Dreams: The meaning of mice
"Hi Dream Momma, I dreamed I was visiting my aunt, uncle and cousins as a child. In their kitchen there was a hole at the baseboard and I could see little mice thru it. I was scared until I realized they were afraid of me and not coming out." Hmmm, mice. Hmmm, family. This dream…
The unsung heroics from production of The Lieutenent of Inishmore
The sexier technical parts of this show – a cute girl covered in gore wielding two handguns, a blood-soaked guy clutching a dead cat prop, the gunfights, the special effects rigs that shoot blood at a rate of 80psi – have been chronicled here, on the Jobsite blog and in a feature story in the…
Interview with Lady Grace from the Underground Xpress video program
I was recently contacted by Underground Xpress, a local Tampa underground video program that covers local music, local bands and other local talents. The creative epicenter and host, Lady Grace, agreed to an interview about Underground Xpress. How and when did UX start? I took up videography in July of 2008 and wanted to start…
![Airfest Air Show from Mac Dill Air Force Base [in pictures]](https://i0.wp.com/www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/03030_3398829066_d54ae58e0a.png?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Airfest Air Show from Mac Dill Air Force Base [in pictures]
I could probably sum up my entire day at the AirFest air show at Mac Dill Air Force Base in just three words: "America, Fuck Yeah." Never have I seen such blatant nationalism, mixing the chauvinistic strut and machismo of the modern military industrial complex with the power and beautiful of well engineered aircraft both…
![CL’s Sensory Overload 4.0 at the Honey Pot [more images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/0301b_3398926724_d23e4212c7.png?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
CL’s Sensory Overload 4.0 at the Honey Pot [more images]
When Creative Loafing puts on a party, it puts on a party! The HoneyPot (1507 E. 7th Avenue in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida) was the host for the fourth annual "Sensory Overload" party, a mix of live music, djs, circuit bending, models, artwork and booze. While not what I expected, it was an excellent collection…
Cigar City Brewing Launch Party in pictures
I love a good microbrew, and the last decade has brought hundreds of exceptional contenders to the table. A lot of these operations are just a couple of guys in a basement experimenting with new flavors. Some of them are the Sam Adams of the microbrew world, taking a name amongst the big boys both…
New Releases: Tuesday, March 31.
Chris Botti, Chris Botti in Boston (Sony) Bow Wow, New Jack City Pt. II (Sony) Leonard Cohen, Live in London (Sony) Flo Rida, ROOTS (Route of Overcoming the Struggle) (Atlantic) Gomez, A New Tide (ATO) Great Lake Swimmers, Lost Channels (Nettwerk) Diana Krall, Quiet Nights (Verve) John Parish and PJ Harvey, A Woman A Man…
Joe Popp returns to Tampa for a few shows this weekend.
In 2000, with the last embers of his namesake punk-rock band finally extinguished, Joe Popp left Tampa Bay for New York City’s greener creative pastures. Joe Popp, the band — which included bassist Martin Rice and late drummer Jeff Wood — was perhaps the last local rock group to pack ’em in at venues like…
Sock-guy, condom-guy, and Glad-bag-guy walk into a bar
Until recently, I never fully understood the lengths men will go to simulate a pussy while masturbating. I figured most dudes were as uncreative when it came to masturbation as they were during sex: the standard oil and lotion mixture, or a swab of conditioner in the shower applied at rapid speed until the desired…
Miscellaneous music news.
Digable Planets has canceled their U.S. tour, which includes their April 17 stop at Crowbar. The trio has broken up again for the same reasons they broke up before — irreconcilable differences. Here's are some key quotes from the all-caps letter the band sent to fans via MySpace (I've de-capped it for your reading convenience):…
New Blog: Sex in the Shadows
Today we introduce Michael Troy’s new blog Sex in the Shadows. Michael has made a life’s work out of exploring the darker boundaries of the sexual experience. His adventures will take you places you may have not dared to go — not yet, at least. I’m prowling MLK and Florida Avenue in Tampa because I…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Results: Final Four is set!
The final round of the Edible Eight was massive, with over 300 votes cast and the outcome close in the final tally. In the end, El Taconazo was unable to hold off the ardent supporters of Mekenita Mexican Grill That means that the Tournament of Tacos Readers' Poll Final Four is set: Zurritos, Casa Tina,…
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg zooms into town this weekend
The roar returns. If you've never been within earshot of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, it's difficult to imagine it. Suffice to say that it's spectacularly loud. I live about five miles north of the 1.8-mile, 14-turn racetrack in downtown and I can hear those zoom-zooms in my living room. Of course, it's…
Matt & Kim bring the dance party to Czar.
