Ponte Tampa

Photo by TBAYtoday

The Juice Shack

• “Crimes of the Heart” | Wednesday, Jan. 25-Sunday, Feb. 5 | 7-9 p.m. | American Stage Theatre Company at Raymond James Theater, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg | $35 | The Pulitzer prize-winning play follows Mississippi sisters through good and bad times.
• Absolute Queen Tribute | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $41.38-$66.10 | Absolute Queen performs all of the legendary band’s huge hits.

• HR-aargh: Pre-Gasparilla Party | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Event Venue, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | Free | Join HR professionals from around Tampa Bay for a pirate themed sunset cruise.
• The Holocaust: From Trauma to Healing | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Barbara Weigen Bergren and Ruth Finkel Wade share their fathers’ stories.

• Bahama Shores Mid-Century Porch Party | Friday, Jan. 27 | 5-8 p.m. | 6311 Bahama Shores Dr., St. Petersburg | $15 | Peek into a mid-century home designed by the same St. Pete architect that designed the Mirror Lake Library.
• Gasparilla Kick-Off Party | Friday, Jan. 27 | 6 p.m. | Pete’s Place, 4145 Henderson Blvd., Tampa | Free | Start the weekend-long Gaspy party with cheap booze and a performance by the Loose Cats.
• Big Band-Swing Dinner/Dance | Friday, Jan. 27 | 6-10 p.m. | Italian Club (Ybor), 1731 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa | $65-$75 | Take a trip back in time to the big band scene.

• Junior League of Tampa Gasparilla Invasion Party | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 9 a.m. | The Junior League of Tampa Headquarters, 87 Columbia Dr., Tampa | $125 | The League’s Davis Islands headquarters hosts breakfast, lunch, an open bar, and invasion viewing.
• Gasparilla Bar Crawl and Brunch | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Park and Rec, 290 S. Meridian Ave., Tampa | $29-$89 | Enjoy five free shots, all the brunch classics, and plenty of pirate garb.
• Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa | Free | Tampa’s swashbuckling signature event features a pirate invasion, a festive flotilla, and a day-long street party.

• 80º | Partly cloudy | 22% chance of rain

• Rise: 7:20 a.m.
• Set: 6:04 p.m.

• High: 4:48 a.m. + 6:20 p.m.
• Low: 11:56 a.m. + 11:44 p.m.

• High: 1:18 a.m. + 2:35 p.m.
• Low: 8:13 a.m. + 8:15 p.m.

• The Hillsborough Area Regional Transportation Authority may shift up to 20 bus routes. Pending approval of HART’s board, potential changes include trimming the South County line and instead adding on to HART Flex, the county’s door-to-door service. Leaders said the shifts could save HART $450,000 in 2023 and millions moving forward. 🚏 (WUSF News)

• Calling all vote by mail devotees. All residents who wish to vote by mail must reapply for the program due to a change in Florida law. Make sure to submit an application on the local County Supervisor of Elections website by the 10th day before an election. 🗳️ (WUSF News)

• Welcome to the neighborhood. NYC-based investment firm PEI Global Partners is moving into Water Street Tampa’s Thousand & One building. The company just signed a lease on 2,251 sqft on the sixth floor of the tower.

• No worries, Kissin’ Cuzzins is hopefully here to stay. Owner Gerry Rice is in talks to sell the breakfast joint to an employee so the 951 34th Street North diner can live on. 🍳 (St. Pete Rising)

• There’s a new mini golf experience in town. The Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa now offers science-themed mini golf, so kids can learn while they compete. The nine-hole course teaches golfers about energy, prehistoric dinosaurs, and more. 🏌️ (That’s So Tampa)

• The Pinellas Taco Fest is back for round two. Stop by England Brothers Park in Pinellas on Sat., Jan. 28 + Sun., Jan. 29, from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. for food trucks, a salsa competition, a market, and more. 🌮 (I Love the Burg)
• Ready to celebrate one of St. Pete’s beloved dive bars? The Galley is celebrating six years of frothy brews, gameday fun, and french toast sticks with a weeklong party this Thursday, Jan. 26-Saturday, Jan. 28. Stop by the tavern (27 4th St. N.) for a Gasparilla pre-party, food and drink specials, and live music. (I Love The Burg)

• Beware the goldline snakehead — the latest invasive species to make a move into Tampa Bay’s waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently removed 400 of the air-breathing fish from a local pond. The species can survive nearly four days out of water + researchers warn they could negatively affect the environment. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• If one of your 2023 goals is to create more time for self care and relaxation, an acupressure mat is a must. The mats are designed to stimulate pressure points to relieve tension, decrease stress levels, and increase circulation. This ProsourceFit full body mat includes neck support.*

• Looking for a Fido-friendly Gasparilla option? Stop by The Dog Bar Pirate Party (2300 Central Ave.) on Fri., Jan. 27, from 8-10 p.m. for a doggie costume contest, raffle, and Jell-o shots. A portion of the proceeds goes to Safe Paws Rescue.
• Take a break from watching the parade + bring the littlest mateys over to GreenWise Market in Water Street Tampa (555 Channelside Dr.) for a pirate-themed craft day. Then, eat your spoils.
• For the best parade views, book tickets to the Westin’s Gasparilla Extravaganza. The family-friendly party overlooks the action + benefits Father of Mine, a mental health focused charity.
• After the festivities, consider joining your fellow Tampanians to clean up some of the wreckage. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is hosting a cleanup Sunday, Jan. 29, from 8-11 a.m. to pick up beads and more. Register online for more information.