Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark on your calendar:
The Square One art collective has put on some memorable art parties, and its third annual installment looks like another super-duper audio-visual blowout. Organizers say they expect 2,000 people to attend Berlin, an event featuring 100 local artists and more than 40 musicians, dancers, models and performers. The bash includes performances by Bella Danza, VYB Dance Company, Mighty Mongo, up-and-coming pop band 10th Concession, and a “Fashion Show Experience” by Paul Raymond, and the theme revolves around creative expression and artistic freedom in a time of separation. An art installation will represent the Berlin Wall, comprising cinder blocks individually decorated and painted by participating artists. Attendees are encouraged to incorporate the color purple into their attire. Artists and performers include some well-known names throughout the bay area — Bluelucy, Brandon Dunlap, Square One director Okesene Tilo, Rhonda J. Nelson, Melissa Fair, RJ Runas, Robert Wegmann, Ryan Prado and Westbuk. A portion of the door donations and artist sales benefit the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and Arts' High School Art Stars scholarship program. 7 p.m.-midnight, Sat., Nov. 13, Ritz Theatre, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $2; squareoneflorida.com. Photo by Ryan Prado: www.ryanprado.com. The model in the photo is Jessica Hurst.
Count down to the holidays with a New Year’s Eve in November. Proceeds go to Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center, a non-profit that gives physically and mentally challenged individuals unique opportunities for artistic expression. The event commemorates a new year for Creative Clay — more specifically, its 15th anniversary — with visual and performance art exhibits, a silent auction, raffle, fashion show and a 16-piece jazz orchestra. Artist David McCurry and former press secretary for President Bill Clinton, Michael McCurry, make appearances. Host Mark Wilson, Fox-Ch. 13 news anchor, amuses the crowd, and State Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-Dist. 13 gives the requisite champagne toast. One might peg this as a pricey affair with such VIPs in attendance, but admission is free. However, it is a fundraiser, so donations will be solicited throughout the program. 6 p.m. Fri., Nov. 12, the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. For information, e-mail betsy@creativeclay.org or call 727-825-0515.
It’s a little early, but not that early for holiday gift shopping. Bypass the big-box stores — at least, for just a bit — to attend I Love Africa on Nov. 18, an authentic marketplace with African music, dance and regional cuisine throughout the night. All proceeds benefit One City Ministries, founded three years ago by local couple Deb and Mike Gilbert. The couple founded the organization after a tragic loss — the death of their 18-year-old son from an accidental overdose. The Gilberts looked outward to cope — way outward — to the far-flung reaches of an impoverished village in Uganda, and left the comfort of their Lutz home to work there. With the help of the Gilberts’ daughters and friends, One City’s mission has made extraordinary strides, recently acquiring a 23-acre parcel from the Ugandan government to construct a sustainable village. The organization provides workshops, basic nutrition education, hygiene, first aid, support for schools and teachers, and management of a food program for schoolchildren. 6 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 18, at Covenant Church, Fletcher and Lake Magdalene avenues, Tampa; $15 advance, $20 at the door; for more information, visit onecity.ws. —JG
This article appears in Nov 11-17, 2010.