DOWNTOWN CONCIERGE: By Nanette Wiser
Let’s bid adieu to the 2020 pandemic siesta by supporting local downtown St. Pete businesses during the holiday season, wearing your mask and smiling eyes while you explore the new SHINE murals and whistle a merry tune. 2021 brings two new coffeehouses, Buddy Brew and Chelsea Coffee (WADA). Happy New Year 2021!
CELEBRATE DTSP STYLE:
Need some New Year’s Eve & holiday take-out ideas to avoid home-cooking fatigue? Fresh Market’s $5 Thursdays (and their seafood) are amazing. You can get pizza, sushi, roasted chicken and other side dishes and specials (today was 2 for $5 nut breads) that any gourmet could serve with pride. Buy four or more bottles of wine and get 10% off. Stop by for nibbles, desserts and dishes from Mazzaro’s and Trader Joe’s, wine from Rolling Oats, Lolita’s and Hawthorne Bottle Shop to enjoy in the comfort of your jammies. Normally, I’d be jazzing it up with bubbly at Flute & Dram, but this year, why not pick up a delicious meal to enjoy at home from a DTSP restaurant?
Nothing Bundt Cakes is now open at 2458 4th St. N, serving up large and small sweets, even bite-sized Bundtinis. You can order the perfect size in delicious flavors like chocolate chip, red velvet, carrot, white chocolate raspberry, pecan praline and more.
Now you’re ready for some entertainment. In addition to Siri, why not listen to WUSF Public Media’s new free online streaming service, ArtsAxisFL.org, where you can stream performances and visit museums from all over Florida, including DTSP’s Florida Orchestra, Dali Museum, and James Museum for Western and Wildlife Art.
GRAB YOUR BASKET:
The beloved Saturday Morning Market is back at Al Lang Stadium, but it looks a bit different this year. At press time, there was no limit on attendees, but wearing a mask is mandatory. Enter at three entrances where you will be politely asked to put on a mask (or they will give you a free one) and the rest of the parking lot and market space are fenced off.
Emmanuel Roux’s farm with 100 fruits and vegetables at 340 15th St. N opens to the public Wednesday and Sunday 9am-2pm. You can order his produce to pick up at the Saturday Morning Market only, but his expertise on gardening, good soil and the veggie/good gut connection is free. No wonder this urban farmer is a consultant with the Metropolitan Food Project at the USF Microbiome institute.
Shop local for gifts at Creative Clay’s Holiday Art Market 12/4 10am-4pm features ceramics, cards, ornaments, wrapping paper and jewelry from the student artisans. The Indie Flea 12/4 (2201 1st Ave. S) and Uptown Market 12/5 outside MIZE Gallery (689 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N) serve up art, crafts and Uptown Eats. Also, that weekend is Vintage Marche for gently used treasures and antiques. The Miracle Holiday Market 12/12 11am-3pm serves up 50 local vendors selling vintage items, crafts, plants, clothes, food and drink with live music and Intermezzo coffee and cocktail drinks.
FUN IN THE SUN:
On Feb. 7, 2021, Super Bowl LV, the 55th Super Bowl and the 51st modern-era National Football League championship game, will decide the league champion for the 2020 NFL season. Look in our January 2021 issue and social media about all the fun events on both sides of the bay leading up to the big day. Will Bucs and Brady be there watching, or playing?
On Dec. 5, 3 Daughters celebrates their 7th anniversary with plenty of pints, live music (Acoustic Thunder, Applebutter Express), musical bingo, giveaways and games supporting local charities. Catch holiday films outdoors at Green Bench Brewing.
The Factory St. Pete is hosting a two-day outdoor preview 12/11 6-11pm and 12/12 11am-11pm at their new location (2622 Fairfield Ave. S). Friday night 12/11 is a ticketed evening of live music and a performance of “Shakespeare & Shots” supporting Keep St. Pete Lit. This is an outdoor event with designated socially distant seating areas to accommodate individual parties of up to six people. Saturday 12/12 is a free, day-long community event featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony for Keep St. Pete Lit’s children’s reading garden, outdoor holiday makers market presented by Keep St. Pete Local, pop-up art exhibit by Gallerie 909, outdoor live performances (music, poetry slam, and more!), food trucks, beer and wine. The Factory St. Pete’s mission is to provide a platform for local artists and creative businesses to come together, share ideas, grow, and inspire the community.