Painting America Blue fundraiser
Despite Hil's denial that her campaign will be meeting its end tonight, the event chairmen for "The Art of Politics — Painting America Blue" are already touting unity as their new theme. The art exhibition and fundraiser takes place Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. at 1105 Twiggs St. and will feature more than 100…
Starbucks Starts Trying
Free wi-fi, refills and syrups begins today at Starbucks. Only two hours a day for the internet, and you have to sign up for their rewards program and buy some stuff, but kudos. My local 'bucks just went 24 hours, so maybe I'll use the free stuff after my favorite locally-owned coffee joint closes for…
FROM THE STREET (Clash of the Cover Bands)
"Creative Loafing needs a sexual predator writing for them," advised Nate Oliver of Have Gun Will Travel when he found me talking to his lady friend. "That could be your hook, Alfie." "Thanks," I said, "but that's basically what I already do." We were backstage at Skipper's Smokehouse for WMNF's "This is Radio Clash: a…
Lovett, Hiatt return to Ruth Eckerd Hall
Lyle Lovett (left) and John Hiatt (right), two of the finest singer/songwriters around, return to Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, September 26. Here's the press release: May 30, 2008 –Clearwater , FL Four-time Grammy® award winner Lyle Lovett and eleven-time Grammy® nominated John Hiatt will be performing at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Friday, September 26 at…
Man who signed Young Jeezy, Rick Ross promoted
Shakir Stewart (pictured) signed no-talent coke rappers Young Jeezy, Rick Ross and "First Lady of Crunk & B" Ciara. Stewart has been rewarded for his contributions to popular music with a promotion to Executive Vice President, Def Jam Recordings. Here's the press release: (June 3, 2008 – New York, NY) Shakir Stewart has been promoted…
Five Things to Do Today
The Fall (courtesy Roadside Attractions) 1. Tarsem Singh’s The Fall is an adult fairy tale full of adventure and special effects brilliance; see it at Tampa Theatre. 2. The date has finally arrived: Nada Surf plays State Theatre tonight. 3. A three-night run of Killer’s Head – Sam Shepard’s 1975 one-act monologue – opens tonight…
Rubbed Raw
I've waxed mildly poetic about Tampa's raw/vegan restaurant Grass Roots (the miso soup is worth a visit all by itself). I was less enthusiastic about Veggie Magic, a Sarasota raw food shop involving raw ambassador and amateur filmmaker Jenna Norwood. Hey, I support amping up everyone's consumption of raw fruits and veggies, but on the…
Local musicians remember Bo Diddley
Singer/songwriter Ronny Elliott saw Diddley perform in his prime and toured with him about a decade later: My mother took me to the armory [on N. Howard Ave.] in Tampa for a show in 1956. When Bo Diddley took the stage I thought his rumble would buckle the walls. I had never experienced anything remotely…
From the Street with Alfie: Clash of the Cover Bands
"Creative Loafing needs a sexual predator writing for them," advised Nate Oliver of Have Gun Will Travel when he found me talking to his lady friend. "That could be your hook, Alfie." "Thanks," I said, "but that's basically what I already do." We were backstage at Skipper's Smokehouse for WMNF's "This is Radio Clash: a Tribute…
WTF?! New Kids On The Block to play Forum
It's a sad, sad day in the music world. Thanks to unchecked 1980s (and now early 1990s) nostalgia, those hacks from New Kids On The Block are doing an arena-sized reunion tour that comes to the 20,000-seat St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa on November 2. I know every girl of my generation had a…
John Mayer to play Tampa Aug. 30
The pretty boy pop star with the guitar hero chops to play Ford Amphitheatre Aug. 30. One Republic opens. Here's the press release: BLACKBERRY PRESENTS JOHN MAYER SUMMER TOUR FORD AMPHITHEATRE! SATURDAY, AUGUST 30TH ON SALE SAT., JUNE 7TH, 10AM
Ad hoc thoughts on the last few days in sports …
The Rays just went 8-2 during their most recent 10-game home stand. The local buzz is getting louder. The national media is on the bandwagon. (A bottom-feeder rising to the top is the kind of uplifting story ESPN likes to get behind.) And maybe, just maybe, the tide turned on the attendance issue over the…
Sex and the City showdown
I'd already made up my mind that I'm going — at some point — to see Sex and the City: The Movie. I've caught and enjoyed a handful of episodes, and while I've never found it must-watch TV, it's served as a bubbly distraction on a draggy night. But in light of the vitriol leveled…
Garcia hits the trifecta
Creative Loafing edit staffers came away with five prizes on Saturday in the 2008 Sunshine State Awards, the statewide journalism competition sponsored by the South Florida Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Political Editor Wayne Garcia won three awards: first place in election reporting for his series "The Next President"; second place in…
Belew Friday
Photo by Phil Bardi. This Friday night, I had the pleasure of seeing the Adrian Belew Trio play dynamic, jazz-infused electro rock for the second time in less than a year. And they blew my mind. Again. “Well, looks like this is going to be a very different show than the one at State Theatre,”…
Bo Diddley is dead
Archer's leading celeb, Bo Diddley, has passed away. NYT obit here.
