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EDITORIAL POLICY — Creative Loafing Tampa
Bay is a locally-and-employee-owned 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.
Creative Loafing Tampa is proudly published by Events & Media, LLC, 633 N Franklin St., Suite 735. Tampa, Florida, 33602.
The physical edition is available free of charge at locations throughout Tampa Bay and online at cltampabay.com. Copyright 2026, Events and Media, LLC.
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KATKA POPOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Thanks to Tom Feaster, who sent in a letter in response to a recent story about PAC donations to the soon-to-be-announced mayoral campaign from former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay is continuing to explore new ways to feature reader feedback from the mailbag, inbox, and social media. Please scan the QR code to send yours.—Ray Roa Community ideas should not be replaced
Dear Editor,
In response to the Creative Loafing article “Bobby’s Bones,” published March 5 through March 11, 2026, the discussion of former Mayor Bob Buckhorn and his close alignment with development interests raises an issue that I have experienced firsthand.
As President of The Stewards Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, I helped pioneer the use of Riverfront Park as a rowing facility serving both youth and adults. Beginning in 2003, we operated a boathouse on the property for eleven years. During that time, we provided rowing programs for inner-city youth while also generating revenue from visiting teams. It was a sustainable, community-driven model that demonstrated how public space can serve broad public interests.
Response to ‘No recount after Hillsborough Democrat flips Florida Senate seat, says division of elections' (read story on p. 19)
Every set of larger waves is preceded by a series of smaller, waves. The Blue Wave (or waves) is, indeed approaching. So join the pack, and paddle like Hell, or get swept away. It matters not to the cleansing change that will soon be upon us in November. —Tom Danahy (via Facebook)
Facebook responses to ‘New Census data shows Pinellas County witnessed second largest population decline in country’
They are still staying in Florida just moving to less expensive counties such as Hernando and Citrus. I live in Spring Hill we are getting more people moving up this way from Tampa, St Pete and South Florida.—Kristina Gonzalez
Yes - we moved from Largo to Wesley Chapel and are now in a huge 5 bedroom home with a fenced in yard that we love. We moved from a tiny home that was the same price.—Ajna Ada
I was one of them. I left Pinellas in August 2024. The amount of savings on property taxes and insurances is staggering. I am financially better than ever for leaving.
The concept worked. It brought activity, access, and opportunity to the riverfront. However, the city later terminated our lease and moved forward with its own redevelopment of the site. Today, the Boathouse, built as part of the 35-million full-park redevelopment, bears the name of Mayor Buckhorn, which is difficult to reconcile with the community-based foundation of the original effort.
This experience reinforces the concern raised in your article. When political leadership is heavily supported by development and investment interests, grassroots initiatives are at risk of being displaced rather than supported.
I agree with Councilman Bill Carlson that raising large sums from developers is not necessarily a positive. Tampa’s future should be shaped by inclusive, communitybased ideas, not solely by those backed by financial influence.
Sincerely,
Tom Feaster President, The Stewards
Foundation, Inc. Tampa, Florida
—Naka
Gamble
We live in treasure island and 1/2 of the homes were damaged. We definitely had folks permanently relocate because they didn’t want to rebuild or couldn’t. However, for every new place being built, new folks are moving to our community. The hurricanes definitely had something to do with it.—Annette Shields Soroory
Fam Jam debuts April 10–12, 2026 at Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville, FL–three days and nights of music, art, and community under the shady oak trees. Enjoy two shaded stages with extended sets spanning Jam, Bluegrass, Reggae, Electro-Funk, and Psychedelic Rock, plus immersive production with lasers and video screens. Live mural artists, art installations, and activities bring the grounds to life day and night, while late-night campfire jams keep the music going until sunrise. With on-site camping included, food and craft vendors, and private bathhouses with hot showers and flushing facilities, this inaugural event is not to be missed. Tickets and reserved RV sites available now at: www.FoxFamJam.com
Art by Lauren Tirro-Brass
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THURSDAY, APRIL 2 ND
7:00 PM WEEKLY IMPROV DROP-IN CLASS
Give improv comedy a try in a fun, supportive environment! No prior experience required. 8:30 PM LONGFORM IMPROV SHOWCASE
Graduates of our advanced level improv class take the stage and showcase a different longform improv format each week. 9:00 PM KELLY & GREG: THE LOST TAPES
From 2007 to 2011, sketch comedy duo Kelly & Greg regaled audiences in New York City with sketches about presidents, the Constitution, and chicken franchese. They're back together for one night only, dusting off their old sketches for you and seeing which ones are still funny 15 years later.
FRIDAY, APRIL 3 RD
7:00 PM LIVE MUSIC: CLEMENTINE W/ WALKING BLUE, KITTY KITTY MEOW MEOW, AND LYCHEE CAMP
Montgomery Drive and FMAM Events present this killer lineup of bands. One night only!
SATURDAY, APRIL 4 TH
8:00 PM: MANDY KEEN: MAGGIE
Packed with physical comedy and audience interaction, Maggie follows a tenacious misfit undergoing a strange metamorphosis as she searches for love, self-worth, and a place in the world while navigating the confusing rituals of humanity.
MONDAY, APRIL 6 TH
7:00 PM: GROWHOUSE: FIRST MONDAYS POETRY WORKSHOP & OPEN MIC
Poetry collective GrowHouse brings this FREE event to The Commodore on the first Monday of every month. Join us!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 TH
7:00 PM: WMNF PRESENTS: WAVEMAKERS LIVE!
WMNF's MidPoint host Shelley Reback sits down with award-winning historian and author Robert Fieseler to discuss his acclaimed book "American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives."
Vote for pedo
Photos by Dave Decker
About 8 million people across the U.S. gathered in the streets last Saturday for the latest “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump. In the Tampa Bay area, 2,000 people showed up in Gulfport, while thousands also demonstrated outside Tampa City Hall. Even Polk County—where Trump won by 21 points in 2024—saw 2,000 people at Lakeland’s Freedom Park. Many signs in downtown Tampa centered on Donald Trump’s appearances in the Epstein files. Some protestors even invoked Tampa native and current Attorney General Pam Bondi who is under scrutiny for her handling of the case surrounding Trump’s old friend who was convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution before being found dead in his own jail cell in 2019. See all the photos via cltampa.com/news.—Ray Roa
Vintage Market Days
Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds PLANT CITY, FLORIDA is a 3-day vintage shopping event
Live DJ, food trucks, photo ops, and more...
100+ curated vendors across two full buildings
free parking
A fun, high-energy shopping experience with new finds all weekend (vendors restock daily!)
Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 3 pm
Pre-purchased ticket holders get in 30 minutes early each day, and tickets are pre-scanned for quick entry.
do this
Tampa Bay's best things to do from April 02-08. See more on pp. 35, 41 and 43
Somebunny come get her
Forget pastel baskets and toddlers on a sugar high, this Easter egg hunt has prizes that are a little more egg-citing for grown-ups. Gigglewaters is once again hiding 1,000-plus eggs stuffed with cash, candy and gift cards for its second annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt. Egg-pect the hunt to be paired with plenty of Easter-inspired libations to keep your inner child…hydrated.The event begins at 4 p.m., but arriving early gives hunters a chance to loosen up, fuel up and size up the competition at this “Best of the Bay” darling. It’s 21-and-up and finders keepers—don’t crack under the pressure.
Adult Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 4. 4 p.m. $32.25. Gigglewaters, 737 Main St. #104, Safety Harbor. gigglewaters.com—Laura Troyer
Gnawing at the bars of my enclosure
Fresh off the Oscars after party and interviewing Harry Styles, Brittany Broski is headed to Tampa. The social media star will give a talk to University of South Florida students on April 7 as part of the school’s lecture series. Broski, who first went viral in 2019 as “Kombucha Girl,” has stayed in the limelight through TikTok, and her YouTube shows, “The Broski Report” and “Royal Court.” She’s made frequent appearances on other social media pages of friends like Caleb Hearon and Trixie Mattel. The 28-year-old Georgia native launched a music career with Atlantic Records last year, releasing two singles and a cover of Harry Styles’ “Adore You.” Broski has previously spoken at the University of Iowa, Ohio University, University of Arkansas. The day after her USF talk, she heads to the University of Kentucky. Student newspaper The Oracle reported that USF will pay Broski $52,500 for her lecture. The school paid “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo $55,000 to speak last October, and actress Lana Condor $65,000 last April. The event is free, with priority seating for USF students. Twenty percent of seating is allocated for non-students, who are allowed in 15 minutes after students are seated, per USF’s website. Check in starts at 5:30 and doors open at 7:30 p.m.
USF Week University Lecture Series: Brittany Broski—Tuesday, April 7. 8 p.m. No cover. University of South Florida, Marshall Student Center Ballroom, 4103 USF Cedar Cir., Tampa. usf.edu—Selene San Felice
Can I get an amen
Tampa Bay’s favorite draggy nuns, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, are partying like it’s AD33 this Easter. Along with drag performances and sacrilegious fun, the highlight of their Wet Spot pool party is the “Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary contest.” People of all gender expressions and body types are encouraged to participate in any category, where the grand prize is a staycation at the Mari Jean Hotel. The Wet Spot got a new pool heater in February, so there will probably be more than one res-erection.
Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary Contest: Sunday, April 5. 1 p.m. No cover. 21 & up. The Wet Spot at Cocktail, 355 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. cocktailstpete.com—Selene San Felice
I slime you
It’s been 10 years since a massively pregnant Ali Wong made her Netflix standup special debut with iconic lines about not wanting to work. She’s selling t-shirts with the line, “I don’t want to lean in, I want to lie down”—and she’s still working pretty damn hard. The Emmy-winning comedian, actress, writer and producer is bringing her signature unfiltered humor to Mahaffey Theater for a nearly sold-out weekend of stand-up. Known for her hit Netflix specials “Baby Cobra,” “Hard Knock Wife,” “Don Wong” and “Ali Wong: Single Lady,” Wong has built a reputation for turning relationships, motherhood and her Asian American identity into comedy that’s witty, honest and lovably disgusting. Wong also starred in the 2019 rom-com “Always Be My Maybe” and most recently led the Netflix and A24 series “Beef,” which earned eight Emmys. Wong took home major honors, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe, for her performance. Now, she’s bringing that same energy back to the stage. Saturday's show has limited tickets remaining, while the Sunday performance is already sold out.
Ali Wong Live: Saturday, April 4. 7 p.m. $89.70 & up. Duke Energy Center for the Arts at Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. S, St. Petersburg. aliwong.com— Laura Troyer
Nothing is impossible
From live-fire cooking battles to waterfront tastings and late-night chef parties, the Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival is gearing up for its biggest year yet. The festival returns for its fourth year in April, featuring five days of collaborative dinners, chef competitions, and food tastings across Tampa and St. Petersburg. This year’s line up features three new events: Rock the Range at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a live-fire cooking competition with restaurant tastings; an expansion of the fan-favorite VIP Chef Showdown with the debut of the Milagro Tequila Bartender Showdown; and the Chefs After Dark Party hosted by OpenTable, a late-night for participating chefs to celebrate together. Food Network star Robert Irvine, known for “Restaurant: Impossible” and “Dinner: Impossible,” will serve as the host of the week-long festivities, joined by honorary chef host Sean Brasel of Meat Market. Chef Beau MacMillan, AKA BeauMac, makes his festival debut, bringing his expertise to co-host Rock the Range and the Milagro Tequila Bartender Showdown. The fest starts with Experience St. Pete on Tuesday, April 7, and continues the next day with Experience Tampa. This year, dinner reservations for both nights will be available to book through OpenTable at $150-$350 per person. Experience St. Pete includes multi-course dinners from chefs of Pulpo Kitchen & Lounge, II Ritorno, The Birchwood and more. At Experience Tampa, guests get an exclusive, four course dining experience at Meat Market, plus tasting menus and family-style dining at the Epicurean Theatre, American Social, Elevage and Ash. Rock the Range debuts next Thursday at the Hard Rock Hotel, where chefs will cook live in front of the crowd and offer a diverse selection of restaurant tastings. Tickets are $266.18 per person. Read more at cltampa.com/food-drink Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival: Tuesday-Sunday, April 7-11. tampabaywff.com—Kailey Aiken
Sand-a-mania
There’s still time to catch the final stretch of the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater Beach’s sprawling, two-week ode to all things sandy. Wrapping up this weekend, Florida’s largest sand sculpting festival is going all in on red, white and beach for its last few days of fun. The 2026 theme, “United in Sand: Celebrating Sports & Spirit,” turns more than 1,000 tons of Clearwater Beach sand into a walk-through art exhibit inside a 24,000-square-foot tent. 18 master sand sculptors from around the world bring everything from ballerinas and motorcycles to football scenes and late Clearwater legend Hulk Hogan to life. The festival also has an immersive installation honoring America’s 250th anniversary. Beyond the sculptures, expect free concerts, fireworks lighting up the Gulf of Mexicoand a lineup of activities ranging from sand sculpting and line-dancing classes to beach yoga and even a special VW car show.
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: Now through Sunday April 12. 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $16 & up (free for kids 5 and under). Clearwater Beach, 1 Causeway Blvd. sugarsandfestival.com Laura Troyer
"He held onto the lead by the slimmest of margins."
POLITICS ISSUES OPINION
Blue is back
Brian Nathan wins special election for Hillsborough Senate seat.
By Ray Roa
It’s been more than 200 days since Jay Collins resigned to become DeSantis’ Lieutenant Governor. Last week, voters in Florida’s Senate District 14 finally have a new state senator.
Democrat Brian Nathan, a union leader and U.S. Navy Veteran, scratched out a victory over Republican Josie Tomkow in the special election last Tuesday, according to unofficial results posted by the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections.
Nathan jumped out to an early lead after polls closed Tuesday night. He had 3,069 more votes than his 35-year-old opponent after early votes and vote-by-mail ballots were reported. He held onto the lead by the slimmest of margins, earning 40,237 total votes while Tomkow hauled in 39,832.
But even he thought there might be a recount.
Last Friday morning, around 10:15 a.m., the 45-year-old told WMNF public affairs program “Down N Dirty” that canvassing board met that morning and said there would be a machine recount on March 31.
official results and conduct a post-election audit to verify tabulated results on Monday, April 6 at 10 a.m.
Nathan’s win comes despite him being outspent and outfundraised, according to the News Service of Florida.
Florida Phoenix reported beyond Tomkow’s huge fundraising advantage lead over Nathan, a political action committee worth more than $3 million was also aiding her effort.
Republicans also enjoyed a voter registration advantage in the district overall, according to numbers from Feb. 23.
Of the 299,317 registered voters, 116,095 were Republican, 93,403 Democrats, and 79,944 had no party affiliation.
Turnout in Florida’s SD14 special election was just under 27% .
LOCAL NEWS
“But I’m not concerned,” he told the Tampa Bay community radio station. “We’ve looked at the math every which way we can. There aren’t enough outstanding votes to change the election. This is the process we have to go through.”
He soon found out that out he could totally move on and focus on his new job. Just after 4:30 p.m. that afternoon, the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections (SOE) said there will be no recount.
The 405-vote advantage gave Nathan a 0.5% margin of victory—enough to avoid a recount, which the Florida Division of Elections confirmed three days after the election wrapped.
Florida Politics, however, reported that Tomkow conceded defeat at her watch party in Ybor City, hinting that she would be back on the ballot in November for the district’s regular election.
But Democrats didn't take that for granted. A 48-hour blit started the morning after the election. During that time organizers hoped to get ballots cured and counted.
The Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections said that a canvassing board will certify the
Florida’s Senate District 14 stretches south from MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa all the way to Odessa in the northern part of Hillsborough County. It goes as far east as New Tampa and west to Town ‘n’ Country. Carrollwood and Westchase are also in the district.
A Tampa Monitor analysis of voter turnout shows the highest concentration of voters in Odessa’s Precinct 518 where VR Systems data shows that registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 401-101 (119 NPA).
Further analysis by the coder-powered civics blog found that Nanthan enjoyed his widest margins of victory in Carver City-Lincoln Gardens Precinct 204 (83.43% of the vote) and New Tampa Precinct 355 (80.28%).
Tomkow mostly dominated in the outer reaches of the county in neighborhoods like Town ‘n’ Country Precinct 404 (72.22%) and the aforementioned Precinct 518 in Odessa (71.65%).
Collins flipped the seat in 2022 when he defeated Sen. Janet Cruz who had been in the incumbent since 2018.
Tomkow, who comes from a Polk County cattle family, served in different seats at the Florida legislature from 2018-2025, until she resigned to run in the SD 14 race. She responded to claims that she did not live in the district by explaining that her husband lives in South Tampa and that she has plans to move there whether she won or lost.
Nathan wasn’t the lone Florida Democrat to win a special election on Tuesday night. In Palm Beach County House District 87—home of Mara-Lago—Emily Gregory topped Republican Jon Maples by a two-percent margin. Trump won that district by more than 10 points in 2024, according to the Florida Phoenix.
Tampa Monitor’s analysis of the partisan swing in the SD 14 race shows Democrats’ biggest gains happening in New Tampa Precinct 355. Republicans didn’t gain ground in many districts, but did see a positive swing in Town ‘n’ Country Precinct 404.
A third special election—for House District 51 in Polk County from which Tomkow resigned—was won by Republican Hilary Holley, who defeated Democrat Edwin Pérez by earning 54% of the vote.
In a statement sent following polls closing, Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman welcomed
Nathan and Gregory to the state legislature.
“The voters of Senate District 14 have spoken, and they’re clearly ready to see their leadership focus less on culture wars and more on affordability, she said about Nathan’s race.
"I know that Senator Nathan will be ready to jump right in and work with the caucus on the upcoming special sessions, and I’m looking forward to serving with him during my final months in the Florida Senate."
Senate Democratic Leader Designate Tracie Davis said Nathan’s victory in a Republicanheld district is an example of the GOP has lost the plot.
“Our focus as a caucus will continue to be making Florida more affordable, and I can’t wait to work with Senator Nathan on that goal," she added.
"He’s a welcome addition to the Senate Democrats,” she added.
WINNER WINNER: Democrat Brian Nathan eeked out a win in Hillsborough.
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Now is the time
Amy Goodman, new doc about ‘Democracy Now!’ coming to Tampa.
By Ray Roa
Nine months after its debut at the DC/DOX film festival in the nation’s capital, Amy Goodman is bringing a documentary about “Democracy Now!” to Tampa.
Goodman, 68, founded the fiercely-independent news program 30 years ago and has co-hosted it ever since. It’s carried on more than 1,500 radio and television stations—“more stations that NPR and PBS combined,” according to a press release.
“Steal This Story, Please!” is directed and self-released by Emmy-winning, Oscarnominated filmmakers Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, the same team behind documentaries about Hurricane Katrina survivors (“Trouble the Water”) and rich mofos who influence the political process (“Citizen Koch”). Lessin and Deal also produced Michael Moore films, like “Fahrenheit 9/11” and “Fahrenheit 11/9.”
part of a national tour following the film’s April 10 opening in New York City.
Denis Moynihan, a “Democracy Now!” correspondent who founded Winter Park, Colorado community radio station KFFR 88.3 FM, will also be in Tampa for the screening.
All four will take part in two post-film Q&A sessions moderated by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay Editor-In-Chief Ray Roa.
The movie runs through Thursday, June 11 at Sun-Ray Cinema, which is located at the former University Mall near the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.
