Creative Loafing Tampa — April 7, 2022

APRIL 07-13, 2022 (VOL.35, NO.14) $FREE • CREATIVE LOAFING - CLTAMPA.COM

WOLF-FACE LLUPINE UPINE SST. T. PPETE ETE BBAND AND W OLF-FACE RREFLECTS EFLECTS OONN 1100 YYEARS EARS OOFF PPUBE-FACED UBE-FACED PPUNK-ROCK UNK-ROCK

o d s u t e L g n i k o o c the OR

e h t g n i r B ! u o y o t Bus Contact your local location for more information.

www.Taco-Bus.com 2 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 3

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

C/O CMA

IN-HOUSE WITCH Caroline DeBruhl CONTRIBUTORS Josh Bradley, Kyla Fields, Yuki Jackson, Negasi, Dan Savage, Chelsea Zukowski

ory

PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Decker

stion ................. 5 tory

EDITORIAL INTERNS Brandalynn Nuñez

Cepeda, Sofia García Vargas

Apply summer via rroa@cltampa.com SeaWorld in for February, animal rights claiming the practice of keeping wild Spatafora CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack d dangerous.

But even though public ILLUSTRATORS Joe Newton, Dan Perkins, atmany SeaWorld animal rights don’t in seeFebruary, a parallel between the kind Cory Robinson , claiming the practice of keepinganimals wild k and the practice of displaying ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES nd dangerous. even though public asking forSENIOR tooBut much?

Or is it time for a Anthony Carbone, Scottthe Zepeda d, many don’t see a parallel between kind t” animals?

stion ................. 5

ck and the practice of displaying animals AND MARKETING, PROMOTIONS s asking for too much?

Or is it time for a EVENTS DIRECTOR ent” animals? Alexis Quinn Chamberlain

We’re just doing more and inspiring and educating people along the way.

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Lauren Caplinger

Winter’s old habitat will become new manatee rescue and rehab center, p. 35.

Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest ........................... 40

MEDIA GROUP 42 Music Week EUCLID ...................................................

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Andrew Zelman CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS Music ...................................................

The ListWeek ..........................................................

46 Chris Keating, Michael Wagner42 Concert review: Artic Monkeys ..........................

42 VPreviews OF DIGITAL SERVICES Stacy Volhein Movie .....................................................

63 OPERATIONS COORDINATOR TheDIGITAL List Astrology ..........................................................

Free Will .........................................46 64 Jaime Monzon Movie ........................................................... reviews..................................................... 63 Puzzler 66 Music: Tampa Fest ...........................

Concert review:Bay ArticBlues Monkeys ..........................40 42

non scs

MUSIC WEEK ������������������������44 ORACLE OF YBOR ����������������� 51

The physical edition is available free of charge at locations throughout Tampa Bay and online at cltampa.com. Copyright 2021, Tampa Weekly, LLC.

SAVAGE LOVE ����������������������� 53

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

CROSSWORD ������������������������ 54

How was your Date?

Ourwas main number: cltampa.com/movies How your Date?

Not my cup of tea.

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

Jon Anderson dishes on his old band’s new music, p. 42.

ON THE COVER: Photograph by Donald Lynd Photography. Design by Jack Spatafora.

Creative Loafing is printed on a 90% recycled stock.

It may be recycled further, please do your part.

Ybor Festival of the Ybor Festival of the Moving Image Moving Image A MEMBER OF: cltampa.com/arts cltampa.com/arts Follow us on

/food Openings, all the time

twitter�com/cl_tampabay

mpa pa

cts, s, .

MUSIC ���������������������������������� 41

Creative Loafing Tampa is published by Tampa Weekly, LLC, 204 E. Henderson Ave., Tampa, FL, 33602.

_tampa. . cl_tampa

itors ors

A&E �������������������������������������� 35

facebook�com/cltampabay

instagram�com/cltampabay

4 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

DENNIS LEUPOLD

cltv

m/cltv

EDITORIAL POLICY — Creative Loafing Tampa is a publication covering public issues, the arts and entertainment. In our pages appear views from across the political and social spectrum.

They do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

FOOD ������������������������������������ 29 DEBORAH ANDERSON

euclidmediagroup.com cltampa.com Puzzler ...........................................................

66 cldeals.com Savage Love ......................................................

69

Free Will Astrology......................................... 64 Savage Love ...................................................... 69

NEWS+VIEWS ����������������������� 11

/music Backstreet’s back

/news Meet the new Tampa City Councilwoman /arts St. Pete Opera update

cltampa.com/slideshows Restaurants worth driving for

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 5

USA TODAY 10 BEST

Gluten Free Restaurants in Tampa Bay

hand crafted • inventive eclectic • health conscious vegan cauliflower crust gluten free & vegan options

Fly high

Rachel Balkovec’s big debut among things to do this weekend.

By Ray Roa and Brandalynn Nuñez Cepeda

A

DINING ROOM NOW OPEN! Hours: Sunday - Closed / Monday - Saturday • 12-9pm 610 S. Armenia Ave • Hyde Park /SoHo • (813) 258-1999 Curbside Carryout & Delivery Available / gourmetpizza-company.com

Screening Helps Save

More Lives.

At Moffitt, we have the expertise to diagnose and treat all types of cancers.

Early detection can lead to better health outcomes and help save more lives.

Let Moffitt be your trusted partner for expert cancer care.

facial injury from a batted ball caused some swelling around Rachel Balkovec’s eye, but she’ll be seeing the significance of the Class A matchup between the Tampa Tarpons and Lakeland Flying Tigers very clearly on Friday.

“I’ve thought about it plenty,” Balkovec—the first woman to manage a minor league affiliate of a major league team—told ESPN, adding that she’s more focused on preparing her team for the game.

The game finds the 34-year-old officially becoming the first non-man to manage a game in affiliated baseball, but she’s long been ready for the role after being a strength and conditioning coach for the Cardinals’ minor league team in 2012 and landing a job as a hitting coach for the Yankees in 2019 (she did a stint with the Astros in 2016 and worked with the Dutch national baseball and softball teams, too).

“I view my path as an advantage,” Balkovec, a former softball catcher at Creighton and New Mexico told the Associated Press in 2019. “I had to do probably much more than maybe a male counterpart, but I like that because I’m so much more prepared for the challenges that I might encounter.”

“This may be the first full-time woman manager, but not the first woman involved,” Polk County Sports Marketing wrote in a press release. “The first woman baseball coach was named in 2009. She also threw batting practice to six Major League teams in the following years. In 2021, the Boston Red Sox hired the

first black woman to coach in professional baseball. And since 1989, the women broadcasters have helped those not at the park experience the game.” Tampa Tarpons vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers. Friday, April 8 6:30 p.m. Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland. $7-$40. milb.com/lakeland Get spicy Temps may be in the 70s this weekend, but Pinellas is going to feel the heat for the 15th annual Pinellas Pepper Fest complete with activities for pepper-lovers from every level of the Scoville scale. Adrenaline-pumping activities at this year’s Pepper Fest include ax-throwing, a jalapeño eating contest and the crowd favorite— an extreme lolly lick-a-thon where competitors are pit up against an insanely spicy lollipop.

Both days of the event are free to attend (including parking) and are filled with local food vendors, live entertainment, and loads of t-shirt cannons. Hot sauce specialists and kitchen gadget connoisseurs will be found scattered throughout festival grounds.

There will also be hot food vendors slinging prepared dishes like burgers and BBQ. Live bands taking over the bandshell include Amber Lynn, Jengle Slap, Infinite Tilt and the Longneck Band. April 9-10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free to attend, bring money for food. England Brothers Park at 5010 81st Ave. N, Pinellas Park. @pinellaspepperfest on Facebook

Learn more about screenings.

Call 1-888-456-2839 or visit Moffitt.org/Screening TAMPATARPONS/FACEBOOK

Be Courageous

During COVID-19, your safety is a priority at Moffitt.

6 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

EARNING STRIPES: Rachel Balkovec first landed a job as a Yankees hitting coach in 2019.

Open Fire Foodie Experience

Fire, smoke, meat & salt..

An

   

BY Tampa Bay Chef

   

So basic and so fantastic.

Rene Valenzuela

People gather around the cooking fire, cocktails are poured, everyone around becomes a friend and good times roll.

and Marketing Manager

Bobby Sanchez

Join us in this super curated event for an unforgettable experience.

Grilled Quails, smoked rabbits, whole cabritos on the cross, beef legs and other primals cooked over live fire and much more food.

Also: good wine, an open cocktail bar and live music at a beautiful open venue in the country.

SATURDAY APRIL 23 2022 • 5-9PM Tickets · $159: bit.ly/openfirefestival2022 27000 MILLER RD, DADE CITY / FL, 33525

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 7

1 Tequila, 2 Tequila, 3 Tequila...

50 PAIRS OF TS REMAIN! VIP TICKE TO $25 NOW!

L E SS T H A N

SAVE UP

Thursday, May 19th, 2022 Featuring margaritas by:

Tampa River Center

Besito Mexican / Blood Brothers / Caracara / Cipresso at Seminole Hard Rock / Cru Cellars Datz / Fuzzy’s Taco Shop / HEW Chophouse / Pineiro Hospitality / Social Roost / World of Beer &

more to be announced!

MARGARITAWARSTAMPABAY.COM • #MARGARITAWARSTAMPABAY 8 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

Relax responsibly . ®

Corona Extra , Corona Light® and Corona Premier ® Beers. Imported by Crown Imports, Chicago, IL Corona Light: Per 12 fl. oz. serving average analysis: Cals 99, Carbs 4.8 g, Protein 0.8 g, Fat 0.0 g. Corona Premier: Per 12 fl. oz. serving average analysis: Cals 90, Carbs 2.6 g, Protein 0.7 g, Fat 0.0 g. ®

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 9

presents

Bubbles & Brunch Fest

APRIL 9, 2022 11A-4P ST. PETE PIER 90s R&B LIVE PERFORMANCE BY J'NELLE

DJ SANDMAN vs DJ LADY SHAY BRUNCH BUBBLY, WINE & SPIRITS TASTINGS MOTHER'S DAY VENDOR VILLAGE

FASHION SHOW

FEATURING ELIZABETH CARSON RACKER & DELYX SWIMWEAR

OUTDOOR ADULT GAMES

VIP LOWCOUNTRY BRUNCH 10 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

Advanced Tickets On Sale Now BENEFITTING EMPOWHERMENT.ORG

VIP 100 GA Benefits +

Chef Lennise Germany lowcountry Brunch PRIVATE winE presentation by wSET III Wine Educator Stephanie Miller Love

GA 42

Commemorative glass included entrance at 11aM

GET TICKETS

Early entrance at 10am Priority STAGE Seating

BUBBLESANDBRUNCHFEST.COM

POLITICS

ISSUES

OPINION

Grimes style

Tampa City attorney used personal phone to discuss Dingfelder case and other legal issues, records show.

D

ocuments show that Tampa’s City Attorney used her personal cell phone to communicate with an attorney, who just months ago sued former councilman John Dingfelder, in part, for using a personal email. Despite telling City Council members to not use their personal phones for city business, City Attorney Gina Grimes used hers to stay in regular contact with attorney Ethan Loeb during hours of phone calls between December and March of this year, according to documents obtained by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Last October, Loeb filed a public records lawsuit against Dingfelder, which ultimately led to his resignation as part of the the lawsuit settlement.

Texts to her personal cell show Grimes indicating when she was available to talk with Loeb. And some of the data from conversations about city business, which is required to be retained by the city and provided under public records law, were not available in the city’s records.

Grimes, who worked for a real estate and land use firm from 2004-2019 before joining Mayor Jane Castor’s administration, also used her personal cell to discuss a property in Tampa city limits with Steven Michelini, a consultant for developer Jon Lum. The public records lawsuit that forced Dingfelder to resign as part of the settlement terms was filed on behalf of Michelini, with Loeb as the prosecuting attorney.

During a March 17 Tampa City Council meeting, several local leaders alleged that former councilman Dingfelder was targeted in a political maneuver to force him into resignation.

“I stand here with a heavy heart this morning because of Councilman Dingfelder’s resignation, we lost the body that we elected,” Stephanie Poynor, President of Tampa Homeowners Association of Neighborhoods (THAN) told council. “The bullying of our local officials is sickening.”

Throughout his years as councilman, Dingfelder was often at odds with the clients of Michelini, which include business and real estate interests in the area. The lawsuit centered

around a public records request from Michelini that found Dingfelder was using personal communication platforms to conduct city business.

Dingfelder was forced to represent himself when the city attorney declined to, and after fighting the case using his own financial resources since last October, Dingfelder accepted the settlement. As part of the settlement, Dingfelder was forced to resign, the Tampa Bay Business Journal first reported on March 11. The settlement also restricts Dingfelder from speaking to the press about the situation. County Commissioner Mariella Smith told the Tampa Bay Times that this demand by Michelini’s legal team was “hypocritical” because the lawsuit was about government transparency.

Smith said that because of that rule, the whole story may never be heard.

In the texts, Grimes communicated with Michelini about a property he was looking into just two months before she publicly announced to the press that the city wouldn’t represent Dingfelder in his case. The lawsuit alleged that Dingfelder broke public records law by using private devices to discuss and influence city business, and that he deleted public records.

In Grimes’ communications with Michelini, information from the texts was missing, including images and a PDF named “FILE 8481” that he sent to Grimes on October 5, two days before Grimes said the city would not represent Dingfelder.

When CL asked where the images and PDF were, the city attorney’s office said that that’s how they appeared on Grime’s phone when it was scanned as part of the request made by CL. All of the attachments in the records request said that they are stored in Apple’s iCloud web storage service.

Andrea Zelman at the city attorney’s office later told CL that Grimes was out of the office last week for a long-planned family event.

Zelman said that the city was working to retrieve the data. But the city data may be corrupted, Apple told city employees. The problem is linked to Grimes using her private phone to communicate, because city phones are designed to help

LOCAL NEWS

HANDOUT

By Justin Garcia

LIFE OF GRIMES: Deputy City Attorney Andrea Zelman denied any comparison between Dingfelder’s case and the situation with Grimes' (above) personal communications. prevent such issues. An hour before this story was published online, Zelman got back to CL, saying that Michelini had shared what was missing from the city’s records. They were photos of storage containers and other parts of the property in question, along with an article about Dingfelder’s lawsuit from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

But the fact remains that the city’s own records of the exchanges were not obtainable.

And there were other communications conducted from Grimes’ private cell in the public records request, not with Michelini, which have similar issues involving missing data.

In Dingfelder’s lawsuit, missing texts from his records were a major point of contention,

along with the accusation that he collaborated with community members to influence council. He was accused of violating Chapter 119 of Florida’s public records law, which all public officials, including Grimes, are subject to. Under that law, communications between city officials must remain intact for the public to access. Dingfelder was also accused of violating Florida’s Sunshine Law, which applies specifically to public governmental officials, not necessarily city staff.

As part of Dingfelder’s settlement with Loeb and Michelini, he was forced to resign from office and required to not speak with the press about the case. While CL’s records request only went continued on page 15

“Grimes also used her personal cell to discuss city property with a consultant for a developer.”

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 11

Ending this Sunday!

EXCLUSIVE taco & DRINK specials at participating Tampa Bay area locations A PORTION OF PROCEEDS BENEFITS WUSF

12 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

Fe aturi ng

TACO & DRINK SPECIALS AT:

#TAMPABAYTACOWEEK cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 13

WANT TO WIN FANTAS- TACO LOCAL PRIZES FOR EATING TACOS UNTIL YOUR HEART’S CONTENT!?

Share a photo of your Taco Week experience on Instagram to be automatically entered to win $300+ in gift cards from Taco Week restaurants, $400 in CL Deals, & more!

Step 1. Take a photo of your delicious Taco Week experience: tacos, drinks, fiesta!