I admit it that I start too many blogs lamenting about why it is that there are no shows (that I want to see, at least) for days/week/months and then there are several competing shows the same night …
Review (with tons of photos): Country legend Charlie Louvin
It’s not every day we're lucky enough to see a veritable folk legend at New World Brewery — especially not one with a career as illustrious as Country Hall of Famer Charlie Louvin. On Friday, Mr. Louvin and his band graced New World Brewery with a special performance. At 82, Mr. Louvin tours regularly, releases…
David Miller of Savant opens Cities Restaurant in Clearwater tomorrow
I profiled David Miller of Savant Fine Dining for our $20 Menu Challenge last year and was utterly fascinated by his story: 27 years old (now 28), high school drop-out, culinary competition wiz, CIA grad, muscle car hobbyist, sugar expert and owner of two restaurants and a chocolate-making shop. Oh, wait, make that three restaurants.…
U2 plays Raymond James Stadium Fri., Oct. 9, only Florida date
Our guy Woody at Live Nation sent us this fresh info: Tickets are $253.50, $98.50, $58.50 & $33.50, and go on sale Monday April 6 at 10 a.m. through livenation.com, 877-598-8698 (the toll free Live Nation ticketing phone number), and all TicketMaster outlets. Long-time U2 Show Director Willie Williams has worked again with architect Mark…
Floundering: Embracing my inner Gordon Ramsay in Apalachicola
A friend recently wondered how I could possibly enjoy the TV show Hell’s Kitchen. I was accused of being terrible because I liked it. The message went, in part, “While I am the first to admit that cooking for a crowd (of friends) can be stressful, I simply cannot imagine eating any of the food…
Ghostbusters 3 in the works
News from Ain't It Cool via MTV is that Ghostbusters 3 is a go, with the original cast on board! Per Harry K.'s site: Ramis promised that all the old core players will take part in the updated version, including Bill Murray (Dr. Peter Venkman) and Dan Aykroyd (Dr. Raymond Stantz), who co-wrote the original…
Festa Italiana: Ybor’s Italian Festival in pictures
As a fat kid, I have a certain spidy-sense about delicious food, particularly when several streets are blocked off in the celebration of it. You don't get much more delicious than Italian cuisine, and when I heard about the Ybor City Festa Italiana, I knew I had a carbohy-date with destiny. We arrived around noon…
Do It Today: Encore Chamber Series, Dame Edna and Late Nite Catechism
The fourth concert in the Encore Chamber Series features the Wilson, Hsu and Hunsberger Trio, who perform works by Alec Wilder, Francis Poulenc and others. 7:30 p.m., Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg, $10-$20, 727-822-3590. Flamboyantly hilarious Aussie comedian Barry Humphries (pictured) is hanging up the lilac wig and rhinestone glasses for good, but first, brings his…
Dream Theater’s “Black Clouds & Silver Linings” – Coming June 23rd!
Here's a press release from the kings of Prog rock themselves, Dream Theater: Progressive metal veterans DREAM THEATER have announced BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS as the title of their tenth studio album. The band commenced work on the album their second for Roadrunner Records, following up 2007's Systematic Chaos – in October of last…
Kama sutra: the tongs
Getting into the position: The woman grips the penis with her “yoni” as a vice; squeezing him and stroking and milking the nectar from him. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate position (1 as horrible, 10 as sexual nirvana)? 8 Did you have difficulty getting into the position? N/A Did…
CD Review: Pearl Jam’s Ten [Deluxe] reissue
Pearl Jam Ten [Deluxe Edition] Over 18 years and eight studio albums, Pearl Jam has proven itself to be far and away the most durable band to come from the original grunge movement. (Also the best, I would argue.) Nirvana trumps them on mystique and cultural impact, mostly because Kurt Cobain blew his brains out,…
Must See: Shawn Lightfoot at The Bunker Friday, April 10.
I was just introduced to Jacksonville based singer/songwriter, Shawn Lightfoot, and I am thrilled that he is coming to our neck of the woods in a couple of weeks. He describes his sound as "indie/ acoustic/ glam" and I would say that's pretty accurate. I'm on this kick right now where I only like to…
Tournament of Tacos Edible Eight Results: Casa Tina vs. La Cabana del Tio
No matter how much I may disagree with the results, there's no arguing with popularity. At least, that is, in a popularity contest like the Readers' Poll. Casa Tina easily surpasses La Cabana Del Tio and moves on to the Final Four Voting for the final match of the Edible Eight began today — El…
Bay Area Beat: A mag for the *LOCAL* scene
Growing up in and around the Tampa Bay music scene I would hear occasional murmurings about a time in the not-so-distant past when a handfull of local rags championed Tampa Bay's local music community. As I listened to such tales, my teenage imagination would conjure up images of chain smoking, black denim clad musicians hanging out on street corners reading these magazines as stegosauruses grazed behind them…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: El Taconazo vs. Mekenita Mexican Grill
El Taconazo may be the most well-known taco joint in the Bay area, but it can't rest on its laurels in this fight against Mekenita. In previous rounds, the Taco Bus hasn't mustered nearly as much fan support as the Lutz-based Mekenita. Which restaurant will get out the vote? Which taco deserves to move on…
The End of Music at WMNF?
