Top 10: Songs About Being Tired
I know everyone loves to hear the guy who writes about music and bar hopping for a living bitch, so here I go, griping about how tired I am. It's the end of the year, I just obsessed over my Top 10 albums tally, am struggling with these early holiday deadlines and am so ready…
Doug E. Fresh to perform at opening of HipHopSodaShop
OK, so the one on Fourth Street in St. Petersburg has sat vacant for months, but the HipHopSodaShop in Tampa is primed to open today with a performance by rap vet Doug E. Fresh. From the press release: The video gaming element changed the building's zoning in St. Petersburg and resulted in delays. The Tampa…
FROM THE STREET … WITH ALFIE (12.19.07)
“Creative Loafing had great things to say about everyone in our band,†History’s singer Matt, said, “everyone except me. Apparently I sound like Cher.â€Â I personally would be excited about being compared with such a legend. The most flattering thing my singing has been compared to was American Idol sensation William Hung. Matt couldn’t be…
Drive-By Truckers to release new album Jan. 22
Got this email on Friday and for reasons beyond my control am just getting around to posting the info. I'm always stoked about a new DBT album, unfortunately, there's no Tampa Bay tour date announced. Not yet, anyway. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 14, 2007 DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS TO RELEASE BRIGHTER THAN CREATION’S DARK ON JANUARY 22,…
From the Street with Alfie: 12.19.07
"Creative Loafing had great things to say about everyone in our band," History's singer Matt, said, "Everyone except me. Apparently I sound like Cher." I personally would be excited about being compared with such a legend. The most flattering thing my singing has been compared to was American Idol sensation William Hung. Matt couldn't be…
N.W.A. celebrates 20th anniversary of gangsta classic
Straight Outta Compton (20th Anniversary Edition) N.W.A. Capitol/Priority The former members of Niggaz With Attitude have had it rough in recent years: Eazy-E’s dead from AIDS; Ice Cube’s doing children’s movies; Dr. Dre’s busy looking for the next Eminem; Yella and MC Ren joined forces for a porn soundtrack. But back in 1988, N.W.A. revolutionized…
A Look Back at Lowry Park Zoo
I just finished reading "Zoo Story", the Lowry Park Zoo epic written by St. Petersburg Times reporter Thomas French. Fascinating stuff. I read the last two chapters of the series in earnest, because they describe last year's controversy regarding the death of Enshalla, a tiger, and Herman, a chimp. French's story provides a little more…
Olive-Gate
Amidst an in-depth profile of Republican contender Mike Huckabee in the New York Times is a tiny tidbit that makes me question his presidential fitness. When offered a free meal by Times’ reporter Zev Chafets, his first choices were T.G.I. Friday’s and the Olive Garden. Regardless of his politics, that poor decision-making has cost him…
Plant to tour, but not with Zep
Plant will tour … with Alison Krauss. Love ya, Krauss but couldn't ya step aside so this little Zeppelin reunion tour will finally happen. Super soul singer Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings to play Skipper's on Jan. 22. Ike and Tina Turner profile from Rolling Stone in 1971: "Ike is a very hard worker," a…
Top 10: Dance Party Songs
Creative Loafing knows how to throw an office party. We have a "Friday Dance Party" here starting at 4 p.m. every week complete with PoHo's dance mix and a flashing disco ball. The biggest office bash of the year, "The Loaf's Holiday Party," is tonight at the Westin Harbour Island Hotel in Tampa. And people…
St. Pete: Christmas/ Kwanzaa Toy and Gift Drive
If you're still looking for some Good Santa nonprofit opportunities, check out the Christmas/Kwanzaa Toy and Gift Drive at 1221 22nd Street South tomorrow. A.J. Ali, who used to produce the Straight From Da Streets public access TV show, says this is the first drive of its kind for the children of Midtown. It will…
Radiohead update and more love from my fans
You know the music world has gone to hell when these three clowns top the charts. Reclusive Tom Waits contemplating touring. In case anyone's actually gonna buy the CD, here's what In Rainbows looks like. Sly Stone makes a comeback (sorta). Rolling Stone runs down "The 100 Best Songs of 2007." I like my list…
Some more creative ways to help the homeless
We're still receiving more comments over last week's Urban Explorer, which profiled Pass-A-Grille gallery owner Evander Preston's gifts to the homeless this year (hint: they're alcoholic and smokey). I was curious what may have sent the traffic over there and found Jackie Dowd's Orlando-based blog The 13th Juror. Check it out: She has a wealth…
Madonna, Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen…
The Ventures and The Dave Clark Five make for a lame, very white list of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Don't get me wrong, Leonard Cohen is a genius but more a poet than rocker. And Johnny Cougar? Not feeling it. The Material Girl gets points for being a sexy trend setter (and…
Secret steroid list: Clemens, Canseco, Wally Joyner?!
