My SXSW Experience: Day 3 (More Sessions and More Bands)
Friday, March 20: Day 3 of this madness. Yesterday, Joran and I must have walked at least 5 miles trying to catch as many bands as we could, so my calves were a bit sore. Regardless of the bodily pain, today was the best day. Taking advantage of all the free stuff you could get,…
My SXSW Experience: Day 2 (Music Publishing and Quincy Jones)
Thursday, March 19: Day 2 began well. I was refreshed and ready to go to some sessions. SXSW is not only a music showcase, but it is also a conference and has a trade show floor. The first session I went to featured Todd and Jeff Brabec, twin brothers that have some helpful advice about…
My SXSW Experience: Day 1
Wednesday, March 18: I arrived to Austin by 9:30am, exhausted from the previous night's St. Patty's Day festivities. On the plane Flee and Jo Ellen (from WMNF and The Globe respectively) had the privilege to watch me zonk out with mouth agape for most of the 2 hour flight. Excitement was high as soon as…
UrbEx 4.0 Featured Music Site: The Merry Andrews
For this week's forthcoming Urban Explorer’s Handbook, Creative Loafing is mapping out the Bay area’s Internet community. Here is one of our featured music sites: The Merry Andrews Who runs it: A 20-something trio of passionate but playful Bay area indie rock aficionados: Aly Carr (whom we've recruited as a contributor to our own music…
Tampa’s Armani’s gets a facelift
Last Friday, the 22-year-old Armani's restaurant at the Grand Hyatt on the Causeway revealed its long-needed $300,000 dining room and menu facelift. Although they finished the two weeks of renovations the Tuesday before Superbowl, Hyatt's General Manager Paul Joseph waited until everything was in place before the grand re-opening. It's quite astonishing what sleek modern…
As dense as a glasscock
I've been single now for six weeks and I need sex. I'm used to getting sex everyday, sometimes twice a day. Hey, my ex may have been a big asshole, but he was hot and great in the sack or where ever the urge struck us. Now that he's gone, I've had to break out…
Phish Saves America: Two weeks later and I’m still alive.
All photos by Phil Bardi. I've had a long time to muse over the Phish reunion shows, to listen to the live downloads over and over again, to read the reviews and see the pictures and laugh at the outrageous (and in some cases, sad and amazing) stories on the message boards, and to plan…
Do It Today: Cirque Mechanics, LGBT Gala and Electronics Alive
In a traditional world, mechanics and Cirque du Soleil acrobats aren’t usually beer buddies. But the Birdhouse Factory isn’t exactly typical, and the Cirque Mechanics acrobatic troupe (pictured) is anything but ordinary. In the troupe’s death-defying spectacle, performers fly, climb and contort their way through rotating gears, trampoline walls and aerial hoops. This stunning combination…
The Green 100: Who’s the greenest of them all?
The Creative Loafing Green Issue is Apr. 15. In last year's issue, "100 Ways To Go Green Right Now,” we showed you how to take action. This year we’re naming names: “The Green 100: The 100 People, Places and Businesses Leading the Way Toward a Greener Tampa Bay." We've already begun our list, of course.…
South by Southwest: Day 9 (Wrap Up & More Video)
It took me a minute to readjust to driving on once-familiar roads and to which drawer the silverware was in, but I'm home. It's my first day back at work, and I've re-told the stories countless times and am looking forward to doing it again next year. Plus, who knows, there's always CMJ in October. If you…
Streaming on MySpace now: Living Thing
Swede pop trio Peter Bjorn and John is currently streaming their forthcoming release, Living Things, on MySpace. I'm only two songs deep and I'm already digging on it, though it's not really at all what I expected nor does it remind me of 2006's blissfully sublime Writer's Block or 2008's quirky Seaside Rock. It's got…
UrbEx 4.0 Profile: Bryan Childs of Ninebullets.net
As part of our upcoming Urban Explorer's Handbook, we mapped out the Bay area's own Internet community and spotlighted a variety of blogs and websites that cover local arts, news, politics, film, music and food. Here is a profile I wrote about Bryan Childs, a Tampa Calling contributor and the man behind ninebullets.net. Bryan Childs,…
Seasons’ greetings from American Stage, TBPAC: South Pacific & The Seafarer in 2009-2010
