Daily Loaf

As Telly Savalas used to say: Membership has its privileges. The winner of this auction item gets an annual membership for two at Tampa Bay’s favorite old-time movie palace, the Tampa Theatre. The membership includes 12 free movie tickets; $2 off Tampa Theatre-sponsored screenings; free refills on popcorn, soda and coffee from the concession stand; subscriptions to both the theater’s in-house newsletter and e-newsletter; free admission to the annual members’ reception (including a VIP hour before the event); and reduced admission prices to theater fundraisers. Tampa Theatre values these memberships at $200 each, and if you’re like us you’ll save that on refilled popcorn alone.

Estimated value: $200.

Place you bid below:

Here are this weekend’s cream of the crop in Halloween events, but if you can’t find something frightening enough for you here, chances are you’ll find it in our comprehensive listings.

If you have the kids in tow, Guavaween is an oversized, daytime block party where kids can safely trick-or-treat, compete in costume contests, win pumpkins, hear spooky stories and more. But let’s be honest: Guavaween’s big draw is the night parade, when the Queen of Halloween takes over Ybor for a night of debauchery. This year’s evilly impressive line-up includes performances by Sevendust, Nonpoint and Soulidium; a house party at the Honey Pot; a show by local boys Thomas Wynn & the Believers, Basic Rock Outfit and The Trunk Band at Gaspar’s Grotto; and the usual (actually, really  unusual) mix of horse-drawn zombie parades,  jugglers, contortionists, vampire models, appearances by the Tampa Bay Derby Darlins and WWE wrestlers, and more erotic, quixotic stuff than we feel comfortable writing here — you really have to see it for yourself. There’s also the traditional Mama Guava Stumble parade and the final, vital aspect of Guavaween entertainment — you. Prepare to be mocked and jeered if you come in street clothes — this festival is all about being someone — or something — else for an evening, and there’s two grand up for grabs for the best overall costume. There are also prizes for best couple, best cross-dresser, best kink, and best body — so if you’re wearing something revealing (this especially goes for all the Bruno impersonators out there) fit a couple extra crunches into your workout routine. Sat. Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. day parade, 5 p.m. night parade., $17 after 2 p.m., visit guavaween.com for complete schedule of events and participating venues. – Franki Weddington

After the break: Vampire parties, Monster’s Ball, kid-friendly Halloween at the Tampa Theatre and American Victory Ship, Witchstock and more. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m embarrassed to confess that I had no idea who Gertrude Berg was before I watched You-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, an enlightening if somewhat stock documentary from director Aviva Kempner (The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg). A radio and television pioneer, Berg enjoyed a long career playing signature character Molly Goldberg, a stereotype-shattering Jewish matriarch who maintained a decades-long run in the public eye. Berg starred in and wrote every episode of the radio and TV incarnations of The Goldbergs (and we’re talking thousands of shows), in the process inventing the sitcom and many of the tropes we find commonplace today.

Read more of Joe Bardi’s review after the jump …
Read the rest of this entry »

11:11, Let There Be Light, Art, Sound This sneak peek of the exhibit (which officially opens Nov. 11) includes live music, artworks from local artists, a drum atrium and a costume contest on Halloween night. Visit studio620.org for more info. Oct. 27-31, noon-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat., reception 7 p.m. Sat., The Studio@620, St. Petersburg, free.

Ghost Ship Spooktacular Under the bay, there be monsters…and a few of them have surfaced for this scary fun tour of the decades-old “haunted” ship. Visit the galley, mess hall, hospital, and radio room, where ghouls, freaks and zombies lurk around every corner. Search for ghosts with the Florida Paranormal Research Group and the White Noise Paranormal Network, and visit the Demon Den Deck for a brew if your nerves get a bit jangled. The kid’s tour is a mite less macabre; bob for apples, play monster musical chairs, run in an eyeball relay race and compete in the costume contest. Visit americanvictory.org for more info. Oct. 29-31, Ghost Ship 7:30-11:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; Kid’s Spooktacular 2-4 p.m. Sat., American Victory Ship and Museum, Tampa, Ghost ship, $20; Kid’s Spooktacular, $10 adults, $5 kids 4-12.

