June 11, 2009 - TAMPA, FL - "Valentino: The Last Emperor " will be shown at the Tampa Theatre June 12th through the 17th.
Valentino: The Last Emperor, directed by Matt Trynauer, is a feature-length movie that takes the viewer inside the singular world of one of Italy's most famous designers, Valentino Garavani. The film documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of Valentino's celebrated career, capturing the end of an era in global fashion.
CLEARWATER, FL - The Fourth of July. The phrase conjures memories of hotdogs, apple pie, family picnics and fireworks – and thoughts of freedom, liberty and patriotic pride. For each of us perhaps it means something a little different, but for all of us it means something. Now the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is asking what it means to your child, with a contest for children ages 5 to 15. Six winners will be chosen for a meeting with the CMA dolphins, and the chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the dolphin show at the Fourth of July extravaganza.
TAMPA, FL (May 28, 2009) - “What is more fantastic than dancing? It’s all about love, it’s all about life,” Pierre Matisse says, as he explains one of his paintings enthusiastically in a debonair French accent during a recent art show at the Michael Murphy Gallery in Tampa.
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Jamaican heartthrob, Sean Paul, is expected to draw a large crowd on Sunday, June 14th for the 17th Annual Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival. He is a Grammy Award-winning reggae and dancehall phenomenon with chart toppers such as "Gimme the Light", "Get Busy" and "Give It Up To Me". He's partnered with some of the industry's megastars including Beyonce, Daddy Yankee, Keyshia Cole and Busta Rhymes.
Tickets are selling fast for what is expected to be a high-impact show. Fans have already begun to get excited. "I can't wait to see Sean Paul. I absolutely love all of his music. I am gonna get there early so that I can get up close and personal," says Naycolle Wright of Sarasota. Sean Paul will hit the stage at 8 pm, immediately following Soca Queen, Alison Hinds who performs at 6 pm. Other Sunday performers include Leon Coldero and the 868 Band, Paulette Rollette and the Alesnik Dancers, Neauva Saka Band and Tamboo Bamboo Steel Drum Band. Fans are also welcome to attend the "mas" costume parade at 1pm.
June 20, 2009 - CLEARWATER, FL - Singer/Actor Paul Wilson has been added as a special guest performer at the upcoming Sunscreen Film Festival concert/fundraiser on June 20th at the Ft. Harrison Hotel. The event features the concert “Hit Songs From Stage and Screen” and will be accompanied by the screening of two entertaining and uplifting short films, as well as great desserts and libations. Paul will join the fabulous “Broadway & Beyond” group, featuring Joanie Sigal and Tom Godfrey, the nimble fingers of Jim Nelson backed by the mellow tones of the Fort Harrison Band.
CLEARWATER, FL - The Humane Society of Pinellas, Inc. will be holding their next Bark at The Ball Park on Friday, June 12, 2009. This event is held at Bright House Field, 601 Old Coachman Road in Clearwater, Florida. The gates will open at 6 pm for a 7 pm game between our own Clearwater Threshers and Hammerheads. Plus it is one of the very popular Bobble Head Nights at Bright House Field!
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - NOVA 535 unique event space and modern art lounge will present Opening Night of Supernova Sundays starting Sunday, June 7th at 6pm.
The recurring Sunday night party will feature local talent, national celebrity acts and fantastic music. The format will evolve and change each week in order to remain fresh. It all begins June 7th with The Big Bang Show: Think Johnny Carson, Drew Carey and the Whose Line Is It Anyway? guys hijacking American Idol and squeezing it into The Gong Show...only you’re in the audience with dinner and a drink. The Big Bang Show is hosted by Tampa's own Got Jokes? improv troupe and judged by local celebrity Sterling Powell, hilarious comedienne Christine O’Leary and Torrie & Amanda the adorable dynamic duo behind CBS Radio’s "Girls Gone Sport.” (NOVA 535 is still accepting local talent acts for consideration. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)
TAMPA, FL - If laughter is truly the best medicine, these guys should require a prescription. Got Jokes? is a rising star in the comedic sky, and one of the Tampa area's premiere improv comedy troupes. If you're looking for a side-splitting good time, they deliver!
A Got Jokes? show is high-energy, in-your-face improv comedy driven by crowd participation. The audience is involved with everything from scene suggestions to direct interaction in the show, with fans getting on stage and exchanging quips and lines with the cast while they react and mold their show around whatever they are given. The cast of Got Jokes? is a mix of stand-up comics, spoken word artists, trained improv comedians and actors that have come together to create a unique comedic expression. They obviously have fun on stage, which adds to the show’s energy and vibe.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Featuring Broadway vocalists Ron Raines, Lisa Vroman and Debbie Gravitte, Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman conducts The Florida Orchestra in a program of best-loved songs from such hit musicals as The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Music Man, Evita, Mame, Girl Crazy, Guys & Dolls, Jesus Christ Super Star, The King and I, Wicked and South Pacific, among others.
