Issue #441: Katy Perry Headlines Tampa Arena Debut | Digital Ponchos? | Rays Promote Carson Williams | New QBs in East Pasco

8/22/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
22 Aug

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 —> Feel free to post events of interest to our community; its quite easy to do.

Local News

— Katy Perry to Headline First Big Show at Renamed Tampa Arena

Of Interest

— From JavaScript to Fabric: Ponchos Get a Digital Twist

Sports

— Rays Calling Up Top Prospect Carson Williams

— East Pasco Football 2025: New QBs, High Hopes Across the Chapel

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Katy Perry to Headline First Big Show at Renamed Tampa Arena

Katy Perry brings her “Lifetimes” tour to Tampa on Friday, Aug. 22, becoming the first major act to perform at the newly renamed Benchmark International Arena—formerly known as Amalie Arena.

The renaming, announced last week, sparked mixed reactions from locals. While financial details haven’t been made public, Sports Business Journal reports the 10-year deal ranks among the top five most lucrative naming rights for a standalone NHL venue.

Fans can expect a full run of Perry’s chart-topping hits, including “Hot n Cold,” as she kicks off the American leg of the tour. Known for her Grammy-nominated pop anthems and eye-catching stagecraft, Perry’s return marks a significant cultural moment for the freshly rebranded venue.

Tickets are still available, starting at $54.75. (as of 082125)

This concert also marks a symbolic shift as Tampa begins a new era under Benchmark's name—with a dash of pop star spectacle leading the way.

From JavaScript to Fabric: Ponchos Get a
Digital Twist

Not an actual piece of his work - maybe should be?

Palm Harbor artist Jhordyn T. Innocent is redefining fashion through a fusion of painting and computer programming, debuting his work at Wearable ART 19 in Dunedin this Saturday.

An abstract figurative painter by passion and a security systems programmer by trade, Innocent blends both worlds by designing and sewing custom ponchos—each featuring painted canvases and digitally coded patterns.

Using the P5JS web editor, Innocent writes code that manipulates shapes, colors, and speeds to create dynamic patterns. These designs are refined in Photoshop and transferred to fabric, combining his spontaneous painting with digitally structured graphics.

“Structure gives me more creativity,” Innocent says of his process. “Painting is my release; coding is my focus.”

He’s one of ten artists featured at the annual Wearable ART show, themed “Blurred,” held at the Dunedin Community Center.

Rays Calling Up Top Prospect Carson Williams

The Tampa Bay Rays are promoting shortstop Carson Williams, their top prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 47 overall, per a report from MLB.com. The 22-year-old has shown a blend of power (23 HR), speed (22 SB), and elite defense at Triple-A Durham this season, despite a high strikeout rate (34.2%).

Since June, Williams has hit .246/.350/.527 with a 125 wRC+, notching his third straight 20/20 season. While swing-and-miss issues persist, evaluators believe better swing decisions will unlock more consistent contact.

A Gold Glove winner in 2022, Williams is praised for his range, arm strength, and field awareness. With Taylor Walls injured and Ha-Seong Kim banged up, the Rays are giving Williams a late-season look, potentially prepping him for a starting role in 2026.

Even if his bat lags, his glove may keep him in the bigs.

East Pasco Football 2025: New QBs, High Hopes Across the Chapel

Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel, and Cypress Creek all enter 2025 with new starting quarterbacks, signaling a shift in East Pasco’s football dynamic. Wiregrass Ranch remains the team to beat after a 20-5 run over two seasons, but graduation hits could open the door for a hungry Wildcats squad, led by first-year starter Conor Muehl.

Cypress Creek, after a winless 2024, is optimistic behind senior Patrick Cognetta, who impressed in late starts. Daniel Terry, a dual-threat junior, takes the reins at Wiregrass.

Wesley Chapel hopes to capitalize on a soft schedule and playoff potential, while Wiregrass faces a brutal opening stretch. Cypress Creek focuses on physicality and defensive improvement.

Standout players include Kiyh Anderson (WC), Cognetta (CC), and Monte Hudson (WR). September 19’s Wildcats vs. Bulls clash could shift the balance of power for the first time since 2012.

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