LOCAL NEWS
The deep commitment “Democracy Now!” has to platforming underreported voices and issues, covering grassroots organizers and highlighting social justice movements has been an inspiration to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay and alt-weeklies across the globe.
Some candidates for Hillsborough School Board agree superintendent should not be an elected position
Candidates running for the Hillsborough County School Board gathered at the political forum Tampa Tiger Bay Club last month. Candidates running for Districts 2 and 6 seats discussed issues such as book removals, safety, and teacher pay. They were also asked about their stance on making the Hillsborough superintendent an elected position rather than appointed by the school board.
A bill, which has passed the legislature and awaits DeSantis’ signature, would put the question on the November ballot. The bill’s sponsor says it would create added accountability. But when asked, all candidates disagreed with the idea.
Chris Taylor is a candidate for District 2. “Would you think it was ridiculous if we decided that the CEO of Tampa General had to be elected and be a politician? No. But can you imagine, if we said, now you’ve got to go and spend 60% of your time, every fourth year, and you can’t be running your hospital, and you’re going to have to go and raise money.” Taylor said.
District 2 candidate Brittany Lyssy was not in attendance. Karen Perez is the current chair of the school board, running for District 6. “If you elect a superintendent, put that on the ballot, the superintendent will be more focused on getting re-elected than he is on the students, on the district, on the progress of the schools,” Perez said.
Sally Harris Williamson is a candidate for District 6. “When a superintendent, who should be running our schools, is out there trying to run for office, at least one year of his time in the position will be trying to get re-elected.” Williamson said.
Ken Gay, a candidate for District 6, also spoke against the idea. “I think our buildings—there’s too much of a mix of politics in the buildings, we need more professionalism, and that comes with a wise superintendent that has a background in education.” Gay said.
The election is in August.
The new, approximately 100-minute, film explores the life and career of Goodman, her countless stints on the frontlines of history, and a tenacious pursuit of truth-telling still unrivaled in mainstream journalism.
Goodman, Lessin, and Deal bring “Steal This Story, Please!” to Tampa this summer as
The producers of “Steal This Story, Please!” include actors Rosario Dawson and Jane Fonda, plus Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello.
Tickets for the screenings of “Steal This Story, Please!” with Amy Goodman happening Friday, June 5 at Sun-Ray Cinema in Tampa are available for $10-$15.
Daniela Simic, candidate for District 2, held the same stance. “You need someone who understands what it’s like to go through that, to be an educator, to be a school leader, to be a district leader. And having a politician—someone that may not have experienced that—would likely not be a good decision for the school district.” Simic said.
This school board story first appeared at WMNF News, which is part of the Tampa Bay Journalism Project (TBJP), a nascent Creative Loafing Tampa Bay effort supported by grants and a coalition of donors who make specific contributions via the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation.
If you are a non-paywalled Bay area publication or donor interested in Tampa Bay Journalism Project, please email rroa@ctampa. com. Support WMNF News by visiting the community radio station’s support page.
GROUND GAME: Amy Goodman outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
PINELLAS
JIMMY’S TACOS
SONDER SOCIAL CLUB
RED MESA MERCADO
FRESCO’S WATERFRONT
TEQUILA DAISY
WHO’S ON FIRST
ROOSTER FISH GRILL
THE LURE
CLEARSKY CAFE
BIRCHWOOD CANOPY
GIGGLEWATERS
BARFLY
VIP MEXICAN RESTAURANT
COCKTAIL
RED MESA RESTAURANT
HIFI ROOFTOP BAR
RED MESA CANTINA
THE BRINEHOUSE
MADISON AVE PIZZA
PIER TEAKI
RUMFISH GRILL
TEAK
PISCES SUSHI
TROPHY FISH ST. PETE
THE GALLEY ST. PETE
THE HELM
CRAFTY SQUIRREL
ST. PETE DISTILLERY
GOOD INTENTIONS
CASA TINA
MARINA CANTINA
THE HONU
JIMMY’S TACOS
FRESCO’S WATERFRONT
TEQUILA DAISY
THE LURE
BIRCHWOOD CANOPY
GIGGLEWATERS
COCKTAIL
RED MESA RESTAURANT
THE BRINEHOUSE
MADISON AVE PIZZA
RUMFISH GRILL
PISCES SUSHI
THE HELM
ST. PETE DISTILLERY
CASA TINA
THE HONU
JIMMY’S TACOS
WHO HAS THE BEST MARGARITA
TACOS
TEQUILA DAISY
Margarita March
BIRCHWOOD CANOPY
COCKTAIL
MADISON AVE PIZZA
PISCES SUSHI
TINA
THE HELM
CASA
JIMMY’S
COCKTAIL
MADISON AVE PIZZA
THE HELM
COCKTAIL
THE HELM
COCKTAIL
Margarita March MARGARITA IN TAMPA BAY?
Competition runs March 5th - April 2ND
HUEVOS RANCHEROS | $11
black beans, tomatillo, tortilla tostada, guajillo salsa, egg
SOPE | $18
pork belly, mole verde, goat cheese, pickled carrot, on a masa sope
MASA BENEDICT | $12
soft masa biscuit, hollandaise, poached egg
CON AMOR BREAKFAST | $16
eggs, bacon, hash, side salsa, pickle mix, guajillo marmalade, side tortillas
HASH BOWL | $20 (ADD EGG $2)
deshebrada, hash, poblano & bell pepper, onion, pickled jalapeno, pickled fresno, guajillo salsa and avocado crema
BREAKFAST BURRITO | $18
pancake, sausage, egg, maple syrup, on a flour tortilla, side hash brown
Ybor City is getting a new rooftop bar, and more Tampa Bay food news.
By Ray Roa
Tampa is getting a new rooftop hangout in the same building that’s now home to a recently relocated hospitality staple.
Orlando Michelin-starred restaurateur Johnny Tung has plans to open Tokyo Swim Club on the rooftop of Ybor City’s Casa Gomez building, where Tampa restaurant scene staple Mise en Place has moved into the ground floor.
That’s according to Josh Pardue, who shared the news and renderings on the Tampa Bay Developer podcast.
A rep for Tokyo Swim Club told CL that Tung and his brother Jimmy are backers of the project, which is led by Mike Western, who will serve as director of beverage and sustainability.
In a press release, Western said the vision for the concept—styled after Japanese membersonly clubs of the ’60s—was selfish and that he wanted to build something he felt was missing in the area: “high-level execution that doesn’t feel pretentious, far away from corporate templates. I’ve always been drawn to highbrow/lowbrow ideas that exist comfortably in their own lane. Instead of chasing what we think people want, we built the place we wanted to be.”
dozen restaurants, including the Mills 50 noodle spot Zaru. The Tungs, whose parents immigrated from Taiwan, are also behind the Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi chain, which started in Gainesville but has since expanded with about two dozen locations across the state.
Tung—whose Filipino Kaya concept has a Michelin Green Star—is also behind the redevelopment of Orlando’s Tien Hung Market. Now known as Mills Market, the 40-year-old complex, where the Tung family had a jewelry shop, is a melting pot of Asian culture in a block of the city known as Little Saigon. Its most famous stalls include Kai Kai, Banh Mi Boy and UniGirl.
On the podcast, Pardue lauded Tung’s restaurant portfolio, which includes quick service spots and Michelin concepts, too. Pardue—whose JPRE firm now owns The Bricks in Ybor City— said Tung was sold on the ongoing redevelopment in Ybor City and that it only took “a couple weeks to get this deal done.”
OPENINGS
“We’re not trying to keep up with culture, we’re here to help shape it,” Western added.
A press release says Andrew Huang, K ōsen’s Executive Chef, will lead Tokyo Swim Club’s culinary program, promising “Izakaya-style dining that includes sushi, handrolls and yakitori crafted to complement the elevated drink offerings.”
An interior-to-exterior rendering of Tokyo Swim Club rooftop lounge. The shot looks past the dark marble bar and modern lanterns inside toward the outdoor seating area, which is partially covered by sail shade structures under a deep blue twilight sky.
An interior rendering of Tokyo Swim Club showing a marble-topped bar with black woven stools, warm under-counter lighting, and a prominent red neon sign of the club’s logo with a cherry.
Johnny Tung—who is part of the Michelin star-winning team at Tampa Heights omakase K ōsen—is beloved in his hometown of Orlando, where he’s involved in at least three
There is no public timetable on construction, and permits related to Tung and Western’s new spot were not immediately available on the City of Tampa’s Accela portal, but @tokyoswimclub’s Instagram page says the concept plans to open in the fall of 2026.
Shanghai Dumpling House opens in Tampa
Tampeños looking to get dumped are in luck.
Shanghai Dumpling House recently opened near the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus, taking over the former home of Boil Spot Hot Pot and BBQ and adding another dumpling-focused spot to Tampa’s growing lineup of casual Asian eateries.
The restaurant’s menu is centered around its wide variety of soup dumplings—offered steamed, pan-fried or in different flavor variations, including options like scallop and black truffle. Much of the appeal comes from the madeto-order approach, with dumplings prepared fresh and assembled in view of diners.
Beyond that, the menu branches out into familiar comfort dishes like wontons in chili oil, scallion beef pancakes and stir-fried noodles, along with heartier plates like braised beef shank and noodle soups. A list of desserts and drinks rounds things out, including mochi ice
cream and brown sugar sticky rice cakes, plus classic boba teas.
Shanghai Dumpling House, located at 1120 E Fowler Ave. in Tampa, is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily and closed on Tuesdays. More information is at shanghaidumplingfl.com.—Laura Troyer
Delicious wine bar opens in St. Pete
A new wine bar has opened in St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District, taking over the former Lolita’s Wine Bar space inside the Morean Center for Clay building.
