All posts filed under: Culture

A wide shot of the wearable ART 20 Platinum fashion runway at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, illuminated by vibrant stage lighting with guests seated along the runway.

wearable Art 20: A Platinum Celebration of Fashion, Art, and Community

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It was fashion night out in Dunedin. On Saturday, August 22, 2026, art enthusiasts, local residents and traveling guests gathered at the Dunedin Fine Art Center to celebrate a monumental milestone: the 20th Anniversary of wearable Art. I began my evening mingling with the kindest and most sparkle-dressed guests you could imagine. Everyone was dressed to impress. I photographed families supporting their loved ones, dedicated attendees who drove from as far as Miami, and new locals establishing roots. While backgrounds varied, everyone shared a singular purpose: supporting the visual arts. The Emcee: David Warner The runway showcase kicked off with emcee David Warner, a familiar and beloved fixture within the Tampa Bay arts community. During his 14-year tenure as editor-in-chief of Creative Loafing, Warner closely observed and oversaw coverage of wearable Art from its very inception. This month, he was delighted to get the chance to “gawk, marvel, and kvell” all over again in his latest feature story celebrating this grand Platinum Anniversary. Warner did an excellent job keeping the crowd informed and entertained. A …

A lively street-level view along Dodecanese Boulevard during the festival, showing several vendors under pop-up tents selling products on the street. Crowds of shoppers walk from tent to tent, while other pedestrians stroll along the sidewalk passing local storefronts.

Hippie Fest 2026: Groovy Vibes and Greek Heritage at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks

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Greek Town hosted Hippie Fest—and it was a beautiful collision of cultures. On Saturday, August 15, 2026, the strip along the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks was loaded with vendors, food, music, and festival-goers who traveled from far and wide to experience a beautiful evening in this historic fishing village. Everywhere I looked, it was a photo opportunity. The sponge docks are a fishing village with a Greek heritage that dates back to the early 1900s. The rich history here allows us locals to immerse ourselves in the traditions of Greek settlers—and on this night, those traditions shared the stage with bell-bottoms and tie-dye. What We Saw On a typical Saturday night, you might catch belly dancers swaying to the rhythm of Greek music at Mama’s Greek Cuisine restaurant, or browse storefronts filled with locally harvested fresh sponges, sweet treats, and Greek cultural merchandise. This evening, however, the local flavor expanded to include rock and roll, blues, funk, soul, and R&B. The Hippie Fest also brought a classic Volkswagen car show, with groovy camper buses and …

Bakers working in the background behind a wooden butcher block work table with proofing dough, surrounded by kitchen tools, a bread oven, and racks of freshly baked bread.

Meet Pablo: The Crumb Factory Brings European Soul (and a Vintage Bread Truck) to Main Street

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What Makes a Deliciously Perfect Pain au Chocolat? Is it the flakiness? Is it the rich, buttery, almost savory tang of the croissant itself? Or is it the semisweet chocolate hidden in the middle, waiting to be discovered? This is what my taste buds were trying to decode when I bit into my first chocolate croissant at The Crumb Factory. The answer, I decided, is yes to all of the above. But the pastry was only the beginning. The Arrival Walking up to the storefront at 1689 Main Street, I was charmed before I even opened the door. Parked right outside, impossible to miss, sat a bright yellow, three-wheeled vintage Piaggio Ape50 with The Crumb Factory logo painted on its side. It was so charming—and so perfectly suited to the experience that awaited—that it gave me the immediate sense I was about to step into a European bakery, rather than a strip mall café. Out front, bistro-style tables offer outdoor seating. The kind of place where you can sit back, relax, and appreciate a Florida …

Cinco de Mayo in Dunedin: A Night of Folklore, Family, and Farewell to Festival Season

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The streets were unusually light. I arrived an hour early to secure a parking space and claim a front-row spot for photos and notes. Spring training is over. The Blue Jays have headed north. The snowbirds have followed. Cinco de Mayo marks the end of festival season here in Dunedin. The next one does not begin until October. It was a lovely evening—just like any other in our little coastal town. A sea breeze. Clear skies. The kind of night that reminds you why you live here. And then, slowly, the locals began to trickle in. The Crowd Gathers After work. After school. Families arrived with folding chairs and blankets. Friends and neighbors filled Pioneer Park, settling in for a cultural show hosted by the one and only Tina of Casa Tina’s Restaurant. She began by introducing herself. And then she told a story. Tina and Javier’s Story Back in 1984, in Miami, Florida, Tina was a waitress. Her future husband, Javier Avila, was a cook. They met in a restaurant, fell in love, married, …

An adult in a full-body wolf costume stands outdoors at night, holding up a clear cocktail glass. The costume features a full-body fur wolf, a detailed wolf head with pointed ears, and paws. The background is a dark, soft-focus night sky, capturing the 'Wine Bar' sign and atmosphere of the "Carnival of the Wolf" event on May 1st, 2026

From Dunedin Dogs to the Stirling Wolf: A Sister City Story

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We love our four-legged pals in Dunedin. Walk down the Pinellas Trail on any given morning, and you will see them—leashed, trotting beside their owners, tongues out, tails wagging. We have Yappy Hours at The Dunedin Smokehouse. We have dog-friendly 5Ks starting at HOB Brewing Company. We have Valentine’s Day fundraisers at Woof Gang Bakery. In Dunedin, dogs are not just pets; they’re family. So it should come as no surprise that when I learned about the legendary wolf at the heart of our Sister City connection, I paid attention. The Wolf That Saved a City More than 1,200 years ago, in the 9th century, the town of Stirling—then a small settlement under Anglo-Saxon rule—faced an invasion under the cover of darkness. Vikings crept up the crag, preparing to raid while the townspeople slept. But they did not count on the wolves. According to the legend, the invaders disturbed a pack of wolves sleeping near the rocky outcrops. The wolves began to howl—loud enough, fierce enough, to wake the entire town. The defenders roused themselves …

Female competitor in traditional kilt balances a tapered wooden caber, aiming for a perfect vertical flip during the Highland Games.

58th Dunedin Highland Games: Pipes, Power, and Pride

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The weather could not have been more cooperative. Clear skies. Temperatures in the low 70s. A cool breeze that carried the sound of bagpipes across the field. On Saturday April 11, 2026, Dunedin celebrated the 58th annual Highland Games, and if you were there, you already know: this was not just an event. It was a homecoming. Scottish descendants gathered from across the state. Vendors lined the village, clan flags snapping in the breeze. Athletes heaved, tossed, and turned. And the music—that unmistakable, spine-tingling sound of pipes and drums—filled the air from morning until late afternoon. The Opening Ceremony It began with honor. Three flags rose over the field: the American flag, the Canadian flag, and the Scottish flag. The national anthems of all three nations were sung as the crowd stood in silence, watching local ROTC students march and hold the flags tall and proud. Then came the pipe bands. The adult band stepped forward first. The music was lark-like, soaring, and it gave me goosebumps. They played with a pride that felt centuries …

Day Of The Dead 2018

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Come one come all! The most colorful and beautiful event, Dia De Los Muertos, is here again this Saturday October 20th hosted by Casa Tina’s Mexican Restaurant. The festivities begin at 5pm and with a parade at 9 pm. There will be music, food, and crafts from Mexico for purchase. The event will be located at John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park 420 Main Street Dunedin, FL 34698 and for more information (727) 734-9226. Kid friendly and pet friendly. Hope to see you there!