Creative Loafing Tampa — January 28, 2021

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PUBLISHER James Howard EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ray Roa DIGITAL EDITOR Colin Wolf FOOD and THEATER CRITIC Jon Palmer Claridge FILM & TV CRITIC John Allman

TONY KROL

CONTRIBUTORS Jeffrey C. Billman, Caroline DeBruhl, Alexandria Jones, Joe Newton, Stephanie Powers, Jenna Rimensnyder, Jennifer Ring, Cory Robinson, Dan Savage

If we diversify curation, then we’re going to diversify the arts in a much quicker and effective way.

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SeaWorld in February, animal rights PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave claiming the practice of keeping wildDecker, Michael M. Sinclair d dangerous. But even though public atmany SeaWorld animal rights don’t in seeFebruary, aSENIOR parallel between the kind ACCOUNT claiming the practice of keeping wild k, and the practice ofEXECUTIVES displaying animals nd dangerous.

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Music: Tampa Bay Andrew Blues FestZelman ........................... 40 Music Week ...................................................

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O say can you see Photos by Dave Decker

T

he 2021 Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris was different from every previous inaugural in many ways—just one being the near-absence of the general public. Viewing it from behind the TV screen, we saw plenty of members of government, but no cheering crowds on the Mall, no well-wishers packing the streets—and, the whole point of the locked-down festivities, not a lot of anti-Biden protesters or rioters. (Although there were a couple of thirsty Trump supporters on hand.)

But photographer Dave Decker went to D.C. to document the Inauguration and found plenty that we weren’t able to see. “The words that came to mind when I entered D.C. were: barren, dystopian, occupied and threatened,” he says. “The streets were empty. You could park wherever you wanted unchecked, because the parking authorities were shut down completely. One resident told me that the city had not been that empty since 9/11.”

Most media was shut out, so reporters doing live spots were everywhere. And of course, the law enforcement presence was heavy, from military to Homeland Security to police officers. “While most can agree that such a strong showing of force was an overuse of government resources, the people I spoke to seemed to feel it was necessary to send a message to those who aspired to return and commit acts of violence. So for myself and a vast majority of international media the story became about the lack of people due to the pandemic and a heightened national security threat,” Decker says.

“As a result we turned the cameras on the soldiers, the police and ourselves.”

Some citizens of the District turned out; so did Americans from all over the country, even if they weren’t able to get up close. “Surprisingly, with limited numbers the streets did light up with small groups of people,” Decker says. “This is what I saw.” See more of Dave’s photos via cltampa.com/magazine.—Jessica Bryce Young

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“The lack of response to his needs is nothing new to him.”

ISSUES

OPINION

Nowhere to hide

Nurse says conditions for workers and prisoners are ‘terrifying’ at Tampa Bay prison.

By Justin Garcia and McKenna Schueler

R

egistered nurse Gregory Krolikowski dreads going into work. When he drives up to the barbed wire gates outside of Zephyrhills Correctional Institution he wonders, “What could happen next?”

A part of him hopes that things will change; that he’ll walk into his nursing unit and he’ll get the news that COVID-19 vaccines are on the way or that he will have access to proper sanitary supplies and hot running water will flow from the broken faucet in the treatment room. But on every shift it’s the same thing: unsanitary conditions and health risks for himself, the inmates and everyone who works there. At least 150 prisoners have contracted COVID-19 out of 625 total.

When he spoke to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, one of Krolikowski’s coworkers recently caught the virus and is quarantining.

Krolikowski is 64-years-old, which places him in a high-risk category for contracting COVID-19.

His 65th birthday doesn’t come until August, so he doesn’t fall into Florida’s 1A phase of vaccine distribution, the first of three Phase 1 sub-phases.

Priority groups in Florida’s rollout of these phases are largely determined by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Within the hospital system, nurses are considered 1A and are being vaccinated, but Krolikowski’s employer won’t confirm when or if the vaccines will arrive. He was told in a work email exchange that he is potentially in the 1B category, and may have to wait a while.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that frontline essential workers be prioritized within the 1B group for vaccine distribution. This suggestion has gone unheeded by DeSantis, who is prioritizing the early vaccination of Florida’s 4.5 million seniors aged 65 and older. In the meantime, Krolikowski, who is months shy of meeting eligibility based on age, risks his health every day that he goes to work.

The lack of response to his needs is nothing new to him. Going without basic safety supplies such as N95 respiratory masks and finding roaches on his scrubs has become all too familiar. Before COVID-19, it was typical for him to care for an average of 40 prisoners per-shift in his unit, by himself. Due to precautions implemented to stop further spread of the virus, that

number is now between 27-35 per shift, but he’s still overwhelmed. While working in a regular hospital in the past, the most patients he had at one time was nine. On average, he treated four or five patients at a time. In an email, the Federal Department of Corrections (FDOC) told CL that, “The number of patients seen daily varies based on several contributing factors.”

Krolikowski says he hasn’t received a raise in the four-and-a-half years that he’s worked at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution and neither have any of his co-workers. There is no recognition of Nurses Week, which runs the second week of May, and holidays are rarely acknowledged or celebrated. He lives in fear at work and is full of anxiety during his waking hours.

‘Horrifying’ prison conditions In his 15 years of working as a registered nurse, Krolikowski told CL that he’s never experienced anything as horrifying as the conditions at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution, which has a prisoner capacity of 758, according to the FDOC website. He’s voiced his concerns many times, he says, but no action has been taken to remedy any of the problems.

On top of all of this, he says he has witnessed excessive use of force while at work, and reached out to the Federal Department of Corrections in August of last year to address it. He was informed that the complaint was sent to the Chief of Investigations, but nothing came of it.He’s fed up, and feels he has no other choice but to speak out.

“When I believe in something, I fight,” he says. Krolikowski says many of his co-workers are also disturbed by the conditions at the prison, but they don’t want to say anything for fear of reprimand.

Although Florida statutes prohibit employers from retaliating against workers for whistleblowing, instances of retaliation—which can include anything from job termination, to reduced employee benefits and demotion—can and do occur. Former Florida Department of Health data manager Rebekah Jones, for instance, filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in December, alleging that officers’ search and seizure of her home was a form of retaliation. Jones, who helped curate the state’s

COVID-19 dashboard early last year, was forced out of the state health department in May after publicly criticizing what she alleged as efforts by the DeSantis administration to downplay the prevalence of the virus in the state.

Last Sunday, Jones turned herself in to the Leon County Detention Facility, after learning there was a warrant out for her arrest. Jones was charged with one count of “offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices,” according to the FLDE. Jones posted bail and was released the next day. Wearing a mask, Jones told reporters outside the jail that she had tested positive for the coronavirus.

With reprimand for whistleblowing being an unlawful, yet reasonable concern, Krolikowski thinks that he and his coworkers at the prison can’t be alone in their struggle on whether to speak out.

Centurion is a joint venture of Centene and MHM Services. The company spans 15 states in 300 locations with 9,000 plus employees.

According to its website, Centurion employs over 7,400 workers across the state of Florida as of December of 2019, with bases in Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, Sunrise, and Tallahassee. It’s unclear from the website how many of these employees work in Florida prisons.

Centurion’s press room and a regional director did not respond to CL’s inquiry about the company.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) reports that MHM Services has been involved in a number of health and human rights violations.

The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit against MHM in Alabama in 2014, accusing it of failure to provide adequate care, medicating prisoners against their will, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Women prisoners in Alabama filed a class action suit in 2002 against the company for “inadequate medical and mental health care.”

They won in 2007. Former employees still claim continued on page 14

LOCAL NEWS

Lawsuits against Centurion and Centene Krolikowski works inside the Zephyrhills Correctional Institute, but he’s directly employed through Centurion, a national provider of healthcare services to correctional systems and other government agencies.

FLCORRECTIONS/FACEBOOK

POLITICS

NEEDS CORRECTION: A file photo from the Florida Department of Corrections.

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 13

HIGH ANXIETY: Gregory Krolikowski lives in fear at work.

continued from page 13 that a continuing “culture of abuse” and systemic problems with care still exist.

There are an array of other audits and accusations against MHM, from improper staffing to much worse. In Utah, Vermont, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Florida, “Deaths have occurred as the result of starvation, denial of necessary medication, neglect, and improper use of restraints,” writes the AFSC. Centene, the other half of Centurion, is currently the defendant in a $1.125 billion dollar Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) lawsuit out of California. The CEO and lawyers stand accused of defaulting on claims in an attempt to recover $390 million in liabilities that were improperly disclosed, to the damage of Sovereign Health, which provides mental health and addiction services.

In the suit, Sovereign Health says that Centurion,“engaged in practices that are in violation of RICO; Conspiracy to Violate RICO; Intentional Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage, Violation of Unfair Competition Law; and Slander.” They are suing for $625 million in damages, plus interest accrued, and $500 million in punitive damages.

When Krolikowski found out about the history behind these companies, he felt disgusted.

But at the same time, he’s not surprised, because of his own experiences at work.

The Florida Department of Corrections, which oversees the third-largest prison system in the nation, currently has four open investigations into inmate deaths at Zephyrhills Correctional

Institution. One of the open cases is identified as a “suicide,” and has been open since March of 2020. Since 2015, the Pasco prison has been the site of 34 inmate mortality investigations by the FDOC. Of those that have since been closed, all were concluded as “natural” with the exception of John McMaster-Wade, a formerly incarcerated man who reportedly died of suicide in June of 2017.

COVID-19 in prisons According to joint reporting by The Marshall Project and the Associated Press, more than 343,000 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported among prisoners in the United States—a number that translates to about one in five state and federal prisoners. The number of new infections reached its peak in mid-December. Florida is ranked no. 5 nationwide in total COVID-19 infections among prisoners with 17,614 total cases. Behind federal prisons, Florida is ranked no. 1 in total coronavirus deaths, with a death rate of 21.7 deaths per 10,000 prisoners.

The Marshall Project reports that many staff at prisons are not systematically tested. Prisons nationwide have publicly reported 146 deaths among prison staff, and over 90,000 positive cases. Data for positive cases, however, is derived only from the voluntary disclosure of staff who report their diagnosis to their employers. According to reporting from the Tampa Bay Times, five corrections officers employed with the Florida Department of Corrections have died from the coronavirus over the course of the pandemic.

Although there’s broad agreement among many public health experts and scientists that

“When I believe in something, I fight.”

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incarcerated populations should be high on the priority list for receiving a COVID vaccine, the federal government has left the decision of vaccinating incarcerated individuals up to state and federal agencies. According to the Prison Policy Project, eight states specifically include incarcerated populations in their Phase 1 (or Phase 1 subdivision) vaccination phases, and 15 states specifically mention corrections staff. Florida is on neither of these lists.

Even seniors over the age of 65 who are incarcerated are yet to be deemed eligible for vaccination by the DeSantis administration, according to Florida Corrections Secretary Mark Inch, who submitted a request with state health officials to secure eligibility for state prisoners earlier this month. Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman Jason Pizzo told the Herald-Times that there are 4,169 people who are incarcerated in Florida prisons who meet the age group criteria and could therefore be eligible for a vaccine, should Inch’s request be approved.

Vaccine rollout for healthcare workers leaves those in prisons with questions On Dec. 23, DeSantis issued an executive order that identified healthcare personnel as a priority population for the initial batch of COVID-19 vaccines, along with long-term care facility residents and staff, and elderly persons aged 65 and older.

These groups comprised the 1A priority group for the vaccine, as recommended by the CDC. First to reach these priority groups was the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer. In early December, Florida was allocated 179,400 doses of the Pfizer vaccine for frontline healthcare workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.

From this first round, 97,500 doses were to be distributed to hospitals statewide to vaccinate healthcare personnel.

A week later, the state received 127,100 doses of the Moderna vaccine to be distributed to county health departments and hospitals that had not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine. Both vaccines require two doses to be fully effective.

Florida has received more than 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since distribution began, according to the CDC, yet has administered only half. Florida’s process of distributing vaccines for medical personnel outside of hospital systems has left workers like Krolikowski with questions on how to access those that have been allocated for healthcare workers like himself.

Updates from the Governor’s office detail plans for distributing vaccines within the hospital system. But healthcare workers who work outside of hospitals have struggled to figure out how to gain access to doses promised to medical personnel on the frontlines.

Krolikowski isn’t alone in his struggle. Ann Scott, a home health aide in Orlando, spoke to WKMG News 6 last month about her own difficulties getting access to a vaccine. According to Scott, the Orange County and state health departments told her she had to work for a hospital system, be a first responder, or be 65 or older to receive a vaccine before the Phase 1 rollout.

The Florida Department of Corrections and The Florida Department of Health told CL that they encourage healthcare workers in prison to contact their county health department or local hospital to find out how to receive the vaccine. Krolikowski contacted Brandon Regional Hospital, who informed him that only HCA Holdings employees, the company that owns Brandon Regional, can receive the vaccine there. He contacted the Hillsborough County Department of Health, who told him that Centurion should have contacted the health department, but has not.

Data acquired by the Orlando Sentinel in late December shows that Zephyrhills Correctional Institution had a 24% positivity rate among its capacity of approximately 600 inmates who had been newly tested. Dozens of corrections staff have also reportedly tested positive for the virus at the prison.

