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Image courtesy of HCC Art Galleries

Kandy G Lopez, “Marly & Luis (detail),” yarn and acrylic mesh on canvas, 96 x 60 in, 2022. from Roving, on display at Hillsborough Community College’s Gallery 221 in Tampa, Florida through Feb. 28, 2024.

In Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s Spring Guide 2024, contributor Jennifer Ring visited local theaters that are reevaluating everything and highlighted an upcoming Pinellas arts focus group while the rest of the team previewed the Bay area’s spring theater calendar, ran down the best spring concerts coming to Tampa Bay and compiled this big listing featuring more than 40 arts and entertainment events—including Gasparilla Arts Month—to get on your calendar.

Open now

Carlton Ward Jr: Path of the Panther Featuring the work of Tampeño and National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr., this exhibit not only sheds light on the ongoing work to expand the Florida Wildlife Corridor, but showcases Ward’s work using his hands and camera traps to photograph the elusive Florida Panther (which are still endangered and threatened by the development of housing projects and roads). Ward gives an artist talk on March 7. Through March 17. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $10-$12. Sunday noon-5 p.m. Florida Museum of Photographic Art, 1630 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. fmopa.org

Four Decades: PCCA Faculty and Alumni Exhibition The Pinellas County School District opened PCCA at Gibbs High School’s Arts magnet program in 1984 to help high school students prepare for a career in the arts. Forty years later, the big question is, “Did it help students transition into a career in arts?” The answer is yes and more. Not only did countless PCCA students graduate to successful careers in the arts, but many did so here in Tampa Bay. Art from PCCA’s alumni, infamous and otherwise, covers every inch of the Morean this spring. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through March 28. No cover. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Offset: Robert Rauschenberg At USF Graphicstudio This show at USF Graphicstudio tells the story of Robert Rauschenberg who was one of the first artists Graphicstudio founder Donald J. Saff invited to Graphicstudio in the early-1970s. Rauschenberg left a “tremendous legacy” at USF and beyond, printed on unconventional surfaces—paper bags, cardboard, and gauze—and combined methods in ways that inspired a generation of artists. In addition to the artist’s experimentation across mediums, Rauschenberg’s legacy is explored through the works of artists that recall his radical approach to materials, process, and concepts, including Trisha Brown, Rochelle Feinstein, Christian Marclay, Narsiso Martinez, Bosco Sodi, and Tavares Strachan. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Through March 2. No cover (bring money for parking). Contemporary Art Museum at University of South Florida, 3821 USF Holly Dr., Tampa.

Roving at Gallery221 Roving has two definitions, and this exhibition at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus is part of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, and hits on both. The show features fiber art created by Nneka Jones, Kandy G. Lopez, and Eugene Ofori Agyei, all meant to “examine the psychological and emotional complexities of self-reflection, movement and memory, intertwining our sense of being with the process of becoming.” Through Feb. 28. Mondays-Fridays. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. No cover. Gallery 221 at Hillsborough Community College (2nd floor DLRC). 4001 W Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa. hccfl.edu

January

Effy’s Big Gay Brunch 8 A hot daddy of the independent wrestling circuit is bringing his sweet cheeks to Tampa Bay to do some eatin’. Taylor Gibson—aka Effy—is two-and-a-half years into his Big Gay Brunch series, and he brings the eighth iteration of “wrestling’s gayest event” to Tampa. The 33-year-old Tallahassee-born wrestler with a degree in public relations has over 90,000 followers between Twitch, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and was ranked no. 95 in Pro Wrestling Insider’s ranking of the top 500 wrestlers of 2021. While there’ll be food on the agenda, the main attraction at the brunch is wrastlin’, which focuses on LGBTQ athletes in the indie wrestling world. Saturday, Jan. 27. 12 p.m. $32.32-$69. Egypt Shriners, 5017 E Washington St., Tampa

WWE Royal Rumble and Monday Night Raw One of the best events involving large groups of large people in spandex is finally here. WWE stages the 37th Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Jan. 27 then brings Monday Night Raw to Tampa’s Amalie Arena on Jan. 29. For those who’ve never Rumbled, the main event centers around 30-man and 30-woman Royal Rumble matches, which start with just two wrestlers and add a new one every 90 seconds. The winners of each division will receive a Championship match opportunity at WrestleMania 40, says WWE. It’s been awhile since local wrestling fans have seen a Royal Rumble in person. The event was last in Tampa Bay back in 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, guests were not allowed in attendance. The last time it was in front of a live audience in Tampa Bay was 1995 at the USF SunDome, which is now called the Yuengling Center.

