Issuu

SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 (VOL.39, NO.39) • $FREE CREATIVE LOAFING • CLTAMPABAY.COM

THESE TWO CATS WERE LEFT IN A BOX AT THE DOOR OF FRIENDS OF STRAYS.

Turns out, it’s exactly where they needed to be. After weeks of intensive medical care and compassion they healed and found a new home. They’ll never have to live a life without care and love again.

IF YOU WANT MORE PETS LIKE THIS TO HAVE A SECOND CHANCE TO FIND A LIFE OF REFUGE, CARE, AND LOVE: WE NEED YOUR HELP.

SAVE A LIFE THIS SEPTEMBER. DONATE TODAY! www.friendsofstrays.org/love-unleashed or scan the QR code:

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Tampa City Councilman’s 10 lessons from city hall, p. 41.

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Bonnie Prince Billy still possesses one of th most arresting live shows in indie-rock.

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Another busy week of live music, p. 39.

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I read the article “Up to Speed- 17 movies...filmed in Tampa Bay” by Colin Wolf in the Sept. 10-16 issue of CL. In describing the movie Zola(2020), it should be mentioned that in the initial “ establishing shot”, to show that, “you in The South, now, Bro”, on the roadtrip coming into Tampa from Detroit via I-75, the drone camera pans past two familiar roadside icons of Tampa Bay: the giant microwave tower in the shape of a Christian cross, and the giant Confederate Battle Flag. Nothing says Florida like Christianity and Confederates. Y’all come down!

I love that place. Awesome walking paths, boardwalk , and rescued birds to check out. Super epic view of the Saint Pete skyline over the water if you walk that far back into the trails.—Christopher Neuberger A grammatical note: “giveaway” is a noun, while “give away” is a phrasal noun.— Roger Freedman ‘Free Palestine’: Openers, and backing band, drop out of Ed Sheeran’s Tampa show Maybe it’s not too late to call Kid Rock —Becca Lee

The strip clubs come later. —David McCallister

Ed Sheeran is a hypocrite because he sided with Ukraine. Why he won’t side with Palestine is because he’s friends with David Jolly says a complete ban on Robert Kraft, owner of multiple stadiums data centers in Florida should be ‘on and who’s a huge Israeli supporter. He the table’ even sang at his wedding. Kraft is also friends with Netanyahu, Now Republicans prewho is the monster in tending they’re pro AI charge of killing, torwhen they were also turing, starving and all up in arms over it a preventing medical care few months ago. No one to Palestinian children, wants their backyards over 21,000 in the last 4 destroyed for more fake years alone. He is conpictures of themselves sidered a war criminal in the 80s. The choice with crimes against is clear if we want to humanity. He would be have anything left of arrested if he set foot our beautiful, natuin over 120 countries. ral home 🌊🌊🌊 🌊🌊🌊🌊n who What Maclemore did says we have tons of was brave and cou“pristine land” for data rageous. It wasn’t centers even though we political, it was simply struggled with a drought being a humanitarian all summer, or Jolly with a conscience and Scan this to QR code to mail us: who wants to protect what a platform to speak. It had little Republicans haven’t nothing to do with the Jewish destroyed in the last 25+ people, whom he clearly said years.—Bee Finn he loved, but the Israeli government. He spoke about love He’s saying this for votes as and peace for all countries. well as defying our President. Macklemore proved there For me, we can and should are many more important fight our own battles as things than money.....includcitizens. I need to hear all his ing his soul!! Bravo to him. other promises and inten#FreePalastine tions. However I am RED. —Nancy Adani Sometimes we aren’t given good enough candidates.—Debra Heddon Palestinian and Israeli children both suffer and their lives should matter equally. Anyone who’s in favor of data centers Macklemore is correct. I’ve never been a hasn’t actually done the research on data fan of Ed’s—and I’m even less of one now. centers. Nobody wants to hear a loud humSometimes you DO have to speak truth to ming noise in their backyard all day not to corporate power. Free Palestine. mention the enormous amount of water —Anne Van Atta they use. Good luck in having a normal life with one of these gargantuan buildings Rightfully so, performers need to keep nearby. You won’t even be able to sell your their political views to themselves when home!—Janet Martin on stage. People who paid to see a show don’t need to hear their political views. St. Pete’s Boyd Hill Nature Preserve This swings both ways as I wouldn’t want will give away 3,000 Florida native to hear a pro-Trump speech either. plants in November If they want to express their political views, do it outside of a performance where I hope developers are on the list to get a people want to hear it and haven’t paid for few plants to put in their newly built subdivisions—Nicole Solbrite something else.—Kevin Schweikhart

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Tampa Bay's best things to do from September 24 - October 1. See more on pp. 23, 35 & 37, and 39

Reverse shot

In June, David Hockney passed away at the age of 88. The multidisciplinary artist never limited himself to one medium in his creation of prints, collages, lithographs, photographs, and more, using everything from iPads and iPhones to Xerox machines and Polaroids. Last Wednesday, Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Tampa Museum opened a new, five-section, exhibit with more than 140 pieces from the collection of Schnitzer’s family foundation, showing off Hockney’s portraits (like this self-portrait lithograph in five colors), design, landscapes, and more, all showcasing the artist’s unique curiosity, sense of humor and imagination. The show is on display through February.

SR PRODUCTIONS/SHUTTERSTOCK

David Hockney—’Perspective Should Be Reversed’: Through Feb. 27. $5-$25. Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. tampamuseum.org —Ray Roa

RICHARD SCHMIDT VIA TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART

Thanks, pawtner

With nearly half-a-century of service, Friends of Strays is a trusted Tampa Bay animal shelter that started as a cat rescue and now houses dogs, too. Helping more than 4,000 animals annually isn’t cheap and the nonprofit looks to close its “Love Unleashed” 30-day awareness fundraiser out strong. “We are entirely reliant on our community to help us save these lives, and every single person can help be part of that,” Jessica Salmond, Communications & Marketing Director at Friends of Strays told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay in a recent episode of CLTV. “You don’t have to adopt an animal if that’s not in your life plan right now. You can volunteer, you can foster, and of course you can donate, and that makes you part of that. That makes you part of saving one of these lives.” If you like your philanthropy to be communal, there are quite a few options from Bayboro Brewing’s beer sales fundraiser, to cat yoga, a November “Catsino” night at Lealman Exchange, plus weekend BBQ sales, Tiki Docks Monday-Thursday sales share (through Sept. 30), and one last music bingo at St. Pete Beach’s Twisted Tiki. Get links to all of the events—plus info on a grand finale at Cordova's—and learn more at cltampa.com/news.

Follow the lederhosen

Lederhosen season is here. Oktoberfest already started in Ge many, and the Bay area is celebrating, too. Downtown Tamp long-running giant party at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park kick off Oct. 9, and Friday sees Pinellas Park’s German-America Society start its three-weekend throwdown complete wit hand-cut schnitzels, dancing, stein hoisting, desserts, p rade of flags and even activities for kids ($12, kids under 1 free). Seminole’s famous Rapp Brewing is in on the actio this, too, with its no-cover Rapptoberfest weekends featu ing small-batch German styles (marzen, dunkel, helles, boh mian pils, more), accordion music and food trucks. Find ou Oktoberfest post at cltampa.com/food for details.—Ray Ro

Friends of Strays ‘Love Unleashed’: Through Wednesday, Sept. 30. Various venues. friendsofstrays.org—Ray Roa JARRETT HAAS/PALM TREE CONTENT FOR CLTV

8 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

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

Preserving Brandon meeting: Sunday, Sept. 27. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. No cover. GFWC

CARL BEUST/SHUTTERSTOCK

Townies

Unincorporated, but census-designated, Brandon is a part of Hillsborough County. It’s been around forever, too, with the railroad arriving around the same time Tampa was incorporated in the late-1800s. The Brandon Regional Library, part of the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HPLC), is home to many historic photos of the neighborhood and surrounding areas in general, from old Shop-Rites, to Billie CarBURGERT BROTHERS PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION/COURTESY, rington’s New York Exchange RestauTAMPA-HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY rant in downtown Tampa, the Tampa Urban League Harlem Branch, and the Alafia River. But there is history from Brandon, proper, too. Karen McGinnis Vaughn is working hard to recognize and protect Brandon’s past after founding Preserving Brandon, a group that will have its final meeting of the year this weekend. The guest speaker is Alice Fabela with the Hillsborough County Library System, who will help attendees navigate HPLC’s digital archives where said photos, records, and so much more reside. “We’ll also have time to catch up on several projects and updates we’ve been working on together throughout Brandon. There is so much history woven into the places, people, families, and stories that make our community what it is today,” Vaughn wrote in an invitation. “When we preserve that history, we aren’t simply looking backward—we’re making sure future generations understand where they came from and why the places they call home matter.” Brandon Junior Woman’s Club, 129 N Moon Ave., Brandon. Preserving Brandon (Florida) group on Facebook—Ray Roa Wheely cool

To walk or ride a bike in Tampa Bay is a gamble. Last summer, Florida Phoenix reported on a new Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition study that ranks the Bay area as the eighth most dangerous metro area in the country and the most dangerous in Florida (there were 516 pedestrian fatalities in the Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater area between 2008-2024, according to the study’s interactive map). What’s more is that people of color and low-income communities continue to be killed at disproportionate rates, according to the study. For a day, activists from Walk Bike Tampa invite neighbors to imagine a world without cars. The fourth annual World Car-Free Day happens this weekend, offering opportunities to walk, bike, or scooter on a 5.3mile course to activity hubs that stretch between Westshore, Midtown, downtown Tampa and Ybor City. Giveaways, markets, prizes, food trucks, public art and live music are all scheduled along with the Fourth Annual Kidical Mass Bike Ride, which will happen between Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the Meacham Urban Farm, using two-way protected bike lanes on Cass Street. See maps and read more at cltampa.com/news.

