By Caron Schwartz
Just ducky The World’s Largest Rubber Duck is hanging out in Coachman Park this month. All 61 feet of Mama Duck is there to watch over concerts and other family-friendly events. Plus, her son Timmy can be spotted around town, too.
We’ll have fun, fun, fun Personal finance platform WalletHub recently compared over 180 US cities to determine those with the most fun. Las Vegas ranked first, no surprise there. Orlando and Miami were second and third, respectively. Tampa placed 16th, just behind Fort Lauderdale. St. Pete came in at a respectable 49th.
Between the sheets Canadian supergroupThe Undercovers are coming to The Beach Theatre on 1/25 for two shows @ 12:30 and 5pm. https://bit.ly/the-undercovers
Flower power Ikebana, traditional Japanese flower-arranging art, is on exhibit at the Tully-Levine Gallery in the Arts Xchange on St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District campus. The artists are members of St. Pete’s Chapter 65 of Ikebana International, an organization dedicated to promoting and appreciating ikebana. Thru 1/28. https://bit.ly/nancy-cohen
But wait, there’s more Ikebana on display during Chapter 65’s annual Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring exhibit. See 50-plus arrangements emphasizing the seasonal transition. Ikebana masters will be on hand to explain different schools of Japanese flower arranging. At the Quak Center on the Westminster Suncoast campus in St. Pete 1/31-2/1. www.ikebanastpetersburg.com
Coffee on a mission Mission Grounds Coffee is available for a limited time at Imagine Museum in St. Pete. Enjoy a cuppa or take the Colombian, Guatemalan, Costa Rican, or Ecuadorian flavor home. 1/2-3, 9-10, 23-24, and 2/6-7.
Coffee gets a break St. Pete-based Kahwa Coffee has won a rare appeal to overturn a US Patent & Trademark Office denial. The agency refused to grant Kahwa’s request due to the company’s misapplication of the “doctrine of foreign equivalents,” which typically bars trademarks with meanings in other languages. A federal appellate judge disagreed with the USPTO’s decision that Kahwa, the Arabic word for “coffee,” was too generic.
Punk prophets Discover how Jewish identity, resilience, and post-Holocaust expression ignited the rebellious spirit of punk rock when The Florida Holocaust Museum presents The Heebie Jeebies at CBGB’s: A Secret History of Jewish Punk. The evening features a talk with author Steven Lee Beeber and live punk performances that bring the movement’s roots to life. 1/15, 6:30-9pm at Bayboro Brewing Co. https://bit.ly/heebie-jeebies
Lost & found A 15th-century illuminated Jewish prayer book looted by Nazis and recently restituted, is heading to auction at Sotheby’s in February. Estimated to bring in at least $5 million, the manuscript was made for the Jewish High Holy Days in 1415 and belonged to the Rothschild family before it was seized. The Austrian government returned the book to the family after it was found on a library shelf, unnoticed for decades.
Less money for you Gov. DeSantis released his recommended budget for 2026-2027. Within the arts & culture section of the Department of State budget, he recommends $5 million for Cultural and Museum Grants. That’s about one quarter of the appropriations in 2025-2026, which were $20.8 million.
St. Pete loves the arts The city of St. Pete has launched the Level Up Arts Grant program, which provides up to $5,000 to nonprofit arts organizations that contribute to St. Pete’s vibrant arts and culture landscape. Applications accepted until 5pm on 4/30, or until funds are depleted. https://bit.ly/st-pete-grants
Every little bit helps Gobioff Foundation microgrant applications are open now through 3/1. The program’s goal is to enhance the cultural landscape of the Tampa Bay area through small, $500 grants to encourage and make possible publicly accessible art projects and events. For more information and to apply: https://bit.ly/gobioff
Dixon at the Hickman You’ve never heard violin like this! Dixon’s Violin has inspired people at over 1,000 concerts across the US, five TED talks, over 10 years at Burning Man and Electric Forest, and more. 1/25, 4pm, at the Hickman Theater in Gulfport. https://bit.ly/dixons-violin
It’s a small/big world Get inspired at Dimpy Bhalotia: Small Lens, Big World, a new exhibition at Tampa’s Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA). The show celebrates the potential of the cell phone as a creative tool, proving that powerful storytelling doesn’t require elaborate equipment, just a sharp eye, impeccable timing, and the camera in your pocket. Runs 1/15-4/5, reception 1/22, 5-7pm https://bit.ly/small-lens
Roman recipe There’s a reason Roman ruins have stood the test of time while modern concrete hasn’t. Although we use similar ingredients, MIT researchers found that Romans used a “hot-mixing” process – first mixing dry ingredients, including lime fragments and volcanic ash, then adding water. The approach released heat, allowing lime pieces to expand and fill gaps as cracks form. www.go.nature.com/44vEvON
It’s showtime You could wait until March to see the Gulfport Community Players present Ronald Harwood’s Quartet. Or you could audition for a part and enjoy the show about four retired opera singers sooner. Auditions take place 1/11 and 1/12, 7pm at the Back Door Theater in Gulfport. Ushers and behind-the-scenes volunteers are always needed, too. https://bit.ly/gcp-2526
Outside and proud Pride doesn’t end in June, especially since winter is our best time of year. Celebrate Winter Pride St. Pete during art, culture, music, and community events that highlight LGBTQIA+ voices, honor our history, and celebrate progress – all while showcasing the vibrant spirit of St. Pete. 2/15-22. www.winterpridesaintpete.com/events
And the winner is a Picasso painting valued at more than $1 million could be yours for a mere $116. A French charity raising money for Alzheimer’s research is offering a raffle at Christie’s Paris on 4/14, and the lucky winner will receive Picasso’s 1941 Tête de Femme. Raffle tickets are available online for €100 ($116). The goal is about $15 million, and if it falls short, ticket holders will be reimbursed. https://bit.ly/100-euros-raffle
It’s the real thing Winners of the Florida State Parks’ 2025 Capture the Real Florida Photo Contest are online for everyone to enjoy. This year’s contest awarded a Grand Prize, Runner-Up, and People’s Choice Award in each of five categories: Landscapes, Waterscapes, Wildlife, Park Adventures, and Historic Encounters, a special category added in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary. https://bit.ly/fsp-photos
Ready, aim, click Begin capturing your favorite park moments now for the 2026 Real Florida Photo Contest. Florida State Parks encourage photographers and nature lovers alike to get outdoors, find their perfect moment, and submit their own view of the Real Florida. https://bit.ly/fsp-photo-contest
Get your art OUT Connect St. Pete, a new co-working space in the EDGE District, has invited OUT Arts & Culture members to display artwork on their dedicated gallery pillar. Artists can display one standout piece or curate a mini gallery, and works may also be offered for sale. They ask that art stay up for at least one month. If you’d like to be considered for an upcoming display slot, email hello@outartsculture.org.
Ceramic inspiration The Morean Center for Clay is the largest pottery studio in the Southeast and one of the largest in the US, and calls a historic freight train depot in the Warehouse Arts District of St. Pete home. Now through 2/7, check out 10/10 Wood Fire Again: 2025 Winter Wood Symposium Exhibition and Berit Hines: Wondrous Vessels, among the amazing colors, shapes, and textures of thrown and handbuilt clay. https://bit.ly/morean-location