American Stage has announced its 2009-2010 season — the first in its new home — and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center has named the shows in its 2009-10 Broadway Series. The verdict? A mixed bag. There's lots to be excited about. At TBPAC, I'm happy to see they've taken another Spring Awakening-type risk: scheduling…
Concert review: Ghostface Killah and Raekwon at The Ritz Ybor
This review comes courtesy of Cooper Levy-Baker, editor of Creative Loafing Sarasota and contributor to The 941 and Tampa Calling. Saturday night’s big Ghostface Killah/Raekwon gig at The Ritz Ybor was billed as the Skatepark of Tampa’s “Pro Contest Party,” and, as a party, it was sick. (Photo below not from the show.) A pleasantly…
Neil Young sets ‘Archives’ release date, appears in new Demme concert doc
Who knew that 2009 would be Year of the Young? Not only will Neil Young's much-delayed 'Archives' collection finally see the light of day, but the crusty old rock 'n' roll warbler will be featured in yet another concert doc, the second by director Jonathan Demme. Young's longtime manager, Elliot Roberts, announced the forthcoming release…
Zack Gross (Z Grille), Derek Barnes (Derek’s), Bern’s don’t make Beard Awards finals
Breaking news from the James Beard Foundation awards committee: Tampa's Zack Gross (of Z Grille) and Sarasota's Derek Barnes (of Derek's Culinary Casual) made the semifinals list for Best Chef: South a month ago, and Bern's made the short list for Outstanding Restaurant, but none of them made the cut to the finalists list announced…
Brighten up brunch: Spring Veggie Frittata recipe
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I could eat it any time of day. I figured it's also high time for another breakfast-related post. My inspiration: the wonderful produce available this time of year and my deep affection for egg-based breakfast/brunch foods. I hit up my local produce stand, then got in…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Results: El Taconazo vs. Don Pancho Villa
Wha huh? Were all the Taco Bus supporters on vacation, or too busy noshing on El Taconazo take-out and watching college basketball to log on and vote? This was a close one, folks, with the Taco Bus barely eking out a win over Don Pancho Villa thanks to a last-minute push. Don't forget to vote…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Zurritos vs. Peg’s Cantina
Both of these places have rabid fans and die-hard supporters, as well as great fish tacos, so this taco-a-taco matchup may be the most hotly contested of the competition so far. Mobilize your base, Zurritos and Peg's, and get out the vote! Which taco deserves to move on to the Edible Eight? Vote after the…
Action Pals’ funny review of Resident Evil 5 featuring magical unicorn
There are simply not enough full-grown men dressed as unicorns doing video game reviews these days. Here are the Action Pals from Gamedaily.com, doing their best to fill the void i:
Beer review : Brooklyn Local 2 Belgian style strong dark ale
Garrett Oliver is the man; the philosophy reflected in his book, The Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food, speaks to my holistic sensibilities and makes my mouth water for fine brews and food prepared in the old school tradition — from scratch with fresh ingredients and no preservatives or other…
Madworld for the Wii: Style, gore, and gratuitous fun
New release Madworld for the Nintendo Wii: It's Sin City meets The Running Man meets Escape From New York. What more do you need to know? Well, you should probably know it's actually just kind of mediocre and occasionally dull, more like The Spirit meets The 6th Day meets Escape From L.A. Anyway, Madworld is…
Dream of an AA meeting
Dear Dream Momma, I dreamed I was at a Girlfriend's meeting in an auditorium and my seat # was AA. I checked the row but all the seats were taken. They started to serve lunch from the stage and would not give me one unless I was in my seat. The 2 servers did not…
Do It Today: Museum Monday, Yanks vs. Phils
Though many area cultural institutions are closed on Mondays, doors are open at three of the area's more distinctive museums. The Museum of Science and Industry is all heart; not only can you marvel (or cringe) at Body Worlds: The Story of the Heart, you can see the film Van Gogh: Brush With Genius and…
CD Review: Static Tensions by Kylesa, which plays the Brass Mug Tuesday.
