Participants audition at Red Bull Dance Your Style Qualifier at Armature Works in Tampa, Florida on April 9, 2023. Credit: Yvonne Gougelet / Red Bull Content Pool
Tampa has long had its own style of dance (read: jook), but it won’t have a dancer in the ring this weekend when the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals arrive downtown. Instead, Florida will be represented by the likes of Orlando-based Motiv Crew founder and director Marlee Hightower, Motiv Crew member Fantaye, and Pompano Beach-born Kidd the Monster.
The knockout tournament finds dancers from across the U.S. going one-one-one, across genres, with the crowd deciding the winner, who will go on to represent the U.S. in the world finals happening in Zurich, Switzerland next month.
A Tampeño will be on the ones and twos, however, thanks to Tampa-based DJ, educator and Thesis Dance Festival founder Hans Pierre.
The weekend also includes a workshop with Jacksonville-raised dancer and choreographerAmari Marshall who is a dance captain and contributing choreographer on Beyoncé’sCowboy Carter World Tour.
A no-cover, Friday exhibition and bracket reveal happens at The Ritz in Ybor City. Registration is required for Saturday afternoon workshops happening at Hotel Haya in Ybor City.
See more events happening across the Bay area this week below.
Arts & entertainment
The Spoonbill Reading Series (USF MFA) Thursday, Sept. 18. 7 p.m. No cover. Corner Club, Tampa
Crimson Cardinal: Beginner Stained Glass Workshop Friday, Sept. 18. 12 p.m. $45. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com
Miniature Landscapes Friday, Sept. 18. 2 p.m. No cover; waitlist open. East Community Library at SPC, Clearwater
Experimental Encaustics Saturday, Sept. 19. 10 a.m. $250. Vinik Family Education Center at Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa
Fall/Spooky Season Bookshelf Craft Night Friday, Sept. 18. 7:30 p.m. $30. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com
Rachel Covello (Live artist painting) Friday, Sept. 18. 5 p.m. No cover. The Dan at Hotel Flor, Tampa
Red Bull Dance Your Style Battle Day Friday, Sept. 18. 5 p.m. No cover. The Ritz, Ybor City. redbull.com
Arts Alive Day: Free Gallery Admission for Pinellas County Residents Saturday, Sept. 19. 9 a.m. No cover (Pinellas County ID required). Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg. thedali.org
Ashley Rivers: Art as Environmental Restoration (Artist talk) Saturday, Sept. 19. 6 p.m. No cover. Brenda McMahon Gallery, Gulfport. brendamcmahongallery.com
Batman Day 2026 Saturday, Sept. 19. 11 a.m. No cover. Emerald City Comics, Pinellas Park. emeraldcitycomics.com
Beck “Ride Lonesome” album listening party Saturday, Sept. 17. 4 p.m. No cover. D and J Records, Dunedin
Cinema in the Sunshine State (Exhibit opening) Saturday, Sept. 19. 10 a.m. $18.95. Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org
Red Bull Dance Your Style (National final) Saturday, Sept. 19. 6:30 p.m.$10.50 & up. Tampa Convention Center, Tampa
Oktoberfest Kickoff Parade Sunday, Sept. 20. 6 p.m. No cover. Starts at Hillsborough High School, Tampa. independentbartampa.com
Storytelling Amateur Hour Wednesday, Sept. 23. 6 p.m. No cover. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com
David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed (Opening Celebration) Wednesday, Sept. 23. 6 p.m. $45. Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa
Performance: My Unspeakable Confessions Tuesday, Sept. 22. 6 p.m. $10. Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg. thedali.org
Sacred Pilgrimage: Gaudí and Galban — Art & Architecture Presentation Tuesday, Sept. 22. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. No cover. St. Justin, Martyr Roman Catholic Church, Seminole