Hit the break for more on Guavaween, graveyard walks, haunted houses, weird art and more, and check back as we add to the list of spooky spectacles. 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 »

When you’re trying to stay within a budget, you have to weigh your entertainment options. Is it worth the money? Can I afford to bring a date, or go with a group of people?

None of that is a concern tonight. Read the rest of this entry »

"Drool" is one of the films showing at TIGLFF this year.

The Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is 20 years old and still going strong. The festival runs Oct. 8-18 at Tampa Theatre and Muvico Baywalk (and at party spots like Czar and Honey Pot), and this week you can read all about it at cltampa.com: interviews with people behind the scenes, like Programming Director Margaret Murray and Executive Director Chuck Henson ; a history of the fest from one of its major players, Jim Harper; and lots of movie reviews.

Which flicks are must-sees and which ones are must-nots? How’d the festival reach this big two-decade milestone? And how do Henson and Murray keep the crowds coming in the age of Bravo, Logo and Netflix?

Go to cltampa.com/tiglff to find out. And stay tuned to the Daily Loaf as we post individual reviews throughout the week.

HCC’s Visual and Performing Arts Series presents Danny Hoch’s (pictured) critically acclaimed one-man show, Jails, Hospitals and Hip-Hop — with a twist. Accompanying lone actor Curtis Belz’s eight monologue characterizations – which include Flip, a good ol’ boy from the Midwest who has come to identify with urban hip-hoppers; Bronx, a sidewalk vendor who gets pinched for selling without a license; and Sam, a prison guard with an anger management problem (evidenced by his beating a prisoner nearly to death) –are musician Matt Wetherington and choreographer/dancer DeMario Henry. Wetherington’s original score includes mixing on stage and live guitar; Henry shows off fresh hip-hop moves and dance, and his hip-hop troupe, the VYB Dance Company, kicks off the show. Sept. 17-19, 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Hillsborough Community College – Ybor Campus, Performing Arts Building, Corner of Palm Avenue and 14th St., Ybor City,  $10 general admission, $5 students and seniors, free for HCC students, faculty and staff, 813-253-7695. – Lily Reisman Read the rest of this entry »

Clad in all white, white hair standing on end, Byrne led a seven-piece ensemble (three back-up singers, a percussionist, a drummer, a bassist and a keyboardist/programmer, also all clad in white) through a concert of songs from his latest Eno collaboration, Everything that Happens Will Happen Today, as well as older crowd-pleasing cuts – “Houses in Motion,” “Take Me to the River,” “Burning Down the House,” and “Crosseyed and Painless.” A trio of petite, athletic (dressed in white) modern dancers bounded onto the stage to perform choreographed routines with and around Byrne and the band, adding to the show with their spirited, carefree capering. Byrne’s distinctive warbling falsetto was as clear and strong as ever, and he seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself and soaking up the crowd’s enthusiasm, which carved an already fantastic performance into memory. Read the full review of the December 12, 2008 show here; photo by Phil Bardi.)

For a complete list of Best of the Bay winners, click here.

Wednesday, September 16: Whole Foods
Cheese Course Erik Woody leads this tasting of French cheeses. Contact sherell.white@wholefoods.com to register. Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m., 1548 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-874-9724)

Wednesday, September 16: The NoHo Bistro
A Palette for Your Palate. The bistro’s ingenious culinary team pairs five tapas tastings with a new wine each week. Today, enjoy a Pint Grigio palette. $15. 5-8 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)

Wednesday, September 16: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is shellfish risotto with fennel, arugula and mascarpone cheese. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Thursday, September 17: Mike Kwasin
Seeds of Hope Tasting. Owner of Fine Wine and Spirits Warehouse, Mike Kwasin, hosts this tasting of wines like Darioush, Artesa, Beringer, Nickel & Nickel, Opus One and more to benefit the Seeds of Hope foundation, which works to eradicate malnutrition in the Dominican Republic. Includes light hors d’oeuvres. $25 per person and $40 per couple. 3613 S. Beach Dr., Tampa (813-837-8941) 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 Saturday, the Tampa Theatre invites you to kiss the ring of Don Corkleone at their wine tasting extravaganza.