On the waterfront: Risk vs. reward
With so much attention devoted to the efforts of POWW (Preserve our Wallets and Waterfront) to dissuade city leaders from approving the construction of a new stadium for the Rays, it was refreshing to read Tim Nickens' Sunday Perspective article in the St. Petersburg Times. In Betting on baseball, Nickens makes a compelling argument that…
Beer that is out of this world
Space beer, anyone? A Japanese brewer is planning to brew beer using grain that descended from barley grown in space aboard the International Space Station.
Kids Do Like Fast Food
"The average mother of a child under 15 spends more on fast food every year than on books, music, movies and video games combined." (NYT) (Stolen from Serious Eats.)
Scallopgate
I've avoided the inevitable Top Chef blog posts this season because, well, there hasn't been much to talk about. The crew of Bravo's chef competition — set in Chicago this year — has got to be the blandest of the show's four-year run, with challenges to match. I still watch the mild culinary drama, if…
Five Things to Do Today
“Mythical Hero,” Theo Wujcik, on display at Nova 535. 1. See new paintings and installations by Theo Wujcik and Jay Giroux at Nova 535’s Monday Night Art Mixer. 2. German metal ensemble The Ocean brings their extreme cinematic sounds and accompanying visuals to the Brass Mug. 3. An Ancient Archeology Film Fest is held today…
FROM THE STREET (Key-tar Rockstars)
"'Music is a business that requires devotion,'" I said, throwing one of Daylight District's lyrics back at the front man, Frank. "You have to give the people what they want, and what they want is for a hip-hopper to rock out a goddamned key-tar. "I'll look into it," Frank said. We were in the…
New Indiana Jones movie is … I don’t know.
(Warning: this is more of a rant than a review and it contains some pseudo-spoilers.) I know it's been a week since the new Indiana Jones movie was released, but it has me still scratching my head. Mainly because I like it and I don't like it at the same time. I just don't know…
Can you use ‘numbnuts’ in a sentence, please?
Check out this video of a slight miscommunication at the Spelling Bee 2008. The funny thing is, this kid acts like he's never heard the word "numbnuts" before; which is kind of funny because he's in a spelling bee so he's got to have been called a "numbnuts" at least once in his lifetime. If…
From the Street with Alfie: Key-tar Rockstars
"'Music is a business that requires devotion,'" I said, throwing one of Daylight District's lyrics back at the front man, Frank. "You have to give the people what they want, and what they want is for a hip-hopper to rock out a goddamned key-tar. "I'll look into it," Frank said. We were in the green…
Radiohead wants Prince to free ’Creep’
This is great. At Coachella, Prince does a mind-blowing, 7-minute rendition of Radiohead's classic hit "Creep," replete with falsetto screams of agony and a blazing guitar solo of pure catharsis. Amateur videos like the one posted above inundate YouTube. People love it. It might be the greatest cover since Hendrix did "All Along the Watchtower."…
Tampa Music Conference Sunday at Sun Dome
Mostly hip-hop artists, DJs, producers and record labels reps will congregate for the fifth annual Tampa Music Conference that takes place Sun., June 1, at the USF Sun Dome.