‘Decade of Change: Florida in the 1920s’ and ‘Sharps & Marks in Paradise: Selling Florida in the 1920s’ If you think Tampa’s changed a lot in the last few years, you should see what it did in the 1920s. A temporary exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center explores that decade using more than 100 objects—including underwear worn by the mother of late Tampa Tribune journalist Leland Hawes—plus interactive elements. Music, dance, recreation, housing, prohibition, the Pentecostal religious movements and even Jim Crow are all covered, and as a bonus, the Touchton Map Library has a separate exhibit (“Sharps & Marks in Paradise: Selling Florida in the 1920s”), which explores the Florida land boom that started in south Florida and made its way up through the Tampa Bay area. Whether you’re a newbie or native, both exhibitions will help you deepen your sense of place. Daily through July 14. 10 a.m-5 p.m. $12.95-$16.95. Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St. Tampa

The Roast of Jose Gaspar Jose Gaspar was never even a real person. Yet, for more than a century Tampeños have spent at least one Saturday in January putting aside their inhibitions so they can dress up like pirates, drink too much, do some drugs, and throw plastic beads at people (and into the ocean). Gasparilla is asinine in so many ways, and for this improv show, comedians from across the Bay area will shove a metaphorical cannonball up Gaspar’s ass. Friday, Jan. 26. $10. The Commodore, 811 E 7th Ave., Ybor City

February

Arts Legacy Remix The Straz brings a series of free cultural celebrations to Tampa’s Riverwalk. Jetsetters low on dough can “travel” to the Philippines, India, the Middle East and North Africa without leaving Tampa this spring. February brings a celebration of Filipino culture, including art, fashion, music, and food at “Mabuhay Fiesta – A Celebration of Filipino Culture.” Then in March, the series takes Tampa on a journey across India with music, dance, and visual art. In April it’s MENA’s turn, as the Straz brings Middle Eastern and North African art, music, and dance to the Riverwalk Stage.
Select dates, no cover. Riverwalk Stage a David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa

Dunedin International Film Festival The Sixth Annual Dunedin International Film Festival brings 15 feature films to downtown Dunedin (primarily on Douglas Avenue at House of Beer and Dunedin Brewery’s Moon Tower venue) during the first four days of February. Flicks includes the Dunedin debuts of “Taste of Love” and “RADAR: The Bionic Dog,” both filmed in Pinellas County, on Friday and Saturday nights. Other highlights include a rare scheduled performance from The Witches of Dunedin; several industry workshops; a Saturday-night screening of feature documentary, “Unfiltered: The Truth About Oysters,” starring Apalachicola Bay oysters; a Saturday-night screening of “The Martini Shot,” a feature-length film about confronting one’s mortality starring Matthew Modine and John Cleese; and a red carpet awards ceremony at The Fenway Hotel Sunday night. Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 1-4. $15 & up

Growhouse Rap Slam 3 If the heart of Ybor City’s art scene is now the Kress Collective, then the Growhouse slams are its mouth and attitude. For Rap Slam 3, the writers collective that calls Kress home models its poetry slam format to pit a dozen rappers against each other, all judged by three of the Bay area’s most gifted emcees (Nico Sweet, Perception, Hmtwn). The winner of the three-round elimination-style skills challenge gets a $500 sponsorship from Symphonic Distribution, and guests will get an additional special performance from Charlie G. Thursday, Feb. 1. 8 p.m. $10. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City

Carmada en Ybor Mitzi Gordon’s Carmada celebrates a 10-year anniversary with two Tampa events including this art car show on Seventh Avenue, between 15th and 17th Streets. It’s the same two blocks that host Kress Contemporary, The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Marcolina’s Fine Arts Gallery, and Drip Ybor. With DJ Donnie Luv spinning tunes, it’s an art block party in the making. Saturday Feb. 3, noon-4 p.m. Seventh Avenue, between 15th and 17th Streets

