In the Scottish musical, Brigadoon, a magical place appears for only one day every 100 years.
One would think that the picturesque, European-like Roser Park was our own Brigadoon but, lucky for us, it stays right where it is — but hidden to a surprising number of lifelong Tampa Bay residents.
The neighborhood was established by developer Charles Roser in 1911 as one of St. Petersburg’s first streetcar suburbs and has rolling brick streets, majestic oaks, cement staircases, canals, pedestrian bridges and historic homes. It’s located by Bayfront Medical Center and south of downtown. Revisit – or visit for the first time – the oh-so lovely residential area during the seventh annual Historic Roser Park Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend. The event offers a tour of holiday-decorated homes; more than 70 painters, sculptors, photographers and craftspeople; music by local bands (Lounge Cat, Rebekah Pulley and others) and a variety of food and drink.
Admission is free; tickets to the house tour can be purchased for $8 in advance at roserpark.net, or during the festival at the Roser Park booth for $10. Free parking is available at Bayfront Parking Garage with golf cart transportation to the festival. In addition, the area has been restored and beautified in the past year, making this year’s event an extra-special occasion. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Dec. 11 and 12, 633 11th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. For more information, go to www.roserpark.net or call 727-772-8860.
For nearly 10 years, Tampa's Brazilian Martial Arts Academy has trained its students in the style of capoeira, entertaining audiences with public demonstrations of the centuries-old fighting game under the guidance of Eduardo Torres, a.k.a. Professor Girino. Experience the Third Annual Capoeira Encounter, an exhibition and graduation event of the sport, on Sat., Dec. 11, for free. The tournament features world-renowned capoeiristas from all over the US and Brazil along with the music, sparring, kicking, dodging, and acrobatics that makes capoeira stand out from all other self-defense disciplines. Saturday’s events will start with a kids’ exhibition, competition and graduation at 10 a.m. The teen and adult exhibition and graduation will start at 1 p.m. Both will be held at the USF Rec Center. Sat., Dec. 11. USF Recreation Center, 4202 Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-728-7171. tampacapoeira.com.
Make the most of Florida living and the holidays all once with a Sunshine State tradition. The 25th annual Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade sashays the open seas on Sat. evening, Dec. 11. Parade Chairman is Capt. Les Lathrop has been running the parade for decades and was named Treasure Island’s Man of the Year for his efforts. The usually private Club at Treasure Island opens to the public at 4:30 pm for the pre-parade festivities, which includes a visit from Santa Claus for the children, plus complimentary chowder, hot dogs, Christmas cake, hot cider and coffee. A cash bar is available for adults. This year’s parade theme is “Celebrate Our Freedom,” and the event raises funds for the Edwards Family Foundation, a St. Petersburg-based charity that provides special assistance to disadvantaged children. Spectators and visitors are encouraged to bring one unwrapped new toy, or provide a cash donation for admittance. Also, the St. Petersburg Illuminated Boat Parade, a unique spin on the traditional holiday light display, begins at 7 p.m., traveling from the Bayboro Marina, passing in front of The Pier and near the shore at Vinoy Basin. Spa Beach, The Pier and along the Vinoy offer the best views. Grandstand seating is available at Spa Beach Park for $10.
Central Fla.’s premier indie-crafter event, the Atomic Holiday Bazaar, returns Sat., Dec. 11, with hundreds of stylish vendors hawking cool handmade items and entertainment Saturday night — from Blind Buddy Moody, vaudevillian acts and Black Diamond Burlesque ($10 admission). Sarasota Municipal Auditorum, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. $5 for adults; free, kids 12 and younger.
Not in the holiday spirit yet? The Museum of Fine Arts Holiday Extravaganza offers you a chance to explore the Museum of Fine Arts’ featured exhibition Transcending Vision: American Impressionism 1870-1940 and partake in seasonal activities. Start with Breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. and stay the whole day for live music, seasonal tales and activities, and a pet parade. Exhibit starts at 11 a.m. The Adoptable Pet Parade begins at 1 p.m. and the contest for mixed-breeds only starts at 2 p.m. The categories include: best dog trick, biggest and smallest lap dog, name that breed, American Melting Pot Idol (best singing dog), and biggest owner/smallest dog and smallest owner/biggest dog. The awards are announced at 3:30. Meet service dog Jim Lee (pictured), bred and trained by Southeast Guide Dogs in Palmetto. Sat., Dec. 11. Breakfast: $10 for kids, $15 for adults. MFA admission: One child free for every paid adult. Adults: $16, Seniors: $14, Students: $10. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. 727-896-2667. fine-arts.org.