Two doors down

We can’t cry over Dolly Parton forever, and a bar that the late American would’ve loved is going to help us dry these useless tears. The party h pens Friday, which is Sept. 25, aka 9/25—and if you don’t get it by now, w god bless you. Four hours of Dolly, and Dolly-adjacent tunes, will blare w the vagina-forward bar hosts a Dolly costume contest, runs Dolly on TVs, and offers Dolly drink (sweet tea shots) and dinner specials (“f chicken + potatoes, mostly”). There’s even a Dolly open mic with just rule: “Just make Dolly proud.” Of course, that’s not the only Dolly Pa tribute happening on Friday, and you can see a list via cltampa.com/fo

World Car-Free Day Tampa w/Kidical Mass Bike Ride: Saturday, Sept. 26. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover. Various locations. walkbiketampa.org

—Ray Roa

QUIGGYT4SHUTTERSTOCK

Dolly day: Friday, Sept. 25. 7 p.m.-11 p.m. No cover. Shuffle, 2612 N Tampa Tampa. @tampashuffle on Facebook—Ray Roa cltampabay.com | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026

SPONSORED CONTENT PRESENTED BY HOP STATE BREWING COMPANY

Hop State Brewing Reimagines Craft Beer in Tampa

By: Ed Valenti | Head Brewer, Buddy Cernan | Taproom Manager, Ed Fitzpatrick | Operations, Events Coordinator

AMPA, FL — There’s a bold new player pouring flavor and personality into Tampa’s craft beer scene. **Hop State Brewing** has officially opened in the space formerly home to Six Ten Brewing, bringing a fresh vision, a chefinspired approach to brewing, and Florida’s first build-your-own seltzer bar. The ownership trio — Ed Fitzpatrick (Food & Entertainment Director), Buddy Cernan (Taproom Manager), and Ed Valenti (Head Brewer) — isn’t here to follow the playbook. They’re rewriting it. “We didn’t just want to revive a space. We wanted to reimagine what a brewery could be,” said **Valenti**. “At Hop State, we’re exploring flavors like chefs do — building layers, pushing boundaries, and crafting beers that challenge and delight.”

Craft Beer with Culinary Soul From the start, Hop State is setting a high bar with a debut lineup that speaks to balance, creativity, and intent: HOP STATE BREWING — CURRENT TAP LIST PLAIN SELTZER Hard Seltzer • 4.0% ABV Crisp, refreshing, sugar-free hard seltzer. Perfect on its own or customized with flavor shots. PRIMA VITTORIA Italian Pilsner • 5.0% ABV Traditional Italian pilsner brewed with

Eraclea pilsner malt from Italy and noble hops. OPHANIM HONEY VANILLA Blonde Ale • 5.5% ABV Smooth blonde ale brewed with orange blossom honey and vanilla beans. OPHANIM COFFEE Blonde Ale • 5.2% ABV American blonde ale rested on Colombian coffee beans from Wiregrass Roasting Company. FALLEN GODS Hazy Double IPA • 8.6% ABV Hop-saturated hazy DIPA featuring Nelson, Motueka, Riwaka, Sabro HyperBoost and Riwaka Abstrax. JUICE BURTON — ANNIVERSARY EDITION Gluten-Free Beer • 4.0% ABV 40th Anniversary Edition featuring tangerine purée, vanilla bean, marshmallow and vanilla soft serve. D’LUSCIOUS Imperial Stout • 10.5% ABV Rich imperial stout with cacao nibs from Ghana, Peru and Ecuador, rested on macadamia nuts. BA INFINITE SHADOWS Barrel-Aged Dark Lager • 5.6% ABV Dark lager aged eight months in 10-year

10 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

Heaven Hill barrels with light roast, crisp lager character and subtle barrel notes.

music and seasonal beer launches, Hop S keeps the calendar full and the vibe fresh

Florida’s First Custom Seltzer Bar Hop State’s seltzer experience is the first of its kind in the state — a self-serve bar where guests start with a house-made base (still or dry-hopped) and personalize with gourmet Amoretti flavor pumps.Patrons are encouraged to experiment with combinations like Passion Fruit + Iced Tea or Wild Strawberry + White Peach. First pour? Keep it classic. Second? Get weird.

What’s Next Hop State isn’t slowing down. Seas beers and syrups are in the works, inclu fan-favorite fall release **Booliner** — a Berliner Weisse inspired by a certain blueb breakfast cereal. On the seltzer side, new flavors Watermelon Lemonade, Wild Hucklebe Coconut Ube will rotate into the mix, gi guests even more ways to customize their p “Hop State is all about discovery,” Fitzpa said. “You might come for a beer, stay for seltzer, and leave with a new favorite ban food truck. That’s the point — it’s not just a what’s in your glass. It’s about what’s hap ing around it.”

The Taproom Vibe: Chill Meets Creative Hop State’s revamped taproom blends industrial charm with warm finishes, bright wood accents, and a newly expanded patio. It’s designed to be both welcoming and surprising — perfect for solo flights, group hangs, or bringing the kids on a weekend afternoon. “We’re building a space for the community to gather, unwind, and experience something new every time,” said **Ed Fitzpatrick**, the brewery’s Operations/ Special Events Coordinator/ Food & Entertainment Director. From weekly trivia nights to weekend live

Visit Hop State Brewing • 7052 Benjamin Road, Tampa, FL Phone: (813) 873-3179 • Open Tuesday – Sunday • Live Music | Rotating Food Trucks | Trivia Nights | Custom Seltzer Flights • http://hopstatebrewing.com • info@hopstatebrewing Hop State Brewing — Craft Beer. Reimagined.

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“...after I got reelected, I said, ‘I’m gonna make this place me.’” POLITICS

ISSUES

OPINION

A nice little place

Exploring councilman Luis Viera’s office in Tampa City Hall. By Ray Roa

t’s pretty rare for a Tampa city councilmember to leave city hall on their own terms, but Luis Viera will do just that on Nov. 2. Last May, after 10 years serving constituents in District 7, the 48-year-old filed a resignation letter riddled with Springsteen Easter eggs. He closed it with a quote from Kris Kristofferson’s “The Pilgrim, Chapter 33”: “...the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down.” But Viera, who’s been knocking on doors to support his run for state house District 67, is also going to have a hell of a time bringing all of the accouterments down from the tiny office he’s occupied for the last decade. “In my first election, I got in by 65 votes. I had nothing on my wall, and so after I got reelected, I said, ‘I’m gonna make this place me,’” Viera told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay last June. Even with the moveout already in progress, there was hardly any open space on the walls, but there was a story for nearly every artifact. The councilman already shared 10 lessons he’s learned from his time at city hall with CL readers (read them on p. 15), here are some of our observations from our visit. See more photos, via cltampa.com/news.

He’s a proud Cuban-American, and in love with FDR Viera, c. 2026, is a centrist Democrat, but it wasn’t always that way. On the wall is the degree of his late maternal grandfather, Modesto “Api” Suarez, who came to the U.S. at age 40 as a Cuban refugee. He never mastered English. Api’s daughter, the councilman’s mother, bought him a copy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Truman” by David McCullough when he was just 16 years old. Viera started his political career as a Republican (he had an evangelical Cuban-American family), but was converted as he fell in love with FDR. “The whole idea that government exists here to help people out. What he did with the New Deal with Social Security, labor laws, the minimum wage, the right to collective organizing, etc. I mean, as Democrats that should still form the basis of what unites us,” the councilman said.

INTERVIEW

Mayor Quimby, El Gordo y el Flaco, have shelf space along with some other colorful characters “I grew up on The Simpsons,” Viera said, pointing out that Laurel and Hardy have a

spot in his life, too. The comics were suggestions from his brother, Tony. His other brother, Juan, who is mentally disabled, has been the inspiration for the councilman’s crusade for Tampeños with intellectual disabilities. A still from “The Glenn Miller Story" is nearby (Viera loves the kiss scene at the train station), and so is an action figure of the late-’80s WWF wrestler Hillbilly Jim, along with a statue of Rocky. Viera said that before elected office, he came to his law office and saw that someone had broken and super glued it back together. A douchebag lawyer at the firm told Viera to tell on the cleaning people. “He was like, ‘Well, you got to report them,’” Viera explained. “I was like, ‘No, they’re freaking working. And by the way, what would Rocky Balboa do? Would he report them?’ No.” He doesn’t shy away from America’s original sin, or its repercussions in the modern day One of Viera’s first acts after being elected was to band with county commissioners who wanted to relocate a Confederate memorial outside the county courthouse. His office has photos of figures like Frederick Douglass, Thaddeus Stevens, Ulysses Grant, and Abraham Lincoln. There are also photos of Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist murdered in front of his family. The councilman and his son visit Evers’ grave almost annually. Viera’s hatred of the Confederacy even led him to say the F-word in front of Luis Jr. when he was just eight years

IF I MAY…: Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera is moving out.

old. “We were in Selma, Alabama, and they a memorial of Bedford Forrest, a general the Confederacy. I went to this place where had like a little bust of him, and I just cou help it. Pardon my language, I just went, ‘F you,’” Viera said. “I couldn’t help it.”

Despite the eclectic influences, most influential person in the coun man’s life is easily his son, Luis. Jr. There was a time in 2022 when there an abnormal volume of council scanda city hall. Phones were being subpoenaed, Viera thought about not filing for re-elec Then he and Jr. visited the University A Timberfalls Apartment Homes, where resid were dealing with retroactive fees. Viera management worked it out. “My son told me afterwards, ‘If you d file for reelection, I’m going to kick your as something like that, and I filed for reelec after that, and I’m glad I did,” the council explained. Viera, a single parent, said that his m and late father helped out with their grand but that being an active father and making right choices was just as natural as breath “For me to be a bad parent would b me to be a degenerate,” the councilman s admitting that he’s also had good luck with son, who will soon be an adult. “Luis is a good young man. I’m always lucky to have him. He’s a good soul.”

MICHAEL JOHNSO

cltampabay.com | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | 1

14 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

“My most beautiful reward in this time has not been politics, but seeing my son grow into a fine young man.”

It came in a flash

DAVE DECKE

DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME WAITING: Luis Viera now has his eyes on state house. victory. When fear says sit down, you stand up. You will be glad you did.