Kylesa Static Tensions (Prosthetic) Between a tour with Mastodon and a killer new album, Kylesa seem poised for a breakthrough year in 2009. The ten songs on this Georgia band's fourth full-length, Static Tensions, speed by in 40 minutes — relatively brief by sludgy, stoner-groove standards; more abstract than Crowbar, but not as otherworldly as…
South by Southwest 2009 in Photos
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South by Southwest 2009: Day 8 (PJ Harvey, Midnight Youth)
Around 3 p.m. yesterday, I caught Rec Center and King of Spain at the New Granada showcase at Ginger Man Pub. I grabbed a bite with Flee, Laura, John McNicholas as well as Scott Harrell and Mike Delach from the REAX crew. So awesome that the conference was bookended by Tampa-centric showcases. Maybe we can add a Mohawk…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Results: Casa Tina vs. El Toro Negro
In an outcome that's no surprise for anyone who's experienced the massive fan base of Casa Tina, Dunedin's favorite Mexican joint dominated the polls, with 71 votes to El Toro Negro's measly 3. Casa Tina movees on into the Readers' Poll Edible Eight. Don't forget to vote in today's match: El Taconazo vs. Don Pancho…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: El Taconazo vs. Don Pancho Villa
Is this a competition even worth having? Is it remotely possible that a dreary Mexican restaurant with mediocre tacos could summon the devoted fanbase necessary to unseat the Taco Bus? Nope. Click for Taconazo and go back to your basketball game. Which taco deserves to move on to the Edible Eight? Vote after the break…
Kathy Griffin: Octo-mom, Nancy Grace and hangin’ out with Cher
Toward the end of her 7 p.m. show at Ruth Eckerd Saturday night, Kathy Griffin told a long, funny and rather mind-boggling anecdote about spending her birthday with Cher — freakin’ Cher! — at the star’s mega-mansion in Malibu. How did D-lister Kathy Griffin wind up chatting for five hours over birthday cake in freakin’…
South by Southwest 2009: Day 7 (Little Stevie and Dinosaur Jr.)
Last night around 9 p.m. Ivan and I hailed a cab into downtown and ended up riding in with the tour manager and guitar tech for 90's rockers Smile Empty Soul ("I do it for the drugs"). When our driver dropped us off in front of Lambert's to catch a set by UK artists Little Thief, I realized I'd left…
See Raiders of the Lost Ark at Tampa Theatre’s free Sunset Cinema tonight
Tampa Theatre is a local landmark with a rich history, but its impact on the area goes beyond the actual movie theater. Once again, Tampa Theatre offers its Sunset Cinema series, where they show movies in outdoor locations for free. It’s a fun way to experience a family-friendly classic. Tonight they’ll be showing “Raiders of the…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Results: Acapulco Grocery vs. Estela’s
Thankfully, Estela's supporters failed to turn out for the Friday competition, allowing die-hard taco afficionados to propel Acapulco into the Edible Eight. Don't forget to vote in today's match: Casa Tina vs. El Toro Negro.
