Top 10 songs about summer sucking
I live in an apartment with no central air. Not a smart move if you live in, say, Florida. I know. But the lease lasts until March and my supply of "fuck you" money isn't where it should be. So I call a hot, one-bedroom apartment home. And spend a lot of time on The…
The Short List — Tues., Sept. 9
The Obama campaign takes to the airwaves to battle "original mavericks" McCain/Palin. Wayne's posted McCain's ad on The Political Whore. McCain gets his campaign bump as the campaigns take the fight to key battleground states. California prison guards lead the charge to terminate Gov. Ah-nold. Ike decks Haiti. Gas prices continue to … fall?!!? New…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Snag one (or all) of four much-anticipated new albums that come out today: Calexico’s sixth, Carried by Dust, which features sit-ins by Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), Douglas McCombs (Tortoise) and singer/songwriter Pieta Brown; Michael Franti & Spearhead’s sixth, All Rebel Rockers; Okkervil River’s The Stand Ins, the so-called sequel to the band’s 2007…
Of Montreal to play Ybor City
Indie pop faves Of Montreal will perform Mon., Dec. 8 at the newly renovated Ritz Theatre in Ybor City. The Fiery Furnaces are scheduled to open. Tickets are $18/$20; on sale now at ticketmaster.com and daddykool.com. Of Montreal attempts to cover Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy." Ironic glee? Or just shitty? You decide.
Longtime WMNF programmer Jeff Stewart steps down
For the past 21 years, Jeff Stewart has been delighting WMNF listeners with his impeccable taste and knowledge of classic rhythm and blues music. His Rhythm Vault program has played a significant role in many listeners' lives and last year Creative Loafing honored Stewart with a Best of the Bay Award: Critics' Pick BEST SOUNDTRACK…
Tobacco Company to Buy Washington Wine Producer
I bet you didn't know that the largest wine producer in Washington State, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, Erath and others), is owned by one of the largest tobacco companies in the world, UST Inc. Ste. Michelle doesn't tout it much but their parent company owns Skoal and Copenhagen chewing tobacco…
Transgender Job Searching
In this week's Urban Explorer, I followed Julie Yoo — the former transgender Tarpon Diner owner — on a job search. If you think finding a job in Tampa Bay is hard in this economy, try doing it as a transgender person. As I note in the article, there isn't much research on this issue,…
My Friend Michael Ruhlman, and other food news
I like to check in with my friend Michael Ruhlman every week or so. And by friend, I mean a guy who writes books I read and admire. And by check in, I mean read his blog. It's always full of great food info, but this past week he's been breaking some great news, as…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Check out MOSI’s new Dairy Farmer’s Inc.-sponsored exhibit, From the Farm to the Fridge, which features a life-sized, milkable mechanical cow, details about the steps of the milking process, cow feed samples, a video filmed at a real Florida dairy farm, and plenty else. Then, see an IMAX film – we suggest the environmentally-minded river-rafting…
The Short List — Mon., Sept. 8
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog visits the Republican National Convention. I thought about not beating the dead horse of the RNC, but this is too funny. Congrats, everyone! We're all now the proud owners of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The global stock markets love the move. ABC's Charles Gibson lands the first post-nom interview…
Win Win Winter takes all
“Thank you, mom, for my beer,” Tommy Simms (pictured far left) announced from the stage as he raised his cup. The 20something old Clearwater resident’s band, Win Win Winter, had just started an outstanding 40-minute set that took place Fri., Sept. 5, at State Theatre in St. Petersburg as part of this publication’s CL in…
SoHo Tavern and stripping
My current Bar Tab finds me staying close to home, in a new setting called the SoHo Tavern. I highly recommend the place, especially if you're seeking an alternative to the young and craziness of nearby MacDinton's. Oh, yeah, and then there's the part about getting naked, in front of strangers, while tripping for the…
Phobia Phorum
My roommate (and BFF!) suffers from lepidopterophobia — that is, fear of butterflies. Over the years, I've given him copious amounts of ridicule because of this. Frankly, I don't get it: The guy's a construction worker by day and a death metal guitarist by trade. He had a fairly hardscrabble upbringing in a working-class neighborhood…
The Short List — Sat., Sept. 6
-Some big names have announced some big Web-only projects: Michael Moore will release his new film, Slacker Uprising, online and for free. The Documentary (or whatever you call a Michael Moore movie) about the 2004 election and Moore's attempt to rally young voters around John Kerry will be available for three weeks as a free…
Automatic Lovetter tonight in St. Pete
Hometown pop punk heroine Juliet Simms (pictured) and her band Automatic Loveletter headline a killer lineup tonight at the State Theatre in St. Petersburg. Yeah, Simms is young, pretty and dressed to impress the Hot Topic set, but she also has a powerful, expressive voice and pens thoughtful lyrics that reach beyond high school hallways.…
I need some Levi’s … stat!