Indie Flea In the realm of hip makers markets, Indie Flea reigns supreme. The homegrown gathering has launched brick-and-mortars for dozens of local artisans and started its 12th season last November. It features three more dates in its homebase of St. Petersburg (at The Factory, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, first Sundays through April 7) and another trio of happenings across the bridge in Ybor City (second Sundays through April 14 on the 1900 block of 7th Avenue). 12 p.m.-4 p.m. No cover

Florida State Fair Besides farm animals, carnival rides, and mildly famous musicians, the other vital pillar of any respectable state fair is big, dumb, (preferably fried) food, and this year’s menu at the Florida State Fair does not disappoint. Once again, the fair is out-doing itself with nearly two dozen, various gut bombs up for grabs, like pickles covered in Pop Rocks, fried Spam grilled cheese, and hot dogs doused in beans and bacon. Feb. 8-19. $7 & up. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S.-Hwy. 301 N, Tampa

St Pete Opera Puccini (“Turnadot,” March 15-19) and Donizetti (“Lucia di LammerMoor,” June 7-11) are on the schedule for St. Pete Opera’s mainstage series, but the action gets started in February when Maestro Sforzini stages two “Opera Scenes” shows (Feb. 8 &10) where the company does scenes from “La Bohème,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Hand of Bridge” performed with just piano.

Tampa Zine Fest St. Petersburg’s zine scene gets a party the next weekend, but fans can get a sneak peek when Print St. Pete joins a list of nearly two dozen vendors for this festival at an underrated Seminole Heights brewery. The food will be on point thanks to Rene’s across the street along with This Little Pig food truck, while Micaela and Anne Mansfield play tunes. Saturday, Feb. 10. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover. Southern Brewing & Winery. 4500 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa

Collard Green Festival A celebration of the leafy vegetable, but also a gathering around community, culture and health. Organized by St. Pete residents that strive to highlight the connection between food, community and African American culture, this festival features over 200 local vendors, a kid-friendly activity zone and collard green samples alongside fitness, cooking and agricultural demonstrations. James Beard award-winning culinary historian Adrian E. Miller aka the “Soul Food Scholar” will also host a live presentation titled “Black Chefs in the White House.” And if you think you make some of the best greens in Tampa Bay, then there’s still plenty of time to sign up for the festival’s cooking competition, where the winner will take home a $500 grand prize and bragging rights. Saturday, Feb. 17. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover. Woodson African American Museum. 2240 9th Ave. S, St. Petersburg

SPZF24: St. Pete Zine Fest and Symposium There aren’t many better feelings than reading something on paper. For four hours in February this festival organized by Print St. Pete celebrates that feeling alongside dozens of independent publishers who’ll set up their comics, zines, books, small presses and more. Nearly all of the St. Pete Zine fest takes place outside at SPC’s Gibbs campus but Dr. Tyler Gillespie will also read poetry in the library. Saturday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover. West Community Library at St. Petersburg College-Gibbs Campus. 6605 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg

Cirque du Soleil: ‘Bazzar’ Tropicana Field is home to some pretty elite athletes this season (read: Major League Baseball leaders the Tampa Bay Rays), but it’ll be home to even more this spring thanks to Cirque du Soleil’s new show. The“Bazzar” shows are the fourth stop on the national tour, and mark the production’s local debut (it world premiered in India in 2018 and toured the Middle East). A press release calls the presentation “a high-energy spectacle of intrepid acrobatics, dynamic stunts and exhilarating performances that pays homage to the entertainment company’s legacy.” In the show, 35 performers—including musicians acrobats, plus gymnasts who practice the traditional Indian sport of Mallakhamb (aerial yoga, on a hanging wooden pole)—work under the direction of a “maestro” who directs the “high-energy excitement, collision of sounds and colors, and meeting place of diverse characters.” Select times Wednesday-Sunday. Feb. 22-March 24. $24 & up. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg

Morean Iconic: Paint St. Pete Edition Local artists are painting in the streets this spring as part of the Morean Art Center’s annual Iconic fundraiser. More than a dozen St. Pete artists, including plein air guru Shawn Dell Joyce, set up at iconic locations throughout St. Pete to paint en plein air during the event. Ticketholders receive a map to locations where they can watch the art unfold from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Later that evening, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m., participants get to see the completed artworks at The Morean Center for Clay and create their own art at a St. Pete-themed Pop-Art Painting Station. Also included in the evening ticket: an auction, an open bar, charcuterie from Lolita’s Wine Market, local food truck entrees, and Nothing Bundt Cakes for dessert. Saturday, Feb. 24. The Morean Center for Clay, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $150 members, $175 nonmembers

