Daily Loaf

The air is getting cool and crisp, and let’s hope it stays that way, because it is time to chill – in every sense of the word. Chillounge Night – sponsored by Cointreau and created by a Sarasota gallery owner – transforms a four-block area in downtown Tampa into a swanky lounge and nightclub. The outdoor lounge, decked out with lights, a banging sound system and hundreds of stylish daybeds – for those who want to kick back and enjoy a tasty beverage – is a great way for people to mingle in an unusual, elegant environment. If you don’t feel like chillin’ then take your pick of entertainment: festivities include tango dancers, opera singers, jazz musicians, a fashion show, a cigar lounge and a grand finale Brazilian Samba Parade. This ingenious party is bound to be kick-ass and, as if you need another reason to attend, the event benefits Friends of the Festival. Sat., Oct. 10, 6 p.m.-11 p.m., $15 per person in advance, $20 per person at the door, $75 VIP, attendees must be 21+, downtown Tampa along Franklin St., 941-448-0995, chilloungenight.com. – Lily Reisman

A traveling exhibition organized by Chattanooga’s Hunter Museum of American Art, I Heard A Voice: The Art of Lesley Dill brings nearly 30 of the acclaimed contemporary artist’s works — with an emphasis on sculptural installations — to St. Petersburg. Poetic and psychologically charged, Dill’s constructions often combine fabric and figures (or dress forms) with text to spellbinding effect; works featured in I Heard A Voice respond to poetry by Emily Dickinson, Salvador Espriu and Franz Kafka. Expect to be moved by the artist’s ideas and awed by her craft. (Pictured: “Rise,” Laminated fabric, hand-dyed cotton, paper, metal, silk organza with cotton. Courtesy of the Artist and George Adams Gallery, NY) Oct. 10-Dec. 27, Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-896-2667, fine-arts.org. – Megan Voeller Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. This weekend, a traveling exhibition organized by Chattanooga’s Hunter Museum of American Art, I Heard A Voice: The Art of Lesley Dill brings nearly 30 of the acclaimed contemporary artist’s works — with an emphasis on sculptural installations — to St. Petersburg.

Poetic and psychologically charged, Dill’s constructions often combine fabric and figures (or dress forms) with text to spellbinding effect; works featured in I Heard A Voice respond to poetry by Emily Dickinson, Salvador Espriu and Franz Kafka. Expect to be moved by the artist’s ideas and awed by her craft. (Pictured: “Breathing Leaves”  (2004)  Ink, thread, glue on tea-stained fabric, courtesy of the Artist and Equinox Gallery, Vancouver, Canada) Oct. 10-Dec. 27, Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-896-2667, fine-arts.org. – Megan Voeller

A traveling exhibition organized by Chattanooga’s Hunter Museum of American Art, I Heard A Voice: The Art of Lesley Dill brings nearly 30 of the acclaimed contemporary artist’s works — with an emphasis on sculptural installations — to St. Petersburg. Poetic and psychologically charged, Dill’s constructions often combine fabric and figures (or dress forms) with text to spellbinding effect; works featured in I Heard A Voice respond to poetry by Emily Dickinson, Salvador Espriu and Franz Kafka. Expect to be moved by the artist’s ideas and awed by her craft. Oct. 10-Dec. 27, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, 727-896-2667, fine-arts.org.

Pictured right: Dill’s Breathing Leaves (2004). Ink, thread, glue on tea-stained fabric. Courtesy of the Artist and Equinox Gallery, Vancouver, Canada

More of Lesley Dill’s artwork after the break. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s fitting that one of the most high-profile events of the fall arts season is a musical adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, because lately it’s seemed we’ve all been headed down the rabbit hole. The No-Bama crowd calls for the truth about healthcare, but traffics in outright lies. The president says the so-called public option is a key aspect of his plan, then says it isn’t, then says it is. The St. Petersburg Times wins a Pulitzer for PolitiFact, then backs a mayoral candidate, Bill Foster, who believes in such “facts” as this statement: “None of Darwin’s theories can be replicated or proven in a laboratory…”
So what’s all this got to do with the fall arts season? Easy. If you’re starved for the truth, start listening to artists. Read the rest of this entry »

