Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest
What: Think Pink Where: The Vinoy Park Hotel, St. Pete; The Don Cesar, St. Pete Beach Must-Do? Says Who? The old Must-Do List Casualties: $40 for 4 drinks—a Bourbon and a 7&7 at the Vinoy; a Pina Colada and a Tequila Sunrise at the Don Cesar. Sometimes it's fun to play pretentious. The Vinoy and…
Naked and furless
Dan Mathews is the Vice President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the man responsible for the “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur†campaign. He stopped by the offices of Creative Loafing this morning to chat about his book, Committed: A Rabbel-Rouser’s Memoir. The most obvious question to me was…
The Short List — Tues., Aug 7
Free drugs, price cuts, new owners, nervous investors, lying public officials, stoned batsmen, shocking stats and record heat. We've got it all today. Publix announces it's giving away free drugs!!! Sadly, all the drugs are of the legal variety and by prescription only. The Tampa Bay Lightning have been sold to a group known as…
The Brunettes: Structure & Cosmetics
Here's my review of The Brunettes album released today. Structure & Cosmetics THE BRUNETTES Sub Pop You could argue that subversive pop music is an oxymoron, but listening to The Brunettes' Structure & Cosmetics might just make you buy that contradictory term. The Brunettes’ Wall of Sound bends. We hear a Spectorian colossus of guitar,…
Getting Well Gets A Little Cheaper
As a relatively recent addition to the CL full-time payroll, I'm still in benefit limbo until September 1st. So, when I was diagnosed with pneumonia (it's just walking pneumonia, so I can still get around) earlier today, I asked my doctor for the cheapest antibiotics. If only I had known about this just a few…
Release the Hounds!
What: Betting the quiniela at the dogtrack Where: Derby Lanes Must-Do? Says Who? The old list; mild curiosity Casualties: $4 betting on USS Firestorm to place and Miss Tiff to win Notable Quotable: "Those dogs seem awfully unhappy." The dogs howled; the trainers unmuzzled 'em and jogged off; the mechanical rabbit came bounding 'round the…
The Short List — Mon., Aug. 6
I'm melting! I'm melting!! If congress further tramples your right to privacy, but it's over the weekend and no one is paying attention, does it still count? Be careful of your answer; the FBI is listening. The richest man in the world is a guy named Slim. By the numbers, a tally of items the…
Sangria Expands, Triggering Potential Tapas Overload
Sangria is adding the former home of Grey Flannel Gallery to its Main Street Sarasota location. This expansion will add over 2100 square feet (roughly doubling the space) and should be completed sometime in the Fall. The restaurant will remain open for most of that time, with a short week to two week closure just…
Top 10: Greatest guitar solos
Rolling Stone recently posted a list of "Coolest Guitar Solos." Smashing Pumpkins' "Soma†was nominated in lieu of anything by Jimi Hendrix. That just ain’t right. Here’s my list. 1. "The Star Spangled Banner," Jimi Hendrix Still the best. Need a refresher course? Click here. 2. "You Don't Love Me/Soul Serenade," The Allman Brothers Band…
Battle of the Bulge
What: Conquer the Thrill Hill Where: 3rd St. South, St. Pete (just south of USF) Must-Do? Says Who? The old Must-Do list (which suggests 34 mph). Too many drunk USF students to count. (Don’t drink and drive). Casualties: Coccyxsphyxiation Notable Quotable: “Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!†At first the Thrill Hill was elusive. In a moment of late-night inspiration,…
Indian Headstand
Position: The woman involved takes her weight on her hands and with her arms outstretched. The man stands on the floor, leans his knees against the edge of the bed and grips her waist for more support. While she puts her feet under his arms to steady herself, she will still need a lot of…
Iris DeMent unveils evocative new songs
Here's a rough draft of my Iris DeMent concert review that will run in the Creative Loafing that hits newsstands Aug. 8. Iris DeMent w/Jason Wilber, Thurs. Aug, 2, Tampa Theatre Iris DeMent delivered an emotive performance peppered with pleasant surprises. The crowd hung on her every word. Unlike at most concerts, the new songs…
The Short List — Fri., Aug. 3
Good job this week people. Everyone take the next two days off. Women in major cities now earning as much as or more than their male counterparts. Thus far, no rally has been planned to protest this burgeoning inequality. Who among us could have predicted the Minnesota bridge collapse? Certainly none of the government officials…
The Short List — Thurs., Aug. 2
No matter how many times I see it, I'll always be amazed by the way emergency responders dive into twisted wreckage, risking life and limb to save the helpless and injured. Can't we call off the war and give these people a raise? All the Minnesota bridge collapse news that's fit to print. Al-Qaeda releases…
You Want Local? I’ll Give You Local!