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Casa Tina vs. El Toro Negro
El Toro Negro is a nondescript Mexican joint that airs financial news and telenovellas on their TVs all day. Casa Tina is a Dunedin fixture that's incredibly popular with folks from around the Bay. Can the hole-in-the-wall beat the upscale fave? Which taco deserves to move on to the Edible Eight? Vote after the break…
SXSW 2009: The Dicks with David Yow at the Austin Music Awards (Video)
On Wednesday, March 18, 2009, The Dicks were inducted into the Austin Music Awards Hall of Fame. David Yow presented the award and then joined them onstage for "Wheelchair Epidemic." Here's the video:
South by Southwest 2009: Day 5 & 6 (Music, Music, Music)
"What a diff'rence a day makes" – María Méndez Grever The music portion of SXSW has begun and Austin is infested with indie rockers, scenesters, hipsters and musicians from all over the world. The snarky t-shirts and iPhones of the interactive and film portion have been replaced with leather, tight pants and guitar cases. And they're everywhere. Try…
Kama Sutra: Armchair For-two
Getting into position: Armchair For-two begins with the man leaning back against a pillow or cushion. The woman then seats herself upon his manhood and places her feet comfortably upon his shoulders. Bringing his knees up, he should be able to create somewhat of a backrest for her to lean back upon. The couple is…
Earthquake, Jan 13, 1998—a poem
Fire in the desert with intermediary ocean dips happened one day in my summer abode. Opposing circumstances fell with tectonic force in this brief section of life, she was everything to me as I to her and uncharted emotions found my definition of perfection. But the same worldly force that dropped us in this realm…
New YouTube video: Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard
Just came across this on YouTube. It's a video for Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard's song, "To Be Objectified." In it, quirky pop songwriter and illustrator Lewis creates a time-lapsed, large scale illustration while his performance is rotoscoped into a comic book cartoon. The entire thing is produced by Lewis himself and is pretty cool.…
Vinyl Fever preps for Record Store Day with new vinyl
Just got the latest news release from our music store friends at Vinyl Fever, who apparently talked Tampa Tribune music critic Curtis Ross into recommending some of his favorite records for them to procure for Record Store Day, a celebration of the more than 700 indie music stores located across the nation and their positive…
Krystalle Voeks – Contributor
Krystalle Voecks is a largely coffee-powered being who works as a contributing editor for Massively and regular contributor for Creative Loafing. She has also written on WoW Insider, Games.on.net, Joystiq, and Big Download, ghostwritten for far more sites, and looks for just about any opportunity to geek out on video games she can get. When…
Hillgrass Bluebill Entertainment Presents: Hiram and Huddie
I'll be honest, I'm not really too into tribute albums. I mean, they usually have their high points but when you take them as a whole, they tend to feel mailed in or uninspired. Such is not the case with this particular tribute album, and while I am sure there have been no shortage of…
I Am a SXSW Virgin: The Preamble
Today is my third day here and Ifinally have enough time/internet connection/patience to write a quick hello. I got this new Asus EeePC and the mouse/touch pad is fucking annoying the crap out of me. I have tried to get something meaningful This morning, it feels different. Below is a quick run down of what…
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf: You’ll never want mom’s again
You know how everyone claims that their mom makes the best meatloaf and no one else's can compare to it? I would have agreed with that, until I found this recipe for bacon-wrapped meatloaf. The classic comfort dish that is meatloaf and delicious salty bacon combine to make a juicy, meaty, melt-in-your-mouth taste explosion. Hungry…
Tournament of Tacos Results: Red Mesa vs. Zapata’s
No contest here, either in flavor or popularity: Red Mesa takes the voting handily and moves on to the Edible Eight. Don't forget to vote in today's match: Acapulco Grocery vs. Estela's.
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Acapulco Grocery vs. Estela’s
Acapulco Grocery has no serious popular support — outside the taco cognoscenti, at least — while Estela's mobilized a reasonable voter base in the first round. Can a corner bodega with exquisite tacos beat out a popular Tampa mini-chain. Well, it is a popularity contest. Who will get out the vote? Who deserves to move…
Recalling the classics: Beef Wellington
There's something about the classics. Those dishes that have been around forever have been around for a reason. Steak Diane, Duck a l'Orange and the many others that have graced fine dining menus for the past century. Some folks find them a bit stuffy and I understand that. I tend to gravitate towards more contemporary…
Interview: Black Lips
Black Lips play Orpheum in Ybor City next Thursday, March 26. Here's my feature/interview with the band: "I want other bands like us to become as successful as we are so they can stay as shitty as we are," says Jared Swilley, bass player for Black Lips, talking on a cell phone as the band…
Bloody wall dream and response
Wow girl, you really know how to pick them! Let's start with the climb over the wall; do you always work that hard to maintain a relationship? You must be exhausted! Imagining your emotional life "blood" pouring out of you was an intense experience for me. I can't begin to imagine what it was like…
Victory for the Victory Garden: Barack Obama says yes to White House garden
After more than a year of campaigning by Eat the View and their 100,000+ supporters, the Obamas are planting a vegetable garden on the White House grounds! The White House garden proposal won an online contest early this year called On Day One. I know it's day 58, but I still think it's a victory. …
Do It This Weekend: Sunset Cinema, TB Blues Fest and more.
