Tampa, we are coming to the cottage! In conjunction with Sunset Events and Club 90s LA, The Ritz Ybor announced that the viral Heated Rivalry Night dance party tour is officially coming to Tampa. Your resident That’s So Tampa romance book girlie and Heated Rivalry stan here has been living vicariously through TikToks from tour dates across the country and can’t believe it’s stopping in Tampa.
The high-energy, Heated Rivalry-themed dance party takes over The Ritz Ybor (1503 E 7th Ave) this February. The original date (Friday, February 6) sold out faster than we could say “Will you come to my cottage this summer,” so there has now been a second tour date added on February 5. Tickets are extremely limited and expected to sell out fast, so we recommend not waiting for season 2 to drop. Get yours soon.
What you need to know about the party
If the only thing running through your head is all the things that Shane and Ilya said, this is your night, and what you need to know. Doors open at 9 pm, and the party is 18+ only. Organizers promise you’ll dance all night to Heated Rivalry edits (they’re my entire algorithm too), pop throwbacks, queer anthems, and nonstop high-energy hits. Plus, the night will include a photobooth, giveaways, and more. The cast and characters will not be in attendance, but we do love a good costume moment if inspiration strikes you.
Tickets (while they last) are general admission/standing room only for the event. They do have a limited number of VIP tables available, as well. Now the real question is, are you wearing your Hollanov jersey, your 2008-2018 period finest, Boston or Metro gear, or Ilya’s leopard print vintage Gaultier club shirt? Bonus points if you practice your loon calls.
Still from Heated Rivalry | Photo courtesy of Crave Canada/IMDB
ICYMI: The Heated Rivalry lore (literary, cinematically, and otherwise)
The six-episode hockey romance series produced by smaller streamer Crave Canada was picked up and streamed by HBO Max and quickly became a global phenomenon. Based on books by author Rachel Reid, Heated Rivalry follows characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two hockey rivals who have a ten-year long love story.
The books (three of which feature Shane and Ilya) have been flying off shelves, bookstores, and libraries across the globe. A seventh, brand-new book also featuring the couple was just announced for later this year. The show set streaming records as HBO Max’s top acquired streaming title, and episode five has earned a rare perfect 10/10 on IMDB. The rating tied it with Breaking Bad’s “Ozymandias” as one of the highest-rated TV episodes ever, which is delighting fans of the show everywhere.
While the spice (yes, it has strong adult themes and content) certainly drew in many viewers, it’s the incredibly moving love story between two athletes finding themselves and each other in a high-pressure world that has made it a beloved piece of media. They’re masterfully depicted by actors Hudson Williams (Hollander) and Connor Storrie (Rozanov). Both of whom have become household names overnight, appearing on nearly every talk show and even presenting at the Golden Globes last weekend.
All six episodes of the show’s first season are streaming on HBO Max, and if you haven’t seen them yet, you still have plenty of time to catch up before the Tampa tour dates. Directed by Jacob Tierney (you may know him from Shoresy + Letterkenny), the show was filmed in less than two months with a limited budget, and yet it’s some of the best television I’ve ever seen. Episodes three through six had me clutching a box of tissues and shouting at my TV in a range of emotions. When I hear THAT song by Wolf Parade, it’s like Pavlovian tears at this point.
Will you come to the cottage this February?
For one weekend only, the Bolts might not be the most popular hockey boys in town. Get your tickets for Heated Rivalry Night at The Ritz Ybor on Thursday, February 5. If you already got your tickets for the sold-out Friday, February 6 show, we love this for you.