Yeah, the locavore eating trend is hitting its stride, as evidenced by the massive interest in books like Plenty and Animal, Vegetable, Mineral (as well as this piece in the Times). But, as we all know, eating local takes work. The easiest way to take advantage of our local growing season is by joining an…
Blind Buddy Moody: ‘Don’t put mustard on your ice cream’
Check out the interview Creative Loafing intern Ted Scheinman did with Blind Buddy Moody, a hardcore troubadour of the highest order. CL: How do you feel about the way Nashville is going? BB: Well, uh, haha, I dunno. I mean the country they’re callin’ now is more like the rock and roll of the 60s,…
Snuffed Out: Ybor Cigar Theater looks toward its inevitable closure
PROTEST: At a recent Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association meeting, Blake Emory (Satan) stabs James Courtney (Jesus representing the arts) with the “spear of development†during a protest of the new proposal for the Oliva Cigar Factory. CREDIT: Courtesy of Blake Emory After more than a year inside the one-of-a-kind Oliva Cigar Factory in Ybor…
Guilty (and pathetic) pleasures
I’ve developed a hopeless love-hate relationship with my Bright House Networks-hosted Digital Video Recorder, which allows me to record pretty much anything I might miss on television at any time on any given day of the week. Which means I’m drowning in a sea of reality television and I can’t seem to come up for…
Gettin’ our Garcia on
What: Celebrate the birthday of Jerome Garcia (1942-1995) Where: "Look out of any window, any morning, any evening, any day" Must-Do? Says Who? circa 4 billion Deadheads; common decency Casualties: few brain cells here & there; what they used to call "hang-ups" Greatest Guitar Solo: take yer pick. I say the 18-minute 'Fire on the…
Blind Buddy Moody at Dave’s Aqua Lounge
What: The Blind Buddy Moody concert Where: Dave's Aqua Lounge Must-Do? Says Who? Wade Tatangelo; the ghost of Jimmie Rodgers Casualties: $12 for beers & whiskey sours Notable Quotable: "I’d like to dedicate this song to anyone with drinking problems or problems enough to drink.†“I’ve played everything from churches to honky-tonks,†Buddy told me…
Jerry Garcia birthday bash
Creative Loafing interns Ted Scheinman and Brian Reed alerted me that today is Jerry Garcia's birthday. To celebrate, Scheinman spearheaded this list with help from Reed, Events Editor Leilani Polk, and myself. Here it is: TOP 10: Ways to celebrate Jerry Garcia's birthday 1. Hold a be-in, including tie-dye, exotic tea, and Ginsbergian breathing exercises.…
The Short List — Wed., Aug. 1
Bring out your dead! The corpses are piling up, and yet, somehow, Dick Cheney and Keith Richards keep on breathing. Is there no justice? R.I.P. Tom Snyder. (Terrific nighttime talk host) R.I.P. Bill Walsh. ("The Genius") R.I.P. Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni. (Two of the greatest filmmakers) R.I.P. The Wall Street Journal. (A formerly great…
Nickel Creek show canceled
Just got this email from Jannus Landing : "Due to scheduling conflicts within the band, Nickel Creek's show at Jannus Landing on 10/11/07 has been canceled. Refunds are available at place of purchase."