Delicious (that’s the name, not our review) offers a selection of red, white and sparkling wines, alongside beer and a short list of mocktails. The wine list is intentionally limited, with a rotation of 11 wines rather than an extensive catalog.
The concept leans on smaller pours, with sizes ranging from 1.5-ounce samples called “sips,” to full glasses and bottles, as well as the
option to build a flight. The scaled-back format is designed to emphasize variety and allow for sampling across different wines without committing to a single pour.
The tasting lounge is not a full-service restaurant, but does offer dessert pairing boxes from T & T Fantastic Treats, as well as a short list of casual items like hot dogs and Philly cheesesteaks.
The space includes indoor seating and a patio area, with an emphasis on a relaxed, community-centered setup rather than formal table service.
Delicious has also introduced a slate of recurring, bi-weekly events, including drag bingo, live music, open mic nights and wine tasting events.
The wine bar is now open 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 420 22nd St. S in St. Petersburg. For more information on selections and events, visit deliciouspour.com—LT
POURING SOON: Mike Western will oversee drinks and sustainability at Tokyo Swim Club.
THANKS TO THIS YEAR’S PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:
Beyond our Do This section on pp. 14-15 and our events listings on pp.41 & 43, there are a ton of food and drink experiences happening around Tampa Bay—including Easter Brunch. Have a look at what’s going down the week of April 4-9 and beyond. All events are at community.cltampa.com unless noted otherwise. Head there for more and list your own—Selene San Felice
EASTER BRUNCH SPOTS
The Birchwood Sunday, April 5. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. $70 & up buffet. St. Petersburg Highland House 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $30 & up. Dunedin
Rusty Pelican 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $105 adults; $35 for children. Tampa Flor Fina 10 a.m. $99 buffet, prices vary for brunch. Flor Fina, Ybor City
Hyatt Regency 7:30 a.m. $80 buffet; $35 for children. Clearwater Beach Island Grand at TradeWinds Resorts 11 a.m. $40 & up. St. Petersburg
Maestro’s Restaurant at Straz Center for the Performing Arts 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. No cover for entry, but reservations required. Tampa
Palmette Brasserie and Bar at The Westin 10 a.m. $110; $50 for children. Tampa Ro Hyde Park 11 a.m. No cover. Tampa The Urban Stillhouse Sunday, April 5. 11 a.m. $89; $35 for 12 & under. St. Petersburg
MORE EVENTS
Tots 4 Teachers: The Tater Tot Union Thursdays. 3 p.m. No cover. New World Brewery, Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food, Wine & Garden Festival FridaysSundays through May 10. 12 p.m. No cover with admission. Busch Gardens, Tampa. buschgardens.com
First Friday Lunchtime Market
Every first Friday. 10 a.m. No cover. 400 Cleveland Street, Clearwater Keel Farms Blueberry Festival
Weekends through April 26. 10 a.m. No cover; $10 parking. Keel Farms, Plant City
Nourish & Thrive: Plant-Based Asian
Noodle Bowls Tuesday, April 7. 5 p.m.
$35. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg Gulfport Fresh Market Tuesdays. 9 a.m. No cover. Beach Blvd., Gulfport. visitstpeteclearwater.com
All You Can Eat Crab Feast Tuesdays through April 28. 11 a.m. $55.99. Cody’s Roadhouse, Bradenton & Crystal River. codysoriginalroadhouse.com
Drink and Draw Every second Thursday. 5:30 p.m. No cover. Deviant Libation, Tampa.
Chef Robert Irvine & Friends
Thursday, April 9. 7 p.m. $54.98 & up.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa
Taste of Water Street Thursday, April 16. 5:30 p.m. $107.34. Water Street, Tampa
Taste at Straz Center Saturday, April
18. 6 p.m. $180. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 10. 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. No cover for entry, but reservation required. Maestro’s Restaurant at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
the code to regsiter or go to www.dfac.org/summer
Birds of a feather
Florida Birding & Nature Festival comes to Apollo Beach.
By Vicki Parsons/Bay Soundings
The 2024 hurricane season, which devastated natural lands across the Tampa Bay region, had a silver lining for the Florida Birding & Nature Festival (FBNF). Although past events were held in October to coincide with fall migration, a new spring schedule, which occurs before hurricane season, will now allow participants to see even more migratory birds in brighter plumage for their courting season.
“Tampa Bay is a hot spot for migrating birds in both the spring and fall, but in the fall they’re flying down after a long nesting season spent feeding and protecting their fledglings, so they’re a little frayed and their colors are muted,” says Mary Keith, FBNF board secretary and lifelong bird watcher. “In the spring, there’s a mad rush north, with many more birds concentrated in a short time, and they’re in full courting plumage for their upcoming nesting season. That makes it easier to see them, and easier to identify them.”
Birds like the “un-red knots, “not-blackbellied plover” and the “non-spotted sandpiper” passing through in the fall actually have black bellies and spots that make them distinctive in the spring, and warblers have bright colors that make them unique, she adds.
That combines with the opportunity to see “fall-outs,” when thousands of migrating birds of multiple species land and rest at Gulf-front locations like Fort De Soto Park to avoid cold fronts. “Many of the birds we see here during migration are on their way from locations as far north as Paraguay or Argentina, so they use Florida’s west coast as a stopping point before heading north to Maine or Canada. If a cold front with strong winds from the north comes through, they’ll fall out here to rest.”
FBNF remains recognized across the Southeast as a premier event for birders and nature lovers. This year, the Festival will take place on April 9 to 12 at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center and feature four full days of field trips by boat, bus, kayak, and caravan. Favorite field trips will be returning, including the bus trip to Circle B Bar Reserve, boat rides to Coffee Pot Bayou, Outback Key and the Alafia Banks, and kayak trips to Upper Tampa Bay Preserve, Newman’s Creek, and Frog Creek in Terra Ceia.
ENVIRONMENT
Florida Birding & Nature Festival
Thursday-Sunday, April 9-12. $25 & up Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, 6650 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach floridabirdingandnaturefestival.org
And most birds that call Tampa Bay home year-round will be nesting, so they’ll be easier to see than at other times of year when they have dispersed from their colonies, notes Ann Paul, festival president. “You’ll see roseate spoonbills, brown pelicans and multiple species of herons and egrets on the Coffee Pot Bayou trip, spoonbills, pelicans and many other birds at the Alafia Banks, and wood storks and sandhill cranes at Se7en Wetlands.”
Field trips to the region’s top birding spots, led by expert birders, include Honeymoon Island, Cockroach Bay, Se7en Wetlands, Terra Ceia, Schultz Preserve, and a new evening hike at Lettuce Lake Park. Several of the 2026 trips are wheelchair-accessible.
The keynote speaker on Friday evening is Leslie Kemp Poole, an associate professor at Rollins College and the author of Saving Florida: Women’s Fight for the Environment in the Twentieth Century. The Saturday keynote speaker is Hilary Flower, Eckerd College associate professor and author of “The Kite and The Snail: An Endangered Bird, Its Unlikely Prey, and a Story of Hope in a Changing World,” which tracks the unlikely success of the endangered
Everglades kite as it learned to forage for invasive snails.
“It’s been challenging to move from our regular October event to an April event, but we are excited to be able to highlight migratory birds we might not see in the fall,” Paul said. “I think we’ve been able to combine the best of our historic favorites with exciting new options for spring.”
Bird populations are plummeting but citizen-scientists can help
Scientists estimate that North American bird populations have declined by nearly 3 billion since 1970. While it would be difficult for Tampa Bay residents to make a meaningful impact on birds like the eastern meadowlark, nearly anyone can be a lifeline for the birds fighting to survive here.
Habitat loss—as humans move into spaces where birds once lived—is the most significant threat to birds in Florida, but volunteers can help protect birds living in close proximity to our homes. As the summer nesting season kicks off, Audubon Florida has scheduled a series of training events to prepare volunteers to work as citizen scientists, documenting bird nesting habits and protecting them in the most vulnerable times of their lives.
Beach bird stewards are the front-line defense for beach-nesting birds that have evolved
continued on page 39
PROJECT COLONY WATCH: Volunteers help protect storks that nest on islands where mammalian predators can’t reach them.
JIM
IT: Roseate spoonbill in St. Augustine, Florida.
continued from page 37
to lay their eggs in shallow scrapes on beaches. While many nesting sites are roped off to protect the birds from beach-goers, bird stewards help ensure that people and pets continue to avoid the birds and their nests. They wear bright yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Ask me about the birds” because most people are curious and want to help.
“Excess disturbance by people, their dogs, and beach toys can heavily impact an entire breeding season for beach-nesting birds,” says Kara Cook, Tampa Bay area shorebird program manager for Audubon Florida. Bird stewards aren’t asked to commit to a certain number of days, but they’re most needed on busy holiday weekends when beaches are crowded. A Pinellas Black Skimmer Steward Training class Zoom class is scheduled for April 23 at 6:30 p.m.
retention ponds with islands provide the birds with protection from predators. While some islands are tiny, alligators in the surrounding waters prevent raccoons and cats from reaching eggs or vulnerable hatchlings. On the coast, fastmoving tides serve the same purpose.
“Birds invest an enormous amount of energy into laying eggs and then protecting their babies, but a raccoon or feral cat can wipe out even a large population of birds in a matter of days,” said Ann Paul, president of Tampa Audubon Society.
ENVIRONMENT
But not all beach-nesting birds are found on beaches. Some, like the black skimmer, least tern and American oystercatcher, take the high road and nest on flat white rooftops. They’re safe from human intrusion, but chicks can fall off the high roofs. Trained volunteers serve as “chick checkers” who monitor the building from the ground, and return chicks to the roof if they fall.
If you see birds nesting on a rooftop, reach out to Abby McKay (@abbieemckayy on Instagram), Audubon’s rooftop biologist for guidance.