Nature Pix Exhibition Creative Pinellas opens 2024 with a solo show featuring technology-inspired works by St. Pete-based artist Mikhail Mansion. Mansion, who is this year’s Creative Pinellas Artist Laureate, is also the mastermind behind the technology that makes Fairgrounds St. Pete hum. Mansio—who’ll be at the opening reception on Feb. 22— literally elevates coding to an art form. Mansion’s Nature Pix aren’t your average landscape photograph or painting. They’re not created by store-bought cameras or paint, but through code and custom-designed electronics. “Code is a creative medium, akin to paint, wood, metal, or glass,” Mansion said in a press release. “Each piece in this exhibition is an embodiment of the software I’ve crafted, expressing a mix of my own values, mixed with live data culled from nature.” Feb. 22-April 21. The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo

Black History Month Reception State Sen. Arthenia Joyner, a Lakelander and civil rights activist, will be joined by Tampa native and fellow civil rights legend Reverend Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. for this celebration recognizing an individual who has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Black history throughout the years. Friday, Feb. 23. 6:30 p.m. $75. Tampa Bay History Center. 801 Water St., Tampa

Napoleon Dynamite Live! Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24. 7:30 p.m. $39 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater
Fiesta Day 2024 For its 77th edition, Ybor City’s big street festival once again brings music, arts, food and more for this family-friendly celebration of the neighborhood’s heritage and culture shaped by Cuban, Italian, German and Spanish families from the past and present. Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. No cover (bring money for food & vendors). Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. 1800 E 9th Ave., Ybor City. ybor.org

Spring Training Last year, more than 1.4 million fans attended Florida Grapefruit League games, and the Bay area should expect a similar crush of snowbird baseball fans when six of the league’s 15 sides—Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays—return to small parks on both sides of the Bay. Games kick off on Saturday, Feb. 24 and wrap a month later on March 26

New Tampa Unplugged: Judy Tampa & Friends There’s a new home for the arts in New Tampa, and it’s built around a 354-seat multipurpose theater that’s part of the 20,000-square-foot facility that aims to give the neighborhood a place to enjoy, celebrate and teach the arts. Backed by Hillsborough County, the New Tampa Performing Arts Center stages plays, cultural events, musicals, film, ballet and more. For this concert in the style of MTV’s long-off-air “Unplugged” series, Judy Tampa plays Americana and cover tune in a cabaret setting. Sunday, Feb. 25. 3 p.m. $13-$15. New Tampa Performing Arts Center. 8550 Hunters Village Rd.,Tampa

Florida Strawberry Festival A day spent at the Strawberry Festival is a rite of passage for any self-respecting Bay area resident, and in 2024 there are 11 chances to do just that. Plant City’s signature export is the main attraction, but the festival also features headlining entertainment, plus agriculture exhibits and shows, parades, marching bands and more. Night owls who want to avoid the biggest crowds should consider doing the “Moonlight Magic” hours between 10 p.m-2 a.m. on March 5-8. Feb. 29-March 10. $5 & up (children under 5 are free). 303 BerryFest Pl., Plant City

March
Carmada Decade Mitzi Gordon’s other show throws it back to Carmada’s beginnings, with an appearance at Gasparilla Arts Festival. The special event includes live art car painting, hands-on activities, and the customary art car show. Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N. Blvd., Tampa

18th annual Taste of South Tampa In addition to both sweet and savory samples from dozens of South Tampa restaurants, this annual foodie event also features live entertainment, chances to win prizes, a beer garden, non-food vendors and scenic views of Hillsborough Bay. Sunday, March 3. $40-$100. Tampa Garden Club. 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa

Franky Panky 2024 Tampa Roller Derby hosts its season opener on Feb. 9, but a collection of teams and clubs from across the south—including Nashville, Jacksonville, West Palm, Atlanta, Baton Rouge and Texas—come to the Bay area in March for 18 bouts across three days. Friday-Sunday, March 8-10. $25 & up. Florida State Fairgrounds. 4800 U.S.-Hwy 301, Tampa

