One for the Catholics: Lenten fish sandwich with an Italian twist
This was one of my spontaneous concoctions on a Saturday night. I did not have the urge to have a night on the town so I stayed in to experiment with a recipe. I picked up some Butterfish fillets from Sayroo`s Bakery along with some fresh wheat buns and I figured I could put together…
Rice Cooker Paella recipe
Every ethnic cuisine has their form of a one pot, rice-based dish that usually includes some form of meat and/or seafood with vegetables. One of my favorite versions of this is Spanish paella. Paella is traditionally made in a large pan called a "paellera" (go figure) with short- or medium-grain rice and given its characteristic…
Perfect Beef Empanadas
I hope everyone cooks with their kids. If you don't have any, I suggest you get some. And if that's too much trouble, just borrow one. My 4 year old, Olivia, would love to come to your house and help you with the flour. On our agenda this time: Empanadas. Empanadas are a Latin pastry…
It’s The Scenestress, bitch: A frontline report from Britney Spears’ Tampa concert
A review of Sunday's Britney Spears show at the St. Pete Times Forum by The Scenestress; cross-posted from The 941. The ritual is about to commence. We have gathered, donned in our ceremonial garb of revealing tops with denim and high heels. We have imbibed holy spirits and taken our seats in the temple. As…
Bernie Madoff: Guilty!
Not exactly a surprise, but it feels good to hear it confirmed: Bernie "I ripped off everybody, even Elie Wiesel" Madoff is reportedly going to plead guilty to 11 charges of fraud, perjury, money laundering and "theft from an employee benefit plan" — yep, you name it, he did it — that will add up…
An advance overview of the upcoming Tampa Bay Blues Fest
The 15th annual Tampa Bay Blues Fest is around the corner — Fri., March 20 through Sun. March 22 at Vinoy Park on the downtown St. Pete waterfront. Needless to say, it’s a good time. Sunny days, cool evenings, free-blowing beer and hour after hour of hot, quintessentially American music. Here’s a primer for the…
Tournament of Tacos voting begins tomorrow — better get tasting
CL's Tournament of Tacos kicks off tomorrow with daily, taco-a-taco matchups between the competitors. First up, we'll cut the thirty-two finalists down to a Savory Sixteen with two matches every day for a week. And this year, instead of just my stellar palate picking the winners, you get a chance to be heard. How can…
The Lieutenant of Inishmore: There Will Be Blood
As a director and producer, I'm not typically easily rattled. Jobsite Theater tends to pick material that we're confident we can do well and that will still push us, our artists and our audience just enough to make it all worthwhile. As a director I really only go for work that speaks to me on…
Orlando’s Seasons 52 chain comes to Tampa
Seasons 52 — the Orlando-based, healthy restaurant/wine bar chain— arrives in Tampa within the year. A reliable source revealed that, if all goes well with city permitting, the space previously occupied by Steak and Ale at Westshore Mall will be the Tampa location.
New downtown Tampa pizzeria to give away free slices
Pizzaiolo Bavaro, a brand-spankin'-new pizza joint in downtown Tampa featuring Neapolitan pies, big brick ovens and custom made wood pizza peels, is giving away free pizza today from Noon to 2 p.m. The grand opening is slated for tomorrow. It's located at 514 N. Franklin St., corner of Twiggs St. & Franklin Ave., (813) 868-4440.
Best beer in Florida? I’ll be the judge of that.
As I walked the dusty path toward the front entrance of Skipper's Smokehouse, the festive sounds of Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes mingled with the heavy aromas of cigar smoke and Cajun spices. The occasion — 10th Annual Best Florida Beer Championships Brewer's Ball. It's kind of a big deal in the beer community,…
CL Sounds 3.10: Allen Toussaint, Matthew Dear and others.
What the CL team is listening to right now. Allen Toussaint The Bright Mississippi (2009) One of my favorite producers, Joe Henry, teams up with legendary New Orleans artist Toussaint to revive a set of Crescent City classics (and tunes associated with the city) — mostly instrumental jazz by the likes of Sidney Bechet, Jelly…
Late night music, March 10-14
A regular 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 Wednesday, March 11: Razorlight Thursday, March 12: The Broadway cast of West Side Story Friday, March 13: Cursive The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC Tuesday, March…
Countdown to South by Southwest
I realized this morning that I only have three more nights in my own bed before I fly to Austin for the annual South by Southwest music conference. I will be covering the event (the showcases, awards, conferences and parties) for CL and starting Friday night (if everything goes according to plan) you'll be able to read…
Do It Today: Tasha Jones, media panel, Less Than Jake and more
Black on Black Rhyme — one of the Bay area's longest-running spoken-word and open-mic events — continues its Women's History Month observance with another lady wordsmith: Tasha Jones. 9 p.m., Hip Hop Soda Shop, Tampa, 813-810-3582, free. Formed in Gainesville in ’92, Less Than Jake has been one of the more durable acts to reside…
Britney Spears Tampa show wardrobe malfunction: “My p***y is hanging out!”
