Issue #354: Tampa Bay Design Week Returns | Best Easter Brunches | Jazz in New Tampa | Rays Gear Up for AL East Clash

4/15/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
15 Apr

Keep your finger on the Pulse!

GOOD MORNING

Dr Ted
USAF Retired


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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar

Local News

— Tampa Bay Design Week 2025 Highlights Local Architecture

Food

— Brunch Bliss: Tampa’s Top Easter Dining Destinations

Entertainment

— La Lucha Headlines “New Tampa Unplugged” for Jazz Appreciation Month

Sports

— AL East Showdown Begins for the Tampa Bay Rays

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Tampa Bay Design Week 2025 Highlights Local Architecture

Tampa Bay Design Week 2025 kicked off Sunday and runs through April 19, showcasing architectural gems across St. Pete, Tampa, and Polk County. Organized by AIA Tampa Bay, the week mixes tours, films, panels, and interactive events for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

The series began with a walking tour of Mirror Lake, spotlighting newly designated historic landmarks like the 1916 Carnegie Library and the 1924 St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. On Monday, Tampa Theatre hosts the biggest event: free screenings of architecture documentaries followed by a panel with California filmmakers and architect Robin Donaldson.

Other highlights include a tour of USF’s Judy Genshaft Honors College, 20x20 talks by award-winning architects, and a Tampa Urban Riverboat Tour exploring sustainable design. The week ends with a deep dive into the legacy of Sarasota-School architect Gene Leedy in Polk County.

Tickets range from free to $60, depending on the event.

Brunch Bliss: Tampa’s Top Easter Dining Destinations

From rooftop elegance to river cruises, Tampa’s Easter brunch scene offers something for every palate. Highlights this year include Michelin-starred Lilac, with its refined $185 prix fixe menu at The Tampa EDITION, and Oystercatchers' lavish waterfront buffet, priced at $110 for adults.

For Mediterranean flair, head to Azure or Market, also at The Tampa EDITION, while Noble Crust brings bold Italian-Southern fusion to Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Flor Fina at Hotel Haya offers family-style dining with seasonal comfort dishes in Ybor City.

Craving a scenic escape? Board Craft Tampa’s river cruise for a floating Easter feast starting at $79.95. For elevated seafood and cocktails, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood and Timpano Hyde Park deliver luxe takes on brunch classics.

Prefer casual charm? Local favorites like Oxford Exchange, Psomi, and Forbici provide refined menus with spring flavors and vibrant atmospheres. No matter your vibe, reservations are a must for these seasonal hotspots.

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Dr Ted

La Lucha Headlines “New Tampa Unplugged” for Jazz Appreciation Month

Jazz trio La Lucha brings their genre-bending sound to the stage for New Tampa Unplugged on Sunday, April 13 in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM). This special acoustic set transforms the New Tampa Performing Arts Center into a candlelit cabaret space reminiscent of the iconic MTV Unplugged series.

The trio—John C. O’Leary III (piano), Alejandro Arenas (bass), and Mark Feinman (drums)—delivers a virtuosic performance that fuses Latin roots, classical training, and jazz traditions. Known for their adventurous arrangements and cultural diversity, La Lucha will perform a wide-ranging set that reflects the rich spectrum of jazz.

Guests can enjoy beer, wine, and cocktails throughout the show in an intimate, living-room-style setting.

Tickets: $15 for theater seats, $20 for table seating.
Time: 3:00 PM – 11:59 PM
Venue: New Tampa Performing Arts Center

AL East Showdown Begins for the Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are gearing up for their real test as AL East play begins, hosting the Red Sox Monday, then the Yankees as visitors at Steinbrenner Field—their own spring stadium. Manager Kevin Cash and veterans like Brandon Lowe acknowledge the tight competition in the East, where every team is a potential playoff contender.

Expect heated matchups, especially after past run-ins with division rivals. Catcher Ben Rortvedt, a former Yankee, helped spark a new team hit celebration: a grenade toss, symbolizing going to war for their squad.

Meanwhile, sellouts at Steinbrenner Field are raising eyebrows as empty seats linger, but MLB policy counts distributed tickets—not attendance. Off the field, the franchise is valued at $1.4B and making internal leadership changes, now with 19 vice presidents. As the division race heats up, every inning counts.

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