Displaying items by tag: Clearwater

Tampa Bay, June 24, 2009 -- Spaghetti, probably the first image that comes to your mind when you hear “Italian food.”  For some, it may be the extent of their knowledge of cuisine from the Mediterranean nation.  It’s easy to oversimplify traditional courses when you’re in the melting pot of the world.  But what then is authentic Italian food?  Piero Caramella, a veteran Italian restaurateur and his partner, Dmitry Lisovitsky, recently flew in an award-winning Italian chef from Italy to help create the hallmark of true authentic Italian cuisine for their new venture, Divino.

This Fourth of July, the celebrations will be abundant for Pinellas County. With so many festivities planned, there is sure to be fun for everyone!

In Tarpon Springs, a Patriotic Picnic will be held in Craig Park from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There will be music and fun-filled activities such as a bubblegum blowing contest and sack races as well as free hot dogs, soda and water.

On the lawn of the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa in Safety Harbor, revelers will be treated with carnival games, inflatables and a rock climbing wall, with a fireworks display at 9:00 pm.

On Tuesday, June 23rd, the official poster for the 2009 Clearwater Jazz Holiday music festival was unveiled in Clearwater. The poster, a vivid and lively contemporary piece depicting a jazz band playing in front of a piano-key bridge reminiscent of Clearwater’s Memorial Causeway, was designed by John Brennan, a 20 year old USF junior music major, and an accomplished emerging artist. Brennan was the winner of this year’s contest.

The Capitol Theatre, recently purchased by Ruth Eckerd Hall and the City of Clearwater, is set to hold another show. Instead of a concert as in the previous two performances, however, this one will be a play. Or perhaps a movie, depending on how you want to look at it.

NT Live, a new initiative from the United Kingdom’s National Theatre, will broadcast live performances of plays onto movie screens around the world, and one of those screens will be at the Capitol Theatre. They are beginning this experiment with a performance of Phèdre by French playwright Jean Racine (this version of the play by Ted Hughes), directed by the National Theatre’s Nicholas Hynter.  The play will be performed live, and the premier will be broadcast to The Capitol Theatre. The play stars Helen Mirren as Phèdre, as well as Dominic Cooper and Margaret Tyzak.

Phèdre is based on Greek mythology. It is the tale of a queen, Phèdre, who declares her love for Hippolyte, her husband Theseus’s son from a previous marriage, when her husband is rumored to be dead after disappearing during an expedition. On Theseus’ unexpected return, Phaedra accuses Hippolyte of trying to seduce her, and a nightmare of tragedy ensues.

Performances will be presented on Friday July 10th at 8pm, and Saturday, July 11th at 2pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 19th at noon at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office. The Capitol Theatre is located at 405 Cleveland Street, Clearwater. For more information, visit http://www.rutheckerdhall.com/, or call the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office at 727-791-7400

This summer and fall, downtown Clearwater's Cleveland Street District can expect three new mouthwatering reasons for citizens to come downtown.

Divino Fine Italian, an authentic Italian restaurant, will be the first to open at the end of June at 22 N. Ft. Harrison Avenue, in what was formerly the location of the Majestic Lounge. Divino will offer European cuisine and café-style dining around a fountain, part of a charming décor reminiscent of an outdoor piazza, with fine dining served on overlooking balconies, providing an elegant atmosphere and charming ambiance in addition to the fine food. For more information on Divino Fine Italian click here.

La Cachette will be moving from their current location on Indian Rocks Beach, where they have been for more than 11 years, and will be welcomed with open arms to the district. They will serve their classic French cuisine in their new location at 635 Cleveland Street, beginning in October. For more information on La Cachette, go to www.lacachetteflorida.com.

The third new addition to the Cleveland Street District will be a new restaurant from the owners of Bellini in downtown Dunedin. The restaurant, called Casanova, is also scheduled to be open in October. Casanova will delight their patrons with gourmet Italian food at 811 Cleveland Street, where Fiore’s Gourmet Deli used to be.

“We are happy to have many progressive entrepreneurs interested in doing business in Clearwater. Even though the economy is in recession, they recognize the opportunities that are here. I am confident that our residents and visitors will welcome and enjoy these upscale dining establishments,” Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard said.

These new additions to the Cleveland Street District are part of the new growth the area  has been experiencing, and will no doubt draw even more people into the area. They will provide both locals and tourists alike with a fine dining experience, adding to the quality that Clearwater is coming to be known and appreciated for.

CLEARWATER, FL - On the Fourth of July, the city will hold their annual "Clearwater Celebrates America" event and fireworks display. Come celebrate the birth of our country with your friends and family with fireworks and fun in Clearwater's gorgeous Coachman Park.

This year, Independence Day falls on a Saturday, and the gates to the free festival will open at 4:00pm, live musical entertainment from the Mostly Pops Orchestra with John and Mary K. Wilson will begin at 7:30pm and the much anticipated firework display will begin at 9:30pm.

CLEARWATER, FL - On Friday, June 26th, the Clearwater Downtown Partnership will hold the fourth 4th Friday event right in the middle of Cleveland Street in between East Avenue and Ft. Harrison. There will be vendors, a rock climbing wall, live music from The Invasion Band, magicians, fire breathers and more! Past events have included a bouncy house, mimes, a Ray's game viewing and a Todd Rundgren concert put on by Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Clearwater, FL - A mother, a daughter, three possible dads and a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! MAMMA MIA! returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall beginning August 11 for 8 performances! Tickets are on sale now! More than 30 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! “…one of the most successful musicals of all time!” according to the Chicago Tribune.

Clearwater, FL - Grammy® nominee Maxwell is on tour for the first time in more than two years in support of his studio release BLACKsummers’night. He will perform at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Thursday, July 30 at 8 pm.

This soulful R & B singer has had four top 10 singles including Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder), Pretty Wings, Fortunate and Lifetime (the latter two went to number 1). He is scheduled to release BLACKsummers’night, (his first CD in more than 8 years) this July, and the sultry single Pretty Wings is already number 1 on the Billboard charts. Don’t miss Maxwell in this rare concert appearance.

Cleveland Street District, Clearwater - On May 9th, Cleveland Street went to the dogs! But don’t worry, they had their owners with them. The 4th Annual Pet Festival was held in the Cleveland Street District, between East Avenue and Ft. Harrison.  Animal lovers and the animals they love browsed booths while picking up information on canine-related issues.