Unlocking Tampa Bay

#54 - Strumming Through History at the Tampa Bay History Center

Tampa Bay has a new voice leading one of its most treasured cultural institutions, and she's bringing a world-class perspective to a city with a story worth telling. In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri sit down with Audrey Chapuis, the new President and CEO of the Tampa Bay History Center, who stepped into the role in December 2025 after spending 11 years leading the American Library in Paris.   Aubrey shares her journey to Tampa Bay, her leadership philosophy, and her vision for taking the History Center to the next level by connecting more of the community to the stories that shaped this region and the nation. Then we take a walk through one of the History Center's most popular exhibits: America at the Crossroads: The Guitar and a Changing Nation. Originally scheduled to close May 3, the exhibit has been extended through August 23 due to overwhelming demand. Aubrey guides us through 40 instruments tied to major moments in American history — from a combination harp-guitar and one of the earliest electric guitars to iconic classics like the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul. There's even a wink at the air guitar, complete with an empty glass case. As the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, this exhibit offers a powerful look at how the guitar has carried stories of migration, creativity, rebellion, and change across centuries of American life. We also get a first look at the History Center's newest exhibit, Tampa Bay Timeline, which traces West Central Florida history from Indigenous peoples to the present through more than 75 artifacts and milestone moments. Standout artifacts include an ammonite fossil that dates to at least 66 million years ago to a bolt from the original Sunshine Skyway bridge that was struck by a freighter and collapsed in 1980.   Whether you're a lifelong history buff or just discovering Tampa Bay's past, this episode will make you want to head downtown and explore for yourself. 🎧 Tune in to Unlocking Tampa Bay on your favorite podcast platform 🌟 Highlights of this Episode:  Tampa Bay History Center: https://tampabayhistorycenter.org/ [https://tampabayhistorycenter.org/] America at the Crossroads: The Guitar and a Changing Nation Exhibit: https://tampabayhistorycenter.org/exhibit/america-at-the-crossroads/ [https://tampabayhistorycenter.org/exhibit/america-at-the-crossroads/] Tampa Bay Timeline Exhibit: https://tampabayhistorycenter.org/exhibit/tampa-bay-timeline/ [https://tampabayhistorycenter.org/exhibit/tampa-bay-timeline/] 🧳Plan Your Visit: BOOK YOUR STAY IN TAMPA BAY: https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3Z3b2l0TzQ0NVhGSm5KdnlzNkdwWTVPX09RZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttczFTQlBfeG1OaGxjWUNoRlM3MFlJd2tZWG90OVdtSGh5TVBBUFZLaElLcnljQmJoTmJROW04ZTJjb0xPY1d2MmRhaUhwbFI0YTFtc1lhOUp3UzVIX1g2VXNoN19tZnZiNU9zeTloNmRDdWZQNXY4UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visittampabay.com%2Fstay%2F&v=jwT9eETCSLY] 📲 Stay Connected with Us:  Website: https://www.visittampabay.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbE5nQjY5NkpCNVBPb1k1SDlCU3RrUWxiVDl1Z3xBQ3Jtc0tuRjdtdGZMOU9LcldxZ1JVMzdnOGZJVGx0ZnNfU1Q1V1kxQmhPVUFTS05hbTdSdUgtdURuZDBFMkJpMk1FblhDeGJ5WVlkZlZWZEtlUU9ZZkU3WXdGSGpjXzh4WWhEbEsxdG5IcGF5czYzemtYUDY5UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visittampabay.com%2F&v=jwT9eETCSLY] Online Visitors Center: https://shop.visittampabay.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTJjSnVZWHVGU3BQc2ZCZ3R3N212T2xocUJsd3xBQ3Jtc0tseXBReG5TT0E5b05zeFZocm03YmtiMXg3RWlaaVZLM0xLXzY2U2w1Qm0yV1U1Qm1MdlBET0pmZ2ZLYVR3b29xYlJVbmt6UHhqcHFJUlR6bjgxTWlSR3hDby1JZHpoZWFPbHdiX0xPcHVFeDZyNXBkZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.visittampabay.com%2F&v=jwT9eETCSLY] Facebook:   / visittampabay  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTdxdUdyQnVOTVRuQ05qWWlwSWF1em0wNG1NQXxBQ3Jtc0ttbE51cTdmVV9EbEd0a3ZVZWJTcW5KcVVLNkc0am5EdjhDaWdkOVJsNHdiRkdIQUpBUUFzWktzLXhCcHE1azJrSm9LR2VGQVcxSFpndF93a3ZIN1kwajBpN1M4di1KY09ZRFFTWmhWZTJxdC1nWkRqMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FVisitTampaBay&v=jwT9eETCSLY] Instagram:   / visittampabay  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1ZiTC1QTk9GMkcwd2dkWXl1MlhWWDlqLTBUZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuMnAwLWJSZDRBV0tDWlZxQVNnXzZDRm8xSnNvaU9BaUV5M2ZObjd3TkVGMVdiMl9pOV9KSFo3VHFDcGZ4QWIzV2w3UFZVbFM2S1ZfMHJyTnZmUWtEVUl4dWV0bnVnSkNnTkVUX29PQjZSZTJVc0U4Zw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fvisittampabay%2F&v=jwT9eETCSLY] Twitter:   / visittampabay  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1FwQjdiNGNtOXNDb3BEMzg3LU4zOG1FZFo5QXxBQ3Jtc0trcW81UlBDcXJrcG5QcTFCWnZBZGZTZnpJWVY5RUgxVkFlZno3R2hsRENSU1pzbTNsb0pIYlU0MUdWLU9ZelZfdk9vcTMtcEd5Ui1NVkM4MzhRSmllX2pzU2dWaF9LcGc4REtDdnVvTHQ2Y1dLRTBkRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fvisittampa&v=jwT9eETCSLY] 🎧 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe and share to spread the Tampa Bay love!