Step 2. Post your photo on Instagram by tagging your location for takeout or dine-in.

Step 3. Tag @cltampabay & use the hashtag #TampaBayTacoWeek Step 4. Share your photo to be automatically entered to win!

Each location you visit and tag on Instagram automatically gets you an additional entry into the contest!

Winner will be chosen at random & DMed via Instagram after Taco Week ends.

Who do YOU think makes Tampa Bay’s Ultimate Taco?

We’re letting you decide during Tampa Bay Taco Week!

All participating locations are up for the coveted title, and we want to hear from YOU!

Voting ENDs at 11:59 P.m. on APRIL 10th.

14 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

JOHNDINGFELDERFORTAMPA/FACEBOOK

JOHN GONE: Dingfelder, who was forced into resignation last month. continued from page 11 back to August of last year, the public records request that Dingfelder was sued over covered years of his communications.

In an email response to request for comment, Loeb added more context to the seven days in which calls were made between Grimes and himself.

Loeb explained all the reasons he called Grimes. On one call, he spoke to her in regards to a finding, in which a representative of the tech company E-Hounds debunked claims about Dingfelder’s email accounts, and that the rep said he was never asked by Dingfelder to search for his public records. He also talked to Grimes about a settlement agreement that he says Dingfelder was trying to reach, in which the city would pay for attorney fees on both sides.

He contacted Grimes several other times, once to speak about his office claiming that Dingfelder had deleted public records, and later to inform her that Dingfelder had informed his office that he would resign.

“As a practice, and since the public records were city property, I would keep Gina up to speed about the litigation and its developments,” Loeb said.

He added that the other dates were to, “keep her abreast of developments—likely after depositions or key milestones.”

Loeb’s full statement about the days he spoke to Grimes is included at the end of the story posted on cltampa.com/news. Zelman echoed Loeb’s input as to why he and Grimes were communicating.

She also weighed in on why Michelini was communicating with Grimes through her personal cell phone—her response is also available in the extended, online version of this story.

Zelman denied any comparison between Dingfelder’s case and the situation with Grimes personal communications, saying that Dingfelder had deleted public records and intimidated Michelini.

“That is not the case here, where Ms. Grimes promptly provided public records from both her City of Tampa and personal cellphones,” Zelman wrote. “Further, Ms. Grimes did not conduct any City business on personal email accounts.”

Stephanie Poynor, President of Tampa Homeowners Association of Neighborhoods (THAN) has been outspoken about Dingfelder’s resignation, claiming targeting and bullying of Tampa City Council members. Poynor is a constant participant in city council affairs.

She believes that some city officials are targeted in the name of political agendas, while others are not as subject to the same scrutiny.

“For Grimes to have communicated that way and to have information missing from her phone is very interesting,” Poynor told CL. “She said the city wasn’t going to represent Dingfelder, whose resignation was obviously orchestrated, for the accusations waged against him. Yet, she’s using her personal cellphone to talk about city property and to stay in touch with the lawyer who was suing him. How does that work?”

LOCAL NEWS

“She said the city wasn’t going to represent Dingfelder, whose resignation was obviously orchestrated, for the accusations waged against him.”

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 15

FURNITURE | MEN’S • WOMEN’S • KID’S CLOTHES | KNICK KNACKS | HOUSEWARE | ELECTRONICS & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

10,000 SQUARE FEET OF SAVINGS!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK | MON - SAT 10-8PM | SUN 10-6PM | 5800 54TH AVE N ST. PETE | 727.548.8872

spotcrime.com 16 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number NAVCA210430-01-00 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of HHS or any of its agencies.

Post-Game Special: $5.00 Off All Sandwiches

Open Thurs – Sat and Game Days!

Follow us on Instagram! turntabletampa Located on Florida Ave, steps away from Amalie Arena cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 17

Step right up

Nearly two dozen people qualify for vacant Tampa City Council seat.

O

ver the past three weeks, 25 people have applied to the District 3 at-large city council position, which was made vacant after former councilman John Dingfelder was forced to resign as part of a public records lawsuit by a local developer. Applications for the seat are now closed, and City Council was set to interview the applicants Tuesday, April 5. Council will have to make its selection the same day (see updates via cltampa.com/news or just wait for the next physical edition of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay next week). Of the 25 applicants originally applied, only 23 are scheduled to be interviewed. Two candidates were removed from consideration for not living within Tampa city limits.

The remaining applicants come from diverse backgrounds and have served an array of organizations in Tampa. All of the information below is taken from the candidates’ applications to city council. A link to their full applications can be found at cltampa.com/news. Here’s a brief rundown of each applicant: Dr. Sonja Patric Brookins A professor at Keiser University and a member of several Tampa Bay civic groups including the Ybor City Rotary International and the Democratic Environmental Caucus, Brookins seeks the council seat to “effectuate change to transform Tampa Bay into the very best city in the world for all of its residents.”

Connie Burton Burton has been an activist in Tampa for about 40 years, pushing for fair housing and justice for the Black community.

Currently, she works as an organizer for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. She’s a member of the NAACP and other social justice organizations, and regularly appears to speak at council about local issues. Burton seeks the council seat out of a “love for the people who are less fortunate.”

James Chittenden Chittenden works for business-advising and communications groups and has served on the city’s budget advisory committee. His priorities include: transit, public safety, jobs and a diversification of Tampa’s economic base. He says he has a “deep understanding of the economic and cultural landscape” of Tampa, from his experience on boards.

Dr. Carolyn Hepburn-Collins HepburnCollins has served as president of Hillsborough NAACP, was a member of the Tampa Organization for Black Affairs and currently sits on the Jackson House Foundation Board of Directors. The retired Hepburn-Collins seeks the council seat to “deliver outstanding services that enhance the quality of life and foster a more sustainable and liveable city.”

Thomas W. Connelly A member of neighborhood associations and church groups, Connelly, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, wants to help the citizens of Tampa “realize our full potential.” Connelly believes he can serve as a unifying force between council and Mayor Jane Castor’s administration, to “work in unison for the betterment of all the residents of Tampa.”

Robert L. “Pete” Edwards Edwards has served on the Board of Directors for Housing by St. Laurence Inc., along with several Hillsborough County School groups. He is retired, and is the host of the “Let’s Talk About It” radio show on WTMP 1150-AM. Edwards says this is his third time applying for an interim council position and that he is “highly qualified” and would “not be bogged down in a long learning curve.

Ron Fair An engineer and business owner, Fair says that he will “bring balance to the council by helping issues to better bring issues to better light.” Fair says that 70% of fixing the problem is defining the problem, and that he will bring that to Tampa’s City Council.

Thomas Feaster For the past 31 years, Feaster has served as the President of The Stewards Foundation, a corporate real estate company. He’s served on several boards, including the Merchant’s Association of Florida.

He was the adjunct professor of real estate at University of Tampa, and says he will “approach complicated issues in a way that brings collaboration and fairness.”

Meredith A. Freeman Freeman is a real estate lawyer who currently works for the firm Shutts and Bowen LLP. She is the chair of the board of directors for Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, and serves on the board of the nonprofit One Tampa Inc. Freeman wants to bring her 17 years of construction real estate law experience to council to “make sure that our growth is smart, ethical, affordable and attainable.”

Several sources have claimed that Freeman is Mayor Jane Castor’s favorite for council. Over half of Castor’s campaign PAC was funded by developers.

Connie Elizabeth Gage Gage is a real estate professional who works for Smith and Associates Real Estate. She has served on several boards, including for Metropolitan Ministries and the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce. She has also served six years on the city’s Land Use Appeals Board. She wants to serve to make positive change in Tampa, and to correct problems that need attention.

Natasha L. Goodley Goodley has served on the East Tampa Community Revitalization

LOCAL NEWS

18 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

CITYOFTAMPA/TWITTER

By Justin Garcia

SEAT’S ALMOST TAKEN: 25 people applied to the District 3 at-large city council position made vacant after John Dingfelder was forced to resign.

Partnership committee, as well as the Hillsborough County Urban League, NAACP and several other groups. She is the senior consultant for White and Black consulting. She wants to serve on council to make sure that progress in the city is equitable, and to help Tampa be a “progressive city that works for everyone.”

D.C. Goutoufas Proprietor of several companies, including lawn care, Goutoufas wants to serve on council to “move Tampa forward with breaking the barriers and making history.” He’s a fourth generation Tampeño, who has served on numerous boards. “My background, qualifications, and life experiences—which include overcoming a disability—will bring unique diversity and representation to the table,” he wrote in his application.

Allison A. Hewitt Hewitt is the President and CEO of Alison A. Hewitt and Associates.

She has served on several boards, including for Hillsborough Regional Transit and Keep Florida Beautiful. A resident of Tampa for 45 years, Hewitt says she understands the work of city council is not easy. “We are on the cusp of significant changes and the decision we make today are going to significantly impact the livability of Tampa for generations to come,” Hewitt wrote in her application.

Parker Alexander Homans Self-employed interior designer Parker Alexander Homans has served on the Tampa Housing authority Board of Commissioners and the City of Tampa Human Rights Board, along with several other groups.

Homans has lived in Tampa since 2013 and is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Homans says he can “bring new and important perspectives to the Tampa City Council.”

Amanda Lynn Hurtak Hurtak is a technical editor and consultant who has served in various capacities of City of Tampa government.

She served on the Variance Review Board, as well as the Tampa Charter Review Commission.

She’s a member of the ACLU and is the current vice president of the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association. Hurtak was born in Tampa and says that “service on City Council is the logical next step to continue my efforts toward making our city the thriving and inclusive community I believe it can be.”

Julie Jenkins Jenkins is the Director of Donor Relations at Evergreen Life Services of Florida. She’s served on several corporate and community organizations, including the Disability Caucus of Hillsborough County and Plant High School PTSA. “My experiences and social skills can help bring diverse groups together and solve problems and move the city forward....I will work to ensure every citizen and business is heard,” Jenkins wrote.

Kella McCaskill A self-employed realestate professional, McCaskill is the president of the Center for Economic Development where she currently serves the President. She was born and raised in Tampa, and says that through her continued on page 21

“Applicants come from diverse backgrounds and have served an array of organizations in Tampa.”

PINELLAS ALE WORKS DOG-THEMED / DOG-FRIENDLY BREWERY

35+ TAPS / EVENT SPACE LARGE OUTDOOR BEER GARDEN

Late Night is Back!

Wine, Cocktail and Pizza Specials

Friday & Saturday 11 pm–12 am 1413 S. Howard Ave, Ste 100 Tampa, Florida 33606 813-254-3355 bellasitaliancafe.com 1962 1ST AVE S.

in

ST. PETERSBURG

(727) 235-0970 / pawbeer.com

Dine-in only. Additions & substitutions at full price.

Smoked for hours.

Served in minutes.

Willie Jewell’s is the Fast Casual sister concept of the 71-year-old Southern Pit Bar-B-Q legend Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, and like Bono’s, Willie Jewell’s smokes all their BBQ the oldfashioned way, the low and slow method.

Largo: 9040 Ulmerton ROAd • Largo, FL • 33771 Seminole: 7724 113th StREET NO. • Seminole, FL • 33772 Riverview: 10787 Big Bend ROAD • Riverview, FL • 33579 Carrollwood: 12004 Anderson ROAD • Tampa, FL • 33624

williejewells.com

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 19

o c ta s ’ it Let ut o ‘b

YOU ASKED FOR IT! YOU GOT IT!

street tacos baha mexican fare Melts & munchies 2 for 1 Beer specials

Happy Hour TUE-FRI • 4-6PM 2 FOR TUESDAY Tuesday Wednesday WINE WEDNESDAY Thursday THIRSTY THURSDAY Half Off Appetizers + $2 Off Alcoholic Beverages

(CAN'T BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS)

2 Margaritas and a Margherita Pizza for $20

1/2 Off Wine All Night

1/2 off House Old Fashions (choice of 6) and Spaghetti and Meatballs for $11.99

718 BROADWAY STREET • DUNEDIN • 727-754-2573

A the 32" PIZZ Introducingst in Tampa Bay! ...the bigge

ople llenge: If 2 peA in a h C g n ti a E New ping 32" PIZZ can eat a 1 top ceive a Free Pizza, re 1 hour... they t and $100!!!! a T-Shir

esaidpizza

sh #thatswhat

685 CENTRAL AVE • ST PETERSBURG • 727-851-9862 20 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

wants to help local service personnel. West lists their workplace as Tampa Pride, Inc and says they’re joining council to “fulfill obligations and needs of the citizens of Tampa.”

Orlando Gudes removes himself as council chair following hostile workplace allegations Councilman Orlando Gudes removed himself as city council chair last Thursday, following a report in which a former employee claimed he created a hostile work environment through abrasive sexual comments. “In light of making sure that we move forward and making sure this council is steadfast, a leader can’t be in turmoil and try to lead,” Gudes said.

But Gudes also asserted that he would not be stepping down from Tampa City Council, saying, “I’m a soldier, I’m not a coward, I’m strong. That’s why I’m here today, I’m not going to give up the fight.”He made a motion to have Guido Mansicalco take over as council chair and handed him the gavel. Council voted unanimously to approve Gudes motion.

Last month, Mayor Jane Castor’s administration released a report that accused Gudes of creating a hostile work environment for a former aide by making misogynist comments toward her, along with her young daughter and other women.

Councilman Bill Carlson was the only one to make comment about Gudes decision to step down as chair. Carlson said that the comments described in the report are “obviously not acceptable.”

“I feel terrible for the claimant and the claimants family who have not only had to endure the incidents described but now also the intense media coverage,” Carlson said. “I would ask the media to understand that these are real people who we know and they’re being impacted by loss of privacy.”

Councilmen Maniscalco, Joe Citro and Luis Viera have called on Gudes to resign following the report.

During public comment, community members were split about Gudes, some saying these recent allegations are the tip of the iceberg, others saying that he was targeted for political purposes.

“I am so grateful that Councillor Gudes found the decency to remove himself as chair,” Bishop Michelle B. Patty said. “There’s a code of ethics the city has that he has violated.”

Patty said that the victims listed in the report are just some of those who suffered from Gudes’ behavior, and said that the community needs to look at his record as a police officer.

“I’m not here to badger a black woman because I’m Black,” said Robin Lockett. “So I’m not here to do that. But I do believe in the proper due process and what’s right.”

LOCAL NEWS

“We ask everyone to allow the process to take place and allow the attorneys to do their job.”

KIMBERLY DEFALCO

continued from page 18 various advocacy initiatives, she was contacted by various community members and organizations requesting that she represent them as a council member. “After reflecting upon the conditions of the City for working people I realized how great the need for assistance is,” she wrote.

Patrick Murphy Murphy is a partner at Lorenzo and Lorenzo P.A., a firm that specializes in auto accident, medical malpractice and wrongful death law. He has experience in real estate and the military and believes he can translate those experiences into insights and solutions for Tampa. “I want to serve on the council to help implement and facilitate effective ordinances and regulations to make sure our city runs smoothly,” he wrote.

Thomas Scott In his work as a pastor at 34th Street Church of God, Scott says he’s learned leadership skills that he can bring to council. He has been affiliated with Feeding Tampa Bay and the NAACP, as well as other local charitable groups. “I am well acquainted with the operation and function of Tampa City Council. I want to give back to the community,” he wrote.

Tamara Shamburger Shamburger is an insurance agent who runs Shamburger Insurance Group. She’s served on several community boards, including Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and previously served on the Hillsborough County School board. She’s running for council to “ensure that all decisions continue to be informed by diverse opinion and input.” She was born and raised in Tampa and is well versed in local government, she says.

Vibha Shevade Shevade is a broker for NextHome Frontier, a real estate company. She’s a member of the Tampa Tiger Bay Club and the New Tampa Democratic Club. Shevade is running because she wants to see more diversity and female representation on council. She also sees how housing has become a stressful situation with first time home buyers and renters. “I want to serve each neighborhood equally and efficiently,” she wrote.

