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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The Think + Drink Cinema Series focuses on cultural, social and scientific topics. This week’s selection is I’m Your Man, which explores the life and times of Leonard Cohen (pictured, photo by MJ Kim), the prolific musician and poet whose tunes inspired covers by everyone from Rufus Wainwright to Beth Orton, Jarvis Cocker, Nick Cave, Kate and Anna McGarrigle and U2. Cohen’s also slated to visit the St. Pete Times Forum in October. The American Music Series prior to each movie explores the history and icons of the music that have shaped America, and features a live performance by a new local musician each week. Tonight’s live guest musician is Dennis Brock. 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. Thurs., Aug. 6, 6 p.m., Bishop Planetarium, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, $8, $6 students, $5 museum members.

Dalí in New York is a documentary of the artist during the 1965 opening of his exhibit at Huntington Hartford’s Gallery of Modern Art. Dalí devoted himself to making the film as interesting as his art; he staged several avant garde scenes utilizing props like a plaster cast, a thousand ants, and a million dollars in cash. Then, see the psychedelic BBC documentary Hello Dalí, featuring montages of the artist’s paintings and videos, scenes with Salvador and Gala Dalí, and images of Teatro Museo Dalí during its construction. Thu., Aug. 6, 6 p.m., Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg, free with $5 museum admission, salvadordalimuseum.org.

The 18th annual Gourmet Feastival benefits the Tampa Centre for Women, and includes a mouthwatering array of decadent cuisine. Participating restaurants include wine devotees Bin 27, scrumptious sandwich shop Datz Deli, fancy fare from Chez Bryce, fondue from the Melting Pot, and more food and wine purveyors than you can shake a fondue fork at, along with live music and door prizes. Visit centreforwomen.org for more info. Thu., Aug. 6, 6-9 p.m., Tampa Hyatt Hotel, 211 N. Tampa St., Tampa, $50 in advance, $60 at the door.

The Think + Drink Cinema Series 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. The July 23 film is The Power of Song, archival footage of the pioneering folk singer and political activist Pete Seeger, featuring interviews with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and more. James Gromko performs live before the film. 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. (Pictured: Pete Seeger, courtesy Robert Krones/PBS) Bishop Planetarium, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, $8, $6 students, $5 museum members.

These days, Ybor City residents expect their criminal gangs to be made up of drunken teenagers, but in the early days of the 20th century the Cigar Cit was faced with a more organized type of crime. Local documentary filmmakers and Tampa Film Review founders Pete and Paul Guzzo produced Ghosts of Ybor, a film that attempts to shed light on some of the should-be-famous names from Tampa’s glorious criminal past. The doc is presented as part of a special event at the Education Channel, which includes a Q&A with the Guzzos, and a meet-and-greet with Cigar City Mafia author Scott Deitche and everyone’s favorite Tampa historian, Gary Mormino. Thurs., July 23, 6:30 p.m. reception with food, 7:15 screening with Q&A and dessert and coffee to follow, The Education Channel, 703 N. Willow Ave., Tampa, $10, educationchannel.org. –Joe Bardi

The antithesis of the modern fairy tale, Oddlie is the story of a nearly-mute girl who lives on a garbage heap and rarely speaks but loves to sing. Aleshea Harris, who starred in local productions of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuff and Gem of the Ocean, brings Oddlie to life through song, spoken word and theater. This one woman-play about magic and the power of poetry continues the Studio@620’s trend of pushing the boundaries of popular entertainment in Tampa Bay, offering a fresh perspective among a plethora of traditional offerings.  July 23-25, Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., The Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, $20, $15 students and seniors, 727-895-6620, studio620.org.—Franki Weddington

Tampa Theatre is a local landmark with a rich history, but its impact on the area goes beyond the actual movie theater. Once again, Tampa Theatre offers its Sunset Cinema series, where they show movies in outdoor locations for free. It’s a fun way to experience a family-friendly classic.

Tonight they’ll be showing “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” (clearly the best in the Indiana Jones series) at River Tower Park, 401 E. Bird Street in Seminole Heights. An inflatable, 50-foot-wide screen and powerful sound system provide excellent visual and sound effects. If you’ve been to this event before, you know what I mean. The picture is sharp and the sound is clear. That means you can actually enjoy the movie.

You’ll also enjoy the price, since it doesn’t cost a thing. Just bring your lawn chairs, snacks, pets, Frisbees, coolers or whatever you want, stake out a good spot and enjoy the atmosphere. No alcohol or fireworks are allowed, and they’ll also have concessions on sale if you don’t want to bring your own.

The movie starts at 8, but the gates open at 6. It’s probably a good idea to get there early, find a good spot and just relax for awhile. Other movies in the Sunset Cinema series this year include “Field of Dreams,” “Back to the Future” and “Shrek.” I’ll mention those when they come up, too. But for now, enjoy the outdoor show this evening.

For more information, click here.

Eckerd College’s International Cinema series is back this week with a double feature, loosely tied together around the theme of Asian hit men.

Ashes of Time Redux

The free action starts at 7pm at Eckerd College’s Miller Auditorium. Wong Kar-Wai’s wuxia delight Ashes of Time was redone for the big screen as Ashes of Time Redux and it’s astonishing how gorgeous it looks. As long as you don’t get all obsessed with minor details (like what exactly is going on and who is pining for whom), you will be blown away … this is a must-see on the big screen, playing in a new 35mm print!

At 9pm don’t miss Hiroyuki Tanaka’s inventive, intense and amusing Postman Blues: Sawaki is a postman, bored with his way of life until it all changes when his old schoolmate, who has just joined the Yakuza (Japanese mafia) smuggles a few items into his friend’s bag. Now the police are after him, and a series of coincidences convince them that this seemingly mild-mannered postal worker is a seriously dangerous man.

Warning: if you come to the series you may get hooked and have your Friday nights during the regular school year booked for the next decade. The series has been running for five years now and there are a number of folks who have been there every week for the last several. Come and bring your friends!

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All films in the series are free and open to the public, and screen in the Miller Auditorium of Eckerd College (4200 54th Ave. So., St. Petersburg). Tickets and reservations are not required.

For more information on the International Cinema Series, and to see upcoming films, go to www.eckerd.edu/ic

Questions? Contact the Eckerd College Office of Communications at 727-864-7979 or events@eckerd.edu.

The International Cinema Series is coordinated by me: Nathan Andersen, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Eckerd College.

Voted “Best Local Film Series” by Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay 2007.