Baking Week: Wake, Bake and Decorate this (unintentionally) Vegan Cake
I get paid to decorate cakes. Or, rather, I get paid to teach other people how to decorate cakes. A sweet deal, no pun intended. Helping others do what I love is a real hoot, and this summer's class really churned out some nice ones. Cake decorating is simple: You need desire. You need drive.…
Do It This Weekend: Wearable Art Show, skate deck art, Mamma Mia! and more
The great American wordsmith, Nelly, once said, "It's gettin' hot in here, so take off all your clothes." The Dunedin Fine Arts Center folks took that literally for the fifth annual shed their duds, opting instead for couture art in a runway show that promises to be "hotter than ever." That's a lot to live…
Do It Today: Joni Mitchell tribute, Surrealist art opening and more
Today's selection for the Joni Mitchell (pictured), a talented artist who spoke her mind about current issues without sacrificing her mainstream appeal. Explore the experiences that influenced her style via archival footage, performance videos and interviews with Mitchell, and prolific artists like (former boyfriend) Graham Nash, James Taylor and Herbie Hancock. Mindy Simmons performs live…
Brewery tour in pictures: Atlanta Brewing Company
With 15 years in the beer making game and distribution in several Southern states, Atlanta Brewing Company is the oldest operating brewery in Georgia. It all began with the malty brown Red Brick Ale – which won a gold medal at the 1998 World Beer Cup. In addition to Red Brick, the flagship brews include…
Photo review: Fake Problems, Ninja Gun, Glasgow and John Gold
Fun Friday at Transitions Art Gallery featuring Fake Problems, Ninja Gun, Glasgow, and John Gold on August 7th, 2009. There was a great crowd of enthusiastic music lovers who bravely fought the torrential Tampa rains for a full evening of fabulous music and a few freezer pops thrown in for good measure. Fake Problems Fake…
Do It Today: See Guv’nor Crist in Outrage, Dave Matthews Band and more
Back by popular demand, WMNF presents a screening of Academy Award-nominated director Kirby Dick's documentary Outrage, about the secret life of politicians who lambaste the LGBT communities to which they secretly belong — including our own hometown hero, Charlie Crist (pictured). You can check out Joe Bardi’s review here. Proceeds benefit WMNF. Visit wmnf.org for…
Dear Costume Diva: Charlie Brown comes to town
Dear Diva, I am the student director of a production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. It is a fundraiser for Blake High School theater department. Because it's a fundraiser, I am trying to budget everything while still bringing high quality visuals to our black box theater. This musical is blocked so the actors…
On the Radar: Some Like It Hot at NOVA 535
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today’s edition is a super NOVA event (I had to go there) — that combines the worlds of fashion, art and music in one bumpin' shebang. A fantastic fusion of couture art, music and fashion collide at the Some…
Tourist throws mug at Mona Lisa, but no damage done to Mona Lisa’s mug
An attack on a Louvre masterpiece is, of course, nothing to be laughed at, but you can't miss the droll undercurrent in this report today from telegraph.co.uk about a Russian tourist who employed a unique if handy weapon in her assault on the Mona Lisa: Screams erupted from the 40-odd tourists jostling for position around…
Concert review: Friday night heat with Poetry n’ Lotion and Nervous Turkey (pics and video)
The night was hot and post-rainstorm muggy this past Friday, August 7 at New World Brewery, where an ever-swelling crowd of Bay area folks (270 paid) had stopped in to enjoy a double bill of quality local music — Poetry n’ Lotion (pictured at left, photo by Phil Bardi) and Nervous Turkey — and toast…
The greatest movie coaches of all time (video)
One of the more interesting sports debates of all time is: What is the greatest sports movie ever made? Hoosiers, The Longest Yard, Rocky, Raging Bull, Cinderella Man, The Natural, Field of Dreams, Caddyshack, Slapshot and yes, even Talladega Nights all have their merit. But what makes a great sports movie? Is it the plot?…
Runners’ rules: Learning Bayshore Boulevard etiquette
My first experience on Bayshore Boulevard was nearly a year ago, on a gorgeous day in the fall — sunny and breezy. My brother Phil had suggested we spend the day walking along Bayshore. This was the day I was introduced to Bayshore Etiquette. “First, you should know that there is absolutely no stopping on…
The Twilight Saga: New Moon teaser trailer premieres (with video)
Get ready Twilight fans. Here's your first look at the next film in the Twilight "Saga", titled New Moon. Drop some Clear Eyes into your peepers before you watch, though. At 16 seconds, if you blink you'll miss the whole thing. Full video (all 16 seconds!) after the jump …
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Tuesday, August 11: Publix Apron’s Cooking School Hispanic Techniques. Learn to inject Latin flavor into your cooking in this four-part series of cooking classes. The course menu borrows from many Hispanic traditions, and includes: rellenos de papas; rice and beans with calabaza; salted codfish stewed in tomatoes and olives; coconut ice cream; cucumber soup; hearts…
New music releases for Tuesday, August 11: How To Speak Hip and other discerning advice.
