Local hotel industry officials have requested a study of the viability of building a meeting or conference center in Tampa's West Shore district to draw new business to the area where hotel room inventory will grow in 18 months from 8,600 rooms to 10,000. ...more

February 5, 2009

A cosmic alignment takes place in Tampa this weekend with the id and the super ego. On one hand, there is Gasparilla Day, where work-a-day people lose touch with reality, dress up like marauding pirates, shoot off blanks from handguns and maybe, with a handful of plastic beads, encourage some lewd behavior. And those are just the guys in the parade. ...more

February 5, 2009

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirates disembarked from their ship-float Tuesday afternoon at downtown's Lykes Gaslight Square and demanded to speak with Mayor Pam Iorio. ...more

February 4, 2009

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla "pirates" disembarked from their ship/float Tuesday afternoon at downtown's Lykes Gaslight Park and demanded to speak with Mayor Pam Iorio. "Where's the mayor? We want the mayor!" the pirates said. Pirates led Iorio to the park from Tampa City Hall, across Kennedy Boulevard. The mayor refused to hand over the city to the pirates as a crowd of onlookers took photographs, shot video and collected beads and plastic swords from the pirates. ...more

February 3, 2009

One of the most heart-stopping Super Bowls in recent memory may be over, but merchandise from the big game will still be on sale here through Tuesday—and all items will be discounted by 50 percent. ...more

February 1, 2009

John Legend has been playing for some big crowds lately. He was among the performers during President Barack Obama's inaugural events. On Sunday, he headlines the Super Bowl pregame festivities. ...more

January 30, 2009

Bruce Springsteen has his reasons for playing the Super Bowl halftime show Sunday. ...more

January 30, 2009

Bruce Springsteen has his reasons for playing the Super Bowl halftime show Sunday. "We've got a new album out!" he told a packed press conference at the Tampa Convention Center on Thursday afternoon. ...more

January 29, 2009

Super Bowl ticket counterfeiters get more sophisticated each year, but there are things people can do to make sure they don't get swindled. ...more

January 29, 2009

Thursday-Sunday LIGHTS ON TAMPA: engaging art installations at various locations in downtown Tampa including the Tampa Convention Center, Fort Brooke Parking Garage, Cotanchobee Park and Channelside; 6 p.m. to midnight; free; (813) 274-8531 or www.lightsontampa.org ...more

January 29, 2009