Reflections in Sea Glass: A Self Love Mirror Workshop Tuesday, Sept. 22. 5 p.m. $35. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com
En Vivo Privado featuring Adolescentes Thursday, Sept. 24. 9 p.m. $18.55. Hard Rock Cafe, Tampa
Heightened Senses: Bemba Sessions & more Thursday, Sept. 24. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Donations accepted. Wave & See Gallery, Tampa
The Living Museum: A Celebration of Art, Movement & Human Expression Thursday, Sept. 24. 7 p.m. $40. LeBlanc, Ybor City. leblancvenue.net
Septima Cocktail Hour with Tampa City Ballet Thursday, Sept. 24. 6:30 p.m. $80. Oxford Exchange, Tampa. oxfordexchange.com
Bookish
5th Annual Tampa Bay Black Authors Expo Saturday, Sept. 19. 12 p.m. No cover. The Portico, Tampa. wowbookandtoy.com
Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti Saturday, Sept. 19. 1:30 p.m. No cover. Riverview Public Library, Riverview
Book Discussion: “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon Saturday, Sept. 19. 3 p.m. No cover. New Tampa Regional Library, Tampa
Cigar City: The Story of Ybor City and West Tampa Saturday, Sept. 19. 2 p.m. No cover. John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa
Ligia N. Cushman (Book signing) Saturday, Sept. 19. 12 p.m. No cover with RSVP. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com
Origins of the Gothic Genre Saturday, Sept. 19. 10:30 a.m. No cover. Clearwater Countryside Library, Clearwater
Jill Witecki w/Joey Hager (Book talk) Sunday, Sept. 20. 3 p.m. $6.71 & up. Oxford Exchange, Tampa. oxfordexchange.com
Book Discussion: “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney Monday, Sept. 21. 11 a.m. No cover. Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, Tampa
Book Discussion: “The Last Contract of Isako” by Fonda Lee Monday, Sept. 21. 3 p.m. No cover with registration. John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa
Bilingual Book Tasting: “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel Tuesday, Sept. 22. 5:30 p.m. No cover with registration. Palm Harbor Library, Palm Harbor. palmharborlibrary.org
Book Discussion: “Dune” by Frank Herbert Tuesday, Sept. 22. 3 p.m. No cover with registration. Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, Tampa
Book Discussion: “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto Select times Tuesday-Wednesday, Sept. 22-23. No cover. Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, Tampa
Book Discussion: “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge Tuesday, Sept. 22. 4 p.m. No cover with registration. Charles J. Fendig Public Library, Tampa
Contemporary Book Club: “The Names” by Florence Knapp Tuesday, Sept. 22. 7 p.m. No cover. Dunedin Public Library, Dunedin
Fallow – An Evening with Sarah Anderson Tuesday, Sept. 22. 7 p.m. No cover with RSVP. Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg
Madeline Martin w/Sarah Penner (Book talk) Tuesday, Sept. 22. 6:30 p.m. $6.71 & up. Oxford Exchange, Tampa. oxfordexchange.com
Ghosts in the Library with Silent Slayer Ghost Tours Wednesday, Sept. 23. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Dunedin Public Library, Dunedin
Shelf Indulgent Romance Book Club: “One Dark Window” by Rachel Gillig Wednesday, Sept. 23. 6 p.m. No cover. Largo Public Library, Largo
Book Discussion: “Florida Hustle” by Paul Wilborn Thursday, Sept. 24. 6:30 p.m. No cover with registration. John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa
Book Discussion: “The Paris Daughter” by Kristin Harmel Thursday, Sept. 24. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, Tampa
Book Discussion: “The Seventh Veil of Salome” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Thursday, Sept. 24. 10:30 a.m. No cover with registration. North Tampa Branch Library, Tampa
