Daily Loaf

Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Last season, The Florida Orchestra performed the music of Pink Floyd with a full band and psychedelic lights. This weekend, conveniently close to the release of the re-masters and a resurgence of interest in the Fab Four, TFO pays tribute to The Beatles with Classical Mystery Tour.

Actor/musicians from Broadway’s Beatlemania – Jim Owen on rhythm guitar and piano, Tony Kishman on bass and piano, Tom Teeley on lead guitar and  Chris Camilleri on drums as John, Paul, George and Ringo, respectively – perform note perfect renditions of Beatles hits Read the rest of this entry »

The City of Tampa’s fiendish plot to have you get up at an insanely early hour of the morning and groggily lace up your sneakers continues this Saturday with Keeping Tampa Fit. The biannual event is devoted to increasing awareness of personal health and the city’s numerous parks, while also offering the chance to keep up stride-for-stride with Mayor Pam Iorio (pictured, center), who plans on strolling four miles. As if that weren’t incentive enough, the first 200 registrants will receive a free T-shirt commemorating the event, which participants can then proudly wear to showcase their dedication to receiving free T-shirts. Sure you’d rather sleep in on what is likely your day off, but just think how good that coffee and artery-hardening cheesy omelet are going to taste when you reward yourself for forsaking a few extra hours of peaceful slumber. No pain, no gain, right? Sat., Nov. 7, Rowlett Park, 2501 River Hills Drive. Registration starts at 6:30 am, the walk begins at 7:30 am. Call the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department at 813-274-8615 for more info. – Anthony Salveggi Read the rest of this entry »

The University of South Florida’s School of Theater and Dance Fall Dance Concert, which kicks off tonight, offers a veritable So You Think You Can Dance episode’s worth of styles.You can see everything from modern to flamenco-fusion to ballet and swing (albeit no krumping), which puts these students and choreographers on our Hot Tamale Train. In celebration of USF’s Day of Dance, the Nov. 5 performance also includes contributions from high school and college students from around the state, who visit to pay tribute to the art of expression through motion. (Pictured: Cathryn Lacy rehearses for the USF Fall Dance Concert. Photo by Kyle Scharf) Oct. 29-30, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri.; Sun., Nov. 1, 3 p.m.; and Nov. 5-7, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., USF College of Visual & Performing Arts Theatre I, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, $12, $8 students and seniors in advance; $15, $10 students and seniors day of the show, theatreanddance.arts.usf.edu. – Franki Weddington Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

This weekend, The Florida Orchestra kicks off its 2009-2010 season with a masterworks concert of fiery Latin sounds – Rhythms on Fire.

TFO is joined by two internationally-recognized mega-talents for the program: Cuban native classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco, who’s been composing, recording and performing for more than three decades; and bandoneón master Daniel Binelli (pictured, photo by Peter Schaaf), an Argentine musician, seasoned composer and experienced arranger specializing in all styles of tango. He’s also the torchbearer of the music of Astor Piazzolla, with whom he has collaborated. Among the compositions featured include Piazzolla’s tango-tastic Double Concerto for Guitar and Bandoneón, Manuel de Falla’s flamenco-flavored El Amor Brujo (Love Bewitched), Arturo Marquez’s playful Danzón No. 2 and Silvestre Revueltas’ haunting Read the rest of this entry »

The Studio@620 has collaborated with more people than Kanye West, now teaming up with The Florida Orchestra for An Intimate Collaboration, an up-close, once-monthly, themed performance on the Studio’s cozy stage. Tonight’s entertainment is based on “Rhythms of Life,” and includes a combo of “dance, song, rhythm, poetry and music” under the steady baton of conductor Stefan Sanderling, accompanied by rich, sultry-voiced mezzo-soprano, Jennifer Hines (pictured). Tues., Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m., The Studio@620, 620 First Ave., S., St. Petersburg, $10, studio620.org.

Read the rest of this entry »

Some people think it’s a bad idea to hunt for Mother’s Day bargains. After all, if there’s anyone who should get an expensive outing, it’s mom, right?

Wrong. Didn’t you learn anything from your mom– the one who told you to be smart with your money? Doing something with your mother—within the constraints of a sound budget—shows her that you actually listened when she tried to teach you the value of a dollar. There are plenty of things you can do on Mother’s Day weekend that offer both quality time for families and a great value: Read the rest of this entry »

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.