Each year, Tampa Theatre hosts a film-themed food and wine bash, and this eighth annual event honors Martin Scorsese with The Grapefather. Costumes are encouraged at this occasion featuring small plates from restaurants including SideBern’s, The NoHo Bistro, The Rack and Seven 17 South as well as wine tastings from seven Italian boutique wineries. A huge, unique silent auction rounds out the experience. Sat., Sept. 19, 7-10 p.m., Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa, $50 grand tasting, $85 VIP, 813-274-8981, tampatheatre.org. – Taylor Eason

Welcome to Radar, where we run down the up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today’s edition is a masterpiece of American cinema, which screens this weekend at the historic Tampa Theatre.

The eight-time Oscar-winning epic Gone With the Wind opens just before the onset of the Civil War, when our heroine, Scarlett O’Hara, is waging an emotional battle of her own. The charming Southern belle (played to stunning effect by Vivien Leigh) is sought after by many a man in her native Georgia, but she’s spurned by the only one she wants. The rejection leads to a string of marriages – borne of spite, necessity, and just about everything but love. Even roguish hubby number three, Rhett Butler (played by Clark Gable) can’t win Scarlett’s affection. Destined for a life of tribulation, like a 19th-century Britney Spears, Scarlett faces more ups and downs than the Dow Jones – including the deaths of two husbands, the destruction of the family estate, and ridicule by the detractors who deem her too bold for proper society. But, like Britney, Scarlett isn’t going quietly. (Pictured: Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind) The film is presented as part of the Summer Classic Movie Series, and is preceded by tours of the theater and a performance on the theater’s Wurlitzer organ. Aug. 15-16, Sat.-Sun, 3 p.m., Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa, $8, 813-274-8981, tampatheatre.org – Franki Weddington

There are 14 entries for the word “classic” in my thesaurus, a fact I noted when beginning my first blog for Creative Loafing’s film section. The reason I reference that particular adjective is because my first entry here deals with the historic Tampa Theatre and this past Sunday’s showing of Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D.

Read the rest of this entry »

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

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Want to see new conscious-eating movie Food, Inc. but strapped for cash from your big backyard garden summer renovation? Chipotle’s got your back.

At 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, July 30, at Tampa Theater, Chipotle Mexican Grill is sponsoring 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:

Living with the land: Florida’s first Earthship (video) – Eric Stewart gives a firsthand look at Florida’s first Earthship in Manatee County, and gets his hands dirty while helping out.

Not getting a million-dollar bonus this year? Think local stimulus- Scott Milinder shows us a real stimulus package that will work for us: we all commit to “Buying Local First.” According to recent economic studies, shifting your buying habits to locally owned businesses creates more circulation of money, more economic activity and more jobs in the local economy.

Eco-friendly summertime fashion accessories- Are you searching for a unique and beautiful purse to enhance your summer wardrobe? Then why not consider one of these recycled handbags that are made from recycled items that help to promote a cleaner and healthier world, reports Jen Meier.
Read the rest of this entry »

For the past year, I have read and re-read Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma, which is basically about where out foods comes from and how it gets to our tables. Having grown up in my parent’s grocery store – slicing lunchmeat for our customers standing next to my father’s butcher block – I have had an intimate relationship with our food choices. At the age of 16, I rebelled against veal and so began my food activism. 

Pollan’s writing so well describes our dilemma. In his most recent book, In Defense of Food, he provides the simplistic of advice: eat whole foods, eat mostly plants, and don’t overeat. There are so many questions to sort out, like, ‘How slow is my own personal slow food movement?’ ’Is something labeled “organic” really organic?’ As I try to squeeze some more production from my backyard garden, I wonder how far away can a food source be to still be considered “local” and what are the conditions? What impact do my food choices have on this planet? Is raw really better than cooked? So many issues go into our choices. Can we sit down to a meal content with our decisions, and for that matter, can we afford what we philosophically know is best? 
Read the rest of this entry »

