUS: The lack of competitive employee pay influences test scores, too.

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and administrators the ability to target the reasons why. Secondly, this coming school year our principals will develop an “Attendance Improvement Plan” based on this attendance dashboard. Principals will then put together a process to address their missing students which will include parental involvement and community assistance. Last, our Family and Community Engagement (FACE) and the HCPTA are expanding parental involvement within our schools. This outreach will increase awareness of parents to realize the importance of reading especially to pre-K and kindergarten students, attendance, and personal involvement in their child’s school(s). Thus far we have 193 active school PTAs with the goal of all our 240 plus schools having an “active” PTA. Low test scores and the reasons why are important parental concerns. Likewise, solutions being implemented to address those questions should be an ongoing conversation among parents, school communities, school leaders, and school board members. Lynn Gray, B.A., M.S., has spent decades instructing elementary, middle and high school students in public, private, and a homeschooling organization. With eight years of service on the dais, she is the senior member of the Hillsborough County School Board.

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FOOD NEWS RESTAURANTS

RECIPES

It’s lit

DINING GUIDES

South Tampa’s Streetlight Taco soft opens this month, plus more local food news. By Kyla Fields

be very relaxed and convenient and the food and service to over-deliver in every aspect.” Three salads on its menu are inspired by three Mexican cities: Oaxaca, Puebla and Morelos. Since American salads are much different than the side slaws typically found in Mexican cuisine, Brannock decided to create standalone dishes using ingredients and preparations that are commonly used in those states. A full-service bar packed with several varieties of mezcal, tequila and hard-to-find imported

throughout the new restaurant are souvenirs and reminders of Brannock’s travels throughout Mexico, like vintage love letters he found at a flea market in Mexico City. The 2,500 square-foot space seats about 60 patrons at its bar and dining room, in addition to ample outdoor seating. Streetlight Taco was slated to open last fall, but delays surrounding construction and equipment stalled it a few months. In addition to Brannock, Streetlight Taco’s partners include Jack Murray and Nick Reader, who are also the

St. Pete’s ‘Old School Florida’ restaurant Pesky Pelican is now closed While bars, restaurants and clubs across Tampa Bay rang in the new year last weekend, one St. Petersburg staple celebrated a much more unfortunate festivity. Pesky Pelican Brew Pub located at 923 72nd St. N in St. Pete’s Azalea neighborhood served its very last customers on New Years Eve, where regulars gathered for a potluck party and drained the last of its bottles and taps. Pesky Pelican Brew Pub offered an “all you care to drink” special for $20 during its last days. Owner Dan Pemberton announced the closure on Wednesday, Dec. 27 on social media. Pemberton told St. Pete Catalyst that staggering debts related to the COVID-19 pandemic—accompanied by personal losses in his family— ultimately lead to the closure of the Pesky Pelican. Pemberton and his daughter, who is also associated with the LLC that owns Pesky Pelican, are both filing for personal bankruptcy, as well as bankruptcy of the business itself. Alongside Pesky Pelican’s recent closure, the future of a nearby food pantry, Love Thy Neighbor Community Market, is also up in the air. The Catalyst also reports that Pemberton had been paying the adjacent food pantry’s rent for the past year and a half, and with Pesky Pelican’s closure, it’s unsure of Love Thy Neighbor will remain open—but donations via GoFundMe are always welcome. Pesky Pelican opened out of the former McNally’s Neighborhood Grill location in West St. Pete in 2016, fulfilling Pemberton’s life-long dream of turning his home-brewing hobby into a successful brewpub. The laid-back, neighborhood bar and restaurant was known for its solid tap list and casual, St. Louis-style fare like burgers, sandwiches, continued on page 28 LOGAN PROFITT

much-anticipated new South Tampa restaurant is getting ready to kick 2024 off the right way by finally opening its doors. Located at 4004 Henderson Blvd. in South Tampa, Streetlight Taco will offer a contemporary menu of Mexican favorites inspired by owner and Executive Chef Michael Brannock’s extensive travels throughout Mexico and dedication to its multifaceted cuisine. Brannock tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that he plans to soft open Streetlight Taco sometime in January, although an exact date isn’t set in stone. CL tends to stray away from the word “authentic” when it comes to any type of cuisine, but simply put: Brannock is doing things the right way. Dedicated to traditional cooking techniques commonly found in restaurants, homes and street food stalls throughout Mexico, Streetlight Taco will offer a lunch and dinner menu full of unique tacos filled with wood-fired steak and fish, slowly-braised pork, brisket and chicken tinga and even vegetarian options like sweet potato and eggplant. Brannock says that there are over 50 different types of corn native to Mexico, and Streetlight will be nixtamalizing and grinding several varieties on the restaurant’s own molina to create fresh masa dough for its hand-pressed tortillas. In addition to a variety of tacos on housemade tortillas, Streetlight will also offer Pueblan-style cemitas sandwiches, sides like chips and salsa, salads and larger entrees such as wood-roasted half chickens or carnitas platters after 5 p.m. “I want everyone who eats here to be immersed in this dining experience, from the ingredients we’re using to watching us work in the open kitchen,” Brannock tells CL. “We wanted the atmosphere to

SHINE BRIGHT: Streetlight offers a variety of tacos, amongst other entrees. beers can also be enjoyed alongside Streetlight’s “vinyl menu,” where folks can “order” specific records to be spun on the bar’s turntable. While Streetlight Taco boasts a casual atmosphere with quick-order kiosks and food that will eventually be available via apps like UberEats and DoorDash, its from-scratch menu, open kitchen and dedication to traditional techniques certainly set it apart from other taco joints. Scattered

managing partners of Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Rocca. For the latest updates on Streetlight Taco and next month’s soft opening, head to its Instagram at @streetlighttaco. After its debut, the new Mexican restaurant will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. from TuesdayThursday and Sundays, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Streetlight Taco will be closed every Monday.

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continued from page 23 fried shrimp baskets and pizza, alongside its stacked event calendar of trivia nights, live music and happy hours. Many regular customers and supporters took to Facebook to write various “thank yous” to Pemberton for creating a welcoming space and helping the community throughout 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic.

18th annual Taste of South Tampa returns to the Garden Club in March There’s still a few days to snag discounted general admission tickets to one of Tampa’s longest-running food festivals. Back for its 18th year, the annual Taste of South Tampa festival happens on Sunday, March 3 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Tampa’s Garden Club (2629 Bayshore Blvd.) In addition to both sweet and savory samples from dozens of South Tampa restaurants, this annual foodie event also features live entertainment, chances to win prizes, a beer garden, non-food vendors and scenic views of Hillsborough Bay. While the restaurant lineup for 2024’s installment has not yet been released, South Tampa concepts that have participated in previous years include: Cru Cellars, Ava, Bulla Gastrobar, BellaBrava, Luv Child, Forbici, Bolay, The Brass Tap, MacDinton’s Irish Pub, Sweet Soul, Flames Indian Cuisine and Daily Eats. A few popular chains like Outback Steakhouse, Shake Shack and Planet Smoothie usually hand out samples at Taste of South Tampa, too.