#53 - Pirate Water Taxi Turns Ten

For ten years, those iconic yellow boats gliding along the Hillsborough River have been one of Tampa Bay's most recognizable sights and one of its most beloved ways to experience the city. Pirate Water Taxi provides a front-row seat to Tampa's skyline, its history, its bridges, and its stories, all from the water.   In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri sit down with Captain TJ Couch of Pirate Water Taxi to celebrate a major milestone: 10 years of connecting Tampa Bay by water. And Pirate Water Taxi isn't just celebrating its anniversary, they're using it as a vehicle to upgrade.    Captain TJ walks us through Pirate Water Taxi's brand new fleet of four sleeker, more efficient vessels complete with teak wood flooring, onboard bars, floating docks for easy boarding, and even oversized games for private charters. He also explains how the new ships made something that seemed simple but wasn't: a seamless, continuous loop route that takes riders the full journey. No more transferring between boats.   Captain TJ shares what it actually takes to become a licensed captain (hint: 720 days at sea is just the start), the fascinating variety of movable bridges along the Hillsborough River, the story behind the Madame Fortune Taylor Bridge, a bat colony that calls it home, and even a Hollywood blockbuster that used it as a stunt ramp.   Plus — spoiler alert — Zoo Tampa may be the next stop on the route. Captain TJ hints that the plans, the materials, and the vision are already in place.   This episode will make you want to hop on board and explore downtown Tampa from a whole new perspective.    🎧 Tune in to Unlocking Tampa Bay on your favorite podcast platform 🌟 Highlights of this Episode: Pirate Water Taxi: https://piratewatertaxi.com/ [https://piratewatertaxi.com/] ZooTampa at Lowry Park: https://zootampa.org/ [https://zootampa.org/] Tampa Riverwalk Attraction Pass: https://www.visittampabay.com/riverwalk-pass/ [https://www.visittampabay.com/riverwalk-pass/] 🧳Plan Your Visit: BOOK YOUR STAY IN TAMPA BAY: https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3Z3b2l0TzQ0NVhGSm5KdnlzNkdwWTVPX09RZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttczFTQlBfeG1OaGxjWUNoRlM3MFlJd2tZWG90OVdtSGh5TVBBUFZLaElLcnljQmJoTmJROW04ZTJjb0xPY1d2MmRhaUhwbFI0YTFtc1lhOUp3UzVIX1g2VXNoN19tZnZiNU9zeTloNmRDdWZQNXY4UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visittampabay.com%2Fstay%2F&v=jwT9eETCSLY] 📲 Stay Connected with Us: Website: https://www.visittampabay.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbE5nQjY5NkpCNVBPb1k1SDlCU3RrUWxiVDl1Z3xBQ3Jtc0tuRjdtdGZMOU9LcldxZ1JVMzdnOGZJVGx0ZnNfU1Q1V1kxQmhPVUFTS05hbTdSdUgtdURuZDBFMkJpMk1FblhDeGJ5WVlkZlZWZEtlUU9ZZkU3WXdGSGpjXzh4WWhEbEsxdG5IcGF5czYzemtYUDY5UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visittampabay.com%2F&v=jwT9eETCSLY] Online Visitors Center: https://shop.visittampabay.