The great American wordsmith, Nelly, once said, “It’s gettin’ hot in here, so take off all your clothes.” The Dunedin Fine Arts Center folks took that literally for the fifth annual Wearable Art Fashion Show. They’ve shed their duds, opting instead for couture art in a runway show that promises to be “hotter than ever.” That’s a lot to live up to, since past shows enjoyed sold-out performances and rave reviews from fashionistas and party people alike. This year’s line-up includes fresh designs from Sana Hassan, Ungala and more, along with returning champs of the catwalk Ivanka Ska, who turns paper chains into high fashion (though I wouldn’t want to get caught in the rain) and Frank Strunk III, whose metal-worked ensembles are part bondage, part garment, and all art. This year’s show also includes live music by Aimee Trachtenberg, Dave Helm, and Ramblegrass – and the fun don’t stop there: there’s an after-glow after-party where you can show off your own sense of style. (Pictured: Frank Strunk III, with a model wearing one of his creations) Aug. 15, Sat., 7:30 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. fashion show, Dunedin Fine Arts Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, $15 general admission, $50-$75 reserved seating, 727-298-3322, dfac.org. - Franki Weddington

Skate fiends Chad Cardoza and the grinders at SPoT promise a “ripping bowl session” (yes, we’re talking about skating, here) and present the collected works of more than 30 local artists who use skate decks as their canvases at Art Deck Yo! DJ Blenda churns out the jams and folks from Red Bull are on hand giving away free wake-up juice to amp up those ollies all night long — and free drinks of a somewhat stronger nature to those of age. Visit skateparkoftampa.com for more info. Sat., Aug. 15, 7-11 p.m., Skate Park of Tampa, 4215 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, free.

Hear all the music without all the mud at the Woodstock 40th Anniversary Tribute in honor of the most famous music fest of all time. Celebrate with a screening of the director’s cut of the concert film, with performances by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Santana, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, The Grateful Dead and more. Proceeds benefit our local radio heroes at WMNF. Visit beachtheatre.com for more info. Fri., Aug. 14, 7 p.m., Beach Theatre, 315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, $8.
Read the rest of this entry »

Every time I think the musical theater world has outdone itself (surely nothing is sillier than “Springtime for Hitler” or more laughable than actors costumed as Cats channeling T.S. Eliot?)  somebody goes and proves me wrong. This time, it’s the ABBA-licious Mamma Mia!, which opens tonight at Ruth Eckerd Hall. The fact that anyone was able to create a jukebox musical from ABBA songs is a pretty impressive feat in itself (almost as impressive as it is ridiculous). But to set it on a Greek island (ABBA, from Sweden – hello? Am I the only one who thinks this is weird?) is more than anyone could hope for. Hits like “Dancing Queen,” “SOS,” and “The Winner Takes It All” are woven throughout the story of a young girl desperately trying to unravel the mystery of her father’s identity on the eve of her wedding by inviting three men from her mother’s past to the festivities. (Pictured: the touring cast of Mamma Mia!)Aug. 11-16, 8 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., 2 and 7 p.m. Sun., Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater, $47-$67, 727-791-7400, rutheckerhall.com. – Franki Weddington

It’s the last week to catch “Andy mania” at Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life and Legends, an exhibit of more than 70 screen-prints by pop master Andy Warhol. Classics including “Campbell’s Soup I (Cream of Mushroom),” “Flowers” and portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Superman and Muhammad Ali go on view, along with several lesser-known portfolios. The showcase spans Warhol’s career as a fine artist, from his heyday in the 1960s to the 1980s, when he produced the poignant “Endangered Species” series (included in the exhibit) — four years before his unexpected death of complications from gallbladder surgery in 1987. As a bonus, the show includes portraits of Warhol by Keith Haring, whose perversely Disney-esque “Andy Mouse” strikes the perfect irreverent note, and works by photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Through Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 1-5 p.m Sun., Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, $12 adults, $10 seniors (65-plus) and students with I.D., $6 ages 7 to 18 (children six and younger enter for free), 727-896-2667, fine-arts.org. — Megan Voeller

3D is suddenly all the rage again, with Hollywood embracing the technology with a gusto not seen in decades. These days it’s mostly kiddie flicks that get the 3D treatment, but back in the day horror was the king. This weekend, Tampa Theatre takes us back to the scary old days with a screening of The Creature From The Black Lagoon as part of the Summer Classics film series. The film has run on TV Saturday afternoon matinees forever, but you’ve probably never seen Creature its original 3D presentation – until now. Plus, the theater promises “uber cool” 3D glasses that you get to keep. Uber cool, indeed. Sun, Aug. 2, 3 p.m., Tampa Theatre, 711 n. Franklin St., Tampa, $8, tampatheatre.org - Joe Bardi