This Raymond James Pops program will close the current orchestra season this weekend with three performances: Friday, May 29, at 8 p.m. at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s Ferguson Hall in Tampa; Saturday, May 30, at 8 p.m., at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg; and Sunday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m., at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.
DUNEDIN, FL – The Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival celebrates its 7th anniversary on June 27 -28, 2009, as Main Street is transformed into an outdoor craft showcase complete with affordable original works available for sale. Admission is free and open to the public.
All of the crafters will be at the festival with their work, giving visitors the opportunity to talk with the crafters, learn about their art and what inspires them, and of course, purchase original pieces.
CLEARWATER, FL - This summer, both Clearwater City Hall and the Clearwater Main Library will be displaying public art.
Large format abstract paintings by artist Ray Paul will be featured in a Clearwater art exhibit in the Clearwater City Hall lobby as part of a city program to place the works of local artists in public spaces.
Gulfport, FL - Get into the community spirit and enjoy a free evening of entertainment brought to you by the City of Gulfport and the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce!
The City of Gulfport and the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce announce a new series of summer waterfront concerts located on The Point behind the Gulfport Recreation Center at Shore Blvd. and 58th Street South. This free concert series will be held the second Friday of each month; June 12th; July 10th and August 14th from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - The 23rd annual "A Taste of Pinellas" food and entertainment event will take place this weekend, Friday, May 29th to Sunday, May 31st in Downtown St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park.
More than 40 restaurants will be offering a taste of their most popular specialties. Admission to the park is free, and diners are able to purchase ticks to taste Pinellas's finest cooking, as well as kids activated and interactive games.
Clearwater, FL: The Conchologists of America, Inc. annual convention will be held at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort from Sunday, July19th - Thursday, July 23rd. The Conchologists of America, Inc. (COA), is an international organization of seashell enthusiasts - from beachcombers to serious collectors, seashell dealers, and noted authors and scientists at prominent museums and universities.
One of the highlights of this 5-day event will be an International Seashell Expo, a supermarket of the most beautiful and exotic shells from around the world, as well as related items such as shell jewelry, books, photographs and other unique articles. Seashell dealers, some from as far away as South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Greece and the Far East, will fill the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton selling their treasures. This rare event will be open to the public from 2 - 9PM on Wednesday, the 22nd and from 9AM - Noon on Thursday the 23rd.
Clearwater, FL.
This Friday, The Cleveland Street District Celebrates THE RAYS and it all begins with YOU!
That's right, YOU are invited for fun once again as 4th Friday (the most talked about new event in TAMPA BAY) is back for a third great month! "4th Friday, a Party on Cleveland Street" continues May 22nd beginning at 5:30 PM.
Ruth Eckerd Hall announces that Britain’s Got Talent winner and world-renowned tenor, Paul Potts will perform at Ruth Eckerd Hall for one night ONLY on Sunday, July 12 at 7pm. This will be Paul’s only Tampa Bay appearance.
TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY AT 10 AM. Members are ordering their tickets now! Become a member today and order your tickets before they go on sale to the general public this Friday at 10 am!
Clearwater, FL.
In honor of Poetry Month, Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard declared April 18th to be Clearwater Poetry Day. The second annual “Cleveland Street Poetry Walk”, presented by Artists in Action, International, is a yearly event celebrated by local poets who expound on life in Clearwater and Florida in general.
Cleveland St. District, Clearwater
Clearwater, Florida and Nagano, Japan have been sister cities for half a century, and to honor this achievement on April 25th, the City of Clearwater celebrated the union by holding a Lantern Festival in Station Square Park. The purpose of the festival is to promote cultural harmony and awareness. Nagano has been holding an annual lantern festival at Zenkoji Temple for six years. The festival was originated to honor Nagano hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics.
AN IRISH FAIRY TALE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
On Friday, June 19th at 4:30 and 7:00 PM, Delphi Academy of Florida presents the comedy “Blather, Blarney and Balderdash”, by Patrick Rainville Dorn, at the Francis Wilson Playhouse. Set in Ireland, the play follows the adventures of Fin, who must learn the essential art of storytelling in order to win the hand of fair Pegeen. With the help of three leprechauns—Blather, Blarney and Balderdash—Fin learns how to weave a good yarn as the characters take on a life of their own. The hilarious cast includes a chronic sneezer, a boatman who can’t leave his boat, and a fiddle-playing cricket. And of course, there will be plenty of Irish music and dancing.
The Delphi drama department will be calling upon professionals to help students develop acting and dancing skills. Cathy Vangieri, a local drama coach, and Megan Brazil, a professional dancer and choreographer from New York will be directly involved in the play’s creation.