Project Colony Watch volunteers help protect birds like roseate spoonbills, storks, pelicans, and anhingas that nest on islands where mammalian predators can’t reach them. Many of the bird colonies in Tampa Bay are inland, often in suburban locations where small lakes or
Colony Watch volunteers adopt an island for a season, which runs from about mid-March through the end of the summer, and are asked to visit their island once or twice a month. They’ll receive a handbook that describes many of the birds they’ll see and forms they fill out to document the number of birds, particularly the number of nesting pairs and nests.
Eagle Watch, which runs from about October to May, is winding down as eaglets in Tampa Bay begin to fledge, or leave the nest. Populations in Florida have dramatically rebounded since the 1970s, and volunteers can help track eagles as they nest and then their eaglets fledge. More than half of the eagles in Hillsborough and Pinellas nest in cell phone towers or other artificial structures. “The fledgling rate from artificial structures is equivalent to and sometimes better than our natural nests,” said Cheryl Merz, Eagle Watch coordinator.
Citizen scientists can make an enormous difference to Florida birds, Paul adds. “We can’t save every bird, but we need to save every bird we can.”
These stories first appeared at Bay Soundings.
Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist
APRIL 11, 2026 THROUGH JULY 12, 2026
Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist is organized by the Katonah Museum of Art
This exhibition is curated by Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe, Director and Chief Curator, Katonah Museum of Art
Ali Banisadr (b. 1976), These fragments I have shored against my ruins 2023, oil on linen, 86 x 180 in. Mohammed Afkhami
APRIL 16 –19, 2026
Floral interpretations on view in the Museum of Fine Arts galleries
For tickets and complete event information, visit stuartsociety.org or scan the QR code.
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The events listed in our Do This section on pp. 10-11 and our Food section on pp. 35 aren’t the only things to do in town this weekend. Have a look at what’s going down the week of April 2-9 and beyond. All events are at community.cltampa.com unless noted otherwise. Head there for more and list your own.—Selene San Felice
ARTS
ADC IBC Monday-Friday, March 30-April 3. Times vary. $19.60 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg Countess Luann Thursday, April 2. 8 p.m. $55.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Music Honors Recital Thursday, April 2. 7 p.m. $24. Teco Theater at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa Poetry in the Galleries: TMA x UTampa Neon Thursday, April 2. 6:30 p.m. No cover for members and college students; $25 for everyone else. Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Things Don’t Seem The Same (Opening reception) Friday, April 3. 7 p.m. No cover. USF Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa Chinese Brush Painting Workshop with Jo-An Thomas Bamboo Saturday, April 4. 10:15 a.m. $60. Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg
The Hammered Cuff with Ashley Wix (Metalsmithing workshop) Saturday, April 4. 10 a.m. $80. Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg
Ivan Urgant Monday, April 6. 8 p.m.
$111.20 & up. Ferguson Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa Portrait Painting workshop Tuesday, April 7. 6 p.m. $60. The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
Fearcatcher: A Posthumous Celebration of Naira Kuzmich Tuesday, April 7. 7 p.m. No cover with RSVP. Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg Group Art Show Wednesday, April 8. 6 p.m. $5. The Warehouse, St. Petersburg Poetry At The Dalí Every second Thursday. 6 p.m. No cover. Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg Teen Digital Studio Wednesday, April 8. 4:15 p.m. $25. Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa
52nd Annual HC Student Juried Art Exhibition (Opening reception) Thursday, April 9. 6 p.m. No cover. Gallery114 @ HC Ybor, Ybor City Art in Conversation (Poetry & prose reading) Thursday, April 9. 6:30 p.m. No cover. USF Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa
June Bunch: State Flower Ladies Exhibition Select times and dates through Saturday, May 2. No cover. Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg
Jun Kaneko: Silence Before Sound Through Aug. 23. $5 & up. Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa
COMEDY
Dirty John’s Dirty Disco ThursdaySaturdays. 8 p.m. The Studio@620, St. Petersburg Ismo Wednesday & Thursday, April 1 & 2. 7 p.m. $28.80 & up. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa Gianmarco Soresi Friday-Sunday, April 3-5. Various times. $40. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Guy Torry Friday & Saturday, April 3 & 4. Various times. $24. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Tampa
If You Know What I Mean (Improv comedy & musical show) Friday, April 3. 7 p.m. $10. Aspirations Winery, Clearwater. aspirationswinery.com
We Them One’s Comedy Tour: Mike Epps w/DC Young Fly/Karlous Miller/ Chico Bean/Mojo Brookzz Friday, April 3. 8 p.m. $88.05 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
FILM
Couch Lock Theater: Scooby-Doo (Stoner movie night) Wednesday, April
8. 7 p.m. No cover. Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary, St. Petersburg Movie On The Deck: Liar Liar and Braveheart Wednesday, April 1. 7 p.m. No cover. Lower Deck Harbour Island, Tampa. lowerdecktampa.com
Movie On The Deck: Maid In Manhattan and Transformers Wednesday, April 8. 7 p.m. No cover. Lower Deck Harbour Island, Tampa Movie On The Deck: Toy Story 2 Wednesday, April 8. 5 p.m. No cover. Lower Deck Harbour Island, Tampa
LEARN
Cafe con Tampa Fridays. 8 a.m. $12. The Portico, 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. cafecontampa.com
Watershed Stories Saturday, April 4. 10 a.m. No cover. Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library. hcplc.org
Healthcare + AI Leadership Connect (Tampa Bay Tech Week edition) Wednesday, April 8. 4 p.m. $25. Signature Workspace Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel Real Estate Photography: Intro and Basics Wednesday, April 8. 5 p.m. $75. Janan, Ybor City Scene & Heard - Legal & Distro Panel Wednesday, April 8. 6:30 p.m. No cover with RSVP. Crowbar, Ybor City Wavemakers Live: Robert Fieseler in Conversation with Shelley Reback Wednesday, April 8. 7 p.m. $10. The Commodore, Ybor City
MARKETS
Dunedin Friday Market Fridays. 9 a.m. No cover. Pioneer Park, Dunedin continued on page 43
Out and about: Events happening in Tampa Bay (cont'd)
First Friday In The Heights Friday, April
3. 6 p.m. No cover. Disco Dolls Studio, Seminole Heights
6th Annual Spring Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show Friday & Saturday, April
3 & 4. 10 a.m. Friday; 9 a.m. Saturday. $8; free for 12 and under. Special Events Center at Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa. tampabayrockclub.org
Dunedin Saturday Market Saturdays. 9 a.m. No cover. Pioneer Park, Dunedin Corey Avenue Art & Craft Festival Saturday & Sunday, April 4 & 5. 10 a.m. No cover. Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach. coreyave.com
PRIDE
My Big Gay Italian Wedding Select times and dates through Sunday, April 12. $20 & up. Carrollwood Players Theatre, Tampa Pride @ 5663 Saturday, April 4. 2 p.m. No cover. Studios @ 5663, Pinellas Park Queer Expressions St. Pete: Spring Clothing & Trinket Swap Saturday, April 4. 5 p.m. No cover. Lassing Park, St. Petersburg Lesbian Lick & Flick: Pariah Monday, April 6. 8 p.m. No cover. The Wet Spot at Cocktail, St. Petersburg
SPORTS
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday, April 2. 7 p.m. $66.70 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
USF Women’s Lacrosse Vs. Liberty Thursday, April 2. 7:30 p.m. $8 & up. Corbett Soccer Stadium, Tampa. gousfbulls.com
Tampa Tarpons vs Lakeland Flying Tigers Friday-Sunday, April 3-5. 6:30 p.m.
Bruins Saturday, April 4. 5 p.m. $106.25 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
Carolina Ascent FC at Tampa Bay
Sun FC Sunday, April 5. 5 p.m. $23 & up. Suncoast Credit Union Field, Tampa
32nd Annual Tampa Pro ThursdaySunday, April 9-12. Doors open at 9 a.m.
$15 & up. Skatepark of Tampa, Tampa
THEATER
Moulin Rouge! The Musical Select times running through April 5. $51 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen Select times running through April 5. Showtimes vary.
$62.20 & up. Morsani Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
The Apiary Select times and dates through Sunday, April 19. $5 & up. Urbanite Theatre, Sarasota
Mandy Keen: Maggie Saturday, April 4. 8 p.m. $18.12. The Commodore, Ybor City
The Lightning Thief (Theater for Young Audiences edition) Monday, April 6. 11:15 a.m. Donations encouraged but not required. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Kegs N Eggs Saturday, April 4. 11 a.m. $35 & up. Bay Area Renaissance Festival, Dade
City
Cabana Culture: Swim Club (Launch party) Saturday, April 4. 12 p.m. $25. Hotel Haya, Ybor City
Interested in advertising around this listing? Contact jhoward@cltampa.com and acarbone@cltampa.com for details.
LOCAL MUSIC
Wecxapalooza
w/Liquid Pennies/Pilot Jonezz/Rohna/Kitty Kitty Meow Meow/Mossheads/Imagine Draggin/Regretful Dead. Saturday, April 4. Noon-7 p.m. No cover. Kappa Field at Eckerd College. 4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg. @wecx99 on Instagram
REVIEWS PROFILES MUSIC WEEK
Something in the air
Eckerd students keep rebellious radio alive.
By Laura Troyer
CDs line the ceiling above Taj Sorensen as she moves through Eckerd College’s radio station like it’s muscle memory. Drawings from years of student DJs plaster the walls, classic rock rings loudly, and somewhere nearby, another DJ is waiting for their hour on air.
Sorensen is from Utah, but this cramped, buzzing space–WECX 99.9-FM–is where she lives. Here, her bed is a white leather couch covered in Sharpied obscenities and her desk is a dazzling new sound panel.
“College radio is kind of a dying art,” Sorensen, co-manager of WECX told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “Which is sad. But this is my real home here.”