Smashing Pumpkins: Zeitgeist
Here's my review of the new Smashing Pumpkins CD. It will run in the Spins section of the Creative Loafing that hits newsstands Aug. 8. Zeitgeist SMASHING PUMPKINS Martha’s Music/Reprise It’s understandable that people are excited at the mere mention of a new Smashing Pumpkins release. For many Gen-Xers, new music hasn’t mattered much since…
Outtakes
This Week at the Movies
Wilson, Akre’s FCC challenge dismissed
The Federal Communications Commission has ended one of the most bitter and protracted media disputes in the Tampa Bay area. In a July 23 ruling, the FCC found that Fox 13, WTVT did not distort the news about a milk additive. Two reporters sought to have the FCC revoke WTVT's license, claiming they were fired…
Upcoming concerts
Projekt Revolution, Incubus, The Cure
Spins
Jason Isbell, Prince, Monterey International Pop Festival
The Reviews are In …
Creative Loafing's purchase of the Washington City Paper and the Chicago Reader last week drew some interesting — and sometimes emotional — comments on those two alt-weeklie's blogs and in national coverage. Here's a sample: "Ye gods! Right when I'm on vacation from the paper for three weeks! Sure hope you're all there when I…
Ron Paul: On Fire Online
The Texas congressman preaches simply the Constitution
Wine List
Wine tastings and dinners
Mail bonding
Feedback from readers and drinkers
Below the Surface
FilmSaturday, August 4
Teaching the Teacher
A journey to Tanzania underscores the privileged life we take for granted
The Seven Deadly Sins of Kid Culture
One dad runs interference against the worst of children’s entertainment
Live in ’64 and ’79
Chet Baker
S’Real Good Time
ArtFriday, August 4
Live in New Orleans
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
Breakaway
The value of vacation, especially in a place where the rules are relaxed
Cl previews upcoming shows
Iris Dement, Hot Tuna, Saliva
White-Collar Comedy
FundraiserTuesday, August 7
See & Do Planner
CL's must-do list for the week of Thurs., Aug. 2-Wed., Aug. 8 02Opera Tampa hosts a free screening of the 1976 film version of Puccini's Napoleonic era opera, Tosca. A talkback with Opera Tampa's new artistic advisor and Tosca star Sherrill Milnes follows. 7 p.m., TECO Theater-Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. 03Hot Tuna (Jack…
Doing the Bay Area Proud
Southeast Music Alliance 5 Year Anniversary Concert, John Mayer, Talib Kweli
Sex, Drugs and Misogyny
TheaterWednesday, August 8
Seth Federman
Aspiring director
The Absent-Minded Assassin
The Bourne Ultimatum
Her Own Way
Don’t rush Iris Dement for new material
Gardens in Largo
AttractionsMonday, August 6
No Wei
Even fast food shouldn’t be this poorly prepared
Did the Indian Partition of 1947 cause 9/11?
Your War Questions Answered
Tosca on Screen
Classical Music/FilmThursday, August 2
Fear and Loafing
We’re not a media giant, but among the midgets, we are gargantuan
Military Movies
Two movies that focus on individuals who serve in the U.S. military are screened tonight as part of The Studio@620's Ironweed Film Club. The first is All That I Can Be, a film produced and edited by students at midtown Manhattan's Educational Video Center over the course of the 2004-05 school year. The nine-minute docu-short…
Radiation Vibe
Radiators cook at Skipper’s; Slayer can’t kill at Ford Amp
Stand Up: A Benefit CD
Various Artists
From Booze to Books
MusicSunday, August 5
Leftovers
In grocery stores filled with out-of-season, barely ripe fruits and veggies shipped in from around the world, corn is one of the few foodstuffs that still ties us to a season. July and August are corn's prime time, the golden ears positively bursting with sugar, waiting to be husked and consumed. If all you know…
Bowl of Strawberries
Bergman, Snyder, Aquafina
The Promised Land
Overcoming obstacles in pursuit of a dream in El Cantante
Mall Madness
Blue Martini is too close to it
Building up Hope
A local activist proposes repurposing the existing home of the Tampa Museum of Art