Yep, she really did just say that. Britney Spears got caught with her mic on with leaving the stage for a wardrobe change during her concert last night at the St. Pete Times Forum. Not realizing the mic was still live and says, "My pussy is hanging out!" Video and audio proof below the jump:
Deerhunter, Summerbirds in the Cellar and Giddy-up, Helicopter!’s final show tonight at Czar Bar
Ybor’s Czar bar is set to host a promising indie rock show tonight with Atlanta’s stellar Deerhunter headlining. Also on the bill are the highly underrated Orlando band Summerbirds in the Cellar and the final show for local faves Giddy-up, Helicopter! Deerhunter was all over the best-of lists with 2008’s wonderful Microcastle – an often…
New Yeah Yeah Yeahs record It’s Blitz now streaming
That's right, the whole damn record is streaming on the band's Myspace page right now. Click here to listen. Here are the current tour dates (not too much USA love yet):
The Mistress Is In: Kink 101
Ever wonder what goes through the minds of those leather-clad, cruel beauties known as dominatrices? Well, welcome to my world… My name is Mistress Sophie; I am a lifestyle dominatrix. I enjoy imparting pain and torment as part of the sacred trust between dominant and submissive. In kink parlance, I'm a fem-domme, or female dominant…
Beer review: Drake’s Crude Oatmeal Stout (with bonus beer chili recipe)
Erie Brewing turns out a superb product mix, including Railbender Scottish Ale, Mad Anthony's American Pale Ale, and Presque Isle Pilsner. The brewery's product naming celebrates Pennsylvania's history, particularly the people and places involved. Their current seasonal, Drake's Crude Oatmeal Imperial Stout, takes its name from Edwin Drake — as in Drake's Folly for all…
Welcome to old age, CD: The Compact Disc turns 30
For humans, 30 isn't too old — not even middle age these days; but for technology, any age measured in decades denotes something downright ancient. Enter the CD, first demonstrated on March 8, 1979. To date, over 3.5 billion audio CD players have been sold along with 240 billion Compact Discs. Sales are in steep…
Find local artists at TampaArtist.com
Laura Mae Dooris. Cornucopia of Discovery. Mixed media on canvas, 36" x 24". I just learned today about TampaArtist.com, which has an extensive image gallery featuring work by about 200 Bay area artists. About 75% of the names were new to me (unlike, say, Laura Mae Dooris, whose work I've seen in several exhibitions over…
Make Your Own Pop-Up Books
Thomas Allen. Fancy, 2006. 20 x 24 inches, chromogenic print. Courtesy Foley Gallery. Who says pop-up books are for kids? Just check out artist Thomas Allen's sly constructions, crafted from pulp fiction book covers and beautifully photographed to produce images that resonate with adult concerns: eroticism, repression and the enticements of nostalgia's mirage. Learn how…
It’s not pesto, dammit!
I'm tired of clarifying my little marinade secret so I decided to blog it! It may look like a pesto but it's really a spicy, aromatic and herbaceous marinade— a universal marinade for meat and seafood on my little island. In our family, simply using salt and pepper to season meat results in loss of kitchen…
Watchmen’s Rorschach revealed to be one of the Bad News Bears
About 90 minutes into seeing Watchmen at my local IMAX theater, the character Rorschach had his mask removed. The actor playing Rorschach looked really familiar — an unmistakable face from the past, but I couldn't figure out who he was. Then it hit me: He was a child star. I was sure of it. Resisting…
The weekend that was: Vroom-vroom & Verdi
There's every kind of reason to stay home and hunker down nowadays — the general lack of money, for one thing. But this past weekend, at three very different arts events, it was extremely heartening to see big crowds of culture vultures out and about and applauding like crazy. On Friday night at Channelside Cinemas,…
Own the Zelda Car for just $500
In the market for a 1978 Ford Fairmont with only 110,000 miles, new brake cables, new tires and new shocks, all for $500? No? Did we mention it's painted with the original maps from The Legend of Zelda? If you're anywhere near Corvallis, Oregon, hit the link below the jump (get it, Link?)
The cutting-edge marijuana lab: another step to making herb legit?