Skipper’s Smokehouse co-owner steps down
Skipper's Smokehouse co-owners Vince McGilvra (pictured left) and Tom White. A true hero of the Tampa Bay music scene and all-around great guy, Skipper's Smokehouse co-owner Vince McGilvra sent an email out last night just before 9 p.m. announcing he's retiring at the end of June. He will retain his 50 percent ownership but "will…
Rage Against the (Ticketmaster) Machine
Warning: explicit language to follow. I know, I know — we’ve heard it all before: Ticketmaster(bastard) sucks big fat donkey dick. But I feel the need to bring this matter to light again because I just finished purchasing my Modest Mouse tickets and am (as per usual) fuming over the service charges.
Rage Against the (Ticketmaster) Machine
Warning: explicit language to follow. I know, I know — we’ve heard it all before: Ticketmaster(bastard) sucks big fat donkey dick. But I feel the need to bring this matter to light again because I just finished purchasing my Modest Mouse tickets and am (as per usual) fuming over the service charges.
Let’s blog about sex
Today’s topic: coitus vs. fellatio. Fucking vs. blowjobs. I’m coming (sorry) at this from a specific (heterosexual) angle; let me lay it out: When I was in high school in the ’70s, getting sex from a girl was hard to come (sorry) by. Perhaps I just wasn’t a very good closer, or maybe I preferred…
An Inconvenient opera?
When will the madness end? As if $4-a-gallon gas wasn't bad enough, now our energy bills might go up. An Inconvenient Truth: The Opera! Sex and the City mania hits the U.K.; men stay away in droves. Um, isn't this a little self-defeating, guys? Do the math: Whatever you may think of Carrie, Samantha, et…
Global Warming Averted!
Good news everyone: You can rest easy, as I have taken one for the team and stopped global warming in its atmosphere-choking tracks. For the first time since I purchased them almost two months ago, I remembered to bring my reusable cloth grocery bags to the store. Please, hold your applause until the end. (Photo…
The Face
While Perhaps not the most romantic position in the modern Kama Sutra Handbook, the guys sure seem to like it. The position begins with the woman kneeling in a subservient position with her mouth open and ready to receive her man. The man grabs the back of her head and pulls her towards his member…
Like ringing a bell
Chuck Berry's immortal "Johnny B. Goode" tops Rolling Stone's list of "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time" … A decision I'd have to agree with. Berry's licks have been ripped off more often than probably any other guitar player's in the history of rock but still crackle every time they pour through the speakers.…
Five Things to Do This Weekend
"Can You Count, Suckas?" a Warriors-inspired original by Matt Sharp. 1. A multi-media art show, Warriors, Come Out and Play, pays tribute to Walter Hill’s 1979 cult classic film, The Warriors. 2. Progressive guitarist/vocalist Adrian Belew brings his sizzling licks and sonic tricks to Skipper’s Smokehouse. 3. Tampa Museum of Art kicks off National Gay Pride…
New Al Green
Nursing a particularly virulent hangover while driving the 25 minutes to work this morning, I was aided, mercifully, by the undulating grooves and massaging melodies of the new Al Green album, Lay it Down. This one’s produced by ?uestlove and has a lush retro-soul flavor. I’m going to review the disc in greater detail in…
Beer Pong Legends
Rocky. Hoosiers. Hoop dreams. Now, there is another entrant in that epic genre of sports films. Last Cup profiles four young competitors seeking the ultimate title in the fierce world of Beer Pong. Yep, of course I'm talking about the World Series of Beer Pong held in Las Vegas, Nevada every January. You may have…
R.I.P. Harvey Korman
Comedy legend Harvey Korman died May 29. Korman was an integral part of the talented ensemble on The Carol Burnett Show, and was often cast in Mel Brooks' movies. Enjoy this classic scene with Korman from Blazing Saddles.
