Greatest Michael Jackson song?
I typically don't agree with readers' poll results (being a snotty critic and all), but when RollingStone.com asked its audience to name their favorite Michael Jackson song, they voted correctly: "Billie Jean." It's sonic perfection with a timeless message about the importance of DNA paternity testing. The rest of the RS list, though, is shoddy.…
Wilco, Fleet Foxes cover “I Shall Be Released”
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy takes lead vocals and the harmonious Fleet Foxes boys join in on the chorus for this gorgeous reading of the Bob Dylan-penned, Band classic "I Shall Be Released," which was performed on stage, Aug. 21, in Spokane, Wash. (thanks Pitchfork). For the final verse, Tweedy might have pushed himself too far in…
Reel projections — September 2
It's baaack! MGM working on a Poltergeist remake. Todd Solondz is penning a sequel to Happiness. Meanwhile, West Wing scribe Aaron Sorkin is conducting research for a film about Facebook. Coens get burned: Burn After Reading fails to impress at the Venice Film Fest. In a world without The Voice: Don LaFontaine passes on to…
Reviving the Office Bar, Thanks to Mad Men
We love Mad Men at CL central, even though it makes us want to light up, turn our bigot on and buy some of those conical bras. But what to drink while living the 60's high life? Papermag has some of the answers, although it's a meager survey. I suspect that a bottle of just…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Anthony Green (pictured) plays Orpheum tonight with support by Good Old War and Person L. 8 p.m., 1902 N. Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City, $14. 2. Metropolitan Ministries is in dire need of food to fill the considerable needs of the community’s working poor and homeless. Now and in preparation for Thanksgiving and…
The Short List — Tues., Sept. 2
In the absence of any real news out of the Republican National Convention, may I present video of Amy Goodman getting arrested by the cops in St. Paul. Abuse of power investigation in Alaska; member of a party that seeks Alaskan secession; pregnant teenage daughter; did McCain even bother to vet Sarah Palin? Nope. Tonight,…
Kayak contest winner announced
Congratulations to Beth Cristalli, winner of the Creative Loafing /Sweetwater Kayaks Giveaway! Her prize package includes: 1 Jackson Rec Day Tripper 10 Kayak 1 RTM One-piece Paddle 1 MTI Livery Lifejacket If you didn't win, fret not, a very cool Halloween Horror Nights contest is on the horizon. Details to come…
Tell Us Why You’re the “Best of the Bay”
At the last Beer Club, we filmed some of our readers and staffers telling us why they think they’re the “Best of the Bay.” You can see the videos here. At this year’s Best of the Bay Awards ceremony, we’ll be showing some of these videos and we’re also asking our readers to submit their own.…
American Wanna-Be
Dreaming of being a rock star is as American as dreaming about having sex with a rock star. I’ve read countless interviews with performers who describe how they were always putting on “shows” when they were younger. They use these anecdotes as evidence that performing is in their blood. What these talented, or just plain…
Tell Us Why You’re the “Best of the Bay”
At the last Beer Club, we filmed some of our readers and staffers telling us why they think they’re the “Best of the Bay.” You can see the videos here. At this year’s Best of the Bay Awards ceremony, we’ll be showing some of these videos and we’re also asking our readers to submit their own.…
Tell Us Why You’re the “Best of the Bay”
At the last Beer Club, we filmed some of our readers and staffers telling us why they think they’re the “Best of the Bay.” You can see the videos here. At this year’s Best of the Bay Awards ceremony, we’ll be showing some of these videos and we’re also asking our readers to submit their own.…
Drop the drinking age to 18
This will be a big, long booze-filled holiday weekend for many — including your teenage sons and daughters who recently left home to go attend classes and party their asses off at places like USF, FSU and UF. Good for them, I say. The absurdity of these young adults not being allowed to legally imbibe…
Win Win Winter name full-length debut, plan tour
Win Win Winter's EP A Brief History Of… sounds better every time I give it a listen, which has been quite often lately. It's a brilliantly diverse disc that ranges from cocksure dance rock ("Baker Ave") to acoustic, steel guitar-kissed melancholy ("Doves and Uppercuts"). Splitting the difference is the mid-tempo, highly emotive mood rocker "New…
My Bologna Has A First Name – It’s C A N C E R!
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine — a public interest group that promotes nutritional policy reforms — has set its sights on your kids. Or you, I guess, if your daily brown bag still contains bologna, mayo and American cheese on Wonder bread. (Man, just typing that almost forced me to go to the grocery…
Five (or 10) Things to Do This Holiday Weekend
1. Marvel at sustainable (and workable) urban landscape designs for Tampa area locales, and find out more about the history of destruction as a creative force in art and music when USF Contemporary Art Museum opens two brand new exhibits – ToroLab: One Degree Celsius and MashUp – with a reception this Friday evening. Pictured…
R.I.P. Woo
Woo (noun): The art of causing a women to fall slowly in love with you. See: courting, romance or affection. I don't know when it happened … maybe the great depression burned everyone out, or maybe the burning of the bras made men rethink the ways of their forefathers. But somewhere along the way ladies,…
The Short List — Fri., Aug. 29
Sen. Barack Obama closed the Democratic National Convention last night with a speech for the ages. We'll see you at the inauguration, Mr. President. What did you think of the speech? Join the ongoing conversation over on The Political Whore. McCain's Veep about to be revealed. Gustav to rain on the Republican's parade? More hurricane…
My Morning Jacket, Soft Targets and more in Music Week
It's Thursday afternoon. Time to make plans for the holiday weekend, which for many should start in a few hours. Clearwater garage rock foursome Très Bien kicks things off with a gig at Crowbar and Rod Stewart plays the Ford Amphitheatre tonight, as well. The latter hasn't cut a solid record since the mid-1970s but…
While We’re on the Subject…
If your four-legged friend is malfunctioning, why not give this guy a call? Will Thomas, a.k.a. the "Tampa Bay Dog Whisperer", promises to solve all your canine calamities for the paltry sum of $500 (roughly the cost of 1,000 rolled-up newspapers). His YouTube spot, for you skeptics out there: \\\<\/param\>\\<\/param\>\\<\/param\>\\<\/embed\>\<\/object\>
Five Things to Do Today
1. As part of Roundup 2008 – USF’s annual back to school kick off party – the school hosts all manner of live entertainment, including guest appearances by Reno 911’s Carlos Alazraqui and Cedric Yarbrough (Officer James Garcia and Deputy S. Jones, respectively), and a set of stand-up by comedian Mike Birbiglia (pictured at left,…
Live Blogging Tonight
Tonight on The Political Whore blog we'll be offering a live, off-the-cuff take on Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech. Some of you may have caught our live blogging of Hillary Clinton's speech on Tuesday. We had so much fun, we're doing it again. So, will it be a disaster of epic proportions or the inspiring…
Big Beers Going Busto?
The NYT confronts an issue that has been plaguing me for years now — why so many high-alcohol brews? For a decade or so, beer has experienced an alcohol-content creep. Go into a restaurant or bar with a good beer selection and they'll likely print the ABV percentage on the list. People adore the idea…
The Short List — Thurs., Aug 28
Joe Biden gives 'em a little hell after leaving not a dry eye in the house. Tonight, Barack finally takes the stage. Former President Clinton passes the torch. Hurricane Gustav approaches the Gulf. Russia finds itself in the international doghouse. Sarasota's pursuit of the Red Sox makes its way into the NY Times. Ok, who's…
Jerry Wexler: from Aretha Franklin to Led Zeppelin
Jerry Wexler, the music titan who produced Aretha Franklin's finest recordings and signed Led Zeppelin, died August 15 at his home on Siesta Key in Sarasota. I didn't see the news online until returning from a late night of revelry. Nonetheless, I felt compelled to write, immediately, and posted this entry here Aug. 16. The…
I’m so un-hip it hurts; 5 albums worth checking out
Last week, in an admittedly lame (but somewhat funny) post about how Billy Corgan's lost his mind, a commenter had this to say: Fan of Fan says: August 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm: Do you think people think you’re hip because you have such great taste? Consistently putting others down to make yourself feel better…
Rays big game alert
After a successful road stint that ended with a blown opportunity (exacerbated by a bad umpiring call) to sweep the Chicago White Sox, the Rays went down last night to the Toronto Blue Jays. That in itself is not all that bad, considering that they faced pitcher Roy Halladay, one of baseball’s best. The Rays…
The guy I’m in love with … is married
Dear Amandas, The guy I feel like I'm in love with, more than any guy I've loved before, is married. Keeps coming back to me, but married just the same. I miss him. And know what the right thing to do is- I just don't wanna. Mean Amanda Get yourself some Kleenex, Mean Amanda is…
Reel projections — August 27
Blast from the past: Will Ferrell stars in next summer’s big-screen Land of the Lost. RopeofSilicon wonders: Who is the most overrated director? Babylon A.D. Director: I hate my movie. And Fox Studios. Coen Brothers’ Burn After Reading opens the Venice Film Festival today.
Could 16,000 Hillsborough residents really be dumb enough to vote for Blair?
Yep! Here are the stats: 16,462, to be exact. Blair has tried to kill our local wetlands regulation (as the chairman of the EPC), he has launched an attack on gays and he thinks the monkeys escaped from MOSI and evidently he has over 16,000 people who agree with him. Welcome to Hillsborough. At least…
The Photoshop (TM) Cop: Extra Videos
For six years, St. Petersburg police officer Ken Kokotek mocked his superiors on the law enforcement website, LEOaffairs.com under the anonymous screen name of "Picasso." He posted rants, doctored photos of the mayor and police chief and eventually moved to JibJab-type video clips. After announcing his retirement this past May, and passing around some party…
The Short List — Wed., Aug. 27
Last night was Hillary's big moment, and she rose to the occasion with a good speech that celebrated her own accomplishments, built up Obama and tore down John McCain. Check out our live blog of Hillary's speech over at The Political Whore. If you're a democrat, and you identify with the people Maureen Dowd is…
Keep your boyfriends far far away from me….