CITYOFSTPETE/FLICKR

Chicago ice cream chain Rainbow Cone will open new Tampa Bay location this year Rainbow Cone, a popular Chicago-based ice cream franchise for people who can’t decide what flavor to order, will soon open a new location in Tampa Bay. In December of last year, the company announced ambitious plans to expand into Florida in 2024, with new locations coming to West Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Orlando, and a new Key West outpost opening in March. “We are excited about the growth of our franchise program in Florida,” says Lynn Sapp, third generation owner of The Original Rainbow Cone in a statement. “The responses we have received from the Florida communities have been incredible, and we are confident that Key West will be no exception.” Founded in 1926, Rainbow Cone specializes in their “world famous” five flavor “Rainbow Cone,” which features orange sherbet, pistachio, Palmer House, strawberry, and chocolate flavors “sliced” on top of each other. The menu also spans a variety of sundaes, cakes, doughnuts and milkshakes. The company did not give any specifics on exactly where or when the new Florida locations will debut. But if you can’t wait, Rainbow Cone’s first Florida location opened in Bradenton last September.—Colin Wolf

FOOD NEWS

SEEING GREEN: The annual Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival returns in February. Tickets to the 18th annual Taste of South Tampa are on sale now and run between $40-50 for GA and $100 for VIP, which includes early admission, access to a VIP-only eating area and additional food and drink options. All ticketing options can be browsed on Eventbrite.com.It’s a cashless event, too, so make sure those debit cards are loaded up. For the latest information on this popular food festival, head to its Facebook or Instagram at @SouthTampaTaste. 2024’s rendition is sponsored by local law firm Older, Lundy, Koch & Martino. Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival returns to St. Pete in February The annual Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival commemorates much more than just the leafy vegetable—it’s a celebration of community, culture and health. Organized by St. Pete residents that strive to highlight the connection between food, community and African American culture, this festival features over 200 local vendors, a kid-friendly activity zone and collard green samples alongside fitness, cooking and agricultural demonstrations.

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The 2024 Collard Green Festival happens on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at St. Pete’s Woodson African American Museum (2240 9th Ave. S). James Beard award-winning culinary historian Adrian E. Miller aka the “Soul Food Scholar” will also host a live presentation titled “Black Chefs in the White House.”And if you think you make some of the best greens in Tampa Bay, then there’s still plenty of time to sign up for the festival’s cooking competition, where the winner will take home a $500 grand prize and bragging rights. “The Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival Inc. emphasizes education in food consumption, agricultural science, and improved lifestyle choices including fitness, and finance,” its organizers write on the event’s website. “We adhere to a ‘health is wealth initiative,’ focusing on improving health, financial, and other racial disparities in the Black, Brown, and African American populations.” The annual festival also hosts a kick-off party and fundraiser across the bridge the night before the official festival. “Collards after Dark” takes place on Friday, Feb. 16 at Tampa’s Cuban Club, where Tombolo Books and WUSF team

up for a boozy, yet educational event that will explore “A Liquid History of the U.S. Presidency.” For the latest information on 2024’s Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, head to its Facebook or Instagram, both at @TampaBayCGF. And if you’re interested in volunteering at 2024’s festival, send an email to contactus@tbcgf.org. ICYMI • The Fold Pizza, a New York-style pizzeria, is Armature Works’ newest addition. The latest concept from popular restaurant group Three Oaks Hospitality made its debut earlier this month and now dishes out classic Sicilian and grandma-style pizzas alongside specialty slices, like the “Firebird” with buffalo chicken, hot honey and jalapeños. • Beloved St. Pete sandwich shop Gateway Subs opened its third location at 5931 4th St. N in early December, and now slings all of the loaded wraps, build-your-own sammies and stacked salads the local business is known for. Its flagship location resides in a Historic Kenwood plaza at 3112 3rd Ave. N, while Gateway Subs’ second beachside shop is located at 2525 Pasadena Ave. S

tbbc.beer @tbbco #beerisyourfriend cltampabay.com | JANUARY 11-17, 2024 | 29

30 | JANUARY 11-17, 2024 | cltampabay.com

MOVIES

THEATER

ART

CULTURE

Engulfed

St. Pete expat Bryce McGuire explains how home plays into his new movie, ‘Night Swim.’ By Ray Roa

ANNE MARIE FOX/UNIVERSAL PICTURES

ater has long been an element of Bryce Freaky things happen in the water for this McGuire’s art. Lovedream, the land- movie, too. mark 2010 folk-pop album from his “Night Swim” is built around Ray Waller band Grecian Urns is rife with allusions to (played by Wyatt Russell of “Black Mirror” and it, including descriptions of redfish prowling Marvel’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”), the glistening Loxahatchee River. The director an ex-big-leaguer who has developed multiple and screenwriter’s 2013 Southern short “Jesus sclerosis and is having a hard time disassociFish,” a story about a would-be religious con ating his value from his ability to hit a very artist and the community around him, takes small ball a long distance. The pool at their place on a bioluminescent Tennessee lake. new home is supposed to help with his, and his One of his first short stories, written when family’s, moving on and moving up. McGuire was 13 years old, is about a kid who On the surface, the film about an absurd walks the seashore to school because kids bully demonic pool has an almost escapist, ‘80s camp him. The child regularly sees murmurations— element. Its vibe all at once references clasgreenback minnows in the ocean, sparrows sics like “Poltergeist,” “Jaws,” “The Amityville above—and soon starts having visions of the Horror” and “Burnt Offerings.” A deeper look bullies disappearing. At one point, the min- unveils some pathos, humanity, and something nows swirl away and one of the bullies’ bodies of a Faustian bargain. The pool is obviously the washes up on shore. American dream. It lets “I don’t know what’s the viewer think about wrong, or what that’s all aspirations and goals— about. I’ll let Jung or and beyond those, the Night Swim Freud, or some combithings someone believes PG-13. 116 minutes In theaters now nation, figure that out,” can make them happy, McGuire, 36, said. “But then the price people are yeah, water is always on the brain, always willing to pay to attain them. inspiring to me, and I feel like I’ll probably “I love the multiple layers of my favorite keep going back to that well, consciously or movies that don’t have to take themselves so unconsciously for forever, probably.” serious, serious, serious, but also have more to McGuire—a St. Pete expat, who went to chew on there if you’re a thoughtful viewer,” Keswick Christian School in Seminole before McGuire added. “I hope that’s kind of the expestudying film in Tennessee and California— rience for people watching it.” spoke to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay the While “Night Swim” is meant to take place morning after a long night in his current somewhere in the breadbasket of America, the hometown, Los Angeles. His voice was hoarse, Wallers’ pool also has something of a connection but he was riding high on the release of his to the waters in and around Florida. The score is by Mark Korven (“The new movie, “Night Swim,” celebrated with a Lighthouse,” “The Witch”), but McGuire full red carpet at Hotel Figueroa. The 98-minute feature film was borne of consulted friends like St. Pete songwriter McGuire’s 2014 short with the same title, which Alexander Charos about music for the film, garnered a cult-following that demanded an and they listened to artists from all over the expansion. The flick is distributed by Universal state. Ultimately, Bay area indie-pop duo and produced by James Wan, the filmmaker Team Callahan reimagined their 2018 bop behind the “Saw” and “The Conjuring fran- “Backwards Hat” into a more Steve Winwoodchises, and Jason Blum, the producer of the esque, ‘80s dance floor rager for a pool party “Halloween” films and “The Black Phone.” It scene. McGuire also reconnected with Even finished its first weekend at no. 2 in U.S. box Beyond Even Beyond, the band of Colton Davie office sales after opening on Jan. 5. (who was actually director of photography on