Recommended New Releases for August 11, 2009 We're doing something a little different and recommending some of what we consider to be the better and/or more unusual new music you'll find at Vinyl Fever this week. Del Close & John Brent – How To Speak Hip I'd been on the hunt for this record ever…
Running with the Stinky Drinkers: Vampire squirrels, “bonking” and the best spinach ever at Diner 437
(The Stinky Drinkers are a band of merry runners in training for the Women's Running Magazine Women's Half-Marathon on November 22nd. These are their stories from the road…) As the lightning flashed above, beyond and behind downtown St. Pete's Vinoy Park, four runners sat in a Nissan discussing the science of conductivity. It was a…
Corkscrew: White wine with steak keeps you cool
I walk in the door with sweat still dewing my face, having just transitioned from goosebumpy temps at the office, walking through roasting heat, then into a baking sauna doubling as my dark-blue vehicle. In ninety-five degrees, the A/C has little hope of keeping up and it groans under the stress. I refocus on positive…
DVD Review: 17 Again starring Zac Efron & Matthew Perry
I recently got an e-mail reminding me that it's been 10 years since I graduated high school. So, when I sat down to watch 17 Again, I realized I wasn't exactly the target audience. Still, I was hoping for something to identify with beyond a Zac Efron love-fest and a bunch of 20-something actors playing…
Levi Johnston & Kathy Griffin-Johnston: Please make it be so (video)
Of course it's not: it's merely another example of Griffin, I mean Griffin-Johnston, brilliantly manipulating the media and the notion of stardom. She's now not only mocking other celebrities, she is a celebrity, or maybe a meta-celebrity: a star who's a star for being aware that stardom is a crock and yet craving it anyway,…
Vegetarians’ Dilemma: What happens to all the male chicks?
(This is the first in a series of posts where we look behind the curtain at how omnivores, vegetarians, vegans and raw-foodists justify what they eat. No value judgments, just information.) If you chose a vegetarian lifestyle to avoid playing a part in the millions of animal deaths necessary for meat production, you'd better put…
Concert announcement: Thievery Corporation (video)
DC's Thievery Corporation — made up of DJ duo Rob Garza, Eric Hilton (both pictured) and their vibrantly diverse ensemble of performers — produces a lounge-lush fusion of electronica, reggae, acid jazz, psychedelia and the world flavors of India and Brazil. They put on a pretty heady stage show and are bringing it to the…
Thanks, John Hughes, for getting me here in one piece
If Judy Blume got me through my pre-teen years (we didn’t call them ‘tweens back then), John Hughes got me to adulthood. Hearing about his death as I stare down the double barrel of my 40th birthday reinforces the inevitable march of time. I need no more deaths of 80s icons to remind me that…
St. Petersburg College and Tampa Bay green building chapter announce partnership
St Petersburg College’s Corporate Training Office announced a partnership with the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter (FGCC) of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a comprehensive sustainable building operations training course based on the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system. The course will be available August 17th. According to the USGBC,…
Rock n’ Weird Thursday: Flexxehawk, Insect Joy and ST37 at New World (video)
"Tampa misses so much cool shit," my friend Brian Repetto of Insect Joy turns to me and whispers through a cigarette smoke exhale. New World Brewery, Thursday, August 6. One of those nights in Y-bore that turn out really fun because you conned a few friends to hang out and support local music. "Oh well,…
Steven Spielberg saves Halo … maybe
Halo is one of the biggest video-game franchises of all time. When Peter Jackson announced he would bring the beloved franchise to the big screen, geeks everywhere were transformed into little kids on Christmas Eve. Sadly, the holiday quickly morphed into a trick-filled Halloween as first Jackson's financing fell through, then Hellboy director Guillermo del…
Photo Review: Suburban Home Records Tour with Two Cow Garage, Austin Lucas and others at The Social
The Suburban Home Records Tour featuring Austin Lucas, Two Cow Garage, Mike Hale, and Damion Suomi took The Social by storm this past Thursday, August 6. It was definitely worth the drive from Tampa to see this outstanding Americana line-up. (More photos and info after the jump.)