Bust out the sparklers, wear red, white and blue, and celebrate Independence Day in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Aside from the usual parties and explosions in the sky at Channelside in Tampa and around The Pier in downtown St. Petersburg, several other locales host events in honor of the holiday this weekend:

The City of Gulfport 4th of July Celebration features a full day of fun festivities — kid-friendly beach activities like a fishing derby and a sandcastle contest, an auto show for the car lovers, and for those who long for retro tunes and flower power, live classic rock ‘n’ roll by 60sGroove, an abundance of goodies by local artists and crafters, and a community parade and fireworks finale. The Largo 4th of July Festival offers a free day of entertainment that includes a DJ, food and fireworks galore. Check your rowdy hats at the door, though: Largo keeps it simple and safe by prohibiting alcohol, pets and personal fireworks/sparklers. After all, no one likes a drunk wildly waving fire in the air. If you are bursting with love of country and want to celebrate early, Clearwater’s two-day FreedomFest may be just the thing for you. Day one includes live music, family-friendly activities, tasty food and a fireworks show. Day two kicks it up a notch with more live music, a nighttime laser light show and the special “Follow the Flag Tour” hosted by the Post 9/11 Foundation.

Fourth of July events and more after the break:

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I’m going to let you in on a secret: I’ve never seen “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
I know; it’s a classic with a compelling message and memorable characters. I know it’s supposed to be great. I just never got around to seeing it. I could just go rent it and watch it, of course. But I have a much better idea: I’m going to see it today at Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., as part of their Summer Classic Movie Series. That way I’ll see it on the big screen with other people who already love the movie. The theater itself is a pretty special place (I’ve mentioned the tours they offer regularly) so why not see a classic movie in a classic setting? Read the rest of this entry »

[Ed. note: Each week I'll be breaking down the big summer blockbuster movie releases. If you're curious about what's coming out in future weeks, be sure to check out the Summer Movie Preview. For more info on this week's releases, please check out my full length review of The Taking of Pelham 123 or visit our movie site for all things film-related.]

FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH
Box office gold: The Taking of Pelham 123
Worth seeing? Definitely. Pelham is a remake of a well-liked 1974 thriller about a band of criminals (led by Jaws’ Robert Shaw) who take a New York subway train hostage and negotiate with a transit worker played by Walter Mattheau. Denzel Washington steps in for Mattheau in the remake, while John Travolta takes over for Shaw and Tony Scott (Top Gun, Days of Thunder) takes on directing duties. And therein lies the rub. Denzel is good in anything, and Travolta really shines here (a first for the actor when he plays a villain), but Tony Scott’s “style” hampers the film. Still, you could do much worse at the multiplex right now. Bonus factoid: In the original, the criminals are all named after a color — a conceit later lifted by Quentin Tarantino in Reservoir Dogs.
Counter-programming: Instead of Pelham’s high-octane suspense, try a dose of fantasy in Imagine That. Eddie Murphy stars as a high-finance guy whose can’t figure out how to keep his career out of the shitter, but goes looking for the answers to his problems in an imaginary world created by his daughter. If Imagine That isn’t the opposite of a claustrophobic subway hostage movie, I don’t know what is. Also: The Tampa Theatre brings Valentino: The Last Emperor to town. The acclaimed documentary recounts the life of famed Italian fashion designer Rudolph Valentino.

Previews for each film after the break …

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 past week:

Why does Florida Fish and Wildlife refuse to protect eagles and tortoises?: contributor and green activist Chris Hrabovsky asks why Florida wildlife is allowed to be sacrificed in order for big businesses to take over that land.

The roots of sprawl: Grant Rimbey explores the origins of sprawl in the United States, describes the difference between sprawl and sustainability, and hints at a future strategy for moving beyond sprawl.

Tampa City Council reclaimed water workshop: a post by John Dingfelder on Tampa City Council wanting to “turn the page” towards a new era of common sense water conservation.

An overview of Green Cities Florida in Orlando and hopes for a greener future: Joshua Michael Poll attended last week’s Green Cities Florida event in Orlando and discusses highlights from it, as well as his hopes for Tampa Bay’s green initiatives.