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTJjSnVZWHVGU3BQc2ZCZ3R3N212T2xocUJsd3xBQ3Jtc0tseXBReG5TT0E5b05zeFZocm03YmtiMXg3RWlaaVZLM0xLXzY2U2w1Qm0yV1U1Qm1MdlBET0pmZ2ZLYVR3b29xYlJVbmt6UHhqcHFJUlR6bjgxTWlSR3hDby1JZHpoZWFPbHdiX0xPcHVFeDZyNXBkZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.visittampabay.com%2F&v=jwT9eETCSLY] Facebook:   / visittampabay  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTdxdUdyQnVOTVRuQ05qWWlwSWF1em0wNG1NQXxBQ3Jtc0ttbE51cTdmVV9EbEd0a3ZVZWJTcW5KcVVLNkc0am5EdjhDaWdkOVJsNHdiRkdIQUpBUUFzWktzLXhCcHE1azJrSm9LR2VGQVcxSFpndF93a3ZIN1kwajBpN1M4di1KY09ZRFFTWmhWZTJxdC1nWkRqMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FVisitTampaBay&v=jwT9eETCSLY] Instagram:   / visittampabay  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1ZiTC1QTk9GMkcwd2dkWXl1MlhWWDlqLTBUZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuMnAwLWJSZDRBV0tDWlZxQVNnXzZDRm8xSnNvaU9BaUV5M2ZObjd3TkVGMVdiMl9pOV9KSFo3VHFDcGZ4QWIzV2w3UFZVbFM2S1ZfMHJyTnZmUWtEVUl4dWV0bnVnSkNnTkVUX29PQjZSZTJVc0U4Zw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fvisittampabay%2F&v=jwT9eETCSLY] Twitter:   / visittampa  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1FwQjdiNGNtOXNDb3BEMzg3LU4zOG1FZFo5QXxBQ3Jtc0trcW81UlBDcXJrcG5QcTFCWnZBZGZTZnpJWVY5RUgxVkFlZno3R2hsRENSU1pzbTNsb0pIYlU0MUdWLU9ZelZfdk9vcTMtcEd5Ui1NVkM4MzhRSmllX2pzU2dWaF9LcGc4REtDdnVvTHQ2Y1dLRTBkRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fvisittampa&v=jwT9eETCSLY] 🎧 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe and share to spread the Tampa Bay love!

#52 - Going Green: The Story Behind Tampa Bay’s River O’ Green Festival

Every March, something remarkable happens in the heart of downtown Tampa. The Hillsborough River turns green. It's the signature moment of the River O' Green Festival, Tampa Downtown Partnership's beloved St. Patrick's Day celebration that transforms downtown Tampa into a community gathering unlike any other. But how exactly do you turn a river green? And how do you do it safely? That's just one of the fascinating stories behind this year's festival, taking place this Saturday, March 14. In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri sit down with Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges, President & CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to pull off one of Tampa Bay's most visually stunning and community-driven events. Kenyetta walks us through every layer of what makes River O' Green a Tampa Bay tradition: the logistics of coloring the Hillsborough River, the parade, the pet costume contest, the one-of-a-kind kids’ market, and so much more.    The conversation goes beyond the festival too, as Kenyetta shares her vision for where downtown Tampa is headed in 5-10 years and why the events Tampa Downtown Partnership puts on are about so much more than a good time.   River O' Green is this Saturday, March 14 in downtown Tampa. Let this episode be your reason to go.