Tampa girl goes Hollywood: Filmmaker Rachel Jones interview
Filmmaker everywhere from China to Hollywood, where, she says, life is exhausting because everybody is trying to be somebody. Indie film sets are her stomping ground; movie premieres her excuse to dress up. She was the art department coordinator for her most recent project to hit the big screen, the Sundance hit Cold Souls, starring…
On the Radar: Die, Mommie, Die at American Stage
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today's edition is a fundraising theater event at American Stage. The Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project presents Die, Mommie, Die, next week's installment in the The Summer Nights of Alternative Theater Series. The show benefits the Metropolitan Charities, providing services…
Do It Today: Mamma Mia! at Ruth Eckerd, Warhol exhibit in St. Pete
Every time I think the musical theater world has outdone itself (surely nothing is sillier than "Springtime for Hitler" or more laughable than actors costumed as Cats channeling T.S. Eliot?) somebody goes and proves me wrong. This time, it's the ABBA-licious Mamma Mia!, which opens tonight at Ruth Eckerd Hall. The fact that anyone was…
Nudity News: Ashley Green and Miley Cyrus Boogaloo (SFW video)
Ah to be a young celebrity, where the proof that you're just as normal and foolish as the people who line up to see your shows is plastered all over the internet. Such joy! Not far behind in the wake of last week's Nude Celebrity news comes confirmation of nude Ashley Green pictures. You may…
Ronald McDonald gets a pie in the face from PETA protester
This is an interesting way to protest McDonald's and draw attention to oneself: Courtesy of Nicole Matthews, PETA A woman who identified herself as a PETA member and was dressed as a giant chicken hit Ronald McDonald with a vegan custard pie at the “grand” opening of the new McDonald’s in the Hancock Village Shopping…
Marvel Milestones: Spider-Man, Hulk… Jennifer Aniston?
If Brad Pitt hadn't left Jennifer Aniston for Angelina Jolie, it's highly unlikely the two actresses would ever be compared. But he did — and so, they are. I find them both very beautiful. I think they're both amazing actresses. But there's an obvious difference, nose jobs aside: they're two different types of entertainers. One…
Small plates must die
Small plates must die I'm over small plates. It doesn't matter if you call them sharing plates, crudi, mezze, tapas, appetizers or dim sum. Two things invariably happen when I eat at one of the "small plates" peddlers: 1) I spend way more than is reasonable and 2) I leave hungry. There were a couple…
Jesus. Gay. I’m not kidding.
I find it utterly ridonkulous that "pro-gay" is even an issue. That's like saying "pro-black," "pro-homo-sapien" or "pro-wipe-then-look-at-it." It's just inevitable. Like chicken pox. It's not a fucking choice, people. Hi. Hello. Welcome to the 21st century. Nice to see you here. Try the punch. Take a name tag, and write on it with a…
Must-see show: Sick Puppies at State Theatre
I don't know about you, but I am a huge Sick Puppies fan. Maybe it's the Australian accents, or maybe it's just the bad-ass music, or maybe it's both. This love affair started in 2007 when the threesome debuted with Dressed Up as a Life. Songs like "World," "Pitiful" and "All The Same" brought out…
Rules of attraction: the art of affairs
Not every marriage is open to multiple sexual partners like mine, but the overwhelming desire to fuck someone other than your spouse is as common as arguments over whose turn it is to take out the trash. The difference between cheaters and those stuck in 10+ year marriages with infrequent sex and constant nagging, is that…
Refresh your mind, body and spirit by reconnecting with nature
and Twitter leaves little time to get back to the basics and connect with the planet we live on. Our day-to-day environment has changed so much from the way people used to live centuries ago. The key is to take the modern advantages of today and combined the ancient wisdom to create that which coincides…
Sustainable beer 101: A guide to growlers
There's a new phenomenon spreading around town – the growler. It's essentially a big jug that can be filled and refilled with beer. A common storage and fermentation accessory used by homebrewers, this awesome artifact of beer culture is beginning to enjoy greater visibility and mainstream relevance. We've all been faced with the dilemma -…
An introduction to Lucero, which returns to Tampa Bay this November 13
This is a crosspost from my blog, ninebullets.net. I thought I'd post it here 'cause 95% of the folks reading ninebullets have every Lucero recording ever made, but I got to thinking that a good portion of Daily Loaf's readership probably hasn't even heard of them. So I present you with this Lucero crash course,…