Sorensen, now a junior at Eckerd, serves alongside 10 other board members and a roster of 84 DJs. Together, the student-run station has filled every broadcast slot for the first time in years. Maddie Merrick, Senior Manager for the station told CL programming runs from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. inside a recently-revamed space.
“We redid the whole station in August,” Sorensen added. “We got new equipment, reorganized and redecorated the entire place. A lot of people didn’t even know this back room existed before.”
The renovation sparked more than just aesthetic change. It transformed WECX from an abandoned Radio Shack-esk closet into a snug campus hub, where students can drop in, take creative risks and share what they love. At WECX, each DJ gets an hour to do whatever they want: play music, talk, host a themed show or simply invite an audience into their otherwise lonely bedroom jam session. Genres range from classic rock to Taylor Swift, and nothing is censored—as long as it doesn’t break FCC guidelines.
A short tune-in to WECX always offers a surprise, with every student DJ claiming they will be the one to turn you on to a new band. On any given Tuesday of the week this semester, start your afternoon with an R&B hour, listen to Reggae and animal facts on the show “Creature Feature,” and wind down the day with metal and soul on “Syd Plays Bangers.”
“Radio is real,” Sorensen said. “Streaming is easy. Anyone can do it at any time. But radio has heart and soul. There’s work that goes into it.”
That philosophy fuels the station’s events, too. It’s largest is Wexapalooza, a music festival that brings local and campus bands to Eckerd’s Kappa Field. The lineup will include returning St. Petersburg band Liquid Pennies and multiple on-campus acts.
Merrick called the festival set for Saturday the station’s underground take on Lollapalooza. The school’s unofficial hot dog stand and boba tea company, Glizzy Guys and Boba Bros, will be there, too.
Another flagship event, Sex with WECX, blends music and sex education–an intentionally provocative and playful push against Florida’s climate around sexual health education.
“We’re not really allowed to do it, but we do it anyway,” Sorensen said. “College radio is about pushing against the system–that’s what it’s always been.”
Despite the digital age, listeners are still tuning in. While many are parents and friends of DJs, the station streams online, allowing
anyone, anywhere, to listen. DJs track listenership through a digital platform that maps where streams originate, sometimes lighting up internationally.
Other college stations across North and Central Florida are keeping that same studentrun spirit alive. At WANM-FM 90.5 at Florida A&M University “The Flava Station” broadcasts 24/7 with a mix of jazz, gospel, pop and talk. In St. Augustine, WFCF 88.5 FM at Flagler College blends student and community programs from morning rock blocks to classical and specialty shows. And in Jacksonville, Spinnaker Radio at the University of North Florida broadcasts on 95.5 FM, proving that even in the streaming era, college radios across the region continue to thrive.
Still, college radio isn’t about the numbers, it’s all about presence. Students physically show up. They hang out. They decorate the walls. They wait for time slots to open.
Much of that energy reflects Eckerd itself. With roughly 1,900 students, the liberal arts college draws heavily from out of state, resulting in a music selection that reflects a mash-up of backgrounds, tastes and influences.
There’s also an unmistakable Eckerd aesthetic that influences the station. One
Sorensen—rocking blue hair, scuffed converse and friendship bracelets—describes as barefoot, beachy and deeply unconcerned with outside judgment.
“If I picture an Eckerd student, it’s someone in a bikini with no shoes on in the hallway,” she said. “We’re laid back until we’re not—and we can definitely fight.”
Grateful Dead, Sublime, Jack Johnson and sun-soaked indie bands dominate the station’s cultural shorthand–but no two programs are alike. Sorensen’s Taj’s “Punk Happy Hour,” a themed 60-minute block that explores punk history, protest music and women in the genre every Sunday from 8 p.m.-9 p.m.
Other shows like “We Talk Too Much” and “MC^2” lean talk-heavy, casual or completely unplanned. That candor is what separates radio from streaming and podcasts, she added. “You can’t cut anything here. It’s live. There’s no curtain.”
Looking ahead, Sorensen hopes college radio continues to exist, not only thriving on Eckerd’s campus, but everywhere.
“I just want it to live,” she said. “I want people to keep being themselves in this space. Music needs to go back to the people.”
SOUND WAVES: Eckerd’s WECX-FM broadcasts from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
By Ray Roa
THU 02
C Rock The Park: Florida w/Bill./Jacob Marcello After illness forced a cancellation in February, Bill. (stylized all-lowercase) finally gets to bring a loud, unforgiving debut LP, Wimmer, to the Curt. The Tampa rock outfit is in the heart of this bill where one of the Bay area’s original guitar gods, Billy Summer, leads his rock & roll outfit Florida through glamorous, fuzzy, and muscular riffs. Lime Street Band songwriter Jacob Marcello opens. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa
FRI 03
C Benefit Fundraiser for TransNetwork: Lot Lizards w/Right On Time/ Grim Gardener/Windfucker and the Guacamole Devils Every day, it seems, life gets harder for our trans neighbors. Organizations like TransNetwork are pushing back by connecting folks to healthcare, legal assistance, or community support, and more. To send some money to the nonprofit Ybor Heights’ best brewery hosts a fundraiser headlined by pop-punk band Lot Lizard. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Deviant Libation, Tampa
Clementine w/Walking Blue/Kitty Kitty Meow Meow/Lychee Camp Commodore founder Kelly Buttermore recently told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the comedy venue has started hosting concerts, and this one is headlined by Illinois band Clementine, which plays a brand of anthemic emo FFO of Motion City Soundtrack, OK Go, and even Saves the Day. Walking Blue, Orlando makers of “Midwest Pajama Pant Indie Emo Flower Rock,” support alongside Tampa band Lychee Camp and Seattle grindcore unit Kitty Kitty Meow Meow. 7 p.m. $19.50. The Commodore, Ybor City
C Dead Butterflies w/The Caution Children/I.LiedToMyself/Cheap Cult The sound of screamo is always in flux, and there are some bands that attack that change more aggressively than others. Fort Worth’s Dead Butterflies has seven members, including songwriter Micah Zimmer, who is fresh out of high school. Born from skramz, the sound of Zimmer’s band is lo-fi at its core, but includes lots of electro, snippets of random almost jazzy-drum breaks, hardcore, shoegaze and more. Support on this bill includes some of Florida’s most interesting and boundary pushing alt-and-DIY artists including The Caution Children from Jacksonville, Orlando emopop band I.LiedToMyself, and Cheap Cult, which includes drummer Woody Bond and guitarist Christian Costello. 7 p.m. Sold-out. Magnanimous Brewing, Tampa
C Arthouse XXVI: Mestaurant w/ Rikinish/Blonde Gentlemen The University of South Florida’s School of Art and Art History’s big Arthouse XXVI party includes open studios from artists like ceramist and multidisciplinary artist Varvara Tulina, Ghanaian mixed-media artist Enoch Appiah, image-based MFA candidate Patrick Michael Carew (from the 2026 Spring Arts Issue), and more. The tunes will be better than alright, too, thanks to a rare set by producerdrummer Chris Wood’s instrumental outfit Mestaurant and Tampa rock outfit Blonde Gentlemen. Rikinish, a DJ from Hyogo prefecture who now calls Tampa home, rounds it out in support of a new album, House Pigeon Vol. 2 8 p.m. No cover. University of South Florida School of Art & Art History, Tampa
C Sebastian Bach w/White Lion/Stitched Up Heart On his actual birthday, April 3, Bach brings his Party Never Ends Tour to a fitting venue for a singer who has never been particularly interested in subtlety, restraint, or aging quietly. The date isn’t just another stop on the tour. It’s Bach’s birthday, and he has exactly one request. “All I want for my birthday is a sold-out show,” he told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “That’s it.” Read our interview with Bach via cltampa.com/music. 7 p.m.