Fifth, come from the heart. Make your Here are 10 things I’ve learned during 10 years as a Tampa City Councilman. political experience about your journey— By Luis Viera

oon, after 10 years, I will be leaving Tampa City Council. There are some important political life facts I have observed in this time. Here are ten of those facts. First, public office should make you more humble. In office, some think that, to quote Billy Joel, everybody loves you now. You are one election loss or embarrassing text away from nobody asking for your opinions or thinking you are funny. Second, never fill holes in your heart with political office. We all have holes in our hearts. Run for office to effect change, not to remedy hurt. Political office can be fulfilling and noble, but does not turn life’s lights back on. That moment of forever that stays with you can exist with or without public office. Third, friends matter. Politics is as real as the planet of Eternia. Authentic friendship is real. The political world has many wonderful people—but they sometimes want something. You call friends when your heart has been ripped out of your chest. Politicians sometimes have two

voices—the politician “autopilot” voice (“how you doing! Me? I’m great!”). Then there is the natural but sometimes suppressed vulnerable voice that exists deep inside. Remember friends who welcome and encourage that second voice. They outlast public office and matter. Fourth, there is great heart in stepping out in politics. When I was considering running in 2016, I had anxiety and fear of public failure. I was an established lawyer and thought: “What if I fail and embarrass myself?” Bruce Springsteen sang: “Talk about a dream, try to make it real. You wake up in the night with a fear so real. Spend your life waiting for a moment that just won’t come. Well, don’t waste your time waiting.” Those words were on my heart in 2016. I thought about “Rocky VI,” where the “stuff in the basement” causes Rocky to get back in the ring. He does this not to win, but to prove to himself that he could compete during aging, grief and life changes—the stuff in Rocky’s basement. Like all of us, I still have “stuff in the basement,” but the running for office part is no longer there. Filing and facing my fear was my

whether as your father’s daughter, a sexual trauma survivor, a veteran, a refugee, an LGBT person, a descendent of an enslaved person who survived the Middle Passage or a firefighter or cop. Be inauthentic and you will leave politics like Mick Jagger, unsatisfied. Sixth, political office is a truth serum. God help the politician who blossoms into the douchebag they always privately aspired to be. People reveal who they really are after both victories and defeats. Jimmy Carter was a humble Christian as President and, after a heartbreaking election loss, built homes for the poor. Be a Jimmy Carter.

Ninth, include family in your polit journey. Family is everything. I have am ing civic memories with my son. Make tribe a part of event-filled Saturdays. T care, love you and will have pride in w they see you do.

Tenth, show a little faith. Faith journey. Mine goes up and down, but I k that, while we may not always acknowl God, God always acknowledges us. Be ope God moments in public office. They are r I was elected 10 years ago; 10 years ago se like two decades ago. Life did not stop bec of public office—the good, mun and bad all happened. I have moments of inspiration—as we personal challenge and loss. My most beau reward in this time has not been politics, but ing my son grow into a fine young man. I often think of these lyrics by David G “It came in a flash. It came out of nowher happened so fast. And then it was over. Are thinking what I’m thinking? Is this happe now? Are you feeling what I’m feeling? Th happening now.” I hope I have used my City of Tampa experi to acknowledge and enjoy what is happening Creative Loafing Tampa Bay accepts letters t editors and op-ed pitches. We will not run letter without permission. Email your sub sions to rroa@cltampa.com for consideratio

OP-ED

Seventh, loyalty matters. In politics, dance with who brought you. If you do not like who brought you, then leave the dance. Eighth, never betray your values. People say about politicians: “they have to say that.” Fact: No, they do not. Never find yourself angering people for an insincere position—or promoting values that would have horrified you not long ago. Soirees or drama-free primaries are not worth self-betrayal.

cltampabay.com | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | 1

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Five on it

Fran Tate files for Tampa’s District 5 city council seat. By Leif Helland

nother Tampa City Council race is taking where the need lies. So that sets me apart, and shape thanks to a face name: Fran Tate. I’m familiar with my residence. I walk my comThe community leader entered the District munity. I talk to my community. That sets me 5 City Council race in July, six months after apart from the other two candidates.” incumbent District 5 City Council member Naya Yesterday, Tampa City Council voted 4-3 to Young filed. Life coach Christina Murray is also the South Howard Flood Project, which has a in the race. So far in campaign financing Young pricetag of $100 million. leads with over $16,000 in contributions, Murray Tate, sitting at yesterday’s city council with over $2,000 in-kind meeting, addressed the contributions and Tate reallocation of fundwith zero dollars so far. ing from a previously In 2025, Tate ran in cancelled East Tampa Tampa municipal election 2027 the crowded special elecstorm drainage project Election Day: March 2, 2027 Early voting days TBD. tion to fill the District to the current S Howard Voter registration deadline: Feb. 1 5 seat left vacant after Avenue project. Tate told votehillsborough.gov the death of Tampa City CL that she showed up to Councilwoman Gwen Henderson. She earned just the meeting to make sure money wasn’t taken 10% of the vote. Thomas Scott (27%) and Young from East Tampa. (13%) went on to the runoff, where Young handily “Allow our project to go forward. They canceled defeated Scott. Tate told Creative Loafing Tampa it, and took our money. No, that can’t happen; that’s Bay her community experience and concerns not fair. That’s not right,” she added. about Tampa’s stormwater projects separates her Tate’s platform revolves around bringing from her opponents this time around. attainable housing, public safety and infrastruc“I am proactive, pro-concerned about the ture, economic development, transportation, stormwater projects,” said Tate. “I have a his- and accountability to the city’s budget accordtory in this community of 21 years. I’m very ing to her campaign website. Tate says she sits familiar with the needs: housing, transporta- on the East Tampa Community Redevelopment tion, infrastructure, public safety; I understand Agency Community Advisory Committee and

ELECTIONS

was once chair for the committee having a $30 million budget—Tate says that not much got done and that she wants to move housing forward in the district. “People need housing,” Tate said. “They need attainable housing. They need housing that they can hold on to. People are getting the grants. They’re getting the down payment assistance, but people are losing their houses. So I want to address that. I want to make sure they are able to remain in their homes. That’s the American dream. Homeownership.” District 5 covers a portion of central and east Tampa that covers all of Downtown Tampa, Channel District, Ybor City, and Jackson Heights. Tate, 66, is the founder and president of the Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association since 2017 and has been an advocate for her district, pressing for more bus shelters as she once did back in 2021. Tate says she sees the struggles of bus riders when there aren’t enough shelters in place for residents. “When I first started advocating, I received two bus shelters here in East Tampa, North 34th Street, not too far from my house,” Tate said. “I kept my advocacy going. Anytime I saw [Hillsborough County] Commissioner Myers hold a town hall and she would ask for questions and comments at the end, my hand flew up. ‘Commissioner Myers, please, we need more bus shelters in East Tampa. I am witnessing

FRANS FOREVER: Fran State has been a staple in East Tampa.

senior citizens sitting in the heat, sitting in rain, sitting in the wind. I’m witnessing yo mothers with babies, no protection.” “The last town hall we talked at, I advoc once again, and she said, ‘Fran Tate, you be receiving 21 more bus shelters all over Tampa.’ Sidewalks, infrastructure. I am re really going to focus on infrastructure.” Last month, City Council member N Young gave her yes vot the city contribution of million in tax revenu go towards the nearly $ billion contribution from county towards the new stadium set to be placed on the Hillsboro County College campus in District 6. wouldn’t say how she would have voted after seeing negotiations for the extensio the East Tampa Community Redevelopm Area — she was pleased to see that portio the deal come to fruition. “Negotiating the extension of the E Tampa Community Redevelopment Area 10 more years because we’re soon to expi 2034,” said Tate. “It was negotiated in this that we’d be extended out another 10 ye and I went, praise God, because we hav been able to get anything moving. I m we have projects in the queue that have to get moving.” Election Day is March 2, 2027; early vo days are still to be determined. The dead to register to vote is Feb. 1, 2027.

“I have a history in this community of 21 years.”

DAVE DECKE

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“The cool thing about the sake community is it’s not really gatekept at all.” RESTAURANTS

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KINDNESS AND RESPECT: Noah Sain wants to bring the warmth of the sake community to St. Pete. season—includes an early-admission VIP tasting, plus five hours of tasting for everyone else. General admission tickets include 10-sake passports and access to a bottle shop with discounted prices. “The idea really is to be able to try at least 10 different sakes and go home with a bottle or two that you can then share and glass, there will also be live pottery firing. with your friends or bring to a dinner party,” “Just like sake in Japan, ceramics is also Sain added. regional, and there’s a terroir to it. You could And yes, you can get lubricated at Sake say sake is very localized, and you’re going to Block, too. Sain, who’s done his fair share of drinking have breweries in small towns all throughout Japan, and they drink after working in restaufrom their local brewrants his entire adult life, ery,” Sain said. “Based says a sake buzz is the on what they’re drinkbest kind. Sake Block: A Festival of Sake and Ceramics ing, they might choose a “I find now that sake certain type of cup based is definitely my favorite Next Thursday, Oct. 1. 6 p.m.-11 p.m. $81-$120 Morean Center for Clay, on the materials that way to consume alcohol. 420 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg are local and what they It’s the healthiest way to moreanartscenter.org think pairs best with it.” consume alcohol,” he said, Sain said some of his sake brewer friends noting that the simple ingredient list (rice, water, from Japan will be among the 10 sake vendors koji, yeast) means it’s cleaner than so many other in St. Petersburg this week so that attendees things that go into our body. “You wake up the can massage their curiosities, too. “I love ask- next morning feeling like you’re ready for another ing questions, it’s one of my favorite things. If bottle of sake instead of I’m never drinking again.” anyone loves learning and wants to try someAt the end of the day, Sain, who hosts thing new or learn something new, it’s a great monthly sake clubs, is mostly trying to share place to do it,” he added. another kind of warmth with his hometown. The festival—happening on World Sake “There’s just kindness and respect. Day, which marks the start of the brewing Everyone’s really nice,” Sain said about the