Radar: Gone With the Wind at the Tampa Theatre
Welcome to Radar, where we run down the up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today’s edition is a masterpiece of American cinema, which screens this weekend at the historic Tampa Theatre. The eight-time Oscar-winning epic our heroine, Scarlett O'Hara, is waging an emotional battle of her own. The charming Southern belle (played to…
The women of ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’
It's getting better and better to be a nerd. Geeky girls have taken over Playboy and Twitter. Our favorite franchises from when we were wee little nerds are coming to the silver screen, like this week's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. I won't comment on the quality of the film (in fact the Rabid One…
Behind the scenes: Acafool music video shoot
Production just wrapped on the set of local artist Acafool's music video "Let's Ride," a catchy hip-hop song featured in the movie Fast and Furious 4. As head makeup artist, I had exclusive access to every shot from the crew call at 8 p.m. to the 5 a.m. wrap. Check out the behind the scenes…
The peace sign as a symbol for random oral sex
I'm a frequent reader of secret blog sites. I love knowing what other people are hiding, the secrets dieing to be told, and professing my own secrets from time to time. I came across a particular secret, or maybe better described as a desire on a site called cavecanum. The author suggested that there should be…
Television review: Psych, Season 4, Episode 1
My favorite psychic crime fighting duo is back and better than ever for a fourth season of USA's '80s-obsessed mystery show, Psych. This is a show that will have you catching up on your Reagan-era trivia (rest in peace John Hughes), deleting those DVR'd episodes of the Mentalist, and asking yourself one question: "Are you…
Coldplay postpones Tampa show.
UK alt rockers Coldplay have postponed their Tampa show (and only stop in Florida) for unexplained medical reasons. Here's the official release from Ford Amphitheatre: COLDPLAY POSTPONES SHOW AT FORD AMPHITHEATRE – TAMPA Coldplay have been forced to postpone their show in Tampa on Sunday, August 9th for artist related medical reasons. Details of the…
Theater review: Jobsite’s Pericles rocks the Bay
Pericles is a fitting cap to Jobsite Theater's tenth season, a noisy, funny, unpredictable rock musical featuring the impressive guitar work of Joe Popp and the splendid performances of seven inspired actors. Neil Gobioff and Shawn Paonessa's adaptation of Shakespeare's play makes more sense than Shakespeare does; by turning the Bard's characters into Mafia thugs,…
This week @ the movies: G.I. Joe, Julie & Julia and A Perfect Getaway
After a string of huge summer blockbusters, Hollywood has finally shot its wad. Welcome to August, the traditional dumping ground of also-ran action movies, lame comedies, cloying rom-coms and at least one sleeper hit. Too bad that sleeper isn’t arriving this weekend. Instead, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is the huge national release. G.I.…
To commission: Stop water boarding responsible customers and dry out the water hogs
I thought the fuel injectors on my Jetta Diesel were pricey, until I saw what the Tampa Water Department recently charged the Yankees for a new water meter at George Steinbrenner Field – $42,000. According to the department , the fee is based on the amount of water that passes at peak demand. Water guzzlers are more…
Art review: Slow Death of a Flamingo at HCC Ybor Gallery
Because it’s hard to know these days whether to be cautiously optimistic that the recession might be ending or terrified that nobody knows what will happen next, contemplating Florida’s place in the economic (and, increasingly, environmental) miasma is a harrowing exercise. Artist Michael Parker has his own vision of the state’s fate, as expressed in…
Alison Egan-Lodjic – Contributor
I'm a recent graduate from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in Magazine Journalism. I'm new to the Tampa area and recently got married to a chef. I love all that is music, art and entertainment (and food) and I'm so excited to be a part of the Creative Loafing bunch. I'm…
Don’t leave: Study with the stars at St. Pete’s Artista Project
When customers pop into Central Art Supply Company to stock up on paintbrushes and pastels, co-owner Pat Jennings can’t help but be curious. Earlier this year, after an abundance of shoppers confessed to him that they were headed to workshops elsewhere (like North Carolina or New Mexico), curiosity gave way to inspiration — and the…
