Staff Pick Events in Tampa

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This Weekend

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Margarita Wars

Fri., May 17

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

150 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Get Tickets
$65

Festivals, Food & Drink

1 tequila. 2 tequila. 3 tequila... Fri., May 17th, 2024 The James Museum of Western Art 150 Central Ave., St. Pete, FL Your favorite tequila battle is back! Margarita Wars is a unique opportunity to sample margaritas created by over 21 of the Tampa Bay area's best mixologists and try your hand at tipsy judging as YOU help award Tampa Bay’s Ultimate Margarita! Plus, live entertainment, Mexican-inspired hors d'oeuvres, and other fun surprises. Ticket perk alert! New this year, all VIP & DD ticket holders will get to view the beautiful James Museum of Western Art's galleries from 6:00pm to… 727-892-4200
Mo Lowda & The Humble w/The Bright Light Social Hour

Fri., April 19, 7 p.m.

Floridian Social

687 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Get Tickets
$18-$26

Live Music

The Philadelphia-based indie-rock outfit just played Denver’s Ogden Theatre for what turned out to be its biggest-ever headlining show. 727-322-4600
Dalí & the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas & More

Through April 28

The Dalí Museum

1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg St. Pete

Get Tickets
Included in the price of general admission

Museums, Visual Art

"Dalí & the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas & More" explores Salvador Dalí’s most important early influencers. To demonstrate the range and depth of Dalí’s engagement with the Impressionist movement, this exhibition presents 18 of Dalí’s early paintings in conjunction with a diverse selection of 22 French Impressionist paintings by 18 artists from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, one of the preeminent collections of French Impressionism in the U.S. Many of the pieces on display will be on view for the first time in the state of Florida, offering a rare opportunity to view these French Impressionist masterpieces. Extended Hours… 7276234777
Nollywood Dreams

Fridays, Saturdays, 7 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, 2 p.m., Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Thursdays, 7 p.m. and Fri., May 10, 7 p.m. Continues through May 9

Freefall Theatre

6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg St. Pete

Get Tickets
$25-$45

Theater

The recent unveiling of Oscar nominations reminded us how silly Hollywood is, and this work from Jocelyn Bioh helps throw a little more shade on tinseltown. Two sisters dream of finding success in the Nigerian film industry in this heartfelt romantic comedy set in the early-’90s when Nollywood was still cutting its teeth. (727) 498-5205
'The Skinny' on WMNF 88.5-FM

Fridays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Free

Civics

A nhour-long news radio show airing Fridays from 11 .m.-noon on WMNF Tampa 88.5-FM. Florida Phoenix reporter Mich Perry will be joined weekly by author and journalist Ben Montgomery plus CL’s Ray Roa, with appearances from guests who’ll discuss the news of the week.
Movies at Screen Door Microcinema

Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.

Screen Door Microcinema

1624 E 7th Ave., Tampa Ybor City

$8

Film

The 800-square-foot microcinema holds 38 seats, has theater quality sound and screen, Super 8-mm, 35-mm, and 16-mm projectors, and a vast collection of films. A large bulk of the cinema’s equipment was graciously loaned by the University of Tampa’s Department of Film, Animation, and New Media (FMX). Visit the website to see the schedule.
Record Store Day 2024 at Daddy Kool

Sat., April 20, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Daddy Kool Records

800 28th St S, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Free

Live Music, Food & Drink, Market, Festivals

St. Petersburg’s Daddy Kool Records throws down a humdinger of a day that features some of the best bands in the Bay area—including soulful pop-rock crooner Kristopher James, harp-drum based jazz trio Katara, and Billy Summer’s latest rock and roll extravaganza, Florida—plus a homecoming set from Colemine Records’ signee, songwriter Kendra Morris.
Record Store Day 2024 at Bananas Records: They Hate Change w/The Pilot Waves/more

Sat., April 20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Bananas Records

2887 22nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Free

Live Music, Festivals

This weekend, St. Petersburg gets a chance to reconnect with Vaughn and Dre when They Hate Change tops the lineup for Bananas Records’ Record Store Day party, which also features sets by indie-pop band Glass House Point, rock outfit The Pilot Waves, songwriter Mwiza Simfukwe, and more. 727-327-4616 Ext 1
Ecofest 2024

Sat., April 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Museum of Science and Industry

4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa Tampa

Free

Festivals

This weekend, the City of Tampa is once again giving away trees during Saturday’s Eco-Fest at the Museum of Science and Industry. The giveaway comes a year after Mayor Castor announced plans to plant 30,000 new trees by 2030. 8139876000
The Venus w/Spoiled Rat/Radaghast/Lil Jerry Springer

Sat., April 20, 6 p.m.