INTERVIEW

GET DEEPER: Screenwriter and director Bryce McGuire hopes viewers meet his movie with a clear mind. the original “Night Swim”), to write a new song, “Deeper,” for the credits. His Florida-based friend and “Every House Is Haunted” special effects supervisor Sam Ragland skipped visual effects for the movie’s titles, opting instead to use projection to shoot the titles into a pan of water that bounced off a mirror to the ceiling before being photographed. It’s the first time McGuire skipped VFX for a movie’s titles. “ Sam is a mad genius,” he added. And McGuire probably would’ve never dove into film had it not been for his 10th grade teacher, Steve Hobbs, who not only introduced his students to cinema, but played in a beloved, deeply poetic band called The Sugar Oaks. Watching his teacher be creative was inspiring. Hobbs is no longer with us, but McGuire knows we’re all headed to the same place. The art someone makes, or the person they simply are for others, can be a seed with the same kind of ripple effect.

“Steve will never get to sit under this tree but many other people will because he planted that seed, so to take the positive side of that—I just honor that we all have that role in someone else’s life,” McGuire added. “He’s the one that I really wish would be able to see this film.” Next, McGuire sets his sights on completing his next film, “Bad Bloom,” a horror fairytale starring and produced by Vera Farmiga. The film, naturally, takes place near the water on a remote island. For now, McGuire hopes moviegoers clear their minds, take a breath and meet “Night Swim” on its own terms. Afterall, he likes making thrillers because scaring other people allows him to feel less alone with his own fears. “Whatever associations you have with monsters, and horror, the genre in general, or the concept. Just let it all go. Just wade in slowly, let your body acclimate to the water,” he said. “And just see where it takes you.”

“Just wade in slowly.”

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 11-17, 2024 | 31

32 | JANUARY 11-17, 2024 | cltampabay.com

The homie

Creative Pinellas names St. Petersburg native as new CEO. By Jennifer Ring

n Jan. 22, St. Pete-based arts administrator selection of Margaret Murray for the CEO posiMargaret Murray steps into her new role tion was driven by her unique combination of as Creative Pinellas CEO. For folks outside arts leadership, local connections, and farof the Tampa Bay arts community, Murray’s reaching vision.” Murray’s first task as CEO name doesn’t ring any bells. But for arts insiders, Murray is a local is to convene a series of commucelebrity. nity conversations to help focus Murray is the subject of Pinellas County’s cultural plan. countless local headlines, which Murray—who grew up in have charted her involvement in Tampa Bay’s St. Pete and holds a master’s degree in arts arts community since 2001, when she pro- administration from the Savannah College of grammed her first Tampa International Gay Art and Design—has already begun realizing her vision for Pinellas County’s art scene via and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF). Murray her participahas worked in tion in Current Tampa Bay’s (stylized art scene for “CURRENT”), more than P i n e l l a s County’s first two decades, launching a comprehensive Jack Kerouac cultural plan in bike tour in 18 years. St. Petersburg, “I am curating probeyond thrilled grams at the to continue Museum of the work that Fine Arts, guidthe Creative ing TIGLFF Pinellas team through its has done to 25th annielevate the v e r s a r y artistic and celebrations, cultural comand managing mu n it ie s of Pinellas an emergency post-Irma C o u n t y,” fundraiser Murray said in for freeFall a press release. Theatre. Throughout Creative her career, P i n e l l a s Murray’s work started lookhas centered ing for Barbara around the St. Clair’s sucHIP, HIP, MURRAY! belief that art cessor in the For Bay area arts insiders, Murray is a celebrity. should be eassummer of ily and freely 2023. The local arts agency, which fosters a accessible to all. Why? Because art makes vibrant arts community in Pinellas County, communities better, down to improving public partnered with San Francisco-based Arts health and providing economic growth, said Consulting Group (ACG) and Murray. formed a search committee of “From Dunedin to Pinellas six board members and four Park, St. Petersburg and community advisors. beyond, the arts are part of our “ACG provided us with vocabulary,” Murray continues. a choice of many extraordi“I look forward to expanding nary candidates from Florida and beyond,” the ways that residents and visitors enjoy the Committee Chair (and former Creative Loafing bounty of arts experiences developed by the Tampa Bay Editor-In-Chief) David Warner truly world-class artists and cultural organiwrote in a press release. “The committee’s zations here on the Arts Coast.”

LOCAL ARTS

THURSDAY JANUARY 18 ARTIST TALK

SUMMER ELIZABETH KLUYTMAN

ALEXIS ROCKMAN THURSDAY JANUARY 25 ARTIST TALK

JANAINA TSCHÄPE

Visit mfastpete.org for tickets, RSVPs, event information, and additional programs. Events are subject to change.

“The arts are part of our vocabulary.”

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 11-17, 2024 | 33

Strike a pose

Four events to help Tampa Bay art lovers kick off 2024 in style. By Jennifer Ring

There will be zombies at the series, which runs through Jan. 18, but they won’t be chasing you. Don Zolidis’ 30-35 min play, like “Zombieland,” is a comedy. Zolidis wrote nature into the script, making Boyd Hill, situated in the heart of St. Pete, an ideal location for the performance. The same holds true for Mark Twain’s “The Diaries of Adam and Eve,” which Ron Fitzerald adapted for the stage. In this case, Boyd Hill becomes the Garden of Eden, the setting for a comedic exploration of relationships between men and women, Feb. 2-18. Both installments of Tales By Twilight are part of American Stage’s “Beyond the Stage” program, which started with Nassim Soleimanpour’s “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit” in November 2023. The goal of the program,—which is at Boyd Hill through Feb. 28—is to make theater more accessible to Tampa Bay residents by engaging people where they are—in their neighborhood.