No acupuncture needles needed when it comes to Meridian Therapy: health and wellness contributor Kevin O’ Dunn looks at the use of toothpicks in place of needles in acupuncture and Meridian Therapy.

Help support the Tampa Theatre by shopping at Barnes and Noble this week: Michelle Schenck gives information on helping the Tampa Theatre by purchasing from Barnes and Noble book stores this week.

Steps to becoming greener: Starting a compost or worm bin: Tips and information from Joshua Michael Poll on creating healthier soil by making a compost or worm bin.

360 Vodka: drink in the name of Mother Earth: Jessica McCormick reviews the “eco-responsible” (and very tasty) 360 Vodka.

VP Biden boosts green jobs and training in Denver: Vice President Joe Biden creates 450,000 green jobs in Denver with $500 million from the economic stimulus bill, as reported by Michelle Schenck.

Lose your lawn and get Florida native plants instead; Free native plants tour Sat. (5/30): Joshua Michael Poll gives us more green tips- this time for our lawns and how to use native Florida plants in place of a time- and money-consuming traditional lawn.

Green office tip of the week: Reduce paper in your office: the latest green office tip from contributor Lisa Assetta.

McLibel and Wal-Suit trials: people who fought against these companies and made a difference: Chris Hrabovsky discusses the long McLibel suit in London and compares it to similar local issues and legal battles with Wal-Mart destroying wetlands and wildlife to build, showing what a few everyday people have done to stand up to these big companies.

Don’t forget to check out our Green Community Calendar for green events and workshops in the Bay Area!

Support one of the coolest theatres not only in Tampa, but across the whole United States this week by purchasing just about anything at Barnes and Noble from May 26th-May 31st 2009. At least 10 percent of your purchase will be donated to the historic Tampa Theatre.

Download this voucher for more information and/or mention Bookfair I.D. number 560714 when you check out. This offer is good at any Barnes and Noble across the United States, so be sure to mention it to family and friends.

Spread the word and support this local legendary movie palace!

Tampa Theatre, located at 711 Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, is the kind of place you visit while focusing on something else– a movie or a concert or whatever. But this historic landmark could be a destination in its own right. The architecture alone makes it special, and it would be interesting just to check it out and learn about its history without anything else going on. Read the rest of this entry »

Rumors have been kicking around for some time that Quentin Tarantino is planning to recombine the excellent Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2 into one complete film on DVD. Of course, that was before the director ditched the continental 48 for Europe to shoot this summer’s Inglourious Basterds starring Brad Jolie. Fortunately, QT has gone on the record again, stating that Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair will be a reality, and that the filmmakers have even gone back and added a brand-spankin’ new, 7 minute anime sequence to the film. Though there’s still no release date (Amazon has a link to product they claim has been “discontinued by the manufacturer”), expect to see this package drop sometime right before the release of Basterds. It’s called corporate cynergy, yo!

Click below for more of today’s news from Tinseltown…

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Tampa Theatre is making a habit out of reviving last year’s films that are now up for serious award consideration. First, I got word that Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona would menage it’s way back onto the big screen from Jan. 16 through 21st. Now, the Sony Pictures Classics publicity department is reporting that Jonathan Demme’s Rachel Getting Married will again unspool at the Tampa Theatre starting Jan. 23. Rachel received excellent reviews upon release (yeah, we liked it), and should be up for several Oscar nods, including one for star Anne Hathaway.

What’s next, Tampa Theatre? You guys planning a WALL-E screening anytime soon?

Just got word from Nicole Southworth that the Tampa Theatre is going to be showing Woody Allen’s now Golden Globe-award winning film Vicky Cristina Barcelona for a limited engagement starting Jan. 16. The showtimes are as follows:

Fri., Jan. 16: 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 17: 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Sun., Jan 18 through Wed., Jan 21: 7:30 p.m.

Not sure if it’s worth your time, despite the recent showering of praise by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association? Does the fact that film features Scar Jo and P-Cruz in a threesome with Javier Bardem alter your thinking any? If you’re still on the fence (what’s wrong with you?), check out our (positive) review of the film here.