Krolikowski told CL that he’s felt sick lately.

The constant anxiety and stress have exacerbated a chronic health condition he suffers from. He hopes he can stay at his job until his 65th birthday because he believes in what he does and the incarcerated people he cares for, not to mention that he needs the healthcare coverage his job provides. But his mental and physical health are constantly at risk, and he’s torn about his future.

“It’s unbelievable, the total disregard for safety in a place which is a hotspot for COVID,” he says.

“This situation has me in pretty bad shape and I’m scared. I have to speak up to protect myself.”

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WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? A maskless crowd at The River in Tampa, Florida on Jan. 24, 2021.

RODNEY HOWARD-BROWNE/YOUTUBE

Holy roller

Local officials can’t do anything about maskless megachurch gatherings.

By Colin Wolf

W

hile the state of Florida is currently breaking new coronavirus records and literally leading the country in cases of the new highly-infectious U.K. variant, a Tampa megachurch pastor decided to hold a packed, maskless indoor service on Jan. 17.

Since his arrest last March for defying shutdown orders and holding services during the pandemic, local evangelical pastor and conspiracy theorist Rodney Howard-Browne has held his weekly services in the parking of The River Tampa Bay Church. But last Sunday, Howard-Browne moved his congregation back indoors.

In multiple videos posted to YouTube and Instagram, Howard-Browne and his followers can be seen standing shoulder to shoulder in his indoor sanctuary, dancing and singing to a live band, with not a single face mask in sight.

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.

Howard-Browne has been a huge critic of anything related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Last February, Howard-Browne said he would cure Florida or coronavirus, just like he did with zika. He then promised to fill his church and eventually got arrested.

The pastor has also suggested that face masks aren’t necessary, stated that pastors who don’t open their churches need to “grow a pair,” and last summer released a “plandemic” book called “The Phantom Virus: How An Unseen Enemy Shut Down The Planet!”

Obviously, Howard-Browne’s potential superspreader event is in stark contrast to the county’s strict rules for regular local businesses. But despite Hillsborough County’s COVID-19 mandates, these rules just don’t apply to churches who flaut precautions because of Gov. DeSantis’ decision to exempt religious entities.

Howard-Browne’s church is located just outside of City of Tampa limits, but is within Hillsborough County, which has the ability to fine bars, restaurants and music venues for not enforcing indoor mask requirements, and people congregating on dance floors, or eating and drinking while standing.

In the City of Tampa, the rules are even more rigid. A Tampa bar or restaurant can potentially lose its liquor license if a single customer is found not wearing a mask multiple times.

Todd Pratt, Community Relations Coordinator for Hillsborough County, told Creative Loafing

LOCAL NEWS

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Tampa Bay that as of now, churches aren’t held to the same standards. “Religious institutions like churches are exempt from the County’s face coverings order,” wrote Pratt, who pointed to a part of Gov. DeSantis’ order that reads: “Business” as used herein shall mean any commercial or for-profit entity (regardless of corporate structure or formation) that provides goods or services directly to the public. “Business” as used herein does not include religious organizations or private clubs nor does it include any location under the control of Hillsborough County Public Schools, which shall establish its own policy for all its locations within the district. “Business” as used herein also includes nonprofit and not-for-profit entities which offer goods or services for sale to the general public in indoor locations.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman told CL that essentially there’s not much anyone can do. “Common sense would suggest that it’s dangerous for people to not wear masks, but The River Church has been challenging in a lot of different ways, and the pastor believes he is protected,” said Overman, who also added that the majority of Hillsborough County churches are actually doing the right thing, and many are having virtual gatherings.

At the Hillsborough commission on Thursday, Jan. 21, the Commissioner proposed a new expansion of the county’s mask mandate to include outdoor bar and restaurant spaces, and of course, this will not include The River.

But it wouldn’t matter.

Last May, after meeting Howard-Browne for lunch, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister dropped the two coronavirus-related misdemeanor charges, and has since met with the pastor to exchange a coffee mug with his mugshot.

What’s more is that on Jan. 21, Overman’s proposal to expand Hillsborough County’s mask mandate to apply to outdoor service of bars and restaurants didn’t even survive long enough to get a vote. At the meeting, Commissioner Stacy White called Overman’s proposal “overkill.”

(White is also the same commissioner whose lawsuit against Hillsborough’s transportation tax has tied up more than $450 million of taxpayer money. In 2017, White also removed a transportation activist from a meeting after saying her comments about road planning and racial justice were off-topic; in December 2020, that violation of the First Amendment cost the county $25,000 in settlement money.)

Commissioner Gwen Myers didn’t want to further burden businesses which are already trying to comply, and Commissioner Harry Cohen said Overman’s proposal was “a step too far.” Instead, Overman withdrew her motion to expand the mandate, and proposed that her suggestion be called a “recommendation” instead. That motion passed 5-2; White and Commissioner Ken Hagen voted no.

Howard-Browne, for his part, packed The River again on Jan. 26 as part of his “open air crusade” called “The Stand.”

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Photo by Richard Barnes

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Polk problem

Bay area deputy arrested for ‘written threats’ related to Capitol insurrection.

By Colin Wolf

A

deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office these messages did. Heneen’s comments were now faces charges related to the deadly his own and we have no reason to believe his insurrection at the U.S Capitol. sentiments are shared by anyone else at Pcso,” According to a statement from Polk County Horstman added.

Sheriff Grady Judd, the charges involve “written There was no indication Heneen was involved threats the deputy made related to the violence in any extremist groups or militias, said Judd, at the Capitol in Washington D.C.” who also stated that the deputy has since been Peter Heneen, a 29-year-old with six-years fired and the investigation is still ongoing. experience as a Polk County sheriff, faces a According to intelligence agencies, a numsecond degree felony after he was arrested Jan. ber of current and former law enforcement 19 when a fellow officers were deputy reported involved with threatening texts the Jan. 6 riot, sent on Jan. 6. In the texts, Heneen laid out plans which resulted in multiple deaths including to murder federal officers, says Judd. two police officers. However, the Jan. 19 arrest “Need to make the streets of D.C. run wet red is the first involving an active law enforcement with blood of the tyrants,” said Heneen in a text. officer from Central Florida.

“Should have drug Judd has consisthose tyrants out tently held a tough into the streets and stance on “rioters executed them sick and looters,” but he’s of the corruption.” also said some tough Heneen also words, specifically last summer dursaid “Any cop, or military, who ing the nationwide stands in the way, call for racial justice is the enemy.” when he encouraged The deputy told his local constituthe witness that he ents to buy guns and has “a plan” and shoot people. that he’ll “fucking “Let there be no kill them all. I have misunderstanding, my stuff, next to my if you come here to riot, to loot, to bed, ready to go.”

“When you have injure people, we’re well over 1,000 depugoing to lock you up ties, and one of them in the county jail,” does something like said Judd to reportthis. It’s outraers on June 2. “We geous,” said Judd, are going to hunt “because it not only DIGITAL FINGERPRINT: you down and lock embarrasses them Screengrabs from a local deputy’s you up if you engage and this organizaconversation about the Capitol riots. in any criminal tion but every other conduct.” law enforcement officer across the state and Judd then issued a warning for anyone country, but we always do what’s right in that considering rioting or looting in Polk County. right. So words matter, he’s locked up in jail.”

“I would tell them, if you value your life, they Asked if there was any discussion at PCSO probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County. about vetting the Because the people entire force for any of Polk County like sentiments similar guns, they have to Deputy Heneen’s, Carrie E. Horstman— guns, I encourage them to own guns, and Media Relations Administrator for Polk County they’re going to be in their homes tonight with Sheriff—told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, “I their guns loaded, and if you try to break into didn’t hear any discussion like that, no.” their homes to steal, to set fires, I’m highly “I know we expect all 1,800 full time agency recommending they blow you back out of the members that if they see something, to say house with their guns. So, leave the community something - just as the one deputy who received alone,” the sheriff said.

INSURRECTION

“Fucking kill them all.”

20 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com

FROM OUR

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Congressional Republicans have only as much power as Democrats give them. Democrats should give them none.

By Jeffrey C. Billman

J

oe Biden hadn’t finished his first full day as president before Hannity declared that he’d had a “disastrous first week.”

This blunt-force stupidity is nothing new for Trump’s lickspittle-in-chief, and not unexpected as Rupert Murdoch’s Pravda struggles to claw back viewers from the conspiracy loons at Newsmax and OANN. What’s interesting, however, is what prompted the Fox News host’s snap judgment.

Biden did what he promised. He brought the U.S. back into the Paris accord and the World Health Organization. He stopped the Keystone Pipeline and the border wall. He froze new fossil fuel extraction permits on federal lands. He rescinded Trump’s travel ban and expanded protections for LGBTQ people. He paused most deportations and released a comprehensive immigration proposal with a path to citizenship. To go along with a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 package, he offered the detailed pandemic plan Trump never bothered to produce.

None of these things was surprising. Given what Biden inherited—an accelerating climate crisis, a pandemic killing 4,000 Americans a day, a nonexistent vaccination plan, an economy on the brink of a double-dip recession, rising far-right extremism—they’re hardly radical, either. To listen to Republicans, however, you’d think he handed down a Five Year Plan.

What’s exasperating isn’t the bad-faith campaign to redefine “socialism” to mean “spending money to help people during a crisis” or “regulating industries that are destroying the planet.”

Republicans have done that my entire life. Rather, it’s redefining “unity” to mean “don’t do anything we don’t like.”

Take, for example, Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida robot who has-yet-to-be-reprogrammed for the post-Trump era: “A radical leftist agenda in a divided country will not help unify our country, it will only confirm 75 million Americans’ biggest fears about the new administration.”

(Trump got 74.2 million votes.) Or Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming: “A mere 24 hours ago, President Biden stood before America promising to unify our nation. Yet on day one, he took divisive actions to devastate Wyoming’s economy.” Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., tweeted that Biden “is going with a partisan approach on

key issues like energy policy, immigration, and border security. … Doesn’t seem very unifying.”

There are variations on the theme. Sen. Lindsey Graham whines about Biden following the “Obama playbook”: “Blame your predecessor, claim everything is in shambles.” (As if Obama and Biden took office amid rainbows and sunshine.) Or conspiracy theorist Sen. Rand Paul—who might be telling on himself—complaining that Biden’s denunciations of white supremacy and disinformation were attacks on conservatives like him. Anything Biden does will be divisive because, for Republicans, unity exists on their terms. Never mind that Republicans lost—the House, the Senate, the presidency, all of it. Ignore, too, that we’re talking about unity only because Republican gaslighting incited an insurrection.

Any conversation about unity should begin with Republicans groveling, but the onus will inevitably fall on Democrats. Republicans know the national media will equate unity with bipartisanship, which gives them leverage.

If they withhold support, legislation becomes “partisan”—i.e., “divisive”—and the press will frame obstruction as Biden’s failure to compromise. It worked during Obama's years; there’s no reason to think it won’t this time, too.

Here’s the thing to bear in mind: Republicans have only as much power as Democrats give them.

The GOP’s only mechanism to stop legislation is the Senate filibuster. But Senate Dems could nuke the filibuster with a simple majority vote. Mitch McConnell knows that. He knows, too, that while the Beltway media is drawn to facile promises of bipartisanship like moths to flames, there’s a growing contingent of progressives who will no longer play the game.

That’s why he tried to filibuster the Senate’s organizing resolution to lock in the filibuster.

The curious thing is that Democrats lack the votes to go nuclear.

A handful of Dems are unequivocal nos; the only thing that might change their minds is if Republicans proved to be unflinching obstructionists. McConnell wanting to remove Dems'’ leverage now makes you wonder how strong his new commitment to Senate norms really is.

It’s no exaggeration to say the success of the Biden administration—and the future of

INFORMED DISSENT

“Democrats could nuke the filibuster with a simple majority vote.”

22 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com

the 50–50 Senate, Dems represent some 42 million more people than Republicans.

In other words, this is a center-left country that gives the far-right a head start, and the filibuster is yet another means by which the seditionists who tried to disenfranchise millions of voters on Jan. 6 can continue subverting the will of the people through Biden’s presidency.

To eliminate this Senate institution, they’ll scold through crocodile tears, and say doing do would be too “divisive” for a nation that needs “healing.”

The nation doesn't need hand wringing over Senate procedures. It needs what voters will care about in 2022: results. You won’t get those if McConnell has a veto. If Republicans want unity, they should act like it. If not, get them out of the way. After Trump’s incompetent, revanchist authoritarianism, we need some goddamn grown-ups in charge.

Sorry if the truth isn’t unifying.

Get more Informed Dissent delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe today at billman.substack.com.

DUSAN ILIC, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION/FLICKR

The truth isn’t unifying

American democracy—rides on Chuck Schumer telling McConnell to pound sand, which he did.

Now that McConnell has backed down, Biden’s agenda—and perhaps the future of American democracy itself—will depend on Democrats ignoring the unity scolds and jettisoning this anachronism at the first sign of Republican intransigence. It’s not just that Republicans will prevent the administration from delivering policies the country voted for. It’s that the right-wing populism that propelled Trump to power thrives on dysfunctional government, and the filibuster makes the legislative branch dysfunctional.