From California (where else) comes news that a new, state-of-the-art testing lab for marijuana is giving customers of legal grass stores the peace of mind they need when it comes to strength and safety of the bud. From DrugReporter at Alternet: At downtown Oakland's Harborside Health Center, the hairy green buds have numbers. The new…
Beer Review: Terrapin Side Project #4 Dos Cocoas Porter
Think about the massive amount of performance pressure within an industry such as beer. Certain recipes mark milestones in the evolution of brewing, like Pilsner Urquell, which defined a new style of beer and took its name from the region where it originated. You've got experimental breweries like Dogfish Head, partnering with university archaeology departments…
Meatless Mondays: A national campaign for a healthier U.S.
While speaking at one of Hillsborough Community College's Hospitality program classes last week, I found out about this program called Meatless Monday. This is a national public health campaign and non-profit organization working in association with the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health dedicated to helping prevent the four leading causes of death in…
Cheesecake Factory Owns You
People go to Cheesecake Factory to wait. It's a busy Friday or Saturday night and the idea of Cheesecake Factory sounds, well, luxurious. The people want to announce to all of their friends "I'm going to Cheesecake Factory (I must be fabulous)." The friends respond: "O,h you're going to Cheesecake Factory. You are so spectacular".…
Do It Today: Gallagher and golf
Gallagher The watermelon-smashing, fart-joking, self-styled smartest man in the world descends on Seminole Hard Rock Casino tonight. His routine may be showing its age (there are tired bits about Bill-and-Hillary and the difficulties of map-folding on his site) but if you're a Gallagher fan you're going to be there with raincoats on. Watch out for…
Gasparilla Best-In-Show: Nancy Cervenka
From the press release: Selecting from a field of more than 300 acclaimed artists displaying their works, juror Martha Connell, owner and director of Connell Gallery/Great American Gallery in Atlanta, has named the recipients of 39th annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts cash awards. This year, the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the…
Vote for Mickett-Stackhouse Sculpture
The Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tenn., has commissioned five proposals for public sculptures, two of which will be constructed and placed in Chattanooga's Renaissance Park. St. Petersburg-based artists Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse are among the artists in the running. Click here to vote for their proposed sculpture, Place in the Woods…
Phish Saves America: Reunion Shows Check-In II.
The internet here is iffy, hence the spotty blogging, but I managed to get make it on here for more than a few minutes today and thought I'd offer a quick rundown of events since the last post. Click here to follow me on Twitter and get my more regular, up-to-date check-ins and observations. 1.…
Let me perfectly blunt: February is Weed month
February is the month when we reflect on Black History; we celebrate both the physical and metaphysical hearts; with spring break closing in the condom companies begin their public service to encourage those hedonist college hipsters to wrap that rascal. February is also WEED month; POT month. It is my opinion that we really don't…
Penis Hype
Penis Hype I had to devote an entire blog to this subject. Thanks Ernie for your comments and questions that prompted this response. I hope it doesn’t get too irrational for you. I know I’m a woman and we tend to get that way. The example of Dick using his giant penis to get women…
The Rock Obama: What happens when the president gets mad
Today's New York Times Arts & Leisure section is all over Dwayne Johnson, the artist formerly known as The Rock, with a big front-page photo and an analysis of his somewhat mystifying stardom. But forget The Game Plan and The Scorpion King. Johnson's finest on-screen moment to date is his impersonation of the Prez from…
Kama Sutra – Roly Poly
Getting into position: The woman is instructed to crouch down on her heels, while the man enters her from behind in a half-seated (or full-seated if you're really lazy) position. His job is to caress her entire body, including back, breasts, and thighs, while also kissing her tenderly (chicks really dig this). She controls the…
Travelling Miami: Still in South Beach, bitch!
After The Abbey, Rosebud and I stumbled on down to Zeke’s Roadhouse, 625 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, 305-672-3118. Now basically Zeke’s looks like someone threw around some bright colors, put a palm tree in the window, hung some string lights and opened a bar (in stark contrast to the rest of the uber design in…
Should FSU’s Bobby Bowden resign?
