GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS GOES VIRTUAL
Tampa’s oldest fine art festival, which is typically held at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, will go totally online for 2021. Organizers announced that they will use the platform Eventeny to host a livestream of entertainment on March 6 and 7 for the festival’s 51st anniversary, including art demonstrations and children’s activities, while artists will present their work for competition via online booths. This will be the country’s first juried virtual art show, and the 2021 fest will still award what organizers are calling “significant” prize money to artists.
HERON ON WATER STREET BEGINS LEASING
The first residential building to open in the new Water Street Tampa development has begun leasing. The two-tower complex will have one, two and three-bedroom floor plans with sweeping views of the city. Heron residents will have access to rooftop amenities such as a pool with cabanas, an outdoor kitchen and barbecue areas, a full fitness center, a bar, and lounge spaces. The earliest move-in date is set for April.
THE COLUMBIA RESTAURANT GROUP OPENS NEW RESTAURANT
Ybor City’s new, highly anticipated Sicilian restaurant opened for business on November 19. Inside the historic Ferlita Macaroni factory at 1607 N. 22nd St., Casa Santo Stefano serves traditional Italian recipes. Inspired by Ybor’s rich Sicilian history, Tampa restaurateur Richard Gonzmart strategically placed this new restaurant directly across from his family’s Columbia Restaurant. Dinner is currently served daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
SOUTH TAMPA’S FIRST DOG BAR OPENS
The neighborhood’s first indoor-outdoor, dog-focused bar opened near SoHo in mid-December. Pups Pub welcomes unleashed dogs to play at the fenced-in park, while humans can enjoy cocktails, craft beer and wine and catch the game on one of the bar’s 22 TVs. Memberships start at $10 for a day pass to $199 for an annual pass. Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccines, and humans do not need a dog to stop by. Pups Pub is located at 2202 W. Kennedy Blvd., in the old home of The Bungalow and Old School Bar & Grill.
