By Nanette Wiser
SIP & SUP
The Saturday Market resumes Oct. 1 and the Indie Flea Oct. 2 on the first Sunday of the month under the overpass across from Lolita’s. Good Intentions’ vegan fare is getting rave reviews. Allelo Mediterranean and seafood cuisine has finally opened in the Beach Drive Annata/Alto Mare location. Bonu Tavern Italiana’s panini and rustica Roman style pinsa get rave reviews. Asian steakshouse Fortu will take over Ceviche’s former location in the Ponce de Leon Hotel. Lingr’s dim sum Sunday revs up your breakfast options.
Savor St. Pete, the ultimate food festival 11/5-6, celebrates its 10th anniversary with an award-winning culinary showcase of the Bay area’s celebrated chefs, acclaimed restaurants, popular breweries, and an outstanding selection of wines, all within the impressive Grand Tasting Village. Enophiles also will like Must Wine, Try Wine and Sauvignon.
SHOP LOCAL Paradise News is a proud media sponsor of Shopapalooza 2022, Ester Venouziou’s celebration of local eats, drinks, crafts, vendors and live entertainment. It’s the perfect way to support local business and round up unique holiday gifts.
FUN
American Stage is offering drama classes for adults for the first time, taught by local teaching artists. Classes include fundamental acting, comedy for beginners, acting for the camera and musical theater. The classes run 10/1-12/10 and AS will also conduct weekend youth classes. Eugene Bondurant continues her acting workshops at Green Light Cinema as well. Test your comedy chops at Coastal Creative’s comedy competitions and performances.
Sadly, The Independent, home to James Suggs’ Sunday jazz jam, has closed, but in good news, Ringside Café has a new location, and The Hideaway Café Presents is booking shows at the North Hall @Bayboro and two other locations. Coming in October is the return of Living Room Live, Hideaway Cafe’s first and longest running, award-winning open mic night the first Monday of every month. On 11/4, HC teams up with Seven C, presenting Anne E. DeChant and her marvelous stories.
Enchant Christmas lights up 4 million lights in Tropicana Field beginning 11/25 with national sponsor the Hallmark Channel, including a Hallmark Cozy Christmas lounge. Mark your calendars now for the fifth season of The St. Petersburg Celebration of the Arts 2/2023. Book your Straz Broadway show night with Star Trolley now.
DTSP TIDBITS
USF St. Pete receives $15 million in funding for Florida Flood Hub. Kudos to Casa’s Family Justice Center Grand Opening 10/19 during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Erin Stewart Mauldin, associate history professor who uses the lens of the environmental sciences to examine the major issues of the 19th century in the American South, has been named the John Hope Franklin Professor of Southern History at the USF St. Petersburg campus. Bayfront Health St. Petersburg teams up with Women’s Care to provide ob-gyn services in a to-be-built 60,000-square-foot facility, on the hospital’s campus. Look for changes along 600 Central as part of the street goes up for sale.
HOSPITALITY NEWS
In Tierra Verde, Jolly Roger’s eater’tainment grub and pub pirate-themed restaurant opens. Florida Cracker Kitchen, an iconic Old Florida-style scratch kitchen, is now open at the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort, with locations in Brooksville Jacksonville (2), Keystone Heights, Dade City and hopefully here soon. Mochinut, Decosmo Italian Market, and Blockbuster-themed Beerbusters Movie Bar open in Pinellas Park. Seminole’s Mickey Quinn’s has new owners, a fabulous bar, happy hour, food, live music, and trivia. In St. Pete Beach, Woody’s hosts Jeep Night Wed. 6-9pm. VIP in Treasure Island adds breakfast monthly and weekends in IRB.