That's how Flee, music director at the station, headlined an e-mail he sent this morning. He continued: Doubtful — but it looks like the amount of music is going to be reduced. During our current pledge drive, news and public affairs has been frequently out performing music. Especially vulnerable are the drive time shows (M-F…
Budget-friendly Mexican Pizza recipe
Money seems to get tighter and tighter these days, so why spend 15 bucks on delivery pizza? One of my favorite pre-made products in the grocery store is Pillsbury's refrigerated pizza dough. For around $2.50, you can pick up a tube of it and get creative by adding your favorite toppings. You can even find…
Concert Review: The Ting Tings @ Orpheum Sunday night
This concert review was written by CL intern Michelle Stark; photos by Nicole Kibbert. Adding to a slew of sold-out shows across Europe and the United States, British duo the Ting Tings played to a packed Orpheum on Sunday night. Lead singer Katie White, decked out in sparkly tights and red ankle boots, pounced energetically…
Beer Review : Stone Ruination IPA, a liquid poem to the glory of the hop
Quality of life for insatiable hopheads living in Florida has improved substantially within the last few months. A colossal beer from San Diego's Stone Brewing has entered the local market, leaving a mass of traumatized taste buds in its wake. Stone's website describes Ruination IPA as "a liquid poem to the glory of the hop,…
Late Night Music, March 30-April 4
A weekly bulletin on musical guests playing the five-nights-a-week late night talk shows (and SNL); set your TIVOs or DVRs. The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Monday, March 30: Adele Tuesday, March 31: Marianne Faithfull (pictured) Wednesday, April 1: Ray LaMontagne Thursday, April 2: The Fray Friday, April 3: Diana Krall The Tonight Show…
Resident Evil 5: Much more fun than it is racist
First of all, let's get the big question out of the way first: Is Resident Evil 5 racist? I think it's not. I think it's just racially insensitive and culturally clumsy. More on that in a bit. The second big question: Is Resident Evil 5 a good game? Yes it is, depending on how you…
NCAA tournament: Survive and advance (and other fun phrases to impress friends/coworkers/pets)
Okay, so everyone has been quick to point out how imperfect my bracket is. Like I always say, "always forward, never back". Despite that spirit, let's take a look back at some of the points that have stuck through the regional finals. Before I do a little Region by Region break down, let me point…
Do It Today: MOSI, Joe Piscopo, Will Bruder and Matt Wertz
MOSI presents Beetle Collection, a series of images featuring beetles from the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Entomology Museum by renowned photographer Steven Katzman (pictured, a millipede, through April 30). Also on display is BODY WORLDS: The Story of the Heart, Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ traveling exhibit on the human body and disease, with a special…
Indie 101: Trevor Hall
Trevor Hall is a singer/songwriter from South Carolina, but there's not a hint of country twang in his speech or his songs. In fact, he sounds like he is from Jamaica, or Africa, or … India … or anywhere but South Carolina. Trevor says that Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, and Bjork influence him,…
Tampa Warped Tour Needs a Local Band to Play!