A bit of the Big Easy in Tampa
With the recent closure of coffee/wine/sweets shop La Casa Dolce, I feared my choices for a quality café near CL’s headquarters would be relegated to the Starbucks on South Howard, with its overpriced java and thoroughly antiseptic environs. But after last night’s visit to NOLA Café & News Stand, I’ve found a most worthy replacement.…
First Look At Tampa’s Smoke
Local blogger TampaIAm visited Smoke (901 Platt Street, Tampa, 813-254-7070), the brand new barbecue joint on opened by Gordon Davis. From his report, it sounds promising. Now that South Tampa icon Davis has been bought out at Ceviche, this humble barbecue joint is your only opportunity to get a bite of his vision. Thanks to…
Top 10: alt-country albums
I just went back and listened to The Old 97's new disc Blame it on Gravity again and decided it's the best entry in the band's catalog, which means it's one of the best alt-country albums of all time, which means I need to make a list. (For my four-star review of Blame it on…
Happy
I’m so happy this morning … The Today Show was on the TV while I was making my lunch, and I happened to see two women, editors from Cosmopolitan magazine, sit with Ann Curry and talk about “Happiness Myths.” I quickly grabbed a legal pad to take notes. I didn’t get it all, but check…
Five Things to Do Today
1. WMNF welcomes jazz guitarist Terrence Brewer (pictured) to its intimate live music broadcast and performance studio in Tampa; Brewer also plays at the Studio at 620 in St. Petersburg on Saturday evening. 2. During a free public forum at HCC-Dale Mabry, local media professionals and religious leaders debate the topic, "Race, Religion and Media: Are…
Clash tribute, Jason Isbell, Bar Etiquette II and more in new CL
In the new Creative Loafing: Sarasota staff/music writer (and my ol' Sarasota pal) Amanda Schurr talks to her pals from Nada Surf. Bar etiquette (part two): More do's and don'ts of drinking out. Former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell lets his Sirens wail. Nick Cave (by Jason Kushner), Old 97's (by me) and more CDs reviewed…
Gregg Allman on the road to recovery
Greeg Allman, pictured right, and Warren Haynes performing "These Days" (3/28/2007). The song was written by Gregg's former roommate, Jackson Browne. A close friend of Gregg Allman emailed me on Monday with good news. The singer/songwriter/golden voice of the Allman Brothers Band canceled a bunch of recent shows, including ABB's Wanee dates, due to hepatitis…
Bocuse D’Or — Apply Now!
I spent some time yesterday with chef David Miller of Savant Fine Dining in Clearwater for a section of our upcoming Food Issue (June 11). You'll read more about this young, impressive chef then, but one tidbit that stuck out was how he made a name for himself through cooking competitions while he was still…
Afternoon round-up
The peasants are revolting: "You said it, they stink on ice." King Gyanendra has 15 days to abdicate throne in Nepal. You read a news report about "baby for sale" and figure it must be from the Onion, right? Wrong. But this report about Obama's facial expressions is indeed from the Onion. Finance for dummies:…
Last chance: Vote for your favorite waterfront spot
Friendly Fisherman's still in the lead, so if you're a FoFF (Friend of Friendly Fisherman), get in there and seal the deal with your final votes. But if you want to see another waterfront spot get its due, now's your chance: Voting closes at the end of the day today, May 28. Find your ballot…
Photos of nude kids in an art gallery. Obscene or not?
There’s an obscenity brouhaha brewing in Australia over a prominent photographer’s use of 12- and 13-year-old models for a series of nude pictures that were hanging in a Sydney gallery until police seized them last week. Authorities are considering initiating an obscenity prosecution against photographer Bill Henson. The Australian arts community has rallied to his…
The Kids rock the Hall
Last Friday evening at Ruth Eckerd Hall, The Kids in the Hall capered their way through a 90-minute intermission-free set featuring new material, some familiar characters, minimal props, and the occasional film-style short projected onto a huge screen that also served as the set. I had high hopes for the show and was not disappointed. …
Should the Rays just go?
Caught about a half hour of the Ron Diaz and Ian Beckles Show on WDAE this morning. The topic? Yep, the Rays and their sorry-ass attendance. Only a reported 10,511 (per the Rays’ website) showed up to last night’s game against the Texas Rangers, a figure that fueled today’s conversation as Ron and Ian tried…
Five Things to Do Today
Band Marino; photo by Anna Melcon 1. Orlando indie pop-rock ensemble Band Marino plays New World Brewery with support provided by Baron Von Bear, Rachel Goodrich and Matt Hires. 2. American Stage presents previews of its new production, Betrayal, tonight and tomorrow night; the show officially opens on Friday. 3. Members of the local community…
Video games killed the radio star
Not only are video games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero III destroying an entire generation (and probably future generations) of would-be real musicians, these press-button evils are now responsible for helping revive the careers of hacks like Motley Crue. I'm sorry, folks, the kids are not alright. Check out this gamer "shredding" (in front…
Man Meat
I also could have gone with It's Made Of People, or I'll Have The Long Pig. Serious Eats cuts right to the chase —Would you eat…People? James Beard said (according to rumor) – "I believe that if ever I had to practice cannibalism, I might manage if there were enough tarragon around." If you do…
Jason Isbell lets his Sirens wail
Former Trucker performs cuts from brilliant debut
Proud to be the underdog
Rev. Charles McKenzie: activist, candidate and, yes, an occasional underdog
The Lion King roars
Yes, it’s every bit as spectacular as they say it is. So go already.
