Plus, the Barbie Dreamhouse Tour bus is in Tampa this weekend.
 
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77º | Scattered thunderstorms | 64% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:53 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 5:52 p.m. | Low: 10:19 a.m. + 8:11 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 1:31 p.m. + 11:43 p.m. | Low: 6:31 a.m. + 5:44 p.m.
 

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We’re honoring MLK this weekend

Put these Tampa Bay area MLK events on your radar
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A variety of organizations and bands take part in Tampa’s annual parade. | Photo via @cityoftampa
Monday, Jan. 15, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the life of the Civil Rights Movement giant.

Looking for ways to observe the holiday? We’ve got you covered:
  • Arts Legacy Remix: MLK Commemoration | Friday, Jan. 12 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | Free | Listen to a range of Dr. King’s writing, along with gospel music, and a host of young voices discussing hope for the future.
  • Learn and Serve Tampa: MLK Day of Service United Way Suncoast | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | McKay Bay Nature Park, 134 34th St., Tampa | Free | Spend the morning taking part in cleanup and beautification work, then enjoy a cook-out style lunch and environmental education fair.
  • MLK Treasure Hunt | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Throughout the City of St Petersburg | Gather your kiddos and friends to join in a citywide, educational scavenger hunt — register teams with Advantage Village Academy at 727-321-7919.
  • Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival: Music Fest | Saturday, Jan. 13-Sunday, Jan. 14 | 12-9 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa | $34-$310 | Rock out to the musical stylings of local and national artists, Zydeco bands, DJs, and more — plus check out more festival events on their website.
  • MLK Band Showcase | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 5-8:30 p.m. | Lakewood High School, 1400 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Watch college bands from Tuskegee University, Savannah State University, and Albany State University showcase their best stuff.
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We recommend showing up a bit early to the parades to grab a good spot.

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Photo via @cityoftampa

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade | Monday, Jan. 15 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | First St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Take in the array of floats, marching bands from visiting local schools and colleges, and more at this massive St. Pete celebration of Dr. King — then head to the Tropicana Field Lot 4 for a family fun day.
  • City of Tampa MLK Jr. Parade | Monday, Jan. 15 | 12 p.m. | Cuscaden Park, 2900 N. 15th St., Tampa | Free | This year’s parade will be helmed by Grand Marshal Gwen Miller, the first African American woman elected to the Tampa City Council, and feature bands from Florida A&M University, among others.
Find even more community gatherings and offerings in honor of the holiday on our events calendar. And, we’ll leave you with one final tip: PSTA is offering free rides on routes 5, the SunRunner and the Central Avenue Trolley on Monday, Jan. 15 to help you get to the St. Pete parade sans sitting in traffic.
Events
Friday, Jan. 12
  • Finesse Mitchell | Friday, Jan. 12-Saturday, Jan. 13 | Times vary | Tampa Funny Bone, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa | $25 | Now featured on Hulu’s “History Of The World Part II,” this comedian takes the stage with his stand-up set.
Saturday, Jan. 13
  • The Stompdown | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 7:30-10 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $20+ | Watch the nation’s elite youth, independent, and Greek fraternity/sorority step teams perform in this step show.
  • Alex Harris Live! “An Evening of Soul” | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 8 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $35-$45 | Enjoy the latest performance of the renowned concert series featuring tunes by ZO! & Tall Black Guy, J. Brown, hosted by Alex Harris.
Sunday, Jan. 14
  • Pirate Pup Parade | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Free, registration needed to compete | Take your pup to Water Street for a pawty complete with a pet parade, costume contest, pet adoptions, face painting, and pet caricatures.
  • A Writer’s Guide to Craft through Memory | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 3:30-5 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $5-$20 | Join New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys for a session on the craft of writing.
Monday, Jan. 15
  • Gentle Hatha Yoga | Monday, Jan. 15 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Sunken Gardens, 1825 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg | $25 | Awaken2Yoga leads this one-hour, gentle yoga flow in the beautiful botanical garden — ticket includes Sunken Gardens day pass.
  • Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Monday, Jan. 15 | 8-11 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa | $88+ | Head to Ray Jay to see if the Bucs can come out on top in this Wild Card showdown.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Eat

🥩 This inaugural Triple Crown of BBQ competition is smokin’ hot
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Dig in to world-class BBQ eats from top chefs at these three cookout events happening in January + February. | Photo provided by Visit Central Florida
The steaks have never been higher — three beloved barbecue cookoffs are back, but for the first time ever chefs from around the nation are competing across all three events for a chance to take home the Triple Crown.