This just in! Submit for your chance to play The "Kia Kevin Says" Stage on the 2009 Vans Warped Tour. This is an opportunity for a Tampa band to get noticed and maybe even sell a few CDs. Sonicbids has partnered with Warped Tour to bring bands this opportunity. The Kia Kevin Says Stage is…
Tournament of Tacos Edible Eight Results: Acapulco Grocery vs. Mema’s Alaskan Tacos
Mema's again turned out the troops to propel it into another round of the tournament, despite Acapulco's exceptional traditional tacos. Voting for the second match of the Edible Eight begins at 2 p.m. today — with Casa Tina vs. La Cabana del Tio — and continues through Monday, so be sure to support your favorite…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Casa Tina vs. La Cabana del Tio
Casa Tina is a perennial favorite among northern Pinellas folks, thanks the its congenial atmosphere and often incredible sauces. La Cabana del Tio is a tiny spot with a devout following amongst the Bay area's taco cognoscenti. Will the Dunedin restaurant unseat the Clearwater taco specialist? Which taco deserves to move on to the Final…
Beer samplings and food pairings scheduled at Datz Deli
The excellent folks at Datz Deli in Tampa have invited me to conduct weekday beer tastings and special beer and food pairing events. So here's the agenda: March 30th : 11am-2pm. Free samples of Lindeman's Framboise and Young's Double Chocolate Stout, with plenty of beer available to go. This is the first time Datz will…
Margaret Cho: ‘My politics are more queer than my lifestyle’
Comedian Margaret Cho, long a hero in the LGBT community, has this line in an interview in the NYT Magazine coming out (no pun intended) on Sunday: I refer to myself as gay, but I am married to a man. Of course, I've had relationships with women, but my politics are more queer than my…
10th Annual Tampa Bay TattooFest this weekend
There are as many types of tattoo enthusiasts as there are tattoo designs, and that is evident at the 10th Annual Tampa Bay Tattoofest. Held this weekend at the Double Tree Hotel, (4500 West Cypress Street, Tampa, Florida 33607, 941-356-9499) this event brings tattoo artists, vendors, clients and celebrities together to celebrate body art of…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Acapulco Grocery vs. Mema’s Alaskan Tacos
Mema's can bring out the crowds to vote for their odd fried tacos stuffed with chicken, beef, and shrimp patties, while Acapulco is a corner bodega that — lets be practical here — possibly doesn't even know this tournament is going on. Can the little market with exceptional traditional tacos beat the popular Ybor spot?…
Tournament of Tacos Edible Eight Results: Red Mesa vs. Zurritos
Zurritos continues its domination of the Readers' Poll, trouncing popular competitor Red Mesa by a score of 104 to 45. Zurritos advances to the Final Four and will compete against the Pinellas North winner next Tuesday. Voting for the second match of the Edible Eight begins at 2 p.m. today — with Acapulco Grocery facing…
What is the Red Bull Music Academy?
What is the Red Bull Music Academy? That is what I first asked myself when I heard about it. The multi-faceted energy drink brand has branched out into the realm of DJ culture and music conferences with its "yearly celebration of all the journeys and breakthroughs, all the dreams and intricacies that go into the…
Pickford’s Sundries refuses to disappear
Pickford's Sundries, the drugstore/diner in the squat pink stucco building on Hillsborough Avenue, closed more than a decade ago. But its mystique has never died. A local bluegrass band named themselves after it. Tampa’s 2006 Photographer Laureate, Steven S. Gregory, shot photos of it. And the building’s owner, Marie Lesiak Haley, never lost her dream…
Huge beer event this weekend : Cigar City Brewing’s launch party at Oldsmar Tap House
Cigar City Brewing Launch Party Oldsmar Tap House Saturday, March 28. Starts at 2pm I am really excited about this event, not only because I will be serving as a guest bartender for the day, I will also be surrounded by a mountain of Cigar City's brewed delights. I've sampled these joyous concoctions several times…
Asian-inspired Soba Noodle Salad recipe
As the temperature starts to rise (at least in this part of the country), its time for some refreshing and simple dishes for those hotter days, like my Asian-inspired cold soba noodle salad. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and have a heartier, more substantial texture than regular pasta noodles. In Japan, they're used in a variety of…
Tonight’s Todd Rundgren show moved outdoors
Tonight's Todd Rundgren concert was supposed to be the grand unveiling of the new Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater, Ruth Eckerd Hall and the city of Clearwater joined forces to renovate the old Royalty Theatre and turn it into an intimate, 451-seat concert venue — but the overhaul is not sufficiently completed to host a…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Red Mesa vs. Zurritos
Zack Gross' Zurritos has marshaled a huge fanbase for this tournament, while Red Mesa has suffered from rather tepid turnout. Can the long-standing St. Pete modern Mexican fixture beat the popular Zurritos? Which taco deserves to move on to the Final Four? Vote after the break —
Ami Sallee Corley – Contributor
I'm a freelance actor/director/designer/arts educator and arts administrator. I'm sure it's obvious that I love my job. I was formerly the managing director for Jobsite Theater and the operations and producing manager for The Patel Conservatory at TBPAC. You may have seen or can continue to see my work or study with me through Jobsite,…
Tournament of Tacos Edible Eight is set! Start voting for the Final Four!
