Plus, info on Tampa's new composting program.
 
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78º | 10% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:07 a.m. | Sunset 6:20 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 7:42 a.m. + 6:24 p.m. | Low: 11:55 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 2:57 p.m. | Low: 8:37 a.m. + 10:38 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

 

Ready to rock out on the riverfront?

Listen to the music: Gasparilla Music Festival preview

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We’re ready to rock. | Photo by @ysann3 via @gasparillamusic
An outdoor music festival in February? You gotta love TBAY.

The Gasparilla Music Festival returns this weekend for its 13th run — and its first at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park — with a packed lineup, amazing local eats, and riverfront views.

Here’s the lowdown on this year’s Cigar City throwdown:

Lineup

  • Louis the Child
  • Big Gigantic
  • Young the Giant
  • COIN
  • Lake Street Dive
  • Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
  • Yonder Mountain String Band
  • Surf Mesa
  • Trevor Hall
  • Aidan Bissett

Tickets

  • Single-day tickets are $45, two-day tickets are $75, and three-day tickets are $95.
  • VIP passes include perks like front-of-stage viewing at the Riverside + Fortune stages, and access to the VIP tent + air-conditioned restrooms.
  • Rock-It Club VIP tickets get you access to all of the VIP areas + the Rock-It Club in Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, featuring free drinks and extra shaded areas.
Buy tickets.

Transportation

  • Paid parking is available in the Poe Garage downtown + any available street spots.
  • Arrive in style by taking a Pirate Water Taxi to the event — the park is Stop 15 — or by pedaling your way downtown and using the festival’s free valet service.
  • Take a free shuttle from the Armature Works parking lot to the festival via Kush.
  • Planning on splitting an Uber? The festival suggests rideshare users set their pickup location to the Boys & Girls Club (1301 N. Blvd., Tampa).

Tips

  • Take a peek at the map and check out which shows at are at each of the five stages.
  • The festival is cashless, so make sure to bring your debit/credit card or have Apple Pay at the ready.
  • Bring a blanket or low-sitting chair to stay comfy while enjoying the tunes.
Find even more festival info + the full GMF lineup online.
Events
Thursday, Feb. 15
  • Stroller Sculpt | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 10 a.m. | Midtown Tampa, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | Free with registration | Certified pre/postnatal fitness instructor Sam Freed leads you in a full-body, low-impact workout that focuses on strength, mobility, and breathwork.
  • The Story of Art: “It’s The End of the World as We Know It!” | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6-7 p.m. | Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, 720 Sand Pine Dr. NE, St. Petersburg | $0-$15 | Join the museum’s chief curator for a discussion on the exhibition.
Saturday, Feb. 17
  • 2024 Publix Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, 2240 9th Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | The massive block party features live music, tons of local food trucks, community organizations, and a collard green cook-off.
  • 2024 Rays Fan Fest | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 1-5 p.m. | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | Free | Pack the Trop with fellow fans for a charity yard sale, player meet and greets, clubhouse tours, inflatables, and games — claim your ticket using the Ballpark App.
  • Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 9-11 p.m. | Wild Rover Brewing Company, 13921 Lynmar Blvd., Tampa | $28 | Sway along to “Friends in Low Places” and other hits from the country music giant.
Sunday, Feb. 18
  • “Florida’s Historic African American Homes” | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 3:30-5 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $5-$25 | Author Jada Wright-Greene shares from her book which tells the story of African Americans who shaped the Sunshine State.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Food
  • We’ll say it — TBAY’s food scene is to dine for. Predalina, Kosen, Streetlight Taco, Supernatural Food & Wine, The Pearl, and Ebbe were just named to Florida’s Michelin Guide. Next up, the guide’s 2024 star reveal. (Tampa Bay Times)
Announced
  • Good news for TBAY renters. The Cigar City’s average rental cost in January for a one-bedroom sat at $1,580, a 3% decrease year over year, according to Zillow. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Biz
  • Speaking of real estate, St. Petersburg College is now offering an eight-week Commercial Real Estate Development 101 class. The brainchild of St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership CEO Jason Mathis, the course brings in local leaders + sets 10 students up with internships at the end. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Development
  • Good Food Creations LLC, a Tampa catering company, just bought the former home of The Refinery in Seminole Heights for ~$2.75 million. The 5910 N. Florida Ave. property houses a 8,568-sqft building + 38 parking spaces. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Concert
  • Bring on the blues. Head to Clearwater’s recently opened Coachman Park for the Sea-Blues Festival on Friday, Feb. 23-Sunday, Feb. 25. The festival features jazzy acts, local market vendors, tons of fresh seafood, craft beer, and wine. (That’s So Tampa)
Real Estate
  • You could live in a home designed by the same architect as Bern’s Steak House. A Ballast Point home designed by local architect Richard Zingale is on the market for $1.35 million. The property features 24-ft high ceilings, a floating steel staircase, and a lap pool. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Number
  • $1 million. That’s how much two local philanthropists will match in donations to the St. Pete Free Clinic. Make an online donation to the community health center toward the Burgess-Hess gift and challenge. (I Love the Burg)
Sports
  • It’s time to take a look back on the Lightning’s first half of the season, TBAY. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Eat
    • Don’t make the mis-steak of missing the culmination of the Florida Triple Crown of BBQ competition. Enjoy live music and barbecue eats at Ribs on the Ridge this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17 — and see the pitmasters square for the final time, with only one being crowned Triple Crown winner.*
    Try This
    • Want to advertise with us but not sure where to start? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Listings, Banner Ads, and Articles. Get started today.
    Wellness
    • Regain’s couples therapy is accessible via phone, text, and video call and is FSA/HSA-friendly. Get 25% off your first month for Valentine’s Day.*
     
    City

    ♻️ Keepin’ it green

    Tampa’s updated yard waste rules

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    Make sure to check these tips when getting ready to set your yard waste out. | Graphic via City of Tampa
    Tampa’s ruling out plastic — at least where yard waste is concerned.

    On Feb. 1, the city stopped accepting yard waste bagged in plastic, and is now asking residents to pack clippings in paper bags or bundled with natural fibers. The change allows the city’s recycling team + Veransa Mulching Facility to transform the collections into nutrient-rich mulch.

    Through the program, ~38 million pounds will be composted every year — helping to lower the Big Guava’s carbon footprint, according to the city.

    “In alignment with our Climate Action and Equity Plan, composting our yard waste is a big step toward creating a more sustainable Tampa,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “But residents and businesses will play a big role in making sure they remember to dispose of yard waste appropriately in order for the program to be successful.”

    Here’s a few additional reminders, to keep you in the green:
    • Do not put food waste like fruits + vegetables, dirt, rocks, or heavy-duty debris in your bundle.
    • Residents are limited to four cubic yards of yard waste on their scheduled collection day.
    The Buy

    The Buy 2.15.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

    Some stylish sunglasses by Rheos or I Am Girl Stephanie, because we’re dreaming about summer and soaking up sunny rays. Pro tip: With the days already getting longer, it’s never too soon to start protecting your eyes.
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    The Wrap
     
    Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond

    Today’s edition by:
    Bailey

    From the editor
    Anyone else over the moon that spring is almost here? It’s time to start filling up the calendar, and tickets for The Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival on April 9-13 are now on sale.
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