The Tampa Tribune's Martin Fennelly thinks he should, and he says so in a front-page story today with the headline, "Bobby, It's Time To Do The Right Thing." The reason, of course, is that FSU's athletics department, which Bowden's football teams have covered with glory, is now covered in, well, shit. Because a bunch of…
Hookah me up
One by one, city by city, smoking bans have edged out the agitated and the addicted. There was a time when cigar bars were a sure ticket to safe smoking pleasure and the promise of smoking freedom but it turns out that cigars are carcinogenic. Cigar smoke is concentrated and the monoxides and tars that…
Miley Cyrus totally dissed by Radiohead
and singer Miley Cyrus revealed this week on Tucson morning radio show Johnjay & Rich that she was rebuffed by Radiohead (her favorite band, "the only one she would cry over" according to her agent) during the Grammy Awards last month. Radiohead was in a dressing room only four doors down from Ms. Cyrus. Miley…
See Neko Case perform “People Gotta Lot of Nerve” on Jay Leno
Neko Case appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this week to perform "People Gotta Lot of Nerve" off her new album, Middle Cyclone, out now: Here's the video:
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah debut new song “Statues” on Jimmy Fallon
So far, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has failed to impress many, but the show's first week of music wasn't too shabby (the Roots as house band, Van Morrison, Justin Timberlake). Last night Clap Your Hands Say Yeah ripped out a new single, called "Statues" to a very excited audience (what's with the people on…
Jazz CD Review: Gerald Cleaver/Willliam Parker/Craig Taborn
Gerald Cleaver/Willliam Parker/Craig Taborn: Farmers By Nature (AUM Fidelity) This is full-immersion music — on the part of players and listener alike. Farmers by Nature captures a live performance by three of the most accomplished improvisers to be found anywhere — drummer Cleaver, bassist Parker and pianist Taborn — in a completely extemporaneous setting. The…
Phish Saves America: First pics from Hampton.
Phil, JJ and I got in to Hampton around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, grabbed our fatty Kia rental (man, do those cars have all the extras!), met up with our Seattle friend Becks in the lobby of the hotel, checked in, and did the usual new in town things. Walked up to the Hampton Coliseum, snooped…
Pitchfork Music Festival headliners announced
This just in from Pitch Perfect PR: PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FRIDAY'S LINE-UP PLUS SELECT ACTS PERFORMING SATURDAY & SUNDAY The 2009 Pitchfork Music Festival — to be held in Chicago's Union Park Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19 — is announcing the first round of band's to perform at this years festival, as…
Dream Interruptus
A reader wrote: "I rarely dream, or at least I rarely remember dreaming. The exception is when somethng startles me out of a deep sleep. I had such an occurrence last week after your last post, so I made a point of trying to remember it. Dreams fade very quickly for me once I'm up,…
Indie 101: Artur Dyjecinski
If you’re having a difficult time spotting Artur Dyjecinski in a crowded room, just look for the guy in the cowboy shirt with the super bad-ass mustache. Then, once you find him, ask him to tell you about all of the places that you want to travel to, because it’s almost guaranteed he has been…
Who will watch the Watchmen?
Today's poll is a simple one:Don't forget to check out CL's comprehensive guide to Watchmen, including reviews, trailers and an interview with co-creator Dave Gibbons.
Top 10 nude spots
If your looking for a place to bare it all this spring break, places to go nude. I still can't believe St. Pete didn't make the list. Not that you can go nude here, but I wouldn't mind visitors testing the waters. All we need is ten or so beautiful people to get the trend…
Food and wine events
Friday, Mar. 6: The Wine Shop of St. Pete Beach Join Dr. Julie Gatza at the "Five Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger" seminar and learn how to eat and live healthy. Free. 6 p.m., 401 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach (727-363-9463) Friday, Mar. 6: Whole Foods Market Skin care expert Gene Ramsey will demo…
Ty Ku Soju-based Liqueur: It’s a modern martini in a glowing bottle
When the Ty Ku rep contacted me, I was intrigued by the line of sake, soju and blends his company sold. Sake is pretty much ensconced in the American alcoholic psyche thanks to popularization of sushi over the past few decades. But soju — native to Korea — is barely known and not easily found…
Hullabaloo 2005 Zinfandel Napa
Grabbed a bottle of this on sale at Vintage Wine Cellars in South Tampa for around $21. Although I admit the inane moniker almost turned me off, the wine's opulence and robustness made up for its lack of maturity. Silky with a jammy raspberry, bittersweet chocolate, rich vanilla, leathery base, followed up by the earthiness of tobacco…
Do It This Weekend: Gasparilla arts fests, Jessica vs. Britney and more