Award-winning documentary about folk artist Nellie Mae Rowe screens in St. Pete this month Some people have the best supplies in the world, and still can’t make great art. On the other hand, there are others who can create a masterpiece by simply drawing in the dirt behind their house. The daughter of a former slave, Nellie Mae Rowe (1900-1982) didn’t have access to great supplies or the best art instruction, but she could make a sculpture out of scraps of wood and chewing gum. “I take nothing, you know, take nothing and make something out of it,” she once said. Rowe’s colorful drawings and paintings live in East Coast art museums from Florida up to New York. But what she’s most well-known for is turning her private home in Vinings, Georgia into a work of art. She called it her “playhouse,” and it was a local tourist attraction before developers tore it down in the 1980s. Now Tampa Bay has a chance Pinellas County arts magto get a look at Rowe’s work on a net celebrates 40 years with big screen. massive art show at Morean Art Filmmakers Petter Ringbom Center and Marquise Stillwell, aka The Morean Arts Center has Opendox, recently created a scale model of Rowe’s home for their doca lot of gallery space, and “Four Decades: PCCA Faculty and umentary, “This World is Not My Own.” The 97-minute film, which Alumni Exhibition” will occupy every square inch of it from Jan. tells the story of Rowe’s life and art, 13-Mar. 28. debuted at the 2023 SXSW Film For those unfamiliar with Festival in Austin. Since then, it the PCCA acronym, it stands for won the Nashville Public Television Pinellas County Center for the Human Spirit Award at the 2023 Nashville Film Festival and the Arts—that’s Gibbs High School’s Arts magnet program. The Pinellas award for Best Cinematography County School District opened at the 2023 Atlanta Film Festival. PCCA in 1984 to help high school Opendox documentaries focus students prepare for a career in on “creative underdogs,” who they define as “artists, musicians and the arts. Forty years later, the big designers who create in order to question is, “Did it help students transition into a career in the arts?” reflect on, escape from, or change The answer is yes and more. society.” Not only did countless PCCA Why Rowe? You’ll have to attend one of the Jan 18 screenstudents graduate to successful THE BOMB: The work of Kris Meenan in the Radix Collection. careers in the arts, but many did ings of “This World is Not My Own” so here in Tampa Bay. alumni works, “Four Decades: PCCA Faculty at Green Light Cinema to find out. Leon “Tes One” Bedore established Tampa and Alumni Exhibition” features work created Petter Ringbom and Marquise Stillwell’s Bay’s Street art scene, paintedg his first paid by 17 current and former PCCA faculty members award-winning art documentary, Tickets to see “The World is Not My Own” mural while still a PCCA student in the 1990s, whose instruction contributed to the success of at Green Light Cinema in St. Petersburg next then organizedSt. Pete’s first Shine (stylized many PCCA alumni. "SHINE") Mural Festival in collaboration with There’s no cover to get i nto “Four Decades: Thursday, Jan. 18, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. start the St. Petersburg Art Alliance in 2015. PCCA Faculty and Alumni Exhibition” which at $10.

LOCAL ARTS

American Stage’s next play is a ‘Zombieland’ style adventure at St. Pete’s Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Remember how the 2009 film, “Zombieland” begins with a zombie chasing a guy across a football field while Jesse Eisenberg narrates? “Why am I alive when everyone around me has turned to meat?” he queries. “It’s because of my list of rules. Rule number one for surviving Zombieland: Cardio.” And cardio is what American Stage delivers in its backwoods rendition of “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse” happening this month when actors walk ticketholders down a one-mile trail through Boyd Hill Nature Preserve at night, giving them tips on surviving a zombie apocalypse. Tickets to Tales By Twilight: “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse” happening at St. Petersburg’s Boyd Hill Nature Preserve start at $38.

opens with a reception Jan. 13, 5-8 p.m., during Second Saturday ArtWalk. “Some of the alumni are treating this as a reunion of sorts—so it will be very busy and wonderful that night,” Morean Curator Amanda Cooper told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.

34 | JANUARY 11-17, 2024 | cltampabay.com

C/O RADIX COLLECTION

hanks to St. Pete art collector Jane Radix, you can now buy Derek Donnelly bomber jackets and hoodies, Saumitra Chandratreya-designed loungewear, and bookbags and skater skirts covered in Kris Meenan’s psychedelic, 60s flower power-inspired patterns. How did patterns made by local artists land on jackets, pajamas, bags, and skirts? Radix saw St. Petersburg artists struggling during the pandemic and devised an idea to help them survive uncertain times. The idea was to help artists earn passive income from their designs by printing them onto clothing. Sometimes Radix sees a pattern in an artist’s work and thinks it would look great on clothing. Other times, the artist designs something specifically for the clothing. Radix Collection entered the scene with a poolside fashion show at The Wet Spot in downtown St. Petersburg in spring of 2023, which featured Chad Mize, Mark Williams, and Wasil designs printed onto swimsuits. Now that the weather’s cooler, Jane Radix’s Fall 2024 Radix Collection brings the hoodies and jackets out of the closet and into the public eye with a fall fashion show, and it’s already sold-out. But don’t fret if you didn’t get a ticket. The pattern-forward collection is already available for online viewing and purchase via radixcollection.com, which is how we can tell you that Donnelly’s monster scales look great on a hoodie or bomber jacket. Jane Radix’s Fall 2024 Radix Collection launch at Nova 535 in St. Petersburg on Sunday, Jan. 21 is sold-out.

PCCA alumna Christine Renc-Carter became Executive Director of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in 2022. PCCA alumna Carrie Jadus founded Soft Water Gallery with her husband and fellow artist Mark Aeling in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District in 2022. Muralist Derek Donnelly purchased his studio and gallery space in Pinellas Arts Village in 2023. He closed 2023 painting his largest mural yet, 105 feet high, on the side of the Hilton Hiatus on Clearwater Beach. Reid Jenkins is one of Tampa Bay’s most well-known tattoo artists; Laura Spencer, aka Miss Crit, operates design and fabrication firm Artonomy, LLC with her partner George Retkes in St. Pete; and Jennifer Kosharek painted murals all over Tampa Bay before moving to Alaska in 2022. And that’s just seven of nearly 70 PCCA alums whose work is displayed at the Morean Arts Center this spring. In addition to PCCA

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THU 11

C Chuck Prophet w/Matt Burke Fresh off a set paying tribute to Bob Dylan’s Basement Tapes, celebrated San Francisco songwriter Chuck Prophet returns to Tampa Bay to once again play a solo set for another beloved entity: community radio station WMNF Tampa 88.5-FM. Expect to hear a few tunes from the 60-year-old’s 2020 Yep Roc outing The Land That Time Forgot, but don’t be surprised if Prophet takes listeners into all the corners of his more than 30-year songwriting career. Matt Burke, frontman for Bay area Americana hero Have Gun, Will Travel, opens the show. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa) C Elvis Costello and the Imposters w/ Charlie Sexton Five years ago, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee tore down Mahaffey Theater with his different-every-night “Just Trust” tour, loaded with a healthy mix of mega deep cuts, greatest hits, and a smattering of unreleased material. Since that night, 69-yearold Costello has released both a solo album (Hey Clockface) and a new Imposters record (The Boy Named If), along with a reissue of material he did with the Burt Bacharach, which was initially planned out shortly before his death last February. Charlie Sexton—unarguably one of the best guitarists to ever back Bob Dylan—joins Elvis and The Imposters onstage. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