Now in its second year, Tampa Theatre’s traveling outdoor picture show, the Sunset Cinema Series, continues this Saturday evening. The event brings free movie screenings to parks and neighborhoods throughout Tampa, presenting the films outdoors on huge inflatable screens and serving concessions – popcorn, candy, soda and bottled water – as they would at any…
Rita’s giving out free Italian Ice today
In a sweet respite from bad economic news, Rita's Italian Ice is giving away one free, 10-ounce cup of Italian ice per person on Friday, March 20 from noon until 10 p.m. In the 17th year of celebrating this First Day of Spring promotion, they plan on doling out one million ices at their 500…
Gobstopper trailer: Willy Wonka as modern day horror movie
The funny folks at Funny or Die ask what a modern day Willy Wonka horror movie might look like, and then make a trailer for it. Video below the jump. Enjoy:
Locavore iPhone app shows you what food to buy, and where
A new iPhone application called Locavore promises to be more in tune with the natural world than you are. Which, to be honest, shouldn't be hard for most. Locavore uses GPS to determine your location, then feeds you information about what's currently in season in your area and what will be coming out of the…
Tonight in music: George Benson, Ligeia and Michale Graves
George Benson (pictured) in a tribute to Nat King Cole It's not a good career indicator for one-time star performer when he's out doing tribute shows. Of course, singer/guitarist Benson — who scored several major hits in the 1970s, among them "This Masquerade" and "On Broadway" — is doing so in a nice venue, and…
Leaks: Tori Amos – Welcome to England
No. This isn't just me passing along some press release I got. Yes. I genuinely like Tori Amos. I see you shaking your head in disgust and to that I say "feh!". Admittedly, I haven't that big of the material she's released in the 2000's but I love(d) every album she released in the '90's…
The perfect NCAA bracket (you’re welcome, America)
Three weeks from now, you're going to wish this got posted a few days earlier. Three weeks from now, when someone else is getting the pay-out from your office pool, you're going to hate me. Why? Well, because this post contains a bracket, filled out by yours truly, which contains the correct choices for all…
Stephen Colbert: “I’ve Twatted”
The brilliant Stephen Colbert talking with Meredith Vieira on The Today Show this morning: Gotta love Meredith's "Me too." She's one saucy host.
Kama Sutra: The Medusa
This position offers a lesson on both love and balance. It starts with the man squatting on the floor, using only his feet for balance. The woman then straddles him, allowing penetration. The movement is described as a back and forth rocking motion, similar to that of a hammock. There is also a variation on…
Bob Dylan, Jack Kerouac and One Hella Nation Under God
It might be fun to watch some of these big-time rock critics take each other on in a creamed-corn wrestling match. Some of them have such bile and bitterness that it might be nice to see them exorcise their anger in a tub of gooey vegetable product. And what makes them so angry? Why, each…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Red Mesa vs. Zapata’s
Considering the respectable voter turnout in Red Mesa's first round contest — where its tacos garnered over 70 votes — compared the the tepid taco voting in Zapata's contest, it seems the Mesa should have an easy time in this contest. As well it should, in my opinion, since the tacos at that St. Pete…
Resident Evil 5 video game outsells all UK media combined
Not only did Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360, Playstation 3) top the UK game sales charts last weekend, it also outsold all music singles, albums, and box office receipts. Capcom's UK public relations company Monument PR issued a press release with the details that should send a shiver through Hollywood and the music industry's spines:…
Bern’s Steakhouse: The best kept wine secret in Tampa
OK, so maybe it's not particularly a secret or a new hotspot, but I find it strange that visitors appreciate Bern's Steakhouse more than locals. I mean, when's the last time you went to our world-famous steakhouse? Yes, it's expensive but it's a better deal than Fleming's or Ruth Chris: Last night, I paid $34.67 for an…
