Today’s Forecast

✍️ You’ll want to write this down

Resources and groups for writers in Tampa Bay, FL

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Follow this writing guide on where to network locally with other writers and share your stories | Photo by 6AM City

Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith looking to plot out the next great American novel or a fledgling writer just dipping your quill into the inkwell for the first time, we’ve got you covered. We’ve drafted up a helpful guide on where to find resources, groups, and events in TBAY.

Resources + groups

Elevate your writing game by joining the Bay Area Professional Writers Guild. This group of freelance, non-fiction, and fiction writers offers coaching, workshops, and other resources to help you up your writing ante. Meet them on the fourth Monday of each month at Creative Pinellas (12211 Walsingham Rd.).

Want to hone your writing skills online and avoid common writing pitfalls? For $20, the Poynter Institute offers a workshop on clean and concise writing — and one on writing for SEO, social media, and newsletters. Pro tip: the school also offers a free “Avoiding Plagiarism and Fabrication” course.

Looking to write everything screenplays, comedy skits, and fantasy epics? The Tampa Free Writing Group links up every other Thursday at the Hot Wax Cafe in Ybor for a cuppa joe and some convo. The group of inkslingers talks about everything from unfinished projects to upcoming competitions.

Events

How to Write Realistic and Compelling Dialogue
Location: Station House, St. Pete
Date: Wednesday, May 3 from 6-8 p.m.
Prose Society Writers’ Group teaches storytellers of all levels how to write realistic and compelling dialogue with brainstorming sessions, writing exercises, peer feedback, and reviews.

Ekphrastic Writing Meetup
Location: Tampa International Airport
Date: Saturday, May 6 at 2 p.m.
Meet the Tampa Bay Writing, Publishing & Marketing Group at TPA’s Pheobe the Flamingo sculpture in the main terminal and tour the airport’s art collection for a writing exercise. Then, flock to one of the airport’s bars for a drink + a lively discussion on writing.

Have a great writers group we should check out? Let us know.

Events

Today, April 26

Tampa Bay Taco Week | Wednesday, April 26-Sunday, April 30 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Across Tampa Bay | Free | Enjoy taco and drink specials at Gallito Taqueria, Datz, Jimmy’s Tacos, and more local spots — just ask for the Taco Week special.
JONESIN’ - To Make a Difference Discussion Panel and Art Exhibit | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 5-8 p.m. | SPC Midtown, 1048 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Take in the folk art exhibit and music, and munch on snacks.
Ukulele Jam Along | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Safety Harbor Library, 101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor | Free | Bring your uke, fiddle some strings, and learn new songs.
Astros vs. Rays | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | 6:40 p.m. | $10-$147 | Eat a Stinger Dog and watch the Rays take on Houston.

Thursday, April 27

OE Book Fair | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6-9 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | Free | Mingle with more than 40 local authors, grab a drink from the champagne bar, and check out the bookstore — parking is available on the street.

Friday, April 28

Shrimpfinity | Friday, Apr. 28-Saturday, Apr. 29 | 12-7:30 p.m. | Fairgrounds St. Pete, 800 28th St. S., St. Petersburg | $0-$27 | Immerse yourself in this fantastical shrimp-themed immersive art wonderland.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay Island Paws | Friday, Apr. 28 | 6-11 p.m. | Water Works Park, 1710 N. Highland Ave., Tampa | $150-$7,500 | Enjoy drinks, dinner, a silent auction, and meet other animal lovers — all in support the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Saturday, April 29

Gasparilla Music Festival 2023 | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 1-11 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa | $50-$200 | Jam out to Run the Jewels, Cannons, Chromeo, Flipturn, and more during day one of the waterfront concert.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

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Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month of any membership.*

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News Notes

Playoffs

To stay alive, the Bolts must win game five tomorrow in Toronto. The two teams take the ice at 7 p.m. Looking for a place to watch? We got you.

Eat

Travel back in time at THE DAN, the new restaurant at Floridan Palace Hotel. Inspired by 1920s and New Orleans jazz bars, it’s set to tantalize taste buds with Creole bread pudding and free “candy floss.” Full menus and grand opening details will drop in May. (That’s So Tampa)

Development

Officials broke ground on The Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning (533 4th St. N.) this past weekend. The modern 13,000-sqft facility will feature a sanctuary, kosher kitchen, and rooftop deck. Each space will also host programs for all ages. (St. Pete Rising)

Ranked

No. 68. That’s where USF’s Muma College of Business’s part-time MBA program landed on US News and World Report’s “Best Business Schools” list. The school’s full-time MBA program ranked No. 73. (Tampa Bay Business Journals)

Sports

A new Tampa Bay Times report details USF’s on-campus football stadium’s cost and timeline. The Bulls are looking to move out of Ray Jay + into the future 35,000-seat stadium by 2026. (Tampa Bay Times)

Arts

The James Museum is turning five, and it’s time to party. Celebrate with $5 admission to the Western & Wildlife art gallery, $5 barbecue at Datz, and live music from Volt Rodeo and Swing Time. Don’t forget to arrive early for a complimentary cupcake. (I Love the Burg)

Plan Ahead

T-minus nine days until the Fiesta St. Pete Cinco de Mayo Block Party. Park & Rec and the Avenue on 1st Avenue South will be overflowing with street food and tequila. Grab your $10 ticket, and enjoy a free jello shot. (I Love the Burg)

Announced

On the road again. Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival is coming to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater this October, with the Avett Brothers and Gov’t Mule in tow. Tix go on sale this Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Closing

Bye-bye, Buy Buy Baby and Bed Bath & Beyond. The retailer announced it’s filed for bankruptcy, meaning it will begin liquidating assets and closing storefronts in the coming months. Today is the last day to use your coupons, so head to Hamburg to visit both businesses before they close. (USAToday)

Environment

Curious where your seafood comes from? We took a deep dive in Publix GreenWise Market’s seafood sustainability practices — and discovered it’s worth getting reel-y excited about. See how seafood sustainability is good for you + for the environment.*

Coming Soon

Offline, the restaurant + social club, is launching in Tampa Bay. How it works: get matched with highly rated, locally-owned restaurants with up to $50 in digital gift cards to spend there each month. Bonus: Offline is saving 100 guaranteed spots for our readers through April. Sign up using code TBTODAY.

Announced

Congratulations Nora R., the winner of our product survey! We hope you enjoy your $500 cash prize, and we thank you for providing your feedback. Responses from this survey are helping us improve our newsletter.

Eat

🥨 We’re going knots

Celebrate Pretzel Day in Tampa

Stanley from "The Office" loves Pretzel Day.

Stanley from “The Office” said it best. | Gif via Giphy

Fans of “The Office,” this one’s for you. Today is Pretzel Day — AKA Stanley Hudson’s favorite day of the year. Naturally, there is only one way to properly celebrate the occasion — with a soft pretzel. Here are a few places around town where you can cure your pretzel hankerings:

Mr. Dunderbak’s Biergarten and Brewery, 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Multiple locations
World of Beer, Multiple locations

Want to enjoy pretzels from the comfort of your own home? Order a gourmet soft pretzel box or make your own with this baking kit.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Brad

From the editor

Calling all gym buffs. Did you hear Tampa’s Gas Worx development is getting a Gold’s Gym? I’m going to make like Mr. Schwarzenegger + probably get a membership when it opens later this year.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We rounded up TBAY’s coolest Airbnb and Vrbo rentals.

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