Britney Spears w/The Pussycat Dolls Over the past few years, Britney Spears has been through the media gauntlet. But the superstar songstress picked up the pieces, clocked some hours in the dance studio and got in svelte shape, hit the studio with the right producers, and got her pop groove back. Sun. Mar., 8, 8…
Just Say NoBama: Republicans stall budget bill, with help from some Dems
Senate Republicans blocked passage of the $410 billion ominibus spending bill last night. This is not to be confused with Obama's $787 stimulus package, which has already passed; the omnibus bill represents the balance of the federal budget for this fiscal year, and includes nine spending measures that Congressional Democrats and President Bush could not…
Interview: Terry Adams, former keyboardist for NRBQ
Rare is the musician who can record an album of avant-garde solo piano, then turn around and write, sing and perform a simple, confectionary pop song called “My Girl My Girl,” which begins with the lines, “Just can’t find one better lookin’/ There ain’t no one that’s got more cookin’.” Perhaps that’s why more people…
Top 3 reasons why a dead Biggie Smalls is better than a living Lil Wayne
In the hip-hop community, no one really wants to be labeled a hater. While I don’t hate Lil Wayne, I am far from a fan. I respect the fact that he has put out more music than any other major hip-hop artist in the last five years and probably has the best work ethic of…
The Building of the Lego Millennium Falcon: The Definitive Movie
Because our lives, and possibly yours, can't be truly complete until you've seen the definitive stop-motion guide to constructing the Lego Millennium Falcon, we bring you just that, courtesy of David Gunstensen and Gizmodo:
Comebacks We Don’t Need: Michael Jackson & Tatiana del Toro
Which comeback is scarier? Michael Jackson's 10-concert please-help-me-pay-my-legal-bills blitz in London this summer — or shrieking nutcase Tatiana del Toro's return to American Idol tonight? Jackson's announcement — which HuffPo memorably headlined "Wacko Jacko Backo" — somehow drew "more than 1500 screaming fans," according to USA Today. Take a look at his face and you'll…
Grocery store sales 3/5 – 3/11
Publix (prices good through 3/11): Boneless, skinnless chicken breasts, $1.99/lb. (Recipe: BBQ Cheesy Chicken) Extra large white shrimp, $5.99 (Recipe: Southwestern Shrimp and Grits) Fresh Attitudes spinach, 5-oz. package, 2 for $5 (Recipe: Vegetarian Fritatta) Assorted pork chops, $1.79/lb. (Recipe: Barbecue Rubbed Pork Chops) T-bone or porterhouse steaks, $7.99/lb. Fresh canteloupe, 2 for $3 Fresh…
Seinfeld reunion on Curb Your Enthusiasm!
Yeah, I wet my pants too. The four principals from Seinfeld — Jerry, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards — will be appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm in a re-occuring story ark for the show's not-yet-scheduled seventh season. I may finally have a reason to kick in for the HBO.
Songs to end your party
Special thanks to Amy! for inspiring this blog. In a comment on my recent Songs to save your party blog she wrote, "As a follow up to this article, I propose you consider the question, what songs are guaranteed to END the party?" Amy!, your wish is my command. I call this my "Maxi Pad…
Your guide to Watchmen
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Watchmen film, opening Friday: Here's our review, courtesy of staffer Brian Ries. The Watchmen movie cometh: Should you care? In this week's Reel Projections podcast Brian gives his impressions: CL interview with Watchmen co-creator Dave Gibbons. Listen here. Two and a Half Watchmen on Youtube: Is…
Chris Brown charged with two felonies
Chris Brown's been sounding all contrite and abashed lately, but when you read the charges being filed today re his alleged assault of girlfriend Rihanna, his pleas sound just a wee bit hollow. And what's up with the ear-biting? Besides being way too Mike Tyson, it just sounds, well, awkward. He bit her ear? While…
CL launch party in pictures
Creative Loafing in Tampa celebrated the launch of its new Web site last night in our South Tampa offices with a night of music, food and drinks. Pictures below, courtesy of contributor Chip Weiner. More pics below the break:
Skittles-infused vodka: Taste the rainbow and get buzzed
Skittles are pretty tasty by themselves (excluding those chocolate abominations), and vodka is just wonderful, but maybe not on it's own. So what if you combined the two? Skittles-infused vodka: two great tastes that taste great together. You get the sweet, synthetic flavors and a great buzz all in the same swallow. I stumbled across this…
TBPAC’s Broadway dreams: The critics ain’t wild about Wildhorn
Big news out of Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center this morning: As the first initiative of its Broadway Genesis Project, TBPAC is producing a new musical by Frank Wildhorn (The Civil War, Jekyll & Hyde) with hopes of taking it to Broadway. Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure is an adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures…
YouTube: 100.9 million viewers, Two and a Half Watchmen
