Tampa is already home to an entire college class dedicated to Taylor Swift, and independent movie houses are singing the pop star’s praises now, too.
Sun-Ray Cinema already hosts the occasional concert on its lobby stage, but hands the reins over to Swift this weekend as the 35-year-old releases her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.
In a post titled, “How I Stopped Being a Hater and Learned to Love Taylor Swift” Sun-Ray co-owner Shana David-Massett details how an employee at the original Sun-Ray, Bailee, held her hand as the indie cinema prepped to screen the “Eras Tour” movie.
“By the time we got to opening weekend I was performing a set with a piano/vocal arrangement Shake it Off to a packed house, making and trading friendship bracelets, and understanding that I was just at the beginning of *my* new era as a Swifty,” David-Massett added.
Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
Time Fri., Oct. 3, 2, 4:20, 7, 7:20 & 9:30 p.m., Sat., Oct. 4, 4, 6:30 & 8:45 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 5, 2, 4:15 & 6:30 p.m. 2025
Location Sun-Ray Cinema, 12322 University Mall Ct., Tampa
To celebrate the release of Swift’s new album, Sun-Ray will screen a nearly 90-minute film that includes the world premiere of the music video, “The Fate of Ophelia,” plus behind the scenes footage from its creation, new lyrics videos and Swift’s reflections on the album.
Sun-Ray—located at 12332 University Mall Ct. in Tampa—hosts five screenings on Friday, Oct. 3, starting at 2 p.m., with six more screenings happening between Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 4-5. Tickets are $12.
“When news broke on the Life of a Showgirl release I lost my mind with all of you, my friends. My Sun-Tay bracelet making will commence, and out comes my What’s Sun-Ray Cinema Anyway? T-shirt,” Masset-David wrote, adding that anyone who wants to join in on some pre-show karaoke can email her at shana@sunraycinema.com.
Sun-Ray isn’t the only indie movie house hosting release parties for Swift either.
Tampa Theatre, at 711 N Franklin St. in downtown Tampa, hosts two screenings in its Taylor Screening Room on Friday, Oct. 3, plus five more screenings between Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 4-5. Tickets are $14.
Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
Time Fri., Oct. 3, 6:30 & 9 p.m., Sat., Oct. 4, 2:30, 5 & 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 5, 2 & 5 p.m. 2025
Location Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602, Tampa
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This article appears in Sept. 25 – Oct. 1, 2025.