In lukewarm voting, La Cabana del Tio beat Taqueria El Maguey to move on to the next round. Which means the Edible Eight is fully fleshed out: Red Mesa, Zurritos, La Cabana Del Tio, Casa Tina, Acapulco, Mema’s Alaskan Tacos, El Taconazo and Mekenita Mexican Grill. Voting for the Final Four begins at 2 p.m.…
Twouble with Twitters: “You summoned the fail whale!” [video]
A friend of CL sent this to us. We're taking it as tongue in cheek, since nobody @cl_tampa is Twitter obsessed. Nobody:
Mohawk Bomb Records Showcase (April 11): Rise of Saturn, Drew Street Mary, Ascending to Avalon and Stalling Dawn
Who: Rise of Saturn, Drew Street Mary, Ascending to Avalon with special guests Stalling Dawn. Rise of Saturn: Formed by members of Soulfound and WeakSauce, this Incubus-meets-Gnarls Barkely funky sextet is playing their first show. Demo recording coming soon. Drew Street Mary: A sing-along, power pop band from Satefy Harbor, DSM's Beatles-meet-Seville sound is sure…
Do It This Weekend: SO 4.0, Frida Kahlo and a Clothing Swap
Miro Dance Theatre: Self-Portrait. As an expatriate Philadelphian, I can vouch for the splendiferousness of the two Philly artists who make up Miro: the wonderfully idiosyncratic dancer/choreographer Amanda Miller, an alum of Pennsylvania Ballet, and the award-winning videographer Tobin Rothlein, whose work with groups like Rennie Harris PureMovement has opened up new possibilities for the…
Camile – Contributor
Camile has the same issues as any other college student in a long-term, committed relationship: finishing her B.A. on time, getting into grad school, making "us" time with the significant other and looking for that post-graduation job. When she's not studying, she's either watching anime or doling out sex advice to her friends, and that's…
Denis Baldwin – Contributor
Denis is the stone that the builder refused. A Detroit native hip-cat loft-dweller turned Tampa socialite, he is often seen covering local events, festivals, restaurants and other interesting Tampa Bay things-to-do. Based out of Ybor, Denis and his antics can be viewed at MyTampaLife.com. email: denis@speakeasy.net
UrbEx 4.0 Featured Music Site: New Granada
A compendium to this week’s Urban Explorer’s Handbook, in which Creative Loafing maps out the best of the best of the Bay area-based Internet sites. Here is the next featured music site; to see the complete list, click here. New Granada Presents/New Granada Records Who runs it: Keith Ulrey, a musician and local and regional…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Results: Sabor Latino vs. Mekenita Mexican Grill
In the most lopsided victory of the tournament so far, Mekenita's fans absolutely devastated the tasty tacos of Sabor Latino by a vote of 143 to 5. Can you imagine what would happen if the NCAA had a fan-based poll instead of a single elimination tournament? Mekenita Mexican Grill moves on to the Edible Eight.…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: La Cabana del Tio vs. Taqueria El Maguey
Zack Gross' Zurritos has marshaled a huge fanbase for this tournament, while Red Mesa has suffered from rather tepid turnout. Can the long-standing St. Pete modern Mexican fixture beat the popular Zurritos? Which taco deserves to move on to the Final Four? Vote after the break —
Mysteries in bloom: Bad-ass cops, corrupt senators, psycho killers
Spring is here and mysteries are in bloom. There’s something about this time of year that seems to bring out the pollen and also the best in our great mystery writers. Michael Connelly, who just delivered The Brass Verdict last fall (and sent it rocketing up the best-seller list) is giving us The Scarecrow (Little…
Naked Dawn: Red Dawn with more balls
When I was a kid in the '80s, I was a big fan of high-schooler war flick Red Dawn. In it, a rag-tag group of kids escapes a Russian invasion of America only to stick it to the Commies, insurgent style. Leave it to Funny Or Die to shoot a great parody trailer. Please enjoy…
Restaurant trend alert: Tableside Guacamole (plus recipe)
Forget tableside Caesar salad (so '80s), it seems the hot new trend is tableside guacamole. Right in front of your eyes, your server will whip up a batch of fresh guacamole with your choice of mix-ins: onions, peppers, jalapenos, tropical fruit, cilantro, etc. I've seen this trend at higher-end Mexican and Latin restaurants lately, like…
Muse to open for U2!
For every hundred people excited about U2's impending U.S. tour, I imagine there's a couple of folks like me – absolutely over-the-moon ecstatic that my favorite band snagged the support slot. From Muse's official website: We are pleased to confirm that Muse will be touring in the UK, Europe and North America this autumn. Full details on the…
I Bang the worst dudes!: confessionals of sex gone sour
As if people don't already share enough of their personal lives on the internet with Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, here's another site where one can dish about their bad sexual encounters with douchebags: I Bang the Worst Dudes (Sorry, Mom). Some of the stories are hilariously ridiculous and some are just too good to be…
What happens when Tampa Bay really runs out of water?