YouTube has reached an historic milestone, according to TV Week: For the first time, YouTube has surpassed 100 million U.S. monthly viewers, according to new comScore information. The Web video giant logged 100.9 million U.S. viewers during the month of January. Viewers averaged 62.6 clips each, bringing the site’s total to 6.3 billion video streams…
EHarmony fails me (again)
I have a lot of respect for what they're trying to do at EHarmony, but apparently my personality profile only matches me with true creepers. Sometimes I feel like the site is linking a suitable victim, me, with potential serial killers, like Jeremy. Like everyone I meet online, Jeremy seemed normal at first. He had…
Do It Today: Fast cars on film, Billy Joel & Elton John
Truth in 24 at Gasparilla International Film Festival Truth in 24 is a thrillingly inside look at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the fabled sports-car endurance race in Le Mans, France. The focus is on the Audi Sport team, with so many caressing shots of Audi's logo and its vehicles that the film sometimes…
A pound cake for National Pound Cake Day
In honor of National Pound Cake day, I thought it was only fitting to post, um, Pound Cake! Duh! My mom gave me this recipe after I bitched about my failed pound cake attempt a while ago. Well this pound cake was FAR from a fail. It was moist and delicious. But don't you dare…
The Short List: Rove, Miers to face the music
If you've always wanted to watch someone beat the shit out of Will Ferrell with a baseball bat, have I got a movie for you … Finally, Karl Rove and Harriet Miers will testify on the record. Obama Administration fleshes out the details of the mortgage bailout plan. Chances the U.S. is headed for a…
No Doubt offers complete digital catalog with inflated Live Nation tickets
Just got a press release with the following headline: "No Doubt Fans To Receive Band's Entire Digital Catalog For Free With LiveNation.com Ticket Purchase." Very interesting and exciting news for fans, until you get down a little further and find out that only the folks willing to cough up $80 or more for "top tier"…
CD Review: The Von Bondies “Love, Hate and Then There’s You”
The Von Bondies Love, Hate and Then There’s You (Majordomo/Shout Factory) Thrust into the limelight a few years ago after Jack White punched out lead singer Jason Stollsteimer, The Von Bondies' new release, Love, Hate and Then There’s You, is a straightforward, intense-yet-safe alt rock record that might allow listeners to actually forget the brawl…
Chip Weiner’s photo blog: Scene at the Strawberry Festival
Tornado by Night Bozo waits for the dunk Get Zipped! After the jump, Oreo-chasing pigs, a Spider-Man sighting, night on the Midway and "I think I'm gonna hurl — again."
Laptop pop: Girl Talk plays Club Firestone in Orlando on Saturday
Girl Talk Sat., March 7, Club Firestone, Orlando, $15 in advance/$18 dos, clubfirestone.com One of the hottest DJs on the scene right now isn't really a DJ at all. Girl Talk — the stage name and dance-music project of 27-year-old Pittsburgh native Gregg Gillis — is more an electronic music phenomenon than anything else. His…
My deployment in Qatar: I heart mail
[Editor's Note: Jennifer Huntsman is a US Army Reserve Signal Captain stationed at MacDill Air Force Base with Joint Communication Support Element (JCSE). She is currently deployed in Qatar. Jenny will be writing for The Daily Loaf about life in the military.] The happiest and most anticipated moment during a deployment, except when you out-process to…
Local food soapbox: The good and bad of Florida farmers’ markets
When you decide to start the journey of eating nutritionally, locally-grown should be your quest. As I have stated before, the only way to insure you’re eating nutritionally dense food is to find food harvested within 3 days. Since most people don't have the time or resources to do what I do everyday, your Farmers'…
Phish offers fans free next-day downloads of the reunion shows
Well, looks like even if I don't make it in to all three of this weekend's Phish reunion shows, I can still get the show downloads for free — and in a high quality format! Here's the release I got today: PHISH OFFERS FANS FREE, NEXT-DAY MP3 DOWNLOADS OF THIS WEEKEND'S SOLD-OUT HAMPTON COLISEUM SHOWS…
Cope stages their official “coming out” show this Friday at Skipper’s
A solid jam-rock outfit that's been gigging around the Bay area for the past several years, Cope has only recently found a lineup that fits. Now, they're ready to get serious. "We've finally reached a sound we're proud of," guitarist/vocalist Dennis Stadelman told me a few weeks ago when I sat down with him and…
Please forgive me, Rush, you ugly opportunistic brick-thrower you
Jon Stuart and Rachel Maddow aside, Democrats aren't always known for their sense of humor. But the Dems are taking full advantage of the Republicans' latest wave of Rush-worship. Echoing RNC Chair Michael Steele's toadying apology to His Rushness, the Dems have created a web page — "the Secret Republican Apology Machine" — where you…
Robin Williams cancels Sundome show, latest in epidemic of sickly entertainers