Bandit Coffee Co.

2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg St. Pete

Free

Live Music, Food & Drink

Downtown St. Pete’s Bandit Coffee Co. is rarely open past 3 p.m., let alone hosting a night of live music, so this 4/20 gig featuring a healthy spread of Burg-based talent is not one to miss.
Eric Jafet w/Pilot Jonezz/He Kindly/Sorry Barb/Falling In Place

Sat., April 20, 6 p.m.

Hooch & Hive

1001 W Cass St, Tampa Hillsborough County

Get Tickets
$12-$15

Live Music

Big ass rock and roll riffs a la Sheer Mag are the hallmark of “Toxic Relationship,” the opening track on Eric Jafet’s 2023 album, Destroy. 4022492487
'It's All Good' w/Jayda Abello/They Hate Change/Club Miata

Sat., April 20, 10 p.m.

The Bends

919 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Free

DJ & Dance

To close out Record Store Day 2024, St. Petersburg DJ Jayda Abello, along with Tampa rap duo They Hate Change and party collective Club Miata spin nothing but vinyl while Elsewhere Records stages a pop-up shop at the Sunshine City's swankiest dive. (727) 202-8931
Keel Farms Blueberry Festival 2024

Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Continues through April 21

Keel Farms

5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City East Hillsborough

Free

Family and Kid Events, Food & Drink, Festivals

The 25-acre, family-friendly farm, brewery and winemaker offers U-pick options, plus live music, kid’s activities, vendors, a petting zoo and more. No cover, but parking is $10. 813-752-9100
'An Unflinching Look: Elegy for Wetlands' w/Benjamin Dimmitt

Sun., April 21, 4 p.m.

Oxford Exchange

420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa Tampa

Get Tickets
$5-$34.95

Literary

“An Unflinching Look” is indeed an elegy–a lamentation of all that Florida, and indeed the world’s coastal communities, have lost due to climate change. But it is also a call to action. Dimmitt maintains that there is still hope for Florida, “but only if global communities at the highest levels reduce carbon emissions,” he said in a Q & A.To celebrate the lead-up to Earth Day, Oxford Exchange will host Benjamin Dimmitt for a talk and book signing. Copies of “An Unflinching Look” will be for sale at the bookstore. (813) 253-0222
Ol' Dirty Sundays

Sundays, 9 p.m.

Crowbar - Tampa

1812 17th Street North, Tampa Tampa

$5

DJ & Dance, Live Music

Ybor City's longest-running and foremost hip-hop, soul, funk and reggae weekly featuring residents DJ Casper and DJ Fader holding it down in the Crowbar courtyard where Clam Master Jay mans the grill while local artists, clothiers and B-boys add to the ambience. Yes, Mos Def and Talib Kweli did a pop up Blackstar performance year back in the day, so don't be surprised when a special guest pops up out of nowhere. (813) 241-8600
Simon Lasky Group

Mon., April 22, 8 p.m.

New Tampa Performing Arts Center

8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa North Hillsborough

Get Tickets
$15

Live Music

It’s been six years since British pianist, composer and educator Simon Lasky released a new body of work, so there’s been tons of excitement surrounding his newly-dropped album For the Dreamers. (813) 829-2760
97X Under Play: Knox w/Nightbreakers

Thu., April 25, 7 p.m.

Floridian Social

687 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Free

Live Music

Tickets to the 97X Under Play featuring Knox on Thursday, April 25 at St. Petersburg’s Floridian Social are free, but you have to win them or pick one up at a ticket drop. 727-322-4600
Our Town

Fridays, 8 p.m., Saturdays, 3 p.m., Sundays, 3 p.m. and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Continues through May 11

Stageworks Theatre

1120 E Kennedy Blvd., Suite 151, Tampa Tampa

Get Tickets
$45

Theater

Downtown Tampa turns into Grover’s Corners when Stageworks performs a multicultural, multilingual (with supertitles) version of Thornton Wilder’s iconic, 1930s Pulitzer-winning three-act play about life in small-town America. 813-374-2416
Floridania Fest

Sat., April 27, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Historic Gulfport Casino

5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport Gulfport

$5

Festivals, Market

This year Floridania Fest hosts 27 vendors selling and swapping funky Florida memorabilia like postcards, snow globes, ashtrays and other items. Whether you’re attending just to look around or get ahead on gift-buying for your grandma with the beach-themed bathroom, there are plenty of treasures to check out. Kids 14 and under get in free.—Suz Townsend/b> (727) 893-1070
'Taste' 2024

Sat., April 27, 6 p.m.