Our reservoir is essentially dry. More than 6 major brush fires burn in the counties around us due to the dry conditions and we're only at the beginning of the dry season. Is anyone besides me wondering what happens next? As I fill my 3-gallon watering can in the morning (early, within the time allowed…
Polyamory: a blend of polygamy and swinging
Most people are confused about the difference between polyamory, polygamy, swingers, and cheating. Polyamory refers to having more than one, simultaneous, committed relationship where all parties know about the other and consent to the set-up. Polygamy refers to being married to multiple people at the same time. Swinging is when a committed couple engages in…
Do It Today: Sideshow and Salerno-Sonnenberg
Sideshow with Postage Due. Held in conjunction with the seventh annual Ybor Festival of the Moving Image, Sideshow with Postage Due is a two-person show featuring mixed-media circus banners by Tampa artist Lori Ballard and postal art by Gulfport graphic designer Steve Smith. Ballard’s surreal, black-and-white photographic images are inspired by childhood memories of the…
Sensory Overload 4.0 Jams: Eliot Lipp and Michna
What's up Loafers!?! real quick, before we get to the content … just wanted to say hi!!! Y'know, introduce myself, all that jazz, as I'm finally gonna start contributing here on Tampa Calling. I'm Jack. I promote shows and select tunes (w/ my boy DJ Archaea) and I've actually been heading up my own blog…
Review: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It’s Blitz!
A review by The 941 and Tampa Calling blogger and Creative Loafing Sarasota editor Cooper Levy-Baker. Sign o’ the times: Band records album, band plots April 13 release date, album leaks, band quickly unleashes album digitally, band moves physical release date up to March 31. Such is life for a hot young rock group these…
Jon Snodgrass (ex-Drag The River singer): Visitor’s Band
Since Drag The River “broke up,” it stood to reason that guitarist/singer Jon Snodgrass and singer Chad Price would be releasing solo efforts. Chad is supposed to have one coming out by the end of 2009, and while I wouldn’t put the notion of another Drag The River album completely to bed, Mr. Snodgrass was…
Electro weekend.
Now in its 24th years, the Winter Music Conference brings industry professionals and electro acts from around the world to Miami for all manner of networking, panels and performance opportunities, from private parties to slots at WMC's Ultra Music Festival. Ultra continues with its usual roster of traditional DJs, producers and electronica acts — The…
Domino’s Big Taste Bailout = cynical marketing B.S.
Domino's Pizza has made noise of late with their heavily advertised "Big Taste Bailout." Ostensibly a handout to down-on-their-luck pizza lovers across the nation, the "Big Taste Bailout" offers one-topping pizzas or hot sandwiches for $5 each, provided you buy a minimum of three. In addition to being a supposedly great deal, Domino's is clearly…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Results: Algusto vs. Mema’s Alaskan Tacos
By an overwhelming vote of 103 to 25, Mema's slam-dunked this popularity contest with ease. Will they have the same success against the noticeably superior tacos of Acapulco in the next round? Tune in to see, and vote. Mema's Alaskan Tacos moves on to the Edible Eight. Don't forget to vote in today's match: Sabor…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Sabor Latino vs. Mekenita Mexican Grill
Mekenita is a hugely popular, modern quick-Mex joint way up in Lutz, created by former Roy's chef Rand Packer. Sabor Latino is a hole-in-a-strip-mall traditional Mexican restaurant on Busch. Can Mekenita's fan base (and updated taco construction) beat out the unknown traditionalist that has tacos good enough to rival Taconazo? Which taco deserves to move…
Food, wine and beer events
Wednesday, Mar. 25: 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. 25: Whole Foods Market Join Elaine Robert for a lecture on Gaia herbs. Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m., 1548 N Dale Mabry Rd, Tampa (813-874-9435)…
UrbEx 4.0 Featured Music Site: Something Planet
A compendium to this week's Urban Explorer’s Handbook, in which Creative Loafing maps out the best of the best of the Bay area-based Internet sites. Here is the next featured music site; to see the complete list, click here. Something Planet Who runs it: Three offbeat local dudes — David the Day, John J (John…
Legalize marijuana? The CNBC debate …
Sure, Jon Stewart spent time raking business net CNBC over the coals a few weeks ago — a well-deserved drubbing if there ever was one. However, that's no reason not to highlight an example of network doing something right. What follows is a killer Power Lunch segment from last week that debates whether or not…
Pornaoke at the Pegasus: A delight for the ears and the eyes!
What happens when you combine naked people with the tone deaf and put them in a dive bar? Pornaoke! Yes, the shockingly infamous social event where people sing (or attempt to) karaoke while cheaply shot porn plays on a big screen behind them. It's been going on every Wednesday for about six years at the…
UrbEx 4.0 Featured Music Sites: Aes, State and THX.