Sake Block fest among Tampa Bay’s best food & drink events happening this week. By Ray Roa & Annalise Mabe

or the last five years at In Between Days, Noah Sain has spent his nights turning people into sake nerds—or, at the very least, appreciators. A wellspring of knowledge, the 27-year-old is a veteran of the St. Petersburg hospitality scene who’s been working in the area since 2012. He’s also a certified sake sommelier and sake educator, who’s traveled to Japan to be immersed in the craft. “Sake is just as expansive as wine, and the flavor profiles can reach anywhere from wine-like acid fruity notes to a really deep, rich whiskey-like state that’s complex and higher alcohol,” he told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay during a CLTV taping. Next Thursday, together with the Morean Center for Clay, Sain stages what is perhaps the nation’s first-ever sake and ceramic festival. Sain added that he wanted the festival to be appealing to people who simply don’t drink anymore, so there’s a live jazz band, a DJ to pay homage to In Between Days’ listening room vibe, and even gyotaku fish printing. And since folks drink sake out of ceramic, tin

INTERVIEW

JARRETT HAAS/PALM TREE CONTENT FOR CLT

sake scene. “The cool thing about the sake munity is it’s not really gatekept at all.” See more food & drink events comin Tampa Bay Sept. 25-Oct. 1 below. Barks and Brews Friday, Sept. 25. 6 Bayboro Brewing Co., St. Petersburg. fri sofstrays.org Cigar Night Friday, Sept. 25. 7 p.m Southshore Bay Lagoon, Wimauma Beginner’s Sourdough Works Saturday, Sept. 26. 11 a.m. No cover with istration. New Tampa Regional Library, Ta Afternoon High Tea Sunday, Sept. p.m. $85. Lilac at Tampa Edition, Tampa. tionhotels.com Cocquito Pop-Up Sunday, Sept. 27. 8 No cover. Lara, Ybor City. tampalara.com Her Pour: Wine & Spirits Showc Sunday, Sept. 27. 12 p.m. $99 & up. Cipr at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Ta Heritage Recipe Swap Monday, Sept 6 p.m. No cover. Centro Asturiano de Tam Tampa. centroasturianotampa.org Omakase Dinner Tuesday, Sept. 29. p.m. $150. Ro, Hyde Park 26th Annual Oktobeerfest Thurs Sunday, Oct. 1-4. 7 p.m. No cover. Dun Brewery, Dunedin. dunedinbrewery.com Savor the Bay: A Chef’s Table Pai Dinner Thursday, Oct. 1. 6:30 p.m. $95 & Birch and Vine, St. Petersburg. thebirchwood.

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La La’s, Taco Dirty, close, plus more local food news. By Colin Wolf “I thought, how could those folks out there in Riverview not appreciate something completely different than a chain restaurant that you could eat at in any other city in Florida?”, continued Brunetti. The original Taco Dirty location in South Tampa is still open at 2221 W Platt St. Safety Harbor’s The Tides Market listed among ‘America’s Best Restaurants’ by New York Times The New York Times released its annual “America’s Best Restaurants” list today, and local seafood favorite The Tides Seafood Market & Provisions was the only Tampa Bay restaurant to make the cut. Tin Tin in Miami was the only other Florida restaurant featured. Located at 305 Main St., The Tides is no stranger to praise. In 2025, the half grocery store and half counter service spot was listed among Michelin Guide’s recommended restaurants, and remained on the list again in 2026. Well, apparently, the New York Times loved it too. “There is a vast middle ground between fried shrimp baskets and air-freighted branzino. Tides offers a road map to a territory more seafood restaurants should occupy,” wrote ” wrote Times writer Brett Anderson. “The restaurant became a local hit by using sound execution to transform exceptionally fresh ingredients into food you know you want. That includes iced seafood platters, fried fish sandwiches, seared tuna niçoise salad and blackened yellowtail snapper, all good enough to summon pleasant reminders of why such dishes became part of so many restaurants’ offerings. Jon Walker worked in seafood distribution and as a chef, including in New Orleans, before opening Tides with his wife and partner, Mary Kate, in 2021. Their business has grown into a cheerful hybrid market and restaurant, serving some of the highest-quality cooking in Central Florida.” The unranked list, which covers the publication’s “50 favorite places in America right now,” was released this morning, and was cobbled together by 16 Times writers, who scoured the country looking for restaurants that have “that feeling.”

LALASSANGRIABAR/FACEBOOK

fter a little more than six years, La La’s Sangria Bar abruptly closed its doors this month. The Channelside District watering hole took to social media on Sunday, Sept. 13, to announce that both La La’s Sangria Bar and the La La’s Sports Lounge would officially close that evening. “With heavy hearts we’re saying goodbye,” wrote La La’s. “After 6 incredible years, today, September 13th – marks the final day that La La’s Sangria Bar and Sportslounge doors will be open. Join us tonight for one last party!” Co-owners John and Lauren English seemed to hint that the concepts could move to a new location in the future. “This isn’t goodbye to the friendships and memories we’ve built – just goodbye to these doors,” wrote the husband and wife team. Located at 203 N Meridian Ave., La La’s opened in the fall of 2019, just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and specialized in house-made sangrias made with all-natural ingredients and no added sugar. No reason was given for the closure. But La La’s did file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection back in 2024 to reorganize more than $1 million in debt, citing inflation and rising supply costs—two issues referenced by a slew of local restaurant and bar closures in 2026.

FOOD NEWS

Taco Dirty’s Riverview location is now permanently closed Popular South Tampa Mexican eatery Taco Dirty expanded to Riverview about a year ago, but abruptly closed the location this week. The Riverview outpost, located just off U.S. Hwy301 at 10460 Stelling Dr., was the fast-casual concept’s second location from parent company Ciccio Restaurant Group (CRG). Jason Brunetti, CRG’s director of operations, told the Tampa Bay Business Journal‘s Madalyn Blair that despite investing over $1 million into the Riverview location, it was never profitable and lost “up to $20,000 a month.” “We spent millions of dollars to open that restaurant and try to keep it open,” said Brunetti to TBBJ. “It never generated a profit, not once. When you’re losing that much money every single month, how long could you go before you say enough is enough?” The Riverview spot opened in May of 2025 and shared a plaza with The Milkshake Factory, Wing Snob, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Mission BBQ and a cannabis dispensary. It was also within a few hundred yards of a Moe’s, Chipotle, Tijuana Flats, Taco Bell, and a Qdoba.

Bites • Soul de Cuba Cafe in Seminole Heights is marking the Tampa engagement of Buena Vista Social Club at the Straz Center (Oct. 6-11) with a limited-time A Taste of Havana plate—ropa vieja, lechón asado, arroz moro, a beef empanada

HELL NAH LA LA: Channelside’s sangria spot is closed after six years. and plátanos maduros—available through Oct. 11, plus An Evening in Havana on Sept. 19 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. featuring Cuban food, music and a chance to win tickets to the show. • Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach has launched a “You Dine, We Donate” program at its signature restaurant Ocean Hai, where proceeds from a designated four-top table are matched by the resort and donated to Give Kids The World, a Central Florida nonprofit that creates experiences for children with critical illnesses and their families. A portion of each stay is donated as well. • Chef & The Baker in South Tampa launched “Caliente Meets Cariño” last month, pairing Chef Rosana Rivera’s hand-folded beef empanada—made famous when she beat Bobby Flay on Food Network—with Señor Lechuga’s

habanero-based .121 hot sauce, the one Brooklyn brand created with Joe Rogan. • The 1905 Family of Restaurants—w includes all seven Columbia Restaurant tions, Cha Cha Coconuts, Ulele and Casa S Stefano—is running its annual Commu Harvest throughout September, donating 5 every check to a nonprofit of the diner’s ch ing at no additional cost to the guest. In i years, the program has directed $4.8 milli Florida nonprofits. • According to the Gulfport Gab TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beac expanding its football season programm this fall with a new Tailgate on the Gulf s welcoming visiting Green Bay (Oct. 3) Pittsburgh (Oct. 17) fans to beachfront tailg continued on pag

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FREEZE FRENZY: Diners can now try all of Cheeky’s frozen drinks at once. continued from page 27 featuring team-themed food, live music and meet-and-greets with NFL alumni. • AC Hotel Clearwater Beach opened Salt & Sky, a new rooftop bar, last month, featuring cocktails like the strawberry hibiscus foam-topped Salt & Sky and the AC Sunset, plus shareable bites and a new 947-squarefoot event space. • The Tampa Edition (stylized “EDITION”) is celebrating Negroni Week (Sept. 21-27) across its food and beverage outlets with two Camparibased specialty cocktails crafted by Beverage Director Nihat Cam: a Negroni ($20) with London dry gin, pineapple and coffee-infused sweet vermouth, and a Sbagliato ($18) that swaps the gin for prosecco. • Go Greek Yogurt opened its first St. Petersburg location on Sept. 12 at the Mall at Sundial (153 2nd Ave. N.), bringing Europeanimported artisanal Greek yogurt with signature flavors like Plain Tart, Greek Honey and Chocolate, plus traditional Greek Spoon Sweets toppings like sour cherry and rose petal, according to a press release. • Whiskey Joe’s has become the first Tampa Bay business to receive a Tampa Bay Water Wise rebate for a commercial food-defrosting technology, installing a CNSRV system that recirculates water rather than continuously

wasting it during thawing — saving an estimated 2,000 gallons a day, according to a press release. • Cheeky’s in St. Pete has launched Frozen Flights—four 5-oz. pours of the restaurant’s signature frozen cocktails (Espresso Martini, Margarita, Transfusion and Frosé) for $15 during happy hour and $20 during regular bar service. • Island Flavors & Tings—the Jamaican kitchen at 1411 49th St. S in Gulfport — has launched Hot Tings, a line of three Scotch bonnet sauces (Mango Pineapple, Tamarind and Aged Rum) available at the Gulfport shop, the St. Pete Pier Marketplace rum-cake kiosk and online at hot-tings.com. • P.F. Chang’s is partnering with Starlight Children’s Foundation through Sept. 30 on its Spirit of the Zodiac campaign, selling Bao, a limited-edition $10 horse plushie, with each purchase triggering a donated plushie to a child in one of Starlight’s 800-plus partner children’s hospitals nationwide—with a goal of raising $500,000. • WEDU PBS is hosting an evening with grilling legend and PBS host Steven Raichlen on Friday, Oct. 23 from 5:30-8 p.m. at WEDU Studios (1300 N Blvd., Tampa), featuring BBQ, drinks and a copy of his new memoir Man on Fire—all included with the $80 ticket.