Remember that Republican power derives from undemocratic anachronisms (e.g., the Electoral College and the Senate) and racist policies (e.g., gerrymandering) that elevate white, rural voters at the expense of diverse, urban populations. To wit: Biden defeated Trump by more than 7 million votes and 4.4 percentage points, yet Trump came within about 40,000 votes, spread across three states, of winning the Electoral College. Another data point: In

BYE, DON: President Joe Biden’s motorcade in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20, 2021.

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Shit Happened Tampeños are just happy to already have the Tubman $20 prototype at an Ybor Heights art compound.

EARTH FARE

SATURDAY 23

SUNDAY 24

MONDAY 25 White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the Biden administration is exploring ways to speed up efforts to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. Racists are obviously mad, but

KYLE ZEDAKER/BUCCANEERS

In his first year in Tampa Bay, Tom Brady helps make the Buccaneers the first team to play in the Super Bowl at its home stadium.

Now, if he can just prevent all the events and watch parties from becoming super spreaders.

The Friends of Ron DeSantis webpage shows that TECO Energy Inc. donated $100,000 to the governor’s reelection campaign. So, to protest this we just never turn out our lights, right?

PHOTO VIA ANTHONY SABATINI /FACEBOOK

Nearly a year after announcing the closure of stores nationwide, Earth Fare reopens in Tampa Bay at Seminole City Center. A CL post about the Jan. 23 reopening is our website’s most-read blog for four days straight. Are those $4 artisan bread loaves really that good?

Dumbass Rep. Anthony Sabatini (R-Lake County)—who once wore blackface to a high school party—plans to file an amendment to rename U.S. 27 “President Donald J. Trump Highway” so that those who oppose him can be labeled RINOs. Mayor Gene Fultz of Polk County’s Lake Wales tells WFLA he’ll lobby lawmakers against renaming Florida highway after Trump. Can Fultz run for sheriff next?

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Read all the shitty news you can handle via cltampa.com/news.

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 25

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Pies in the sky

Pizza is a big slice of this week’s foodie news roundup.

By Jenna Rimensnyder

I

n this week’s roundup and what’s new, coming and happening in the Tampa Bay food scene, be ready to buckle up for bubbles, a revived Pop ‘N Sons, and a spankin’ new Korean fusion food truck launching in Brandon. In other news, Corners Pizza expands, and Sammy + Paco’s prepares for its debut in St. Petersburg. Here’s what’s new, coming and happening in Tampa Bay’s food scene.

Coming soon 3 Corners Pizza The Sparkman Wharf resident, The Corners, is launching a new

MADISON AVENUE PIZZA

Openings Insomnia Cookies The concept delivers late night and launched its first Bay area bakery near USF, with a South Tampa location coming soon.

The location offers nine classic cookie flavors including chocolate chunk and Snickerdoodle, six “deluxe” cookies like confetti and salted caramel plus cakes, ice cream, brownies, and cookie sandwiches. And yes, Insomniac delivers cold milk, too. 5114 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. insomniacookies.com—Alexandria Jones La Vid Wines The Iberian wine shop specializes in wines from Spain, Portugal, as well as international wines. Certified Sommelier Victor Manuel is behind the concept and can walk guests through curated sips. 14610 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Carrollwood. @lavidwines on Facebook Murph’s BBQ Taking over Boat Run Oyster Co.’s shipping container, Murph’s is now slingin’ barbecue at Sparkman Wharf.

The menu features “a no-frills, non-denominational BBQ style with quality meats and sauces inspired by the best BBQ regions in the United States.” That means 12-hour smoked brisket, pulled pork and charcoal roasted chicken. When it comes to sides, expect macaroni and cheese, barbecue baked beans, coleslaw as well as a rotating selection of seasonal bites. 615 Water St., Tampa. sparkmanwharf.com Pin on Cafe In November, just days after Chiang Mai Thai announced its closure, Pin On Cafe was already putting up signage on the storefront. In equally swift fashion, Pin On opened on Jan. 21. Owners, Som and Roger Rattanachane are whipping up bites like chicken red curry cake, spicy tuna onigiri, and crispy coconut waffle served with a scoop of ice cream. You may recognize options from its sister restaurant, Pin Wok & Bowl. Other

items on the menu include curry bowls, rice bowls, soups, sandos, lunch boxes as well as smoothies. Be mindful of the lunch and dinner hours. 445 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. pinoncafestpete.com

classic soups like tomato bisque, and signature salads like the Bomb Diggity made with house greens topped with Boars Head ham and turkey, applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, cucumber, tomato, egg, avocado and artichoke hearts and served with your choice of dressing. 3121 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport. saltyssandwichbar.com

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR: Dunedin’s Madison Avenue Pizza wants to feed you its massive, 32-inch pie.

Salty’s Sandwich Bar A lineup of deli and specialty sandwiches awaits at this Gulfport spot where diners can snag indoor seating to escape the heat, or opt for outdoor dining on the front patio or side courtyard which are both pet friendly. Loaded sandwiches ($8.95-$12.95) are Salty’s forte, so the menu is stacked with options like tuna melts, Cubans, Philly cheesesteaks, BLTs, and a variety of reubens. Salty’s also offers

location at Water Street in downtown Tampa.

The 2,500 square-foot, 120-seat restaurant will include both a full bar and an extensive patio area. 815 Water St., Tampa. thecornerspizza.com Reopened Earth Fare A year-and-a-half ago, the organic and health food store announced that it was closing all of its locations. Well, change

of plans, Earth Fare’s reopening in Seminole City Center happened last weekend and was welcomed by all who love those clean food, a stellar cold deli, non-GMP foods and, of course, those $4 loaves of warm artisan bread. 7880 113th St., Seminole. earthfare.com Mammamia’s Gelato Italiano The menu at Mammamia Gelato Italiano is a lineup of handcrafted gelato and sorbets. When it opens in the summer, expect to see non-dairy and vegan sorbet options as well. There’s also a selection of waffles, pastries and decadent gelato cakes. The dessert shop’s brand originated in Naples, Italy and has franchise locations across the globe. 1691 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. mammamiagelatostpete.com ICYMI Boulevard Burgers & Tap House Blood Drive The burger joint has linked up with OneBlood to host a blood drive. All donors will be tested for the coronavirus antibody and will receive perks including $10 off their meal at Boulevard Burgers, a $10 eGift card, and a long-sleeve OneBlood T-shirt. Fri., Jan 29 from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. 5905 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach. blvdburgers.com Ginger’s Cafe Grand Opening KoreanAmerican fusion “cafe on wheels” Ginger’s Cafe Korean American Mix Up has plans to open a home base in Brandon this weekend. The food truck initially opened in 2019, but the COVID19 pandemic prevented it from a proper grand opening. Normal hours of operation are Mon.Fri. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for lunch, Wednesday and Friday 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. for dinner. On Saturdays, find Ginger’s at Brandon Oriental Market at 112 Pauls Dr. from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

127 N Moon Ave., Brandon. @gingersmixupcafe on Facebook—Alexandria Jones Massive ‘Za Dunedin's Madison Avenue Pizza custom built an oven so that it could unleash one of the largest pizzas in Tampa Bay. Diners can now snag a massive 32-inch ‘za for the entire fam or as a not-so-healthy way to meal prep. If you don’t have the appetite, you can find pies of all sizes, as well as Stromboli, calzone, subs and salads. 2660 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin. madisonavepizza.com Stuff N’ Waffles Metro Diner locations have added new loaded waffle dishes to the menu. Savory comfort food like beef tips, sausage gravy and chicken tenders as well as creamy chicken and veggies top Belgian waffles. Like a true breakfast for dinner combo.

Various locations. metrodiner.com

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 27

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Columbia’s crown

Ybor City is now home to the best sandwich in Florida.

By Ray Roa

I

f you believe Food & Wine, Tampeños don’t have to travel very far to get Florida’s best sandwich because it calls Ybor City home. In his new listing of “The Best Sandwich in Every State,” Food & Wine Editor David Landsel wrote that the Cuban sandwich at Columbia is top of the heap in the Sunshine State.

Landsel rightfully picked up on how the original version of Casimiro Hernandez Sr.’s “Mixto” sandwich is a reflection of the immigrants who helped build Ybor City.

“Ham for the Spaniards, Genoa salami for the Italians, mojo roast pork for the Cubans, and for the Germans and Jews, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard,” Landsel wrote, adding that Columbia’s offering ($10-$15) is served on “Florida’s best Cuban bread” from nearby La Segunda.

Wait until he tries Tampa’s signature cocktail, which is also an homage to the city’s immigrant culture.

In his assessment of the best sandwiches from sea to shining sea, Landsel wrote that all Food & Wine was looking for were each state’s most iconic, time-tested sandwiches.

“We wanted the ones with an extreme sense of belonging, the sandwiches people would fight for, and possibly over,” he added. And yes, Miami, we’ll fucking fight you over the Cubano.

By now, it’s no secret that Landsel is kinda sorta in love with Tampa Bay. In November of 2019, he put three local coffee shops on his

“Best Coffee Shops in America” list, even placing Tampa Heights’ King State at no. 8 in the nation. Less than a year before that, Landsel spent an afternoon getting a tour of Tampa from James Beard semifinalist chef Ferrell Alvarez. In 2018, he wrote a “Beginner’s Guide to Cuban Tampa.”

In the guide, Landsel professes his love for Ybor, its history architecture and residents, but admits that the city’s Cuban influence can’t be contained by the historic district.

“You don’t come here looking for a French Quarter-type experience—the truth is out there, but it’s often found over the Hillsborough River, in West and South Tampa, and has been for a very long time; there are sections of that part of town where it feels like you are running across a historic cigar factory building every couple of blocks,” Landsel wrote.

“Ybor may have started it all, but clearly could not contain it, and it certainly does not do so today.”

And if you can’t get to Columbia for a Cuban sandwich, fret not. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay can think of at least 22 Cuban sandwiches in Tampa Bay you should’ve tried by now, and in 2017 we even ran through some of our favorites including the versions at Florida Bakery, La Tropicana (R.I.P.) and of course the Obama Cuban at West Tampa Sandwich shop.

Readers reacting to the news had even more suggestions like the Cuban sandwiches at La Segunda itself, Bodega, Aguila and Plato Latino.

FOOD NEWS

“We wanted… sandwiches people would fight for, and possibly over.”

COLUMBIA RESTAURANT

UNDER PRESSURE: One Tampa restaurant’s offering is apparently the best sandwich in the Sunshine State.

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Feeling bubbly

Tampa couple debuts eco-friendly booze truck next month.

By Alexandria Jones Wines for its curated “Contemporary” or “Luxe” packages, which are customized to fit whatever party needs a customer requests. For an extra bit of fun, the Thompsons rent any of their four signature champagne walls for up to four hours.

The walls were inspired by a Pinterest post, so CJ and Terry went to the hardware store and got to work making their prototype. “It was trial and error at first but now we have it down packed,” she said.

Alcohol isn’t provided with the walls, but customers are advised on how many bottles are required depending on the size of the party. CJ and Terry will travel up to 40 miles from area code 33647 depending on the service.

Customers can fill out the online contact forms for parties or book the champagne wall separately. Follow Booze & Bubbles on Facebook (@boozeandbubblestampa) and Instagram (@boozeandbubbless).

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he pandemic opened the door for multiple mobile businesses to flourish in Tampa Bay. From picnic companies to food trucks to pasta packs, people found ways of creating opportunities for themselves while providing unique, socially distanced fun for everyone. And they found ways to catch a buzz, too.

College sweethearts Terry and CJ Thompson’s mobile beverage business Booze & Bubbles opened in November. Terry is a teacher and girls’ basketball head coach at Wharton High School; CJ is a public health specialist focusing on epidemiology.

In an email to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, CJ said they opened their business—an ecofriendly truck named “Boozie,” which they can take to different homes or backyards— after noticing people were bored. CJ said she and Terry just finished designing the truck and have plans to unveil it next month, adding that she and Terry are fabricating the truck themselves after ordering the parts from a source she can’t disclose. Pictures of the cart on the company’s website aren’t the cart itself, but to give folks an idea what to expect.

“We designed our truck to be Instaworthy,innovative and eye-catching plus leave a lasting impression on all our clients and their guests,” CJ said.

CJ added that she got inspiration for her truck—a six-tap ride with custom wood shelving as well as a custom sliding glass door—when she herself was scrolling through Instagram and saw photos of Palm Beach Gardens’s Boozie Bluebell truck.

“She custom designed her cart from ground up. I thought it was really neat, innovative, and eloquent on her business stood out,” CJ said, adding that she hadn’t seen anything similar in Tampa.

“There are mobile bars that were once horse trailers transformed beautifully but this particular vehicle was totally different. It had three wheels and it was eco-friendly. I wanted something to sets us a part from our competitors as well as serve a purpose that was related to us.

And that’s how we started the design process of our truck. We out sourced a lot of the parts, however, our family members who does woodwork recreationally and own auto repair shops, helped make the process more seamless.”

Booze & Bubbles partnered with mobile bartending service Native Cocktail Events plus brands Mimmo Wines and St. Pete’s Mermosa

en p O ow

BYO BOOZIE: Terry and CJ Thompson want to bring the drinks for your next party.