C Tommy Stinson w/Karla Rose Diane Gentle There isn’t a lot of rock and roll Tommy Stinson hasn’t touched. From his time with the bands he’s founded—The Replacements, Bash & Pop, Perfect—to stints in Guns N’ Roses, The Old 97’s and Moth, the 57-year-old is straight royalty that’s influenced artists from every corner of the globe. While he is currently doing his version of Americana with Chip Roberts in Cowboys in the Campfire, Stinson’s January dates are solo affairs that culminate with sets at Florida’s famed 30A Songwriters Festival (Elvis Costello and Chuck Prophet, who’re also in the Bay area next Thursday, play 30A, too). On the way up to the Panhandle, Stinson squeezes in an intimate set at St. Pete’s Shuffleboard Club. (St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, St. Petersburg)

FRI 12

C Don’t Call Me Kathy w/Bridge Noise/ Hunter Moore On a new version of Team Callahan’s “Backwards Hat” reimagined for the feature film “Night Swim” (read more on p. 31), Nick and Kathleen Arnal turn their bop into a full on synth and guitar party. Don’t expect those vibes during this live debut of the couple’s new project, Don’t Call Me Kathy. “Nick and I wanted to have a musical outlet for the more story-driven folk songs I’ve been writing the last few years.We got our start playing in an indie-folk band almost 15 year ago and this feels like closing the circle,” Kathleen, not Kathy, wrote on social media. Hunter Moore (of Bay area folk duo Hunter

& Avery) is also on this BYOB (beer and/or buddy), mostly acoustic showcase along with Bridge Noise. (Sun Signs, Gulfport)

ERIC LINDELL W/

Green Jelly The comedy metal outfit’s metallic, modern retelling of “Three Little Pigs” originally featured eventual Tool frontman (and at-the-time Green Jelly guitarist) Maynard James Keenan, Les Claypool, and for some reason, Pauly Shore, voicing the pigs. The sixminute track, which takes place in Hollywood and depicts pigs that are respectively smoking pot and are related to Ted Nugent, turns 32 this year, and you might just hear an extended version of some sort blaring on Skipper Road this week. (Brass Mug, Tampa)

ALICE DRINKS THE KOOLAID

Mustard Plug w/Voodoo Glow Skulls/ Bite Me Bambi Mustard Plug’s latest album Where Did All My Friends Go? maintains its regular, horn-section-and-guitar sound while reminiscing about how the things we love are capable of slowly killing us, and friends having less and less of a presence in one’s life. That material from the Grand Rapids-based ska-punk outfit won’t even be the darkest thing you hear on 1st Avenue this weekend, because Bite Me Bambi, known for lyrics about murder podcasts and strippers, opens the show. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

RHYTHM SECTION

C Pangea Sound: Falcons w/Supernova/ DJ Ku/Kevin Kon/Mila Killa/Sado Smooth/T. Couture Tampa is a melting pot of cultures, but its party scene has never fully committed to the sounds of afrobeat, South African amapiano and favela funk. That

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Jeezy

guitar, and fiddle in hand—the Immokalee-born songwriter’s Possessed by Paul James project fuses roots, bluegrass and folk music with blues and punk (watch the documentary about him, “When It Breaks,” to dive right in). He brings a hyper-emotive show that once made a New York Times best concerts list to the Hive, which will hopefully listen carefully to what he has to say. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa) C Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival: Keke Wyatt w/Leela James/Slave/Adam Hawley A weeklong celebration of Black heritage wraps this weekend with theater (Dr. Michah E. Johnson’s one-man show), school (the 50 years of hip-hop event at USF), a Black business bus tour, and this two day music festival in the park. A pair of R&B songwriters—Keke Wyatt and Leela James—headlines on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Support comes from Slave—an Ohio funk group that carries on the tradition of the Ohio Players, Lakesize and Zapp—plus chart-topping smooth jazz guitarist Shawn Hawley. (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa)

TRENTON ‘JUNIOR’ BUTLER

changes for one weekend. For its local debut, the world-renowned Pangea Sound collective—which has thrown down in Los Angeles, Miami and at South By Southwest—is bringing sounds, samples and rhythms from the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, the U.S., and everywhere, to Ybor City. Headlined by the bird, Cuban DJ Falcon, and fellow Pangea cofounder Supernova, this gig is organized by Bay area party starters Crash Test Joyride and Mischief, with support on the bill coming from locals (including DJ Ku and Kevin Kon), while Joey Franchize and others play host. “Despite the city’s growth, the scene has become kinda stale. We desperately need to have these guys in to try and to keep up with Tampa’s cultural boom,” Ku told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “It’s about bringing all walks of life together in a safe space free of judgment to let loose with like minded people.” (Crowbar, Ybor City) Tophouse w/Samuel Herb On “Chicago,” Montana-born, Nashville-dwelling, folk outfit Tophouse plays pop for fans of Mumford & Sons or The Head & the Heart. The quartet is the latest to experience the pristine sound and ambience of Bayboro’s emergent venue when it headlines a show opened by ukulele-welding Jacksonville expat songwriter Samuel Herb whose super-sweet “This Dress Has Pockets” will please fans of Jason Mraz. (Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg)

SAT 13

C Alex Harris w/Zo!/Tall Black Guy/J. Brown One of Tampa Bay’s most soulful voices—Alex Harris, who has worked with Lionel Richie and Alicia Keys, just to name a few—hosts a gig loaded with a trio of Detroitbased soul powerhouses. Lorenzo Ferguson (a.k.a. ZO!), who has composed scores for documentaries has played keyboards behind hip-hop duo The Foreign Exchange. We’re not sure if Ferguson and Terrel Wallace (billed as Tall Black Guy) will get together onstage for a track off of their 2021 collaboration album Abstractions, but J. Brown—on the heels of his latest album The Art of