What is it about Tampa Bay lately? Morrissey cancelled his Jannus gig due to undisclosed illness, then Loudon Wainright III bowed out of his Palladium date because of flu, and now comedian Robin Williams is calling out sick for his scheduled performance on Saturday at the USF Sundome and three other FL dates, citing "shortness…
Prank Wars: The Revenge
You may recall a video that made the rounds a while back detailing the latest conflagration in a prank war between two guys who work for collegehumor.com. In the last installment (shot in September 2007), pranker Amir gave his pal Streeter a pair of Yankee tickets for him and his girl. Amir worked some magic…
Top ten most popular wine brands
According to Wine and Spirits Magazine, 2008's top ten most ordered wines in restaurants are: 1. Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards 2. Cakebread Cellars 3. Jordan Vineyard & Winery 4. Silver Oak Wine Cellars 5. Ferrari-Carano Winery 6. Robert Mondavi Winery 7. Veuve Clicquot 8. Chateau Ste. Michelle 9. Rombauer Vineyards 10. Kendall-Jackson Vineyards And I thought KJ…
Spamalot at TBPAC: A review
Editorial Assistant Franki Weddington attended the opening night performance of Spamalot last night. Here's her wrap: Last night, I went to Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s opening performance of Monty Python's Spamalot, the Tony-winning Broadway musical ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like most people, I thought that Grail had perfected the…
Free shit: Phish Hampton 09 mp3s at livephish.com
How fitting that the Cheap Bastard gets to post this freebie on the way out of town to enjoy the show. Phish is offering free mp3 downloads (through a "pre-order") of the 3 night run at the Hampton Coliseum. Go to livephish.com and snag yours today. From the website: Says Trey Anastasio, "We really wanted…
Creative Loafing announces management pay cuts
During a conference call this morning, Creative Loafing President Ben Eason and COO Kirk MacDonald told managers at the six papers in the CL chain (CL Tampa, Sarasota, Atlanta and Charlotte, the Chicago Reader and the Washington City Paper) that their salaries are going to be cut in the range of 5%-15%, effective the first…
Reviewing Starbucks’ sandwiches
Starbucks biggest problem — besides its signature burned coffee — has always been the lack of savory treats available for a nosh. It's difficult to spend six hours in a coffee shop working on your never-to-be-published novel or playing internet poker with only slabs of lemon poundcake or tiny packets of sweetened almonds for sustenance.…
Do It Today: Jewish standup, Hook’s fundraiser and more
Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival Opening Night With the Mideast conflict appearing more intractable than ever, the 13th annual Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival is offering a welcome respite: laughter. The festival's opening night celebration is themed "The Funny Business About Religion," and it features stand-up routines by a rabbi and a Muslim followed by…
Wine storage: How long is too long?
The question from Christine Frishett: "We recently spent lots of time and money remodeling our kitchen. We were working on some finishing touches and started looking around the room for places we could store our wine. Then we started to wonder how long we've had some of the bottles. I'm concerned some bottles may have…
The Short List: Bizkit the Sleepwalking Dog
Not much to this one. Bizkit is a dog and he/she is having one intense dream. Enjoy. Democrats bow to lenders, revise mortgage bailout plan. Obama hits personal high in job approval polls. St. Pete police or Keystone Cops? The Coast Guard has called off the search for the missing NFL boaters. "Pakistan hunts militants…
Top 5 Portrayals of Legendary Musicians
I have been out of touch for a while. I am neck deep in promoting Mohawk Bomb Records' new compilation, shooting Soulfound's farewell documentary and getting married. Alas, I am back with a new post that I have been wanting to do for a while in which I get to flex both my music and…
Gerald Cleaver: Farmers by Nature
This is full-immersion music — on the part of players and listener alike. Farmers by Nature captures a live performance by three of the most accomplished improvisers to be found anywhere — drummer Cleaver, bassist William Parker and pianist Craig Taborn — in a completely extemporaneous setting. The level of interactivity is at a ridiculously…
Deerhunter to play Ybor March 9
Last year, Atlanta's Deerhunter came into its own with Microcastle/Weird Era Continued, a solid third album of garage psychedelia, with frontman Bradford Cox's beguilingly sedate vocals set against washes of pleasant fuzz and reverb-drenched sound. Sometimes the songs are breezy and ambient, other times driving and punk-insistent without ever becoming abrasive. Virtually every indie rock…
Hullabaloo 2005 Zinfandel Napa
Grabbed a bottle of this on sale at Vintage Wine Cellars in South Tampa for around $21. Although I admit the inane moniker almost turned me off, the wine's opulence and robustness made up for its lack of maturity. Silky with a jammy raspberry, bittersweet chocolate, rich vanilla, leathery base, followed up by the earthiness of tobacco…
Is it OK to ask a guy if he’s gay in public?