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 33

COLOR RIOT! PROGRAMS SENSORY SATURDAYS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 10 AM–2 PM

For families with children with sensory sensitivities. All audio components in the galleries will be turned down or muted. Includes a pre-packaged bag with sensory-friendly activities.

HOMESCHOOL HOURS: OPTICS & EYE DAZZLERS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 10 AM–12 PM

Students and parents are invited to learn about the connection between the eyes and brain while exploring the exhibition’s colorful, eye-dazzling artworks.

COMMON THREAD: A CONVERSATION BETWEEN ARTISTS VELMA KEE CRAIG AND JESSICA OSCEOLA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 7–8:30 PM VIA ZOOM

Color Riot! co-curator Velma Kee Craig and Seminole artist Jessica Osceola explore the commonalities and divergent practices between their work. This is an online event.

EXPLORE MORE! DAYS

SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 11 AM–2 PM

Bring your family, friends and favorite people to explore Navajo history, the process of weaving, and the science of color through fun, hands-on activities!

REGISTER FOR THESE PROGRAMS AND MORE AT MFASTPETE.ORG. YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OUR PUBLIC PROGRAMS HELPS TO SUPPORT THE MFA AND THE WORK WE DO.

34 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com

SPRING

W

ARE TS PR VIEW

hen an editor asked me what I thought about exploring what being a Black artist means as part of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s Spring Arts Preview, I jumped on the idea. I enjoy diving into artwork that feeds my soul and opens my mind to different perspectives. I’ve seen some Black art in Tampa Bay galleries and museums prior to 2020, but never so much in such a short time. Last year alone, Bay area art lovers saw Derrick Adams at the MFA, Kalup Linzy at Gallery 221, “Eye of the Storm” at Café Hey and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, and Black Lives Matter street murals painted in Tampa and St. Petersburg. And there’s even more exciting Black art coming up in 2021.

As a white person, I can’t imagine what it was like to be a Black artist in Tampa Bay in 2020. So for 2021’s Spring Arts preview, I talked to some folks who lived it.

I used to think that the best anyone can do in life is speak to their own experience and listen when others speak to theirs. But this year, thanks to Black Lives Matter protests across the country, I realized that I can do more. As a journalist, I can amplify Black voices, and that’s what I tried to do in this issue where I had the privilege of interviewing emerging artists Nick Davis, Melvin Halsey Jr., and Ashley Canay. I saw them juggle candor with caution during these interviews in ways I hadn’t observed before. That, in itself, speaks volumes to what it’s like to be a Black artist in Tampa Bay. It’s hard to be yourself when your actions are under constant scrutiny.

Sometimes, sharing your story is an incredibly brave act, and I’m grateful to the artists who spoke up for this issue. Your stories are beautiful. I’m honored to be able to share them with Tampa Bay.—Jennifer Ring

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 35

36 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com

Launch pad

How a tablet helped open gallery doors for Nick Davis and Melvin T. Halsey Jr.

By Jennifer Ring to get the reviews of people—she’s not doing it just to pose. She’s more than that. She’s realizing she has to be true to herself.”

It’s something Davis strives for everyday in his life and work, but he says it’s a struggle.

In a Jan. 9 Instagram post, Davis shared a portrait of Lauryn Hill sitting in thought, paired with the Hill quote, “We don’t want people to have expectations of us, but then we have expectations of everybody else.”

When you create on an iPad, social media is an obvious endpoint. It’s the easiest and most efficient way to get your work out there. Davis and Halsey both built substantial followings on Instagram before getting into galleries.

For Halsey, that Instagram account (@lang.stn) was enough to get his work noticed

by Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol of Tampa’s Mergeculture Gallery.

“That’s how the ‘Ancient Roots’ show came about in May 2018,” says Halsey. “That was my very first exhibit ever, and everything sold out that night.

Before that, Halsey wasn’t into the gallery scene. “There’s a realm within art that I was completely unaware of [Mergeculture] opened me up to a whole new world,” Halsey said, add that it was to enough to make him realize that art could become a fulltime career for him.

“Before [the ‘Ancient Roots’ show], I just did commissions here and there, but never anything on that scale,” says Halsey. “I’m extremely grateful to them for that opportunity.”

In 2020, Halsey saw even more opportunities to share his art with Tampa Bay. He worked with C a team of artists on Tampa’s Black Lives Matter mural at the intersection of East Cass Street and North Jefferson Street, exhibited his work at Mergeculture in Tampa and the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, helped start a new Black artists collective; and collaborated continued on page 39 RT

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a bad color, and I just want to say that black is more than a color,” says Davis.

Davis launched his “Black is Beautiful” series around June 2019, and he figures he’s drawn about 600-700 pieces since then.

The digital portraits feature people of color and are inspired by the music Davis listens to, pictures, prose, and thoughts. Lately, he’s received a lot of inspiration from Lauryn Hill’s music, which he often listens to while drawing.

“Lauryn Hill is one of my biggest influences lately, for like the last 7-10 sketches,” Davis told CL. “I think she’s just real to herself. Her focus is not

U

Halsey brings a lot of tribal references into his work, from masks to fashion, especially in his “Ancient Roots” drawings. In 2020, his work took a political turn as the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum.

“As an artist, I leaned into art activism, and it’s not something I ever thought I would get into,” Halsey told CL. “I usually keep politics and my art separate. Just with everything going on, and my personal experiences in 2020, I feel like I found a way to merge those two without it being overly-political or overly—I can’t even think of the right term for it—oppressive.”

Halsey said the work he’s created this year is some of his favorite, especially “Say their Names.”

The piece features a Black woman wearing a yellow headwrap with the names Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Alexia Christian, Atatiana Jefferson, Pamela Turner, Dominique Clayton, Natasha McKenna, Mya Hall, Bettie Jones, Janet Wilson, Tanisha Anderson, Michelle Cusseaux, India Kager, and Mary Truxillo.

The woman cries, with a cop car in the background, in recognition of all the Black women lost to police violence.

Halsey says it’s his most powerful piece yet. It’s also the only one of his digital drawings he displays at home.

“I’ve sold most of [my art], but that one I keep in my house because it just resonates with me,” Halsey told CL. “Everything I felt last year was channeled into that one piece.”

Davis also features Black men and women in his portraits, but his work is rooted in normalcy. Davis depicts Black folks in their natural states to show the world that Black is beautiful.

“I would say black is negatively viewed—people always look at black as a depressing color, or

O

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t’s hard to believe how much emerging artists Nick Davis and Melvin T. Halsey Jr. have in common. I mean, what are the chances of interviewing two artists for the same issue and finding out that both of them got into digital art when their wives gifted them an iPad? But that’s exactly what happened. And it’s not the only thing the two artists have in common.

For Halsey, the gift came in 2016. “[My wife] saw the number of sketchbooks I was going through, so she got me the iPad and told me to try it out,” Halsey told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “I’ve been hooked on it ever since.”

Halsey says he loves the flexibility of the iPad, above all else.

“I can take it anywhere,” Halsey explained. “If I need to backtrack, I can simply double tap on my screen as opposed to erasing and having a mess everywhere. It’s low maintenance. You can do a lot of things you do on paper, but when you do it on an iPad, or any type of digital surface, it’s a lot smoother and the process is a lot faster.”

Two years later, in 2018, Nick Davis received an iPad from his wife, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Davis was struggling with anxiety and depression after his seizures left him unable to work.

“I had nothing else to do,” Davis told CL. “Just to keep me focused, I started drawing every single day. One day I drew this Black girl and I called it ‘First Day of School,’ and ever since then I’d say God led me and told me to just keep going.”

Davis has always been creative in some form, but the iPad focused his efforts and gave him purpose at a difficult time in his life. Since then, he’s been hard at work, drawing something every day.

“It’s pretty much everything I do,” says Davis. “It keeps me focused. Without that, my mind would go everywhere.”

For software, both Davis and Halsey are big fans of Procreate. Billed as “the complete art studio you can take anywhere,” Procreate was created by and for creative professionals. The popular app allows artists to create professional-quality digital drawings, paintings, and illustrations from start to finish—no additional equipment necessary. At the time I wrote this, you could purchase Procreate in the App Store for just $9.99. There’s definitely a learning curve, but if you have a good eye and you put in the work, it’s possible to create something beautiful in Procreate, as Davis’ and Halsey’s work demonstrates.

Davis and Halsey are both portrait artists, but each has their own style.

HER CRY: ‘Say their Names’

by Melvin T. Halsey Jr., aka Langstn.

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with Crab Devil, Tempus Projects and Illsol on the Cultural Currency mural—which features, in part, Harriet Tubman on a $20 bill—at the Peninsularium.

“For me, 2020 was a great year,” Halsey said, quickly adding “artwise” with a chuckle. “That was my first official mural—the street mural at Cass and Jefferson… It was [Krol’s] idea. He reached out to us and said, ‘Hey, we should start a collective of artists and create opportunities that aren’t there for others.’ After a few meetings, that’s where the New Roots Art Collective was birthed. And then from there we brought on Ron Simmons and Briauna Walker onto the committee. And then we reached out to all the local artists within Hillsborough County to participate. In total, I believe there’s 13 of us.”

As far as art is concerned, 2020 wasn’t a bad year for Nick Davis either. In January 2020, Dalia Colón interviewed Davis for a segment of WEDU Arts Plus. Two months later, as Davis topped 8,700 followers on Instagram (@ndartlife), Aubrey Jackson and J.A. Jones interviewed him for WTSP and The Weekly Challenger, respectively.

Since then, the Dunedin Fine Art Center included his work in its Summer 2020 show, “I’ve Come to Look for America.” And in October 2020, Creative Pinellas selected Davis, along with nine other artists, to receive an emerging artist grant in 2021. As an emerging artist, Davis will show his work in Creative Pinellas’ 2021 Emerging Artist Exhibit later this year.

“To be accepted now is a shock,” Davis told CL. “I think a lot of people see something in me that I don’t really see in myself. It’s good to have my artwork accepted.”

Despite his recent success, Davis still worries about people not accepting his artwork.

“That’s why I think, every day, it’s important to also include education and reading about inspirations and reminding yourself of what’s your purpose in this art world,” said Davis. For him, the point is to encourage others in his community to be themselves and express who they are.

“I think that’s what really led to ‘Black is encouraging, Black is inspiring, Black is love,’ Davis told CL. “It’s a quote I came up with just to encourage my community to accept that Black is beautiful.”

Halsey expresses a desire to help his community express itself as well. Through New Roots Art Collective, Halsey hopes to share his knowledge and connections with other Black artists who aspire to show their work in Tampa Bay’s galleries.

“I can’t give too many details on the one project we’re working on, but it’s tied into workshops with children—getting them more involved in the art process and being that role model or example that you can make a career out of being a fulltime artist,” Halsey told CL. “The notion of the starving artist, or that art is more of a hobby, we’re out to change that perspective with examples, events, workshops, and just being active in the community and showing them the way.”

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

continued from page 37

DEMAND RESPECT: ‘Resistance of the Unheard’ by Melvin T. Halsey Jr., aka Langstn.

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Between love and anger

In 2020, Ashley Canay switched between wedding and protest photography.

By Jennifer Ring Generally speaking, despite a few unorganized efforts, Tampa’s protests were relatively peaceful. Still, Canay had to be careful where she placed herself as she photographed these events.

As a wedding photographer, Canay wasn’t accustomed to the dangers of documenting protests.

“I made sure to keep both eyes open while shooting, making sure I’m aware of where the police are in relation to where the protesters are and where I am,” Canay told CL, “because there are places where I did get pepper sprayed.

I put myself in between the protestors and the cops and I’m taking pictures of them coming at me. Meanwhile, they’re pepper spraying. That was when I first started going out there. Then I realized I have to stop and pay attention to where everybody is.”

Canay posted photos on her Instagram page (@ashleycanay) throughout the ordeal.

Eventually, people suggested she place the photos into a gallery show, but Canay didn’t know any galleries. So she Googled, “galleries in Tampa,” and that’s how she discovered Mergeculture.

After a while, she had to step back from it all.

“I’m not even the same person I was going into this,” Canay told CL. “Now I’m speaking out more about these things, but it’s an issue not to lose myself in this, and reminding myself to take breaks, and remember I still have to pay my bills, so I can’t sacrifice time that I would be giving to my clients for all this stuff.”

“I’ve been talking to friends, and a lot of people have been saying the same things, like ‘Make sure to take a break. Don’t sit in this,’” Canay told CL. “I was in a very ugly, bad place. I couldn’t just sit and look at this all day. But I was glad that people embraced [the work].”

Opening the box and sorting through everyone’s photos after the FMoPA show was a surreal experience for Canay.

“It kind of makes you take a step back, and think, ‘we were actually in this,’” says Canay.

“It was eerie. It was weird.”

Canay’s wedding photography business is finally picking up again, and she’s ready to return to that happy space. But looking back on it all, Canay says she’s thankful for the experience of it, “I was proud and humbled to be able to witness all these things happening in Tampa.”

ASHLEY CANAY

Ashley Canay built her photography career on love—shooting couples is what she does. But then COVID-19 came.