A. Kendall Trosky Trosky is a broker associate realtor, who was a University of Tampa Board Fellow and volunteered for the Tampa General Foundation and Spring of Tampa Bay. Trosky says their goal as a city council member will be to make Tampa a safe, diverse, environmentally sensitive, economically affordable, a reasonably sound development community and a city of opportunity.

Carroll “Carrie” West West is the former president of the “Gaybor District Coalition”, and a former board member of the Ybor Youth Clinic.

West is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, who

NOT GOING ANYWHERE: Orlando Gudes will remain on council after stepping down as chair.

Lockett questioned why the full report about the accusations against Gudes wasn’t released immediately, she also asked why the probe occurred in 2019 and why the Castor administration is just leaking it now. Several other community members echoed Lockett’s questions about the timing, and why Castor’s administration leaked the report to the press without the full picture.

Two speakers also pointed out a contradiction between councilmen lauding second chances when approving Police Chief Mary O’Connor, but not in this situation. “He did not physically strike an officer on duty doing their duty,” Eddie Adams Jr. said. “And I think that’s a felony, but somehow it was never considered to be a felony.

And that person is now Chief of Police.”

Fran Tate, who called in to stand behind Gudes on behalf of Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association and Jackson Heights Crime Watch, said that the community should keep their focus on the demanding problems in the city.

“We ask everyone to allow the process to take place and allow the attorneys to do their job,” Tate said. “We should not allow this matter to convince us to fight amongst ourselves, further promoting division and causing us to lose focus on our true fight. Repelling gentrification, demanding affordable housing, as well as housing rehabilitation, about older homes, locating money for rental assistance, bringing in economic development that supports our community.”

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 21

10 DAYS. YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANTS. MULTIPLE-COURSE PRIX FIXE MENUS.

June 16 t h -

26 t h, 2022

For a limited time, participating Tampa Bay area restaurants will be offering multiple-course prix fixe menus and more at exclusive pricing!

NEW

AUTHENTIC C IRISH CUISINE NE AUTHENTIC

IRISH CUISINE AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC IRISH IRISH CUISINE CUISINE AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC IRISH CUISINE

IRISH CUISINE IRISH CUISINE

OWNER NEWLY

TAMPABAYRESTAURANTWEEK.COM NEW

NEW

#TAMPABAYRESTAURANTWEEK

OWNER

OWNER

NEW

WNER N E W LNNYEO EW W

NEWLY

NEW REMODELED O OO W W N NLEE EYRR N ED W R E M L E D R E M O D E L E D ON W E WN E R

REMODELED CLEARWATER R R E E M M O O D D E E L L E E D D C L E A R W A T E R F L N E W L Y NEWLY R E M O D E L E D CLEARWATER R F EL M O DCELLEEADR W A T E R F L R MODELED NEW

NO EEW WLLN YY E R W O W N EN NR EWLY

CCLLEEAARRW WAATTEERR FFLL CLEARWATER FL

$ 65" 65" TV'STV'S

CLEARWA L ATE $R F L C TL EE RA RF W

65" $TV'S 65"

FL

65" $TV'S

$$ 65" 65" TV'S $TV'S 65" TV'S TV'S $ 65" TV'S

$

• WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY'S • WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY'S - HALF OFF BOTTLES

• WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY'S - HALF OFF BOTTLES

• THURSDAY LADIES • THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUY GET ONE FREE NIGHT (FOR LAD

• THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUYWEDNESDAY'S GET ONE FREE (FOR LADIES) • •WINE WINE DOWN DOWN WEDNESDAY'S - -HALF HALF OFF OFFBOTTLES BOTTLES

WINE DOWNWEDNESDAY'S WEDNESDAY'S - HALF OFF BOTTLES •• WINE - HALF BOTTLES • OFF FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S $8 D • DOWN FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S - $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF- BEER

• FOOTBALL •SUNDAY'S $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF BEERWINE -DOWN WEDNESDAY'S

HALF OFF BOTTLES

•THURSDAY THURSDAY LADIES LADIES NIGHT NIGHT - -BUY BUY GET GET ONE ONE FREE FREE (FOR (FOR LADIES) LADIES) •• •THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUY GET ONE FREE (FOR LADIES) THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUY GET ONE FREE (FOR LADIES) COME ON BY&&ON WE'LL CARE OFTAKE THE COME ON BY WE'LL TAKE CARE OF REST! THE REST! COME BYTAKE & WE'LL CARE OF THE REST! •FOOTBALL •FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S SUNDAY'S $8 $8 DOMESTIC DOMESTIC PITCHERS PITCHERS OF OF BEER BEER • ••THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT BUY GET ONE FREE (FOR SUNDAY'S $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF BEER SUNDAY'S - $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF BEER Happy Hour Weekly Specials • WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY'S HALF OFF BOTTLES COME COME ON ON BY BY & & WE'LL WE'LL TAKE TAKE CARE CARE OF OF THE THE REST! REST! COME ON BY & WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST! Happy Hour Weekly Specials COME ON BY & Happy WE'LLHour TAKE CARE OF • FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S - $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF B Live Music & FULL Bar Weekly Specials Daily Drink Specials

DrinkHappy Specials Live Music & Specials FULL BarMusic & FULL Bar• THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUY GET ONE FREE (FOR LADIES) Daily Specials Live HourDrink Weekly & WE'LLDaily TAKE CARE OF THE REST! Happy Happy Hour Hour Weekly Weekly Specials Specials Happy Hour Weekly Specials More information, visit us at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net

Daily Drink Specials Live Music & FULL More information, visit us at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net Daily Daily Drink Drink Specials Specials Live Live Music &&&FULL FULL Bar Bar Daily Drink Specials LiveMusic Music FULL Bar Bar

More information, visit usDUNEDIN, at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL FL! ur Weekly DOWNTOWN Specials

RE OF THE REST! ATED IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, FL! More information, visit us at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net

More More information, information, visit visit us usus at: at:at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net www.FlanagansIrishPub.net More information, visit www.FlanagansIrishPub.net

POOL TABLES

1717 Drew Street Clearwater, FL. 33755

k Specials Live Music & FULL Bar LOCATED BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, FL! LOCATED ININ BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, FL! LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, OCATED OCATED IN IN BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, DUNEDIN, FL! FL! 465 Main St - Dunedin, FL - 34698 cials

sit us at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net

| APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com 22 Bar & FULL

UL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, FL!

DARTS

SHUFFLEBOARD

SPORTS

SPECIALS

• FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S - $8POOL DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF BEERSPORTS TABLES DARTS SHUFFLEBOARD POOL TABLES #DREWSTREETPUB

(727) 442-5642

POOL TABLES

POOL POOL TABLES TABLES POOL TABLES

DARTS

DARTS DARTS DARTS

SHUFFLEBOARD

1717 Drew Street Clearwater, FL. 33755

SPORTS

SHUFFLEBOARD SHUFFLEBOARD SHUFFLEBOARD

SPECIALS

SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS

(727) 442-5642

POOL TABLES

(727) 442-5642 (727) (727) 442-5642 442-5642

DARTS

SHU

SPECIALS SPECIALS SPECIALS

#DREWSTREE

1717 Clearwater, FL. 33755 1717 Drew Street Clearwater, FL. 33755Drew Street (727) 442-5642 #DREWSTREETPUB

1717 FL. 33755 1717 1717Drew Drew DrewStreet Street StreetClearwater, Clearwater, Clearwater, FL. FL. 33755 33755

SPECIALS

DARTS

(727) 44

#DREWSTREETPUB #DREWSTREETPUB #DREWSTREETPUB

SHUFFLEBOARD

SPORTS

SPEC

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 23

Fox hole

Murdoch’s partisan news is a threat to democracy that we can’t escape.

By Jeffrey C. Billman

24 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

During the experiment, CNN focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, including Trump’s lackluster response to the crisis. Fox, on the other hand, barely covered the pandemic, and when it did so dismissed its severity. Instead, Fox obsessed over racial issues and “provided extensive information about [Joe] Biden and other Democrats’ supposed positions on them and about outbreaks of violence at protests for

parallel universe—how conservatives believe the economy is in ruins and schoolteachers are indoctrinating children into interracial orgies or whatever—just as I marveled, during the lowest moments of the Trump administration, at how otherwise intelligent people could buy the snake oil he was selling.

As the researchers notes, this presents a problem for our democracy: “Fox News largely did not inform viewers of Trump’s failure to protect the U.S. from the COVID-19 outbreak, whereas CNN extensively did so. … How can a voter hold a politician accountable for an act of

INFORMED DISSENT

“MSNBC is nowhere near as influential among Democrats as Fox is among Republicans.”

GAGE SKIDMORE

W

hat I most clearly recall from the media ethics class I took as an undergrad—yes, there was such a thing, and yes, this was two decades ago—was the idea that the media can’t tell you what to think, but it can tell you what to think about. (There was also a block about the outrageous profits newspaper companies made, but that no longer seems relevant.)

To put that another way: Journalists are gatekeepers of which issues are deemed important and which perspectives are presented to the public—which is why we should seek out underrepresented voices rather than, say, camping out at a diner in rural Michigan to ask about cancel culture, but I digress.

On second thought, that’s not a digression.

Throughout the last century, powerful publishers and television news producers too often failed to elevate the perspectives of those who didn’t look or think like them. (That’s why alternative newspapers propagated in the 1950s and ’60s.)

But the gatekeepers could also sideline kooks and conspiracy theorists and charlatans—which, when I’m doomscrolling Twitter, seems not so bad.

The landscape changed when Rupert Murdoch launched Fox News in 1996, and then with the internet’s democratization of media and the proliferation of social media. Journalists’ gatekeeper function is limited. A big New York Times story can drive the national conversation, but so can some idiotic dreck from the Daily Wire.

So, my point?

On Sunday, political scientists from Yale and UC-Berkeley published a remarkable—and disturbing—study about the effects of partisan media. They took regular Fox viewers and bribed them to watch CNN for a month, during September 2020.

“Despite regular Fox viewers being largely strong partisans, we found manifold effects of changing the slant of their media diets on their factual beliefs, attitudes, perceptions of issues’ importance, and overall political views,” they write.

And here’s the kicker: “Partisan media does not only present its side an electoral advantage—it may present a challenge for democratic accountability.”

No shit, you say. But the experiment showed why partisan media is so pernicious—and effective. Contrary to common perception, people—even hyperpolitical people who watch cable news—can change their minds when exposed to new information. If those who are consistently fed white nationalism (Tucker Carlson) or dead-eyed propaganda (Sean Hannity) watched responsible, fact-based reporting for a period of time, at least some of them would rethink their positions.

with anything that looks like an opposing view.

And we wonder why conservatives are suddenly foaming at the mouth about critical race theory and trans kids in schools.

For conservatives, Fox News is the agenda setter. Unfortunately, its agenda serves a strictly partisan purpose.

It’s not just that Fox gaslights: “Even though Fox News never explicitly stated that Biden supported cutting police funding, it strongly implied this, and [experiment participants] who were assigned to continue watching Fox were more likely to believe this.” Fox has also engaged in

WE’RE FOXED: If you can’t escape Hannity’s dead-eyed propaganda, then you have no chance to rethink your positions. racial justice in American cities,” the researchers write.

Think about that: Two months before the election, conservatives were being told that the most pressing issue the country faced wasn’t the virus that was killing thousands of people a day while the president denied it was a big deal, but outbreaks of vandalism at Black Lives Matter rallies. (The reason people were marching didn’t seem as important.)

This messaging, which is designed to appeal to racial animus, is then reinforced by social media feeds that allow users to avoid engaging

what the researchers call partisan coverage filtering—“selectively reporting information flattering to its ideological side.”

To be clear, MSNBC does this, too, though MSNBC is nowhere near as influential among Democrats as Fox is among Republicans.

The researchers argue that CNN did as well, generally reporting things less favorable to Donald Trump—though I would counter that, in September 2020, most objective reporting would be unfavorable to Donald Trump.

I’ve thought a lot lately about how the right often seems to be living in a

malfeasance if they do not know it occurred?”

The rub, as always, is what to do about it.

Bribing millions of people not to watch Fox probably isn’t feasible. The researchers tease the prospect of government regulation, but the First Amendment likely has something to say about that. And moral outrage and even advertiser boycotts won’t matter so long as Fox commands the kind of ratings that allow it to command huge sums from cable companies.

So we’re stuck with a powerful gatekeeper that profits from abandoning any pretense of journalistic responsibility.

PLAY TOGETHER

XoChitl Handcrafted Modern Mexican

Daily Happy Hour: $5 WELLS $8 CLASSIC DOBEL MARGARITAS

Taco Tuesday:

$65.96 of bowling for $32 at CL Deals .com

3 TACOS AND A CLASSIC DOBEL MARGARITA - $15

2 hours of bowling for up to 4 people.

Veterans 5555 W. Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, FL 33634 (813) 884-1475

Midtown 4847 N. Armenia Avenue Tampa, FL 33603 (813) 877-7418

Brunch @ XOCHITL:

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 11AM-4PM BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS - $15

East Pasco 6816 Gall Boulevard Zephyrhills, FL 33542 (813) 782-5511

Bowling Classes: Pin Chasers makes it easy to learn with our 4-week “Have a Ball!” program for adults.

Sign-up as an individual, couple or a group.

307 West Palm Ave Tampa, FL • 33602

(833) 962-4485

Make a FastLane reservation at

ilovexochitl.com xochitl_tampa

pinchasers.net

Karaoke

HAPPY HOUR AT AMSO Monday - Friday, 4pm-7pm Saturday 3pm-6pm

7 Nights a Week!

AT

with KJ's

BARB YOUNG & MARTY DJFX DOLAN DINE IN & TAKE OUT

DINE IN & TAKE OUT • OPEN 8AM-3AM STRICTLY FOLLOWING CDC GUIDELINES! 2116 E2116 BAY DR • LARGO, FL • 727-584-3126 E BAY DR • LARGO, FL • 727-584-3126

thecornerbarandgrill.com thecornerbarandgrill.com

$4, $5 & $6 Liquor, Beer & Wine $8 Hand-Crafted Cocktails cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 25

Shit Happened Tampa’s Cypress Point and Picnic Island beaches have been closed for over a week due to poop water. The recommendation against taking a dip in either beach was initially placed on March 16 and blamed on increased levels of enterococci bacteria. A re-test was supposed to happen this week, but we’re not taking any chances.

A photo of a mysterious, and truly miserable looking animal in Tampa went viral on social media and despite what many commenters have speculated, it’s not a hairless bear, or a chupacabra. Miami New Times reached to Zoo Miami spokesperson Ron Magill, who confirmed that the animal is most likely a coyote with a bad case of mange, which can result in hair loss, scabbing and terrible itching for canines—so, yeah, your brother-in-law is still missing, friend.

BLIZZJUUHEARDD/TWITTER

THURSDAY 24

Search data from a Redfin report finds that people in Orlando love moving to Tampa.

Don’t these people realize that in a few years this is all just going to be one mega-region called Tamplando?

WEDNESDAY 30 911 Central Ave. | St. Petersburg, FL | 33705

buyaramen.com | 727.202.7010

26 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

Another report found that over the last year, Tampa witnessed the nation’s second largest increase in home prices—30.8% year-over-year.

At least there are still places to get a Cuban sandwich for less than $10.

USOUTHFLORIDA/FACEBOOK

TUESDAY 05

Faculty union calls on university students and employees to ignore DeSantis-approved “intellectual freedom” surveys. I mean, if we’re truly the free-est state in the U.S., then we should be allowed to brush off these ridiculous things, right?