Reel Projections podcast: Tribute to John Hughes
On this week's very special Reel Projections podcast, Host Joe (that's me) is joined by PoHo Wayne Garcia for a conversation about the career of director John Hughes, who died on Thursday at the age of 59. Joe and the PoHo play audio clips from Hughes most famous movies and dissect the director's influence on…
Nudity news: Vanessa Hudgens, Montag, Leighton Meester and Lady Gaga (SFW)
Vanessa Hudgens has done it again. News is spreading that a new crop of nude pictures has surfaced of her on the net. Confirmation that the pictures were real came in the form of cease and desist letters issued by Hudgens' lawyers. According to the notices, the pictures were taken when Hudgens was still a…
Kevin’s Korner: Lindsay Lohan, Adam Sandler & Seth Rogen edition
Happy Friday, everyone, and welcome to another edition of Kevin's Korner, the column that gives you all the movie news you need — plus some you never knew you wanted. This week, we have Lindsay Lohan casting rumors, TV news, a hilarious Seth Rogen rejection video, the can't-miss trailer of the week and much more.…
Concert Photos: Not Tonight Josephine CD Release Party at State Theater
Tampa's own Not Tonight Josephine had a soldout crowd at the State Theater last weekend when they dropped their new EP, This Orphan Heart. The stylish quintet had a very well put together event, complete with solid opening bands (Drew Street Mary, Ghost of Gloria, Claiborne and Look Right Penny), an enthusiastic crowd and top-notch…
Concert announcements: Ted Lukas, Roger Daltrey, Deadmau5, Scott H. Biram and more.
In case you missed them, here's the latest batch of concerts announcements from the past week for your concert planning convenience. For a complete breakdown of area shows, visit our Upcoming Concerts page. Saturday, Aug. 29 Summer Jam 5 The Honorary Title w/Cory Branan/The Beauvilles/The Sheaks/Guiltmaker/Shunda K/Mogul Street Reserve/How Dare You/Blind Man’s Colour/MORE TBA (New…
Best Tax Evasion by an Anti-Taxer: The late Ralph Hughes
[About Daily Best of the Bay: Creative Loafing is posting writers' and editors' picks for Best of the Bay 2009 each day until the BOTB issue is released on Sept. 16. Vote now for your own BOTB choices in our Readers' Poll!] You gotta give Ralph Hughes points for consistency. For decades, he pulled strings behind…
Gulfport Goes Green Festival: bigger and greener than ever
If you have not heard of the Gulfport Goes Green Festival, you will likely soon enough. This monthly street festival has truly gained momentum with their green efforts towards this small Pinellas community. Not only do they have local artist displays and great food, they have also gone a step further and introduced other green…
A veteran runner and virgin hasher runs for beer (and boobs)
As promised, I attended a hash run last night. Let me start by saying that hashing is not for the meek, shy, conservative, or anyone opposed to running through backyards and barbed wire. Hashing is also not really for those in training mode, unless you use it as a recovery run. I heard that every…
Spirits Review: Finlandia Tangerine Fusion
I've expressed my disdain — if not actual dislike — for flavored drinks, and for vodka in general, so perhaps I'm not the ideal person to review this newish flavor from Finnish liquor company Finlandia. Or maybe my love for the hearty Fins and the frozen tundra they call home will counteract those ill feelings…
Worth the drive: Dethklok and Mastodon in Orlando
When Dethklok – the cartoon metal band depicted in Cartoon Network's Adult Swim series Metalocalypse – announced their forthcoming second album, I wrote about it with some measure of disbelief. How can a caricature of an entire vastly misunderstood subculture be not only musically competent, but legitimately good? I liked The Dethalbum far more than I ever…
‘Behind the Bedroom Door’ or what I learned about sex from middle-aged women
Why would I, a straight man, review a collection of essays about women's sex lives, and more importantly, why would I choose to do so on my honeymoon? Either I'm a caring husband searching for insight into pleasing my new wife, or I'm a calculating bastard researching ways to maneuver through discreet affairs. Whatever the…
Radar: Mamma Mia! at Ruth Eckerd
Welcome to Radar, where we run down the up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today’s edition is a jukebox musical featuring the hit songs of none other than '70s Swedish pop quartet, ABBA. Every time I think the musical theater world has outdone itself (surely nothing is sillier than "Springtime for Hitler" or…
The Unemployment Chronicles: New Beginnings
