Today’s Forecast

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We’re kicking and screaming with joy

Meet USL Super League Tampa Bay

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Owners, and childhood friends, Darryl Shaw, David Laxer, and Jeff Fox pose at a soccer match. | Photo via Catalyst Communications Group

The rumors are true. Champa Bay just scored yet another professional sports team.

USL Super League Tampa Bay, a new women’s professional soccer team, will take the field in 2024 as part of the new USL Super League, according to a release. The brand new women’s soccer network will feature 10-12 professional teams (in the first season), plus pre-professional teams, and academy programs.

Leaders hope to have the league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer as a Division One league.

The club is owned by Darryl Shaw, the Tampa Bay developer and investor, Jeff Fox, former chief information officer of BluePearl Pet Hospital, and David Laxer, the co-owner of Bern’s Steak House.

“This is about inspiring, energizing, and uniting our Tampa Bay community,” Shaw said in the release. “We’re ready to build a team that not only wins on the field, but also makes a positive difference off the field. To us, success comes when you become part of the fabric of your community.”

So, what’s next? A community advisory board will iron out details like a club crest, colors, and most importantly, a name.

The team will play its first season in a not yet announced, temporary home until a year-round soccer stadium is built, according to the release. Owners hope to build a facility that can double as a space for community + kids leagues and events.

For more updates on the incoming team, follow Super League Tampa Bay on Instagram or Facebook.

Events

Today, May 17

Jagged Little Pill | Wednesday, May 17-Sunday, May 21 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $44.50-$109.50 | This acclaimed musical shows the highs and lows of life set to Alanis Morissette’s catalog of music.

Thursday, May 18

The Story of Art 1950 - Today | Thursday, May 18 | 6-7 p.m. | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg , 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg | $10-$20 | Curator of Contemporary Art Katherine Pill guides you through the museum’s collection and art history.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise | Thursday, May 18 | 8 p.m. | Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $112-$161 | No need for “Painkillers” when listening to this alt-rock show.

Friday, May 19

Ed Sheeran | Friday, May 19-Monday, July 24 | Times vary | Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater | $113 | The fire-haired English singer kicks off his “Subtract Tour.”
Brewers vs. Rays | Friday, May 19-Sunday, May 21 | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | $44-$194 | Eat a Stinger Dog and watch our Rays play Milwaukee — stick around for an AJR concert.

Saturday, May 20

Fun Fitness Boot Camp | Saturday, May 20, Saturday, Jun. 17, Saturday, July 15 | 9-10 a.m. | St. Petersburg Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | Join Healthy St. Pete for a HIIT class — bring a water bottle.
Spotlight Saturday | Saturday, May 20 | 1-3 p.m. | Procure by the Women’s Creative, 734 S. Village Cir. Suite F #734, Tampa | Free | The team at Belamour Aesthetics digs into skin care how-to’s for radiant skin.
Grand Opening Weekend at The Dan | Saturday, May 20 | 5 p.m. | The Dan, 905 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | Free | Stop by restaurant’s grand opening for New Orleans-influenced eats and historical-inspired drinks — make reservations on Resy.

Sunday, May 21

The Market at Water Street Tampa | Sunday, May 21, Sunday, June 18, Sunday, Jul. 16 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Water Street Tampa, 1045 E. Cumberland Ave., Tampa | Free | The monthly market takes over the bustling neighborhood with more than 50 local food and health-focused vendors.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Try This

Tampa Riverfest (and other ways Publix betters the community)

Try This: Tampa Riverfest (and other ways Publix betters the community)

Presented by a TBAYtoday Partner

There’s nothing like enjoying some fantastic mac n’ cheese on the scenic riverfront. | Photo by TBAYtoday

City Editor Bailey here. There’s no more TBAY-esque party than Tampa Riverfest with its riverfront sunsets, live dancey music, and tons of incredible local eats. This year’s event was sponsored by Publix and Publix GreenWise Market, who were out in full force serving hearty eats like barbecue + mac n’ cheese.

I got the fortunate chance to attend this year’s Friday night festivities. Read on to see how the event went — how this is just one way Publix betters the Tampa community.

What we tried:

I stopped by the Taste of the Riverwalk festivities and tried Publix GreenWise Market’s fresh arugula salad with citrus chicken. I paired the dish with a Stella lager, and then headed to the Publix food truck just outside the Taste event to feast on delish samplers of:

Publix Deli Pulled Pork (available in the Publix Deli on select days, along with smoked sausage and barbecue ribs)
Publix Deli White Cheddar Mac n’ Cheese
King’s Hawaiian Rolls

Pro tip: All these items are sold at Publix stores.*

Here's what to look for next year

News Notes

Development

Hey, all you commuters. The Florida Department of Transportation says construction on the new Howard Frankland Bridge will be completed in 2025. (WTSP)

Opening

Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy Lolita’s fare at The Historic Seaboard Train Station (420 22nd St. S.) in St. Pete. The popular wine market is moving from Central Avenue to a space at the Morean Center for Clay this summer. The new space has a large outdoor area for live music and chillaxin’. (St. Pete Rising)
It’s a different kind of Melting Pot. Tampa’s new Melting Pot Social (105 W. Tyler St.) is a new concept for the brand, serving lunch, brunch, and drinks — and of course, fondue. The eatery opens Monday, May 22. (That’s So Tampa)

Drink

Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne Lounge opens this weekend in Ybor City (1730 E. 7th Ave.). Stop by for smooth jazz, tons of wine options, charcuterie boards, and atmosphere. (That’s So Tampa)

Award

Hats — or collars — off to Pinellas Ale Works. The St. Pete spot was just named the most dog-friendly brewery in the US by Chewy.com. The site noted the brewery’s ample water bowls, pup treats, and dog-inspired beer names (like the Vanilla Lab Latte). (I Love the Burg)

Ranked

24. That’s where U.S. News and World Report ranked Tampa on its 2023-2024 “Best Places to Live” in the country list. The outlet noted the city’s “laid-back beach lifestyle and the amenities of a large metropolitan area.” (Patch.com)

Announced

It’s time to party like a “rockstar.” Legendary rapper + pop artist Post Malone is playing Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater on Tuesday, August 1. Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. (Tampa Bay Times)

Show

The fringey fun isn’t over yet. Tampa International Fringe Festival just announced “holdover shows” throughout the weekend. Buy tickets to “Rat Man Happy Place” and five other performances. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Travel

How does Going work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and get notified when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a ~$575 round trip to Fiji).*

Today Is

Today Is World Baking Day. To celebrate, shop our online store (Six & Main), which features Sourhouse, a company that creates simple tools for sourdough bakers to care for their starters. You might just knead it. Start shopping now.

History

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We like old buildings around here

Celebrate Historic Preservation Month in Tampa Bay, FL

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The James Henry House is a relic of the area’s pioneering days. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The month of May is Historic Preservation Month.

Historic buildings hold a key to our area’s past through architecture, culture, and character — but what makes a home historic?

Learn more about the keeping and preservation of Tampa Bay’s history this Friday, May 19 at the Preservation Summit & Expo. The event takes over the St. Petersburg Museum of History (335 2nd Ave. NE) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The seminar will have presentations on researching your historic home, restoring historic windows, preserving family photos, and building accessory dwelling units.

Plus, chat with folks from the UF-Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and other historic preservation-related vendors.

Your registration includes free admission to the museum + its brand new “Civil Rights in the Sunshine State” exhibit.

Register for the free event.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Bailey

From the editor

I for one, am so amped for Lolita’s move. Can you imagine the post-wheel throwing hangs? Check out the Morean Center for Clay’s class listings.

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