The shittiest of shit when we all get back from vacation next week, promise.

cozy, modern, Italian-American eatery thin-crust pizza & Italian classics FULL LIQUOR BAR - HAPPY HOUR - OUTDOOR DINING

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK LUNCH SERVICE: WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY • STARTING AT 11AM

MADE TO ORDER... CHOP CHOP FAST! 4603 N FLORIDA AVE • TAMPA, FL • 33603 • (813) 770-7306 CHOPCHOPSHOPTAMPA.COM

MONDAY-THURSDAY: 11AM-9PM • FRIDAY: 11AM-10PM • SATURDAY: 4PM-10PM 5901 4TH ST N • ST. PETE • 727.526.2400 • AMANOITALIAN.COM

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 27

The Only Locally Owned

RESTAURANT PATIO BAR

Blocks from the Stadium

PRIVATE DINING EVENTS LARGE PATIO AREA

OPEN ‘TIL 3AM

ON THE WEEKENDS

W CHERRY ST

W PALMETTO ST

LIVE MUSIC SCRATCH KITCHEN BEST LUNCH IN TOWN LATE NIGHT FOOD

RIVETERS PARKING

N DALE MABRY HWY

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! SPORTS ON 17 SCREENS! PLENTY OF PARKING OUT BACK!

2301 N Dale Mabry Hwy • Tampa, FL • 33607 • (813) 559-1450 • riveterstampa.com RECEIVE EVEN MORE GREAT OFFERS! CONNECT WITH US: 28 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

@RivetersTampa •

/RivetersTampa

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS RESTAURANTS

RECIPES

DINING GUIDES

Another dimension

A supersized roundup of Tampa Bay restaurant news.

By Kyla Fields

Openings 2D Cafe Stepping into the fairytale or comic book of your choice will be easier than ever when 2D Cáfe opens in St. Petersburg this week in the former swah-rey bakery location at 2105 Central Avenue. The two-dimensional illusion is created by drawing thick, black outlines on all-white backgrounds—which blurs the lines between our world and a cartoon one. The new cafe will begin to sell its baked goods and sweet treats starting on Friday, April 8 at 10 a.m. 2105 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. @the2dcafe on Instagram Dang Dude The chef behind the Tampa heavy-hitters Nebraska Mini-Mart, Rooster & the Till and Gallito Taqueria recently debuted his newest restaurant, and its tasty Asian street food might have you saying, “Dang Dude…”

Expect to see small plates like pork dumplings with scallions and fried shallots alongside vegan and gluten-friendly dishes like chilled sesame noodles and garlic chive tempura with Malaysian chili-roasted shiitake mushrooms.

615 Channelside Dr., Tampa. dang-dude.com Don’t Kale Me Crazy This new and extra punny juice bar and superfood cafe is now open at the Midtown Tampa development. The chain’s second Florida location aims to provide “real food” to its clientele—and features juices, smoothies like the “Green Dream,” poke bowls, salads and wraps prepared with fresh and organic ingredients. And if you need a little pick-me-up, Don’t Kale Me Crazy’s wellness shot with ginger, oil of oregano, turmeric, garlic, lemon and cayenne might wake you up. 1110 Gramercy Lane, Tampa. kalemecrazy.net—Sofía García Vargas FLocale Pizza, craft beer and Nashville hot chicken tendies all live under the same roof after King Of The Coop, Westshore Pizza and Rock Brothers Brewing Company’s new concept opened in Seminole Heights late last month.

FLocale’s 8,500 square-foot space features a

40-foot bar and almost 200 seats. The space was previously home to The Refinery—one of Seminole Heights’ most popular restaurants, up until it closed in the summer of 2019. 5910 N Florida Ave., Tampa. @officialflocale on Facebook The Frog Pond When The Frog Pond closed due to COVID-19 in March 2020, neither management or its loyal patrons knew if its doors would ever open again. But to the delight of breakfast-lovers throughout the Burg’, downtown St. Pete’s Frog Pond celebrated its grand re-opening on Monday. Returning back to its roots—and the menu that its Redington Beach location has boasted for the past 42 years—The Frog Pond will once again dish out classics like omelets, frittatas, waffles, quiches, Benedicts and breakfast crepes. And exclusive to the downtown St. Pete location will be a dog-only menu

tender basket serving the typical fixings, Huey’s submits itself as another candidate for best chicken tender in the vast (and highly saturated) tendie market throughout the Bay. 4590 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. hueymagoos.com La Segunda Bakery & Cafe The air in St. Petersburg’s Crescent Heights neighborhood is about to smell like fresh-baked Cuban bread.

After teasing a fall 2021 opening, the legendary Ybor City bakery and cafe has opened its St. Pete location. Expect a menu loaded with La Segunda classics— including its Media Noche and Tony’s Turkey sandwiches, guava pastries and cafe con leches. 2436 4th St. N, St. Petersburg. lasegundabakery.com—Ray Roa Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream The ice cream competition is heating up in the heart of Ybor City. With over 20 artisan flavors to choose from—ranging from classics like triple vanilla to unique creations such as blueberry toast crunch—it might be hard to pick your favorite at Mayday, which is based out of St. Augustine. Some of Mayday’s popular ice creams continued on page 31

THE2DCAFE/FACEBOOK

F

rom optically-intriguing cafes to noodleslinging shipping containers, kale joints, breweries, vegan spots, and even the closing of a West Tampa staple, there’s been no shortage of food news to share in Tampa Bay. We got as much as we could on our plate this week and are ready to serve it to you.

called the “Lily Pad Pooches Portions” for pupowning patrons sitting at its revamped outdoor patio. 890 3rd Ave. S St. Petersburg. The Frog Pond Downtown St. Petersburg on Facebook House of Vegano Located inside of the Body Electric Athletic Company in St. Pete, House of Vegano celebrated its grand opening last month.

Owner Thalia Thatam tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that although her most popular rolls will be featured on the restaurant’s menu, future patrons can expect a full spread of ramen, poke bowls and dumplings too. “I wanted to create a space where being vegan is not just an option— but the complete focus.” Thatam says. “I think that the health-conscious atmosphere of Body Electric will really fit with our menu and overall aesthetic.” Everything is 100% vegan, and guests will have the unique opportunity to make each dish on the menu both gluten and soy free, too.

655 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. houseofvegano.com Huey Magoo’s Chicken tender franchise Huey Magoo’s recently debuted its first Tampa Bay storefront in Pinellas Park—right down the street from Jollibee and PDQ. With a chicken

FLAT & FUNKY: St. Pete’s new 2D Cafe might feel like another world.

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 29

30 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

GOOGLE MAPS

STAY GOLD: West Tampa just lost a staple that’s been serving stacked Cuban plates since 1987. continued from page 29 include salted caramel, strawberry, key lime pie, while its current seasonal menu consists of limited-edition flavors like the dairy-free “Florida Winter,” a tangy orange and tangerine sorbet, and “Denali Postcard,” with chunks of chocolate and toasted marshmallows. There are various types of dairy-free options, as well as boozy flavors for the 21 and up crowd—like Mayday’s “Cold Fashioned, ” a cherry sorbet with hints of orange and bourbon. The St. Augustinebased scoop shop also sells coffee and espresso.

1600 E 8th Ave., Ybor City. maydayicecream.com Olde Florida Brewing Company While the newly-opened brewery—located in the heart of Largo—is still working out some details, it currently offers its house brews in pints, half pints, and flights; growler refills will be available soon. Olde Florida Brewing Co. currently has blonde and brown ales, IPAs, amber ales, brown IPAs, coffee stouts, milk stouts and goses—with ABVs ranging from 4.5%-8.7%. 1158 7th. St. N, Largo. facebook.com/oldefloridabrew Portillo’s St Pete’s highly-anticipated Portillo’s celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday. Tyrone’s Portillo’s has the same menu of its sibling locations in Tampa and beyond— with entrees like hot dogs, beef, fish, chicken and sausage sandwiches, burgers, salads and bowls and desserts like milkshakes and decadent cake slices. Complete with vintage-feeling ‘50s decor, a drive-thru and an outdoor patio, the this

new Portillo’s will definitely jazz up the Tyrone Square Mall area of St. Petersburg. 2302 Tyrone Blvd N, St. Petersburg. portillos.com Coming soon Bamboozle After 14 years at its flagship restaurant at 516 N Tampa St.— adjacent to downtown’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park— health-forward eatery Bamboozle will move to its new location in Seminole Heights. In a recent social media post, Bamboozle owner Lynn Pham previewed her new location, stating “I am grateful for the opportunity to bring Bamboozle to the neighborhood I have lived in for over a decade. However, sharing this news is somewhat bitter-sweet for me.” There is no specific timeline mentioned in the post, and it is unsure when Bamboozle will make the eventual move to its new home in Seminole Heights, but Pham says that she will make the formal announcement soon. 7107 N Florida Ave., Tampa. bamboozlerestaurants.com Crumbl Cookies Grab a glass of milk.

Tampa Bay cookie-lovers will soon have another bakery to work into their rotation when Crumbl opens near Palma Ceia. With locations in Brandon, Lutz, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, South Tampa’s serious Crumbl deficit will end when its newest bakery debuts in a few months.

Crumbl is best known for its rotating menu of

over 170 flavors of speciality cookies, giving customers new batches to choose from each week. Its cookie flavors are “inspired by cakes, candies, pies, and desserts of all kinds,” according to its website. In an email to CL, co-owner Jesse Wojdylo says that he and his brother are expecting to have their Crumbl’s doors open

by Memorial Day weekend in late May, adding that “anything can happen with supply chain issues.” He notes that most Crumbl franchises typically open on Fridays, and that future customers should look out for a soft opening date on May 27—the start of Memorial Day weekend. 1902-A S Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. crumblcookies.com Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille St. Petersburg is just a few months away from its second Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille location, which will soon take over the former Green Iguana building in the Jungle Terrace neighborhood. Guests can expect Doc Ford’s signature tropical-inspired menu, packed with fresh seafood and Caribbean flavors when its newest restaurant debuts this summer. Popular dishes include panko-fried shrimp, seafood paella, seared mahi mahi and Yucatan baked oysters. In the meantime, get your fix at the St. Pete Pier location. 8790 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg. docfords.com Predalina Located on the bottom floor of Water Street Tampa’s Cora building, Oxford

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

Commons’ newest concept Predalina is slated to debut in early 2023. Future patrons can expect a 7,000 square-foot restaurant and bar that focuses on Mediterranean-style seafood—alongside a retail area that specializes in crafted tabletop wares and unique home décor. Strategic Property Partners states that Predalina will also have 2,000 square-foot outdoor dining area, a raw bar, wood-fired oven and wine cellar. 1011 E Cumberland Ave., Tampa. predalina.com Salty Nun St. Pete’s newest restaurant is a combination of two of Gulfport’s most beloved businesses—brunch powerhouse Stella’s and the recently-closed neighborhood bar Salty’s.

Guests can expect live music several nights a week, a loaded breakfast and brunch menu— with dishes like double-stuffed french toast and chorizo biscuits and gravy, plus well as extensive outdoor seating from Grand Central’s newest eatery. 2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. facebook.com/saltynun Yard House According to Tampa Tomorrow, plans for the project were recently filed by Water Street Tampa developers Strategic Property Partners. The location, which would be the first for Tampa Bay, is Amelia Arena-adjacent. Yard House features plenty of classic bar bites, as well as an extensive selection of vegan dishes made from plant-based brand Gardein. But most portably, the big attraction here is the extensive beer list, which features over 100 beers on tap.

450 Channelside Dr.,Tampa. yardhouse.com Events Margarita Wars 2022 If you’ve ever watched a cooking competition show and secretly wished you were the judge, then Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s Margarita Wars might interest you. On May 19, several Tampa Bay-based bartenders will compete for 2022’s Ultimate Margarita, as each guest will vote on their favorite buzz.

This year’s Margarita Wars will take place at the scenic Tampa River Center, overlooking the Hillsborough River. After sipping on margarita samples and snacking on light Mexican-inspired bites from participating bars and restaurants, guests can vote on which cocktail is their favorite. 402 W Laurel St., Tampa. margaritawarstampabay.com Closing El Gallo De Oro Restaurante West Tampa just lost a staple that’s been serving stacked Cuban plates since 1987. Co-owner Julissa Salgado took to Facebook Live to announce the closure of the popular Cuban restaurant, which her and her husband took over from her parents in 2012, as WFLA states. She says that El Gallo will reopen outside of Tampa soon, although there is no new location confirmed.

“We want to move somewhere where they don’t have any Spanish food, and take a little piece of West Tampa wherever we go,” Salgado said to her former customers.

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 31

“Old school Florida” restaurant featuring unique “Taste of St. Louis” menu served alongside small batch, house-brewed and other local craft beer!

923 72nd St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 (727) 302-9600 • peskypelicanbrewpub.com 32 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

THANK YOU TAMPA BAY FOR VOTING US

BEST WATERFRONT DINING THREE YEARS IN A ROW!

YOUR FIRST STOP BEFORE THE PIER!

TACO TU EsDAY 200 E MADISON ST • DOWNTOWN TAMPA • 813-221-TACO

CHECK OUT OUR SPECIALS ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM LUNCH & DINNER MENU – MON-THU:11AM-10PM FRI: 11AM-11PM /SAT: 9AM-11PM / SUN: 9AM-10PM

300 2ND AVENUE NE•DOWNTOWN ST. PETE•727-894-4429 cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 33

34 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

“As a community we need to do what we can to rehab and release this iconic yet vulnerable Florida species.”

MOVIES

THEATER

ART

CULTURE

Old friend

CMA plans to turn Winter’s old habitat into new manatee rescue and rehab center.

By Chelsea Zukowski a new $10 million manatee hospital in the former home of Winter the dolphin.

The new dolphin complex gave Winter, Hope, and their less-known roommates the space needed to thrive while allowing for easier viewing and interactions by guests. This multi-level habitat is triple the size of the former dolphin home. According to a release from the aquarium, the project will be a “critical care facility capable of accepting the continued influx of manatees affected by habitat loss, red tide, boat injuries, cold stress syndrome and abandoned sea cows.”

“That will become a grander plan, a master plan, to create a habitat for manatees,” Powell

ENVIRONMENT

said. “The older Winter zone can be modified; that’s perfectly adequate for housing manatees and manatee rehabilitation. It’s also an opportunity… it’s integrated into a whole educational piece.”

With the ongoing manatee mortality crisis not expected to let up anytime soon, CMA isn’t the only facility to ramp up efforts to help the state marine mammal of Florida.

SeaWorld has also set up emergency pools and has been working alongside CMA, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Manatee Rescue Rehabilitation Partnership.

The Georgia Aquarium also stepped in in midMarch to announce it joining with the partnership to help care for two orphaned young manatees.

For those wanting to help manatees in the Tampa Bay area and around the state, Powell

suggests simple things like slowing down boats and being more mindful of when to use fertilizer on lawns—or “zero-scaping” and avoiding any fertilizer that could make its way into waterways via rain runoff.

He also advised to be cognizant and supportive of local and state legislation that tries to reduce the amount of these pollutants getting into our natural water systems.

“With all these manatees dying…it’s brought international, national, local awareness,” Powell said.

“People say ‘oh manatees are like the canary in the coal mine, the big gray canary.’

But that’s not actually true. By the time this big gray canary dies, everything else is gone.”

RICHARD HOWARD/OCEANOFIMAGES.COM VIA CMA

L

ast year, more than 1,000 manatees died in Florida, setting a grim record in the state’s history. So far in 2022, over 450 have been found dead from various causes.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is joining statewide efforts to stem the rise in manatee deaths by creating a three-phased plan that includes opening more rehabilitation pools and eventually a new manatee hospital.

“What has happened over on the east coast of Florida last year and this year is a consequence of nutrients flowing into the Indian River Lagoon—making a perfect situation for algal blooms,” CMA’s Dr. James “Buddy” Powell said.