Books Behind the Scenes with Diane, Toni, and Jess from Penguin Random House Wednesday, Sept. 24. 6:30 p.m. $10. Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg
Books & Beyond Book Club Thursday, Sept. 24. 12 p.m. No cover. Tarpon Springs Public Library, Tarpon Springs. tarponlibrary.org
Books & Bibliophiles Book Club: “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret” by Judy Blume Thursday, Sept. 24. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Portkey Books, Safety Harbor. portkeybooks.com
Fiction Book Club: “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck Thursday, Sept. 24. 6 p.m. No cover. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com
Madeline Martin (Book talk) Thursday, Sept. 24. 6:30 p.m. No cover with RSVP. The Gilded Page, Tarpon Springs. thegildedpagebookstore.com
Silent Book Club Thursday, Sept. 24. 5:30 p.m. No cover. Aspirations Winery, Clearwater. aspirationswinery.com
Comedy
Adam Muller Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-19. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. $23.80. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel
John Carfi Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-19. 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $22.50. Snappers Grill, Palm Harbor
Kevin Nealon Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-19. 7 p.m. Thursday; 6:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $47.80. McCurdy’s, Sarasota
Timmy No Brakes Select times Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-19. $31 & up. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Eric Bailey Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19. 8:30 p.m. $23.58. Clearwater Comedy Club, Clearwater
Jeff Klein Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19. 8 p.m. Friday; 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. $20. Coconuts Comedy Club, St. Pete Beach
Popcorn & Punchlines Friday, Sept. 18. 8 p.m. $15. The Beach Theatre, St. Pete Beach
Sam Jay Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $24.80 and up. Coastal Creative, St. Petersburg
Stephen Henry Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19. 8:30 p.m. $23.58. Sunshine City Comedy Club, St. Pete Beach
Steve Trevino Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19. 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Friday; 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Saturday. $32 and up. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ybor City
Not Service Related: A Wounded Warrior Fundraiser Show feat. Thom Tran Saturday, Sept. 19. 5:30 p.m. $25 & up. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Free Comedy Show feat. Dan Bakst & Friends Sunday, Sept. 20. 7:30 p.m. No cover. Bigfoot On The River, Tampa
Jourdain Fisher Sunday, Sept. 20. 5:30 & 8 p.m. $30. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Kevin Sullivan Tuesday, Sept. 22. 7 p.m. $33 & up. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Katie Boyle Wednesday, Sept. 23. 7:30 p.m. $32.31 & up. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Gus Tate Thursday, Sept. 24. 7:30 p.m. $25. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Johnny Pemberton w/Josh Fadem/Matt Fernandez/more Thursday, Sept. 24. 7 p.m. $28 & up. Oscura, Bradenton
Shannon Fiedler Thursday, Sept. 24. 7 p.m. $27. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ybor City
Steve Byrne Select times Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 24-27. $30. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Fall/Halloween
Legoland Florida: Brick or Treat Select dates Sept. 5-Oct. 31. Included with park admission. Legoland Florida Resort, Winter Haven. legoland.com
