Two critically acclaimed one-woman fringe shows are back on stage in Tampa Bay.

Gabrielle Leonore’s “My Life as an ‘Inspirational P*rn Star” and Emily Weitzman’s “Furniture Boys” both showed at Tampa and Edinburgh fringe festivals over the summer.

Leonore’s show is part standup, burlesque and character study with a PowerPoint presentation and a soundtrack punctuated by Olivia Rodrigo’s “Brutal”.

Weitzman’s “Furniture Boys” is an absurdist comedy about boyfriends who become, well, furniture. The show combines clowning and spoken word for a reflection on love and impermanence. The Guardian called it “shimmeringly silly, ingenuous, and ridiculous and revelatory.”

Tickets are $27 for “Straight from the Fringes,” showing Thursday, Jan. 8-Sunday, Jan. 11 in Clearwater.

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Creative Pinellas’ eighth Arts Annual exhibition will be its last.

The exhibition themed “From Now to Next” acts as its goodbye celebration as the publicly defunded arts program prepares to close its office and gallery space in Largo by Feb. 1.

A total of 122 works from 73 artists span the exhibition, including painting, sculpture, spoken word, ceramics, mixed media, assemblage, film, and a special site-specific installation from the artist BASK.

Some of the exhibit’s featured artists, like Miss Crit, aka Laura Spencer, credit Creative Pinellas with their success after being nurtured by the program.

“Creative Pinellas has always been there for me and our artistic community,” Spencer said in a release. “It’s an absolute honor and privilege to participate in the final exhibit at the gallery.”

Others, like Cristi López, will show their work for the first time. In the gallery’s closing announcement, she said being showcased in the last Arts Annual “affirms that I made a great decision in moving here.”

There is no cover for Arts Annual: From Now to Next, running through Jan. 4 in Largo.

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The Tampa Museum of Art closed 2025 with a celebration of multi-talented Japanese-American artist Jun Kaneko’s work, opening his first major presentation in Florida. But there’s still plenty of time to see the exhibit.

“Silence Before Sound” features nearly 50 pieces of Kaneko’s large-scale ceramic sculptures, paintings and works on paper, tracing back six decades of his work.

His creative process is shaped by moments of pause or “Ma,” a concept rooted in Japanese aesthetics that Keneko has said is essential to the balance of an artwork. 

The museum’s “Remix” monthly workshop series bases its next project on his work. On Jan. 29, guests can learn glaze painting on ceramic tile to create Kaneko-inspired art.

Tickets start at $5 for “Silence before Sound,” running through Aug. 23 in Tampa. The “Remix” workshop is $55.

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Like a massive amount of fellow New Yorkers, Zydeco outfit Donna The Buffalo have a thing for spending New Year’s in Florida. The band has rung in the new year at Tampa’s Skipper’s Smokehouse for the last few years, but takes a different, slightly more intimate approach on Wednesday.

There’s currently no telling whether Jim Lauderdale will show up for a guest spot, but expect an accordion-drenched career retrospective to kiss 2025’s ass goodbye next week.

Ahead of the band’s first downtown Clearwater show in a decade, co-founder Tara Nevins told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about the best gig she ever saw. Read her full quote below.

I have seen many incredible concerts so it’s difficult to answer, but one of the most influential concerts was the first time seeing Preston Frank and his family band play Zydeco in Soileau, Louisiana. I came home and immediately bought an accordion, and that started a very important chapter in both mine and Donna The Buffalo’s musical evolution. -Tara Nevins, Donna The Buffalo

Tickets to see Donna The Buffalo play Clearwater’s Bilheimer Capitol Theatre are still available and start at $44.

Donna The Buffalo

Time Wed., Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

Location The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland Street, Clearwater

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20 years after releasing its debut album All’s Well That Ends Well, Craig Owens revived his old band with a new lineup for an anniversary tour this fall, which dropped into the historic Ritz Ybor. Hawthorne Heights, Emmure, and Big Ass Truck were also on site, making the gig feel like a true Warped Tour throwback. See Caitlin Carter’s photos below.

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A comedy club has stepped in to help a local comedian who lost his home in an electrical fire. 

Clark Brooks, a regular at Side Splitters and other improv and sketch events in the area, lost his home earlier this month. He and his pets are safe, but most possessions have been lost. While other people are making holiday plans, Brooks is now trying to find permanent shelter and a way to rebuild. 