$39.89 & up. Concert Pavilion at Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg—Randy Ojeda
C Quit w/Snodgrass + Buddies/Pohgoh/ Miller Lowlifes Doors open at a dangerously-late-for-old-timers 7 p.m. ahead of this gig that could anchor a localized version of the When We Were Young Festival. Quit is an absolute legend in Florida punk folklore, famous for spending the late-’80s and early-’90s defining what Sunshine State skate-punk could sound like. The group, which bucked its moniker by reuniting in 2015 and 2002, is back alongside buddies (including Drag The River’s Jon Snodgrass plus Descendents’ Bill Stevenson and his son, Miles) plus OGs of the Tampa emo scene (Pohgoh), and the Miller Lowlifes. 8 p.m. $17.67. Crowbar, Ybor City
SAT 04
C Wecxapalooza: Liquid Pennies w/ Pilot Joneszz/Rohna/Kitty Kitty Meow Meow/more WECX 99.9-FM is Eckerd College’s haven of rebellious radio. This weekend it hosts its version of Lollapalooza featuring some of the Bay area’s best new-ish bands plus Seattle grindcore outfit Kitty Kitty Meow Meow. Read more on p. 45. Noon-7 p.m. No cover, registration requested. Kappa Field at Eckerd College, St. Petersburg
TUE 07
C Sam Farmer & Roc Helton (John Prine tribute) The Bay area’s big John Prine weekend happens later this month with the Hello In There Foundation’s tribute concerts
THU APRIL 02–THU APRIL 09
and screenings of the documentary “How Lucky Can One Man Get” at Beach Theatre. To kick it all off, however, two Bay area songwriters play the late part-time-Gulfportian’s songs in this breezy downtown St. Pete courtyard. 7:30 p.m. No cover. The Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg
WED 08
C Billy Strings Dust off the overalls and wash the tie-dye. After three consecutive years of playing April shows inside the Yuengling Center at University of South Florida, Billy Strings returns once again, this time doubling his audience with a headlining gig at the home of the Tampa Bay Lighting, Benchmark International Arena. “Over the years, Billy has worked his way into larger venues as his fan base continues to grow along with his impressive production. His shows deliver a full, immersive experience from start to finish,” a rep for Benchmark told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. A press release from the Michigan misfit’s camp recently added that, “The spring tour adds to an already landmark year for Strings, whose most recent full-length album, Highway Prayers , won Best Bluegrass Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.” After release, Prayers debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales Chart, the first bluegrass album in 22 years to achieve the distinction. While the 33-year-old’s recordings continue to earn endless praise, it’s the accessibility and range of the artist’s immersive live performances that have pushed Strings’ popularity beyond a niche genre audience and into arena-sized appeal. An unofficial, no-cover pre-party is happening two blocks away at Sparkman Wharf care of Fil Pate, who is opening the stage up for any pickers that want to shred. 7:30 p.m. $81.90 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa J.C. Roddy
THU 09
Donavon Frankenreiter w/Iris and the Shade Live music has a rich history at 1507 E 7th Ave. (read: The Rubb, Twilight), and Zodiac has an opportunity to write its own chapter in that story. The nightclub (last known as PTL) has been hosting wellreceived DJ nights and this week welcomes Jack Johnson pal Donavon Frankenreiter. The 53-year-old surfer-songwriter arrives riding the wave of a 2024 album, Get Outta Your Mind , his first studio outing in a decade and one that will sound familiar to longtime fans of Frankenreiter’s beachy retro-rock. 7 p.m. $46.66. Zodiac, Ybor City
C Jer w/Pilot Jonezz/Just Courtesy/ Misadventure Tolerance levels to oi vary. Jeremy Hunter invites ska expats to come back home. The Gainesville songwriter created YouTube’s popular Ska Tune Network and has hundreds of thousands
of subscribers while his 2025 album Death of the Heart is a dramatically-fresh take on the genre that doesn’t abandon any of ska’s energy or roots. Tampa punk favorite Pilot Jonezz supports alongside Clearwater rock outfit Just Courtesy (“Secondary”) and Central Florida ska band Misadventure. 7 p.m. $15. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa
C The Surfrajettes w/Bethlehem Shalom The Surfrajettes mark a decade of bandom this spring with a “Road Dogs 2” tour alongside Alaska-raised, Los Angeleslivin’ songwriter Bethlehem Shalom. The ‘jettes are popular for the Britney Spears cover on the B-side of a 2019 single, but the rest of the Canadian instrumental quartet’s catalog is just as spin-worthy, especially for fans of surfy, vintage doo-wop and rock. 8 p.m. $17.67 Crowbar, Ybor City
C Tampa Bay Blues Festival Kickoff: GA-20 w/Jackie Venson The Tampa Bay Blues Festival celebrates 30 years in the game this month with a stacked lineup that includes Taj Mahal with The Phantom Blues Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimmie Vaughan, Tab Benoit, Los Lobos, Samantha Fish, and more. Before that weekend, however, the festival throws a kickoff with Boston power blues trio GA-20 and Austin-based Jackie Venson (the first Black woman to win Best Guitarist in the Austin Music Awards) playing the intimate Hough Hall. 7:30 p.m. $48.95. Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg
See an extended version of this listing at cltampa.com/music.
C CL Recommends
Billy Strings
Whether you sat out or got soaked at Young The Giant’s Gasparilla Music Festival rain set two years ago, here’s your chance for redemption.
Last week, the California alt-rock outfit announced that a trio of Florida shows would be added to its upcoming summer tour, with the first one taking place in Tampa. The 42-date run coincides with the release of the band’s upcoming sixth album Victory Garden , which shares a title with the tour. While the album’s hopeful first single “Different Kind of Love” and its rainy music video have made waves since dropping last month, it’s easier to lyrically connect with last week’s single “Bitter Fruit,” which sees frontman Sameer Gadhia and friends long for the days when they could really live hard and enjoy life again.
Joining the band in Tampa will be Long Beach indie-rock band Cold War Kids, which celebrateS the 20th anniversary of its debut album Robbers & Cowards , and up-andcoming indie-pop trio Almost Monday. And if this early-in-the-week University of South Florida gig doesn’t match up with your schedule, a Ft. Lauderdale gig two days later is still an option, as is an outdoor stop three hours away at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre that Friday.
Tickets to see Young The Giant play Tampa’s Yuengling Center on Tuesday, June 2 go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. Prices have yet to be announced. See my weekly roundup of new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.—Josh Bradley
Boogarins w/Timothy Eerie/Domino Pink Friday, April 24. 7 p.m. $24.06. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg
Kid Cudi w/M.I.A./Big Boi/A-Trak Friday, May 8. 6:30 p.m. $82 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
Mietze Conte Saturday, May 9. 7 p.m. $24.06. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa
Pop 2000 feat. Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC w/O-Town/Ryan Cabrera/LFO Saturday, May 9. 7 p.m. Free with park admission. Busch Gardens, Tampa
Chris Tomlin w/Brandon Heath Saturday, May 16. 7 p.m. Free with park admission. Busch Gardens, Tampa
Danny Gokey w/TBA Sunday, May 17. 7 p.m. Free with park admission. Busch Gardens, Tampa
Santigold Friday, May 22. 8:30 p.m. $47.38 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Dave Matthews Band Tuesday, May 26. 7:30 p.m. Prices TBA. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
The Black Crowes w/Whiskey Myers/ Southall Sunday, May 31. Time and prices TBA. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
The Runarounds Thursday, June 18. 7 p.m. $47. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Ne-Yo w/Akon Tuesday, July 14. 8 p.m. $57 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
Lionel Richie w/Earth, Wind & Fire Wednesday, July 22. 7:30 p.m. $57 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
High Fade Thursday, July 23. 7 p.m. $30. Crowbar, Ybor City
Qveen Herby w/Beautiful Chorus Friday, July 24. 7:30 p.m. Prices TBA. The Ritz, Ybor City
Zac Brown Band w/Brothers Osborne Friday, Sept. 18. 7 p.m. $60 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
I’m in love with a girl and, for the first time in a long time, I’m feeling sapphic. I consider myself a nonbinary trans masc, but I’m feeling a bit girlypop. Engaging with my femininity in a queer way has been kinda nice. It feels sexy to be a nonbinary sapphic making out with my dream girl—but I’m scared. I don’t want to go back to being a girl. And I don’t want to regress to the terrible time in my life when I was a girl. How do I navigate being a dude guy who feels a little fruity while kissing girls? —W.L.What?
Hi W.L.What,
If your role in the bedroom was dictated by how you live your daily life, every barista would be a service bottom. You’re telling me you can’t do some femme-for-femme tonguing just because you wear a tie to dinner?
Since gender existed, there have been those who refuse to conform. The archaeological record
suggests that priests and oracles of prehistory often broke from sex and gender ties. Older than the United States is the Public Universal Friend—an eccentric Quaker preacher who, after a severe fever and near-death experience, rejected all gender and pronouns and went only by “the Friend.”
For the past 50 years or so, we’ve started using terms like “genderqueer” rather than lumping nonbinary people in with all homosexuals or transsexuals. In the past few decades, the formal acknowledgement and acceptance of gender nonconformity has hit mainstream channels, as evidenced by the (much-debated) “X” gender marker on state-issued IDs.
Before mainstream recognition, if someone assigned to the female sex could manage to eke out a half-decent life as a “girl,” it usually wasn’t worth the persecution to identify as anything else. That sucked, and while it hasn’t been fully
fixed—as you surely feel through queerphobia you’ve experienced—things are better now.
While painful, holistic self-analysis was once required to even consider gender nonconformity, more people are now offered the chance to break their gender journeys into smaller steps where they can experiment and confront gender questions as they come up.
Now, a question has come up for you. Confronting this conflict will probably feel like a small reprise of the initial moment you attempted to understand yourself as nonbinary: you have an internalized assumption of what someone with your gender is allowed to do or be. To get past it, you have to identify the rule you think exists and intentionally break it.
bears can be girlypop when they want. It’s the first amendment of the homosexual bill of rights.
In fact, you can do whatever you want. The whole point of being nonbinary is that you get to order à la carte off the gender menu. You are allowed to cherry-pick every aspect of your identity, and how you conceive of yourself with a partner doesn’t change who you are.
ASK A DYKE
I suggest you actively seek out cognitive dissonance. If something feels “wrong” but not bad, lean in. If you find that you aren’t into it, stop and reset. Remember that things can be fluid and change day-to-day.
Of course, this applies to more than sex. You can be a generally masculine nonbinary person and still relate to a partner through your feminine, even sapphic side. Even the butchest lesbians and hairiest
The Public Universal Friend walked so you can RUN. Though the Friend preached sexual abstinence, times have changed and you have every right to sip from the delightful cocktail of gender strangeness and a premarital sexual relationship.
Yours in love, Jane Dyke
The Sapphic Sun is part of the Tampa Bay Journalism Project TBJP, a nascent Creative Loafing Tampa Bay effort supported by grants and a coalition of donors who make specific contributions via the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation. If you are a non-paywalled Bay area publication interested in TBJP, please email rroa@ctampa. com. Support Sapphic Sun by subscribing to its monthly print edition at sapphicsunfl.com.
“Even the butchest lesbians and hairiest bears can be girlypop when they want.”