After four months of unemployment, 97 resume submittals, 12 interviews, four networking events, an immeasurable amount of time searching job boards, lots of anti-anxiety medication, an abundance of tears, and serious consideration of psychiatric intervention, it is over! I am no longer a prisoner of worry…worry about losing my home, worry about losing my skills, worry about…
John Hughes: The YouTube clips (with video)
When I heard that writer/director John Hughes had died in NY Thursday at the age of 59, my first instinct was to hit YouTube and check out some of his clips. This is the best of what I found that could embed): Ferris Bueller's Day Off All the best lines …
Kama Sutra: the wheel
On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate the position? I'd give it an 8, but my partner gave it a 3 Did you have difficulty getting into the position? Heck no! Did you feel like a pretzel? The beginning position is actually quite comfortable. It starts off in the typical "cowgirl,"…
Taylor Toothman – Contributor
Taylor has a Communication degree from Flagler College, where she was the A&E editor for the campus newspaper, The Gargoyle. She has a vast record collection, from Mozart to Led Zeppelin and Jane Fonda's Workout. She enjoys pistachios, outdoor concerts, and debating why ABBA is amazing. email:
Krystel Knowles – Contributor
Krystel Knowles was born in Tampa but lived in many different countries (Lima, Peru; Quebec, Canada; Nassau, Bahamas and Brazil) and states. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer for the past few years. She started taking pictures of her skateboarding friends when she was 15 and started writing for her school newspaper…
John Hughes dies at 59 without denouncing Communists
It's interesting what people say when a famous person dies. Knee-jerk reactions, non sequiturs, unexpected memories. And it's all there in the comments sections online. The following comment appeared on the New York Times' ArtsBeat blog upon the death of director John Hughes today, and wins some kind of prize for combining heartfelt eulogy with…
Gotta-have green item: Recycled tire rubber wallet
Everyone needs a good quality wallet and there is none better than The wallet from English retreads. This is a stunning but practical wallet that any man would love to receive. It’s a bi-fold wallet that is designed with a bill holder for cash and four credit card pockets. Its simple but functional design makes…
Robert Rodriguez rounds up an interesting cast for Machete
Originally one of the “fake” trailers in Grindhouse, Machete is now being turned into a full-length feature by director Robert Rodriguez. A report recently surfaced saying Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis had been looking at some interesting actors to round out the cast, and now Variety has all but confirmed the all-star ensemble.
Creative Loafing gets a green office makeover from Office Assistance Plus: Part 1
I'm a green office specialist and I've been privileged to be a contributor with the Creative Loafing Green Community since its launch this April. Sharing my green office tips through my posts recently led to an unexpected proposition from CL's online producer, Stephen Hammill. The proposition: to come to CL's office and consult with them on their office…
Red Sox vs. Rays: A blossoming rivalry
Rivalries are not born overnight. They must be genuine and not artificially created. The greatest historical sports rivalries like Red Sox/Yankees, Ohio State/Michigan and Duke/North Carolina are built upon decades of competition and hatred. Memorable victories and devastating losses. While mutual respect exists among rivals, a healthy resentment still brews. The players don't like each other. The fans despise one…
This weekend’s best bets in Bay area music, August 6-9
A quick breakdown of this weekend’s most worthy concerts beginning with Thursday, ’cause that’s when the weekend really starts, right? For a more comprehensive schedule of concerts, check out our Upcoming Events page. Thursday, August 06 guitarists, a percussionist on congas, and a stand-up bassist. Thurs., Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m., Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg, $15.…
Sneak peek: Alive in Joburg, the short film that inspired next week’s District 9
Virally marketed to hell ET flick District 9 will be invading multiplexes next Friday. I'll have a full review of the film in the paper and online next week (first impression: good but incomplete and a bit nonsensical), but for now you can get primed with a look at Neill Blomkamp's short film, Alive in…
Project Runway Season 6: Let’s play “Unfairly Judge the New Contestants!”
