Daily Loaf

At Thrill the World, St. Pete joins MJ fans across the world in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Largest Simultaneous Dance — in this case, the famous, phantasmic Thriller dance. The Pier hosts music, food, activities and a pre-dance lesson for anyone who needs to learn the monster moves. Then, Michael Jackson achieves what no world leader ever has: a world united – united by zombies. No word on whether Obama’s participating, but we hope to see everyone from the local Blockbuster guy to the Prez paying tribute to the one-gloved man. Come in your most dashing undead duds, and an on-site make-up artist adds scabs and scars to make sure that you thrill and terrify like the real thing. Sat., Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. sign-in, 8:30 p.m. dance, The Pier, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg, free admission; $5 zombie make-up, thrillstpete.com. – Franki Weddington

Hello voracious readers, welcome to heaven. Seriously, the St. Petersburg Times Festival of Reading is a nice reminder that in 2009, people still read theses little things called books. Held on the USF St. Petersburg campus, this lovely celebration of the written word features book signings, panel discussions, entertainment, family activities, refreshments, and various booksellers and exhibitors. There are also book signings by Read the rest of this entry »

Green Halloween This inaugural “eek-o-friendly” event offers a pumpkin patch cake walk, a “best green costume” contest, bobbing for organic apples, making a Halloween goodie bag from recycled magazines, and a sweet-n-scary selection of healthy treats. Visit greenhalloween.org for more info. Fri., Oct. 23, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Hyde Park Village, Tampa.

Zombie Weekend A cadre of creepy films await on Friday, including Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead (pictured), and a special zombi-fied version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Saturday features more family-friendly (but still freaky) flicks like Ghostbusters, Gremlins, House on Haunted Hill and The Tingler — which, thanks to the shocking power of the theater’s Percepto system, will actually make you tingle! Visit beachtheatre.com for full schedule. Oct. 23-24, Beach Theatre, St. Pete Beach, $5 Friday; free family movies Saturday.

Horror Fest The Sunscreen Film Festival presents a cadre of chilling cinema – and then fills you in on how to get onscreen yourself. At the Horror Fest workshops, acting coach Mark Durso explains his Uta Hagen technique; Twilight casting director Lana Veenker (whose advice you may or may not heed, depending on your opinion of her vapid vampires) explores “How to Break into the Film Biz without Living in Hollywood” and “Auditioning for Film and TV”; and special effects make-up artist John Rusnak leads a horror make-up workshop. Spooky special movie screenings include indie or limited release flicks like Trick ‘r Treat (starring True Blood’s Anna Paquin, appropriately enough), Deadfall Trail, Sauna and Evil Things. A haunted Halloween party follows Saturday’s films. Oct. 23-25, Mark Durso and Lana Veenker Workshops 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun., The Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg; Horror Fest Screenings, 7 and 9 p.m. Fri. –Sat., John Rusnak Workshop, Noon, Sat., Muvico Baywalk 20, 151 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg; $8 per movie; $25 four-movie pass and make-up workshop; $125 full access pass, visit sunscreenfilmfestival.com for detailed schedule. – Franki Weddington

Hit the break for more events, and check back as we add to the list of spooky spectacles. 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, the Sunscreen Film Festival presents a cadre of chilling cinema – and then fills you in on how to get onscreen yourself.

At the Horror Fest workshops, acting coach Mark Durso explains his Uta Hagen technique; Twilight casting director Lana Veenker (whose advice you may or may not heed, depending on your opinion of her vapid vampires) explores “How to Break into the Film Biz without Living in Hollywood.” and “Auditioning for Film and TV”; and special effects make-up artist John Rusnak leads a horror make-up workshop. Spooky special movie screenings include indie or limited release flicks like Trick ‘r Treat (starring True Blood’s Anna Paquin [pictured], appropriately enough), and Read the rest of this entry »

It’s true that the real festival season around these parts is in the spring, with the Gasparilla Film Festival and Sarasota’s huge festie leading the pack. Still, film-fest patronage has become a year-round affair in the Bay area, and there are some worthwhile options for the movie freaks this fall. First up, The Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival …

Details after the jump …

Read the rest of this entry »

Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco The touring company’s signature show visits Florida for the first time in this fantasy-filled evening of agility and acrobatics. See a stunning amalgamation of theater, dance and gymnastics combine with unique music, costumes, lighting and makeup that has enthralled more than 10 million people all over the world. Following its run at the Lakeland Center, Saltimbanco returns to the Bay area for a run at the St. Pete Times Forum in June.  Lakeland Center, Lakeland, April 29-May 3: 7:30 p.m., Weds.-Thurs.; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 1 and 5 p.m. Sun. $40-$110 adults, $32-$88 children 12 and younger, 863-834-8111.

Fourth Annual Sunscreen Film Festival. Yesterday Was a Lie, a haunting mixture of science fiction and film noir; Behind the Wheel, a doc about a cross-country expedition following the lives of a group of artists in search of answers, and an “Around the World” shorts program featuring 30-minute tales from around the world — these are just a few of the more than 50 dramas, comedies, documentaries and student productions that will be screened at the fourth annual Sunscreen Film Festival. In addition to the films, which will be screened over the course of five days, the fest features acting workshops headed by prominent casting directors and parties for moviemakers and movie lovers alike. Rub elbows with stars like Patrick Wilson, Michael Rooker, Bill Cobbs and Jeffrey (Burn Notice) Donovan, meet various filmmakers and fest crew, and find which films were considered award-worthy at the Saturday night awards ceremony and VIP after party. April 29-May 3 (showtimes vary), Muvico 20 Theaters at Baywalk, 151 Second Ave N., St Petersburg, $35 single-day pass/$125 entire weekend/$175 VIP. (Michelle Stark)

University of Tampa Spring Dance Happening. More than 80 students participate in a program of upbeat dance with styles ranging from hip-hop, modern, tap and ballet to lyrical and jazz. New choreography by UT students and alumni is featured as is the UT Dance Team, with live music to accompany one of the pieces. April 29-May 2, 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat., Edison Building, University of Tampa, 214 N. Boulevard, Tampa, free admission.

Today marks the kick-off of the seventh annual Ybor Festival of the Moving Image. Tonight’s event schedule includes the opening of Sideshow with Postage Due, a two-person show featuring mixed-media circus banners by Tampa artist Lori Ballard and postal art by Gulfport graphic designer Steve Smith, and a screening of the Buster Keaton classic, The Playhouse, with live accompaniment by Ray Villadonga and Rick Olson. (Pictured below: “Amazing Insecticycles,” by Steve Smith.) April 1-5, with a free opening party tonight from 6 to 9 p.m., Performing Arts Building, HCC-Ybor City Campus, Tampa.

Sunscreen Film Festival hosts a “Film and Guest Lineup” launch party in honor of its fourth annual event, which is set to occur April 29-May 3. Locals are invited to come and find out more about the 2009 program — which films have made it in, the schedule of parties, and the roster of special guests, judges and celebrities expected to attend and take part. Attendees can also snag advance passes to the fest, meet filmmakers, and win various prizes throughout the night. 6-10 p.m., Nova 535 Art Lounge, St. Petersburg, free admission. 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.

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.