Trashy Treasures Dunedin Fine Arts Center (DFAC), per usual, has a busy spring calendar, Which crescendos for this version of a garage sale that starts to come together when folks drop off art and art supplies on select dates in January and February before its all collected, organized and cataloged for an online auction, “Best of Trashies” party (Friday, March 15) and that main event—a giant garage sale on Saturday, March 16. 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin

Live-Work at Gallery221 Gallery221@HCC meditates on development and the environment through the work of contemporary artists Matthew Anthony Batty, Dakota Parkinson, and Andres Ramirez in “Live-Work,” a play on the popular development phrase, “Live, work, play.” March 18-June 27. Gallery221@HCC, Learning Resources Center, 4001 W Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa

Sugar Sand Festival Clearwater Beach’s signature sand sculpting event returns for its tenth year this April with a walk-through exhibition of artist-made sand sculptures, nightly sunset celebrations, street performers, free sand sculpting classes, live music, fireworks, and more. March 29-April 14. Clearwater Beach

Tampa Pride, Gulfport Peace Love and Pride St. Pete Pride is Tampa Bay’s big gay celebration, but springtime is home to a pair of Bay area Prides including Tampa Pride, with a parade that takes over Ybor City on Saturday, March 23, plus the smaller Gulfport Peace, Love & Pride Festival on Sunday, March 10.

April
St. Petersburg Jazz Festival A festival for the squeaky wheel purists who demand that any jazz festival lineup only feature artists from the genre. David Manson has long curated a sharp celebration of jazz and does it again this year with four nights of concerts featuring big band (Alexis Cole and Ronnie Dee with Helios Jazz Orchestra), Latin jazz (Mauricio Rodriguez), Brazilian sounds (Rafael Pereira & Jose Valentino Ruiz with O Som Do Jazz), swing (Hot Club SRQ), and a set from Austrian pianist Markus Gottschlich. Tuesday-Friday, April 2-5. $25. Various venues, St. Petersburg

56th Annual Dunedin Highland Games & Festival Event organizers promise that 2024’s rendition of the Highland Games & Festival will be “bigger and better,” complete with pipe bands, dancers and heavyweight athletes from around the world. There will also be a variety of Scottish beer and fare available for purchase, in addition to local vendors and other cultural festivities. Saturday, April 6. $20 & up. Highlander Park, 1920 Pinehurst Rd., Dunedin

2nd annual Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival A popular foodie fest returns to hotspots like Water Street Tampa, Hyde Park Village and downtown Tampa, and organizers promise that it will be even bigger and better than 2023’s inaugural event. he five day-long run of “unforgettable foodie events” features a variety of programming from live music, interactive sponsor experiences and culinary demonstrations to its “Grand Tasting” event with samples from dozens of Tampa Bay restaurants and “Chef Showdown” competition featuring celebrity chef Robert Irvine. Tuesday-Saturday, April 9-13. Various locations throughout Tampa

Fresh Squeezed Once a year, Morean Arts Center staff travels the state of Florida looking for the next great Florida artists. After the search, they land on five emerging artists to feature in “Fresh Squeezed,” now in its eighth year. As I write this, the team is already planning their studio visits, considering who to feature in this year’s show, a perennial favorite. April 13-June 26. No cover. The Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg

Also happening

6th Anniversary Fire & Light Celebration: Louis Markoya Saturday, Feb. 3. 6:30 p.m. $40. Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com

12th annual Plant City Planes, Trains, & Automobiles Saturday, Feb. 10. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $7.50-$10 (children under 10 free). Plant City Airport, 4007 Airport Rd., Plant City. mytbaa.org

St. Petersburg Science Festival Saturday, Feb. 10. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No cover (bring money for parking). University of South Florida and Poynter Park, St. Petersburg. stpetescifest.org

Shurti Foundation: East West Music Dance Festival Sunday, Feb. 11. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. No cover. Water Works Park, 1710 N Highland Ave., Tampa. Shrutifoundationtampa.org

The Dalí’s fashion design runway & awards show Saturday, Saturday, Feb. 24. 5:30 p.m. No cover. Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. thedali.org

Water Street Dance Milwaukee Friday, Saturday, Feb. 23-24, 7:30 p.m. Mainstage Theatre at Hillsborough Community College. 1411 E 11th Ave, Ybor City. hccfl.edu

Fairgrounds celebrates ‘Mystical Mermaid Month’ with a new mermaid-themed event every weekend in March Fairgrounds St. Pete. 2606 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg. fairgrounds.art

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