For this week’s forthcoming Urban Explorer’s Handbook, Creative Loafing maps out the best of the best of the Bay area’s Internet community. Here is one of our featured music sites; to see the rest, click here. Aestheticized Presents, State Media, THX MGMT Who runs them: Aestheticized is owned and operated by longtime indie scene promoter…
Do It Today: Nuevo flamenco, New Yorker poetry
Jesse Cook. The Toronto acoustic guitarist performs in a genre known as nuevo flamenco, in which he takes the centuries-old Spanish music tradition and updates it with undulating beats and synth backing. 8 p.m., Wed., March 25, Ferguson Hall, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, tbpac.orgGiselle. Moiseev Russian Classical Ballet and Orchestra, formerly known as the…
Anne Hathaway as Judy Garland vs. Julianne Moore as Hillary
When actors play real-life, well-known people, they either set themselves up for Oscars (Sean Penn as Harvey Milk) or ridicule (Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes). Consider these two casting coups: Anne Hathaway as Judy Garland in the Weinsteins' Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland and Julianne Moore as Hillary Clinton in Special Relationship (by…
Lysistrata at American Stage
Waring husbands get cut off in the greek “classic.”
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: It’s Blitz!
Sign o’ the times: Band records album, plots April 13 release date, album leaks, band quickly unleashes album digitally, band moves physical release date up to March 31. Such is life for a hot young rock group these days, and even the artists can’t get too worked up about it. “We wanted to build toward…
Urban Explorer 4.0: The top local arts sites
Tampa Bay Arts & FloridasBeach.comWho runs them: Tampa Bay & Company, formerly known as the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Visit St. Petersburg-Clearwater, formerly known as the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Convention & Visitors BureauWhy you need them: As you might expect from sites geared toward newcomers and tourists, these are attractive one-stop shops for…
For Florida mystery writer Tom Corcoran, experience is key
When writing novels set in Key West, it helps to have hung out with Jimmy Buffett.
Urban Explorer 4.0: Tommy Duncan and Sticks of Fire
I do feel like "the old man," Tommy Duncan says. He's not old in physical terms, just digital years. The 40-something blogger founded the most-often-cited independent Tampa Bay news blog, Sticks of Fire, in Feb. 2004, and the site, without much financial assistance from advertising, is still going strong today with a stable of more…
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…
Urban Explorer 4.0: Top local government site: Tampagov.net
The City of Tampa’s award-winning tampagov.net.
Urban Explorer 4.0: Tampa LGBT online
gaystpete.comgaybor.commcfilmfest.comprosuzy.com
Urban Explorer 4.0: The digital branding of 10 Connects
Janie Porter describes herself as "one of the least technologically savvy people you'll ever meet," and yet there she was in January, in a hotel in South Florida, with a video camera, two laptops and a microphone at the ready for a live broadcast for the Tampa Bay CBS affiliate, 10 Connects. She had no…
Tampa Aquaknox restaurant disappoints
A good dessert can’t save a bad meal.
Urban Explorer 4.0: The top local news sites
Sticks of FireWho runs it: Citizen journalist and JGLB rock band lead singer Tommy Duncan started Sticks of Fire in early 2004 when he realized there were few (if any) blogs about Tampa, just a bunch in Tampa. Duncan remarked at the time that even he, just "some knucklehead with a computer" who has "zero…
Urban Explorer 4.0: The top local food sites
Culinary SherpasWho's cooking? Husband and wife team Greg and Michelle Baker started Sherpas in 2007 as an adjunct to their Cooks & Company personal chef service. He's a chef, she's a food stylist and writer. Besides a ton of loyal viewers, the blog spawned a regular column in the Trib and an upcoming cooking show…
Urban Explorer 4.0: Lori Johns, C. Emerson Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
Lori Johns "started small" on the Web. Now she's gone global. Johns is the owner of C. Emerson Fine Arts Gallery (c-emersonfinearts.com), a pristine white-box contemporary art gallery on Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg. She started with just the bare minimum — the website, the Facebook page — but now she's branching out, finding…
Savage Love: Dude, where’s my libido?
Husband has no interest in hot wife
John Lennon’s security blanket: Creative Loafing interviews Yoko Ono
His drawings were his refuge, says his widow Yoko Ono.
Urban Explorer 4.0: The top tech and games sites
Ars TechnicaWho runs it: A cadre of tech writers and geeks, mostly from Silicon Valley. A journalistic and serious approach to current tech issues separates Ars from the more typical tech blog resources.Why you need it: Knowing about the newest gadgets or rumored software updates is great, but if you're looking for a more long-view…
Picking films for the Sarasota Film Festival
Tom Hall and Holly Herrick scour cinemas to find the right blend of movies for your entertainment.
Straight Dope: My buddies and I want to be blimp pilots. What do we do?