While barbecue chefs show off their skills, Tampanians are invited to pig out on barbecue eats galore during the Triple Crown of BBQ, which includes:
Get ready to grub, TBAY
News Notes
Weather
  • The stormy weather is here to stay. The National Weather Service is forecasting today will bring another storm system and following cold front. Brace for “strong to severe” thunderstorms today and into tomorrow.
Development
  • The St. Petersburg Development Review Commission just greenlit plans for a pair of towers downtown. The 20- and 25-story residential towers will collectively add 500+ new units of housing to the city. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Real Estate
  • Sixteenth Square Townhomes, St. Pete’s new workforce housing, is now open. The complex offers $271,000 homes with three-bedroom and 2.5-bathroom units. The units are reserved for residents whose income does not exceed 100% Area Median Income. (I Love the Burg)
Eat
  • Tampa’s King State is “hemorrhaging” money due to lengthy road closures next to the Floribraska Avenue spot. Construction is expected to last through March, and owners are imploring the public to stop by or visit their new St. Pete location. (Tampa Bay Times)
Shop
  • Hockey season doesn’t stop for Gasparilla. Now you can bring that Lightning spirit to the jolly pirate parade. The team is selling gear emblazoned with skulls and crossbones, from long sleeve t-shirts to hats. Secure your pre-Gaspy haul. (That’s So Tampa)
Announced
  • Hey, Barbie. This weekend, the Barbie Dreamhouse Tour is takin’ on Tampa. Stop by the truck —which is parked at Westshore Plaza (250 Westshore Plaza) in the Center Court — on Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m to 7p.m. to shop exclusive Barbie merch, toys, and accessories. (That’s So Tampa)
Active
  • It’s gotta be tweed. St. Pete’s 12th Annual Tweed Ride returns next Saturday, Jan. 20. Festoon yourself in your best vintage duds and join other Burg residents for tea and scones at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, then a four-mile ride around the downtown. Get your tickets. (I Love the Burg)
Show
  • Waxahatchee is on the way to the Burg. The indie rock band led by Katie Crutchfield takes the Jannus Live stage on Friday, May 3. Tickets go on sale today and start at $27. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Health
  • Anxiety can make every day a challenge. Connect with a therapist on BetterHelp + take the first step towards a calmer mind. Save 25% with BetterHelp’s New Year offer.*
Finance
  • 2024’s “it card” is here. Not only does it offer a $200 bonus, but also unlimited 1.5% cash back and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Oh, and did we mention the annual fee? No — because there isn’t one.) Learn more + apply.*
 
Food

🍨
Scoop yeah

Meet Armature Works’ newest tenant: Chill Bros. Scoop Shop
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The booth also sells their aesthetic hats and shirts. | Photo via Playbook Public Relations, LLC
Time for a forced reset from the winter blues: Here’s some ice cream news.

Chill Bros. Scoop Shop — known for its dreamy flavors like Tampa Banana and Bee’s Knees + Americana branding — is opening its fifth location today. The newest scoopery lives inside Armature Works (1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa), so you can grab a cone, ice cream flight, or coke float while strolling the booths.

Stop by the grand opening at 3 p.m. for a ribbon cutting + to hear a few words from Mayor Jane Castor, enjoy free tastings, and soak up a little live entertainment.
The Buy

The Buy 1.12.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
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The Wrap
 
Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond

Today’s edition by:
Bailey
From the editor
Since we’re bearing down on another — le sigh — rainy weekend, why not lean in? Here’s some soup spots to pick up a cozy bowl + some local reads to tuck into.
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