9 Reasons to September in Tampa Bay

Where do you September?

September has everything that makes a month worth having: August is over, the days are long, the summer heat backs off a bit, and the kids are in school -- giving everyone a little push to make the most of each weekend.

All that makes September a great time to visit Tampa Bay. Sure, you'll still appreciate the a/c, but that's true clear up to December. It's Florida, after all.

Here's what Tampa Bay has waiting for you in September:

KNOWN AND UNKNOWN (ends Sept. 3)

We here in Tampa Bay have a long and deep relationship with the people and culture of Cuba. Tampa City Councilman Charlie Miranda, a Tampa native with Cuban roots, has traveled extensively to the island, collecting art by largely undiscovered Cuban painters along the way. His collection is now on display at the TECO Art Gallery, part of the Tampa Electric Co., headquarters in downtown. Stop by during regular business hours to explore the exhibit.

TAMPA BAY THEATRE FESTIVAL (Sept. 4-6)

Set aside part of your Labor Day weekend to take in the flood of live stage productions that will tread the boards at downtown’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Stageworks Theatre in the Channel District and at Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor City campus. This beats TV any day of the week. Aspiring actors and playwrights can attend workshops during the day. Henry Lennix, a star of the TV series “Blacklisted,” will teach a master acting course Sept. 5.

NAPOLEON WINAMITE: Tampa Theatre wine fest (Sept. 10-17)

You’ll want to Vote for Pinot instead of Pedro, when downtown’s historic Tampa Theatre hosts its annual wine fest, complete with an “under the stars” showing of cult classic “Napoleon Dynamite.” Come dressed as your favorite “Napoleon” character and break out your sweet dance moves to make this year’s party a hit.

TAMPA BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL (Sept. 12-13)

Downtown’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts tickles your taste buds during this year’s Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival. The festival includes the Southern Wine & Food Gala and Auction. Since this is Florida, black tie is optional. The event also includes live entertainment and games. Attendees will be able to bid on bottles of wine during the silent auction. Tastings will also be available.

1905 DAY AT COLUMBIA RESTAURANT (Sept. 20)

Florida’s oldest restaurant turns back the clock on Sept. 20 when prices go back to what they were in 1905, the year the Gonzmart family founded Tampa Bay’s most storied restaurant. From noon to 7 p.m., the Columbia’s Chicken & Yellow Rice “Ybor” will cost you less than $3. The signature 1905 Salad will be under $2. And a cup of coffee will be 5 cents. It’s first come, first served – no reservations on 1905 Day.

“ONCE” (Sept. 22-27)

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts begins its 2015-16 Broadway Season with “Once,” winner of eight Tony Awards. The play tells the story of a Dublin busker ready to give up when he meets a young woman takes an interest in his songs. Their growing relationship echoes in his music. Cast with musicians who play their own instruments, “Once” is a story about reaching for your dreams, casting off your fears and finding connections through the power of music.

HOWL-O-SCREAM (Preview Sept. 25)

Give your vocal chords a different kind of work-out when Busch Gardens Tampa transforms into a haunted house for weekends in October. Previews are Sept. 25-26. During the day, you can scream your way through rides on Falcon’s Fury, Kumba and Cheetah Hunt. When night falls, you’ll be screaming for an entirely different reason as you make your way through the park’s mazes of horror. That thing that moved in the corner? I’m sure it was just a leaf.

MUSEUM DAY LIVE (Sept. 26)

Now’s your chance to see the Greek statues in the Tampa Museum of Art or the ancient dugout canoe at the Tampa Bay History Center. The Smithsonian Institute makes it easy on Sept. 26 during its national museum event. Print out a ticket voucher and head for that museum you’ve always wanted to explore. Along with TMA and the history center, downtown’s opulent Henry B. Plant Museum and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts are also participating in Museum Day Live. So are The Florida Aquarium, Ybor City Museum State Park, and Cracker Country at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Ciro’s Speakeasy – A blast from the past

It begins with a knock.

A small, rectangular window slides open and a pair of eyes study you.

A voice whispers: “What’s the password?”

The correct reply elicits entrance into a dark room without a window in sight. The eyes adjust, and a vision of the roaring 20’s appears -- the intimacy of being in a private club; the mixologist in a bow tie pouring an Old Fashioned; the sounds of smoky jazz emanating throughout the restaurant. You are now one of a select few allowed inside Ciro’s Speakeasy & Supper Club.

The present melts away, replaced by the feeling of experiencing the days of prohibition and intimate, off the beaten path private clubs for illicit cocktails and gangsters.

“I like the dress code, the different kind of banter,” said Julie Parsons, the Manager of Ciro’s sister restaurant Boca. “There’s an emotional connection here that makes me want to dress the part and say, ‘OK, wow me!’”

Located on the ground floor of a condo building on the corner of Bayshore Boulevard and Howard with not a sign in sight, even the exterior maintains the speakeasy secrecy. In addition to the main room, the theme is continued with eight semi-private, curtained booths before reaching the back wall of the restaurant, where a sliding bookcase reveals a new, hidden, private room – complete with sofas, chairs and seating for 20.