#51 - Fried, Dipped, and Delicious: Flavors of the Florida State Fair

The Florida State Fair is an annual tradition, bringing classic rides, live entertainment, agriculture, and family fun to Hillsborough County every February. But for many Fairgoers, the real headline act is the food, with over-the-top creations and unexpected flavor combinations that beg the question, who would actually eat that? We would. For the first time ever, Unlocking Tampa Bay hits the road as hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri take the podcast on location to the Florida State Fair. The episode kicks off with a conversation with Fair CEO Cheryl Flood, who shares what guests can expect at the 122nd Florida State Fair, from new attractions to fan favorites, and how America’s sunniest celebration is coming to the Fair this year as they help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Then it’s time to eat. A lot. Bryan and Molly roam the Fairgrounds sampling some of the most unique and buzzworthy food creations of the season, from a Reese’s Pieces donut burger to a peanut butter and jelly funnel cake and everything in between, giving listeners and viewers a front-row seat to the sights, sounds, and flavors that make the Fair a can’t-miss experience. The Florida State Fair runs through February 16, and this special on-location episode brings the experience straight to you while giving you plenty of reasons to grab a ticket and see for yourself. Whether you’re watching on YouTube on listening on your favorite podcast platform, this is one Unlocking Tampa Bay episode you will not want to miss.    🎧 Tune in to Unlocking Tampa Bay on your favorite podcast platform and step into the future of science, innovation, and boundless imagination. 🌟 Highlights of this Episode: Florida State Fair: Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa | 2026 Fair Feb 5-16 [https://floridastatefair.com/] 2026 Fair Food & Drink: 2026 Fair Food & Drink - Florida State Fair [https://floridastatefair.com/visit/fair/food/]  🧳Plan Your Visit:BOOK YOUR STAY IN TAMPA BAY:  https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/ [https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/]  📲 Stay Connected with Us: Website:  https://www.visittampabay.com [https://www.visittampabay.com/] Online Visitors Center:  https://shop.visittampabay.com/ [https://shop.visittampabay.com/] Facebook:    / visittampabay Instagram:    / visittampabay Twitter:    / visittampa 🎧 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe and share to spread the Tampa Bay love!

#50 - Pirates, Parades, & Purpose: Inside Tampa Bay’s Legendary Gasparilla Pirate Fest

What does it take to stage one of the largest and most beloved pirate festivals in the world? In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri welcome Matt Moss of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla for a deep dive into the history, heart, and high seas spirit behind Tampa Bay’s most iconic celebration. Matt shares the origins of the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Parade of Pirates, how the event evolved from a weekday tradition to the massive Saturday spectacle we know today, and how he himself became a member of the storied Krewe. From practical pirate wisdom—like why you should always stuff an extra Cuban sandwich in your pocket the morning of—to behind-the-scenes stories of parade routes and traditions, Matt brings Gasparilla to life in vivid detail. The conversation also highlights the Krewe’s impact beyond the beads. Learn about the charitable work Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla does throughout Tampa Bay like visiting children’s hospitals in full pirate regalia to awarding scholarships that change students’ lives. Matt also explains how modern traditions like the bead-free bay initiative and manatee-spotting helicopters help protect Tampa’s marine wildlife during an event that draws nearly 300,000 people and generates over $40 million in local economic impact. It’s a conversation about history, community, and why dressing like a pirate—at least once a year—can bring joy to an entire city.  🎧 Tune in to Unlocking Tampa Bay on your favorite podcast platform and step into the future of science, innovation, and boundless imagination. 🌟 Highlights of this Episode: Gasparilla: https://gasparillapiratefest.com/ [https://gasparillapiratefest.com/] Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla: https://ymkg.com/ [https://ymkg.com/] Gasparilla Season: https://www.visittampabay.com/tampa-events/gasparilla-season/ [https://www.visittampabay.com/tampa-events/gasparilla-season/] 🧳Plan Your Visit:  BOOK YOUR STAY IN TAMPA BAY:  https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/ [https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/] 📲 Stay Connected with Us: Website:  https://www.visittampabay.com [https://www.visittampabay.com/] Online Visitor Center:  https://shop.visittampabay.com/ [https://shop.visittampabay.com/] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/VisitTampaBay [https://www.facebook.com/VisitTampaBay] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/visittampabay/ [https://www.instagram.com/visittampabay/] Twitter:  https://twitter.com/visittampa [https://twitter.com/visittampa] 🎧 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe and share to spread the Tampa Bay love!