This email was sent to Creative Loafing earlier today: I'm pasting below a list I received from a colleague-not-to-be-named—it'll break in twenty minutes. I don't know if this is of any use or interest to you, but I believe it's to be trusted. (I also know you all don't cover national sports with much regularity.)…
Top 10: Songs about Cruelty
My latest Bar Tab — "World of Hurt: beer is no match for hot sauce" — chronicles the cruel deed I did the other night to Creative Loafing Street Team leader Alfie (dude with the sleeveless shirt interviewing me in the video). Notice how Alfie calls me an asshole after I walk off camera. I…
The “Rub Her the Right Way!â€
Okay, so perhaps not exactly a classic Kama Sutra position, but it certainly should have been. This is basically a play off of the standard reverse cowgirl, but with a twist. The man lies on his back with one leg outstretched and the other bent with knee pointing upward. The woman then straddles her partner…
The Green Issue is out
This week’s Creative Loafing is all about America’s new buzzword: green. (Just in time for Gov. Charlie Crist’s visit to Tampa for the National Governors Assocation Energy Task Force, too.) In the issue, we explore: Where does the United States stand with Kyoto Agreement? Will St. Petersburg ever have curbside recycling? What is the University…
Ike Turner leaves controversial legacy
One of rock 'n' roll's most important architects, and biggest villains, has died. I interviewed Ike Turner via phone several years ago and then saw him perform at the Sarasota Blues Festival. I was seated next to AC/DC singer Brian Johnson in the VIP tent and we both agreed Turner put on an excellent performance.…
Trombone Shorty ready to rock St. Pete
Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews captivated attendees at WMNF's Tropical Heatwave bash in May. The station is bringing him back to the Bay to perform New Year's Eve at the St. Petersburg Coliseum. I interviewed Andrews this afternoon for a feature that will run in the Creative Loafing that hits newsstands Dec. 19. Here's a snippet:…
Kid Friendly
Children will likely take delight in this Christmas tale.
A Killer Video
By French singer Soko
We’re Nationwide!
According to the fine folks at Where the Locals Eat, Tampa/St. Petersburg qualifies as one of the Top 50 cities in the U.S.! Finally, some national recognition. WTLE's new book tries to nail the best 100 restaurants in each of their top 50 cities and, as vague survey lists go, it does a fairly good…
Clear Premiere
Film Tuesday, December 18
Welcome to Ocala
As the Wesley Snipes trial nears, reflecting on the state of race relations in Florida’s horse country.
Creature Comforts
Richard Matheson's 1954 novel I Am Legend has been brought to the big screen twice before, both times with mixed results — originally in Vincent Price's 1964 cheesefest The Last Man on Earth and then in the freaky-deaky 1971 Charlton Heston extravaganza The Omega Man (that's the one where Chuck mixes it up with a…
World of Hurt
Beer is no match for hot sauce.
Women on the Verge
Family members push each other’s buttons in Margot at the Wedding.
Green Habitat
The charitable homebuilder is switching to more energy-efficient methods.
Don’t Panic
What does the just-released National Intelligence Estimate on Iran say and what's its significance? The National Intelligence Estimate is a document that distills the collective judgment of the U.S. government's various intelligence-gathering operations. Commissioned either by the White House, Congress or a high-ranking military commander, NIEs are written and edited by a committee consisting of…
Hidden Meanings
USF’s Julie Weitz shines at West Tampa Center for the Arts.
