The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) rolled out its most significant change in over 40 years on Sunday, Oct. 26, promising smoother rides for bus commuters. But not all riders are excited.  


Influenced by feedback from community members and riders compiled every five years, the Connected Community Bus Network (CCBN) initiative promises improved frequencies on high-demand routes, timed transfers and new services.


Most notable of these changes will be the launch of Spark, a sequel...

Tampa Bay has conventions for just about every niche. Whether you’re into trading cards or coffee, there’s a con for that. Here’s what to look forward to through Spring.


YA may be all the rage now, but there aren’t many literary events specifically for the target demographic. Non-profit YA By the Bay seeks to mend that with its two-day festival in partnership with Oxford Exchange, the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative and the Hillsborough Public School system.. Book-loving teens...

Picture this: you’re an aspiring artist or craftsperson who has finished several pieces. You figure you could make a little money from your hobby and sell them at a local market. It should be easy. All you need is your work and a table, right?  
Turns out, it’s complicated. It might be exciting to table at a big market where hundreds will encounter your work, but some of Tampa Bay’s biggest festivals have vending fees in the hundreds, or stringent requirements like obtaining sales p...

Attendees at the Yellow Show Floor
Now in its fourth year, the Brooklyn Independent Comics Showcase has firmly established itself as the premier indie comics festival in Brooklyn, filling in the gap once occupied by Comics Arts Brooklyn (2013-2019 RIP). With major decisions such as moving it indoors, hosting panels for the first time, and inviting a roster of out of town guests, it’s clear that this year was intended to be a foolproof effort, and it mostly was, or at least marked a step up in th...

[Editor’s note: we cover a lot of comics events here at The Beat and with series we aim to take a more qualitative look at some of the many comics events out there.]
With March this year comes typical Madness and festivities. For some of us indie comic and illustration enthusiasts like myself, particularly on the East Coast of the U.S., the Society of Illustrators-hosted MoCCA Fest is an emblematic hallmark of the month. Taking place over the weekend from March 15-16, this year brought together...

In my nearly three years of attending and tabling at comic conventions and festivals starting with MoCCA Arts Fest in 2022, I can ascertain that the experience is an enigmatic affair to describe as a neurodivergent person on the autism spectrum. Many of these events, often going on for 2-4 days, are crowded, noisy, and full of overstimulating displays from right to left that should be guaranteed sensory overload. For several people, it most certainly is and it would be in my case also without an...

Running strong after five issues – with a sixth issue and trade paperback collection on the way – Michael Sweater’s slacker comedy series Everything Sucks is mostly episodic, following the mishaps of roommates Noah and Calla. They’re joined by Brad, who could be considered part of the main cast as he invites himself into their antics. However, the past two issues (Friends Forever and Noah’s Millions, respectively) have displayed a change in continuity that’s been developing all this time. The la...