Local arcade hosts niche community gaming scene 

Gamers use a spread of Neon Dreams Arcade's various Japan-imported machines, including, Pop’n Music, Soul Calibur II, King of Fighters and Initial D. (Photo by Samuel Talero/NNB)

By Samuel Talero Located in Pinellas Park, Neon Dreams Arcade hosts a variety of different arcade-style video games imported from Japan. Rather than serve as just a showcase for overseas games, Neon Dreams specializes in attracting fans to the same spot in St. Petersburg, fostering a community where people with similar taste can meet new… Continue reading Local arcade hosts niche community gaming scene 

New film ‘Art in the City’ calls St. Pete its home

BY ERIN MURPHY, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG – With museums, music, murals and more, the city of St. Petersburg’s thriving arts scene offers tourists and locals alike a place to escape, enjoy and find inspiration. For Cranstan Cumberbatch, who serves as co-producer, co-writer, co-director and actor in the new film “Art in the City,” St.… Continue reading New film ‘Art in the City’ calls St. Pete its home

Midtown Moments: The Royal Theater

By Joseph Conte A much-needed escape into the world of film for the community during tough times The Royal Theater located on the 22nd Street South, opened it’s doors to the public in 1948. The black community received the opening with great joy and festivities. The theater was kept in operation throughout 1966 and was… Continue reading Midtown Moments: The Royal Theater

A Community on the Verge of Extinction

Filmed by USFSP student, Tracy Darity, this video shows her concerns regarding “concerning gentrification, the Warehouse Arts District,” and the lack of entertainment options in Midtown, St. Petersburg. According to Darity, “as a person of color, I believe this is a very important topic, and it saddens me that black community has grown numb to… Continue reading A Community on the Verge of Extinction

Gallery celebrates second year, highlights Florida-born artist

Gallery owner and event curator, Carla Bristol, demonstrates how she greets every guest with a hug.

REPORTING BY KATIE CALLIHAN AND MARLA KORENICH PHOTOS BY KATIE CALLIHAN NNB Reporters MIDTOWN-During February of 2014, a massive snowstorm known as PAX froze and shut down the entire heartbeat of the city of Atlanta.   The major power outages left more than 100,000 people in the dark without heat for days, and for some, weeks.… Continue reading Gallery celebrates second year, highlights Florida-born artist

Local artists revive the Deuces

Black Arts Festival Photo by Katie Callihan.

REPORTING BY KATIE CALLIHAN AND MARLA KORENICH PHOTOS BY KATIE CALLIHAN NNB Reporters MIDTOWN – On Saturday, February 27th, Midtown hosted St. Petersburg’s first Black Arts Festival. This event pulled various vendors from across the world into one vacant, grass lot at the corner of 9th Avenue South and 22nd Street South. The owner of Gallerie… Continue reading Local artists revive the Deuces

What society can learn from the military about diversity

Diversity in the Military Panel BY LAURA MULROONEY Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG –“After about two weeks you find strength through your diversity,” as former Navy Petty Officer Donald Holly anecdotally recalled his time spent drifting through the depths of the ocean in a submarine. “You learn to identify the things that don’t really matter… then you… Continue reading What society can learn from the military about diversity

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project: ‘King’s Dream Unite’

BY LAURA MULROONEY NNB Reporter ST. PETERSBURG — As part of the nationwide Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, a substantial crowd gathered as a mural by local artist Ya La’ford was unveiled on the north side of the historic Manhattan Casino in Midtown Monday. Titled “King’s Dream Unite,” La’ford and 25 students from… Continue reading Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project: ‘King’s Dream Unite’

Celebration and remembrance at St. Petersburg’s MLK Parade

BY MIRANDA BORCHARDT NNB Reporter DOWNTOWN — An estimated crowd of 3,000 people filled the streets of downtown St. Petersburg to take in the 31st annual Drum Major for Justice National Parade celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, Jan. 18. This St. Petersburg tradition is the nation’s longest running Martin Luther King… Continue reading Celebration and remembrance at St. Petersburg’s MLK Parade