Holiday Hoopla, Gulfport's annual arts and crafts celebration in a waterfront atmosphere, offers roving holiday characters, colorful lights and decorations. Stroll the decorated streets filled with up to 200 exhibitors and unique shops. Local school bands, choral groups and local musicians perform. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit from 1 to 6 p.m. and are available for photos with children adults and pets. Plus, the Boca Ciega Yacht Club is holding its 25th Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade that evening. This year the parade begins at the Gulfport Municipal Marina at approximately 6 p.m. It will then travel past the Casino and Williams Fishing Pier in Gulfport and into the canals of Town Shores Condominiums. Gulfport offers some of the area's finest restaurants, pubs and cafes for revelers to relax between activities. Also, donations will be collected for Operation Santa (New Toys/Gift cards, etc.), The Gulfport Senior Center Foundation (Non perishable food and toiletries) and Get Rescued (pet food and cat litter). Sat., Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. For more information, visit gulfportma.com or call 727-322-5217. Beach Boulevard, Gulfport.
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Kitch meets couture at Artpool's Wicked Winter Wonderland, an alternative art-music-fashion party. Features designs by Nina Verklas, Erin Armstrong, Pamela Roehm, Mark Byrne, Yvonne Chansley, Doug Wright, Kimberly Hendrix, Cindy Linville, Bunny Couture Bikinis, Sharon Steel, Davinia Veila, Brandy Stark, Anomalous Designs, Diva's Joy by Neva and Joyce, Angela Mier and others; plus, a designer market, live DJs, bands and indoor art show. Sat., Dec. 11, 8-11 p.m. $10 in advance through Dec 10; order at artpoolgallery.com $15 at door. VIP seating $35; student, $10 (with proper ID). ArtPool, 919 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-324-3878.
This weekend, Tampa Theatre’s holiday classics features White Christmas, the beloved remake of Holiday Inn that stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen and features the music of Irving Berlin.3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Tampa Theatre. Arrive early for the holiday Sing-along with the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (with song lyrics on the screen) before the movie.
It’s hard to pin down what lies behind Doug Benson’s unique slacker mystique – his deadpan delivery? His sh**-eating grin between jokes? Benson’s charm might also have to do with how cleverly he walks the line between stoner space cadet and school-yo-ass.
The comedian describes his Comedy Central show, The Benson Interruption, as “a bouillabaisse of fun and awkwardness” — so true. On the program, he sits in a plush, upright chair at stage left while a stand-up comic attempts to perform a routine, which he interrupts surreptitiously. He asks questions, commiserates and adds his own material, but doesn’t undermine the act (though it would be so easy). The result is a friendly and sometimes smart-ass exchange with random hilarity. They even compete in a “Tweet-off.” Benson also starred in Super High Me, the 2007 herb-infused riff on Morgan Spurlock’s famous McDocumentary, and has been a regular on VH-1’s The Best Week Ever. He also currently hosts the Doug Loves Movies podcast, recorded live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Dec. 9-11 at the Tampa Improv, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa; show times 8 p.m. Thurs., 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri., 7:30 and 10 p.m. Sat. and 7 p.m. Sun. $16-$18. improvtampa.com.
’Tis the season for religion spoofs, and now it’s the turn of Tampa Bay’s favorite controversial belief system and property purveyors. Yes, folks, we’re talking about the big guns of Scientology, who base their spiritual headquarters in Clearwater and are the landlords of the publication you’re reading now. American Stage’s one-hour revue A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant begins with six children gathering on a cold winter night to rejoice in telling the story of L. Ron Hubbard during their holiday pageant. Variety calls the pageant “equal parts adorable and creepy, hilarious and unsettling, making it way more compelling than your average holiday entertainment.” The show introduces audiences to the tenets of Scientology and its creator in musical form, including special appearances by many of Scientology’s celebrity practitioners as puppets and the possible arrival of the almighty Xenu himself. Says American Stage: “See why the president of the Church of Scientology tried to shut this play down (before we get closed down).” Pictured are cast members Alison Lea Bender, Jared Porter and Stephen Ray. Dec. 9 thru 22 at American Stage Theatre Company, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, as part of the theater’s After Hours Series. For tickets, call 727-823-7529 or americanstage.org.
This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2010.