When I'm not stalking former Idol contestants, I’m counting down the days, OK the hours, til the next season of Project Runway begins Aug. 20. With just a couple weeks to go before the long-overdue season premiere, my Tim Gunn-themed Advent Calendar is getting a lot of use. Even though I’m pretty upset about that…
Roasted Tomato Soup recipe
One of the best things you can do to impart flavor to vegetables is to roast them in the oven on high heat. With just a little salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, you let the oven do the work and reap the rewards of a great soup base or side dish. It’s…
Blue August: A month-long dedication to the water on our planet
Having grown up on the beach, I learned that I could never completely shake the sand out of my shoes. I am forever imprinted with a stong connection to a shoreline. I was thrilled to discover the lastest project of one of my favorite websites – Treehugger.com. They have introduced Blue August – a month long…
Dirty talk 201
Hopefully you've mastered the lessons from Dirty Talk 101, and are ready for some more advanced word play in Dirty Talk 201. Men are very visual creatures who have overactive imaginations when it comes to sex. A man once told me his imagination was so good he could switch hands and swear he was with…
CD review: Crosby Loggins, Time To Move
Delilah called. She wants her "Brokenhearted Boyfriend" radio playlist back. Crosby son-of-Kenny Loggins will not be making music history any time soon. He may have won MTV's "Rock the Cradle" (an easy task when up against artists like Lil B. Sure), but that and a famous last name will only get you so far. His…
![Best Media Tweeters: [Tie] Jeff Houck of the Trib, Rommie Johnson](https://i0.wp.com/www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/03b3b_picture_4.png?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Best Media Tweeters: [Tie] Jeff Houck of the Trib, Rommie Johnson
[About Daily Best of the Bay: Creative Loafing is posting writers' and editors' picks for Best of the Bay 2009 each day until the BOTB issue is released on Sept. 16. Vote now for your own BOTB choices in our Readers' Poll!] With Jeff Houck (@TheStew) of The Tampa Tribune, you get food and dining coverage…
Radar: Wearable Art Fashion Show
Welcome to Radar, where we run down the up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today’s edition is a sizzlin' haute couture runway show. The great American wordsmith, Nelly, once said, “It’s gettin’ hot in here, so take off all your clothes.” The Dunedin Fine Arts Center folks took that literally for the fifth…
Anime conventions and random hand jobs
There are a lot of anime fans who'd prefer to never acknowledge that some of us get into the kind of antics stereotypically associated with wild frat parties or douche bags. Luckily for CL readers, I'm not that kind of anime fan. Just about all of my convention stories feature sex, booze, trips to adult…
Running with The Stinky Drinkers: Holley “Shok” Sinn on distance training, Black-Eyed Peas and caffeinated beer
To Stinky Drinker posting regulars, welcome back! If you're a newbie, then you should know that the Stinky Drinkers are a band of merry runners all training for the Women's Running Magazine Women's Half Marathon in downtown St. Pete on November 22nd. Our mission is to increase our mileage weekly throughout our training, and when…
CL Interview: Felix Cavaliere (of The Rascals)
Blue-eyed soul was a term coined in the '60s for white singers who could sing in an African-American style. Felix Cavaliere was among the first, and best, of the type (although his eyes are brown). In the latter half of the '60s, as lead singer for NYC-based The Rascals (initially the Young Rascals), Cavaliere set…
Taking in the classics at Tampa Theatre: Creature From the Black Lagoon in 3D
There are 14 entries for the word “classic” in my thesaurus, a fact I note when beginning my first blog for Creative Loafing’s film section. The reason I reference that particular adjective is because my first entry here deals with the historic Tampa Theatre and this past Sunday’s showing of Creature from the Black Lagoon…
Pre-order Lucero’s 1372 Overton Park, get songs free
Lucero's new album, 1372 Overton Park, may not be getting it's official release until October 6th but if you preorder it you'll be able to get a (6) song sampler from it today. The tracks included on the sampler are: 01. The Devil and Maggie Chascarillo 02. Sounds of the City 03. Hey Darling Do…
Believe it or not it’s just me: Introducing Music Editor Leilani Polk
Who the fuck is this person? you think with disgust as you read “Submit Comment” button. (Photo by jamesostrand.com) You have a valid point. Who the fuck am I and why does my opinion matter so much more than those other idiots who came before me who you also thought were chattering out of their…
Toilet paper and the environment: How wiping affects the world (video)
Our love for fancy, multi-layered toilet paper has major environmental consequences. Did you know that what you wipe with has a huge impact on the world? I bet most of you probably never thought about it, but it takes a lot of trees just to wipe your butt. Millions of trees are cut down each year,…