Tournament of Tacos: First round Readers’ Poll results
Over a thousand people voted in the first round of CL's Tournament of Tacos Readers' Poll and — although I might have disagreed with a couple of your picks — most of you have shown remarkable taste. Most of the competitions were no surprise — like Taconazo, Red Mesa, Mema's or Peg's moving on thanks…
Do It Today: Louis CK, NCAA, Michele Balan and more
Louis C.K. Louis CK, one of the most daring and hilarious comedians on the scene, went famously viral with his “Everything’s Amazing and Nobody’s Happy” routine on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Red-haired and paunchy, Louis pushes taste boundaries without being a complete shock act, and for those who’ve seen his riotous standup specials on…
Larry Flynt revives Sarah Palin porn with Hollywood’s Nailin’ Paylin
Hustler Video announced yesterday that it was planning a sequel to its popular Sarah Palin docu-dramas Who's Nailin' Paylin and Obama's Nailin' Paylin. Lisa Ann — Adult Video Magazine's MILF/Cougar of the Year — will reprise her role as "Serra Paylin" in the new flick, titled Hollywood's Naylin Paylin, to be released later this year.…
This rap is like ziti: Ghostface Killah/Raekwon @ The Ritz Ybor this Saturday
By Cooper Levy-Baker, cross-posted from Creative Loafing Sarasota's blog, The 941. You know what I’m effing pumped about? This Saturday night, I’ve got tickets to see Ghostface Killah and Raekwon live at The Ritz Ybor. Both MCs may be members of the nine-strong Wu-Tang Clan, but they’ve backed each other so consistently over the years…
Project Runway contestant/bitch Kenley Collins assaults fiance with cat
Do we really need to tell you anymore? Isn't the headline enough? No? Here's more: Kenley Collins — hands down The Most Annoying Project Runway Contestant Ever (and that's quite a distinction considering the competition) — not only threw a cat at her hapless, luckless, apparently taste-free fiance. She also threw a laptop at him.…
Tampa Bay Playwrights Unite!
In a move that could significantly enhance the visibility of Tampa Bay area playwrights, a group of writers met Tuesday night at St. Petersburg's Studio@620 with a representative of the nationally based Dramatists Guild as well as representatives from Tampa's Stageworks and Sarasota's Florida Studio Theatre. The meeting was organized by Bradenton playwright Jack Gilhooley and…
What if you’re gay and not a singer/songwriter?
Bob Greene is a traumatologist. This somewhat morbid designation means precisely what you think it means: Bob is a certified expert in psychic pain. The Florida State University Traumatology Institute conferred this title upon him, but his years of practice as a licensed clinical social worker are the true source of his expertise. In this…
Food and wine events
Wednesday, Mar. 18: Whole Foods Market Every Wednesday in March, stop by Whole Foods for the Wine Down Wednesday tasting. Free. 4-6 p.m., 1548 N Dale Mabry Rd, Tampa (813-874-9435) Wednesday, Mar. 18: Whole Foods Market Join the specialty cheese buyer at Whole Foods for a British Isles class and tasting, paired with some wines…
Patio wine: Dry Creek Vineyards 2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Dry Creek Vineyards also labels this Fume Blanc, another name for sauvignon blanc, only fancier. In the '60's, the Mondavis borrowed the fume (French for "smoked") moniker from the French Loire Valley sauvignon blanc called Pouilly Fume. This deliciously elegant sauv blanc is refreshingly more supple than many of its brethren, lacking the biting, grassy, saliva-producing tartness of…
Ryan Schreiber – Contributor
Ryan Schreiber is originally from Tampa but couldn’t stand the heat, so he got out of the proverbial fire. Now in the Great White North, Ryan is a contributor to The Merry Andrews Show, in addition to the fine work he’s doing for Creative Loafing. He has debilitating addictions to Starbucks and basketball shorts, and…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #16: Don Pancho Villa vs. Chico’s Wood Fired Grill
