Daily Loaf

It’s hard enough to wrangle a hip group of artists/musicians/designers/models together at the same place and time, but it’s even harder to convince anyone to come see the spectacle. The visionaries at Square One do just that with scenester-crowded, can’t-miss-‘em shindigs — like Saturday’s eco-themed Magnum Opus — that draw party people in droves. More than 75 visual artists display their work (among them CL faves like Bluelucy, Kat Wilson, KLAAREN and Robert Wegmann), Jeremy Gloff hosts his album release party, and dance and fashion shows by Bella Danza, Enigma Dance Kru, Kinetic Dance Group and Wear To The Tear Fashion mean that there’s always something shiny and new to look at onstage. The cherry on top is that this nightlong shindig is completely gratis. Sat., Nov. 14, 7-10 p.m. , The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, free, squareoneflorida.com. – Franki Weddington

What goes together better than wine and blues? The holy union (which drew more than 30,000 folks downtown last year) gets its due this weekend at Dunedin Wines the Blues, when the Suncoast Blues Society heats things up at Dunedin’s Second Friday Art and Wine Walk and a blues jam takes the stage to accompany the arts and crafts, food and wine vendors. The real party gets started on Saturday, with an all-day jazz and blues jam-session that welcomes Grammy-nom John Lee Hooker, Jr., The Steve Arvey Horn Band, Kathy Jo and The Bluzification Band to the stage. Visit dunedinwinestheblues.info for more info. Nov. 13-14, 5:30-10:30 p.m. Fri., 5-11 p.m. Sat., Downtown Dunedin, free. Read the rest of this entry »

Tes One (nee Leon Bedore) returns to Tampa for Repeat Offender, his first solo show in five years. The artist’s prints are familiar to local gallery-goers (and to CL readers — he did our Obama-inauguration cover in January), and his new collection contrasts “nature with technology, grime with grace.” The results are immediately striking and visually interesting, but require closer inspection to fully digest. More often than not, what’s underneath the surface is even more important than the clearly visible — like the snarling grizzly bear screenprinted over a sign advertising “space available.” Ironic, of course, because we’re cutting down the trees in the grizzly’s space to make our signs. Best of the Bay-winning DJ Mega and Nak 1 scratch at the opening reception. Sat., Oct. 3, 7-11 p.m.; on display through Nov. 30, Redletter1 Gallery, 1510 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City, free, 813-241-2435, tesone.net. –Franki Weddington

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when buxom lasses and dudes in lederhosen lift steins to praise the amber liquid that will sustain us through the cold, cold winter — Oktoberfest! But how will you be able to take advantage of the two simultaneous brew celebrations this weekend? No worries, you won’t have to.  Do you like the crisp and simple taste of American and international macro-brews, sampled in refined comfort while sharks and rays look on in jealous hunger? Head to the CL-sponsored Brews by the Bay: Oktoberfest 2009 at The Florida Aquarium. Along with the full repertoire of Anheuser-Busch, you’ll be able to sample beers from Magic Hat, Boddington’s, Stella Artois and many others, all while noshing food from restaurants like Datz Deli. Smoke, and more. If local craft brew floats your sudsy boat, then Dunedin Brewery’s ninth annual OktoBEERfest is more your cup of tea. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. This Saturday, even leather-clad biker baddies show their soft spot for the cute, cuddly pups and kittens up for adoption at the Humane Society.

Proceeds from the bike run, Cruising for Critters, go toward ensuring that the pets are well cared for until they find a forever home. The 40-mile poker run includes motorcycles of all styles — and a few four-legged friends come along for the ride. Registration and kick-off are at Eve’s Family Restaurant, with stops along the route at Captain Jack’s Sunset Grill, Danny’s Food and Spirits, and Fletcher’s Harley Davidson. The final destination is Quaker’s Steak and Lube, where the non-bikers among us can also join in the fun with Read the rest of this entry »

What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week:

TRA’shion Fashion and Art Show 2009 (photos) – The fabulous trashionistas were out in force for ARTpool’s annual TRA’shion Show, and photographer Chip Weiner caught all the recycled green glamour.

Letting go of addictions: Using alternative methods to release addictions of any type- Kelly Rothwell gives us alternative methods such as energetic healing, visualizations and affirmations, that can be used to not only cope with such addictions but to understand the reason behind the addiction and let it go for good.

Living sustainably in Tampa Bay: Dave Starman’s biodiesel fueled car and green lifestyle – The first in a series of profiles, by Jack B., of individuals who are living sustainably in Tampa Bay. This profiles Tampa Bay resident Dave Starman.
Read the rest of this entry »

With many people breaking out into the green movement and things like ‘recycling’ and ‘conserving’ becoming second nature, why not get your pets (or ‘kids’, if you’re like me) into your same habits?

Eco-friendly pet food, litters, etc., are more readily available than in the past, so try these few simple steps to make your cat or dog the greenest animal on the block.
Read the rest of this entry »

It’s Super Bowl eve, so we’re going with an all-SB edition of Do It Today:

The Good Life Experience The three-night bacchanal at The Venue culminates with tonight’s Diddy-hosted “Icons of the Good Life” event, which promises to be “an opulent night of glamour and extravagance.” Stars are sure to stud the joint, and with prices like these — $400/$700 — stars may be the only people who can afford it. Look for CL’s Eric Snider on the red carpet. The Venue, 2675 Ulmerton Road, St. Petersburg, Sat., Jan. 31, doors open 8 p.m., goodlifeexperience.com.

Diddy’s may be the most glamorous SB event, but you can catch come starpower (or at least some fur-power) at events today that are absolutely free.

DirecTV Celebrity Beach Bowl If the celebrity lineup for this free event pans out as promised, it might just outdo the star wattage of the Diddy party. The biggest names may be the coaches: Reggie Bush, Steve Young, Eli Manning and Warren Moon. But the players aren’t too shabby, either: DirecTV is touting a roster that includes Kevin Dillon, Christian Slater, Gossip Girl hotties Blake Lively and Penn Badgley,  Brothers & Sisters’ Dave Annable, the ubiquitous Kardashians, the obligatory Playmates, various NFL stars and NASCAR’s Kasey Kahne. And there’s a post-game show by LL Cool J. Kickoff at 1 p.m., Sat., Jan. 31, Progress Energy Park, 203 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, free admission for spectators, 727-825-3137.

The Ultimate Tailgate Pawty Humane Society of Pinellas hosts a daytime fundraisin’ party with its HSP live animal mascots Duncan and Daisy, food, vendors of all varieties, a kid’s play area, doggie demos and agility shows, games, contests and adoptable pets. Socialized pets are welcome to attend. Sat., Jan. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater, free admission, 727-797-7722, humanesocietyofpinellas.org.

More Saturday events after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »