Issue #565: Tampa Theatre Film Fest Before $24M Restoration | Gatorland Tops U.S. Roadside Attractions | Jake Mangum’s Tampa Bay Run | 40 Strict Olympic Rules

In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

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WEATHER  

Local News

— Historic Tampa Theatre Hosts Film Festival Ahead of $24M Restoration

Of Interest

— 40 Surprisingly Strict Olympic Rules Athletes Must Follow

— Orlando’s Gatorland Ranked No. 1 Roadside Attraction in the U.S.

Sports

— A Short but Memorable Run: Jake Mangum’s Time in Tampa Bay

Carrollwood Players Theatre Presents

A Special Offer For Our Readers
To See Their Upcoming Show

Disaster! The Musical

Feb 27 - Mar 21

“Disaster” is a fantastic show featuring lots of songs from the 70s and promises
to be a hilarious and nostalgic evening.
Click HERE for more information on the show.

CLICK: GET TICKETS
and put PresSpecial in the code box for $5 off

Historic Tampa Theatre Hosts Film Festival Ahead of $24M Restoration

The Gasparilla Film Festival opened with a special premiere at the historic Tampa Theatre, just days before the landmark venue begins its largest renovation project in nearly a century.

The festival’s opening film, “She Dances,” stars Audrey Zahn alongside her father, actor Steve Zahn. The movie uses a dance competition as the backdrop for a family-centered story and also marks actor Rick Gomez’s directorial debut.

Filmmakers visiting the theater for the first time said they were amazed by the nearly 100-year-old venue, calling it a rare space where audiences can gather to share the same cinematic experience.

Following the festival and this weekend’s WineFest fundraiser, the theater will close for several months for a $24 million restoration project. Upgrades will modernize plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems while restoring the historic paint and plaster inside the main auditorium.

Officials expect the theater to reopen later this year in time for its 100th anniversary celebration.

Read More: tampabay28.com

40 Surprisingly Strict Olympic Rules Athletes
Must Follow

The Olympic Games showcase elite athletes, but competitors must follow a long list of strict and sometimes surprising rules. Beyond training and competition, athletes must meet regulations covering uniforms, behavior, and even grooming.

Many rules involve appearance and equipment. Boxers must compete clean-shaven, cyclists’ socks cannot rise above mid-calf, and gymnasts are restricted to neutral nail polish and specific leotard designs. Male figure skaters must wear pants, while women must wear skirts.

Other rules govern conduct during the Games. Athletes are prohibited from staging protests during events or ceremonies, and social media posts showing competition areas or backstage locations are restricted.

Some rules focus on fairness and safety. Race walkers must always keep one foot on the ground, swimmers can apply limited grease to prevent chafing, and water polo players must clip their toenails before competition.

Together, these unusual regulations help maintain fairness, safety, and tradition at one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.

Read More: prevention.com — see article for all 40 rules

Orlando’s Gatorland Ranked No. 1 Roadside Attraction in the U.S.

A classic Florida attraction has been named the top roadside destination in the United States.

A recent analysis by Betway Casino evaluated more than 80 well-known roadside attractions using metrics such as TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram posts, and global Google search volume.

Gatorland in Orlando ranked No. 1, beating out other famous stops across the country. The wildlife park recorded about 165,000 annual Google searches and more than 135,000 Instagram posts, highlighting its continued popularity with visitors.

Opened in 1949, Gatorland is known for its large population of alligators and crocodiles, live animal shows, and its nostalgic “Old Florida” theme.

The attraction also maintains strong visitor satisfaction, with nearly 6,000 TripAdvisor reviews and an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Other attractions rounding out the top three include Sun Studio in Memphis and House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

Read More: patch.com

A Short but Memorable Run: Jake Mangum’s Time in Tampa Bay

Jake Mangum’s journey with the Tampa Bay Rays was brief but memorable. The 29-year-old outfielder went from an overlooked prospect to a fan favorite during the 2025 season.

Mangum made an immediate impact after his call-up, hitting .338 in his first month while providing speed, energy, and consistent contact at the plate. By season’s end, he finished with a .296 batting average and successfully stole 27 bases in 33 attempts, earning the Rays’ co-Rookie of the Year honor alongside Chandler Simpson.

Fans embraced Mangum’s relentless style of play, often seeing his uniform covered in dirt as he hustled on every pitch.

Despite the strong rookie campaign, Tampa Bay traded Mangum to the Pittsburgh Pirates before Christmas as part of a three-team deal that brought prospect Jacob Melton to the Rays.

Now competing for a starting outfield role in Pittsburgh, Mangum hopes to continue proving he belongs in the major leagues.

Read More: tampabay.com

Tampa Bay’s Best Live Music
Feb 27 - Mar 5
Source: cltampa.com

Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series

Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre

Misc
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com

For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids

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