It seems like a fight between tradition and modernity, but there's more to this battle than just old versus new. Don Pancho is another competitor from the Armenia corridor, a place that combines semi-classic Mexican fare with a lunchtime all-you-can-eat buffet. Chico's is a Chili's clone in Westchase — which ain't a taco hotbed. Check…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #15: Taqueria El Maguey vs. Carmelita’s
Taqueria El Maguey is a popular Mexican spot in Pinellas Park, while Carmelita's vies for control of the same area. Which can summon the meat and corn necessary to win this battle? Check them out for yourself and vote now. Which taco deserves to move up to the Savory Sixteen? I'll reveal my pick tomorrow,…
Tournament of Tacos: Day 6 and 7 results
The past few days saw some of the closest battles yet in the Tournament of Tacos, mostly among mid-seed spots desperate to show their worth and make it into the next round of the tourney. Here were the matchups: Taqueria Mi Mexico vs. Algusto Zurritos vs. Agave Sabor Latino vs. Maya's El Toro Negro vs.…
On sale Saturday: Crue Fest 2, Kid Rock/Skynyrd
Just in from our pal Woody at Live Nation, a couple of rock shows at the Ford Amphitheatre. Both go on sale Sat., March 21.: • Rock 'n' Rebels Tours w/Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd Sat., June 27. $126, $76, $56 and $46 for reserved seats and $26 for the festival lawn. • Crue Fest…
Purple Labs introduces weight loss lip gloss
New lipgloss boasts weight loss ingredient Hoodia, a South African appetite suppressant. Huge Lips, Skinny Hips plumping lipgloss is the debut product from Purple Lab. Available in 6 fiendish colors including "No Panty Lines" and "Kitty Poledancer," HLSH has added vitamin B6 for some increased circulation and lip-plumping action. With the unceremonious death of its discontinued…
NY Post: Natasha Richardson ‘brain dead’ after skiing accident
Broadway, film and television actor Natasha Richardson is headed to a US hospital after a bad head injury in a Canadian skiing accident, and at least one newspaper reports she is near death. From the New York Post: Actress Natasha Richardson is brain dead – after falling in a ski accident in Canada – and…
C. Emerson Fine Arts is under the influence
C. Emerson Fine Arts' latest exhibit, Under the Influence, showcases the genre of contemporary art often dubbed "pop surrealism" and occasionally "lowbrow" because it bridges practices including illustration, screen-printing, custom toy production (or decoration), and so on. As such, the show may be a bit of a departure for the gallery, where offerings are frequently…
Al Satterwhite’s photos of Ali and Arnold recall a different era in photojournalism
I shared air space with Al Satterwhite for about 10 minutes back in the summer of 1974. We were standing in the photo department of the Palm Beach Post. He was on his way out, on to grand and glorious things in California. I was just arriving from a newspaper that had folded up north,…
Tampa Bay Blues Festival: Irma Thomas, Soul Queen of New Orleans
And now she headlines the Tampa Bay Blues Festival.
A new exhibit at the Dali Museum stretches the definition of “book”
When does a "book" consist of a pair of vials in a metal tin, a triptych of glass "pages" or a cardboard box filled with pamphlets, drawings and a custom-made lollipop? When artists take on the form, as they have in the 100 works featured in visualKultur.cat, an exhibition jointly hosted by the Salvador Dalí…
Kids will love Sleeping Beauty at TBPAC
I admit that I went to see freeFall Theatre's Sleeping Beauty with great expectations. After all, freeFall's first production, The Wild Party at The Studio@620, was the very best show of 2008 and one of the most accomplished ever produced in the Bay area by a local company. Would Sleeping Beauty — in a different…
Jamie Bennett: “Proud” how St Pete City Council handled Rays
Of all the candidates running for the mayor of St. Petersburg in 2009, Jamie Bennett may have the highest name recognition. That's not unusual considering he has spent the past seven years as a city councilman, with 2008 seeing him as chairman of that board. That can be a mixed blessing, as it also means…
What’s better for the environment, a scooter or a car?
