TBAY, it’s too hot to hang out outside, so we’re headed to the theaatuhh dahling, where the air is cool and crisp + the entertainment is aplenty.
Here’s an overview of some of Tampa Bay’s onstage productions through late summer and into early winter. Plus, we threw in some pro tips on planning your experience at our state-of-the-art performance halls:
The Mahaffey Theater | Aug. 5-6
Bring the kiddos to see the famous crime-fighting pups catch clones and rescue Robo Dog. Pro tip: Call this number to reserve your seats
Straz Center for Performing Arts | Aug. 16-27
This show follows the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict from 27 different perspectives — all played by one actress. Pro tip: Pre-pay for parking to ensure there are still spots available
Take us back to Iliza Shlesinger’s comedy at the Straz.
American Stage | Oct. 4-29
Buckle up to be transported back in time in this 1923 play about a play, “God of Vengeance.” Pro tip: Single tickets go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Straz Center for Performing Arts, Oct. 3-26
Nine performers will entertain you in a rousing night of pop, classic rock, folk, Broadway, and pub tunes in this musical Pro tip: For a musical about drinking, you’d be remiss to skip out on a craft brew from the theater’s riverwalk bar, SIP
Straz Center for Performing Arts | Oct. 24-Oct. 29
Say his name three times, and you’re in for a world of trouble. Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical brings the striped demon back to life. Pro tip: Pregame the play with this nonalcoholic Beetle Juice recipe
American Stage, Nov. 21-Dec. 17
Follow a young woman on her journey from the African Copperbelt to the backwoods of Canada. Pro tip: Single tickets go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Sunset Market at Imagine Museum | Friday, July 21 | 5-10 p.m. | Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Free entry | Shop for your new favorite art or decor piece — plus, take in glass blowing and other live art demonstrations.
Bier Fest | Friday, July 21-Sunday, July 23 | Busch Gardens, 10165 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa | $95| The annual “slice of Bavaria” event is back, featuring more than 60 brews, live music, and German-inspired dishes.
Saturday, July 22
Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top: “The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour” | Saturday, July 22 | 6:30 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4801 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa | $30-$284 | Let the good times roll as you jam to the two titans of American classic rock with special guest Uncle Kracker.
Sunday, July 23
Sunday Summer Farmers Market | Sunday, July 23 | 12-4 p.m. | Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, 6942 W. Comanche Ave., Tampa | Free entry | Support local merchants like Java Planet, St. Pete Ferments, Queen & Colony, and Mother Kombucha.
Summer Classics Movie Series | Sunday, July 23 | 3 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $7-$10 | If you think ChatGPT is scary, then you’ll be terrified of Stanley Kubrick’s beautifully shot science fiction masterpiece, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Monday, July 24
Social Justice Book Club: Alice Wong’s “Year of the Tiger” | Monday, July 24 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Open up your copy of the Asian American activist’s anthology of essays, then discuss with the group.
Tampa’s Moffit Cancer Center is opening a new 10-story, 128-bed inpatient hospital on its McKinley Drive campus next Monday, July 31. Each room has an Amazon Alexa voice assistant to control settings like the lights. (Tampa Bay Times)
Eat
Beloved South Tampa staples Datz and Dough have been sold. The 9,060-sqft brunch + delicatessen (which shared the same area) went for $3.1 million. The new development group wants to rezone the property from bakery use to commercial recreation. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Plan Ahead
It’s all about the magic three: Brews, Bands, and Buds. Ferg’s festival next Saturday, July 29 will feature a free vendor market, live tunes from the pirate ship, and the option to drink + rank a dozen local breweries. Tickets start at $30, with a portion benefiting SPCA Tampa Bay. (I Love the Burg)
Environment
Attention anglers. The Florida Wildlife Commission just changed the fishing rules at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to curb pelican injuries. Now, you have to take an annual education course + use specific hooks along the piers. See if your hooks are eligible. (Spectrum Bay News 9)
Open
TBAY, this is a “No judgment zone,” just like the new Crunch Fitness at Tyrone Gardens Shopping Center (900 58th St. N., St. Pete). The gym offers 25,000 sqft of strength training equipment, a HIITZone, dry saunas, and tanning beds. Membership packages start at $9.99. (St. Pete Rising)
Wellness
Hear this: The world’s first hearing aids featuring dual processing — and backed by cutting-edge German technology — were just unveiled by Hear.com. Transform your hearing with a 45-day, no-risk trial and join the 385,000+ customers hearing with double the power and double the clarity.*
Drink
Meet Rebel Rabbit — not a hard seltzer, a high seltzer, infused with just enough cannabis to turn up the relaxation with none of the nasty next-day side effects of a can of beer or a glass of wine. Intrigued? Shop their whole collection of beverages online.*
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