Today’s Forecast

⚾️ Swinging for the fences

Swinging for the Fences: The Innings Festival comes back to Tampa Bay, FL

This pic from last year’s O.A.R. set shows up the sheer volume of peeps popping out for this festival. | Photo via @rnoeker

Baseball season may not be in full swing just yet, but music lovers in TBAY are gearing up for a grand slam weekend at the Innings Music Festival. This two-day event takes place on Saturday, March 18 + Sunday, March 19 at Raymond James Stadium and promises to hit all the right notes with its impressive lineup, delectable food options, and exciting activities.

Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or just someone who loves good tunes, this festival is the perfect opportunity to enjoy both. We recommend you snag some tix ASAP before they sell out. You can get a one-day pass or a two-day pass — or drop $21,000 on a cabana...if that’s your style.

Who’s playing?

Let’s talk about the lineup — this year’s performers include:

Saturday:

Imagine Dragons
Weezer
Pitbull
Grouplove
Japanese Breakfast
Tai Verdes
Joey Valence & Brae
Briscoe
Cydeways

Sunday:

Dave Matthews Band
The Avett Brothers
Marcus Mumford
The Revivalists
Third Eye Blind
The Breeders
Faye Webster
The Heavy Heavy
The Ries Brothers

FYI: There will be three stages — one for rock, one for pop, and one for alt artists. And none of the sets overlap, so you won’t miss Weezer by choosing to stay at the Tai Verdes show. Check out the schedule to know where to go for each set.

Food fans will be delighted by the plethora of food options available, like Ben & Jerry’s, Diggy Dogs, Japanese Flair, Vegan Demon, and much more.

Looking for some entertainment between sets? Hit the batting cage, swing for the fences in a home run derby, or snag a pic in a photo booth. Oh, and there are going to be baseball legends floating around, too, like Wade Boggs + Travis Hafner.

If you’re celebrating in a fun way or the cabana is your style, let us know. We’d love to get in on that buffet.

🗓️ EVENTS 🗓️

Today, March 9

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Atlanta Braves | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 1:07 p.m. | TD Ballpark, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin | $16-$29 | Enjoy some peanuts, soft serve, and the Florida sun as the Jays face the Braves.
Jigs & Swigs at Midtown Tampa! | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Midtown Tampa, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | $20 | Learn a little Irish dancing footwork before St. Patrick’s Day — and finish off with a cold, free beer from Colony Grill.
Jill Santopolo | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa | $6.71 - $32.64 | The New York Times bestselling author shares the story of two star-crossed lovers in post-World War II Italy, from her book, “Stars in an Italian Sky.”

Friday, March 10

Greta Van Fleet - Dreams In Gold Tour 2023 | Friday, Mar. 10 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $45.75-$75.75 | Hear the angelic Van Halen-like sounds of the fleet’s “Safari Song” and “Highway Tune.”
Forrest Grape: Wine Fest | Friday, Mar. 10, Friday, Mar. 10 | Times vary | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $85-$125 | Sample blends from Bavaro’s, Cru Cellars, Oxford Exchange, and other local wine spots.

Saturday, March 11

Art Play Date | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Tampa Museum of Art, 120 Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa | $16-$20 | Bring your youngsters to the museum to make some art.
March Free Saturday | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | Free | Tour the inside of the roughly 130-year-old Henry Plant Museum.
Tampa Bay Downs Festival Day | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 11 a.m. | Tampa Bay Downs, 11225 Race Track Rd., Tampa | $15-$30 | Watch and bet on 10 thoroughbred horse races, with a new one every 20-25 minutes.

Sunday, March 12

Where’s Jubes Hospitality Night | Sunday, Mar. 12 | 6 p.m.-3 a.m. | Where’s Jubes, 277 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Free+ | Restaurant workers can party it up for half off — bring proof of employment.
Lynyrd Skynyrd | Sunday, Mar. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $60 | Grab tickets before they’re all sold out to fly like a “Free Bird.”

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Click here to have your event featured.

100+ MORE EVENTS

✏️NEWS NOTES✏️

Weather

82º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:47 a.m.
Set: 6:36 p.m.