A coworker who considers herself "green" rides a scooter to work, confident she's leaving a smaller carbon footprint than us slugs who drive cars. But her ride has a two-stroke engine. I recall hearing that running a lawn mower for 30 minutes pollutes more than commuting all week in a car. What's the deal, Cecil?…
School daze: Becoming a fetish model
I'm a 20-year-old female and a junior in college. For the past few years, I've been working on becoming a journalist. But I've found myself less and less interested (and passionate) about it as time goes on. And I think I'd rather be a fetish model. For the past year, I've been a submissive in…
The Class: Powerful French classroom film
The world inside a French classroom
Beer Blurbs: Quotations on fermentation
People have been documenting their thoughts on beer since the development of written language. In my quest to gain higher levels of brew appreciation, I’ve undertaken extensive data digging, which has yielded many timelessly relevant snippets of beer wisdom. So break out your email options and get ready to snazzy up your signature line. Behold…
Beer Store Roundup: Luekens Liquor, Dunedin
Off State Road 580 near downtown Dunedin, a mountain of beer joy lies in a rather unassuming strip mall. Luekens Liquors is rated by Beer Advocate as one of the best places to buy snobby brew in the Bay Area. A quick survey of the copious beer selection reveals that inventory is scattered everywhere, with…
Patio wine: Dry Creek Vineyards 2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Dry Creek Vineyards also labels this Fume Blanc, another name for sauvignon blanc, only fancier. In the ’60’s, the Mondavis borrowed the fume (French for “smoked”) moniker from the French Loire Valley sauvignon blanc called Pouilly Fume. This deliciously elegant sauv blanc is refreshingly more supple than many of its brethren, lacking the biting, grassy, saliva-producing tartness of…
Wine for pizza night: Melini 2006 Chianti Classico Isassi
A perfect wine for anything tomato-based since the acidity and fruit meld nicely together. Chianti is made predominantly from the sangiovese grape (at least 80 percent) and nowhere on earth does it produce better wines than in Italy’s Tuscany. The Isassi moniker indicates the grapes originated from a single vineyard and the Classico part of this equation…
Gina Gallo talks about the family wine business
Gina Gallo talks about the success of her family’s business.
Tampa Bay Blues Fest: Schedule
Friday, March 20 12:30 p.m. Robin Rogers The blonde, blue-eyed songstress out of Charlotte, N.C. has quite a bit of that Koko Taylor roar in her. 2:30 p.m. Lurrie Bell The 49-year-old son of the late, legendary Chicago harp player Carey Bell wields a Stratocaster and has a lusty voice somewhat reminiscent of B.B. King.…
Do It Today: The New Blue singers from Yale, fresh blood at Jobsite
The New Blue. Lots of colleges have a cappella singing groups, but few have the longevity of Yale's Whiffenpoofs, the men's group founded in 1909. So it's kind of a surprise to learn that the women's a cappella group at Yale has only been around since 1969 — but that's because Yale only started admitting…
Five Questions for Suzanne Williamson
Mastering the financial and creative challenges of a career as an artist is never easy—and it’s especially challenging in the context of a recession. On Sat., Mar. 21, the 3rd annual Self-Employment in the Arts Conference at the University of Tampa aims to give practitioners in the visual, literary, performing and film arts a leg…
The Devil’s Advocate talks to Bill Keller, Vol. 1
“If you vote for Mitt Romney you are voting for Satan.” —Bill Keller Bill Keller is one of the most controversial religious figures in Tampa Bay … or Florida … or the country, for that matter. The conservative Christian evangelist has no formal pulpit, at least not in a brick-and-mortar church, but he does get…
Tournament of Tacos: Day 4 and 5 Results
The first weekend of CL's Tournament of Tacos competition saw the full range of taco artisans at play, from modernized Mex restaurants to corner bodegas, from Latin-fusion to combo-plate factories. Here were the matchups: Casa Tina vs. Mexico Lindo Mekenita Mexican Grill vs. Vallarta's Red Mesa Cantina vs. Zapata's Chihuahua vs. Estela's Did this weekend…