Making Love—will also be present with his perfect grasp on the sound of contemporary ‘90s soul. (Hough Hall at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg) Cannibal Kids w/Mirror Parts/Lychee Camp There will soon come a day when South Florida indie-pop favorite Cannibal Kids outgrows small clubs, but for now just relish in the experience of jumping along to hits like “Worms”, shoulder-to-shoulder with a fast-growing fanbase. Orlando emo outfit Mirror Parts opens the show along with Tampa’s own Lychee Camp. (Shuffle, Tampa) C Greensky Bluegrass If you couldn’t snag Billy Strings tickets (read more on p. 41), some friends of his are rolling into town this weekend. The Michigan-based, err, bluegrass five-piece brings its latest album Stress Dreams and, as per usual, a sick light show, but because we’re Florida, we don’t get any of the sick opening acts lined up for the rest of the band’s first quarter of 2024. Duane Betts, Melt, and Molly Tuttle are among a few of those set to warm up the band’s primarily east coast crowds. While this gig—as well as Greensky Bluegrass’ other three shows in state—has no opening act whatsoever, at least we’ll probably get longer sets. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) Jesse Cook Last year, the acoustic guitar virtuoso was finally struck down with Covid-19 after doing whatever it took to avoid it. Before his brief bout, he released Love In The Time of Covid, a 14-track album that sees the 59-year-old rerecord a handful of his semi-early compositions. The new versions aren’t terribly different from the originals, but the tempo of “Azul” has been bluesified, so if there was a little detail in the original song that you really have a craving for, you might want to let go, just in case last year’s version is the way Cook performs it for the rest of his touring career. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater) C Possessed by Paul James Konrad Wert is almost always teaching, but on the road— which he’s traveled since 2005 with banjo,

38 | JANUARY 11-17, 2024 | cltampabay.com

SUN 14

C A Flock of Seagulls w/Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience This gig was first announced in April 2023, and though Mike Score is the sole original member still in the band, the current lineup— though lacking the original Flock Of Seagulls haircut—still firmly holds the band’s 42-yearold catalog together. Score and friends even played a few sets at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival last year, and assuming that they’re rollercoaster people, I can only hope that when riding “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind,” the song they got was “I Ran.” It’s only fair, right? (The Ritz, Ybor City) C Bigg Britt Before the month is over, Tampa City Council will make a decision on a proposed citywide youth curfew (read more on p. 13). The truth of the matter is that kids need something to do, and on this holiday weekend, a rising star of Tampa’s partyrap scene, Big Britt, headlines a jook city teen night party that will have security, plus Tampa police, on site. “Please be on yall best behavior everyone wants to come to have a great time,” the Sulphur Springs-raised artist wrote on social media. “If there is any drama this will be my last teen night.” (Truth Eighteen, Tampa) Don Soledad The flamenco guitarist and his brand new backing band perform compositions from his favorite guitarists of the same genre, as well as some from both of his albums at this “Arte y Pasion” show. (Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa) C MLK Bash: Jeezy w/Boosie BadAzz/ Boston Richey St. Pete might be home to the Bay area’s best MLK Day parade, but Tampa’s got the concerts on lock. The pinnacle of the MLK concert calendar is this gig headlined by New York Times bestselling author and rapper Jay Wayne Jenkins, fka Young Jeezy, aka just Jeezy. (Yuengling Center, Tampa) Wes Hoffman and Friends w/You Vandals/Miller Lowlifes Whether it was his intention or not, St. Louis-based

pop-punk artist Wes Hoffman has an interesting tactic leading his fans to support physical media: Releasing his new album How It Should Be—due out on streaming sometime this year—exclusively on vinyl first. And you have the option to order one on blue and white marble vinyl, as well as standard black. Whatever you choose, you’ll be able to stick it to Spotify by grabbing a copy at the last venue on Hoffman’s brief Florida tour. (Deviant Libation, Tampa) C Zakk Sabbath w/The Native Howl Following an illustrious career with Ozzy Osbourne, it’s no shock that Zakk Wylde has a Black Sabbath tribute band featuring alumni of Rob Zombie and Queens Of The Stone Age. The 56-year-old guitar whiz— who returns to the other side of the Bay with Pantera next month—and his trio are set to play the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted metal pioneers’ hits and deep cuts, with a little pre-show support from bluegrassmetal outfit The Native Howl beforehand. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

WED 17

C Elder w/Oceans Rise/Florist Still pissed off about Tool skipping over Tampa on the U.S. leg of its 2024 tour? No one can blame you, but the good news is that Elder—the American-German rock quartet playing opener for said leg—has decided to fill certain days off with solo headlining gigs to help remain sharp. The band broke a four-year tradition of annually releasing new material in 2023, so with talks of Tool returning to the studio later this year, perhaps inspiration will strike, and more progressive not-quite-metal will emerge. (Orpheum, Tampa)

THU 18

C Judy Collins In recent years, Collins has been writing nearly one song every week, and she thinks Leonard Cohen, who once told her that he did not understand why she wasn’t writing her own songs, would’ve loved her latest record of all-original songs, Spellbound. “I would send him songs when I wrote them, and he would send me notes and tell me how wonderful they were. So I was always grateful,” Collins told CL. She kicks off a 20-date winter tour in Orlando, and brings it to Tampa Bay this week. Read our full feature on Judy Collins at cltampa. com/music. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater) Sal Valentinetti Like any New Yorker would, the “America’s Got Talent” alum embraces the hell out of his Empire State upbringing enough that he manages to come off as both Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett in both his charisma and vocals. His 2021 album Little Valentine—loaded with renditions of love songs that your grandparents probably danced to once upon a time—includes a big band version of The Beatles’ “When I’m Sixty-Four,” which is so perfectly executed that you start to wonder if Paul McCartney had Sinatra in mind when he wrote it as a teenager. (Hough Hall at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)

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For the last couple of years, Billy Strings has had the bluegrass world in the palm of his hand, and Tampa Bay gets to come along for the ride this spring. The 31-year-old announced his spring tour this morning, and it kicks off with two nights in Tampa.

Strings already won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album in 2021, but could be a four-time Grammy-winner by the time this show rolls around. He’s nominated for three more in 2024: Best Bluegrass Album (Me/And/Dad), Best American Roots Song (“California Sober” feat. Willie Nelson and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“High Note” with Dierks Bentley). The Michigander’s virtuoustic, dynamic brand of bluegrass made him a head-turning sensation among the genre’s hardcore followers and has since attracted more of a crossover audience drawn to Strings’ epic live performances that regularly run almost three hours across two sets. Beyond Strings’ long history in Tampa Bay— he played the tiny Safety Harbor Art and Music Center in 2017 and Gasparilla Music

Winter Warmer Fest: Beach Terror w/ Movie Props/The Tilt/The Pilot Waves/ Physical Plant/more Friday-Sunday, Jan. 19-21. 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. No cover. Cage Brewing, St. Petersburg We Can’t Make It On Our Own: Big Sad w/No Coffin/Spanish Needles/Scuff/ New Aesthetics Saturday, Jan. 20. 5 p.m. $15 suggested donation. Noisemakers, St. Petersburg MikelParis Wednesday, Feb. 7. 7 p.m. $20 suggested donation. Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor Old Man Bowl Jam: Intoxicated w/Face First Saturday, Feb. 10. 8 p.m. $25 registration. SkatePark of Tampa, Tampa Ana Popovic Friday, Feb. 23. 8:15 p.m. $35. Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor

YVONNE GOUGELET

Tickets to see Billy Strings play Yuengling Center at the University of South Florida ‘s Tampa campus on Friday-Saturday, April 12-13 go on sale to the general public on Friday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. EDT and start at $39.50. Strings played the same room last April, and the only other Florida stop on this run is in St. Augustine Amphitheatre where he plays three nights from April 19-21.