What's the question? Savage Love I am at a heavy-metal show at a dive bar as I write this. There are tons of guys I consider hot here, 98 percent of whom, I'm sure, are straight. But I got a vibe off this one guy. This is such a macho environment, though, that there's a…
CD Review: The Von Bondies, Love, Hate and Then There’s You
The Von BondiesLove, Hate and Then There’s You (Majordomo/Shout Factory) Thrust into the limelight a few years ago after Jack White punched out lead singer Jason Stollsteimer, The Von Bondies’ new release, Love, Hate and Then There’s You, is a straightforward, intense-yet-safe alt-rock record that might allow listeners to actually forget the brawl and focus…
Ty Ku Soju-based Liqueur: It’s a modern martini in a glowing bottle
When the Ty Ku rep contacted me, I was intrigued by the line of sake, soju and blends his company sold. Sake is pretty much ensconced in the American alcoholic psyche thanks to popularization of sushi over the past few decades. But soju — native to Korea — is barely known and not easily found…
Beer Review: Terrapin Side Project #4 Dos Cocoas Porter
Think about the massive amount of performance pressure within an industry such as beer. Certain recipes mark milestones in the evolution of brewing, like Pilsner Urquell, which defined a new style of beer and took its name from the region where it originated. You've got experimental breweries like Dogfish Head, partnering with university archaeology departments…
Some Girl(s) play lands at Silver Meteor Gallery
Midding LaBute still entertains
Arts events this weekend
The spring season must be in full swing because visual art offerings across the Bay area will be vying for your attention on Friday, March 6. Here's the low-down: • At 7 p.m., Eckerd College and Creative Clay executive director Grace-Anne Alfiero host a screening of Who Does She Think She Is?, a documentary about…
![West Tampa exhibition space [5]art a success](https://i0.wp.com/www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/f0a7b_arts_megan1_1_51.png?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
West Tampa exhibition space [5]art a success
[5]art’s traveling exhibit debuts in Tampa.
Laptop pop: Girl Talk
Gregg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, is a sample-a-holic.
Bowling for dinner at Bowled restaurant
Bowled’s unique take on comfort food
Strange brew: The out-of-town beer marathon
If you know me on a personal basis and are planning a trip anywhere outside of Florida, prepare to be handed a shopping list and an envelope of cash. There are a few things I will need you to bring back for me. As further compensation, upon your return, we will gather with the expressed…
What is the “God particle”?
I recently saw a special on the Large Hadron Collider, which, among other things, hopes to find evidence of the "God particle." Since physics is not my strong suit, I've tried to understand this particle through the library and the Web but everything I find makes my eyes glaze over. Cecil, please explain the God…
Bay area band learning to Cope
A Bay area jam band reaches a new level
Skittles-infused vodka: Taste the rainbow and get buzzed
Skittles are pretty tasty by themselves (excluding those chocolate abominations), and vodka is just wonderful, but maybe not on it's own. So what if you combined the two? Skittles-infused vodka: two great tastes that taste great together. You get the sweet, synthetic flavors and a great buzz all in the same swallow. I stumbled across this…
Diary of a freaked-out hostess
Wherein Taylor scampers to get ready for an in-home wine tasting.
Wine storage: How long is too long?
The question from Christine Frishett: "We recently spent lots of time and money remodeling our kitchen. We were working on some finishing touches and started looking around the room for places we could store our wine. Then we started to wonder how long we've had some of the bottles. I'm concerned some bottles may have…
Mayoral candidate Kathleen Ford: St. Pete invested in risky loans
CL’s interview with former St. Pete councilwoman Kathleen Ford.
The Watchmen movie cometh: Should you care?
And here’s why everyone should care — not just comic-book geeks.
Watchmen review: Snyder’s ham hands don’t ruin it
There are two ways you can go when filming a comic book movie these days: adaptation or recreation. For the big franchise heroes with an immense amount of history behind them, adaptation has worked well at re-introducing the movie-going public to iconic characters. You open yourself up to lots of bitching by comic fanboys when…
T.R. Robbins – Contributor
T.R. Robbins began his life in San Diego, CA, moved his way to Arizona State University where he graduated with a BS in Wildlife Conservation Biology and then, as part of an effort to live in all the warm states at least once in his life, drove to Tampa in 2000. He's been writing poetry…
