By Nanette Wiser
GOOD BURGER AWARDS
The Good Burgers for 2023 jingle mingled in December. Kudos to Burger winners – New Biz on the Block: IceBurg Cold Plunge; Wellness Warriors (new): Mindful Movement; Community Conscious (Grassroots): Pet Pal Animal Shelter; Community Conscious (Large): Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties; Arts & Culture: Fairgrounds St. Pete; Sustainability Stewards (new): Tampa Bay Watch; Makers & Creators: 3 Daughters Brewing; Eats & Treats: Kahwa Coffee. The Sunshine Award Sunshine Award ($50,000) went to St. Anthony’s Hospital/BayCare and the Most Valuable Burger was awarded to Sandy Bean, founder and CEO of St. Pete Girl Boss.
FUN
Tickled Pink, Sal Valentinetti (1/18), and Almost ABBA (1/27) at The Palladium are just some of the many music and comedy shows that make a perfect date night…and Valentine’s Day gift. The Tickled Pink Comedy Tour, produced by Tickled Pink Entertainment, is a new local production company kicking off their first comedy tour in their hometown and a portion of the proceeds from their March 2nd show, with John Heffron and Maryellen Hooper, will benefit myhopechest.org and breast reconstruction surgery for breast cancer survivors. Jannus Live features Greensky Bluegrass 1/13, Shane Smith & The Saints 1/21 and Bowling for Soup 1/28. Before or after the show, grab a bite at T’s and Tacos next door at 1st Ave. N.
GASPAR!
At the St. Petersburg Museum of History, don’t miss The American Soldier: Conflicts, Shipwrecks and The Homefront, The Florida Highwaymen: Painting Paradise and the talk with historian lecture series. From Jan. 4-7, the museum and Palladium present Gaspar! The Musical, a swashbuckling, new musical comedy that captures the spirit of wild fun and merriment in Tampa Bay’s annual Gasparilla celebration. Music by Constantine Grame and book and lyrics by William Leavengood, Gaspar! is a fast-paced, bawdy tale of “trading places” that finds the legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, magically transported through time to modern-day Tampa Bay. In contrast, his identical counterpart, Joe Wright, a Florida politician running for governor, finds himself captaining the pirate ship, Floriblanca, in 1724. www.HistoryStpete.org
MLK BIG DREAM WEEKEND
Advantage Village Academy (AVA) began and hosted St. Petersburg’s first Inaugural MLK, Jr. Family Fun Day and in 2017 the city asked AVA to reinvent the MLK, Jr. Family Fun Day and MLK, Jr. Parade. St. Pete’s MLK DREAM BIG CELEBRATION was born. From 1/11-1/15, many family friendly events help honor Martin Luther King’s birthday 1/15 including a spelling bee and scavenger hunt, MLK Big Dream Banquet, band showcase and the parade and family fun day on Monday. www.mlkdreambig.com/events
DINE & DRINK
Thirsty First is moving to the former home of Acropolis Greek Taverna on Central Ave., with two floors and outdoor seating. Concrete Jungle two-level cocktail lounge is in the old Iberian Rooster location and serving Mexican regional “vibrant flavor fusion” dishes and drinks (The Jungle Boogie) from Tulum and Yucatan Peninsula. Coming in 2024 is Cheeky’s, a raw bar and seafood grill with classic fried chicken to the Grand Central District. Think New England oyster bar marries Southern chicken shack. Cheeky’s beverages are sure to be a hit, a mix of fun frozen and classic cocktails, local ice-cold beers, a tight list of approachable natural wines by the glass and bottle and refreshing spirit-free beverages. The restaurant is the brainchild of Tampa local Nate Siegel, co-founder behind Tampa’s award-winning Willa’s and Willa’s Provisions. Sadly, Brick Farms in-store brick and mortar shopping is no more. You can still buy online for in-person pick-up at The Hub or direct home delivery.