Iconic pop culture artist Andy Warhol — he of the Campbell’s Soup paintings and silkscreened Marilyns — would have celebrated his 81st birthday Aug. 6. In observance of the occasion, nephew James Warhola joins fans and art appreciators alike at Andy Warhol Family Day for arty activities and a discussion, Sunday Aug. 2 on the exhibit Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life and Legends, which ends on August 16. Warhola signs copies of both his children books, Uncle Andy’s and Uncle Andy’s Cats. In his vibrantly and imaginatively illustrated books, the author fondly recalls visits to his eccentric uncle’s New York townhouse. Throughout the afternoon, children and adults can channel the spirit of Warhol by creating silk screens, stencil images and 3-D sculptures. There will also be a special performance by Mark “the Balloon Guy” Byrne, known for his fanciful balloon sculptures and hats. Other treats include a movie on Warhol, a Warhol-inspired café menu and 10 percent off all Warhol merchandise. Sun., Aug. 2, children’s activities, 1-4 p.m., gallery talk, 4 p.m., The Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, half off admission all day and one free child admission with each paid adult admission, 727-896-2667, www.fine-arts.org. —Lily Reisman

Read the rest of this entry »

Iconic pop culture artist Andy Warhol — he of the Campbell’s Soup paintings and silkscreened Marilyns — would have celebrated his 81st birthday Aug. 6. In observance of the occasion, nephew James Warhola joins fans and art appreciators alike at Andy Warhol Family Day for arty activities and a discussion Sunday Aug. 2 on the exhibit Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life and Legends, which ends on August 16. Warhola will sign copies of both his children books, Uncle Andy’s and Uncle Andy’s Cats. In his vibrantly and imaginatively illustrated books, the author fondly recalls visits to his eccentric uncle’s New York townhouse. Throughout the afternoon, children and adults can channel the spirit of Warhol by creating silk screens, stencil images and 3-D sculptures. There will also be a special performance by Mark “the Balloon Guy” Byrne, known for his fanciful balloon sculptures and hats. Other treats include a movie on Warhol, a Warhol-inspired café menu and 10 percent off all Warhol merchandise. (Pictured: Campbell’s Soup and Marilyn Diptych, courtesy gettyimages.com) Sun., Aug. 2, children’s activities, 1-4 p.m., gallery talk, 4 p.m., The Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, half off admission all day and one free child admission with each paid adult admission, 727-896-2667, www.fine-arts.org. —Lily Reisman

Catch “Andy mania” this weekend when Museum of Fine Arts debuts Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life and Legends, an exhibit of more than 70 screen-prints by the pop master. Classics including “Campbell’s Soup I (Cream of Mushroom),” “Flowers” and portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Superman and Muhammad Ali go on view, along with several lesser-known portfolios. (Pictured at left: “Andy Mouse,” by Keith Haring, 1986; Keith Haring artwork © Keith Haring Foundation, on loan from Bank of America’s Art in Our Communities Program.) The showcase spans Warhol’s career as a fine artist, from his heyday in the 1960s to the 1980s, when he produced the poignant “Endangered Species” series (included in the exhibit) — four years before his unexpected death of complications from gallbladder surgery in 1987. As a bonus, the show includes portraits of Warhol by Keith Haring, whose perversely Disney-esque “Andy Mouse” strikes the perfect irreverent note, and works by photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. May 16-Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 1-5 p.m Sun., Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, $12 adults, $10 seniors (65-plus) and students with I.D., $6 ages 7 to 18 (children six and younger enter for free), 727-896-2667, fine-arts.org. (Megan Voeller)

WMNF presents its 28th annual Tropical Heatwave! We have some pretty great coverage thus far — a feature on Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa, a stage-by-stage breakdown of performers, and a 9-question Q&A with The Pack A.D. Stay tuned this weekend for live tweets, video and after-the-fact blogs on Tampa Calling. Sat., May 16, 5 p.m.-1 a.m., The Cuban Club, Orpheum and New World Brewery, Ybor City, $30 full-day pass, $8 per venue NWB and Orpheum.

And speaking of Tropical Heatwave, have you heard about the ACLU of Florida’s new Camerahead Project? The Greater Tampa Chapter and a group of student performance artists from USF’s College of Art and Art History have banded together to draw attention to camera surveillance in Ybor City during Tropical Heatwave. Look out for performers in colorful costumes with oversized surveillance cameras instead of heads. Sat., May 16, Ybor City. Read the rest of this entry »

LAST CHANCES:
Final performances of The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Jobsite (4 p.m., TBPAC) and Legally Blonde The Musical (3 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall).
Closing day for It’s a Dog’s Life: Photographs by William Wegman from the Polaroid Collection at Leepa-Ratner and Albrecht Dürer: Art in Transition at the Museum of Fine Arts.