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Howl-O-Scream Select dates Sept. 11-Oct. 31. 7 p.m. $44.99 & up. Busch Gardens, Tampa. buschgardens.com
Haunted Sarasota: Musical Ghost Trolley Tour Nightly Oct. 1-30. 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. $62.99. 1826 4th Street, Sarasota. discoversarasotatours.com
Lights at Spooky Point: Halloween Light Show Nightly Oct. 1-31 (closed Oct. 13). 6:30 p.m. & 7:45 p.m. $19 & up. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Historic Spanish Point, Osprey. selby.org
St. Pete’s Ghosts: Haunted Walking Tour First and second Friday and Saturday of each month. $25 (children under 10 free). Downtown St. Petersburg
Film & TV
37th Annual Queer Film Festival: Laugh Out Loud Comedy Shorts Friday, Sept. 18. 7 p.m. $10. Sun-Ray Cinema, Tampa
First They Came For My College Select times and dates Friday-Thursday, Sept. 18-24. $10 & up. Green Light Cinema, St. Petersburg. firsttheycameformycollege.com
37th Annual Queer Film Festival: Ephemera Saturday, Sept. 19. 2:30 p.m. $10. Sun-Ray Cinema, Tampa
37th Annual Queer Film Festival: Test Saturday, Sept. 19. 5 p.m. $10. Sun-Ray Cinema, Tampa
37th Annual Queer Film Festival: Queer Macabre Shorts Program Saturday, Sept. 19. 7:30 p.m. $10. Sun-Ray Cinema, Tampa
Graphic Novel Book Discussion: “Batwing: Luke Fox” by Jimmy Palmiotti Saturday, Sept. 19. 11:30 a.m. No cover. Riverview Public Library, Riverview
Motion Picture Paradise: A History of Florida’s Film and Television Industry with David Morton Saturday, Sept. 19. 11 a.m. No cover. John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa
Triumph: Tampa’s Untold Chapter in the Civil Rights Movement Saturday, Sept. 19. 12 p.m. No cover. John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa
37th Annual Queer Film Festival: Meeting Marsha Sunday, Sept. 20. 5 p.m. $10. Sun-Ray Cinema, Tampa
37th Annual Queer Film Festival: Crying Out Loud Bittersweet Shorts (Closing Night) Sunday, Sept. 20. 7:30 p.m. $10. Sun-Ray Cinema, Tampa
10 Things I Hate About You Wednesday, Sept. 23. 8 p.m. No cover. Lower Deck, Tampa
Learn
A (Not So Critical) History Of Art Friday, Sept. 18. 11 a.m. No cover. Clearwater Countryside Library, Clearwater.
Medicare Basics Friday, Sept. 18. 2 p.m. No cover. Tarpon Springs Public Library, Tarpon Springs. tarponlibrary.org
Remember the Time: Celebrating USF’s Black Alumni Friday, Sept. 18. 6 p.m. No cover. Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org
Ekphrastic Workshop with Victoria Dym Saturday, Sept. 19. 1 p.m. $33.85. Jack Kerouac House, St. Petersburg. stpetekerouachouse.com
Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz Saturday, Sept. 19. 10 a.m. No cover. Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Clearwater. pinellas.gov
Golden Harvest: The Music and Traditions of the Greek Spongers of Tarpon Springs with Panayotis League, Ph.D Sunday, Sept. 20. 2 p.m. No cover. Sulphur Springs Museum, Tampa. sulphurspringsmuseum.org
September Article Club with Lauren Peace Sunday, Sept. 20. 5 p.m. No cover with RSVP. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com
Citizen Science: Pinellas Bee City Monday, Sept. 21. 11 a.m. No cover. Tarpon Springs Public Library, Tarpon Springs. tarponlibrary.org
Public Library Outreach American Art Tuesday, Sept. 22. 5:30-7 p.m. No cover with registration. Barbara S. Ponce Public Library, Pinellas Park. mfastpete.org
SPHA Homeownership Access & Opportunity Roundtable Tuesday, Sept. 22. 10-11 a.m. No cover (confirm open to public at [email protected]). Jordan Park Clubhouse, St. Petersburg
Sips & Trips: A New Adventure Series with Brittany Loubier-Vervisch, Carl Vervisch, and Brigita Gahr Tuesday, Sept. 22. 7 p.m. $7.48. New World Brewery, Tampa.