“When we were in the lockdown phase, a lot of my weddings got postponed,” Canay told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “I was in quarantine along with everyone else, and then the protests started up. I remember thinking, ‘This is something that should be documented.’ That’s when I started to go out and take photos.”

Canay wasn’t the only Black photographer out documenting the protests. Through her social media connections, Canay saw that Black photographers around the nation were out capturing protests in their neighborhoods. It made her wonder if there were any other Black photographers in Tampa doing the same. She discovered about a dozen Black photographers documenting Tampa’s protests via Facebook and Instagram. Most, like Canay, were professional portrait/event photographers whose work dried up during lockdown.

“We got together and decided to organize ourselves so that we could spread out,” says Canay. The goal was to capture as many of Tampa’s protests as possible. Canay began with the infamous University Mall protest, a peaceful day march that led to a testy night where a Champs store was set on fire. It was the first protest she’d ever been to, and she didn’t know what to expect. Since then, she’s learned that there are different kinds of protests.

“There are protests and there are riots and then there are rallies and marches—organized rallies and marches and unorganized rallies and marches,” Canay told CL. “And sometimes people will just gather because there’s something going on in that space. You have to be careful what you’re walking up on.”

One of the most memorable protests Canay witnessed happened in Tampa’s Riverview neighborhood. She describes the event as dramatic and somewhat confusing. People boarded up their businesses, protestors blocked a major intersection, and police detoured traffic around them. “It was a lot,” Canay told CL. She never found out who organized the event, if it was organized, but someone had made a flier for it.

Another memorable protest for Canay was the National Panhellenic Council’s Tampa chapter protest at Curtis Hixon Park. The National Panhellenic Council governs nine historically African American sororities and fraternities often referred to as the Divine Nine. The collegiate groups are committed to academic excellence and community service. Canay joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. while a student at the University of Florida. “My sorority is 108 years old,” Canay told CL, “and we’re still marching for the same things.”

Mergeculture’s Tony Krol loved the idea so much that he proposed having a show within a couple of weeks. Having never even shown her work in a gallery before, let alone curated and hung a show, Canay was intimidated by the timeline. Krol suggested that each of the 12 photographers pick two photos of theirs to print and bring to the gallery.

“Everybody printed their two photos, and [Krol] hung everything up,” Canay told CL. “He really took the idea and ran with it, so we’re really grateful to him.” After Mergeculture/Café Hey, the photos traveled to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) in August.

Even with Florida on lockdown, weddings canceled, and protests happening all over Tampa, Canay tells me she still had a few couples sessions in the middle of all of this.

“They were talking to me about protest stuff, and I’m ranting about what’s going on, and I’m just in this space,” Canay told CL. “The photos turned out fine, but I remember being in this tug of war with myself, mentally.”

When you shoot couples, Canay said, you have to be happy. “I can’t be enraged. [I can’t be] in this upset and mad space where you’re just looking at everybody sideways.”

LOVE YOURSELF: For the health of her mind and wedding business, Ashley Canay, had to step away from protest photography.

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ASHLEY CANAY

Make space

AMPLIFY BLACK VOICES: Café Hey’s ‘Eye of the Storm’ show was just a step towards diversifying show curation.

The challenge of diversifying art curation in Tampa Bay has a simple solution.

By Jennifer Ring

T

ony Krol spent much of 2020 in conversation with other influential members of Tampa’s art community trying to come up with ways to create more opportunities for Black artists in Tampa. The biggest gap, says Krol, is at the curation level.

“I think that’s where most of the change can happen,” Krol told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “If we look at what curation is, it’s really a representation of the curator’s own experience, their likes and dislikes. If we diversify curation, then we’re going to diversify the arts in a much quicker and effective way.”

The vast majority of local gallery curators are white. In the four years I’ve been writing for CL, the only Black curators I recall conversing with are the Woodson African American Museum’s Celeste Davis and Studio@620’s Artistic Director Bob Devin Jones.

So how do we get more Black curators in Tampa Bay? “Give up a space to Black artists and have them curate a new show,” says Krol, “or have them co-curate a show, or have a class on what curation means. These are some real great ways to open up that conversation.”

Right now, some of Tampa Bay’s Black artists and photographers are so far removed from the world of curation, they’re not even sure exactly what the word means.

Take someone like Ashley Canay for example. Canay is an excellent wedding photographer and a college grad. She did a fantastic job of documenting Tampa’s Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, along with about a dozen other Black photographers living in Tampa. But when Krol offered to let Canay curate the group’s photographs for their Eye of the Storm exhibition at Café Hey, she wasn’t sure what to do.

That’s exactly why the Tampa Bay area could use some academic programs or community classes on curation.

Programs “that talk about how to curate an art show, or what curation looks like,” says Krol.

It’s one of the best ways to welcome folks to the table who aren’t normally a part of the institutionalized world of curation.

“Give not only Black artists, but diverse artists, minority artists, the opportunity to learn about the curation process and what it means to develop a collection, or to come up with a collection based on their own likes and dislikes and their experiences so the art is representative for them,” says Krol.

“Everybody can hold lectures and they can be open to the conversation, but if curators aren’t willing to give up their seat at the table, and say, ‘step into my seat,’ then that’s really where the problem is.”

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You can view art by Black artists working in almost every medium in Tampa Bay this spring, from abstract and landscape art to photography and sculpture. In addition to this, Spring 2021 brings us art exploring the color black, art that celebrates diversity and encourages equity, and art that supports Black dreams and Black spaces. I just hope I get a vaccine soon, so I can get out there and see it all.—Jennifer Ring Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum Because of COVID-19, most events at St. Pete’s Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum are still on hold. The space, however, is still hosting its annual “Bunker Art Auction” to benefit Woodson Warrior Scholarships. "The artist and force behind the initiative is Jane Bunker, who has masterfully and creatively come up with ways to raise funds for African American college-bound scholars,” Woodson Director Terri Lipsey Scott told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. The museum sold 17 of Bunker’s lily paintings and raised over $40,000 at the inaugural auction in 2019. This year’s auction happens virtually, so you can safely view and bid on a fresh crop of Bunker’s lily paintings from the safety of your home. Sun. Mar. 14, 5 p.m. Virtual. bunkerscholarshipauction.com Fairgrounds When it officially opens in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District this spring, Fairgrounds will feature the work of a diverse group of about 65 artists who worked together to deliver a fantastical version of Florida, with Sushine State-themed dioramas, a magical forest, mystical coral reefs, mermaids, gator crossings, Florida strawberries, Everglades adventures and beach motels. Head to the Mermaid Star Motel to see Zulu Painter’s “Mermaid Motel” mural. Peer through the Penthouse windows to catch a glimpse of Nick Davis’ and Indie Reece’s digital illustrations.

Admire Iona Paris’ seashell creations in the Mermaid Dressing Room. And be on the lookout for iBOMS’ graffiti-inspired Floridarama diorama and Kayla Moon’s space-themed paintings. Spring 2021. The Factory St. Pete, 2544 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. fairgrounds.art Ferman Center for the Arts at The University of Tampa The downtown university recently finished construction on its new arts center and is decorating the space with a fresh piece of artwork by UT Alumna Nneka Jones who’s already made a name for herself in Tampa and beyond since graduating with her BFA in May 2020. The Gasparilla Arts Festival committee selected Jones as one of 15 emerging artists in 2019, while she was still a student at UT. In 2020, the 23-year-old artist gained a national reputation when Time magazine commissioned her to design the cover for their August issue, “The New American Revolution.” UT students and faculty are welcome to view Jones’ piece along with additional artwork from UT students, faculty and alumni this spring. Spring 2021. The University of Tampa’s Ferman Center for the Arts, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. ut.edu HCC Dale Mabry’s Gallery 221The space has shown work from a different Black artist every February for as long as I can remember. This year,

Gallery Director Amanda Poss lent her space to abstract artist Ya La’ford. “I’ve got to give her props, because she let me paint the entire space black,” La’ford told CL. In “Distance,” La’ford uses the color black as a metaphor for space, the distance between us, and the darkness that descended on 2020. Throughout the process, La’ford asked herself the question, “How can I bring light into this darkness?”

“When you go through distance, it’s really not an answer,” La’ford told CL. “It’s really more about the different ways in which we as the object can be removed from these different dimensions of things that we’re accustomed to, like time and space and social distance.

So how do we then recreate and remap and rechart that space in order to make it make sense?” La’ford explores this idea through paintings, sculpture and a site-specific installation.

“As you go through this show, there’s this play on the possible journeys and passageways out, and the possibilities and outcomes, and this kind of reflection that we all face this together,” says La’ford.

“I think that’s the beauty of the space that we were in. For the first time, it doesn’t matter your class or your age or your gender or where you are situated, we all face this same space of this era that we’re in. And I’m hoping that there’s layered meanings that then connect us to our past that might give us keys and symbols [to] persevere and get out.” Through Feb. 25, by appointment only. Gallery 221@HCC Dale Mabry Campus, 4001 W Tampa Bay Blvd, Tampa. hccfl.edu The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art This Tarpon Springs gallery celebrates diversity this spring with a collection of portraits by photographers Bonnie Schiffman and Herb Snitzer in “About Face: Celebrating Diversity.”

Feb. 20-May 16. The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, 600 E Klosterman Rd, Tarpon Springs. leeparattner.org

The Morean Arts Center A Central Avenue mainstay continues its commitment to diversity in the arts with “Fresh Squeezed 5.”

This year’s crop of emerging artists includes University of Central Florida grad Zoraye Cyrus. Cyrus explores blackness, both as a color and an identity, in different forms of charcoal. Despite the deceptive simplicity of its monochromatic appearance, charcoal’s not an easy medium to work in. I look forward to seeing what Cyrus does with it. April 10-June 24.

The Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org

self-taught African American artists known as the Florida Highwaymen, whose work is now on display at the Tampa Museum of Art. The group was most active in the 1950s through the 1980s, traveling throughout Florida and selling their paintings out of the trunks of their cars.

Now that most of the Florida Highwaymen are no longer with us, their work is finally making its way into art galleries around the state. I guess, better late than never. “Living Color: The Art of the Highwaymen.” Through March 28.

Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. tampamuseum.org

Studio@620 A staple of the St. Petersburg scene salutes Black History month with a performance from Dance Artist-in-Residence Alex Jones of ProjectAlchemy, a community art show, an Afro-futurism-themed storytelling exhibit from Tenea Johnson, and an Atavistic High Tea with Studio@620 Artistic Director Bob Devin Jones. Feb. 2021. The Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. thestudioat620.org

University of South Florida’s Contemporary Art Museum Thanks to monies donated towards understanding Blackness and addressing anti-Black racism, USF CAM showcases Black artists and photographers in two separate exhibitions this spring, “Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context” and “Marking Monuments.” “Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context” explores the life and career of pioneering African American photojournalist and diplomat, Griffith J. Davis (1923-1993), in the context of art from important Black contemporary artists. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, only USF faculty, staff and students are permitted to see the exhibition in person, and by appointment only. But USF CAM has graciously put a 3D tour of the exhibition online for those of us who cannot attend in person. If you enjoy slideshows, I recommend watching the opening reception via Facebook Live, where Dorothy Davis presents a slideshow of her father’s most iconic photographs, followed by a slideshow from curators Noel Smith and Christian Viveros-Fauné introducing the six contemporary Black artists whose work is also included in the exhibition.

“Marking Monuments” plays on people’s fears that toppling Confederate monuments is erasing our history by presenting alternative monuments that tell a different story altogether. In contrast to Confederate monuments, which appear to honor racism, these sculptures honor the idea of a more equitable culture. See them online Thurs. Feb. 25, 6 p.m., via Zoom or Facebook Live. Through Mar. 6, USF CAM, 3821 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. Online at cam.usf.edu

Tampa Bay Fresh Fest When I first covered Eric “Esh” Hornsby and Mark Stevens’ Tampa Bay Fresh Fest in 2019, Hornsby and I talked about the often underappreciated and misunderstood graffiti that came out of New York City’s Black and Latinx neighborhoods in the 1960s. Tampa Bay Fresh Fest brought an artful combination of graffiti and street art to Tampa that year, and it continues to do so. I was happy to see a diverse group of artists painting Tampa’s walls that February including Zulu Painter and Cam Parker. Fresh Fest returns to Tampa Bay this March, albeit on a smaller scale due to COVID-19. As I wrote this, Esh was planning a tribute mural to American singer and activist Eartha Kitt in Tampa’s Channelside neighborhood. March 2021. tampabayfreshfest.com Tampa Museum of Art Some of the best Florida landscapes were painted by a group of

YA LA’FORD

Diversity on display: Where and how to celebrate Black artists

NOT SO FAR: Ya La’ford’s ‘Distance’ show at HCC Dale Mabry is one of many places to see Black art in Tampa Bay.

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Without a doubt

How eight theater companies are approaching staging plays in 2021.

T

he artistic visionaries behind our best professional theaters shine a light on how they plan to move forward in 2021 until COVID19 is in the rear view mirror. Here’s snapshot in alphabetical order.

American Stage In May, when I interviewed Stephanie Gularte in May about how the pandemic affected the region’s oldest, largest theatre. I wanted to know about plans to weather this storm without a foreseeable end, she didn’t even hint at the retinal issue that would force her resignation a mere three months later.