Spring Plant Festival This year’s theme is “Change Is a Beautiful Thing,” and focuses on replanting local yards. Vendors include local plant clubs and societies and commercial growers. The variety of plants for sale include: crotons, African violets, orchids, bromeliads, cactus and succulents, bamboo, bonsai, bougainvillea, camellias, tropical fruit trees, palms, carnivorous plants, gesneriads and more. There is also a bee workshop with beekeeper Gary Van Cleef, a kid’s activity center, and an Easter egg hunt on Sunday. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun., April 12, USF Botanical Gardens, Tampa, $5 general, free for garden members and children under 12, 813-974-2329.

Lovers and Friends Party. Meet and party with the cast of this web-based show about six lesbians in a modern urban environment. Visit loversnfriendsshow.com for more info. 9 p.m. Sun., April 12, The Social Club, Ybor City, $5 or free before 10 p.m., 813-317-3061.

The Bradshaw Mansion is on the Historic Roser Park Home Tour.

When one door closes, another door opens, the saying goes — not an inappropriate sentiment for Easter weekend. It’s especially apt this year — because, as it happens, a number of art exhibitions and stage productions have their final shows this weekend. And speaking of doors, you can see what’s behind the ones in Historic Roser Park during Saturday’s house tour.

FRIDAY APRIL 10
Pompous Circumstance. A USF Senior Thesis BFA exhibition featuring 11 graduating artists. A reception with food, a donation bar and live music begins at 7 p.m. On display through May 1, West Tampa Center for the Arts, 1906 Armenia Ave., Tampa.

Global Lens Film Series: Getting Home. In Zhang Yang’s poignant dramedy, a middle-aged construction worker tries to fulfill a friend’s last wish. 8 p.m., The Studio@620, St. Petersburg, $8 general/$5 students and seniors, 727-895-6620, studioat620.org.

SATURDAY APRIL 11
Historic Roser Park Home Tour. For the seventh annual tour of homes in this lush, hilly St. Pete neighborhood, seven unique properties are featured, including the historic Bradshaw Mansion and the Ronald McDonald House. Sat., April 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., starts from the Ronald McDonald House, 702 Eighth Ave. S., St. Petersburg, $10 in advance/$12 day of event, roserpark.net.

400 Years of the Telescope:  A Journey of Science, Technology and Thought Get a sneak peek at a new film airing next week on WEDU, a cosmic journey through four centuries of astral discoveries. View Saturn and other starry wonders through powerful telescopes, followed by a special planetarium showing of Two Small Pieces of Glass. 400years.org, 6-11 p.m., The Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-254-9338 ext. 3013, and The Science Center of Pinellas County, 7701 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-384-0027 ext. 226, $8 adults, $4 kids (free under 4).

Nancy Cervenka: Intersect. Cinematographer-turned-sculptor Cervenka uses long strands of movie film to create dramatic coiled forms in this solo show at C. Emerson Fine Arts. April 11-May 30, with an opening reception and artist’s talk 7-10 p.m. April 11, 909 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-898-6068, c-emersonfinearts.com. (Megan Voeller)

Last chance to see two classics: Final performances of Gilgamesh (3 p.m. at USF) and Lysistrata (3 & 8 p.m. at American Stage). Read the rest of this entry »

Manchester Orchestra (pictured) returns to Tampa for a gig at Orpheum; Dead Confederate, Kevin Dine and All Get Out provide support. For more info, see this week’s Upcoming Concerts page. 8 p.m., Tampa, $13.

Comedian Flip Schultz kicks off a three-night run of stand-up at Side Splitters Comedy Club tonight. 8:30 p.m., Tampa, $12.

Chef Marty Blitz pairs a special featured cocktail with a tasty dish during this month’s Mise en Place Cocktail Club event. 6-8 p.m., Mise en Place, Tampa, $35 per person.

Opera baritone and educator Sherrill Milnes reads the Clement C. Moore classic Christmas story, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and VOICExperience singers perform traditional holiday carols during a “‘Twas the Night before Christmas Concert.” 7:30 p.m., Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, $20 general/$18 members/$12 students.

Museum of Fine Arts and Sunscreen Film Festival co-host “MFA at the Movies,” a screening series in the museum’s Marly Room. This week’s selection is Saturday Night Fever. The presentation kicks off at 7 p.m., with the galleries open from 6 to 7 p.m. for early arrivals, St. Petersburg, $10 per person.

Push Ultra Lounge hosts a Ladies’ Night Fashion Show featuring Absolut vodka drinks, clothing by The Shop and a Tiffany necklace giveaway. 9 p.m., downtown St. Petersburg, free admission.

