Here's something hearwarming and inspirational to kick off the week: The feature documentary Age of Champions showcases seven athletes at the 2009 Senior Games, athletes with unstoppable spirits in their quest for gold — among them, 101-year-old Tampa tennis champion Roger Gentilhomme (pictured, right). The film can be seen today at a special one-time-only screening at the Straz.
Tampa tennis star Gentilhomme has recently appeared on Martha Stewart Living and Regis & Kelly. He was awarded the Florida Athlete of the Year Award by former Gov. Charlie Crist, inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame, and has competed in senior tennis tournaments around world. In June, he will head to Houston, where he will be the oldest athlete competing in the 2011 National Senior Games. He will be 102. Roger will take questions from the audience following each screening of the film.
Also in attendance will be stars of the movie The Tigerettes, 65-plus women’s basketball national champs. and attend a lecture by Dr. Mike Murray: “What Drug Companies Won’t Tell You!” and the free Super Seniority Health Fair (free to the public) begins at noon and ends at 5 p.m. Tickets for the screening are $10 at the door or $8 online. Show times for the film are 3:30, 6:30 p.m. at the Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center. $10; $8 at documentaryfoundation.org.
AGE OF CHAMPIONS trailer from Documentary Foundation on Vimeo.
Relive the radio days of the 1940s and be a part of a studio audience during WMNF Radio Theatre Project, a live broadcast of a play reading. The next installment of Studio@620 WMNF live broadcast is Cuban Bread, a play in 15 scenes set in 1930s Ybor City. Written and directed by Denis Calandra, it's been adapted for radio by Matt Cowley and Denis Calandra. The story focuses former anarchist firebrand Alfonso Rivera, who's hired by cigar workers as a lector to read aloud to them while they work. Much of the play's action is set in a context of music and fantasy, but it was inspired by real events that occurred in 1931-32. $10; $5 students or seniors over 65. 7 p.m. $10, $5 for students; signing provided for the hearing impaired. Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-895-6620. wmnf.org.
2011 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition opens today at USF Centre Gallery. From the cutting-edge to the traditional and all points in between, the works selected are described as a "tantalizing hint of 'The Next Wave' in ceramic art." See some works exploring a variety of materials, methods and concepts by Ryan Blackwell, Heidi Casto, Steven Colby, Robin Dupont, Brett Freund and others. Opening receptions are 7-9 p.m. on Friday, March 25, in the Centre Gallery, MSC 2700, and the William and Nancy Oliver Gallery, FAS building. March 25-April 13. Free. Phyllis P. Marshall Center, USF-Tampa, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-974-5464. ctr.usf.edu/gallery.