Much obliged
By Dan Savage
I’m a happily married pregnant woman. My wife and I have had a bit of a slowdown in the sex department, but nothing too worrying considering my “condition.” During this pregnancy I’ve had an increase in libido, but I haven’t shared that with her. We were having some conflict when the uptick in sexual impulses started. I’ve had some limitations physically, like a period of mandated pelvic rest, so “The Right Moment” has been rare. When our dry spell came up a few months ago, neither of us handled the discussion well. I was being flirtatious (or I thought) and she chose that moment to say something hurtful about how infrequently we were having sex. I don’t like feeling as though sex is an obligation, so that interaction was a big turnoff for me. I told her I felt hurt, and she apologized, but I don’t think I was clear that this had long-term implications, like I would be wary of trying to initiate again and be on high alert for feeling pressured. I’ve had more sexual fantasies than usual since then and I’ve been watching more porn. I’ve watched a lot of videos that are about degrading the women involved—maybe because I stick to the free stuff—and I don’t feel great about the content I’m watching, which generally features big dicks and small women. I don’t believe there’s anything exactly ethically wrong here, as we’re both totally supportive of private self-pleasure within the context of our monogamous marriage. But I’ve gone down this weird rabbit hole where what’s turning me on is watching someone get used for sex or be overpowered or overwhelmed in some way. The reason I’m writing is that it feels like I’ve created distance between us by not sharing that I’ve been kind of hypersexual for the last three months. But I don’t want the conversation to bring up “shoulds” about our sex life or to increase expectations of how much sex we’re going to have. I would like this to translate into an opportunity for us rather than a further disconnect. Also, the kind of porn I’m watching does not reflect our erotic dynamic at all. I’m enjoying watching someone pushing someone else’s boundaries but being on the receiving end of that treatment would not be hot for me. And big dicks (fake or otherwise) are not a part of our bedroom play—they are particularly off limits for her—and I wouldn’t want them to be. Is there a way for me to harness this sexual energy and involve my wife? Being secretive is distasteful to me. Do I try to explain the fantasy storylines when I don’t think it will really work for us? I’m also aware that we have an impending deadline where our lives are about to change. Is it even worth the bother of bringing her into it now?—Bringing Up Misogynist Pleasures
Isn’t sex—in the context of a committed, long-term, monogamous relationship—something of an obligation?
Like mortgages, obligations aren’t sexy to think about, and no one wants to be reminded
of an overdue mortgage payment right before they fuck. But aren’t two people who’ve made a monogamous commitment—like the one you and your wife made—obligated to meet each other’s reasonable sexual needs?
Now, no one is obligated to make themselves sexually available to a spouse at all times—a monogamous commitment is not a “free use” kink contract (for the record: kink “contracts” are legally unenforceable dirty talk)—and every couple is going to have dry spells and sulking is never sexy and sometimes a married person has to take care of themselves. But if your wife can only come to you for sex and vice-versa, aren’t you obligated to meet each other’s reasonable sexual needs at reasonable intervals? Isn’t that part of the deal? (Sexual exclusivity in the absence of sexual activity is celibacy, not monogamy.)
My husband and I have been in an open marriage for more than two decades—it’s been fun reading all week about how polyamorous relationships like ours never work out—and while he doesn’t rely on me to meet all his sexual needs and vice-versa, I nevertheless feel obligated to meet his needs myself and/or make sure he has the space and time to get his sexual needs met elsewhere. And when we were monogamous, which we were for the first four years we were together, I felt personally obligated (in a sexy way!) to meet as many of his sexual needs as I possibly could. (“If not me, who? If not now, honey, maybe tomorrow night? And would you like a handjob to tide you over until tomorrow?”)
interpret any expression of sexual desire on her part as “pressure” so you can withhold sex from your wife—sex you would also like to be having— in order to make the “longer term implications” clear to her. If the answer to both questions is yes, then you’re not just punishing your wife by refusing to initiate and shutting down when you feel pressured, you’re punishing yourself.
Moving on to your actual question: Should you share the fantasies you’re currently having (and the porn you’re currently consuming) with your wife?
No.
SAVAGE LOVE
Anyway, BUMP, it’s been months since your wife derailed “The Right Moment” by saying “The Wrong Thing”—my husband says the wrong thing to me twice before breakfast—and what she said was shitty and thoughtless. But I worry you’re more invested in punishing your wife than you are in getting past this, BUMP, even if punishing her does lasting damage to sexual connection and thus your marriage. Instead of giving her the benefit of the doubt and rounding that thoughtless comment up to “Compliment In Shit Disguise” (your wife is still attracted to you! she still desires you! she’s missed having sex with you!), you’re rounding that thoughtless comment down to “Interaction That Ruined Everything.”
So, I think you need to ask yourself, BUMP, if you’ve stopped initiating sex with your wife because you just can’t anymore—not after the interaction that ruined everything—or if you’ve made up your mind to stop initiating sex with your wife to punish her. You also need to ask yourself whether you’re on “high alert” for feeling pressured because you were so traumatized by your wife’s insensitivity (you were on mandatory pelvic rest!), BUMP, or if you’re choosing to
Seeing as your current fantasies might be the sexual equivalent of cravings for weird food combos that’ll end once you give birth, there’s no reason to share your fantasies with your wife right now. Even if these sexual fantasies persist after the birth of your child, you aren’t obligated to share every sexual fantasy you have with your spouse, BUMP, especially fantasies you know your spouse doesn’t share and that could make her feel insecure or inadequate. My advice would be different if you thought your wife might share your fantasies, BUMP, but seeing as dicks—big and small, real and silicone—are a turn-off for your wife, I think you should keep your fantasies about dick-and-degradation to yourself, especially since they may be fleeting. So, what do you say to your wife now? How about this: “I’m sorry I’ve let this drag on so long—fact is, I’ve been desperately horny for months, but I’ve been sulking since the last time we tried to fuck around. In that moment, you seemed to forget the real reason we hadn’t been having sex: I’m pregnant, as you know, and I was on mandatory pelvic rest for a while. But it’s a good sign that you missed sex so much you were frustrated, even if you expressed your frustration poorly. How about we make a deal: You apologize to me one more time—I just need to hear it again—and I will stop being paranoid about sex being a ‘should.’
We absolutely should be having sex, honey, especially right now because having it after the baby comes is going to be a lot harder. Now, get over here and sit on my face.”
My husband and I have been together for more than twenty years. He is a hung manly Marlboro man type top and I’m a sub kind of daddy bottom. We’re both in pretty good shape, tatted up, we have a great life together, we’re still in love, etc. But we haven’t had sex together for a very long time. I have always stepped out for anon sex on weekdays with different guys from Sniffies or Grindr, while he got himself off sexting with guys he never met up with. But he has developed a thing with a guy he met on Scruff and made plans to meet this guy on a Sunday afternoon soon. Nights and weekends are supposed to be our time as a couple, and I find myself feeling upset and jealous. I don’t
have a leg to stand on here, since I have a lot of sex during “work hours,” and I feel like I shouldn’t judge him for this. Who am I to judge him when I’m getting fucked as often as I can? But I have no emotional connection to any of the men who fuck me whereas he seems kind of infatuated with his new guy. I feel like the trust is kind of gone and I don’t know what to do.—Sunday Plans Upending Marital Equilibrium If by “the trust is gone” you mean is “I can no longer trust my husband to jerk off alone in front of his laptop while I’m getting my ass fucked five days a week,” then yes, SPUME, the trust is gone. But declaring trust dead seems a little a little dramatic. Your husband came to you and asked for permission before meeting up with this guy. And I don’t think you can reasonably deny him your blessing to go fuck this guy, even if it means sacrificing a Sunday.
Zooming out for a second: While anonymous sex works for you—anon turns you on and meets your needs—it doesn’t work for your husband. While you can be sexual with strangers and feel nothing before or after (save anticipation and hopefully gratitude), your husband isn’t wired the same way. He needs a connection, SPUME, and while it was enough for your husband to connect with men he met online for cybersex—and for all you know he may have been infatuated with some of those men (people have fallen in love online)—now he wants to meet up with someone in person. And I don’t see how you could possibly deny your husband permission to have actual sex with an actual man after all the actual sex you’ve had with actual men.
That said, there is a category difference here: You don’t make personal connections with the guys you fuck, and your husband seems to have made one with this guy already. You’re entitled to your feelings, SPUME, and that includes feelings of insecurity. And while you and your husband have released each other from any obligation to meet each other’s sexual needs, you are obligated—still and always—to meet each other’s emotional needs. So, if you’re feeling insecure, SPUME, your husband is obliged to offer you reassurance. All he can offer you in advance of this sex date are his words (“I still love you, I’m not going anywhere”), SPUME, but after he hooks up with this guy he can reassure you with actions (coming home, loving you, not going anywhere).
P.S. Men have fallen in love with men they initially met up with for anonymous sex. So, while your odds of falling for any one of your anon hookups may have been low, SPUME, they were never zero. And while I’m no statistician, I’d say the risk your husband has tolerated over the years—the cumulative risk of your many anonymous weekday hookups—may be greater than the risk your husband is asking you to tolerate in the form of this one guy he met on Scruff and would like to fuck in person.
Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your question for the column to mailbox@savage.love!
Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell, to satisfy lien of the owner, at public sale by competitive bidding on www.storagetreasures.com ending on April 17th, 2026 at 10:00 am for units located at: Compass Self Storage 2291 S. Frontage Rd, Plant City, Florida 33563 . Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the time of sale. All goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of purchase.
Compass Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid. Sale is subject to adjournment. The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes and appliances, unless otherwise noted. Unit 2177 Helen Lewis Unit 2210 Sharon Goodman Unit 2212 Lisa Allen Unit 3175 Zhane Harris. Run dates 4/2/2026 and 4/9/2026.
Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell, to satisfy lien of the owner, at public sale by competitive bidding on www.storagetreasures.com. ending on April 17th, 2026 at 10:00 am for units located at Compass Self Storage 1685 Hwy 17 N Eagle Lake Florida 33839 . Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at time of sale. All Goods are sold as is and must
be removed at the time of purchase. Compass Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid. Sale is subject to adjournment. The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes and appliances, unless otherwise noted. Unit 1141 Darrell Starling Unit 2175 Joseph Allgood Unit 3012 Giannina Andino Unit 3055 Matthew Bell Unit 3080 Gerard Lespinasse Unit 3124 Lonnie Grant. Run dates 4/2/2026 and 4/9/2026.