This month’s socially-conscious Indie Film Cafe selections are a short featuring a beloved comedian, A Conversation with Bill Cosby, and the feature-length documentary, The Boys of Baraka, about a group of “at risk” 12-year-old boys from inner city Baltimore who attend an experimental boarding school in Kenya, East Africa. 8 p.m., the Studio@620, $5 general/$3 members.

Singer/songwriter Phoebe Snow plays a show at Tampa Theatre. For more on Snow, see Upcoming Concerts. 7:30 p.m., $30.50-$35.50.

Tampa Bay Chapter members of the United Nations Association for the United States of America (ain’t that a mouthful) invites the public to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60th Anniversary Party. Attendees enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a presentation by Pius Nyamora, an internationally-recognized Kenyan journalist and UT Communications professor who talks about his experiences publishing revolutionary articles about his government and his need to flee the country as a result. A holiday party follows. 6:15-11 p.m., Plant Hall-University of Tampa, $15.

Another nod to the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is hosted by Globe Coffee Lounge in St. Petersburg and features poetry readings by various Bay area word artists. 7 p.m., free admission.

St. Petersburg Audubon Society and Florida Native Plant Society stage a Holiday Conservation Celebration with environmental exhibits, a silent auction of holiday gift items, door prizes, and a presentation and book signing by nature photographer James Valentine. 6:30 p.m., Pinellas County Extension, free admission.

Repo! The Genetic Opera is a new horror movie musical set in a near-future earth where an epidemic of organ failures brings big business to a biotech company that offers organ transplants for a price — those who miss their payments are earmarked for repossession and hunted by evil Repo Men. 7:30 p.m., Tampa Theatre, $9 adults/$8 students with ID/$7 seniors and military. Pictured below: Paris Hilton as Amber Sweet in Repo! The Genetic Opera.

Of Montreal brings their intellectual synth-pop and outrageously theatric stage show to The Ritz Ybor, the second half of a national tour in support of Skeletal Lamping, the band’s ninth and latest studio album. New York brother-and-sister-led indie rock duo The Fiery Furnaces open. 7 p.m., Tampa, $17.

Henry B. Plant Museum welcomes author Les Standiford, who gives a talk about and signs copies of his new book, The Man Who Invented Christmas: The True Story of How Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits. A champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception kick-off the events. 6 p.m., Plant Hall, University of Tampa, $20 Henry B. Plant Museum members/$25 general (includes admission into the Victorian Christmas Stroll).

Dr. John Bannon leads the St. Petersburg College Band through a program of works that includes Bach/Moehlmann’s Prelude and Fugue in g minor, Bach’s Sheep May Safely Graze, Paul Dukas’ Fanfare to precede La Peri, Haydn Wood’s Mannin Veen, “Dear Isle of Man”, Howard Hanson’s Dies Natalis II and Victor Herbert’s “March of the Toys” from Babes in Toyland. 7:30 p.m., SPC Music Center, free.

Business coach and fourth-generation business owner Tom Shay offers tips on marketing, sales, customer service and how to survive and thrive in the current struggling economy. Noon-1 p.m., the Courtyard on Beach Boulevard, Gulfport, free; to RSVP, e-mail specials@localshops1.com.

Let’s dispense with the news (save that for Friday) and just recap some of the things we have to be thankful for in the world of cinema this year:

The career resurgence of Robert Downey Jr. (see Iron Man, Tropic Thunder and the currently filming Sherlock Holmes).

What looks to be a major comeback by Mickey Rourke:

The Dark Knight wasn’t just the best superhero film of the year (and possibly all time). It was a piece of magnificent filmmaking that transcended its genre.

The Man in the Hat was back. OK, not everybody thought the movie was so hot, but Harrison Ford in a fedora brings a tear to my eye.

That when I’m at work, I’m within a 10-minute drive of Tampa Theatre, and when I’m home, it’s just over 10 minutes to the Beach Theatre, the two movie-house jewels of the Bay area.

Speaking of Beach Theatre: Its screening of Blade Runner: The Final Cut.

