🎶 A brand-new music festival

⚾️ Spring sports

• Charlotte FC | Major League Soccer | Bank of America Stadium
• Charlotte Knights | Minor League Baseball | Truist Field

🏙️ Rooftop dining downtown

🏎️ A huge NASCAR race

🥾 Outdoor adventures

• Running, paddling, riding, and climbing at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
• Relaxing by the lake at Freedom Park (we’d bring a picnic)
• Exploring 40 miles of trails + natural water features at the Anne Springs Close Greenway

• Solar Eclipse Day | Monday, April 8 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Great Explorations Children’s Museum, 1925 4th St. N., St. Petersburg | $0-$15 | Soak in the museum’s eclipse-themed fun before taking in the rare event at Crescent Lake Park.
• Solar Eclipse Event | Monday, April 8 | 2 p.m. | Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | $10-$14 | Experience the eclipse and other topical activities, with a pair of solar eclipse glasses included.
• The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight | Monday, April 8 | 8 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. S., St. Petersburg | $57+ | Embrace the unique sounds of classical music fused with metal following the group’s sold-out European tour.

• Tuesday Nights at Imagine Museum | Tuesday, April 9 | 5-8 p.m. | Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $5-$20 | This weekly event showcases live music, art demos, and featured local artists.
• Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets | Tuesday, April 9 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $38+ | The Bolts return to the Big Guava as the NHL Playoffs horizon looms ever closer.

• Insects, Birds, and Gardeners | Wednesday, April 10 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg | Free with reservation | Learn to tell the difference between helpful and harmful wildlife alongside expert Debbie Ingram.
• Best Florida Jobs Power Hour Hiring Event | Wednesday, April 10 | 1-2 p.m. | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | Free | Connect with dozens of employers from 16 different industries — make sure to pre-register.

• The first solar eclipse to impact the Tampa Bay area since 2017. We will have a maximum totality of ~66% at around 3 p.m. this afternoon. Don’t miss out: We won’t experience another one until 2045. (WTSP)

• There’s a new spot to grab a bowl of ramen in Tampa’s Citrus Park neighborhood. Minano Ramen is now open at 11909 Sheldon Rd., offering Japanese flavors on a varied menu. Diners can choose from a range of ramen, plus yakitori skewers, bao, soups, and tasty apps. (That’s So Tampa)

• Here’s some more foodie news. Two new Water Street Tampa spots are now taking reservations. Music-forward cocktail lounge Alter Ego and Italian-inspired restaurant Ash are filling in their books as the hip neighborhood prepares to elevate its already stellar dining + entertainment scene.

• But wait, there’s more. A new concept by P. F. Chang’s is on its way to St. Pete. Pagoda Asian Grill offers build-your-own-bowl options and will soon open its doors at 1550 66th St. N. An opening date is not yet set. (St. Pete Catalyst)

• This is getting silly now. Seminole Heights restaurant Gangchu Chicken and Beer is on the market for $1.9 million. Owner Noel Cruz — of Ichicoro fame — opened the spot at 6618 N. Nebraska Ave. back in 2021, serving up Korean fare, including fried chicken and Asian tacos. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• The City of Tampa is planning to spend at least $25 million annually to address its affordable housing shortage. That’s more than twice the $12 million allocated in last year’s budget. The city’s goal is to create or preserve 10,000 affordable homes by 2027. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• $3 million. That’s how much a historic Indian Rocks Beach boathouse home is listed for. The spot at 81 Gulf Blvd. was built by Harry Ulmer in 1912 and sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway. Ulmer once had a citrus property along what is today known as Ulmerton Road in Pinellas County. (St. Pete Catalyst)

• Could two FSU Seminoles be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Florida State Seminoles with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

• Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

• Camps are open to kids ages 6-12, or any child who has graduated kindergarten.
• Campers will enjoy indoor and outdoor sports, team-building activities, arts + crafts, and guest speakers.
• The 10-week program is split into five separate blocks, beginning Monday, June 3, and ending Friday, Aug. 9 — find the exact dates of each session.
• Registration is now open. It costs $60 per session per child, or $300 for the full 10 weeks.