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“Nobody goes to a bar and really wants to talk about gonorrhea.”

Sister act

ANSWERED PRAYERS: Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence first formed in response to homophobic evangelists.

A nun hopeful organizes abortion fundraiser. By Valerie Smith/The Sapphic Sun

iss Stunt Icon flaunts her Transformersinspired drag persona across the most outrageous queer fundraisers in Tampa Bay. Now, she sets out on her biggest endeavor yet: holy sisterhood. For Icon’s debut, she shook ass at a transmasculine lube wrestling tournament supporting Swamp Bois x Doll Dynasty’s gender affirming care fund. When The Sapphic Sun spoke with Icon, she was still counting the money her performance helped raise for T4TISLA — a new group providing hardto-access gender affirming care items for Cubans. Her next event is the Preggo Pageant, a pseudo-ball where attendees can walk dressed as their favorite pregnant icon. Funds raised will benefit Tampa Bay Abortion Fund. Icon is organizing the event to ascend to the level of a professed sister with the gayest religious order since the Catholic Church: the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

The Sisters are a queer and trans order of nuns in drag. They started in San Francisco in 1979 with the mission: “to promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt.” Icon works with the group as Novice Sister Haram Bae, a Niqabi nun who distributes safe sex and safe drug use supplies. The religious mashup helps her break the ice. “Nobody goes to a bar and really wants to talk about gonorrhea,” Icon told The Sapphic Sun. “But when someone’s like, ‘okay, so what’s with the nun outfit and the niqab?’ Then I can explain what I’m doing. And be like, ‘By the way, did you know that gonorrhea numbers are on the rise in Florida? Have you gotten tested?’” Though the religious iconography is somewhat satirical, initiation into the order is modeled after Catholic nunhood and is considered a serious commitment. As a novice sister, Icon must complete a novice project to become a fully professed member of the order. That’s why she’s hosting the Preggo Pageant.

DAVE DECKE

“I wanted to do something that had the The Sisters say they modeled their order fun vibe of a ball, but didn’t have all the high- devotion to neighbors to honor the genuine de pressure glamour,” Icon said. “We are inviting tion to community service they’d observed people to come dressed in costume as a pregnant Roman Catholic nuns. You may have seen person. Whether that’s an existing pregnant Sisters at Pride parades blocking out homoph icon like the Virgin Mary, Juno, or Lucy from or at candlelight vigils comforting mourne I Love Lucy during her pregnancy era; Or Help Icon raise money for more abortion they just want to come like, you know, ‘I’m dressing pregnant and showing up. The Pr the trailer park bimbo,’ and they’re wearing a Pageant will be held on Sept. 25 at Delic bikini, shorts and a big fake belly.” Wine Bar in St. Pete. “The Tampa Bay Sis A gay, pregnancyof Perpetual Indulg themed pageant to are hosting a fabulous fundraise for abortions party, and we’re exp Prego Pageant might sound ridiculous ing YOU!” the in and provocative. That’s reads. There will be Friday, Sept. 25 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Donations accepted well within the norm for DJs and dancing an Delicious Wine Bar, 420 22nd St. S, the Sisters. course, the preggo wa St. Petersburg @sisterharam on Instagram The group formed in which should, perhap response to homophobic called a waddle. evangelists who would travel to San Francisco’s The Sapphic Sun is part of the Tampa Castro District to preach at the known homo Journalism Project TBJP, a nascent Cre hotspot. A small group of gay men in nuns’ out- Loafing Tampa Bay effort supported by gr fits responded with mocking prayers of their and a coalition of donors who make spe own, occasionally finding time to flirt with the contributions via the Alternative Newswe homophobic pastors. Foundation. If you are a non-paywalled Bay When Pope John Paul II visited San publication interested in TBJP, please e Francisco, the Sisters held a mock exorcism on rroa@ctampa.com. Support Sapphic Sun by a model of the pope, which they later burned. scribing to its print edition.

INTERVIEW

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34 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

More than a dozen volunteers with Friends of the Safety Harbor Library organize books, puzzles, CDs, DVDs, and more to help support new and existing library services and maintain the library’s current offerings. Most items, organizers say, are only $2, because of inflation. Lisa Kothe, recently retired library director, now volunteers with the Friends of the Safety Harbor Library, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that there’s easily over 1,000 books and that inventory has grown immensely since the last sale in April. Books that don’t end up moving will end up going to Book Rescuers in Largo. There’s no cover for the Friends of the Safety Harbor Library Book Sale happening at Safety Harbor Public Library. See more of the best events happening across Tampa Bay Sept. 24-Oct. 1 below.—Ray Roa

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Dear Dolly... Friday, Sept. 25. 4:30 p.m. No cover. Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City MAACM Glass Studio: Dard Hunter Roycroft Flower Friday, Sept. 25 & Thursday, Oct. 2. 10 a.m. $190 & up. Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, St. Petersburg. museumaacm.org MAACM Sense-Sational Tour Friday, Sept. 25. 1 p.m. $25; discounts available for youth, first responders, and seniors. Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, St. Petersburg. museumaacm.org Paint Night and Sassy Wine Party Friday, Sept. 25. 6:30 p.m. $45. Aspirations Winery, Clearwater. aspirationswinery.com Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2026: Designer Exhibitions Friday, Sept. 25. 7 p.m. $40. Shear Media Studios, Pinellas Park. fashionweektampabay.com Curated by 24C: 2-Year Anniversary Block Party and Night Market Saturday, Sept. 26. 4 p.m. No cover. Mama’s Soul Food, Brandon Game Master Council: Guide to Running RPGs Saturday, Sept. 26. 1 p.m. No cover. Emerald City Comics, Pinellas Park emeraldcitycomics.com Through the Years: Open House & Artist Demonstrations Saturday, Sept. 26. 12 p.m. No cover. GCAA ArtWorks, St. Petersburg. gcaa-artworks.com

Through the Years: Open Mic Sunday, Sept. 27. 2 p.m. No cover. GCAA ArtWorks, St. Petersburg. gcaa-artworks.com MAACM Glass Studio: Poppy Panel Tuesday, Sept. 29. 10 a.m. $110 & up. Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, St. Petersburg. museumaacm.org Momentum Choreographers Showcase: Moving Surreal Tuesday, Sept. 29. 7:30 p.m. $20. Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg. thedali.org A (Not So Critical) History Of Art Thursday, Oct. 1. 12 p.m. No cover. Clearwater Main Library, Clearwater

THEATER

Jane Austen in 89 Minutes Select times and dates Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 24-Oct. 11. $40 & up. Stageworks Theatre, Tampa

GINHOL PHOTOGRAPHY VIA SAFETYHARBORLIB/FCEBOOK

Is there anyone who’s not a friend of a library? (Maybe folks supporting Amendment 3, but that’s another story.) In Safety Harbor, book lovers from across the Bay area will converge on the small seaside town to support a building first established in 1938 by the local Women’s Civic Club. There’ve been expansions and renovations since then, and last year saw the library add a second floor.

Night of Poe Select times ThursdaySaturday, Sept. 24-26. $57.75 & up. Richey Suncoast Theatre, New Port Richey Theatre eXceptional: Disney’s The Little Mermaid Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 24-27. 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. Sunday. $32. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo Nocturne by Adam Rapp Select times Friday-Sunday, Sept. 25-27. $21.75. The OffCentral Players, St. Petersburg You Can’t Take It With You Select times and dates Friday-Sunday, Sept. 25-Oct. 4. $19.36 & up. Plant City Entertainment, Plant City Arts Conservatory for Teens: Hadestown - Teen Edition Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 26-27. 6 p.m; added 1 p.m. matinee Sunday. $30. Jaeb Theater at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa The Wash Select times and dates ThursdaySunday, Oct. 1-11. $25 & up. The Studio@620, St. Petersburg

BOOKISH

Safety Harbor Public Library Katya Summers (Book signing and release) Saturday, Sept. 26. 12 p.m. No cover. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com

Blow Yourself Up - An Evening with Ankur Thakkar Tuesday, Sept. 29. 7 p.m. No cover with RSVP. Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg

Darrell Nicholson and Clark Brooks Saturday, Sept. 26. 7 p.m. $12.51. Jack Kerouac House, St. Petersburg. stpetekerouachouse.com

Dark Romance Book Club: ‘Under Your Scars’ by Ariel N. Anderson Wednesday Sept. 30. 6:30 p.m. $10 & up. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com

Coffee and Poetry with Charmaine Jennings Sunday, Sept. 27. 3 p.m. $12.51. Jack Kerouac House, St. Petersburg. stpetekerouachouse.com

Lars Anderson and Greg Auman (book talk) Wednesday, Sept. 30. 6:30 p.m. $6.71 & up. Oxford Exchange, Tampa

Page to Picture: The Perks of Being A Wallflower Sunday, Sept. 27. 12 p.m. $38.16. Green Light Cinema, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com

Books & Beyond Book Club Thursday, Sept. 24. 12 p.m. No cover. Tarpon Springs Public Library, Tarpon Springs. tarponlibrary.org

Booked for the Night: ‘We Begin at the End’ by Chris Whitaker Monday, Sept. 28. 6 p.m. No cover. Seminole Community Library, Seminole

Books & Bibliophiles Book Club: “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret” by Judy Blume Thursday, Sept. 24. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Portkey Books, Safety Harbor. portkeybooks.com