Tides
Old Tampa Bay

High: 4:15 a.m. + 4:35 p.m.
Low: 10:43 a.m. + 10:57 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 12:16 a.m. + 12:29 p.m.
Low: 6:29 a.m. + 6:44 p.m.

Development

Pinellas’ newest + largest concert venue just got a name. The Sound at Coachman Park (301 Drew St.) in Clearwater has 9,000 seats — about half indoor and half on the lawn. The venue opens this summer with performances by The Maine, Goo Goo Dolls, and O.A.R. 🏟 (St. Pete Catalyst)
St. Pete City Council is digging up 18,000 cubic yards of sediment (including debris) out of Bartlett Lake (2000 7th St. S.) to curb flooding. The move should improve the lake’s water quality. 🦺 (St. Pete Catalyst)

Eat

Don’t want to lose your seat at the airport but are craving those Chick-fil-A nuggies? Have the nuggies come to you with “TPA to Go.” Tampa International + Uber Eats partnered up to bring concessions to travelers while waiting in the terminal or even as a post-flight quick bite. ✈️ (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Drink

Get caffeinated with Caribou Coffee. The Midwest-based beanery is opening up shop this summer at 701 Central Ave. in St. Pete. The menu includes everything from cold brew and “BOUsted” energy drinks to breakfast sandwiches and cake pops. (I Love the Burg)

Talk

Café con Tampa is tomorrow, March 10 at Willa’s (1700 W. Fig St.) in Hyde Park. This week’s event is about growing the arts community in TBAY. It costs $12 and includes a complimentary breakfast. Note: If it’s your first time, you’ll have to introduce yourself. 🎤 (83 Degrees)

Festival

The R&B Crab Fest is back this Saturday, March 11 for its second year at the Skyway Marina District. This fest is slinging some serious crab pots + local brews. Not to mention a handful of bands with headliner Fanta-C, bounce houses, a teen market, and line dancing. 🦀 (I Love the Burg)

Plan Ahead

One of Water Streets’ newest events, Wine Down, features a five-flight wine-tasting class + offers specialty scoops from Chill Bros. The elegant drinking event fires off Thursday, March 23. Plus, you’ll walk away with some commemorative swag and perks at local shops, according to a release. Grab tix here.

Film

Calling all film junkies. Abigail Breslin from the movie “Zombieland” + Sung Kang from the “Fast and Furious” franchise will be in attendance at Gasparilla International Film Festival on Thursday, March 23. The four-day event is set to premiere 23 feature films + 50 short films. 🎞 (That’s So Tampa)

Wellness

What’s in: red light therapy. What’s out: forms of treatment that are painful and invasive. Red light therapy is non-invasive and painless, and evidence suggests it may be able to ease body aches, heal sun damage, and build collagen. Brb — we’re adding this easy-to-prop light and this facial massager to our Amazon cart. *

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EVENT

🇮🇪 Painting the city green

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the River O’ Green Fest

If you look closely, you can see a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. | Photo via @cityoftampa

🍀 Sláinte, TBAY. (that means cheers in Irish)

Get ready to paint the town green, or rather, the river green, at the River O’ Green Fest. This annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, on Saturday, March 18, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., is a must-see event for anyone looking to join in on some TBAY traditions and shenanigans.

What’s the secret behind the Hillsborough River’s Kelly green and emerald waters? It’s all thanks to the magical leprechauns who work their mischief + turn the river green with a special non-toxic, biodegradable dye. (Technically, it’s a boat that sprays out green stuff, not leprechauns... but we wish.)

River O’ Green Fest features a jam-packed schedule of free events at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa), from live music performances to the Annual Pet Costume Contest. And let’s not forget about the mouth-watering food and drinks, including green beer.

2 PERFORMERS + 7 FOOD SPOTS

👋 THE WRAP 👋

Today’s Edition By:
Brad Haft

From the Editor

O.A.R. was mentioned twice in this newsletter which is fun. I love their song “California.” It hits me in the feels.

Pro tip: According to TPA, there could be as many as 90,000 people going through the airport on a peak day during Spring Break (not at one time, that would be pure chaos). If you’re hangry + watching your luggage or just need a quick pick-me-up — the TPA to Go Uber Eats feature might be the move. 😊

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