Multiple Locations

Get Tickets
$95 & up

Food & Drink, Festivals, Live Music

There are over 40 participating restaurants including Tampa favorites like Besito Mexican and The Dan, as well as craft brew staples like 3 Daughters, Tampa Bay Brewing Company and others. Not a beer fan? No worries, craft cocktails and NA beverages will also be pouring.
The Kids Are Alright: Girls Rock St. Pete Youth Open Mic

Sun., Oct. 29, 4 p.m.

The Chattaway

358 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Free

Live Music, Family and Kid Events

Once a year, the public gets to see the fruits of Girls Rock Camp’s labor when the camp stages its showcase at Jannus Live, but the confidence game doesn’t sleep. For this bi-monthly open mic series, the nonprofit welcomes youth 18 and under to a storied St. Pete restaurant to sing, dance, do comedy, improvise, and just perform. It’s a chance for kids to amplify their voices, and an opportunity for the community to support one of its tried and true local institutions. There’s a sign-up sheet available via GRC’s Facebook page, and know that the Chattaway is cash only… 727.823.1594
Melody Artisans of the Crooked Thumb

Every other Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Crooked Thumb Brewery

555 10th Ave. S, Safety Harbor Pinellas County

Free

Live Music

A now seven-years running open mic style songwriters night where Josh Reilly invites artists from across the country to not only write a new song based on a prompt, but perform it in the brewery courtyard. (727) 724-5953
Rock the Park Tampa

First Thursday of every month, 6:30-9:45 p.m.

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa Tampa

Free

Live Music

Downtown Tampa's 13-year-old free, family and pet-friendly showcase of the Bay area's best homegrown musicians, taking place the first Thursday of every month at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (with the occasional detour to Water Works Park when a special event takes over The Curt). (813) 274-8615
Waxahatchee w/Good Morning

Fri., May 3, 7 p.m.

Jannus Live

200 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Get Tickets
$27 & up

Live Music

Waxahatchee’s new album, Tigers Blood, is due March 22, and is the follow up to the band’s acclaimed 2020 album, Saint Cloud, which was released at the height of the pandemic and became something of a warm blanket for a country forced to stay away from their community. (727) 565-0550
Live & Local on the Tampa Riverwalk

First Friday of every month

Riverwalk stage at David A. Straz Center

1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa Tampa

Free

Live Music

Weather permitting, one of downtown Tampa's best curated free live, local music series, happening outside the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
Kurt Vile

Wed., May 8, 7 p.m.

Jannus Live

200 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Get Tickets
$29.50

Live Music

Vile—ranked no. 215 on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Guitarists of All-Time—was last in the Bay area seven years ago when he turned in a 90-minute guitar clinic in Ybor City. (727) 565-0550
Sting w/The Florida Orchestra

Thu., May 9, 8 p.m. and Fri., May 10, 8 p.m.

Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater

400 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Get Tickets
$100 & up

Live Music

UPDATE: The March 6 show has sold-out, so TFO added a second show on Friday, May 10.This gala event won't be the first time the King of Pain has performed with the decades-old ensemble. In 2017, under the baton of Michael Francis, he fronted the same exact show, which marked TFO’s 50th anniversary, raising $1.5 million for its free community programs, which, according to a press release, would go toward reaching “people in hospitals, schools, parks, museums and more, as well as artistic initiatives that bring top talent to Tampa Bay stages.” 7273002000
Second Saturday Art Walk

Second Saturday of every month, 5-9 p.m.

Free

Festivals

From 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, the St. Pete Arts Alliance has coordinated a trolley that will connect riders to 40 different venues in a handful of districts as part of its monthly Second Saturday Artwalk. Service starts at stop No. 1 located at 2955 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg.
Chops: A Live Jazz Evening w/Rod Alnord Quartet

Third Wednesday of every month, 8 p.m.

Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe

5119 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa Seminole Heights

Free

Live Music

Hosted by a quartet let by drummer Rod Alnord, which will kick off the night with a 90-minute set before opening up the jam. (813) 234-1000
Fastball w/FayRoy

Thu., May 16, 7 p.m.

Floridian Social

687 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Get Tickets
$25

Live Music

This show has been rescheduled for May 16.The Austin-based rock band hits downtown St. Pete with a career retrospective, and possibly even a few Patreon-exclusive tracks. A young and handsome staple of the Bay area surf-rock scene, Fayroy, opens the show. 727-322-4600

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