“It’s an artistry, it’s a craft to make the cocktails and the atmosphere one that people will remember,“ said bartender Matt Pingol.

The menu specializes in single serving, small plate items meant to be shared, such as truffle fries and charred octopus. It’s all part of the scene which USA Today’s 10Best named as one of the Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in Tampa.

Quinnipiac poll of FL,OH,PA: fortunes of Walker and Clinton sink as Biden’s rise

Notice that in the crucial state of Ohio, Scott Walker is only at 2%. This is all come to a poll looking for these days: Walker’s failure.   But other people are paying attention to the bigger picture, of course. Rubio is the only Republican polling ahead of Clinton in Ohio. Quinnipiac Poll: @MarcoRubio is the more »

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Scott Walker flip flops on birthright citizenship. Blames tiredness.

"Scott Walker said he accidentally took a position on [citizenship] because he was 'tired'" https://t.co/BBMDYMZQJo pic.twitter.com/vqBv0rSU8b — Billmon (@billmon1) August 21, 2015 At the Iowa state fair, Walker was for elimination of birthright citizenship. By Friday he had “no position” on it. “I’m not taking a position one way or the other,” Walker said in an more »

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You just finished reading Scott Walker flip flops on birthright citizenship. Blames tiredness.! Consider leaving a comment!

Visit bluecheddar.net for more news and opinion. You can contact blue cheddar through twitter or facebook. Blue Cheddar is a progressive blog in Wisconsin.

Scott Walker flip flops on birthright citizenship. Blames tiredness.

"Scott Walker said he accidentally took a position on [citizenship] because he was 'tired'" https://t.co/BBMDYMZQJo pic.twitter.com/vqBv0rSU8b — Billmon (@billmon1) August 21, 2015 At the Iowa state fair, Walker was for elimination of birthright citizenship. By Friday he had “no position” on it. “I’m not taking a position one way or the other,” Walker said in an more »

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You just finished reading Scott Walker flip flops on birthright citizenship. Blames tiredness.! Consider leaving a comment!

Visit bluecheddar.net for more news and opinion. You can contact blue cheddar through twitter or facebook. Blue Cheddar is a progressive blog in Wisconsin.

'A place whose time as arrived'

Tampa Bay is building fans left and right these days. The newest: Time and Money magazines.

This week, Money (owned by Time) ranked Tampa Bay the top city in the Southeast to live in -- one of five cities profiled nationwide.

Our company on the list included Pittsburgh (Northeast), Denver (West), Omaha (Midwest) and Mesa, Ariz. (Southwest).

What makes us so special? (Really, do you need to ask?)

There's a bunch of stuff about the real estate market and housing prices. And that's important. But we're more interested in this part:

Earlier this year, the Tampa Bay Lightning nearly beat Chicago for the Stanley Cup – yes, that’s ice hockey. In 2014, the city hosted the 15th International Indian Film Academy Awards – the Bollywood Oscars – thanks in part of its 15,000-strong Indian community. The Tampa Museum of Art brought its acclaimed contemporary collection to a stunning new building in 2010. And up for 2017: college football’s national championship. Says Neal Anderson, a small-business owner who moved from Chicago in March: “It really feels like a city whose time has arrived.”

We agree wholeheartedly with our new best friend Neal Anderson. Tampa Bay really does feel like it's time has come.

We have more than $3 billion in new development on the horizon, which should tell you something, including an expanded airport ($1 billion), a redeveloped port and new cruise ship terminal ($1.7 billion), and the dramatic reinvention of Channelside Bay Plaza and neighboring land across from Amalie Arena ($1 billion) (Part of that project is picture above.) None of those escaped Money's notice.

We're adding hotels and restaurants lickety split. Our craft beer scene has brought us international fame.

We're welcoming more international visitors every year, mostly from England, Germany and Latin America -- a situation that will only increase once Lufthansa begins flying in from Frankfurt five days a week.

The Buddhists say you can't step into the same river twice. We say you never visit the same Tampa Bay twice.

Tampa Riverwalk: a waterfront gem

Larry Elliston and our friends at VISIT FLORIDA give downtown's Tampa Riverwalk the star treatment.

Have you spent time on the Riverwalk? What are you waiting for? Rent a bike from Coast Bike Share or bring your own, or pedal your way up the Hillsborough River on a Tampa Bay Water Bike. It's a great place for a morning jog, a post-lunch walk or a sunset stroll.

Take a break at the Sail Pavilion, where you can pump up your tires, have a quick snack or just watch the people go by.

The Riverwalk links many of downtown's most popular attractions with hotels, parks and awesome restaurants. Keep your eye open for The Plank, the Riverwalk's pop-up bar that appears whenever it feels like it.

The Riverwalk is zone for alcohol consumption, which means you can buy a special cup at one of the restaurants along the way and stroll with one of our great craft beers in your hand.

The Riverwalk is the focus of our newest yearly festival: River Fest at the end of in late April/early May. It's also a great place to catch the annual Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Races each spring and to spent intermission during a show at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.