Speaking of Tampa Theatre: Its screening of the sing-along The Little Mermaid.

That I get to come to work and blog about movies.

And one sappy, non-movie-related note of gratitude: That I got to hang out for eight months with Emily Reddy, frequent contributor to WMNF and the new associate producer for WPSU in State College, Pa. I’d say “Go Nittany Lions,” but I can’t.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.

The Black Crowes (pictured below) bring their blues infused rock ‘n’ roll to Ruth Eckerd Hall. 8 p.m., $37.50 and $45.50.

Michael Grote, Gulf Coast program manager for Architecture for Humanity’s Biloxi Model Home Program, appears as part of USF’s Sustain it(!) – Strategies + Tactics for Sustainability in Architecture and Urbanism lecture series. His discussion topic is “Beyond Grand Plans and Schemes: Rebuilding Community After Katrina.” 6 p.m., C.W. Bill Young Building / R.O.T.C. Building, USF Tampa.

Mostly instrumental ambient alt-rockers Unwed Sailor headlines a bill at New World Brewery, with support sets provided by Tallahassee’s Look Mexico and Tampa’s Petrograd In Transit. 8 p.m., New World Brewery, $7 (21 and Up).

Mike Leigh’s cheery (very un-Vera Drake-like) comedy, Happy-Go-Lucky, follows London primary school teacher whose seemingly boundless good cheer and love for life baffles (and in some cases exasperates) everyone she knows. ’Course, her patience is tested when she starts taking driving lessons with a rage-filled, verbally abusive instructor. 7:30 p.m., presented through Nov. 13, Tampa Theatre, $7-$9.

University of Tampa’s Quartet de Minaret stages a fall concert of works by Faure, Joaquin Turina and Gwyneth Walker. 7:30 p.m., Plant Hall Music Room at UT, free admission.

Two Bay area theaters stage screenings of Trouble the Water, an award-winning documentary that offers an eyewitness account of Hurricane Katrina via former 9th Ward residents Kimberly Roberts and her husband Scott (pictured below), who videotaped their experiences before, during and after the storm. 5 p.m. Wed., 7:15 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 29-30, Beach Theatre, $8 general; and 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thurs., Oct. 29-30, Tampa Theatre, $9 general.

Read our review of Trouble the Water here.

Stop Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT) stages its annual Barkoween Pet Costume Party. Locals are invited to dress up themselves and their pets, and vie for prizes in five separate categories: Scariest, Funniest, Most Original/Creative, Cutest and Best Owner/Pet Look-Alike. 6-8 p.m., Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, $10 (includes entry into the costume contest, a raffle ticket, and a trick-or-treat doggie bag).

The topic for this month’s installment of Wide aWoke Wednesdays — a live interactive talk show — is “Love, Sex & Headaches,” a talk about relationships and dating in today’s society. 7:30-9 p.m., USF Almuni Center-Traditions Hall, free admission.

Joe Satriani brings his instrumental guitar-driven prog rock to Ruth Eckerd Hall. 8 p.m., $29.50-$75.

Rosalie Peck and Jon Wilson talk about and sign copies of their new book, St. Petersburg’s Historic 22nd Street South, as part of the Pen Is Mightier literary series at the Studio at 620. 7 p.m., free admission.

This is the headliner at the Hillsborough County Education Foundation Comedy Night on Thursday (9/18) at Tampa Theatre… great comedian, great cause. More info.

 Brian Bradley

Last night, a small group of us from Creative Loafing (well, three, and an honorary member) attended Tampa Theatre’s Sing-a-Long Little Mermaid. While staff writer Alex Pickett and I were enthused about the event, our excitement was exceeded by that of our female companions, Editorial Assistant Franki Weddington and WMNF contributor Emily Reddy, both of whom know every song in the film by heart.

As we had expected, most of those in attendance were parents and their small children, many of whom had dressed up for the special occasion as their favorite character. But our mini-entourage, having fond memories of seeing the film when we were, uh, younger, was also giddy for the chance to croon — without fear of reproach — some of the best songs in any Disney film.

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