Tom Waits saddles up his Mule
Variations finds storyteller in fine form.
Clash of the locals
A homegrown tribute to the British punks at Skipper’s
Bicycles=Freedom
For Pinellas County’s homeless, bikes are the training wheels for a new life.
Wine List
Got an upcoming or ongoing wine event? Send information to: The Wine List, 810 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606, fax 813-739-4801 or e-mail brian.ries@creativeloafing.com. CL's Best Bets KIDS, MUSIC AND BEER This year's Taste of Pinellas will feature the usual array of musical acts and kid-friendly activities, but there's also a Beer Garden for…
The war is over
In Vietnam, at least — though maybe not to John McCain.
Art: Warriors, Come Out and Play
Saturday, May 31
Music: Adrian Belew
Friday, May 30
Theater: Young Dramatists’ Project
Friday, May 30
Special Event: Clothing Swap
Saturday, May 31
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds sprout genius
Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!, plus new CDs by Old 97’s and James Carter
Digging Digby
YouTube sensation coming to the Orpheum
Terrence Brewer, Parachute Musical
Plus The Ocean
Nada Surf rides a new wave
The alt-popsters return to taste mainstream success
Dalí and Film
Time’s running out to see this surrealist delight.
Festival/Fundraiser: Taste of Pinellas
Friday, May 30
Go to the movies prepared with CL‘s reviews
New and recent releases
Don’t Panic
Why is Somalia (Hannah Montana nude) in crisis?
All the Melody aloud
Paint it Black turns it up at Transitions Art Gallery
Stevie Nicks, Pearl Jam
Plus Ladytron
USF Cuts, McCain’s Health
Plus, Iorio gets on the O-Train
Sex bomb
Relationships with the opposite sex are fleeting, but a designer handbag is forever in Sex and the City: The Movie, two and a quarter hours of product placement disguised as a feature film. Although basically just a criminally bloated chick flick, the big-screen Sex often feels more like a sitcom from decades past, albeit slightly…
Go!
Fashion, music and art square up at the Ritz.
The Fall paints a pretty picture
But stunning visuals leave little room for story
Bamboozle Café rewards the wise
Get it fresh, healthy and quick in downtown Tampa.
Cannes It!
"The Five Words Defining Cannes '08: 'Macaulay Culkin Group Sex Movie'"—Defamer headline "The one overwhelming message coming from the competition films at the 61st Cannes Film Festival is: shit's messed up. "—Indiewire's Glenn Kenny "Today in Cannes Hell: Bush Billboards, Early Favorites and Sean Penn Being a Dick"—Defamer headline "Part of me thinks that some…
Howling in the shower
My expectations are too high.
Taking a Headcount
When Nada Surf hits the road this week, the band will be trying to accumulate more than just rabid fans. Members of the voter-registration group Headcount will be on hand, too, signing up fresh faces for November's presidential election and raising awareness of the political process among the Nada Surf faithful. Formed as an addendum…
Vino bits
The short yet interesting stuff.
Common threads
Fiber-based art shows weave across the Bay area.
Bar etiquette (part two)
More do’s and don’ts of drinking out.
Art: Go!
Saturday, May 31
Art/Fundraiser: Pride and Passion 2008
Friday, May 30
Art/Fundraiser: Craft Emergency!
Sunday, June 1
Obama needs this guy
White Florida Republican swing voters: Can Barack make more of them switch?
Readers talk back
On Rays, bars and St. Pete history. Plus: This week’s YouShoot
The Dive Bar Stalkers debut
And Rock the House
Concert: The Ocean
Monday, June 2
Son of Rambow kids around
A coming-of-age tale with something for everyone (including Stallone fans).