The aquarium’s plan to help manatees includes three phases. The first includes working with the city of Clearwater to open a temporary emergency rehabilitation pool at the aquarium to offer more “bed space” for manatees in need of care.

“We are excited to work with Clearwater Marine Aquarium to help them add a rehabilitation pool to their facility. They have always had the mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and ultimately releasing marine life and now they need to focus those areas more on our local manatees,” City Manager Jon Jennings said in an email to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “Unfortunately, Florida’s manatees are suffering at record numbers and last year alone we had 1,000 manatee deaths. As a community we need to do what we can to rehab and release this iconic yet vulnerable Florida species.”

The second phase is working with the city of Tarpon Springs to expand rehabilitation efforts at Fred Howard Park by opening three manatee pools at the Marine Mammal Stranding Rehabilitation Facility. The aquarium hopes to open those pools within the next year, and a funding request of $3 million has already been sent to the Florida state legislature.

The city of Tarpon Springs said the aquarium recently submitted plans for permitting and that they “look forward to working with them through the permitting process.”

The third phase is the most intensive but one that Powell said is “core” to the aquarium’s mission. CMA is currently raising funds to build

COWA-BUMMER: By the time this big gray canary dies, everything else is gone.

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 35

BUY LOCAL HALF OFF!

VIP ADMISSION TO

KING OF THE COOP $20 FOR $10

MERMOSA BUBBLES & BRUNCH FEST $100 FOR $50

GOLDEN DINOSAURS $20 FOR $10

WILLIE JEWELL’S OLD SCHOOL BBQ $20 FOR $10

Refer Three Friends, Get Yours Free Once you make a purchase from CL Deals, you will receive a referral link to share. Simply pass on your link to friends and family and, if three people use your link and purchase the same Deal within 30 days, your deal will be completely free!

36 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

Purchasing CL Deals is easy, just visit

PLEASE VISIT TBJFF.ORG TO VIEW ALL CURRENT FESTIVAL COVID PROTOCOLS

WHERE MOVIEGOING IS AN EVENT! FILMS LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: OPENING DAY EVENT RED CARPET HOUR CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH – 11:30 AM OPENING CREDITS – 1:00 PM THE TATTOOED TORAH & TIGER WITHIN (1 HR 50 MIN) English | 1:15 PM DIRECTOR & FILMMAKER TALK-BACK DIRECTLY AFTER THE FILMS l Sunday, April 3 | Bryan Glazer Family JCC

THE ONE AND ONLY JEWISH MISS AMERICA

(1 HR 25 MIN)

English

l Sunday, April 3 | 4:30 PM

Bryan Glazer Family JCC

WET DOG (1 HR 43 MIN)

German with English subtitles

April 3 | 6:00 PM Bryan Glazer Family JCC TEEN NIGHT FEATURING GRAFFITI ART & AUCTION l Sunday,

1618 (1 HR 25 MIN)

Portuguese with English subtitles

l Wednesday, April 6 | 2:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Tuesday, April 12 | 3:00 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole

PLAN A (1 HR 49 MIN)

English

l Wednesday, April 6 | 4:30 PM

AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa

200 METERS (1 HR 36 MIN)

English, French, Italian with subtitles

l Wednesday, April 6 | 7:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa

l Monday,

April 4 | 2:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa

tbjff.org PERSIAN LESSONS (2 HR 7 MIN)

English, French, German, Italian, Persian

l Saturday, April 9 | 7:30 PM AMC Sundial 12 – St. Pete

FAMILY FUN DAY! l Sunday, April 10 | 12:00 – 4:00 PM

CARNIVAL GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT GREENER PASTURES

MAVERICK MODIGLIANI

(1 HR 37 MIN)

For movie information and tickets visit

Arabic, Hebrew with English subtitles

(1 HR 30 MIN) Hebrew with English subtitles

l Sunday, April 10 | 12:00 PM Bryan Glazer Family JCC l Tuesday, April 12 | 5:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole

THE RAFT (1 HR 36 MIN)

Hebrew with English subtitles

DOUBLE FEATURE BLACK FLOWERS (59 MIN)

Hebrew with English subtitles

April 4 | 4:30 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Monday,

AND 8000 PAPERCLIPS (1 HR) Hebrew with English subtitles

BERENSHTEIN (1 HR 50 MIN)

Hebrew with English subtitles

April 7 | 3:00 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole l Monday, April 11 | 4:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa

l Thursday,

THE ADVENTURES OF SAUL BELLOW

(1 HR 25 MIN)

English

l Sunday, April 10 | 2:00 PM Bryan Glazer Family JCC FAMILY FILM. SUGGESTED AGE: 10+ OR AVID READERS

AMERICAN BIRTHRIGHT

(1 HR 25 MIN)

Hebrew with English subtitles l Monday,

April 11 | 2:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa

April 7 | 5:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole

l Thursday,

HAPPY HOUR: SHORTS & SHOTS PORTRAYAL (1 HR 36 MIN)

English

April 4 | 7:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Saturday, April 9 | 10:00 PM AMC Sundial 12 – St. Pete l Monday,

VALIANT HEARTS (1 HR 32 MIN)

French with English subtitles

April 5 | 4:00 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole l Monday, April 11 | 7:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Tuesday,

NEIGHBOURS (2 HR 4 MIN)

Arabic, English, Hebrew, Kurdish

April 5 | 6:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole l Friday, April 8 | 1:30 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Tuesday,

Sponsors as of 3-9-22

BETRAYED (2 HR)

Norwegian with English subtitles

April 7 | 7:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole

l Thursday,

l Wednesday, April 13 |

5:30 – 7:00 PM Bryan Glazer Family JCC

Ticket includes hors d’oeuvres and Tito’s Vodka shots!

Presented with Gasparilla International Film Festival FEATURED SHORT FILM

THE SCHNOZ

(12 MIN) English

THE AUSCHWITZ REPORT (2 HR)

Along with a compilation of the greatest shorts this year!

English, Czech, German, Polish, Slovak

April 8 | 11:00 AM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa

l Friday,

CLOSING FESTIVAL FIESTA

l Wednesday, April 13 | 7:30 – 10:00 PM

Bryan Glazer Family JCC

Ticket includes entertainment, dessert & margaritas!

MY DEAREST ENEMY (1 HR 40 MIN)

Hebrew with English subtitles

April 8 | 4:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Tuesday, April 12 | 7:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole l Friday,

Tampa JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS & FEDERATION

TANGO SHALOM

(1 HR 55 MIN)

English

The Jewish Federation OF FLORIDA’S GULF COAST

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 37

Bones to pick

In a world of lies, Negasi sifts for the truth.

By Yuki Jackson and Negasi

“S

o, which race do you think is getting eradicating specificity where we find the dignity erased?” a Hispanic-looking man asked of all life—it is by delving into it. Some have the me. I heard argument in his tone and misconception that acknowledging the realities words. He had approached me as I helped set- of race and gender causes more division. It is up a couple of literary art tables for “We Will quite the opposite. Because to deny the specific Not Be Erased: Engaging History to Empower lived experiences of people, especially those Communities.” This collaborative event, spon- experiences that shine a light on oppression sored by the University of and the mechanisms that South Florida’s Africansupport it, is to deny their African American Burial humanity, their dignity.

Grounds Project, Kitchen We often forget as a Table Literary Arts, collective. We forget the patSulphur Springs Heritage Museum and The terns that continue to repeat over time, proven Battleground youth program, was held during over and over again. Just as the universal Black History Month in the Sulphur Springs principle that binds us all can express tremenneighborhood as an effort to help remember the dous value and good, there is also an inherent injustice of eraand incessant sure as we move flip side to this, forward. manifested as Memory is ignorance. This tricky at times. is why the act of I frequently forremembering is get who I am, so vital. who I truly am at As we stood the core. I forget together at the that at my core, event, including everyone who was I am indestructible, boundless, seated, young and worthy of deep old, Black and respect. Often, I white, academic also forget that and blue-collar, this same core I called attention to how this exists in other people, even if on moment encomthe surface they passes past, present and don’t seem to possess it. future. And how Like tree we are acting roots that are against the cycles entwined and of oppression by c on ne c t e d writing our own stories and makthrough the ing sure we are same source heard. I thought beneath the soil, we are conabout the insidinected through a ous nature of network that we gentrification and can’t always see how under the directly but expeguise of betterBONES AND SPIRITS NEVER LEAVE rience evidence ing a community, ITS PLACE: If the dead cannot rest of its existence. neither can the living. it actually operAnd on the surates to bulldoze a face level, we can see the ways in which we culture and the people who have created that grow, what we have endured, what we may culture, similar to colonization. offer to others.

A couple of the boys who I’ve supported ever The collective and specific experiences of since I started working in Sulphur Springs are a culture and peoples are expressions of this moving out of the neighborhood. Their family was universal principle. It is not by diminishing or forced out due to drastically rising rent prices.

POET’S NOTEBOOK

NEGASI

38 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

As I dropped them off at their Sulphur Spring home after they attended the “We Will Not Be Erased” event, I asked them how they feel about having to move. They said “terrible”.

They grew up there, they grew up in that house.

I told them that to me, they are Sulphur Springs.

It won’t be the same without them. They will take with them their brilliance, their creativity, their keen perception, their generous hearts, their sense of humor.

The Hispanic-looking man who had approached as I set-up for the “We Will Not be Erased” event told me that he had recently bought some property in the area. Not a home, property. Not a community member, but an owner. It was clear from the antagonistic response he paid to me when I told him about the event that he had accidentally stumbled upon, that he wasn’t entering the neighborhood with an understanding of and respect for the people who already lived there. My answer to him? “Black.”

Of course, Black people are not the only ones who have been erased, whether through

building upon their bodies or stealing their culture. We know that our Indigineous brothers and sisters have experienced incalculable loss at the hands of invaders as well as all the injustices experienced by other cultures that have been colonized by white people, whether British, French, Dutch or Spanish.

If we are to change the patterns of oppression that have continued, we will have to maintain constant vigilance and call out whenever we see the same pattern starting to emerge. Real estate developers and buyers who have no regard for the culture or the people of a neighborhood, especially when the culture and people are those who have historically become colonized and oppressed, better think otherwise. Stay your asses out.

I don’t carry guns, but I do educate youth.

And in a greater sense, I think that’s the most powerful weapon. For this installment of “Poet’s Notebook”, I would like to amplify the voice of my very first poetry student from The Battleground, a bright young man who lives in Sulphur Springs who goes by Negasi.

“Bones of Yesterday and Tomorrow” poem by Negassi In a world of lies, I sift for the truth.

So l dig myself out the dirt then go to the river and float down to where the Metal towers parlay and pursuit. Poisoning the hands that feed them.

Building luxury decked out in blood and bones. A civilization erased, but the bones and spirit never leaves its place... the blood erodes the infrastructure.

If the dead cannot rest neither can the living.

The end is to come but so what. Find your heart space be in where you choose to end up by your judgment.

Civilizations Rise and Fall but the ones who survive are the ones who listen to the hearts. The unseen voices of your connection to the bones of course.

We are Not doing this for no reason. As long as you’re going towards your true goals you change the world and you change the most important thing–yourself.

Allow the bones to work its ways. Then prepare to work towards the true future you seek as one tree falls a seed is left in its place. We are in a time now where the bones won’t be forced down as foundation anymore.

The bones at night has the blue screaming red as white fades away. Bones of every unheard voice quakes the times ticks closer the bones grow stronger and a new tree is grown in place.

Learn traditional printmaking Workshops in - Etching - Lithography - Letterpress - Silkscreen and more.

Our gallery space has local and handmade gifts Drop by during normal hours Tuesday thru Friday 11-4 Saturday 11-6 • Sunday 12-4

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn or Gregory Peck as you enjoy a screening of the Academy Award-winning Roman Holiday (1953) and libations from our prosecco bar in the garden. Take inspiration from the iconic wardrobe of the film classic and arrive in timeless style!

FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT MFASTPETE.ORG

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 39

40 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

LOCAL MUSIC Wolf-Face 10-year anniversary show

w/You Vandal/Virginity/Slinky. Friday, April 8. 7 p.m.

No cover. Daddy Kool Records. 800 28th St. S, St. Petersburg. @pubesonmyface on Facebook

REVIEWS

PROFILES

MUSIC WEEK

Stay golden

Ten years after his first show, Michael J. Wolf is still a son of a bitch.

By Ray Roa watching our set and clearly wondering how to follow such a crushing act,” Wolf recalled. “Then they played their goofy little set and the one who plays piano put on a ski mask. Dude thought he was wild shit. I was disgusted as I can’t stand it when a band has to rely on a gimmick. I thought they blew and the world obviously agrees because who has ever heard of those guys now?”

Wolf-Face even landed on Vice for its affiliation with the buttwater party trick. And when the founder of Liquid Death water saw WolfFace play Gainesville’s legendary punk-rock bacchanal The Fest, he emailed to ask if they

Some may suggest that it’s been the fans that have kept Wolf-Face howling all these years, and Michael J. doesn’t necessarily disagree.

“The love and support the band has received has been humbling. I think people finally understand what I’ve been through and how it’s not easy being the best at pretty much everything,” he said before conceding that playing music has provided him a kind of catharsis after the trauma of “Teen Wolf Too.” He added that there’s one song that always puts the pain in perspective and truly grounds him.

“It reminds me to be true to myself and simply enjoy the ride that is life. It reminds me to pull my loved ones close and appreciate that they love me for me. It’s the song that reminds me that war is never the answer,” he said. “That song is the Wolf-Face opus, ‘Pubes On My Face.’”

DAVE DECKER

O

n many nights in St. Pete, a teenage werewolf washes yellow Fruit of the Looms freshly soaked in both his sweat and the perspiration of strangers. The underwear is stretched out—especially around the mons pubis—often smells like beer, and is always stained with the grime of dingy nightclubs and music venues. No one really know what goes through his mind as he washes the loincloth, but there are probably visions of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich getting buried in dildos, a certain Chicago indie-rock songwriter getting a stake driven through his heart, and of course Lisa “Boof” Marconi.

That werewolf, of course, is none other than Michael J. Wolf, leader of Wolf-Face, a now legendary local punk band whose sound recalls Misfits, Dillinger Four, Dead Mechanical and even the late Jay Reatard.

Tampa Bay met Wolf-Face 10 years ago when the band first wandered out of its practice den to play songs like “Give Me a Keg of Beer,” “Be a Man!” and “I’m a Son of a Bitch,” all featuring lyrics that set the record straight after producers of the classic 1985 film, “Teen Wolf,” stole Michael J.’s life story and turned it into a movie.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect when we played our first show. It was a risk because my music and lyrics are sometimes hard for people to relate to simply because humans can’t fully understand what I’ve gone through,” Michael J. told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. At the first gig, he worried that the poetry would go over peoples’ heads, but as he remembered it, folks enjoyed it.

“A lot of people laughed which I didn’t understand, but I guess that’s just a natural reaction when presented with something beyond someone’s cognitive abilities,” Wolf added. “Regardless, we were offered more and more shows thereafter and we just continued to ride the wave until we are where we are now.”

Those gigs took Wolf-Face to since-shuttered 600 Block staples like Local 662 and Fubar. It landed the punk band slots at local festivals like Antiwarpt and Burgatory, Texas’ South by Southwest, Warped Tour and even Tampa Bay’s own 97X Next Big Thing when it played right before Twenty One Pilots in 2012—one of the band’s most memorable sets.

“I kept turning around and seeing those two dudes standing near the back of the stage

Ulrich (tame in comparison to a 2017 video for “Death to Wolf Poseurs” where the drummer is pummeled with 1,000 penises).

“He said they couldn’t put it out since it was essentially a commercial using Lars’ image without his permission. I guess I could have changed the video and left Lars out of it, but fuck that, this is my life and art we’re talking about,” Wolf said.

“But I will say this, I only started seeing huge bands promoting Liquid Death and started seeing Liquid Death in Publix after our music video came out. That can’t be a coincidence.”