Elaine Oller, Delphi’s drama teacher, is enthused about this year’s play. “I’m especially excited about the Francis Wilson Playhouse,” she exclaims. “It’s a cozy, unique setting and really perfect for us. I’m also delighted with the music—it’s going to be very lively and fun.” She thinks this will be one of Delphi’s best performances.
The Francis Wilson Playhouse is located at 302 Seminole Street in Clearwater. It is on the bay front, one block west of Fort Harrison Avenue. Tickets go on sale June 1st. Adults $15; Children and Senior Citizens $10. Order a package of three or more tickets and get them for $10 each. To order tickets, call Delphi at (727) 447-6385. Advance ticket sales recommended. Tickets will be sold at the door. No assigned seating. For special needs seating, please notify the school for special arrangements.
Delphi Academy of Florida is an independent coeducational and non-sectarian day school offering regular school year and summer programs for preschool through ninth grade. Delphi has been providing educational services for over 12 years.
For more information about our school, visit our website at www.delphifl.org. For more information about Delphi, contact: Beth Voss, Delphi Academy of Florida, 1831 Drew St. Clearwater, FL 33765. 727-447-6385 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Belleair, FL
Uh-oh, an employee of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel is coming to chase me out of the underground tunnels… again. I know I’m not supposed to go down into the underbelly of the hotel unless escorted by authorized personnel, but I can’t help myself. My imagination runs wild when I’m down here, and the temptation to experience this aspect of the fantastic hotel is so great that I’m drawn through the forbidden door every time I visit. And I visit often.
St. Petersburg, FL
The red carpet was rolled out for the 4th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival which had its kickoff on April 29th, at Baywalk Muvico in St. Petersburg.
Seen at the event was famed actor Patrick Wilson, looking suave in a blue blazer. He was there for the southeast premiere of his film “Passengers”, co-starring Anne Hathaway. The Watchmen star has local ties in the form of his brother, Paul, on the board for the festival, and his father, John, a local TV news anchor.
Chris and Victoria Kelly, a couple from Illinois were excited to be on the red carpet. Their film Hampshire was premiering at the festival as well. “I didn’t expect half of this,” said Chris. His wife added, “We couldn’t have picked a better location. The people are so nice.”
Cleveland St. District, Clearwater
Ciclovía – it means “bike path” in Spanish – but in Clearwater, it means FUN! On Sunday, April 26th, from 8am to 2pm, two miles of Cleveland Street were closed off and declared a “no car zone.” From Coachman Park all the way up to Highland Avenue, bicyclists could be seen riding in the middle of an empty street.
“It’s moments like this that make me glad to be a city council member,” said John Doran as he stepped outside the newly-renovated Capitol Theatre, just after the opening night performance from classical pop pianist William Joseph.
Following the purchase of the Royalty Theatre by Ruth Eckerd Hall and the City of Clearwater, the venue has had a thorough cleaning and been officially renamed the Capitol Theatre. Its opening performance was on Saturday, April 4th — a performance from a very talented artist, William Joseph.
William is a dynamic and passionate classical pianist whose pop twist gives a fresh and youthful burst of energy to the genre. His music is emotional, dramatic and engaging. Discovered by David Foster in his native Phoenix, Arizona, he has gone on to release two remarkable albums and perform for the likes of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. “I’m very emotion-driven,” he says of his music. “I only write from feelings that I’m having. It’s not a story, it’s raw feeling.”
TAMPA, FL – Friends of the Riverwalk presents FreedomFest 2009, a free patriotic community festival held Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) along the southern section of The Riverwalk. The two-day celebration culminates with a 10am Memorial Day salute to those who served and sacrificed for this country.
You’re invited to a free party on Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater! It will be held on April 24th from 5:30-9:00pm, so bring your friends and family to enjoy great music, beer, wine, soft drinks and all kinds of food and local goods from vendors and local businesses.
This month’s band is Kenny McGee. Kenny is the lead vocalist from Julliet, a national rock act. Julliet went on to get signed to Capitol Records and toured in the 80's and early 90's and worked with such producers as Frankie Sullivan (Survivor) and Kevin Dubrow (Quiet Riot).
Kenny eventually branched off and formed a solo band which has brought Kenny back to his southern rock roots. In the early 90s, with "Baby Jane" he had the #1 most requested song for 6 months on 98 Rock . At the same time, Julliet’s “Revvin' Me Up” was being played on rock stations nationwide.
To this day, Kenny remains one of the most sought out singer/songwriters with which to work . His solo band, as well as Juliet, are gearing up for a busy season; they will be doing a summer tour in support of their appearance at Rocklahoma in Pryor, Oklahoma (4-day 80's rock festival).
4th Friday Events are Sponsored by the CDP (Clearwater Downtown Partnership), for more information visit http://www.4thfridayclearwater.com/or call