Side Splitters, a comedy club known for helping local performers in need, hosts a benefit show to help Brooks at their Dale Mabry location on Sunday. Ticket proceeds will help the comedian with the various expenses related to losing his residence. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Brooks as well.

The lineup will include previous Best of the Bay winners Rahn Hortman, Jeff Klein and Steve Miller.

Brian Thompson, owner of Side Splitters, told Creative Loafing that comedians started volunteering to participate immediately after hearing about the fundraiser, including those who had benefits held for them in the past.

“I am just happy to be in a position to be able to help people when they need it,” Thompson said via email. “He (Brooks) would not have asked for this but I know it will help him get the essentials he needs and start to get back on his feet. Hopefully it lifts his spirits as well.”

Tickets start at $23.50 for the Fundraiser for Clark Brooks on Sunday, Dec. 21 in Tampa.

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Attend the tale, because Josh Groban and Jennifer Hudson are joining forces for an arena tour this summer, which stops in Tampa this June.

The 44-year-old multi-faceted tenor took to Hudson’s talk show on Tuesday morning to co-announce the 16-date run of shows. “I am so honored to be able to hit the road with you this summer. To be able to travel the country, to be able to blend our voices. The duet possibilities!” he told the EGOT-winner during the announcement.

The news comes following a few years off the road—which was preceded by an incredible, Tony Award-nominated Broadway run as the titular character in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”—and in the midst of Groban promoting Hidden Gems, a new collection of ultra-deep cuts. Many of the songs on the record have never been widely available before, so while it technically isn’t a new studio album, non-ride-or-dies may as well consider it as one.

Tickets to see Josh Groban and Jennifer Hudson play Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena on Friday, June 19 go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m., and start at $82.

Josh Groban with special guest Jennifer Hudson

Time Fri., June 19, 8 p.m.

Location Benchmark International Arena, 401 E Channelside Dr., Tampa

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Vanderbilt and Iowa face off for the first time ever for this year’s ReliaQuest Bowl on the day of New Year’s Eve.

Vanderbilt brings a historic 10-win season with an offense led by Heisman finalist Diego Pavia. Iowa’s famous defense is ready for the team’s seventh bowl in Tampa after a slightly disappointing 8-4 season.

But the Hawkeyes’ secret ingredient this year is in their offense: Mark Gronowski. The South Dakota State transfer set a program record of 15 rushing TDs by a quarterback this season, and became the team’s first member ever to rush for, throw, and catch a touchdown in the same game (vs. USC).

Either way, Tampa Bay wins. The bowl’s economic impact has reached an estimated $1.2 billion since it started as the Hall of Fame Bowl 40 years ago, Tampa Bay Business and Wealth recently reported. It was the Outback Bowl from 1995 to 2022 before the Tampa-based cybersecurity firm cut the check.

Teams will be in town five days early for events, including a beach day and parade.

Tickets start at $95 for ReliaQuest Bowl 2025, happening Wednesday, Dec. 31 in Tampa.

2025 ReliaQuest Bowl

Time Wed., Dec. 31, 12 p.m.

Location Raymond James Stadium, 4201 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa

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The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) offers an escape from the madness of the holidays next weekend.

In this immersive deep-sea experience, the garish reds and greens of Christmas and black and golds of New Year’s are nowhere to be seen. No carols, no “ho ho ho”-ing. Just the endless blue and the meditative sounds of animals who don’t know what a holiday even is.

“Sounds of the Ocean” promises “a captivating blend of art, music, and mindfulness that transports you straight into the ocean’s embrace,” per MOSI’s event description.

Inside what’s now America’s second-largest planetarium, mesmerizing deep-sea visuals pair with the natural music of whale and dolphin sounds, combined with original music composed by humans.

For those who can’t make it this weekend or want an encore, it’ll be back in MOSI’s dome again on Jan. 11.

Tickets are $18-$34 for “Sounds of the Ocean,” screening Sunday, Dec. 28 in Tampa.

Sounds of the Ocean – The Immersive Experience Tampa

Time

Location Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa

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There’s a reason Mariah Carey didn’t write “All I want for Christmas is more socks.” But hey, someone out there might want them. And you might actually like the smell of that candle they got.

Give regifting a chance at the St. Pete Elk’s Lodge next weekend. Last year’s haul included a pickle lover’s gift set,  pampering kits, a dancing party game and fake lashes.

It’s the thought, and lack of receipt, that counts.

There is no cover for Elks Lodge #1224’s Re-Gift Party, happening Saturday, Dec. 27 in St. Petersburg.

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