Florida: Strange, Wonderful & Worth Celebrating w/Craig Pittman (Book talk and signing) Monday, Sept. 28. 11 a.m. No cover with registration. Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City

Fiction Book Club: “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck Thursday, Sept. 24. 6 p.m. No cover. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com Richard B.C. (Book signing) Friday, Sept. 25. 6 p.m. No cover. Book Rescuers, Largo. werescuebooks.com Book Discussion: ‘The Fifth Season’ by N.K. Jemisin Saturday, Sept. 26. 3 p.m. No cover with registration. New Tampa Regional Library, Tampa

‘Threshing Day’ by Rebecca Yarros (midnight release party with flash tattoos) Monday, Sept. 28. 10:30 p.m. $40.61. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com ‘Threshing Day’ by Rebecca Yarros (midnight release party) Monday, Sept. 28. 10 p.m. $29.24. Oxford Exchange, Tampa. oxfordexchange.com

Rotating Genre Book Club: ‘The Buffalo Hunter Hunter’ by Stephen Graham Jones Wednesday, Sept. 30. 6 p.m. No cover with RSVP. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com

What Do I Read Next? Wednesday, Sept. 30. 6 p.m. No cover. Jimmie B. Keel Regiona Library, Tampa Ariel Sullivan (book talk) Thursday, Oct. 1. 6:30 p.m. $24.75. Oxford Exchange, Tampa. oxfordexchange.com

Book + Belonging Book Club: ‘Silver Sparrow’ by Tayari Jones Thursday, Oct. 1. 6 p.m. $35; $25 for members. Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. mfastpete.org

Book Discussion: ‘First Lie Wins’ by Ashley Elston Thursday, Oct. 1. 2 p.m. No cover. Bloomingdale Regional Public Library Valrico

Book Discussion: ‘Vampires of El Norte’ by Isabel Canas Thursday, Oct. 1. 11 a.m. No cover with registration. Robert W Saunders, Sr. Public Library, Tampa

continued on page 37

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COMEDY

Wednesday, Sept. 30. 7 p.m. No cover. Mille Auditorium at Eckerd College, St. Petersbur

Xinsurance Clearwater Offshore Nationals

Steve Byrne Select times ThursdaySunday, Sept. 24-27. $30. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa

Pinellas Opportunity Council: Better Together Anniversary Reception & Partner Recognition Wednesday, Sept. 30. 5:30 p.m. $75 & up. Savant on Second, St. Petersburg

Bret Ernst Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday’ 8 p.m. and 10:30p.m. Saturday. $29. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa COXGP

Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias Friday, Sept. 25. 8 p.m. $43 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa. fluffyguy.com

What’s on the November 3, 2026 Ballo Thursday, Oct. 1. 6 p.m. No cover. Sunshine Senior Center Auditorium, St. Petersburg. lwvspa.org

PRIDE

Jordan B. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. 8:30 p.m. $23.58. Clearwater Comedy Club, Clearwater

Drag Bingo Friday, Sept. 25. 6:30 p.m. $10 for 10 games. Allendale United Methodist Church, St. Petersburg

Ken Krantz Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. 8:30 p.m. $23.58. Sunshine City Comedy Club, St. Pete Beach

Lick and Flick: Sapphic Dive-In Movie Night Monthly Mondays. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover. Cocktail St. Pete, St. Petersburg

Leslie Norris Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. 8 p.m. Friday; 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. $20. Coconuts Comedy Club, St. Pete Beach

AFK: Nerds Night Out at The Ball Wednesdays. 8-10 p.m. No cover (two-drink minimum). 21+. The Ball, St. Petersburg

Shelly Belly Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. 7 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. $27.50. Snappers Grill, Palm Harbor Tacarra Williams Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Friday; 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Saturday. $27 and up. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ybor City Don Lemon and DL Hughley Saturday, Sept. 26. 7 p.m. $53.65 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg Lee Syatt Saturday-Sunday, Sept 26-27. 6 p.m. $26.94. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa Crash Dummies Wednesday, Sept. 30. 7:30 p.m. $35 & up. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa Andy Gross Thursday, Oct. 1. 7 p.m. $25 & up. Oscura, Bradenton Jane Don’t Thursday, Oct. 1. 7 p.m. $37. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ybor City

FILM & TV

Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! Select times and dates Friday-Thursday, Sept. 25Oct. 1. $10 & up. Green Light Cinema, St. Petersburg Marama Friday, Sept. 25. 7 p.m. No cover. Miller Auditorium at Eckerd College, St. Petersburg Night of the Creeps Saturday, Sept. 26. 8 p.m. $10. Green Light Cinema, St. Petersburg Film 101 Sunday, Sept. 27. 9 a.m. $33.85. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Ybor City. fmopa.org

Razed: A Film About the Gas Plant Neighborhood Wednesday, Sept. 30. 6:30 p.m. Sold out. Florida Holocaust Museum, St. Petersburg. thefhm.org El ángel exterminador (The Exterminating Angel, 1962) Thursday, Oct. 1. 5:30 p.m. $5 & up. Will Raymund Theater at The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg. thedali.org

LEARN

Foto Fotowalk with Derrick Buckner Saturday, Sept. 26. 5 p.m. No cover. Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa South Ward School Site Ghost Hunt Saturday, Sept. 26. 8 p.m. $129. Clearwater Historical Society Museum and Cultural Center, Clearwater. silentslayertours.com Treasure Your Health Day Saturday, Sept. 26. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. No cover. Lealman Exchange, St. Petersburg. lealmanexchange. org Lady Leaders Book Club: ‘Hype Women: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy and Systems Silencing You’ by Erin Gallagher Sunday, Sept. 27. 10 a.m. No cover with RSVP. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com

HYPE Networking Event Wednesday, Sept. 30. 5:30 p.m. $12.51. Hyatt House Downtown, Tampa. hypetampabay.com Metro BrigAIDe Outreach Wednesday, Sept. 30. 10:30 a.m. No cover. Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City. metromin.org Light & Composition Workshop Wednesday, Sept. 30. 5:15 p.m. $81.88. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Ybor City. fmopa.org Onbikes 15-year soiree Thursday, Oct. 1. 6 p.m. $100. Rialto Theatre, Tampa. onbikes. org Tampa Bay Real Estate Networking Social Thursday, Oct. 1. 6 p.m. No cover. AC Hotel Tampa Airport, Tampa

MARKETS & RETAIL Code Orange Night Market Saturday, Sept. 26. 5 p.m. No cover. Angry Chair Brewing, Tampa. angrychairbrewing.com

Drag Bingo w/Alexa at Mad Hatters Kava Bar Wednesdays. 9-11 p.m. $10 (10 games). Mad Hatters Kava Bar, St. Petersburg

Drag Queen Bingo with Crystal Reigns Every final Wednesday. 7:30 p.m. No cover Corner Club, Seminole Heights Meet Your Match: Queer Edition Monthly Thursdays. 7-10 p.m. No cover. Lost & Found, St. Petersburg

Tampa Bay Black Lesbians: Sisterhood of the Traveling Mug Coffee Meetup Monthly Sundays. Noon-2 p.m. No cover. Rotating locations (check @tampabay_black lesbians on Instagram for monthly location)

Sapphic Sunday Fourth Sunday of each month. 5 p.m-8 p.m. No cover. Rotating loca tions in St. Petersburg (check discord.gg/ J4dCNd7Vu for monthly location)

SPORTS

Hauntizaar: A Halloween Art Bazaar Sunday, Sept. 27. 10 a.m. No cover. St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, St. Petersburg. craftyhag.com

Tampa Bay Sun Foundation Free Youth Soccer Clinics Various dates Aug. 7-Spring 2027. Free. Select locations across Tampa Bay

Street Photography Class Sunday, Sept. 27. 10:30 a.m. $81.88. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa. fmopa.org

Tampa Bay Lightning Vintage x Mezzo Market Sunday, Sept. 27. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover. Ford Thunder Alley at Benchmark International Arena, Tampa

17th Annual Xinsurance Clearwater Offshore Nationals Select times FridaySunday, Sept. 25-27. No cover. Pier 60, Clearwater Beach

Using U.S. Land Records in Genealogy Tuesday, Sept. 29. 1 p.m. No cover. Largo Public Library, Largo. pinellasgenealogysociety.com

Tampa Plant Market’s Plant Bingo & Mini Market Sunday, Sept. 27. 4 p.m. $26.88 for bingo admission. Corner Club, Seminole Heights

Notre Dame v Purdue Watch Party Saturday, Sept. 26. 2 p.m. No cover. Mary Margaret’s Olde Irish Tavern, St. Petersburg

HomeSmart Series: Selling? Let’s Talk Value Boosters Wednesday, Sept. 30. 5:30 p.m. No cover with registration. Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City

NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Everything You Want to Know about the Immigration Crisis But Don’t Know Who to Ask with Sarah Towle

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 27. 4:05 p.m. $96.38 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Submit your event at cltampa.com.

cltampabay.com | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | 3

38 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

C CL Recommends

THU 24

C Wu-Tang Clan w/Bone Thugs-NHarmony Last year, legendary hip-hop crew Wu-Tang Clan embarked on what they claimed would be a final farewell tour. But as they say “cash rules everything around me,” so it appears Staten Island’s finest will bring da’ ruckus one more time. Wu-Tang was in Tampa last summer alongside Run The Jewels, and just like last time this year’s stop promises all surviving members including RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s son Young Dirty Bastard. 7:30 p.m. $42 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa—Colin Wolf