Connect, Network & Meet the InsurTech Community Thursday, Sept. 24. 5:30 p.m. No cover with registration. American Social, Tampa
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Thursday, Sept. 24. 6 p.m. $15. Ersula’s History Shop, Tampa. ersulashistoryshop.com
Gallery Readiness: Workshop for Artists Thursday, Sept. 24. 6 p.m. $10. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com
Remember. Rebuild. Prepare. – Hurricane Preparedness Kit Day 2026 Thursday, Sept. 24. 12 p.m. No cover; $45 donation requested. Tampa River Center, Tampa. givebutter.com
Markets & retail
Deviant Market Ghouls Night Saturday, Sept. 19. 7 p.m. $10. Deviant Libation, Tampa. deviantlibation.com
Plantoberfest Saturday, Sept. 19. 10 a.m. No cover. Westchase Town Center, Tampa
News & public affairs
St. Petersburg City Council: FY27 Budget Public Hearing #2 Thursday, Sept. 17. 6 p.m. No cover. City Hall Council Chambers, 175 5th St. N., St. Petersburg
WaveMakers Live: The 2026 Midterm Elections — What’s at Stake? Thursday, Sept. 17. 7:30 p.m. $10. The Commodore, Ybor City. wmnf.org
Taryn Sabia for Mayor: Coffee & Conversation Friday, Sept. 18. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. No cover. Buddy Brew (3304 W Bay to Bay Blvd.), Tampa
Poly & Kink-Friendly Hangout Thursday, Sept. 17. 6 p.m. No cover. Deviant Libation, Tampa
37th Annual Queer Film Festival Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-20. Various times and prices. Sun-Ray Cinema, Tampa
Queerlastic Book Fair Saturday, Sept. 19. Noon-4 p.m. Pay what you can. Fabulous Arts Foundation, Sarasota
Pride & Passion: Go Greek & Roman Saturday, Sept. 19. 7 p.m. $155 & up. Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa
Queer Show ‘N Tell Monday, Sept. 21. 6:30-8:30 p.m. No cover. Seminole Heights Branch Library, Tampa
Lick and Flick: Sapphic Dive-In Movie Night Monthly Mondays. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover. Cocktail St. Pete, St. Petersburg
Sports
Tampa Bay Sun Foundation Free Youth Soccer Clinics Various dates Aug. 7-Spring 2027. Free. Select locations across Tampa Bay
South Florida Bulls Football vs. Delaware State Hornets Football Saturday, Sept. 19. 7 p.m. $21 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Tampa Roller Derby Rookie Rumble Saturday, Sept. 19. 5 p.m. $20. Tom Oliver Memorial Outdoor Hockey Rink, Seminole Heights. tamparollerderby.net
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 20. 1 p.m. $93.94 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Nashville Predators Sunday, Sept. 20. 5 p.m. $30 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Thursday, Sept. 24. 7 p.m. $32.40 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
Theater
Arsenic and Old Lace Select times and dates Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 3-20. $32.50. Bradenton Kiwanis Theater at Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton
Halfway There Multiple times Saturday, Sept. 5-Oct.17. $60. Early Bird Dinner Theater, Clearwater. earlybirddinnertheater.com
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Select times and dates Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-20. $31.75 & up. Richey Suncoast Theatre, New Port Richey
The Marvelous Wonderettes Select times and dates Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-20. $22 & up. Francis Wilson Playhouse, Clearwater
A Night With Janis Joplin Select times and dates Wednesday-Sunday, Sept. 16-Oct. 11. $28. American Stage, St. Petersburg
As We Like It Select times and dates Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 17-Oct. 4. $28. LAB Theater Project, Ybor City
My Year of Saying No (Voices of Women Studio Series) Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-20. 7 p.m.; 3 p.m. Sunday. $20. Powerstories Theatre, Tampa
The Suffragette’s Murder Select times and dates Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-27. $23; $10 & up for kids and students. St. Petersburg City Theatre, St. Petersburg
What a Glorious Feeling! Select times and dates Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-Oct. 4. $25. freeFall Theatre, St. Petersburg
Mandy Keen: MAGGIE Saturday, Sept. 19. 8 p.m. $15. The Commodore, Ybor City
My Unspeakable Confessions Tuesday, Sept. 22. 6 p.m. $10. Raymond James Community Room at The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
Jane Austen in 89 Minutes Select times and dates Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 24-Oct. 11. $40 & up. Stageworks Theatre, Tampa
Night of Poe Select times Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 24-26. $57.75 & up. Richey Suncoast Theatre, New Port Richey
Theatre eXceptional: Disney’s The Little Mermaid Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 24-27. 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. Sunday. $32. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo
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This article appears in September 10 – 16, 2026.
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