Imagination Overdrive
Art Friday, December 14
Orange peels for clean air
Citrus biofuel: Florida’s ethanol alternative?
Walkabout
Michael Vick, Tim Tebow and Vladimir Putin
ZZ Top, Sevendust, The Dresden Dolls
Plus Tab Benoit
Lone Star
Seth Walker plays the blues, Texas-style.
Curb With Enthusiasm
Mayor Rick Baker refuses to tackle the issue of curbside recycling. One resident finds an innovative solution: capitalism.
Water issues
Tears, oceans and leaky pipes.
Weekly Planner
CL's must-do list for the week of Thurs., Dec. 13-Wed., Dec. 19 13Who needs three masculine voices raised in song when you can have 10? Australia's Ten Tenors bring their operatic chops to the U.S. and perform at Mahaffey Theater today and through the weekend. 2 and 7:30 p.m., St. Petersburg. 14Carol with ASAP Homeless…
You’re Getting Warmer
The Kyoto Accord began the race to halt global warming. On its 10th anniversary, why are we barely past the starting gate?
Lough and Load
Music Thursday, December 13
Keeping it Simple
With Soul Purpose
Flour Power
Stick with the homemade pasta and you’ll be quite pleased at Da Sesto.
Bubbly holiday
A guide to the good stuff.
A Cannonball Classic
That’s really Somethin’
Evander, Andisheh, Magadog…
.COMments from all over
LEED-ing The Way
Students and faculty attempt to convince USF’s administration that “green” is the way to go.
Knocking Heads
"[Knocked Up was] a little sexist. It paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys. It exaggerated the characters, and I had a hard time with it, on some days. I'm playing such a bitch; why is she being such a killjoy?" —Knocked Up…
Tampa Bay’s Green Report Card
How green is your county/city/state?
Hometown Heroes?
A dentist, a lawyer and an abortion clinic owner walk into a debate on Florida’s growth …
Damon Fowler, Anita Baker
Plus Rebekah Pulley
Wu Tang Clan and Ghostface Killah
Plus Led Zeppelin
Clear Premiere
Based on a short story by Jerry B. Jenkins, Midnight Clear is a bleak Christmas drama that follows five down-on-their-luckers whose paths intersect on Christmas Eve in the Arizona desert. Among them are Lefty (played by Stephen Baldwin), a middle-aged alcoholic whose unending troubles have cost him his wife, his child, his home and his…
(Mostly) Unsolved Mystery
Dance Sunday, December 16
In Memoriam
Remembering Greg Marchak
Sweets for Santa
Just be sure to leave some crumbs behind.
Outtakes
Upcoming Releases ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS (PG) You might expect that Dave Seville's singing rodents would have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but they make the transition fairly painlessly thanks to this sweet and occasionally amusing big-screen outing. Jason Lee stars as the aspiring songwriter who learns about family and…
Youth Cabaret
Theater Monday, December 17
Wine List
Got an upcoming or ongoing wine event? Send information to: The Wine List, 810 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606, fax 813-739-4801 or e-mail brian.ries@creativeloafing.com. DECADENCE FOR THE HOLIDAYS Peterbrooke Chocolatier will be joining Cork and Olive for a tasting that highlights the joys of chocolate and wine. Free, 6-8 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 13, Cork…
Josh Bomstein: “This is not a fad …”
Who? Josh Bomstein of Tampa, director of business development for Creative Contractors of Clearwater. Sphere of influence: Florida's development community and government leaders in West Central Florida, where Bomstein works to convince builders and their clients to go "green" with cost-effective construction techniques. The son of a prominent civic leader in Clearwater, Bomstein moved away…
Jingle Beats
Holiday Saturday, December 15
Top 10: Train Songs
I've always been fascinated by trains. Growing up in Hershey, Penn., my family had a restaurant called Lucy's Cafe on Chocolate Avenue down the street from the famed factory. Locomotives would bring cocoa beans in and ship candy out (see pic). My family lived in one of the apartments above Lucy's (across from my grandma's…