But it’s no surprise that Wolf-Face—including guitarist Rain-Wolf, drummer Wolf-Fart and bassist The Good Wolf—has made it to a decade of bandom with its Beavers jerseys intact.

Another St. Pete legend, Daddy Kool Records co-founder Manny Kool, will host the band at his record shop on Friday for a free, outdoor all-ages

I LYCANTHROPE YOU A LOT: There’s no need to thank Michael J. Wolf for all he’s done. could work together. Michael J. sent over a demo for a Liquid Death jingle, which he said led the owner to fork over several thousand dollars so the band could properly record the song and make a music video.

“Don’t tell him this, but the final recorded song and music video probably cost us about $50 to make,” Wolf told CL. Liquid Death, however, could not use the video to promote the product because the clip finds Michael J. murdering

anniversary concert complete with a food truck and early curfew (11 p.m.). Kool always loved how tight, loud and fast the band sounded; the songs remind him of punk and hardcore from the iconic independent Gainesville record label No Idea. Kool believes the band’s relationship to the moon has also helped propel a long career that includes two LPs, splits, a 2011 EP and a new 8-bit Nintendo video game which is on its second run after the first batch of cartridges sold-out.

And while a lot has changed for Michael J. Wolf in the last decade, a few very special things have remained the same.

“People sometimes say, ‘Michael J., you’ve been around for so long. How can you still claim to be a teenage werewolf?’ What they don’t understand is that werewolf years are like dog years but in reverse,” he said. “And that means my pubes are still the luscious golden brown that you’ve always enjoyed.”

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 41

I hear you now

Talking to Jon Anderson before his solo show in Clearwater.

By Josh Bradley

DEBORAH ANDERSON

J

on Anderson, once at the helm of Yes, seems these young kids with t-shirts saying “School of to like Billie Eilish more than the new Yes Rock.” I said, “Who are these kids?” And there album without him featured. “Not my cup was Paul Green, and he said, “Well, they’re my of tea,” he expressed, regarding The Quest. Soon kids,” and there were about 20 of them. And after, he told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that he said, “We make music and we’re teaching Eilish’s “Saturday Night Live” performance was each other how to make music. Would you like “magnificent.” to come and work with them?” And I said, “Eh, The 77-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame I don’t think so.” inductee was diagnosed with acute respiratory About a month later, he sent me a recordfailure in 2008, right before Yes’ 40th anniver- ing of them performing “Heart Of The Sunrise,” sary tour, and had to be replaced—at the time, which is an incredibly difficult piece of music temporarily—by Benoît David. As it turned out, that Yes created in 1971, and it was amazing. original members Chris Squire, Steve Howe, So, I got back to Paul and said, “Hey, these kids and Alan White liked working with David so are good! I didn’t realize they were so good.” So, much, they basically kept him onboard and me and my wife went to Philadelphia and worked never asked Jon to rejoin. with the kids, went on tour, did some shows in Almost 15 years later, there are new mem- Albany, Pittsburgh, and New York, and it was bers all around. Due to health issues of his a great, fun experience for me and my wife. own, Benoît was replaced by a different Jon— And so, Paul Green sold the company, School of surnamed Davison, and Squire succumbed Rock, then the movie came out with Jack Black, to cancer in 2015. But and the School of Rocks are Anderson and his angelic, everywhere now, as a sort unmistakable voice carries of association. on nonetheless, and those So last year, Paul gave Jon Anderson w/Paul Green faithful to the OG Yes can’t me a call and said, “I’ve Sunday, April 10. $59-$95 get enough of him. just created the Academy of Bilheimer Capitol Theatre. 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. rutheckerdhall.com In 2019, he released Rock, and I’ve got a bunch 1000 Hands: Chapter One, of kids. Would you like to a record he abandoned back in the ‘90s. Along do some shows?” So last August, I said “OK,” and with producer Michael Franklin, Anderson we went out, me and Jane went out with his kids cleaned it up, got a stacked lineup of musicians and we just had the best, best time. But instead to play on it, and once again, managed to not of just doing Yes music, I decided like, why don’t make a record that sounded pathetically nos- we do mash-ups? So we could do, David Bowie’s talgic to the Yes days (sorry, but Yes’s Quest “Let’s Dance,” which goes into “Long Distance does). Sure, 1000 Hands sounds more modern Runaround,” which is a Yes song. than what Jon is used to, but when you’re interested in younger artists like Billie Eilish and Are you gonna throw in Close To The Edge’s third Alfie Templeman, you have a whole new set of and final track in the setlist, “Siberian Khatru?” influence, and much more need to, as Mike Love Not this time. We like doing “Yours Is No once put it, “fuck with the formula.”

Disgrace” and uh, what are the other songs?

Three years after 1000 Hands, Anderson I’ve got a list somewhere, I’ve gotta practice! is going on tour with his friend, Paul Green’s *laughs* Oh man, whoo! We do “Long Distance Rock Academy, and headed to Clearwater this Runaround,” “And You and I,” we do a couple weekend. The show was originally set for July of songs from the album I recorded in Orlando, of 2020, and was announced during the month- which was 1000 Hands, so we do “Where Does or-so Florida spent in lockdown. CL got the Music Come From” and another couple of songs opportunity to chat with Anderson about his from the album. So it’s a good two hours of solid favorite young artists, the next chapters of 1000 music, believe me.

Hands, and his thoughts on spirituality.

Read parts of our Q&A below, and see the With part one of 1000 Hands out, are you still full conversation via cltampa.com/music. thinking about doing parts two and three to create the trilogy?

On this tour, you’re going to be with the Paul We’ve actually gone through most of the songs Green Rock Academy. What drove you to spe- for two. We’re just negotiating some ideas to cifically pick that academy? record with a full orchestra, so that’s going on Well, I actually met Paul Green 20 years ago. Yes at the moment, but most of the songs are really was doing a show in Philadelphia, and after the locked in. And as for another one after that, I’ll show, I came backstage stage, and there were let you know!

INTERVIEW

42 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

NO, YES: Jon Anderson says his old band’s new album is not his cup of tea.

You did a song with Tangerine Dream back in the ‘80s for the movie “Legend,” but a lot of people didn’t know until recently that beside Tangerine Dream’s soundtrack, there was also an orchestral score made available. Did you have any involvement with that?

No, no. I was just lucky enough to meet with the director of that movie [Ridley Scott]. I met him in a pub in London. We had a beer, and he said “I really like your voice. Would you mind singing in the film?” I said, “Who’s doing the music?” He said, “Tangerine Dream.” I said, “I know them, they’re German. Yeah, the German guys.” So, they sent me the music, I sang it, and that was it. Then, I never heard back when they were gonna do an orchestral version at all. I haven’t heard it either.

I asked Rick Wakeman this same question a couple months back. Have you heard the current lineup of Yes’ new album The Quest yet?

I heard a couple of tracks…and then I just said, “OK, well, that’s that.” Not my cup of tea. That’s what you say in England when you’re not sure about something. “Not my cuppa tea, mate.”

You always hype up the idea of young people getting into music. Are there any currently young artists that you enjoy listening to?

Well, three years ago, I found…I’m very bad at remembering people’s names, but I’ll remember it in a minute. But he’s a young English guy.

Gosh, I should remember his name. But there’s always young, amazing people! I’m a big, big fan, me and my wife Jane love “American Yodel.” I call it “American Yodel” actually, rather than “American Idol.” Some of these people that come on just make me cry because they’re so good!

I really love…oh, gosh, the one with the green hair. What’s her name?

Billie Eilish?

Yes, she was on “Saturday Night Live!” about two weeks ago. Unbelievable! And I’ve never really listened much to her songs. I hear them on the radio a little bit, but to see her perform on SNL? You should see it, it really was magnificent. She starts off with a very slow energy, and a brother’s doing a nice guitar. Then all of a sudden, they’re like Nirvana. Incredible!

'S SKIPPER SMOKEHOUSE FLYING IN THE FACE OF CONVENTION SINCE 1980

THU APRIL 7 • 8PM - $10

IMPULSE (Reggae / Soca / Calypso)

FRI APRIL 8 • 6-9PM - $FREE

EDDIE

WRIGHT (BLUES ROCK) SAT APRIL 2 • 8PM - $20/25

THE BROKEN HEARTS (TOM PETTY TRIBUTE)

STEVIE NICKS EXPERIENCE (STEVIE NICKS TRIBUTE)

SUN APRIL 10 • 5-9PM - $5

UNCLE JOHN'S BAND Grateful Dead Night

HAPPY HOUR

THURSDAY & FRIDAY • 4-8PM SATURDAY•ALL DAY! *UNTIL SHOW TIME*

Twenty Oz Domestic Drafts:

$4.00

$3.50 NOW SERVING BRUNCH SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS ONLY!

SKIPPER'S SMOKEHOUSE SMOKEHOUSE

910 SKIPPER ROAD • TAMPA

813-971-0666

SKIPPERSSMOKEHOUSE.COM

#theupcomingness

Glasses of House Wines:

aestheticized presents >>>

04.09 - tonstartssbandht 04.25 - adult.

05.18 - laney jones 06.11 - strand of oaks 07.08 - foxing 07.11 - the mountain goats 09.13 - broncho tix & info = aespresents dot com

LIVE MUSIC VENUE RESTAURANT CATERING TALENT AGENCY TA LICENSE #438 cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 43

THU APRIL 07–WED APRIL 13

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa C

Robert Randolph

CL Recommends

C A Crooked Piece of Time: The Songs of John Prine w/Adam Randall/Kip Kelly/Patrick Hagerman/Joshua Reilly/ more As is now tradition, Tampa Bay songwriters are spending the first week of April remembering the catalog and spirit of Midwestern songsmith John Prine, a legendary figure who had a home in Gulfport when he died on April 7, 2020 during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Bruised Orange ale—named for Prine’s 1978 LP—will be on tap at one of Tampa Bay’s best breweries, and you’d better pack a hanky, too.

(Crooked Thumb Brewery, Safety Harbor) Attack Attack! w/Conquer Divide/Until I Wake/Across The White Water Tower Ten years after a fight that practically tore Attack Attack! Apart, Andrew Wetzel and Andrew Whiting are back, and have pieced together yet another new lineup of the Ohiobased crabcore band. New music is on the horizon for it, even after all of the band’s farewell activities in 2013, including a few new singles released in recent years. Now, a decade after its final tour, the band behind “The Wretched” is coming up on the end of a run with fellow American metal groups Conquer Divide, Until I Wake, and Across The White Tower. One of the final stops takes place this week at Ybor City’s Orpheum, which is also looking at the inevitable end of its stay in Ybor City (the venue is moving out after two decades). (Orpheum, Ybor City) Ballyhoo! w/The Elovaters/Cloud9 Vibes If you attended Reggae Rise Up last October and either missed or forgot about Ballyhoo or The Elovaters, you need a time machine to go back. The Elovaters opened for Ziggy Marley at one point in time, and are getting more and more famous at a rapid pace, having scored almost half a million views on the music video for its collaboration with The Late Ones. Warped Tour alum Ballyhoo! released a new EP last year, entitled Planet Sad Boi, and has previously opened for 311.

This time around, the reggae rock stars are at the helm, and will rock with special guest Cloud9 Vibes. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) New Edition w/Charlie Wilson/Jodeci Ask Mr. Telephone Man to call your candy girl because New Edition is coming to Tampa this week with R&B giants Charlie Wilson and Jodeci in tow. The 30-city jaunt is dubbed “The Culture Tour” and is being put on in partnership with the 100%-Blackowned Black Promoters Collective. If you still haven’t cooled it after watching New Edition reunite onstage at last year’s American Music Awards, then get on up and make sure your feenin’ ass is at this one. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)

44 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

JIM ARBOGAST

THU 07

C Rock the Park: The Freecoastersw/ Sax N Beats feat. Kyle Schroeder/Pet Rock Reggae and ska are tenets of The Freecoasters’ sound, but there’s also an unmistakable tinge of soul in the Fort Myers band’s aesthetic, too. It kicks off a two-week tour through the Southeast and Midwest to with this no-cover, all-ages, pet and family-friendly gig in downtown Tampa where Miami Frost school smooth jazz saxophonist Kyle Schroeder and exciting new indie-rock band Pet Rock open the show. (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa)

FRI 08

Beast in Black w/Seven Kingdoms/ Striker Canadian metal group Striker has a new kid in town. John Simon Fallon, a longtime friend of the band, is now its secondary guitarist, and he just made his debut on Striker’s latest single, “Strange Love.”

It’s been said that a follow-up to 2018’s Play To Win is in the works, too, so don’t run away or anything. To possibly preview a few works in progress, and celebrate the past, Striker is starting its 2022 tour in

Orlando, then moseying into Ybor City. Yes, the tour is mainly full of dates opening for DeLand metal group Seven Kingdoms (which recorded a ton of stuff at legendary local studio Morrisound) and, in what appears to be a U.S. debut, Beast in Black, but it’s been five years since Striker has rolled into the Bay area, while on tour with Warbringer.

(Orpheum, Ybor City) Kenny G. Call your moms, Tampa Bay. Everything’s been coming up Kenny G since the turn of the decade. The Weeknd summoned him to help on the remix of “In Your Eyes” in 2020, and the 65-year-old smooth jazz woodwind wizard was even in the “SpongeBob Squarepants” movie thanks to his song, “Sponge on the Run.” In March 2020, he became one of the last artists to play the Cap in downtown Clearwater, and two years later, Mr. “Songbird” returns to the same place. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater) C Tampa Bay Blues Festival: JJ Grey & Mofro w/Samantha Fish/Robert Randolph & the Family Band/Jimmie Vaughn/Larkin Poe/more In Tampa Bay,

reggae fans have Reggae Rise Up, jazz fans have Clearwater Jazz Holiday, and those looking for something new have Gasparilla Music Festival. There’s gotta be something for blues fans too, right? Every year since 1995, Vinoy Park has hosted the annual Tampa Bay Blues Festival, featuring some of the biggest names in the genre, from Buddy Guy to Jonny Lang. After two years off, due to you-know-what, the festival is finally back with its three-day lineup. On Friday, JJ Grey and Mofro, along with Samantha Fish headline. On Saturday, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and Jimmie Vaughan—both of whom opened for Eric Clapton during his last two visits to Tampa—are on the bill.

As for Sunday? Larkin freaking Poe, and Ronnie Baker Brooks. Yeah, you don’t wanna miss this year’s edition. (Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg)

SAT 09

C Brothers Osborne w/Kendell Marvel If you’re anything like us, you’ve yelled “hell yeah” over Brothers Osborne twice in the last

continued on page 46

JANNUSLIVE.COM UPCOMING CONCERTS

SOLD OUT BROTHERS OSBOURNE

THU, APR 07

FRI, APR 08

SAT, APR 09

SUN, APR 10

WED, APR 13

FRI, APR 15

VIP EXPERIENCE

727.688.5708 - KENDALL@JANNUSLIVE.COM cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 45

continued from page 44 album out this year (Motordrome), and this tour will mark the first time that the performer who gave us “Sun In Our Eyes” will ever perform to Florida crowds. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

TUE 12

COURTESY

C The Darkness It’s been three years since Queen + Adam Lambert stopped in Tampa for the first time, and a notable absence was drummer Roger Taylor’s son, Rufus Tiger Taylor, who generally helps dad out on drums.

Who would have guessed that he, like Phil Collins’ son Nic, plays in another band that tours regularly? Rufus has only been in Justin and Dan Hawkins’ The Darkness since 2015, which had already gone through a hiatus in the late aughts. In what appears to be the band’s Tampa debut, the Motorheart tour swings into The Ritz next week, promoting its 2021 album of the same title. (The Ritz, Ybor City) Dayseeker w/Holding Absence/ Thornhill/Caskets Dayseeker’s lead singer has had it rough this year. Rory Rodriguez is in the middle of mourning the loss of his father, and welcoming a child earlier than expected, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to cancel tour dates. His suffering one of the biggest tragedies anybody can go through is very likely going to be a central theme on the post-hardcore band’s impending fifth album, but first Dayseeker plays Ybor City alongside Thornhill, Holding Absence, and Caskets.

