If you saw Editor Bailey pouring sweat at the Rainbow Kitten Surprise show, no you didn’t.
Photo by TBAYtoday
Catching a show at The BayCare Sound at Coachman Park has lived on my TBAY bucket list since it opened a couple years ago. The 4,000-seat amphitheater is parked in a 19-acre park with a killer view of the Clearwater Harbor.
I finally made my way over to the downtown venue to see Rainbow Kitten Surprise in the middle of June — and despite the slimy heat, it lived up to my own internalized hype.
Beyond the stellar sunset viewing, the massive venue also brings in tons of food truck options, like my fave, Funnel Vision.
Here’s a peek at this fall’s roster:
Lee Brice | Thursday, Sept. 11
Leon Bridges with Charley Crocket | Monday, Sept. 15
Tampa Bay Job & Career Fair | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | St. Petersburg Coliseum | Free | Pull on your crispest khakis and bring 20 copies of your resume to network with 50 local companies looking for standout hires.
Safety Harbor Restaurant Week | Monday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Times vary | Locations vary, Safety Harbor | Prices vary | Get prix fixe without the prix fixe price tag with a week’s worth of three-course meals at some of the city’s best eateries like Gigglewaters and The Tides Market.
Circuit Training with Body Fit Tampa | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Sadly, this work week starts on a Monday. But you can beat the blues with a high-energy workout blending weight lifting + circuit training — followed by a bite from the Heights Market.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
Re-Opening | 2-5 p.m. | The Florida Holocaust Museum | $18+ | It’s finally time to check out the downtown museum’s new look and collection — including Thor, a Danish fishing boat used in the 1943 rescue of 7,000+ Jews.
Flavors of Spain Dinner Featuring Wild Child | 7-9:30 p.m. | The Dalí Museum | $225+ | Chef Rob Reinsmith of Wild Child chefs up a multi-course meal inspired by the surrealist painter’s homeland for the latest installment of the dinner series.
Wednesday, Sept. 10
Jessie Murph | 8 p.m. | Yuengling Center | $53+ | Embrace “Worldwide Hysteria” — or maybe don’t — at the superstar’s show packed with her genre-bending mix of country, rap, and pop.
Thursday, Sept. 11
TEDxSt Pete Women: “Golden Age of Greatness” | 4-9 p.m. | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg | $161 | Lean in and listen to insights from thought leaders, from actionable strategies to elevate your well-being to tips on building lasting prosperity and cultivating profound joy.
2025 Annual Arts Festival | Friday, Sept. 12-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Times vary | New Tampa Performing Arts Center | Free | Catch a screening of “Beauty and the Beast,” food trucks, The Florida Orchestra’s instrument petting zoo, and sketch comedy at this weekend-long arts party.
Big news for Duke Energy customers: The utility is removing storm cost recovery charges from your bills starting next March. So, how much is your bill going down? Your March bill should be $44.16 cheaper. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Travel
Checking in to your flight is about to get a whole lot faster. The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority board approved spending $584+ million on improving the check-in experience. How so? Expect more self check-in kiosks + room for lining up at the counters, and a new checked baggage system. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Eat
Remember when we shared that Red Mesa is opening a spot called Mercado West a couple years ago? Well, the new St. Pete taco eatery officially starts slinging tacos in the old Two Graces location in October. The menu is packed with “Cali-Mex tacos, bows and “not-your-basic burritos.”(Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Sports
If the Rays sale goes through, minor-league owner Ken Babby “would likely be the face of the Rays’ pursuit of a stadium in Hillsborough County.” Babby is an investor in the new ownership group + would tackle the problem of building an engaged fan base. Okay, Ken, let’s see what you’ve got.(Tampa Bay Times)
Mansion Monday
No need to reserve a court when you’ve got one at home. A prime South Tampa lot with room for a 5-bed, 4-bath home and its own private tennis court is on the market. Oh, and it’s on the water too. Take a tour.
Eat
What is your favorite comfort food? For Floridians, conch fritters are at the top of the list, according to Reader’s Digest. We recommend sampling some for yourself at Big Ray’s Fish Campfor research purposes.
History
Did you know the oldest town in Florida was founded in 1565? St. Augustine, which sits 181 miles north east of Tampa, was established centuries before the Cigar City. Still, there’s plenty of history to uncover right here at home. (Business Insider)
Try This
In our best Ryan Seacrest voice: Are you the next “American Idol?” The TV singing competition is hosting its virtual “Idol Across America” auditions via Zoom in Florida on Thursday, Sept. 11. If taking the mic is your dream, sign up here.
Read
If you’ve read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” or “Dune,” you’ve read one of the titles on Mental Floss’ “13 Quintessential Gen X Books” list. These books are beloved for a reason, so there’s a good chance you’ll find them at one of Tampa Bay’s independent bookstores. (Mental Floss)
Is Nick Paul a trade option for the Lightning? Get some insight on the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Wellness
Overwhelmed by today’s contradictory nutrition advice? Cut through the noise + find a dietician with Nourish — 94% of patients pay $0 out of pocket. Hello, personalized nutrition plan.*
Stat
$461. That’s the average money saved by drivers who switch up their car insurance provider. Money has a free tool that matches you with the best options for TBAY. See how much you could save.*
Explore Tampa Bay as you reach your resolution. | Photo via Canva
Lucky you. You just found TBAYtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Tampa Bay each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month.
Theater
“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” | Tuesday, Sept. 16-Saturday, Sept. 20 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts | $91 | It’s nothing like the original. This “quick-changing, laugh-out-loud reimagining of the gothic classic, perfect for audiences of all blood types.”
Seasonal
Fall Glam & Glow | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Hyde House Public Studio | $17+ | Grab the girls and spend a rejuvenating night painting, getting spray tans, arranging blooms, getting IV therapy or permanent jewelry, and take home a financial worksheet.
Eat
Hop-toberfest featuring Weihenstephaner | Friday, Sept. 12 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Epicurean Hotel | $85 | Experience five crafted beer tastings from the world’s oldest brewery — Weihenstephaner — paired with gourmet bites.
start at $1 and max out at $100.
A cozy button down cardigan that will become a staple in your fall wardrobe. It’s made of soft knitted fabric + includes a hood for when you need a little extra warmth.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
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