My buddies and I have been considering (while drinking) the idea of becoming "airship pilots." I put this in quotation marks because we cannot find any information on how this (possibly fictitious) profession could be pursued. We have looked into both purchasing an airship and gaining the credentials to pilot one. We cannot find any…
Urban Explorer 4.0: Alex Valle and Grayson West of GNATV
Sitting at Taconazo one day, USF students and friends Alex Valle and Grayson West had an epiphany. Why do so many people eat at chain restaurants when there are killer local joints like the Taco Bus? They made it their personal mission to encourage fellow students — and Tampa natives — to venture away from…
Designer Gary Burge, yborfilmfestival.com
Web designer Gary Burge — the techie behind Ybor Festival of the Moving Image's excellent website — used to be a workaholic. A decade ago, Burge was employed by online service CompuServe as director of strategic technologies when he suffered a heart attack while working in his office at 7 a.m. on the day after…
Urban Explorer 4.0: The top local music sites
The Merry AndrewsWho 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 blog, Tampa Calling), Ashley Renee and Marc Karimi. They co-host a weekly internet radio show and a website that spotlights underground and indie bands with interviews,…
Urban Explorer 4.0: Top sites for shopping & style
Kim Colvin is a professional makeup artist and a USF advertising program grad, and she's just begun blogging on The Daily Loaf as our Mode Maven. (And she's full of information: Who knew there was such a thing as weight-loss lip gloss?) We asked her to weigh in on her favorite online stops for makeup,…
The Perfect Rack
I'm not talking pool balls or your neighbor's recently augmented breasts… a fully equipped and stocked wine rack is a basic ingredient for every budding wine enthusiast. But with virtually unlimited choices, filling a 10- or 12-bottle countertop accoutrement can be challenging at best, intimidating at worst. Even so, it pays to be prepared. Will…
Who’s who at Sensory Overload 4.0: The visual artists
A curator’s guide to the digital artists of Sensory Overload 4.0.
Urban Explorer 4.0: The top movie and film sites
tampatheatre.org
Movie Review: Little Miss Sunshine Cleaning
It’s like CSI, but with more restraint.
Urban Explorer 4.0: The top local sports sites
Daily newspaper sitesSt. Petersburg TimesTampa Tribune Why you need them: Daily papers have traditionally been the go-to place for sports fans in any given community, and it's no different in Tampa Bay. In terms of added online value, tbo.com has blogs for the local pro franchises, as well as the USF Bulls, Florida Gators and…
Urban Explorer 4.0: The top sex and love sites
Savage LoveWho runs it: Dan Savage, the syndicated sex advice columnist, offers an alternative to the vanilla views of sexologists like Dr. Drew.Why you need it: Dan Savage pulls no punches. His weekly column, Savage Love, has become a guidebook for navigating the uncharted territory of American's changing sexual landscape, and CL's Sex & Love…
Tampa music label 24 Hour Service Station embraces the digital frontier
You don't keep a tiny independent record label afloat for 15 years without being quick to adapt to new marketplace realities. That's one of the reasons that 24 Hour Service Station, a bedroom operation based in Wesley Chapel, is still standing. In 1994, when Marshall Dickson — a local record store manager and DJ —…
South by Southwest 2009: Quincy Jones Keynote Address (Video)
On Thursday, March 19, legendary music/film producer and arranger Quincy Jones spoke for 2-and-a-half hours to a packed house at the Austin Convention Center about the state of the music industry, the future of the music business, his first encounters with Michael Jackson, brain science, nanotechnology and the success he has enjoyed around the globe by…
“I loved your show more than pussy”
We at Jobsite Theater have been collecting quotes sent to us via email or Twitter or what-have-you since Wednesdays preview production. We've also culled a few soundbites from bloggers who've attended over this opening weekend. The best quote though came from a bartender friend who saw the show Sunday afternoon who sent a text message…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Results: Zurritos vs. Peg’s Cantina
Holy crap! Turnout for this contest was like the turnout at a kick-the-banker booth at the county fair! Both Peg's and Zurritos did their darndest to mobilize their base, and though Peg's ran out to an early lead, Zurritos fans had the stamina to carry through the evening and snatch victory from the Gulfport cantina.…
Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Matchup: Algusto vs. Mema’s Alaskan Tacos
Like yesterday's contenders, Mema's has a vocal and ardent fan base that will likely mobilize to push that Ybor spot over the top in this battle. But don't count out Algusto, which had one of the strongest turnouts in the first round. Which style will get out the vote: the fried tacos from Palin country…
Album review: Condo Fucks’ Fuckbook
A review by The 941 and Tampa Calling blogger and Creative Loafing Sarasota editor Cooper Levy-Baker. For all intents and purposes, the Condo Fucks’ Fuckbook is the 13th studio LP from Yo La Tengo, even if the Matador Records website for the “band” never mentions the words “Yo,” “La” or “Tengo.” There are plenty of…
Late Night Music, March 23-28
A weekly bulletin on musical guests playing the five-nights-a-week late night talk shows (and SNL); set your TIVOs or DVRs. The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Monday, March 23: Bloc Party (pictured) Tuesday, March 24: White Lies Wednesday, March 25: Jesse Harris with Norah Jones Thursday, March 26: U2 (rerun, March 6) Friday, March…
