Tampa Today News: Severe Weather This Weekend + 'A Christmas With Soul'
Everything to know happening in Tampa.
Welcome back to Tampa Today News. I’m Carlos Hernandez, your host explaining all things about what’s happening in Tampa including local news, events, and more.
Today’s weather: High 74 and low 65. Windy.
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Top news today in Tampa:
Severe weather this weekend across Florida: Residents of Florida, including the Tampa area, will face severe storms from a developing nor’easter this weekend. Winds could exceed 35 mph and there will be heavy rainfall. Several events could face cancellations due to the weather. Don’t forget your poncho and umbrella if you go out and be prepared for windy conditions. (wusf.org)
Sir Henry’s Haunted Christmas this weekend in Plant City: Sir Henry’s Haunted Christmas is bringing haunted yet jolly frights to Plant City this weekend. The spooky twist on the holiday season is happening through Sunday on evenings with tickets now available now starting at $30. After being scared enjoy Christmas refreshments and, of course, snow. (baynews9.com)
Tampa Bay Rays make trade deal with LA Dodgers: The Tampa Bay Rays are trading pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple news reports and ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Rays will receive pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca as part of the deal. (wfla.com)
Tampa’s Gasparilla Music Festival 2024 releases concert line-up: Several musicians on the line-up for Gasparilla Music Festival 2024 have been released by organizers. Artists performing Louis the Child, Big Gigantic, Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes, Steeln’ Peaches and more. The festival will take place from Feb. 16 to Feb. 18 at Julian B. Lane Park across from downtown Tampa and tickets are now available online. (tampabay.com)
Miss Florida 2003 returning next week for special engagement at Mahaffey Theater: Miss Florida 2003 is returning to the Mahaffey Theater next week on Wednesday, Dec. 20 for “A Christmas With Soul.” Ericka Dunlap was the first African-American to be crowned Miss Florida and later Miss America. The show will feature holiday costumes, excellent choreography, and soulful renditions of Holiday classics. (abcactionnews.com)
Tampa Weekend Planner:
Friday, Dec. 15
Annual Christmas Family Festival at Ana G. Mendez University - Tampa Campus. (11 a.m.)
Winter Wonder Wharf: Electric Violinist at Sparkman Wharf. (6 p.m.)
Ludacris at St. Pete Pier. (6 p.m.)
Anberlin at The Ritz Ybor. (6 p.m.)
Trace Adkins - Somewhere In America Tour at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center. (8 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 16
Pop Up Market at Winthrop Pop up Market. (9 a.m.)
A Very Merry Midtown Market at Midtown Tampa. (10 a.m.)
Tampa Bay Music Academy Presents: A Christmas Showcase Concert at Carrollwood Village Park. (11 a.m.)
Dance Theatre of Tampa The Nutcracker at USF Theatre 1. (2 p.m.)
Christmas Market at Lugo's Craft Distillery Lakeland. (5 p.m.)
Holiday Nites at Brandon Mall. (6 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 17
Urban Holiday WinterFest at Perry Harvey Sr. Park. (10 a.m.)
Jack Hartmann: Christmas Concert at The Regent. (2 p.m.)
8th Annual Carol Sing at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. (4 p.m.)
Family Christmas Celebration at Hyde Park United Methodist Church. (5 p.m.)
The Illusionists - Magic of the Holidays at Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater. (6 p.m.)
Notes:
A recent attempt to rename the Tampa Bay Rays failed on Thursday. (wfla.com)
Hernando County School board has voted to support book bans pushed by Moms for Liberty, a conservative advocacy group. Florida has acted as a battleground for fights over book bans in recent years. (wmnf.org)
Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez has received the Gold Shield Foundation's Community Service Award. (floridapolitics.com)
Tampa Bay Rowdies: “The Burg 3v3 Soccer Festival is back for year 2 on Jan. 6. All participating players in this year's tourney will receive a ticket voucher for our 2024 home opener.” (x.com)
Tampa Councilman Luis Viera: “Good time this morning with the New Tampa Rotary. They voted to make me an honorary member and I was delighted to accept. These wonderful people do a lot of good in our community.” (x.com)
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That’s all I have for today. See you tomorrow.
-Carlos Hernandez