Festival soon after that—Bay area connections for the gig include Strings’ sound guy, Andy Lytle, a St. Pete resident, and bandmate Jarrod Walker who calls Florida home, too. Listen to his 2023 set at Yuengling Center and see photos from that show via cltampa. com/music, then check out Josh Bradley’s weekly roundup of newly announced local concerts below.—Ray Roa

The Wallflowers Sunday, April 28. 8 p.m. $49.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater Wheeler Walker Jr. Sunday, April 28. 8 p.m. $40 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa Chris Stapleton w/Grace Potter/Nikki Lane Friday, May 10. 7 p.m. $191 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa Don McLean Saturday, May 11. 8 p.m. $49 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater Amon Amarth w/Cannibal Corpse / Obituary/Frozen Soul Saturday, May 18. 6:30 p.m. $35.75 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa The Beaches w/G Flip Saturday, May 18. 8 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Slater w/Tony Velour Saturday, May 25. 7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Ben Rosenblum and the Nebula Project Saturday, Feb. 24. 7 p.m. No cover. Charlene A. Gordon Theater at University of Tampa, Tampa

Ocean Alley w/The Grogans Saturday, June 15. 6:30 p.m. $24.50 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City

Gilt w/Blind Tiger/Hovercar/Bad Bad Things Saturday, Feb. 24. 8 p.m. $15. Deviant Libation, Tampa

Red Hot Chili Peppers w/Ice CubeFriday, June 21. 7 p.m. $203.50 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

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The devil you know By Caroline DeBruhl

Dear Oracle, I’ve recently moved house to a new city. It’s a great choice for me: very “artsy,” far more affordable, and the people don’t seem to take themselves too seriously. It’s going to be a refreshing change of pace. I am worried how this move will affect my friendships (both existing and new ones.) Any advice? —Social Life in The City? Cards: Knight of Swords, First Quarter, The Devil, The Fool (reversed) Dear Social, the first two cards of this spread offer some basic, expectant advice, while the last two throw the whole question into a different light. It’s difficult to bridge the two without knowing more, but I’ll try. First, the conventional: As the Knight of Swords, you are a Romantic charging into the unknown. This makes sense: you moved to a new place based on the atmosphere. Very Romantic, very unknown. With the First Quarter moon card, it’s a time for action and getting out there. Fair. With The Fool reversed, I’d also say that to make friends, you’ll have to go down a new path—but everything hinges on what on earth The Devil is doing here. The Devil is a powerful card of passion, obsession, a bondage of our own making, or something that completely takes over our lives. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. A composer writing their magnum opus has Devil energy. So does a heroin addiction.

I hope this new city offers a change in perspective and a path forward. Good luck walking it, my dear, wherever it may lead.

Illness can often appear as The Devil. If you Dear Oracle, After 50 years of working, I am have deep social anxiety, for example, that might starting off 2024 as retired. I’m looking forward be a challenge you would need to overcome—a to a few things, like traveling and spending time path of healing led by The Fool. If you, perhaps, with my grandchildren, but it is a little daunttend to meet people out partying but struggle ing not knowing what my day-to-day will look with substance abuse, you might need to follow like. How can I ease into this new stage of life? The Fool toward recovery and sobriety. —Ready to retire Or, The Devil might be a romantic partner, a toxic one that takes over your life and every Cards: Two of Swords (reversed), Knight waking thought and leads you to feeling ruined of Cups (reversed), Eight of Pentacles, Four and wretchedly in love. (I hope not.) of Wands (reversed) I don’t know what your Devil is. I do know Dear Ready, Congratulations on your retirethat it lurks in your new city, just as it lurked ment! Fifty years is a long time to keep your in the last, and you will have nose to the grindstone, so I to confront it. But, the good hope these years offer you all news about The Devil is that the rest and relaxation that he deals in deception. It you need and the joy that you might feel like you’re chained want. Send your questions for to this darkness—whatever You aren’t the only one the Oracle to oracle@cltampa.com or it is—and there’s no escape, to be intimidated by the DM @theyboracle on Instagram. but that’s not true. You can unknown after retirement. slip them. It might not be easy, but it’s cer- Traditionally, work offered structure: you had tainly possible. a schedule, you socialized with co-workers, you This brings us back to The Fool. Standing thought about your responsibilities. None of that on the cliff’s edge with a song in his heart and a is required in retirement. With enough money little dog at his feet, The Fool is pure optimism, and lack of impulse control, you could very well a beginner’s mind ready to start. spend the rest of your days drunk and naked on The Devil often robs us of a future. We can a boat, drifting aimlessly from port to port like only see our situation. But The Fool is all future, some sort of boomer pirate. all possibility, and taking chances and hope. But there might be more fulfilling ways to A new path is open to you. It might take time spend your new free time. to slip whatever chains you have, but again, With the Two of Swords, it’s important to be it is possible. intentional about your choices, particularly as

ORACLE OF YBOR

they concern your mind. Without a set schedule, it’ll be thrilling to sleep in or spend hours watching TV without feeling guilty. And while that’s fine for a couple of weeks, it won’t offer much in the way of intellectual stimulation. You need to keep your mind sharp. The Eight of Pentacles is often a “nose to the grindstone” type of card, but it doesn’t necessarily mean your job-job. You could throw yourself into a creative pursuit, take classes in a subject you’ve been interested in, or hone a hobby into a full-time endeavor. Maybe it’s volunteering or learning Mahjong. Whatever it is, have something to give your mind to. With the Knight of Cups, I’d also encourage you to be social, investing more time in old friendships and trying to cultivate new ones. The Knight is charming and social but also vulnerable. He puts a great deal of love into his relationships, and they, in turn, fill him with purpose. Don’t second guess yourself when reaching out—they probably aren’t busy and do want to hear from you. Finally, spending time with family will be incredibly rewarding for you. The Four of Wands can show familial bliss and stability. Now that you have more time, you might get to take on a larger role in your grandchildren’s lives, expand your relationship with your children, or deepen your relationship with your spouse. With something to occupy your curious mind and relationships to fill your soul, I think you’ll have a wonderful retirement. (And, you know, maybe take up pickleball for your health.) Find more Oracle of Ybor and book services via carolinedebruhl.com.