(Crowbar, Ybor City)

Tonstartssbandht year-or-so. The first time was when brother T.J. came out as gay last year, which in the country music world, is the equivalent to a unicorn sighting. The other massive accomplishment took place on Sunday night, when the boys won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance on “Younger Me,” which is about coming out. Even if they lost both Grammys they were nominated for, St. Petersburg would still be more than ready to party down with the Osbornes this weekend when they rock Jannus Live with country singer-songwriter Kendell Marvel at this sold-out stop. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) C Justin Bieber w/Jaden/Eddie Benjamin/¿TÉO? Things have changed since this show was announced in January 2020.

The Biebs was originally supposed to take the stage at Raymond James Stadium alongside Poplyfe’s Kehlani and Jaden Smith, but now, numerous postponements later, the first Tampa engagement from Bieber since 2013 is finally happening this weekend, at the smaller, yet very sold-out, Amalie Arena.

Joining him now will not only be Jaden, but also singer-songwriter Eddie Benjamin, and rapper ¿TÉO?. And for the sake of everyone’s sanity, try to keep the Smith-Rock jokes— and Jaden’s mama’s name—out your fucking mouth. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)

46 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

Kristin Chenoweth Call us blasphemous, but Chenoweth gives off major Dolly Parton vibes. Her voice can wear a similar twang, she staunchly loves both Jesus and the LGBTQ+ community, and though we don’t think she didn’t necessarily donate money to COVID-19 vaccine research, the 53-year-old Broadway veteran has been pretty vocal about her work with organizations like Broadway Cares.

Chenoweth has been dealing with Meniere’s disease in recent years, which makes it a wonder that she’ll defy gravity to promote her new For The Girls album, while backed by the Clearwater Festival Orchestra. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) C Tonstartssbandht w/ Brother Cephus/ Alien House Tonstartssbandht, the dreampop project of Orlandoan siblings Andy and Edwin White, have had a strange few months (just like every other band everywhere, it seems). There have been amazing highs—new album Petunia out on Mexican Summer, vinyl reissues forthcoming on Fire Talk Records—and disappointing lows—tours delayed, delayed again and even scuttled.

But, as we type these very words, the band are set for a six-date Florida tour starting this week, complete with this Tampa show featuring a rare live set from one of the Bay area’s most dynamic indie-rock outfits, Brother Cephus, and a resurgent production

duo, Alien House. Read a Q&A with Tonstartssbandht (pronounced “tahn-startsbandit”) via cltampa.com/music. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)—Matthew Moyer

SUN 10

C Listen Up Film Series: “Little Satchmo” + Q&A with Sharon PrestonFolta Et Cultura co-founder Lea Umberger recently produced a film along with Sharon Preston-Folta, the only (and secret) child of jazz pioneer Louis Armstrong who more or less hid his kid from the world. A press release for “Little Satchmo” says that the film “seeks to correct a historical narrative that has foundered in caricature for too long while exploring the impact of a father and child relationship at the heart of self identity and understanding legacy,” and PrestonFolta herself will participate in a Q&A with Umberger after the film screens at this local indie movie house. (Green Light Cinema, St. Petersburg) MØ w/TeZaTalks Having just got home from touring with Imagine Dragons, Danish performer Karen Marie Aagaard Ørsted Andersen (aka MØ) is ready to head out on her own headlining run including this third date on her U.S. outing. The 33-year-old already has a new

Hillsong United w/Chris Tomlin Praise the lawd. Chris Tomlin is turning 50 this year, and is still writing those musical love letters to Jesus. During lockdown, he released Chris Tomlin & Friends, a new album featuring an all-star lineup of country and Christian musicians including Lady A, Thomas Rhett, and Florida Georgia Line. His new tour doesn’t have an all-star lineup big enough to fill, say, Raymond James Stadium, but it doesn’t hurt that he’s closing for Hillsong United—a church the New York Times says “has lost nine of its 16 American church campuses” in the last three weeks after both a highprofile pastor and the church’s founder were caught in scandals. There aren’t any vaccine requirements for entry, but you should have it by now anyway. It was a gift from God, you know. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)

WED 13

Jerry Cantrell w/Lola Colette Can’t wait for Alice In Chains’ stop at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre this fall? You’ve still got a few months left to wait, but in the meantime, the band’s creative force—lyrically speaking—Jerry Cantrell is promoting new music of his own. His third solo album Brighten came out last fall, and most likely in an effort to get his voice and hands ready for the Chains tour, the 56-year-old is hitting the road on his own, performing new tunes and the ones that put him on the map in the first place. Breaking Benjamin and Bush won’t be present, but Lola Colette—who did piano work for the “Guardians of the Galaxy” soundtracks in her teens—does warm up the crowd with her own singer-songwriter work.

(Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

DAILY HAPPY HOUR!11AM-6PM

$3 YUENGLING & BUD LIGHT DRAFTS $4 WELL DRINKS / $5 CALL DRINKS & HOUSE WINE

FRIDAY 4/8

SATURDAY 4/9

Jonathan Di Renzo

HOT ROD HORNETS

LIVE MUSIC • 7-10PM

SUNDAYS

LIVE EVERY TUESDAY MUSIC W/ Matt PlaistED 6-9PM LIVE MUSIC • 7-10PM

BLOODY MARYS, MIMOSAS OR SANGRIA

471 MAIN STREET, DUNEDIN FL • 727-736-2BBQ (2227) • THEDUNEDINSMOKEHOUSE.COM

R E S TAU R A N T | BA R | M U S I C V E N U E | P R I VAT E EV E N T S

EST. 1995

ATTENTION MUSICIANS, DJ’S, BANDS, RECORDING ARTISTS

BENZ-MUSIC a division of BENZ TALENT AGENCY IS NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR MUSIC (ALL STYLES AND GENRES) FOR AGENCY REPRESENTATION CONSIDERATION. BENZ-MUSIC REPRESENTS MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS FOR LIVE BOOKING, SESSION WORK, SYNC-LICENSING AND BRAND EXPANSION.

810 SKAGWAY AVE | TAMPA

LOCATED NEAR BUSCH & NEBRASKA

813.304.0460 | newworldtampa.com | OPEN TUE-SUN

4.7

LAUGH LAB COMEDY OPEN MIC

FRI

JAMIE McELMAN & STEVE PRINCE

FRI

4.8

4.9 SUN

4.10 TUE

4.12 WED

4.13

Sa 4.16 MAK / Pandapaws Blonde Gentlemen Youth Antics Sa 4.16 Andy Dale Petty

SINGER-SONGWRITER

7:30-9:30 | FREE | BIERGARTEN

BIERGARTEN

ALEX BORST

GAZODERA LATIN DANCE DOORS 8:30 DANCE WORKSHOP 9 DANCE SOCIAL 10-2 $ 10 ADV | $12 DOOR

SINGER-SONGWRITER 7:30-9:30 | FREE

ROB OSENTON 5:30-7:30 | FREE | BIERGARTEN

SINGER-SONGWRITER

C

PLEASE SUBMIT EPK’S & DEMOS USING WWW.WETRANSFER.COM TO : SHAWN@BENZTALENT.COM

F 4.15 Pangaea Steel Pan

8:30-10 | FREE | MUSIC HALL

MUSIC HALL

SAT

UPCOMING SHOWS

L

O

S

E

D

M

MUSIC HALL

O

N

20% OFF FOOD • DRINK SPECIALS RETRO BOARD GAMES • LIVE MUSIC

PAUL FM 7-9 | FREE

BOARDS SET @ 6 | BAGS FLY @ 7

PREREGISTER VIA SCOREHOLIO B

Q

U

S

S

HOSPITALITY NIGHT

TAMPA HOUSE OF CORNHOLE INDOOR CORNHOLE B

D A Y

BIERGARTEN

T

I

C

MATTHEW McCARTNEY 6:30-8:30 | FREE | BIERGARTEN

FOLK / AMERICANA

W 4.20 Wicked Weed Brewing F 4.22 Guianna Sa 4.23 Latin Alternative Night w/ Isha of WMNF’s LatinX Sa 4.23 Secret Stash Su 4.24 Sam Williams F 4.29 Deb Ruby

Sa 4.30 WMNF 88.5 PRESENTS WHEN DOVES CRY Tribute To Prince Su 5.1 Cormac Kavanagh

W 5.4 Pamela Jo Band Th 5.5 Laugh Lab COMEDY W 5.11 WMNF Surface Noise Live w/ DJ Lounge Laura Taylor BOLD shows are in the Music Hall

more info at newworldtampa.com

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 47

Dust of your velour plus the vintage Geoffrey Beene and James Galanos sitting in your closet because the Freestyle Explosion tour is coming back to Tampa this summer, with ‘80s hitmakers like Lisa Lisa and Stevie B. in tow.

Tickets to the Freestyle Explosion Throwback Jam at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Friday, Aug. 12 go on sale Friday, April 8 and start at $39.50.

PHIL DESIMONE

Other Explosion staples on the bill include TKA K7 (“Maria,” “ Louder Than Love”), Lil Suzy (“Take Me In Your Arms,” “Promise Me”) and Brenda K Starr (“I Still Believe”). Also on the bill is The Cover Girls whose “Show Me” and “Because of You” were radio staples. Hip-hop fans will be happy to see “Rappers Delight” group Sugar Hill Gang on the bill along with California “Supersonic” rappers J.J. Fad. See the full Freestyle Explosion lineup via cltampa.com/music and peep Josh Bradley’s roundup of new concert announcements below.—Ray Roa David Amram Friday, April 8. 8 p.m. $20$50. Palladium at St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg Shy Carter w/Tiera Kennedy Friday, April 8. 7 p.m. Free general admission, $50-$80 VIP. OCC Road House and Museum, Clearwater Clearwater Jazz Holiday Collective feat.

La Lucha/James Suggs/Belinda Womack/ Fred Johnson/Young Lions: The Next Generation Saturday, April 9. 6 p.m. $50 & up.

Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo Tyler Booth w/Crawford & Power Saturday, April 9. 7 p.m. Free general admission, $50-$80 VIP. OCC Road House and Museum, Clearwater TeZaTalks (opening for MØ) Sunday, Apr. 10. 7 p.m. $24.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Kateri and James Thursday, April 14. 6 p.m. Free. Hooch and Hive, Tampa Evan French Friday, April 15. 6:30 p.m.

Free. Studio Public House, St. Petersburg Shamarr Allen w/Synergy In A Cup Friday, April 15. 8 p.m. $12. Hooch and Hive, Tampa Sweet Lizzy Project Friday, April 22. 8 p.m. $20-$30. The Attic at Rock Brothers, Tampa Crystal Bowersox Saturday, April 23. 8 p.m. $35-$55. The Attic at Rock Brothers, Tampa Ukulele Fest in the District feat. The Birdwatchers/Steve and Amanda Boisen Saturday, April 23. 6:30 p.m. Free.

Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, Clearwater Tone Loc w/Tag Team Wednesday, April 27. 7:30 p.m. $24.50. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

48 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

Mike Mass (album release) w/DJ Casper/Peace Cult/T.R.U.E./Shyheim Nwadiei/Lilith/In’telleq Friday, April 29. 8 p.m. $12. Hooch and Hive, Tampa Wavedash Friday, April 29. 10 p.m. $10 for guaranteed admission, or free w/RSVP before 11pm. The Ritz, Ybor City Smokepurpp w/Richie Wess/Yung Dred Friday, May 6. 10 p.m. $15. The Ritz, Ybor City The Offspring w/Radkey Friday, May 6.

8 p.m. $50 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa Bad Luck/Dollar Signs/Taking Meds Monday, May 9. 7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City Claire Vandiver w/TBA Friday, May 13. 8 p.m. $10. Hooch and Hive, Tampa Five For Fighting Friday, May 13. 8 p.m. $39.50-$59.50. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater Sunset Music Festival feat. Skrillex/ Gryffin/Duke Dumont/LP Giobbi/Dillon Francis/Malaa/Pauline Herr (DJ Set)/ Chris Lorenzo/Dabin/Bonnie x Clyde/ more Friday-Sunday, May 27-29. $199.95 & up. Raymond James Stadium Grounds, Tampa Destroy Boys w/Scowl Saturday, June 11.

7 p.m. $16-$20. Orpheum, Ybor City As I Lay Dying w/Whitechapel/Shadow Of Intent/Ov Sulfur Sunday, June 19. 6 p.m. $25.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Collie Buddz w/Iya Terra/Sierra Lane/ The Intracoastals Thursday, June 23. 6 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg LeAnn Rimes Friday, June 24. 8 p.m. $53$103. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST FRIED CHICKEN 3 YEARS IN A ROW! Celebrating 23 years in Downtown Dunedin. ~ Asi es la Vida! ~

KingOfTheCoop.com

Expanded bar, additional seating and small gift shop.

365 Main St • Dunedin • 727-734-9226 • www.CasaTinas.com

DINE IN • PICK UP • CURBSIDE

HAPPY HOUR IN THE BAR AREA TUESDAY-SUNDAY 5-7 WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY HALF OFF SELECT BOTTLES • DAILY HANDMADE PASTA AND BREAD • FRESH LOCALLY-SOURCED PRODUCE AND SEAFOOD • VEGAN CHICKEN PARM AND VEGAN PIZZAS WE ARE CLOSED ON MONDAYS.

7 1 8 S O U T H H O W A R D A V E N U E , TA M P A | 8 1 3 . 5 1 2 . 3 0 3 0 | A V ATA M P A . C O M cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 49

50 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

Move along

By Caroline DeBruhl

Dear Oracle, I’m wondering when I’ll be financially free. I’ve been carrying around my student debt for 10 years. It’s a modest amount, but it’s still there, and now with three kids (my partner’s from their first marriage, but we have full custody) and a new mortgage, I can’t tell if I’ll still be in debt in 10 years when the oldest starts college. Do the cards show anything for my financial future?—Money Matters Cards: The Lovers, Ace of Wands reversed, Nine of Swords reversed, The Star Dear Money Honey, first, I’m so sorry that you have this yoke of student debt. As a millennial who has both attended and worked in higher ed, I’ve seen firsthand how predatory student loan practices can be, how financial aid from the state/national government has dried up, and have watched my generation become crippled with a debt that, for many, will never be paid off. It’s a terrible burden, and I’m sorry that you’re going through it.

The minor arcana here speaks to that feeling of being trapped. The Nine of Swords is a card filled with anxiety and feeling pinned down, while the growth that the Ace of Wands promises is at a standstill. It wouldn’t surprise me if that “growth” is financial, and if you have three kids you’d like to send to college, that economic standstill can feel like a cycle that’s doomed to repeat.

But we have two major arcana here that offer a lot of promise. With The Lovers card, I’m wondering if your partner is able to help you pay down some of that debt. If you don’t already, I’d strongly encourage you both to speak candidly with each other about your finances and meet with a financial advisor who can talk to you about this debt. There might be a way to consolidate it or refinance it to offer you some breathing room.

I don’t know if you’ll be able to pay everything off in 10 years, but I think there will be a shift, and this will not feel so much like a burden in the future. The Star is an interesting card because it’s often about the balance between the outer world and the inner. The idea of balance here could be financial; it could mean paying off what is reasonable for you and your family and accepting that the debt might not go away.

I won’t tell you to just “stop worrying” about your debt because that would be condescending, unhelpful, and particularly hypocritical of me.

Still, The Star suggests moving towards a state of harmony—be it financial or mental. If you’re able to, you might find it helpful to speak with a therapist who specializes in financial anxiety.