Last night I happened upon a familiar situation. A guy-friend suddenly reveals he has "feelings" for me and boldly decides to act on them. This would normally be an awesome situation. So we made out. One problem: He has a girlfriend.
Five Things to Do Today
1. Reggae balladeer Beres Hammond (pictured) plays Jannus Landing tonight. 8 p.m., 16 Second St. N., downtown St. Petersburg, $34, 727-896-2276. 2. Comedian Pretty Paul Parsons (aka the Dirty Old Man – and he is dirty, indeed) performs a single-night show at Side Splitters Comedy Club. 8:30 p.m., 12938 N. Dale Mabry,Tampa, $12-$14, 813-960-1197. 3.…
Special Events: Pioneer Florida Days Festival
Monday, September 1
Special Events: The Exotic Equinox
Sunday, August 31
Lights On Tampa
Economic development experts have urged Tampa Bay to develop both its cultural attractions and a distinctive sense of place. In Lights On Tampa, a biennial program of electronic and computer-based public art, the city has an attraction that addresses both. During its inaugural 2006 installment, LOT drew thousands of spectators downtown. The 2009 edition, orchestrated…
Special Events: Free Media Art & Film Festival
Saturday, August 30
Fall Arts: Music
Black Kids, Black Crowes, Mary Gauthier, Phoebe Snow and more
Fall Arts: Comedy
The Soup‘s Joel McHale, plus lots more
Theater: Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde
Tuesday, September 2
Comedy: LOL: An evening with Mr. FunnyBlackman
Friday, August 29
Arts for everybody at Patel Conservatory
Dance, music and acting courses — all in one place.
Fall Arts: Theater and Dance
Blackbird, Mad Forest, King Hedley II, Ballet Hispanico and more
Savage Love
There’s no such thing as risk-free anything
Torolab: One Degree Celsius
This summer, New York's P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center became the media darling of an otherwise sleepy off-season when the Queens institution installed a functional, modular farm in its courtyard. P.F.1, or Public Farm One — the brainchild of two young architects — turned out tomatoes, beans, herbs and greens under the hot summer sun and…
Fundraiser: Gourmet Feastival & Silent Auction
Thursday, August 28
Fall Arts: Film
CLIP, Independents’ Film Festival and more
Art : Eighth Annual Members’ Show
Wednesday, September 3
Keep your boyfriends far far away from me
SWF makes out with a spoken-for guy
Taps Wine & Beer foams with potential
Tampa’s downtown adds another piece to its puzzle
Pearl Jam bootlegs its Tampa show
Relive the St. Pete Times Forum concert.
American Teen: Reality bites the documentary
Plus Don Cheadle in Traitor, as well as other new and recent releases
Fall Arts ’08: It’s all here
Your one-stop guide to Tampa Bay’s cultural landscape this season.
Hamlet 2 takes on Hollywood
Movie formulas get a raunchy, mocking send-up
Rod Stewart, Kate Voegele
Plus John Mayer
The Photoshop™ cop
Ken Kokotek mocked his superiors on the Internet. Now he’s paying for it.
Remembering soul man Jerry Wexler
He produced classics from Aretha to Zeppelin
Friend/unfriend
If only real life were as simple as Facebook.
It’s hell getting old
But happy birthday anyway, John McCain.
Soft Targets aim for New World Brewery
They perform with Mirror Pal and Life of Pi
Tell No One will keep you guessing
The plot thickens at Tampa Theatre
Jack Barrett: A Soul’s Journey
It's a how-they-met story that sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie. A St. Petersburg artist, whiling away an evening at a piano bar on the beach, sketches the portrait of a pretty, French-Canadian nurse on a napkin; three years later, they're married. When painter, teacher and former St. Petersburg Times illustrator Jack Barrett…
Stick Martin delivers a Thrilla
The Tampa Bay stalwart goes for humor, sensitivity
Film: Summer Classic Movie Series
Sunday, August 31
Cop talk
Tampa-based LEOaffairs.com gives police personnel all over the world a chance to rant.
Mile high
Jimmy Page closes the Beijing Olympics. Huh?
Fight for your right
It’s time to lower the drinking age.
Fall Arts: Galleries & Museums
The season in visual arts
Bottle shocked
Putting a cork in Bottle Shock.
This week’s wine and food events
August 27-September 2
Festival: Gulfport Gecko Fest
Saturday, August 30
Fall Arts: Venues
Address and contact info for area stages and concert venues
Flack and Hathaway make beautiful music
Vocal chemistry shines in this 1972 release.
The guy I’m in love with is married
The Amandas dish out some adcvice.
Warren Zevon at his prime
In concert at Tower Theater in Philadelphia.
