Daily Loaf

Today’s selection for the Think + Drink Cinema Series is Woman of Heart and Mind, about cerebral, soulful singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell (pictured), a talented artist who spoke her mind about current issues without sacrificing her mainstream appeal. Explore the experiences that influenced her style via archival footage, performance videos and interviews with Mitchell, and prolific artists like (former boyfriend) Graham Nash, James Taylor and Herbie Hancock. Mindy Simmons performs live before the film. The weekly film fest focuses on cultural, social and scientific topics, and the American Music Series prior to each movie explores the history and icons of the music that have shaped America, featuring a live performance by a new local musician each week. Music begins at 6 p.m. and films begin at 7 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 27 unless otherwise noted. Visit southfloridamuseum.org for more info. Bishop Planetarium, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, $8, $6 students, $5 museum members.

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C. Emerson Fine Arts’ annual showcase of genre defying photographic works, Film Lingual III, opens tonight with a one-night-only interactive video projection that puts visitors in the spotlight. (“We need your bodies,” tweets gallery owner Lori Johns.) This year’s roster of artists — David Audet, Nancy Cervenka, Brandon Dunlap, Corey George, Illuminations 33701, Jamie Jackson, Laszlo Horvath, Matthew Lindhardt, Austin Nelson, Leah Oates, Dana Plays and Joseph Walles — promises diversity in their creative explorations, alternately serving up documentary photography, digitally-crafted images and sculpture made from found movie film. Don’t miss an experimental film screening hosted and featuring films by Audet on Tuesday at Café Bohemia. (Pictured: Transitory Space, Beijing, China, by Leah Oates) June 5-20, with an opening reception 7-10 p.m. Fri., June 5, C. Emerson Fine Arts, 909 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-898-6068, c-emersonfinearts.com; and Short Attention Span Theater, Tues., June 9, 9-11 p.m., Café Bohemia, 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, free, myspace.com/cafe_bohemia. (Megan Voeller)

The Next Food Network Star VIP viewing party features a sneak peek of the season five premiere of the Food Network’s most popular show. Meet one of the finalists, Florida’s own Jen Isham, who provides helpful hints in a cooking demonstration, and get a tour of the International Culinary School. Please call 1-866-703-3277 for reservations. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sat., June 6, The Art Institute of Tampa, 4401 N. Himes Ave., Suite 150, Tampa, free, artinstitutes.edu.

If you don’t want your weekend to suck, click here for more events: Read the rest of this entry »

This Saturday, April 18th, some of the C.O.O.K.S. Club at the Art Institute of Tampa will be hosting a BBQ cook-off and competition. Culinary students will be competing to see whose barbecued protein of choice will reign supreme, after being judged by some “professionals” and the public.

The event will be from 11 a.m.- 3p.m. at the Art Institute of Tampa (4401 N. Himes Ave., Tampa; on the northeast corner of Himes Ave. and MLK, just north of Raymond James stadium). The judging will be held in the dining lab on the second floor ($1 for each entry sampled) and there will be a smoker chock full of burgers and dogs for sale outside on the back patio. Judging will end by 1:30 so get there before it runs out.

The money earned from the competition will go to the Chef and Child Foundation. Come out to support these future chefs and culinarians and enjoy some barbecue, too!

For more information, contact Katie at: katie.machol@cln.com

Looking for somewhere new to grab lunch on your break from work? Then be sure to check out The Tutored Chef at The Art Institute of Tampa. It is a student run restaurant by a class of some of their talented culinary students. Almost all of their delicious creations are made from scratch and each week the students rotate cooking stations and take turns serving patrons.

Their menu features simple classics, as well as diverse ethnic dishes: Read the rest of this entry »

Gourmet magazine executive chef and Sara’s Weeknight Meals host Sara Moulton (pictured at right) whips up her favorite holiday dishes and shares tips and secrets during a special live appearance in the ballroom at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. 8 p.m., Tampa, $35.

Art Institute of Tampa students present Black and White Gallery: Winter ‘08 Exhibition, which includes clothing, photographs, charcoal and pencil drawings, and other works in black-and-white. An opening reception with finger foods and drinks is held from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight; the works are on display through Dec. 23, AIT Gallery, Tampa, free admission.

The Kennedy, a posh South Tampa boutique lounge, hosts a Bebe Holiday Fashion Event celebrating Bebe’s fall/winter line; ladies enjoy an open Grey Goose bar from 10 to 11 p.m., and the first 500 receive a special Bebe gift and entry into a drawing for Bebe gift certificates. 9 p.m., 2408 W. Kennedy Blvd., free (21 and up only).

Austin’s rowdy, singin’ and songwritin’ “Dirty Old One-Man Band” Scott H. Biram brings his blues-soaked jams to The Garage. 9 p.m. doors, St. Petersburg, $10 ages 21 and up/$12 under 21.

Corey Avenue merchants stay open late, host live music, and offer food and wine samples for “Ladies Night Out – Holiday Style,” a holiday shopping event. Shoppers are asked to bring a canned good, non-perishable food item, or personal hygiene item to donate to local families in need. Drop boxes are located at several merchants on Corey. 5-8 p.m., Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, free.