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Load bearing By Dan Savage

Have you ever seen a successful relationship when the sex was difficult from the start? Or even stopped pretty early in the relationship? I have been with my boyfriend since August and I honestly lost my desire for him early on. He’s a bit of a hoarder and has some self-care and cleanliness issues, which I only realized some way into the relationship. It has killed the sexual vibe for me very early, but I do feel very safe with him, very connected emotionally. Is there hope? Or should we call it friends? —Only Doomed Or Real Shot? I’ve definitely seen relationships succeed despite sex being difficult at the start. In some cases, the couple broke up, found new partners, and remained in each other’s lives as friends. But the couples that succeeded in the way you most likely meant — the sex was difficult at the start but they’re still happily together years later—had at some point redefined their relationships as companionate. Some of these companionate relationships were ethically non-monogamous, e.g., one or both partners were allowed to seek sex outside the relationship, but some were strictly monogamous. What I haven’t seen much are two people who didn’t share a strong sexual connection at the start manage to create one. And when I have seen that happen, ODORS, there was always some shared interest or dynamic or kink—there was always at least one thing that worked or clicked—and the couple focusing on their overlapping interests/dynamics/kinks and on that rock built a good-to-great sex life together. But what I found myself wondering as I read your question, ODORS, was why you would wanna make things work with this guy. If he can’t be bothered to bathe and brush his teeth and use a little deodorant when he’s trying to win you, ODORS, he’s not going to make the effort once he’s won you. There may be some underlying mental health issue here that he’s struggling with. You can offer him your friendship and moral support—provided you can spare the emotional bandwidth but don’t offer him a blowjob. Sucking this guy’s dick would not only be unpleasant for you, ODORS, but it would send the wrong message to him, e.g., that he’s in good enough working order (proof: he’s getting his dick sucked) and doesn’t need to get help and make changes. P.S. The sexless monogamous relationship— as a concept—has always broken my brain. If being in a monogamous relationship means you don’t have sex with other people… wouldn’t being in a sexless monogamous relationship mean only don’t have sex with other people? It has always seemed to me that if monogamy

means, “I’m not fucking anybody but you,” sexless monogamy means, “I’m fucking everybody but you.” Perhaps someone who doesn’t wanna have sex with their partner but insists on sexual exclusivity—someone who thinks celibacy is a reasonable price of admission—can jump into the comments thread and explain how this works or is supposed to work. My husband is the Membership Chair of a nonprofit in town. The organization has about 100 members. Some are cute/hunky/sexy. We’ve got an open relationship, but I feel that, given his position, he shouldn’t be having sex with these members because it might lead to jealousy issues among the others. He disagrees and brushes off my concerns. I’ve considered playing with a couple of them as well, but I have not because I feel like as “the husband of” one of the club’s main organizers. Am I wrong in expressing reservations about his playing with some members? And what about my doing the same? —Messy Ethical Matters Block Enticing Recreational Sex What kind of nonprofit org are we talking about? If it’s a group that works with at-risk youth (painting murals on underpasses or whatever) or some sort of social justice org (shutting down roads to airports right before Christmas or whatever), MEMBERS, the Membership Chair fucking his way through the members rolls could prove problematic. That goes double if being a member in good standing is a route to future professional success. If remaining in the good graces of org leadership means getting the kind of letters of reference or recommendation that help people land jobs or promotions, the leaders of the org—and their spouses—need to be conscious of their power and refrain from fucking members to avoid abusing that power. But if we’re talking about some sort of gay social club organized around a shared non-sexual interest (snowboarding, softball, kickball, etc.) or sexual interest (leather, pup play, kicking balls, etc.) — if we’re talking about a club that exists to help gay men break the ice and find like-minded friends and/or sex partners and/or romantic partners—then I don’t think the leaders or their spouses have to swear off fucking the members. Indeed, if the org was created to bring guys together socially and/or sexually, demanding vows of celibacy from the leadership not only punishes the men who step up to do

SAVAGE LOVE

the work (recruiting members, finding venues, scheduling events, setting everything up, breaking everything down, etc.), it makes taking on those responsibilities on less appealing. And if no one steps up to do the work, the organization falls apart—and who does that help? I’m a 28-year-old woman and I’ve never had a boyfriend and I’ve never had sex. Up until this year, I didn’t focus on dating in order to prioritize my education, career, and mental health. I am doing very well in my life overall. I have two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree, I have a job that I love, I live in a great city (Chicago), and I’m doing well enough financially to buy a condo this year. The only thing I’m lacking is relationship and sexual experience. I am putting myself out there and going to social events to meet guys, but I’m holding off on having sex until I’m actually in a relationship and I’ve formed an emotional connection with someone. Casual sex has never interested me. I’m in therapy and I’m working with my therapist on my confidence as I navigate the dating world. My anxiety is my biggest roadblock. Nobody in my life has reacted negatively to my lack of experience but my anxi-

ety tells me that no one will accept me and that there is something wrong with me. My anxiety tells me that I am the butt of everyone’s jokes and that I’m a loser. I know that doesn’t make sense. Literally no one has ever criticized me for my lack of experience. My friends don’t care and have been supporting me as I navigate the dating scene for the first time. However, some of my friends

have been encouraging me to have casual sex in order to gain sexual experience, but casual sex isn’t something I’m comfortable engaging in and some of my friends just don’t understand that. I guess if I had to boil this down to one question, it would be this: How do I stop being insecure and embarrassed about my lack of dating and sexual experience and be confident? —Nervously Experiencing Wonder Own the choices you’ve made about sex with the same confidence you own the choices you’ve made about your education and career. You were no doubt nervous AF when you got to college… and you nailed that shit. (Three degrees!) You were no doubt nervous AF when you got your first big job… and you nailed that shit. (Buying a condo!) Give yourself permission to be nervous AF during your first sexual experience, NEW, and trust your track record. You may have flunked a test or two, but you got those fucking degrees. You may have washed out during at least one job interview, but you got a fucking job. Your first time may be awkward, NEW, and you’ll definitely be nervous AF, but you’re gonna nail fucking like you’ve nailed everything else. I know it sounds like a paradox— or maybe it sounds like gibberish (or maybe it is gibberish)—but a person can be secure in her own insecurities. You’ll feel more confident if you don’t feel like you have to pretend to be any more confident than you actually are. And since you have a good idea who you want and what you want and how you want it, NEW, you’re starting from a better place than a lot of people whose first experiences came earlier in life. Just don’t make the rookie mistake of pretending to be anything you’re not. Allowing or encouraging someone to think they’re more experienced than you actually are will only make you feel more nervous and insecure. Instead of worrying they can tell, NEW, tell on yourself: “I’ve never been with anyone sexually—I poured all my energy end effort into my education and my career—so we’re going to have to take it slow.” Some guy who heads for the door (of your condo) when they hear that, NEW, and not one of those guys will be the right guy. Remember: When you tell someone you’re inexperienced, you’re telling him one thing about you. His reaction will tell you everything you need to know about him. P.S. You don’t have to make your friends understand, NEW, you just have to make it clear to them that you appreciate their friendship and their advice. Got problems? Everyone does! Send your question to mailbox@savage.love! Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love.

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