Concert review: Green Day at St. Pete Times Forum (more pics + setlist)
I’ll be completely honest and out myself as a Green Day fan, but the latest album, 21st Century Breakdown, just didn’t do it for me. For the St. Pete Times Forum show this past Monday, August 3, I sifted through the punkish, and Hot Topic fashion-entrenched crowds knowing that even if the new album wasn’t…
Living Sustainably in Tampa Bay: Darren Brinkley, owner of REAL Building
This column is the second in a series of profiles of people who do their part to live more sustainably in Tampa Bay. Darren Brinkley doesn't pretend to be the most environmentally responsible person in the world or the Tampa Bay area. He just feels that he is trying to do his part to preserve the world…
Movie Review: Julie & Julia is half a good movie (Meryl Streep’s half)
With just one word — “Butter!” — she’s got you. Meryl Streep slathers so much salacious joie de vivre onto that one line reading early in Julie & Julia that we know we’re in for a glorious ride. If only. Because, unfortunately, this movie is not just about Julia Child, godmother of French cooking in…
Restaurant Review: SoHo Sushi has so so sushi
SoHo Sushi 2.5 stars 3218 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-873-7646 or sohosushi.com I was taking CL contributor and local food blogger Jenna Weber to lunch and needed a place close to the office. Easy enough, but it also had to be healthy. That's Jenna's thing and, despite my devotion to bacon peanut brittle and beef…
Paula Abdul Twitters her farewell to American Idol
Somehow it's appropriate that Paula Abdul should abdicate her judge's throne on American Idol via Twitter. She's made twittering (lower case) a way of life, playing the twit to Simon's twat for years now. But was her resignation for real? The online reactions to her Twitter (TwitQuit? Quitter?) announcement last night range from surprised (HuffPo)…
SoHo Sushi does many things well, with some surprising exceptions
I was taking CL contributor and local food blogger Jenna Weber to lunch and needed a place close to the office. Easy enough, but it also had to be healthy. That's Jenna's thing and, despite my devotion to bacon peanut brittle and beef in all its forms, I tend to eat healthy meals as well.…
Are no-iron shirts made by soaking them in formaldehyde?
Plus: Did the South Atlantic anomaly cause that Air France crash?
Leilani Polk introduces herself as Creative Loafing’s music editor
Creative Loafing old hand Leilani Polk offers her offical introduction as the newbie music editor
Meryl Streep slathers so much salacious joie de vivre in new movie Julie & Julia
Julie & Julia would be twice as tasty with half the ingredients
I’m fat and afraid of impotence
Even these insecure men are capable of finding love.
Corkscrew: Drink well, save some money
Top 10 wines for the money right now.
Do you have an innie or outie vagina (NSFW)
Vaginas are a beautiful thing. They're soft, wet, warm, and inviting, and yet they come in as many models as there are cars on the road. Some even have a vagina preference. While many men like an outward protruding labia, others get off on vaginas totally concealed by the outer lips. I was at a…
Green Day punks Tampa Bay as the Rabid One gets his world rocked (Video)
You can’t beat an ass kicking rock concert with a female bombshell. Monday night Green Day, the Rabid One and a Punk Rock Princess I met on Craigslist almost melted down the former Ice Palace. (CL PHOTO review here) The Grammy winning band, last in Tampa four years ago on the 'American Idiot' tour, showed…
Revisiting Ray Bradbury and appreciating Robert B. Parker
Maybe I’m just a geezer who never got it with graphic novels. I grew up on comic books and loved them, from the DC super heroes, to the uber-cool Marvel mutants, to the great works of literature presented by Classics Illustrated comics. But I was well removed from my comic- buying years when graphic novels…
Photo Review: Green Day at St. Pete Times Forum
Some shots from last night's Green Day show at the forum. More are featured in a follow-up review by new contributor Alison Egan-Lodjic. Billie Joe Armstrong and 12-year-old fan Giovanni Sosto, from Costa Rica, share some stage time during "Know Your Enemy."
Joe Bardi – Movies Editor
Joe Bardi was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to the Bay area in 1989. In 1993 he enrolled at Florida State University, later faking his way to a degree in English despite spending all of his free time (and most of the time he was supposed to be in class) watching, discussing and trying…
The Green Community week in review: Tampa green biz program, cypress mulch protest, harmful water bottles and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: The Earth Charter: How ethics can change the world (video) – The Earth charter was created by thousands of people representing hundreds of countries aiming at a universal ethical code of conduct for human…
Swinger websites: a review
Since many of you have expressed interest in how to jump into the swinger lifestyle, I've put together a few reviews of swinger websites that I'm a member of. Florida's Finest Couples is dedicated to lifestyle parties throughout Florida. This site is open to couples and single females who are at least 21 years of…