For its 16th Anniversary Bash, Skatepark of Tampa welcomes the latest band from Brooklyn to generate a buzz, Les Savy Fav (pictured below); also on the bill are No Age and How Dare You. For more info, see Upcoming Concerts. Sat., Dec. 6, 9 p.m., Czar, Ybor City, $10.

Another area institution, Jobsite Theater, also celebrates an anniversary this weekend with its annual fundraiser-cum-wrap party. Jobsite’s Rockin’ 10th Birthday Party features the Jobby Awards, sets of music by Bay area bands Nessie, Poetry n’ Lotion, and The Vodkanauts, and raffle drawings throughout the night. Sat., Dec. 6, 8 p.m., New World Brewery, Ybor City, $10.

Event number three in Ybor City this Saturday night is Virgin 2.0, a Square One Creative multi-disciplinary fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Guests enjoy live music, dance performances, a fashion show, an exhibit of works featuring 85 or so artists and food. Sat., Dec. 6, 7 p.m.-midnight, The Ritz Ybor, free admission. Read the rest of this entry »

Museum of Fine Arts and Sunscreen Film Festival team up to bring locals a new “Movies at the Museum” screening series. The first kicks off tonight; the featured selection is The Blues Brothers starring Dan Akroyd and John Belushi (pictured). The screening begins at 7 p.m., but guests are encouraged to arrive early and browse MFA’a permanent collection galleries from 6 to 7 p.m. $10, the Marly Room at MFA.

Tonight’s “Side Door Jazz” event at Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg features pianist Kym Purling and his quartet for an evening of jazz vocals and piano, “Love Songs: Sweet ‘n Swingin’.” 7:30 p.m., $20.

A panel discussion on the human element of global warming, “Feel the Heat: Climate Change, Vulnerability and Environmental Justice,” is held tonight at St. Petersburg’s Studio at 620. 6-7 p.m. reception, 7-9 p.m. discussion, free admission.

A new traveling exhibit in celebration of New Orleans’ new Insectarium, a bug museum, stops at Museum of Science and Industry for a four-day event. MOSI visitors can see and touch an array of bugs, compete in cockroach races and cricket spitting contests, and even taste insect treats by “bug chef” David George Gordon, author of The How to Eat a Bug Cookbook. Nov. 20-23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day, $20.95 adults/$18.95 seniors/$16.95 children ages 2-12.

St. Pete College’s resident dance company, CoMotion Dance Theatre, stages its fall concert, which includes modern dance choreographed by college faculty and locally-based guest artists. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 20-22, SPC Music Center, Clearwater, free admission.

The Red Elvises (pictured) bring their goodtime rockabilly ruckus to Skipper’s Smokehouse for a Halloween night show. The Vodkanauts provide support. 8 p.m., $20.

Several local musicians pay tribute to tongue-in-cheek rock ‘n’ rollers Ween during a Halloween-night show, Ween-O-Ween. The bill features sets by instrumental nu-jazz foursome Poetry n’ Lotion, experimental duo Insect Joy and a special lineup that includes members of PnL, former members of Life of Pi, and a few others performing Ween songs as The Stallion Part 9. Area folks are encouraged to come dressed up in costume; the best Ween-inspired duds earn a Creative Loafing prize pack that includes a four-camera shot DVD bootleg of Ween’s February 1, 2008 show at Jannus Landing, The Strangers DVD, and a four-pack of Unibroue Maudite beer. Fri., Oct. 31, 10 p.m., New World Brewery, $5.

The Florida Orchestra kicks off three nights of spooky music with its Halloween Spooktacular. Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 8 p.m. Fri. at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m. Sat. at Mahaffey Theater, and 7:30 p.m. Sun. at Ruth Eckerd Hall, $19-$65.

Another Halloween event, this one ARTpool’s Halloween ARTparty featuring art, costume contests, and photo shoots. Fri., Oct. 31, 8 p.m.-midnight, $10.

A new multi-media event — The Connext Project — fills Coachman Park with animation, motion graphics, experimental film and electronica. Sat., Nov. 1, 5 p.m., $5.

As the weather gets cooler, Sweetwater Organic Farm kicks off its Sunday Morning Market. Shoppers can expect to find fresh homegrown organic veggies, live music, and lots of local vendors set up admist the scenic outdoor farm. Noon-4 p.m. Sundays through May 24, free admission.

Museum of Fine Arts’ Contemporaries group and The Zodiac Group of the Dali Museum stage an El Dias de los Muertos 1980’s-themed costume party at MFA. Locals enjoy live spins, Mexican food, and cocktails; proceeds benefit both museums. Sat., Nov. 1, 8-11 p.m., $50 general/$40 members.