Her five year tenure has been exemplary—a triumph of both artistic and management acumen. And now her board is doing a national search with a well-respected arts headhunter to fill her shoes by spring. AmStage recently finished a three play virtual series (I was able to review the estimable Janis Stevens as “Kate”).

In February, Actor/ Director L. Peter Callender assumes the iconic role of Louis Armstrong in a multi-camera digital production “Satchmo at the Waldorf” (opens Feb. 19) by Wall Street Journal drama critic, Terry Teachout.

And one full year after its intended world premiere opening night was canceled due to COVID-19, local playwright Natalie Symons’ “The People Downstairs” will be presented to audiences virtually and possibly onsite sometime in March 2021. Gularte notes that “the incredible set, designed by Scott Cooper has stood quietly in the dark on our stage, awaiting the moment when the lights can be turned back on.” americanstage.org

Innovocative Theatre Innovocative Theatre is lead by Artistic Director, Staci Sabarsky. Its stated goal is that “we believe theatre should be innovative, evocative, and thought provoking. We . . . strive to produce theatre that engages the audience in powerful character-driven stories. We think theatre should make you think; that theatre should open up a dialogue, and that theatre can be a way to safely examine differing point of views.” As of yet, there’s no announcement of how it’ll reemerge in 2021. innovocativetheatre.org Jobsite Theater “We’re of course very excited to take up residence in the Jaeb this year,” David M. Jenkins, Producing Artistic Director at Jobsite Theater said, despite the circumstances.

“We’re beyond happy with what we have done in that room artistically while putting health and safety first, and how responsibly the Straz continues to act in doing everything the right way,” Jenkins added. “We’ve picked up a number of endorsements of how we’re handling everything in that space on both sides of the curtain, including from a TGH COVID-19-ward doctor.” (Editor’s note: It’s true, Straz is one of the City of Tampa’s “Safe & Sound” venues, meaning it’s part of a collective of spaces that’ve pledged to strictly enforce limited-capacity shows, mask wearing and socially distancing despite the state’s weak regulations.)

“Frankenstein” was a huge success and this month Jobsite presents “Doubt: A Parable: a priest, a nun, an accusation—but no proof.” This Pulitzer- and Tony-winning drama runs through Jan. 31 and is about what may or may not have happened with a student in a Bronx parochial school shoves the certainty of faith into a shadow of a doubt. TimeOut NY hails this ambiguous turn of events as “an eloquent and provocative investigation of truth and consequences; a gripping mystery, tightly written.” That’s followed in short order by a subversive comedy, “Hand to God.” I saw both these compelling shows on Broadway, and Tampa audiences are indeed in for a socially distanced treat. jobsitetheater.org

THEATER

freeFall Theatre At freeFall’, like all not-for-profit theatres (especially Actor’s Equity members), there’s been lots of staff upheaval from months with no ticket income. However, community outreach director (and a leading actor in the region), Matthew McGee exudes his characteristic optimism when talking about 2021.

“We’ve seen great success going show to show with our Drive-In Concert Series. We will continue that until it’s safe enough to go back into the theater. Our hope is to be able to present the world premiere musical ‘OZ’ this summer. Written

by Eric Davis (Artistic Director) with music and lyrics by Eric Davis and Michael Raabe, OZ will be a great return to our beloved space. There’s no place like freeFall.” In the meantime, enjoy “Scott and Patti: Get a Real Job!” which runs through Valentine’s Day. freefalltheatre.com

Lab Theater Project New work is the lifeblood of the theater, which is what Ybor’s Lab Theater Project is all about. Artistic Director, Caroline Jett told CL she is “very much looking forward to the new year! Our 2021 season will bring journalistic integrity and culture clash, ghosts of the past and finding peace, forbidden love and acceptance, and monsters and power. With a season of four

PRITCHARD PHOTOGRAPHY

By Jon Palmer Claridge

JOB GETS DONE: Roxanne Fay (L) as Sister Aloysius and Andresia Moseley as Mrs. Muller in ‘Doubt’ at Straz Center. exciting and thought provoking productions through 2021, Lab stays committed to bringing new works to life safely for our performers and our audience through limited theater seating and livestream.” labtheaterproject.com Stageworks Theatre Producing Artistic Director Karla Hartley is mindful of keeping her audience and actors safe as they return to live performance at their Channelside space. “We at Stageworks are very much looking forward to welcoming audiences who wish to gather together in person. At the same time we are preparing to serve people who are either unable or willing to venture out. We will be producing high quality live stream performances of the season that can be watched in the privacy of your own home,” she told CL. Stageworks is kicking off with a particularly timely play about fake news. I saw it on Broadway and it’s a great piece of theatre based on the true story of John D’Agata’s essay “What Happens There.”

“The Lifespan of a Fact” (opening Feb. 12) follows Fingal, who has a small job: to fact-check articles for one of the best magazines in the country. His boss has given him a big assignment: to apply his skill to a groundbreaking piece by legendary author D’Agata. But now Fingal has a huge problem. D’Agata made up a lot of his article. What starts as professional quickly becomes profane. It’s sure to kickstart a return to live performance, even if we’re not quite completely back to normal. stageworkstheatre.org Tampa Repertory Theatre Tampa Rep’s Founding Artistic C. David Frankel sadly lost his battle with cancer at the beginning of March just a week before COVID19 shutdown our world. While mourning its leader and mentor, the nine-year-old company

managed to survive under the leadership of acclaimed actor Emilia Sargent, who has taken the reigns as Producing Artistic Director/CEO. The company recently finished a fully produced theatre production streamed by Broadway on Demand (with quarantined actors in a studio setting) of “I and You,” by award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson, who herself attended their post show talkback. Sargent confirms that “we have a couple of projects we are working on that we cannot announce yet. One will be for digital streaming, and each other would be an outdoor performance with a socially distant audience. Additionally, we intend to fully produce our postponed season beginning with ‘The Elephant Man’ in September 2021.” Fingers crossed that we may all be sharing this iconic tale in the dark together by then. tamparep.org Theatre Tampa Bay Theatre Tampa Bay (TTB) is the region’s service organization for professional theatre.

Its website is a great resource for up to date information of what’s playing across Tampa Bay. TTB also runs annual awards and unified auditions each June. Board Member, Kim Rosenthal, told CL that “Theatre Tampa Bay is committed to the safety of volunteer judges and member theatres.”

After consultation with all parties and considering the highly inhomogeneous nature of member programming this year, Theatre Tampa Bay has suspended the full judging program for the 2020-2021 Season. However, TTB Recommendations will continue as “TTB 2 Thumbs Up,” to promote excellence among the various performances offered by all our member theatres. Four judges will be assigned to each performance and ‘Two Thumbs Up’ will be awarded to shows that are recommended by at least two judges.” theatretampabay.org

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 47

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Giddy up

The James offers free admission for food assistance recipients.

By Jenna Rimensnyder

L

ast week, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art announced plans to join the Museums for All program. Through this program, The James Museum now offers free admission to SNAP EBT participants and their families by showing a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

Last summer Tampa’s Museum of Art also started offering free admission to anyone on food assistance. Other local museums that are part of the program include St. Pete’s Morean Arts Center and Great Explorations Children’s Museum, plus the Tampa Bay History Center and Glazer Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa. The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in north Tampa is also a member.

Museums for All is a national, branded access program that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. According to the program’s website, the cost of museum admission can be a barrier for many low-income families.

Through Museums for All, free or reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 500 museums across the country. Museums for All has benefitted more than 2.5 million visitors since its inception in 2014.

For more information on Museums for All, and to view participating establishments, visit museums4all.org.

are excited to be presenting fifteen very diverse themes. We have authors from here and around the nation, with local, national, and in the case of Dwayne Yancy’s story, “Miss Mitchell’s Comet,” even an international cast.”

Early bird all-access 16-show festival passes are $79 before Feb. 14. Ticket prices go up to $99 until March 8. If you don’t think you can cram in all viewings, or you’ve plucked a handful of can’t miss shows from the list, individual tickets are $10 per show.

Several plays in the festival will feature post-show talkback discussions with the playwright, cast, crew, and noted experts in the field, providing live questions and answers sessions via Zoom. To learn more or to purchase tickets visit powerstories.com.

Tampa’s Powerstories kicks off ‘Virtual Voices of Truth Theatre Festival’ in March As you read on p. 47, local theaters are getting crafty when it comes to live performances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Powerstories Theatre is joining in with its Virtual Voices of Truth Theatre Festival this March.

The festival runs from March 10-28, and this inaugural event is a collaboration with Tampa’s Outcast Theatre Collective.

According to a release, the festival consists of 16 “thought-provoking, conversation-starting productions.” Each playwright had a choice to produce their play live-streamed from Powerstories, via Zoom, or as a prerecorded theatre experience.

“Theatre is a transformative experience, and during this time of COVID, even if we can’t have our patrons seated in our theatre yet, we felt we owed our audiences lots of opportunities for transformation,” explained Powerstories in a statement. “In late 2020, we threw out a wide net and asked for playwrights to give us their plays based on true stories. And they did! We

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Wish you wood

in one week, I was reminded not to discount movies based on the title or synopsis alone.

“Polterheist” is what happens when a bunch of Guy Ritchie tough guy wankers stumble into “The Conjuring” universe and unleash a vengeful spirit, and I couldn’t be happier to be so blindsided with genuine surprise.

Tariq (Sid Akbar Ali) and Boxy (Jamie Cymbal) have a big problem. As low-level thugs for sadistic Indian crime boss Uday (Pushpinder Chani), they owe a debt that they can’t pay because they accidentally killed the one person who knows where Uday’s missing fortune was stashed. Facing certain death if they don’t deliver the cash, they kidnap a local medium named Alice (Jo Mousley) and force her to summon the dead gangster’s spirit to tell them where he hid Uday’s money.

Writer/director David Gilbank clearly has an appreciation both for classic British crime thrillers and paranormal spookfests, but his secret weapon is Mousley. Once inhabited by the gangster’s energy, Mousley completely transforms into a brutal cockney bastard hellbent on avenging his death at Tariq and Boxy’s hand.

“Polterheist” is a fantastic find that deftly straddles two genres and does justice to both without resorting to gimmicks or falling victim to camp.

her rightful place in horror history playing Vanita “Stretch” Brock in 1986’s “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2.” Sadly, her latest, “Ten Minutes to Midnight,” is not cause for celebration, despite the chance to see Williams back in a DJ booth.

Williams plays Amy Marlowe, an aging, hard-rocking, late-night radio host, who is attacked by a rabid bat en route to what she doesn’t know will be her last on-air performance.

As her physical condition worsens, and Marlowe is besieged by hallucinations and a thirst for fresh blood, she also discovers that the station’s philandering general manager has replaced her with a nubile newbie named Sienna (Nicole Kang).

Co-writer/director Erik Bloomquist piles on the vampire puns, but he doesn’t know when too much is enough, and despite a brisk and brief runtime, “Ten Minutes to Midnight” quickly drags. That’s a shame because Bloomquist, whether by design or pure luck, actually stumbles into a poignant subplot about the crude sexualization that women of any age can encounter on the job and the cruel, dismissive treatment that women of a certain age routinely face. To her credit, Williams delivers a solid performance, and that’s really the only reason for her legion of fans to check out “Ten Minutes to Midnight.”

★★★

“Ten Minutes to Midnight”

“Bring Me a Dream”

86 minutes, DVD and streaming I had zero expectations going into “Polterheist,” a supernatural horror comedy from the United Kingdom originally released in 2018, other than its title made me chuckle. But, for the second time

★★½

★★

73 minutes, streaming It’s always a thrill to see a scream queen return to headline a new movie, and for many fans, including yours truly, Caroline Williams more than earned

86 minutes, streaming There is no denying that Martin Kove’s career has reignited in a big, big way, and continued on page 52

Another round of streaming movies to keep your ass at home.

By John Allman

“The Village in the Woods”

★★★½ 82 minutes, DVD and streaming Fans of folk horror rejoice. First-time feature director Raine McCormack, working from a script he co-wrote, delivers a superior slice of unsettling pagan terror with “The Village in the Woods.”

The set-up couldn’t be more simplistic: Jason (Robert Vernon) and Rebecca (Beth Park) arrive at an isolated village in the woods, hoping to rehabilitate a dilapidated mansion and sell it, all the while pretending that Rebecca is the long-lost heir to the home making a triumphant return to the village for the first time since she was a young girl. What neither of them know is that it’s no coincidence that Jason happened to learn about the vacant property from a mysterious patron, and the heirloom ring he was given for Rebecca to wear to prove her birthright is much more than just an antique hand-me-down.

While fans of films like “The Wicker Man” and “Midsommar” will immediately recognize the glaring warning signs that should prompt the young couple to flee as fast as they can, including a gaggle of too-welcoming and uber-attentive villagers, thankfully Jason and Rebecca are completely naïve to the danger, which allows McCormack to pile on the dread and tease the ritualistic horror to come.

“The Village in the Woods” is creepy and methodical, but patience is rewarded with a frantic third act that thoroughly explains what’s happening before the deliciously dark conclusion.

“Agent Revelation”

Ting reprises his role as Jim Yung, a normal dude who was infected by “red ash,” an ancient space dust, in “Agent,” and now has been whisked away to a secret underground facility where he discovers that he’s literally a biological unicorn. Whereas the red ash turns most people into frothing threats, Yung’s DNA embraces the dust, gifting him unexpected superpowers. Once underground, Yung meets Alastair (Michael Dorn, “Star Trek: The Next Generation”), a billionaire trying to create an elite fighting team, the ESU or Extraterrestrial Special Forces Unit, to beat battle an alien invasion that’s already placed sleeper agents on Earth.

Yes, none of this is new or original, but Ting deserves kudos for sidestepping the clichés that hobble most movies in this genre. His cast is top-notch throughout. The action sequences are well-orchestrated. The effects are above-average.

It isn’t often that I’m completely gobsmacked by a low-budget indie, but “Agent Revelation” is just that, a revelation, and it deserves to be seen “Polterheist”

FILM & TV

STILL IN THE WOODS: Coronavirus is still a thing, and ‘The Village in the Woods’ can help you stay put.

4DIGITAL MEDIA

O

n Monday, Florida added 8,720 coronavirus cases and 156 deaths; locally, Tampa Bay added 1,345 coronavirus cases and 43 deaths. On Monday, about 20%of hospital beds and 18% of ICU beds were open, according to the Tampa Bay Times, and while 1,407,411 people in Florida have been vaccinated as of Monday, the numbers still give us thousands of reasons to stay safe at home. Here’s a new batch of streaming movies to help you do just that.

★★★ 86 minutes, streaming “Agent Revelation,” a sequel to writer/director Derek Ting’s 2017 feature “Agent,” is the sneakiest kind of sly science-fiction cinema. On paper, Ting’s film reads like a garden-variety Syfy Channel original that might ordinarily serve as a distraction when you just want the TV on for background noise. But “Agent Revelation” is actually a fun, well-thought-out and surprisingly captivating little movie that will keep you hooked until the final tease of a possible third, concluding chapter.

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 51

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TH NOW THEY’RE BACK! BIG TINGS: Derek Ting’s “Agent Revelation” is the sneakiest kind of sly science-fiction cinema. continued from page 51

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rightfully so based on his iconic and masterful turn as John Kreese in “Cobra Kai.” His presence in “Bring Me a Dream,” a Freddy Krueger-esque slasher film, however, seems more like a chance for him to act opposite his son, Jesse, than to capitalize on his name recognition, given the elder Kove is only in the film for a few minutes total.

“Bring Me a Dream” has its heart in the right place, but writer-director Chase Smith is missing the key ingredients that made dream-centric films like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” so effective, and terrifying. The first 20 minutes or so is a slog of backstory, bickering and set-up that finds a young woman invading a sorority house retreat and spewing a bunch of gobbledygook about The Sandman, an urban legend that supposedly appears whenever young people smear their blood on a piece of paper, light a candle and then fall asleep to face their worst nightmares.

But once the nightmare sequences kick in, Smith can’t muster anything more original than a former prom queen peeling the skin off her face after discovering a blemish or a lothario jock getting his comeuppance when he bangs the group’s good-time blonde. For what it’s worth, Jesse Kove, who plays a sheriff’s deputy and the de facto hero, shows he at least has his father’s charisma and screen presence.

“Max Cloud”

★★ 88 minutes, Blu-Ray and streaming I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never warmed to actor Scott Adkins, whose wooden delivery and blank stare always keeps me from fully appreciating his hand-to-hand combat skills in action flicks like “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Hard Target 2.” As the titular hero in “Max Cloud,” he’s front and center for almost the entire film, but surprisingly, he’s not the worst thing about this strange sciencefiction hybrid.

The problem with “Max Cloud,” aside from the obvious comparisons to better films like “The Last Starfighter” and “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” is that co-writer/director Martin Owen has no idea what kind of movie he’s making. “Max Cloud” is about a teenaged girl who is magically transported into an 8-bit videogame world where Cloud and his team have crashed on a remote planet and must battle an alien race and escape before the planet’s surface is scorched by a super-Sun. But Owen fails to make the most of that setup despite splicing together scrolling video game mayhem with live-action brawls.

Owen also fails to give Cloud any depth, which means that Adkins never breaks character or shows any semblance of humanity, which grows tiresome quickly. And the film just lacks heart and any rush of excitement, two critical qualities that propelled a movie like “The Last Starfighter” to cult classic status.

“Wander”

★★ 94 minutes, DVD and streaming Arthur Bretnik, a former detective turned occasional private eye, and his batshit crazy buddy Jimmy Cleats sit out in the southwestern desert every night and spew conspiracy theories on an underground radio talk-show until one night a caller asks Bretnik to help her solve her daughter’s murder.

As played by Aaron Eckhart and Tommy Lee Jones, respectively, Bretnik and Cleats are the kind of characters you might expect to find in a Coen Brothers movie or an absurdist crime novel by Thomas Pynchon, and while it’s great to see them paired together in “Wander,” whether you enjoy the movie or not depends entirely on your patience for cockamamie theories, your belief that there are no coincidences and your passion for way-way-way-out-there characters who frustrate as much as they entertain.

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 53

54 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com

THU JANUARY 28–WED FEBRUARY 03

Designated Safe And Sound Venue On Monday, Florida added 8,720 coronavirus cases and 156 deaths; locally, Tampa Bay added 1,345 coronavirus cases and 43 deaths. About 20%of hospital beds and 18% of ICU beds were open, according to the Tampa Bay Times, and while 1,407,411 people in Florida have been vaccinated as of Monday, the numbers still give us thousands of reasons to stay safe at home. Still, the local music scene is still trying to figure out how to get back on its feet. We’ve marked the gigs at venues that have joined a Tampabased and city-recognized “Safe & Sound” initiative that pledges to strictly enforce limited capacity, mask wearing and social distancing—and tried our best to explain COVID-19 protocols at venues that not able to join Tampa’s “Safe & Sound” program.

FRI 29

C Sam Williams Tampa resident Sam Williams hits the New World biergarten stage for a free Friday night show. We’re not sure if the guitarist and songwriter will sneak in material from his other band (Down By law, a early-’90s punk outfit formed by former All frontman Dave Smalley), but a social media event page says that Williams will play a set of “surf noir.” That tells us the set will lean on songs from Williams’ Black Valley Moon project, which is just fine with us. “Surf noir” is influenced by James Wilsey, who gave Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” that sexy, sad sound. Keep your pants on though. If not for common decency, but to respect New World’s COVID-19 protocols which include 25% capacity and making sure that every item touched by a person—be it a customer or employee—is completely sanitized after each use. (New World Brewery, Tampa)

SAT 30

The Deep End: Green Velvet w/John Summit Gasparilla parades might be postponed, but there’s another pirate-y celebration happening this weekend. “The Deep End” is billed as a pre-party of sorts, ahead of April’s Shipwrecked Music Festival, whose venue is still listed as TBA. Happening outside at Pepin Hospitality Center’s Visionary Square, “The Deep End” is headlined by Chicago DJ and producer Green Velvet. Not sure if Mr. Velvet is “Bigger than Prince” as a recent banger suggests, but the tune does make me miss my club days. Another Windy City EDM champ John Summit opens the show, for which an event page lists somewhat comforting COVID-19 protocols like a mask requirement, temperature check, social-distancing based on who you arrive with and a promise to kick people out for breaking the rules. “Failure or refusal to

comply with health and safety procedures will result in removal from the event. No exceptions,” the Facebook event page states. In a pandemic, rules are not meant to be broken, people. Promoter Alliance Events wrote that the concert would only allow for 50% capacity at the venue, and Creative Loafing Tampa Bay has reached out to both the promoter and venue to see how many attendees would make the show a sell out. (Visionary Square at Pepin Hospitality Center, Tampa) Rebekah Pulley w/The Burke Brothers Two Tampa Bay Americana favorites, Rebekah Pulley and the Burke Brothers, are hitting St. Petersburg’s Cage Brewing for an outdoor Saturday show. Brewery owner Robert Hughes told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that his venue’s COVID-19 protocols include lots of hand sanitizing stations, plus mask requirements at all times unless seated. What’s more is that only outside seating at eightperson tables eight feet apart is available. The brewery is also keeping its capacity at 50% for now, but Hughes was adamant that his employees would not serve anyone breaking the rules. If you play the “but I forgot my mask” card “[You can] buy one at the bar for $1,” he added. We will not serve anyone without a mask.” Thanks for keeping it safe, Cage Brewing. (Cage Brewing, St. Petersburg) Roy Book Binder Blues guitarist and storyteller Roy Book Binder brings 45 years of touring experience to St. Petersburg’s best listening room for a limited-capacity concert.

His talent and humor has warmed audiences at venues across the U.S., including The Grand Ole Opry. He’s even been interviewed

by NPR Queen and “Fresh Air” host Terry Gross, and that’s more than enough to make me want to go check out the show. Masks are required as part of Hideaway’s COVID-19 protocol, so wear one. If you can’t go and still want to support the venue, visit hideawayathome.com to stream the show and tip the waitstaff, too. Please do your part in helping small venues make it until this is all over.

(Hideaway Cafe, St. Petersburg)

SUN 31

C Jonathan Roniger and the Good For Nothing Band New Orleans-style blues and jazz comes to play for free at Soul Food Sunday. Jonathan Roniger’s five-piece ensemble has been making waves in the Louisiana music scene over the last the two years and is an alum of New Orleans’ Jazz and Heritage Festival. Reservations are recommended if you want to sit, socially-distanced at an inside table near the band. Per city ordinances, there is still no gathering on dance floors, so keep your ass on the seat when the spirit of the Crescent City moves you. Masks are required when not sitting, so don’t forget to put it on when you head for the loo upon experiencing a different kind of movement. (Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, Tampa)

JERRY MORAN

By Stephanie Powers

Tab Benoit Sunday School For Sinners: Wyatt Norton Thank whatever God you worship (or don’t believe in) because regular live music is back at Seminole Heights staple Independent Bar and Cafe. The perfect chance for a twangy weekend wind down happens on the patio with folk songwriter Wyatt Norton who plays for free on Sunday. Like most bars, restaurants and venues, things look a little different at the Indie. Capacity is cut in half, masks are required and you’ll be served at your table instead of ordering at the bar like you did in the before times. If you’re in need of a new mask, the bar has some super cute ones designed by local artist Chris Preston for sale. Support locals and tip the restaurant staff like your money is on fire. (Independent Bar and Cafe, Tampa) Tab Benoit Tab Benoit, who I probably wouldn’t know much about if it wasn’t for my dad’s late night jam sessions, is having

a seated show at the Jannus Live courtyard. The Baton Rouge bluesman is one of the modern artists doing Delta Blues right, evidenced in his multiple awards including a couple B.B.King Entertainer of the Year award from the Blues Music Awards. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay has been in contact with Benoit’s publicity team which has said that the Sunday gig will be capped at 296 people, meaning the venue is operating at just above 20%. Plainly put for the folks appalled at what comic-metal band Steel Panther did at Jannus: There will be no standing or dancing at Jannus this time around. Tickets are sold by table, and at press time there were only a few tables left, so get it on it. Jannus is pleading with folks to stay home if they are feeling sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. And since the bartenders are serving less people than ever before, don’t forget to tip with a whole lotta soul.

(Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 55

Where the vinyl is: a list of Bay area record stores

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) mid-2019 revenue report said streaming music accounted for 80% of total industry revenues, which rose 18% to $5.4 billion.

Vinyl album revenue grew 13% to $224 million, but the RIAA also pointed out that sales of wax still only accounted for 4% of total revenues. Rough translation: Yeah, people are buying more records, but your local shop still needs you more than ever. If you’re reading this page, then you probably already know this, but you need your local shop, too. So many of the spaces listed to the right are so much more than stores. They’re community centers for ArtPool Records (2030 Central Ave., St. Petersburg) 727-433-5195, artpoolrules.com Asylum Sights and Sounds (6566 Central Ave., St. Petersburg) 727-384-1221 Bananas Records (2887 22nd Ave N., St. Petersburg) 727-327-4616 ext. 1, bananasrecords.com Bananas Records Warehouse (2226 16th Ave. N., St. Petersburg) 727 327-4616 ext. 2, bananasrecords.com Blue Moon Antiques, Books & Music (1413 Cleveland St., Clearwater) 727-443-7444 The Clearwater Record Shop (1610 N. Hercules Ave., Clearwater) 727-755-1201, clearwaterrecordshow.com

music lovers. Some of them are venues for local bands. The staff at most of these shops have more musical knowledge in their left ear than you’ll ever have in your entire life; they’re willing to share it with a smile on their face, too. Patronize these brick and mortars… frequently.

