Issue #545: Tampa’s Grammy Star, MOSI’s New Look, USF Poet’s Big Break & Busch Gardens Concert Reveal

1/28/2026

Author

Ted Grellner
28 Jan

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 

Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.

Local News

— Destin Conrad’s Grammy Debut: A Tampa Star on the Rise

— MOSI Unveils New Name, Da Vinci Exhibit, and Bold Future

Of Interest

— USF Poet Finds Purpose and Praise at Prestigious Writers' Retreat

Entertainment

— Busch Gardens Drops 2026 Concert Lineup with Big Names

Our NT|WC Live Events Calendar:


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Destin Conrad’s Grammy Debut: A Tampa Star on the Rise

Tampa native Destin Conrad, 25, is celebrating a breakout year with a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album for his debut project, “LOVE ON DIGITAL.” The singer-songwriter also released a jazz album, “wHIMSY,” in 2025 and recently performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.

Born at Tampa General Hospital and raised in local schools like Shore Elementary Magnet, Conrad showed talent early, inspired by artists like Aaliyah, Luther Vandross, and Beres Hammond. His mother, Carlene Jamieson, supported his creative path, relocating the family to California when he was 10.

Conrad got his start on Vine before turning to music full-time. Now based in New York, he returns home often for family — and his mom’s Jamaican cooking.

He’s hoping to collaborate with fellow Tampa star Doechii soon: “We do text,” he shared, “and talked about working together.”

Win or lose, Conrad says, “We get to party and be cute.”

MOSI Unveils New Name, Da Vinci Exhibit, and
Bold Future

After more than 40 years, Tampa’s MOSI has a new name: the Museum of Science and Innovation — while keeping its well-known acronym. The update reflects the museum’s evolving mission to foster creativity and forward-thinking through STEAM education.

Announced during a science-themed ceremony on Jan. 27, the change aligns with MOSI’s recent additions, including a new digital content lab and expanded learning spaces focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

“Innovation really reflects the recent history here at MOSI and the path forward,” said CEO John Graydon Smith.

Located in North Tampa near USF, MOSI remains committed to being a hub for hands-on learning. The name change won’t affect its location or community role.

Currently, MOSI is also hosting “Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion”, an interactive exhibit featuring 40 life-sized inventions based on da Vinci’s original drawings.

Big changes, same mission: inspiring the next generation of Tampa scientists.

USF Poet Finds Purpose and Praise at Prestigious Writers' Retreat

Kallie Blakelock, a recent MFA candidate at USF, was awarded the Garry Fleming Key West Writers’ Workshop Award, which included a weeklong residency with accomplished poets earlier this January.

The workshop, led by Guggenheim Fellow Ishion Hutchinson, focused on elegy and the role of language in expressing grief. Blakelock workshopped three poems with fellow writers, calling the experience “a diverse pool of poetry nerds” and a meaningful deep dive into both craft and community.

Blakelock, who relocated to Tampa in August 2025 after teaching public school English for five years, saw this award as affirmation of her new creative path. She joined USF’s MFA program in the fall with aspirations to teach creative writing at the university level.

“These experiences and people are helping shape my career,” she shared. “I want to learn all I can about poems... to be the best creative writing teacher out there.”

Busch Gardens Drops 2026 Concert Lineup
with Big Names

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay just announced its 2026 concert lineup, featuring over 20 artists performing across three popular seasonal series: the Real Music Series, the Food, Wine & Garden Festival, and Glory in the Gardens.

The Real Music Series (Feb. 2–20) kicks things off with nostalgic acts like The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Revisiting Creedence.

The Food, Wine & Garden Festival (March–May) ramps up with a diverse mix of pop, rock, Latin, and hip-hop stars:
Walker Hayes, P.O.D., Robin Thicke, Warren G, Flo Rida, Nick Carter, Air Supply, Bow Wow & Ying Yang Twins, and a surprise act on April 25.

The festival wraps with Glory in the Gardens (May 16–17), featuring Chris Tomlin, Brandon Heath, and Danny Gokey.

Concerts are included with park admission, but VIP seating is available for purchase.
More details: Busch Gardens website

All the Best Gasparilla Events of 2026
Source: cltampa.com

Top Events in Tampa Bay for week of
Jan 26
Source: tampabay.com


Best Things to do Around Tampa Bay
1/ - 1/
Source: cltampa.com

Things to do Around
Tampa & WC:
1/ - 1/
Source: tampabeacon.com

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