FRI 25

Anthony Pappa Anthony Pappa’s been working in clubs since he was 13 years old and won the Australian DMC championship at the ripe old age of 15, but that was probably no surprise to anyone (his dad wanted him to be a pro drummer). Often playing on three decks, Pappa can scratch, play house and has even been on the cover of Billboard magazine. Known still do live drumming in his sets, Pappa arrives with newish progressive house tracks (“We Emerge,” “Waterfall”) to share. 9 p.m. $24.80 & up. The Nest at St. Pete Brewing Co., St. Petersburg C Chuck Owen & Jazz Surge w/Randy Brecker/Terri Lyne Carrington/Warren Wolf/Kate McGarry Based on Grammycredentials alone (he’s been nominated seven times), Chuck Owen is easily one of the most famous artists Tampa Bay has ever produced. This weekend, the jazz composer and former University of South Florida professor celebrates the 30th anniversary of his big band, Jazz Surge. And instead of looking back during a four-night run of concerts—including these two in New Tampa—Owen told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the ensemble will play material that’s been written over the last 18 months. The lineup and guestbook for the Surge is stacked beyond comprehension, too. Brecker Brother Randy Brecker has one of the trumpets (Frank Greene, Clay Jenkins have the others), and there are Grammy winners (drummer-composer Terri Lyne Carrington), world class vibraphonists (Warren Wolf), violinists (Sara Caswell), saxophonists (Dave Pietro), and more. “I’ve gone all in on this project,” Owen, 71, told CL. “After all, I’m not getting any younger!”Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. 8 p.m. $40 & up; $10 for students. New Tampa Performing Arts Center, Tampa

SAT 26

C Beats on the Street: Chromeo w/ Kristopher James/Prizilla/Ari Chi and Javier Solaris/La Lucha/more David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel—aka Chromeo— will do a free DJ set as part of a festival happening on seven main stages scattered throughout the neighborhood. The rest of the lineup includes about two dozen homegrown artists including Florida jazz-pop outfit Prizilla, soulful Bay area songwriter Kristopher James, a duo set from songwriters Ari Chi and Javier Solaris, plus jazz trio La Lucha with special guests. Multi-instrumentalist Joe Cosas (touring musician for Jon Anderson from Yes) is also part of a trio that includes Chris Flowers and Chris Barbosa. DJs are a huge part of the lineup, with sets by Kevinkon, Deacon, DJ Ku, Frikidonya, Fader and others on the bill. Some of the Bay area’s up-and-comingest young bands (Chaunces Trio, Aliqua, Tries & Friends) are also playing Beats On The Street. Hector Mayoral comes out of hibernation to bring his Latin folk project Acho Brother to the stage, too. See a full lineup at cltampa.com/music. 3 p.m. No cover. Water Street, Tampa Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet At 84 years old, Chucho Valdés’ is still releasing new music. His latest, Uncut (InnerJazz) (stylized “UNCUT”), includes eight tracks of solo piano all cut in one continuous session, no edits, or second takes. The Afro-Cuban jazz icon brings a trio—bassist Armando, drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, and percussionist Roberto Jr. Vizcaino—to this set that very well could dip into many parts of his nearly 94 albums. 7 p.m. $54 & up. Ferguson Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa

SUN 27

C Biishop The Artist w/Soulship/Dylan Methot When the Far Forest books a show, you buy a ticket. In a world craving intimacy, the Seminole Heights shop offers a living room experience unlike any other in the Bay area, and this weekend welcomes one of the region’s finest songwriters. Fresh off two 2026 singles, Biishop The Artist, headlines with support from Glass House Point guitarist Dylan Methot (playing solo), along with Soulship, a newish funk and pop project featuring renowned Bay area drummer Natalie Depergola. 7 p.m. $25. The Far Forest, Tampa C Bonnie Prince Billy w/Piper Harrow A decade-and-a-half after playing Tampa’s Mojo Books (with freaking Angel Olsen opening), Bonnie Prince Billy still possesses one of the most arresting live shows in indie-rock. Ghosts Of American Psychonauts is proof. The new live album from the 55-year-old songwriter also known as Will Oldham was recorded last year over two Valentine’s weekend shows in Los Angeles. The short tracklist

La Lucha

By Ray Roa

THU SEPTEMBER 24–THU OCT. 01

(just eight cuts) reaches all the way back to 1999 (“I See a Darkness”) and reimagines 2025’s “London May” in a way that’s far more emotional than the recorded version on The Purple Bird. Tampa’s own Piper Harrow—supporting, Live At Fern Cliff 12/7/24, her own a 2025 live release of tenor uke songs—opens with quiet folk music that cuts straight to the heart. 7 p.m. $41.20. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg

TUE 29

C The Format w/The Get Up Kids Fun. had a quick two-album run that changed radio pop between 2009-2012, but that supergroup wouldn’t have been possible without The Format. The band was made up of Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means. Ruess went on to form Fun. with Anathallo’s Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train (and now Bleachers). The Format’s Arizona homebase unfairly landed the duo in the “desert pop” category, but its bouncy, everly-optimistic sound landed the band to deals with Elektra and Atlantic Records. The Format released two EPs (one in 2002 and Snails in 2005), plus three albums including 2006’s indie, selfreleased hit Dog Problems. And speaking of dogs, St. Petersburg’s Friends of Strays is the beneficiary for this gig that's an ultradose of nostalgia thanks to openers, The Get Up Kids. 7:30 p.m. $54.44. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Starsdontmeananything w/Reap What You Sow/Indebted/Luciidea Naturally, hardcore bands are on every corner of Bandcamp, but the 2025 outing from Starsdontmeananything stands out. From the opening (“Controlled Burn”) to the in between (“Knowing How To Leave,” “Stainless Steel,” the title track), the Oakland trio works quiet, experimental moments into Fire Is Beautiful, a record that’s chock full of tough riffs and devastating breakdowns (“Pulling Teeth”) for

fans of Funeral Diner and Pageninetynine “Soul crushing metalcore” band Reap W You Sow opens alongside St. Pete nü-cor outfit Indebted, and post-hardcore quarte Luciidea. 7 p.m. $13.40. Deviant Libation, Tampa

THU 01

Absolution Fest: Aesthetic Perfectio w/Zanias/Bootblacks/Male Tears/ Ayria/XTR Human/Vioflesh/Sweet Ki Hallows/Panic Priest/more Festivals, especially those with international artists on the lineup, are really hard to pull off. Absolution Fest organizers don’t seem to care. The EBM and industrial-electro cen get together has booked American-Austr outfit Aesthetic Perfection playing an “ol school” set meaning songs released befo 2011 when the band took a turn towards pop. The outfit closes out night three of annual events, with Berlin-based produce and DJ Zoè Zanias (aka Zanias) topping n two, and Brooklyn-based post-punk band headlining opening festivities. ThursdaySaturday, Oct. 1-3. 6 p.m. $65.22 & up. Orpheum, Tampa

C Rock The Park: Peli Gene w/Sund Geoff Abraham & Finn Walling Last A at the Sparkman Wharf stage, Peli Gene made its Gasparilla Music Festival debut anthemic, bouncy indie-rock that sounds the feeling of pulling off a sweatshirt on a cold day turned perfectly-sunny. The Tam band headlines Rock the Park in support an April release, Dream Estate. Songwrit Sunde returns to the park after getting ra out last month, with Geoff Abraham & Fi Walling playing a set of bluesy rock in the opening slot. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Curtis H Waterfront Park, Tampa

See an extended version of Music Week a cltampa.com/music. Find our user-submi events calendar to share your gig.

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40 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

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After a long summer packed with political controversy for the Tampa Sports Authority, the tax-payer funded organization that books Raymond James Stadium is now making a safe, non-political pivot to Kenny Chesney, a guy who says it’s “not his place to tell people how to think or how to vote.” Last week, TSA announced that the 58 year-year-old country singer will kick off his “Original Vibe Room Tour” at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium this spring.

@NOCLUBS

“When we started to talk about touring next year, all I could think about was how good those stadiums feel how loud, how fast, how much energy comes hurling at us,” said Chesney, in a press release, which notably had zero mention of the more than 34,000 women and children who’ve died in Gaza since October 2023. “I don’t think I knew how much I missed it,” continued Chesney.

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42 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

Over the last few months, the Tampa Bay Sports Authority has faced tremendous pushback after it willingly agreed to an atypical, iron-clad contract with “former” Nazi and presidential candidate Kanye West, even after knowing full well he had a song called “Heil Hitler” and sold swastika shirts on his website. Then, this week, the organization faced renewed scrutiny for the removal of rapper Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s Nov. 7 Tampa stop, after a billionaire Epstein associate led a pressure campaign to boot the “Thrift Shop” artist because he said “free Palestine” at a recent show.

On the contrary, the TSA now has a guy like Chesney, who in the past has shared a stag with politically-charged artists like Bruce Springsteen, but most recently appeared o a podcast with edgy centrist Bill Maher to proclaim that he doesn’t partake with that stuff, and prefers to not get all political at his shows.

“I’ve never saw it to be my place to use my stage or platform, no matter where I’m play ing, to tell people how to think or how to vote. They hear that…They get that everywhere else. Everywhere, on every device, every network. They’re there as an escape from all that stuff,” said Chesney to the Clu Random podcast.

The Country Music Hall of Famer—who actually performed at Crowbar in Ybor City before his 2022 Raymond James Stadium gig—also confided to Maher how he buries the human-like sensation to say things like “we shouldn’t cage people for not being white,” or “people deserve foo and medical care.”

“There’s a certain ego, I think, that lives in there,” explained Chesney, “and a certain box inside your head and your soul that yo have to check, for some reason, to think tha you can make a difference.”