Make friends with your neighbor behind the counter. Your wallet might be a little lighter, but your mind will be happy in return. You don’t have to stop streaming — let’s face it, no one will — but opening an app will never live up to the feeling of opening the door at your local record store. —Ray Roa

Daddy Kool Records (2430 Terminal Dr. S., Side B, St. Petersburg) 727-822-5665, daddykool.com

Kingfish Records (Main Store) (26024-B US Highway 19 N., Clearwater) 727-351-5177, kingfishrecords.com

Sound Exchange Tampa (14246 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa) 813-978-9316, soundexchangetampabay.com

Disc Exchange (6712 Central Ave., aSt. Petersburg) 727-343-5845, thediscexchange.com

Kingfish Records (Flea Market) (180 Race Track Rd., Tampa) 727-455-9923, kingfishrecords.com

Dunedin Records & Audio (757 Main St., Dunedin) 727-423-4108, dunedinrecords.com Dustin’s Vinyl Shop (180 Race Track Rd., Booth F25 W, Oldsmar) 727-678-6829, facebook.com/pg/dustinsvinylshop

Microgroove (906 N. Florida Ave., Tampa) 813-667-7089, microgroovetampa.co

Sound Exchange Pinellas Park (66th Street N and 86th Avenue N., Pinellas Park) 727-545-0042, soundexchangetampabay.com

Green Shift Music & Comics (5713 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa) 813-238-4177, greenshiftmusicandcomics.com

Patrick’s Book and Record Store (15215 US Hwy.19 C, Hudson) 727-868-3168, patricksbooksandre.wixsite.com/patricks

Hello Darlin’ Records (Roving VW Camper) 727-479-6783, hellodarlinrecords.com

Planet Retro Records (226 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg) 727-218-7434, planetretrorecords.com

56 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com

Mojo Books & Records (2540 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa) 813-971-9717, mojotampa.com

St. Pete Records (6648 Central Ave., St. Petersburg) 727-490-8861, stpeterecords.com Steelworker Records (708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa) 813-666-4933, steelworkerrecords.com Unique Music & Collectables (123 Main St., Dunedin) 727-240-0757 Vintage Vinyl (38874 U.S. 19 N., Tarpon Springs) 727-940-8301, vintagevinyl.biz

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Moving on

By Caroline DeBruhl

Dear Oracle, I was invited by a good friend to sit on a community board for the neighborhood I live and work in. When I said yes to the position, I was under the impression that the board’s goals were somewhat aligned with my own: using our resources and “communal sway” to improve our neighborhood for both business owners and residents. Now that I’ve sat through nearly a dozen meetings, I feel like this community board is more self-serving than anything and is more concerned with paying its few employees than actually moving our neighborhood in the right direction. I know that staying in the position might be the best way to have my voice and concerns heard, but it honestly seems like this whole organization is one big selfcongratulatory jerk-off session that doesn’t really do anything. So my question, Oracle, is this: do I stay on and try to fight the good fight amongst the undeserved high-fives and back-pats, or do I devote my time to affecting change through other avenues?—Apathy in the FLA Stay: Seven of Pentacles, Four of Pentacles Rev, Ten of Cups reversed Go: Knight of wands, Two of wands, The Devil Dear Apathy, as someone who once spent four hours in a meeting debating the sole issue of hiring an exterminator to deal with an ant problem, I understand the frustration and the circle-jerk nature of that civil beast, bureaucracy well. (It was a "no" vote on the exterminator, BTW.) So how did a nice kid like you get sucked into the volunteer-corps of neighborhood administration? My guess? Guilt.

Your question alludes to this sense of obligation, and the cards point it out with the Ten of Cups reversed. You joined because you’re supposed to join, because you’re a good product of the neighborhood, and don’t you want to help your neighbors out?

Don’t get me wrong—we should all be invested in our neighborhoods!—but this board ain’t doing it.

Four of Pentacles in my deck is a man clutching coins as he’s ushered into hell. Often, it comes up as a sign for someone to do work on their own underworld journey a la therapy… but it also comes up when someone’s a greedy son of a bitch.

I think you’re dead on with your read. While I can see you and others trying to invest in your neighborhood (Seven of Pentacles), this isn’t cutting it. So I think you should leave this group and start something better.

We have the Knight of Wands, that passionate, fiery warrior, leading the charge. We have the Two of Wands, which is starting a new endeavor, planting a seed, and then we have that Son of Perdition himself, The Devil.

Now, at the risk of confirming every Christian parents’ nightmare about tarot, let me tell you that The Devil can be great. It’s also a fire and passion card, but where the Knight of Wands is the Royal Rumble, The Devil is WrestleMania. Big time fire energy!

The Devil is also a card that binds. You’re in it to win it with The Devil, and that passion can launch a thousand campaigns for the good of the ’hood!

If this board is a circle jerk, feel out if other members are frustrated as well.

They might want to start something else, too.

Then talk with members of the neighborhood and see where people are at, what they envision for the betterment of their community.

It’s Aquarius season, baby. It’s all about challenging systems and starting new humanitarian projects, and feeling freaky. Get your civic freak on, Apathy.

ORACLE OF YBOR

Dear Oracle, I have an extremely abusive boss.

I’ve gone to HR, but nothing has changed. For my mental health, is it best to quit even during a pandemic?—Over it Cards: The Hanged Man reversed, The High Priestess reversed, The Fool, reversed Dear Over, I’m sorry you’re going through this. There’s a chance you might be fired before you quit. You don’t know what’s going on with your boss; you don’t know their motivations, and, most likely, you’re being kept in the dark about a lot of things. That’s The High Priestess reversed.

With The Hanged Man, there’s a sense of meaningless martyrdom, of self-sacrifice that’s just not doing you any good—which could mean you’re getting set up to be the scapegoat.

Now, it should be said that this issue is not something to brush off lightly. We have three Major Arcana in the spread—something I rarely see when I draw a three-card answer. This shit is important. The Major Arcana are also deeply layered cards, with a well of meanings. I’m also getting the impression from the first two cards that there is a sense of paralysis. You are either suppressing your own intuition or having that intuition questioned continuously (i.e.,

gaslighting.) Whatever it is, it’s a horrible scene.

I’ve been asked a version of this question a few times in the column, and I give a spiel about health insurance/finances—but I think you might have another job on the horizon.

With The Fool reversed, you don’t feel like this job is your calling, but it also seems like this job might be blocking you from the journey you’re supposed to be on. Do you have a side business already, or thinking about starting one? The Fool often comes up when we are on the precipice of some significant change, which can be both exciting and terrifying.

I would seriously suggest meditating on what sort of job you envision yourself in and, if it’s going into business for yourself, what that could look like. Try to tap into your intuition and really explore what feels like your calling.

Your current job is going to come to an end soon, one way or another, and while economic uncertainty is terribly stressful, I do think you’re about to start on the path to your calling.

I sincerely hope you’re able to leave. Best of luck, my dear.

Email questions for the Oracle to comments@ cltampa.com (SUBJ: Oracle)

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 59

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60 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com

The boyfriend experience

By Dan Savage

Sex-positive bi woman here. I have recommended your column to many people over the years to help them feel normal and human in their kinks, fantasies, sexuality, etc. But I’m having a more difficult time extending similar acceptance to myself. I was in a three-year relationship with a cis straight man. I recently moved across the country for graduate school, and this was the catalyst for me to put my foot down about opening the relationship in order to get my sexual needs met. He agreed and we tried being open, but he found it too emotionally challenging, so now we are on a “break.”

When we were together he showed me love in many ways, Dan, but he would not eat my pussy or finger me or use a vibrator or any other sex toys on me. He quit his own therapy for depressive symptoms and anxiety after just three sessions; he won’t do couple’s therapy; he won’t even have a conversation with me about why, exactly, my pussy and sexual pleasure are aversive to him.

Even hearing me moan in pleasure or arousal seemed to make him recoil. All he wanted was blow jobs and occasional sessions of intercourse.

He had some ED issues that he felt bad about but I told him multiple times that erections are not a big deal for me—what I like about sex is the intimacy, the play, and mutual pleasure. He is not a bastard, but the sex remained phallocentric.

Writing this, I know that I made a reasonable decision for myself. Yet I continue to be wracked with guilt over pursuing (pandemic-safe) sex when I know this guy, who I love very much and care about very deeply, still has feelings for me and still wants to us be together, exclusively.

Two questions: Do you have any idea of what gives, based on your experience? I’ve been trying to understand and open the lines of communication for years. And, how do I stop beating myself up for hurting his feelings when my friends keep telling me I gave the relationship my all and I know that my soul couldn’t stand any more onesided sex? —Feminist Under Compulsive, Kink-Induced Nauseous Guilt

if you make even the slightest sound during sex, if a moan or, God forbid, a request should escape your lips, he recoils. Charitable reading: your ex-boyfriend is a closeted necrophiliac and any sign of life from you turns him off. Slightly less charitable read: your ex-boyfriend was raised to believe that sex is something a woman endures, not something a woman enjoys, and any sign that you might actually enjoy sex turns him off.

I don’t know what his issues are, FUCKING, and neither do you. All we know for sure is that he has issues and, whatever else they might be, they are disqualifying. You asked for the only accommodation that might make it possible for you to stay in this relationship and stay sane—opening it up so you could seek sexual satisfaction elsewhere—and he couldn’t handle it.

You’re not responsible for the hurt feelings your ex-boyfriend—please make that break permanent—more than earned. You gave him three years and God alone knows how many blowjobs and he either didn’t love you enough to work on himself, or he’s so damaged he’s incapable of doing the work. Either way, FUCKING, your ex-boyfriend is not in good working order, sexually or emotionally, and that’s not gonna change.

He won’t talk to a shrink about his own shit, he won’t see a couples’ counselor about your shared shit, he won’t touch your pussy and he doesn’t want anyone else to touch your pussy—oh, and

JOE

NE W

TO N

SAVAGE LOVE

My girlfriend of six months got drunk one week into a work-related physical separation, ghosted on me, went to a hotel, and had sex for two days straight with another man.

She then called and confessed everything. She’s remorseful and says it was alcohol-related and that she doesn’t remember the details. My take is that if she was too drunk to remember the details,

she was too drunk to consent, which equals rape, right? I encouraged her to file a police report and get this rapist off the streets. She says she doesn’t know his name or number and doesn’t want to pursue legal action. She does remember the sex was unprotected and took Plan B today and is getting a full STI screening. She’s exhibiting signs of trauma—I’ve been down this road with an ex— and I’m trying to be supportive but I don’t think I can continue. Would I be the biggest asshole in the world to end this? Other details: she was married to a woman for the past five years and I was the first man she was ever with until this rape happened. I’m 50 years old, she’s 28 years old. What the fuck do I do? She’s fragile and I have been supporting her financially for the last six months, which is weird since her job pays twice what mine does. —Just Seeking Guidance It’s entirely possible your g irlfr iend was blackout drunk that whole weekend and incapable of offering mea ning f ul consent and the person she was with knew she was too fucked up to consent to sex— and wasn’t too fucked up to consent to sex himself—and she was raped. It’s also possible your girlfriend was drunk but not so drunk she couldn’t consent, JSG, and is overstating how drunk she was

because she doesn’t want to share the details with you—details you aren’t entitled to. It’s also possible she was raped and is reluctant to go to the police because she knows telling her

story—which could be entirely true—won’t result in an arrest, much less a prosecution, and so going to the police wouldn’t get this rapist—if the guy is a rapist—off the streets and could cause her further trauma.

Zooming out for a second… you assume a man forced your girlfriend to do something she didn’t want to do (fuck him all weekend) and your response is to force your girlfriend to do something she doesn’t want to do (file a police report).

You need to stop that. If you think she’s showing signs of trauma, you should urge her to seek help from a rape counselor or trauma specialist, i.e. someone in a better position to assess the situation than you are, JSG, someone who doesn’t have cause to feel conflicted or resentful or angry about what did or did not happen that weekend.

And if you want to end the relationship, you should, JSG, and you can break up with someone without being an asshole or abandoning them.

Offer her your support—offer your emotional support, withdraw your financial support—and give her the names of some local rape crisis centers in your area.

I’m a 59-year-old gay man with a problem I’ve struggled with for all of my active sex life. I rarely orgasm during sex. I’m now involved with a couple that has welcomed me to be part of a loving relationship and they want me to be as satisfied as they are. I enjoy pleasing both of them, but they also want me to be pleased. I appreciate this but I feel pressured to come and I just can’t.

Any time I feel pressured to do anything I start to feel defensive and shut down. I enjoy being with these men very much and I want so much to share myself with them. How can I overcome this? I feel like I’m letting them down, and to be honest, I feel like there’s something wrong with me because I can’t orgasm during sex. Any help you can suggest is greatly appreciated. —Can’t Orgasm Mostly Ever This couple sees orgasm as a sign of sexual satisfaction, COME, and it’s usually a pretty good sign. And while it’s always better to err on the side of satisfying a sex partner—you don’t wanna be like FUCKING’s ex-boyfriend—there are people who can’t come during partnered sex or at all. We should do whatever it takes within reason to get our partners’ off, but if a partner tells us they don’t need to come or can’t come but still enjoy sex? We need to take their word for it. So, COME, explain to your boyfriends that you love sex and you love getting them off but you rarely come during sex yourself and feeling pressured to come makes those rare events rarer still. Promise them that you’ll say something when you feel like coming and be clear about what they can do for you when that time comes.

Contact mail@savagelove.net. follow @ FakeDanSavage on Twitter and bookmark savagelovecast.com.

cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 61

62 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com

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cltampa.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | 63

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64 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 03, 2021 | cltampa.com