Again, I’m sorry that you’re dealing with this. Hopefully, speaking with financial experts will help you move towards that feeling of harmony. Take care and best of luck.

Dear Oracle, I’m a bartender here in Tampa but recently got offered a job in Las Vegas. It would be more money and a completely different scene, but I don’t know if I should take it or not. It would be starting completely over. What do the cards think?—Move Along Stay: Two of Pentacle, Full Moon, Ten of Swords reversed Go: Seven of Cups reversed, Three of Pentacles reversed, Four of Cups Dear Move Along, to answer this question, I have to ask

first step in developing your art, with a feeling of camaraderie to boot.

Staying here also has some “ups and downs.”

The Two of Pentacles is a lovely, balancing card, with you finding harmony in your work. Your current job might offer you a work/ life balance that is healthy for you. But we also have the Ten of Swords, which can flood us with thoughts of jealousy, rage, persecution, or just general impending doom and crisis, all while that full moon amplifies everything (which, you know, might undercut that nice healthy balance from the Two of Pentacles).

So. Both options might be a bit of a “mixed bag.”

I think it’s worth considering why you want to move someplace to “completely start over.”

It’s tempting to believe that a new

city will offer a new life, and while that might happen on a superficial level, you still show up wherever you are. This new job in Vegas might help you grow your career as a bartender, and in this economy, a move to make more money is entirely understandable.

But, if you have some issues lurking in your mind here in Tampa, they’ll still be there in Vegas. Vegas might offer a multitude of ways to escape those intrusive thoughts, but they won’t disappear, and that feeling of being unsatisfied will stick around.

I’d encourage you to talk to someone you feel comfortable confiding in, be it a therapist or a friend, and talk about what might lurk in your mind’s dark corners. Then, if there are issues, you might be able to see other paths forward.

Who knows? You might still consider a cross-country move or even a career change, but at least you’ll be going towards something opposed to running away. And if I’m wrong, I’m wrong. Vegas might be fabulous and if you feel that’s the right decision, go forth.

I hope whatever you decide brings you a sense of peace.

Best of luck!

ORACLE OF YBOR

another: how are you around a lot of drugs and booze? Take a passing interest in it? Have an addictive nature?

Because Vegas seems to be a trickier option, with the plethora of bad opportunities mixed with the good (Seven of Cups reversed), and there’s a chance you might feel deeply disillusioned, depressed, and indulge your whims (Four of Cups.) But, Vegas could also be a place where you become a great bartender. The Three of Coins is an exciting

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 51

After t h g i N e t a L 1 mpa’s #

Party

E V I L s U Watch .com e v i L 1 0 0 2 M Ta

PARTY TILL 6A

with over

s r e n i a t r e t n E 300 Hottest

Voted Best Of The Bay

#1 NUDE CLUB IN TAMPA BAY

www.Botava.Life COME IN FOR A:

FREE FREE Kava/Kratom TEA KRATOM Powder Oz. of

OUNCES $5 • KILOS $99 • MON-SUN 12-8pm

177 9TH ST N ST. PETERSBURG

52 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

727.851.6774

1616 GULF TO BAY BLVD CLEARWATER

Entrance exam

By Dan Savage

SAVAGE LOVE

Here is my conundrum. I have no way of knowing for sure if both situations were out of her control (her bad day, her seizure) and she’s too embarrassed to answer my texts right now

Send letters to questions@savagelove.net.

Listen to the Savage Lovecast and follow @ FakeDanSavage on Twitter. Get columns, podcasts, books, merch and more at savage.love.

NE

W

N TO

“Vulvodynia, or pain in the vulva, is unfortunately very common, and it sucks,” said Dr. Rachel Gelman, a clinician, pelvic floor specialist, and author based in San Francisco. “But there are a variety of treatment options and providers that could help LABIA out.”

Dr. Gelman says it’s good that you’ve already had infection ruled out as a possible cause. But there are lots of other things that could be going on—nerve irritation, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, something genetic—and she urges you not to give up until you find an answer.

And while Dr. Gelman is too polite to say it, I’m an asshole, so I’m just gonna blurt it out: it’s shocking that not one of the gynecologists you consulted referred you to a pelvic floor specialist.

“The muscles inside the pelvis, aka the ‘pelvic floor,’ and the surrounding musculature can contribute to or cause the pain LABIA is describing,” said Dr. Gelman. “Just like tight muscles in the neck can cause pain in the shoulder, arm, or jaw, a tight muscle inside the pelvic floor can cause pain at the opening of the vagina.

A pelvic floor physical therapist, like myself, would be able to assess and treat this kind of muscle dysfunction, which would decrease LABIA’s symptoms and get her back to enjoying sex again.”

But don’t stop at just getting a referral to a pelvic floor specialist. “Due to the fact that so many systems live inside the pelvis which impact the vulva, several specialists may be needed to investigate and treat the potential causes of LABIA’s pain,” said Dr. Gelman. So, in addition to seeing a pelvic floor specialist, Dr. Gelman recommends you consult with a vulvar specialist. (You can find a list of vulvar specialists at the website of the National Vulvodynia Association: go to nva.org, and click on the link to its “health care provider list.”)

“A vulvar specialist would be able to perform appropriate tests to tease out what is going on

I’m a young gay man who needs to break up with his boyfriend. I know it, my friends all agree, I even think it’s what he wants. I’ll spare you the messy details. I just need a push. Maybe if you tell me to, Dan, I’ll do it.—Just Another Word Marry him.

I’m a man in his 30s in Boston. I just got ghosted and want some advice on how to handle it. I matched with a woman online, also in her 30s, and the conversation seemed good and we agreed to meet for a drink. On the day of our planned date, I get a text saying, “Hey, I’m having a really bad day and I don’t want that to be your first impression of me, can we reschedule?” That seemed reasonable, so I agreed. Later in the week I asked what she is up to on the weekend. I didn’t get a response until late Sunday: “I thought I replied, I’m so sorry!” I

Hm. The text messages Gertrude sent you were far less interesting—and far less revealing—than the tiny photo of Gertrude at the top of them. The woman in the photo is conventionally attractive (extremely so: thin, toothy, blond, skinny), and she looks more like a teenage girl than a woman in her 30s. (Indeed, a Google image search on the picture didn’t find a match, but all the “very similar images” that came up were of teenage girls.) So, I’m gonna climb out on a very short and very sturdy limb here, BLOCK, and tell you that the person in the photo isn’t the person you’ve been messaging with.

That’s why Gertrude keeps making excuses to call off your dates— increasingly ludicrous excuses.

I mean, take this paramedic nonsense. Dude. If Gertrude was able to hand her phone to a paramedic and ask that paramedic to find one particular guy in her contacts and then send that one particular guy a message canceling a date… then Gertrude was well enough to send you that message herself. And even if sending text messages and canceling dates were services paramedics provided—and they’re not—asking a paramedic to let a date know you’re having a seizure isn’t something a person having a seizure can do because that person is having a seizure.

So, yeah. The problem here is not that Gertrude is too embarrassed to respond to your text messages about finally getting together for that drink, BLOCK, it’s that Gertrude is too non-existent to ever show up for that drink. You most likely won’t hear from her again, but if you do, it’ll be a request for money.

I shouldn’t have to say, “Don’t’ send her money,” but I’m going to say it just in case you’re really as gullible as your letter makes you seem: don’t send her money.

E

beyond what a general gynecologist may look at,” said Dr. Gelman. “And it’s important to note that the tissue around the vaginal opening is highly dependent on hormones to stay happy and healthy. Certain medications or medical conditions can impact hormone levels, which can in turn impact vulvar tissues and lead to pain.

There are also underlying inflammatory conditions that could also be causing this pain.”

And even if you don’t have an underlying mental health or psychological condition, LABIA, the pain you’ve suffered—along with the resulting sexual deprivation—sounds like a lot, and talking about it with someone could help you reconnect more quickly with your ability to take pleasure in this part of your body again.

“The brain is powerful and having vulvar pain or any kind of sexual dysfunction can be mentally draining which can further exacerbate pain,” said Dr. Gelman. “So, a good sex therapist may also be a helpful ally here. Bottom line, vulvar pain is common and typically requires a team of providers—but help is out there.”

Find Dr. Rachel Gelman online at pelvicwellpt.com and via @PelvicHealthSF on Instagram.

or if she stood me up twice in really shitty ways and used a health crisis as an excuse the second time. I would love to hear your feedback. I have enclosed screenshots of our text messages for your review.—Blatant Lies Or Constant Kerfuffles

JO

I am a 29-year-old woman and I have a problem when I have sex or masturbate. I always feel an annoying pain, a stinging sensation in my vulva, at the entrance of the vagina, that does not allow me to enjoy it, as the pain is too overwhelming. Unfortunately, this situation has led me to avoid having sex or masturbating in order not to feel that pain. I have consulted several gynecologists, but no anomaly or infection of any kind has been found. With the last doctor we also talked about a possible psychological component but, apparently, even on this level everything seems normal. Do you or an expert have advice for someone with a problem like mine?—Lost And Baffled Inside America

took her at her word that it was a mistake, and we rescheduled drinks. The afternoon before our rescheduled date for drinks, I texted to confirm where and when we were meeting. We agreed to meet at 7 p.m.. At 6:40 p.m., I got a text from her number: “This is Boston EMS. Gertrude wanted us to let you know she won’t make it to the date.”

I responded promptly, asking the paramedic what happened and if Gertrude (not her real name) was alright, and the paramedic replied that she was fine and actually more worried about me than herself. In the evening I get a text from Gertrude saying, “OMG! I’m so embarrassed! I’m so sorry!”

She explained she had a seizure. I texted her the following day to ask how she’s feeling, but received no answer.

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 53

creative loafing puzzler 63 Small spasm 64 Junkman portrayer 65 A cop’s life?

ACROSS 69 This will hurt Fanged friend of 72 “Fine” the pharaoh 73 Elizabeth of Popular beer, St. cosmetics ___ Girl 74 Work Navy outfit 78 Big Red, once Navy outfit wearer: 79 Band of 8 abbr.

81 Jett Rink’s find in With 22 Across, Giant regular use of 82 Where Melbourne deodorant? is: abbr.

Maker of Pong 83 “I see!”

Vacation city 84 Romantically See 17 Across preoccupied Little bit 86 Impatient art Part of AFB dealer’s words?

“Up and ___!”

90 It’s money, to ___ kwon do many Oilman Pickens Jonathan Swift-like 91 Farm buildings 92 Herb drink Equine pickup 93 Applications line?

94 Mr. Dailey Wd. for Roget 95 Moisturizer Oft-toasted ingredient sandwich 96 Huge ref. work In real time TV oldie, Mayberry 97 Rural parents 99 America’s foreign ___ trade slogan?

Pedigree rival Where the buoys 103 Classifieds 107 Ohio city are 108 Gave 40 Across to To smoke, on 109 Upstairs worker Aeromexico 110 Maui memento ___ off (angry) Singer Madonna 111 Biblical teacher of Samuel when she was 112 Practice sessions pregnant? for walking on Whirlpool water?

Needlefish 118 Relatives It’s too long to even think about 119 Final tally 120 Nickname for Judge Lance Kevorkian?

Congress’s 121 Beltway abbr. channel Answer to “Do you 122 Religious divisions like Jerry Lewis?” 123 Lorna ___ Freeway entrance 124 Palais denizen Extraterrestrial, e.g.

SORRY, WRONG LETTER! (3)

by Merl Reagle

1 4 9 14 17 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 30 32 36 37 38 39 40 43 44 45 47 51 53 54 55 56 58 59 61

1

2

3

17

4

5

6

7

DOWN 1 Open areas within buildings 2 Funny Martin 3 Stroke 4 Fruit carbohydrate 5 Room at the top 6 Individual product 7 Mr. Durocher 8 Dylan tune, “___ A Pity” 9 Schwarz of toys 10 Illumination: abbr.

11 Place for a plug 12 A Muse 13 Ed Wood director 14 Star Wars character 15 Supremes first name 16 Fashion figure 18 Bushed 19 Hot tub alternatives 22 Mates of 97 Across 23 Put a new header on (a piece of copy) 29 Bid 31 “The heat ___” 32 Piano, to Mozart 33 Ape 34 Northwestern University city 35 “Quit ___ stallin’!”

37 Mr. Kingsley 40 Jason’s ship 41 Interest transaction 42 Siamese sound 43 Mama’s boy 44 They have the best seats 46 Un et un 48 Not-for-sale copy 49 “There’s ___ like home” 50 “___ far, far better thing ...”

51 Fluid-filled cavity in a cell’s cytoplasm 8

18

9

19

22 26

30

41

70 71 75 76 77 79 80 82 85 87 88 89 91

PUZZLE FANS !

For info on Merl's Sunday crossword anthologies, visit www.sunday crosswords.com.

Solution to Happy Haunting Ground R E D I S C O V E R E D

I L O V E A P A R A D E

N A S H

O H N O

M I N I A T U R E C A R

T E A P A S E R E X T T OY

10

E T T E

R S T E S H B I GE S AG EMO MO I L E NC E I E S H C T ME K HOU S N E R A L E X I MP A I ME I U S A R T GS S C I A L L N A L I E E N A D E R EME S S T OR E

11

12

R A EM MP I L T E O A S T R E L O A N

J U N T A S D O T H I F S

L A I N T Y E V GA D A N I M I S E S S H ON COS I T S A NG T OB EW S S P S E E N V A E E L E N S

13

53

54

14

78

62

80 86

90 94

112

118

119

121

122

113

75

82

114

105

106

98 104

109

110 117

120 123

77

93 97

116

76

83

103

115

16

89

96

108

111

B A B Y R A T T L E R S

64

88

102

107

S C E N E S T E A L E R

58

92

101

J O H N T R A V O L T A

68

81 87

95

100

A S O U

46

74

91

R E D O

52

63

73

85

15

A N GY R E

29

57

67

79

84

T A R T A R

H O U S E K E Y

39

56

61

72

A L T O S A X E S

T U C R A N S U T P I O S R J O W I N R A V E A X E C Y E AG D E V I T A S A L T

45

66

71

A M U S E

L O C O

51

55

65

F E E T

L E N D S

35

50

60

70

28 34

44

49

S E R

A R I O S E

21

38

43 48

C A T O U T

24

33

37

42

59

54 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | cltampa.com

67 68 69

96 Gray-haired guy, in Britain 97 The ___ d’ 98 Swinger Agassi 99 Quite a while 100 Dallas matriarch 101 Gamblers’ lake 102 See 64 Across 103 Aired 104 “At last I have you ___ myself” 105 City in India 106 Meg Tilly, to Jennifer 109 Brazil’s ___ Grosso 113 Latin abbr.

114 Dis alternative 115 Golfer Ernie 116 Environmental prefix 117 Start of the Lord’s Prayer

20

32

47

99

66

27

31 36

69

62 64

19 Hole marker Hole card Church fundraiser Fade Tallahassee’s Seminoles: abbr.

He had a salty wife Cut out Bills or Bulls, e.g.

Fragonard’s friend “Sorry, I’m booked” 1942 film featuring “White Christmas” Moving vehicles Syngman of Korea Grub Hand protection in the kitchen Pitch 41 Down org.

Last name in astrology ___-kind (unique) Mr. Danson Unseat “Christmas!

Fooey!”

23

25

40

52 57 60 61

124

guy,

ssi

rch ke s

e elf”

e

al

ord’s

S! rl's ord sit

m.

A N GY R E

R E D O

A S O U

S C E N E S T E A L E R

B A B Y R A T T L E R S

6

2

ALL-DAY HAPPY HOUR!

ERS EECHAASEPOFPHAPETPY IZ FRH PUR HOUR DRINKS

WIT

20% OFF TOTAL BILL

ALL DAY for UKE FEST!

7

06

cltampa.com | APRIL 7 - 13, 2022 | 55