Chesney’s “Original Vibe Room Tour,” with support from Eric Church, Sheryl Crow and Greylan James, comes to Raymond James Stadium on April 24, 2027. Tickets go on sa Friday, Sept. 25. Come back next week for Josh Bradley’s weekly rundown of new con certs coming to Tampa Bay.—Colin Wolf

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cltampabay.com | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | 4

44 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

The backlog By Dan Savage

een away for two weeks—happy to return to a packed inbox. Let’s get to the questions!—Dan I’ve wavered on sending this but I need advice. The issue is that there’s a woman I’ve known most of my life. We are very close and as close to an open book friendship as I can think of. We’ve shared everything. I now realize that I have romantic feelings for her that I never acted on. I’m 35, she’s 36. The wrinkle is that she’s now married with three children. Our correspondence has recently gotten kind of flirtatious. I get the sense that she’s not happy in her marriage and I’m waiting for it to run its course. I want to be a supportive friend but I’m also interested in her in a way I’m almost certain she would reciprocate given the right circumstances, maybe years from now. What’s my best course of action here? —Personal Advice Is Needed The fact that this woman seems unhappy in her marriage isn’t proof that 1. she’s actually unhappy (married people love to complain) or that 2. she’s unhappy enough to do something about it (relationship satisfaction isn’t the only variable here). Middle-aged, married, and responsible for three kids is an incredibly stressful stage of life, especially in a country that seems determined to make being a parent as difficult as possible. And as women in straight marriages almost always do more than their fair share of the household labor and childcare, straight married women have a lot to complain about. (Here’s hoping this woman’s husband is doing his fair share.) So, while this woman, like a lot of middle-aged moms, may fantasize about alternative timelines… timelines where she’s married to someone who helps out more and impregnates her less often… it doesn’t follow that she would leave her husband to be with you or anyone else. Zooming out: If your conversations with this woman were actually flirtatious (“kind of” flirtatious sounds like dickful thinking)… and if you knew for a fact that she was unhappy in her marriage (because she’d told you exactly that)… I might encourage you to tell this woman how you feel. But unless and until things escalate—unless and until she starts saying things like “I wanna fuck you” and “I want out of my marriage”—there’s a good chance you’re reading things into your conversations with this woman that are probably untrue. If things get unambiguous, PAIN, maybe then you could risk saying something to her. If she wants out of her marriage, knowing how you feel might encourage her to get out sooner. But unless and until things get unambiguous… unless and until it’s she’s the one telling you what you wanna hear, TITS, and you’re sure it’s not just your dick telling you what you wanna hear… your best course of action is to STFU. P.S. Supportive friends don’t have ulterior motives.

I’m a bisexual married male. I came out to my spouse before I slept with a man for the first time, which I did with her permission. In the end I contracted a sexually transmitted infection during that first foray. I have a question about doxy and a follow-up question about gym etiquette. (I can’t really ask my doctor because I live in Texas.) How soon after a sexual encounter should I take my doxy? I think my mishap was due to me misunderstanding the directions. Which leads me to my gym question: I joined the gym for community more than anything else. I am not happy with my body, but it seems as though my body won’t be holding me back. I have been propositioned a few times and I love feeling desired by other men like this! I’ve heard stories about sexual things happening in the showers at the gym, but I don’t know whether this sort of thing is officially okay. Is messing around in the showers or the sauna actually OK?—Thirsty In The Shower 1. Doxy directions really aren’t that complicated, TITS, and they’re easily googled. But I’m here to help: You should take a 200 mg dose of doxycycline as soon as possible after you have sex with another man—ideally within 24 hours, but no later than 72 hours—but you shouldn’t take more than 200 mg in a 24-hour period. (So, if you have sex with some dude in the morning and take doxy immediately after, TITS, don’t take another round of doxy if you have sex with some other dude in the afternoon.) Taking doxy greatly reduces your risk of contracting (and passing along) syphilis and chlamydia; it also reduces your risk of catching/spreading gonorrhea. You should also be on PrEP, which will protect you from HIV. And if you can’t talk to your doctor about these things, TITS, you need a different/better doctor. 2. A gym is not a sex club, TITS, so it’s not okay—officially—to mess around with other guys at the gym. But the stories you’ve heard aren’t urban legends: unlike men putting gerbils in their asses (a fading urban legend that’s just had new life breathed into it), out gay and bi men have been known to mess around at gyms in gay neighborhoods. (Closet cases, on the other hand, mess around at gyms near megachurches.) For many men, the fact that it’s not okay—because a gym is not a sex club—is part of the thrill. But you have to be discreet, vigilant, and surgical: don’t mess around in front of guys who haven’t clearly signaled an interest in either messing around or watching other guys mess around (that’s the discreet part), keep one eye on the door to the sauna and knock it off if someone else comes in (that’s the vigilant part), and don’t draw things out (that’s the surgical part). Guys who are indiscreet, careless, and sloppy about

messing around at the gym get their memberships revoked. P.S. If you actually wanted to cancel your gym membership—something many gyms make nearly impossible—getting “caught” messing around at the gym may be the best way to do it. P.P.S. To learn the difference between friendly smile-and-nod eye contact at the gym and come-join-me-in-the-sauna eye contact at the gym, get your hands on a copy of Leo Herrera’s (Analogue) Cruising: A Manual. I’m a 24-year-old woman married to a 27-year-old man. We’ve been together about six years and our sex life has always been off. He was a virgin when we met, and I struggled with low libido for a few years due to a hormone issue that has been fixed. He was the opposite: he wanted to bang nearly every day. Over the last two years sex became more one-sided. There’s less foreplay, less stuff for me, and he just focuses on whatever helps him finish. I suggested spicing things up, I talked about things I enjoyed, and even flat-out asked for more. He would say, “Sure, yeah, I guess,” and then nothing would change. When I told him I was frustrated he said he gets embarrassed when we do things my way. (I like a little light restraint/choking.) But his “embarrassment” now extends to him being uncomfortable with any foreplay at all. He says he sees himself with his “third eye” and he feels disgusted when he attempts “my” things. So, while we’re having sex pretty frequently, the sex we have is one-sided and all about him. He has body-image and self-esteem issues, and I want to be as sensitive as I can be about needing more. I’m afraid that it will sound like he isn’t enough. I love him but I’ve cried myself to sleep every night this week because I feel used. —A Frustrated Woman So, when it comes to the things you need— including basic foreplay—your husband has a third eye like a Flock camera: it’s always on, it sees everything, AFW, and being surveilled like this (something he’s doing to himself) makes him too embarrassed and self-conscious to make sure sex is pleasurable for you too. But the magic Flock camera in his head snaps off the second he starts doing whatever he wants. So, putting in a little effort to make sure his wife is aroused before he sticks his dick in her? Third eye says no. But sticking his dick in his wife and using her like a masturbation sleeve—behavior that hurts you, disgusts me, and should embarrass him—that doesn’t offend his third eye. You’ve already told him what you need repeatedly, AFW, and nothing has changed. Unless you’re prepared to put up with this shit for the rest of your life—unless you’re willing to be held hostage by your husband’s intermittently crippling self-esteem issues—you should leave him.

SAVAGE LOVE

You’re only 24, AFW, and you don’t mention You’d be better off on your own with a vibr and some decent bondage porn than stuck a guy who treats you like a sex doll. DTMF P.S. Choking during sex—even light c ing—is dangerous. Ask your next boyfrien hold you down by placing his hands on sternum and collarbones, not around your n P.P.S. Even if you’re not ready to leave AFW, you have to stop prioritizing his feel over your own. Tell him that you’re unhappy that your marriage is at stake. If that motiv him to do something about it and you see las change, you can stay. If it doesn’t and you d you should leave.

I don’t know if you’re aware of Chris Gal He’s the Democrat nominee running to repre New York’s 1st Congressional District. This trict—which covers the eastern halves of L Island and Fire Island— is currently represe by Nick LaLota, the worst kind of ass-kis Trump Republican. Chris was in the news week because he did some modeling for M Leather when he was in his early twenties someone found the photos and sent the the New York Post. This seems like somet your readers and listeners might want to k about.—Gay Old Photos I wasn’t aware that a gay military vete air traffic controller, union leader, and vo teer firefighter—Chris Gallant—was runnin Congress until after the New York Post publi photos of Gallant looking amazing in a harn Gallant immediately released a pitch-perfect s ment in which he said he was proud of who he and would not be “embarrassed or ashamed” dropping out of the face. (He then sent out a draising pitch.) The Suffolk County Democ Committee, to its credit, stood by their man only thing the old photos prove, the organiza said in an Instagram post, is that Republi are running scared and that “Chris Gallant a six-pack.” (And shouldn’t the man represen half of Fire Island have a six-pack?) The fact that Gallant may be kinky—mo the models Mr. S. works with are actually k sters (ahem)—is an argument in favor of sen him to Washington. People into BDSM un stand the importance of consent, so sen Gallant to a place crawling with men who d seem to understand the importance of con is a good idea. Also, given that everyone u the age of 40 (Gallant is 37) has dirty ph out there somewhere, disqualifying people Gallant from holding public office—disqua ing people with dirty pics out there—is goin make our already awful gerontocracy prob even worse. Gallant for Congress! Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your q tion for the column to mailbox@savage.love record your question for the Savage Loveca savage.love/askdan! Podcasts, columns and at Savage.Love.

cltampabay.com | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | 4

Legal, Public Notices 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 October 9th, 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 2055 Timothy Rogers Unit 2167 Vernette Casey Cockrell Unit 1129 Gesner Baptiste. Run dates 9/24/2026 and 10/01/2026. 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 October 9th, 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 2051 Michael Occhino Unit 2062 Chad Sheppard Unit 2110 Davis Quentin Unit 2112 Jamie Adkins Unit 2172 Rosemary Caraballo Unit 3053 Mckayla Wade Unit 3055 Lucas Terpenning Unit 1041 Shayla Jones Unit 1064 Calie Woodard Unit 1074 Maurice Jones Unit 3167 Rhiana Foster Unit F500 Lincoln Smith. Run dates 9/24/2026 and 10/01/2026 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 October 9th, 2026, at 10:00am for units located at: Compass Self Storage 3000 Mulford Rd. Mulberry Fl, 33860 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. Sales are 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. 1012- Rachel Dominguez 1014-Tyler Mccauley 1134-Carmen Catlett 5007-Thomas Taylor 5008-Thomas Taylor 2142-Oneil Barrett. Run dates 9/24/2026 and 10/01/2026.

46 | SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 | cltampabay.com

PSA Anencephaly is a tragic, 100% fatal birth defect that is largely avoidable. If women of child bearing age took an inexpensive, readily available daily supplement, 50%-70% of anencephaly and spina bifida birth defects could be eliminated. Folic Acid (vitamin B 9) is critical to normal fetal development in the earliest stages, often before a mother knows she’s pregnant. Ask the women in your life; remind the women you love. www.anencephaly.info

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