If this commercial doesn't turn you on… there's probably something wrong with you.
Omphaloskepsis
(noun): Contemplation of one's navel as part of a mystical exercise. Or, alternately: A blog post about blogging. Permit me to retroactively introduce myself. I'm the new intern/sycophant here at CL this fall. I even have my own cubicle! (Out in the hallway, where the paid staffers mock me at every turn.) Before this, I…
Mrs. Loafie goes to La France
Today, in preparation for Creative Loafing’s upcoming Loafie Awards and my debut as Mrs. Loafie – the show’s official award dispenser – I paid a visit to Bay area vintage clothing institution La France to peruse the shop’s selection of gowns and be outfitted by its team of dress experts. (That's me with Jamie Hunt.…
Reel projections — September 5
Who ya gonna call? Writers/producers for The Office are reportedly at work on a sequel to Ghostbusters Tarantino’s WWII drama Inglorious Bastards is already stirring up controversy. Looks like he's walking: De Niro leaves Mel Gibson starrer, Edge of Darkness Check out the trailer for Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno \\\<\/param\>\\<\/param\>\\<\/param\>\\<\/embed\>\<\/object\>
Five Things to Do This Weekend
1. Creative Loafing in conjunction with AES presents a tasty bill of local music good-ness — Automatic Loveletter (pictured) headlines; Tides Of Man, Win Win Winter, Très Bien, Mumpsy and Lavin provide support. Fri., Sept., 5, 8 p.m., State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, $8, all ages. 2. WMNF hosts a CD Release Party…
The Short List — Fri., Sept. 5
The Republican National Convention is now over. Last night, John McCain turned out the lights with a meandering speech that can best be summed up as follows: I was tortured harshly questioned, so now it's my turn to be president. McCain gets heckled by Code Pink. The ugly green screen is back. Tom Ridge calls…
‘Full on Riot’
I got another dispatch from Kelly Benjamin, former Tampa City Council candidate and our current RNC man on the ground. A protest ended earlier today near the St. Paul capital and riot police moved in quickly. Just received an ominous text message: "Full on riot in St. Paul. War zone one block from the capital."…
Catching some Rays at Tropicana Field
Earlier today, Eric Snider, Joran Oppelt and I trekked to Tropicana Field, home of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, to pay a special visit to their manager, Joe Maddon, baseball genius and fine-wine connoisseur. We can't reveal yet the purpose for our visit, but I did capture some images. As I suspected, the fake grass…
Mitch Hedberg album out Sept. 9
Mitch Hedberg, who died of an overdose in 2005, ranks as one of the last true originals of comedy. There really wasn't a precedent for his slyly delivered, zany observational bits. One of my faves is, "I like rice. Rice is great when you're hungry and you want 2,000 of something." Hedberg issued only two…
Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament to drop solo disc
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament's first solo album, Tone, will be released Sept. 16 via the band's Ten Club and select indie retailers, reports Billboard.com. The songs on the disc are culled from a batch of 35 that Ament says were never submitted for use by Pearl Jam. Which could be true. Or they're just…
Are you experienced?
Find yourself wondering what Sarah Palin's qualifications for office are? Or how her accomplishments stack up with those of the "too inexperienced to lead" Barack Obama? Check out my breakdown of the candidates careers over on the Political Whore Blog.
LSD > Gold
Hell, yes — at least according to the folks at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, who've conducted some fairly interesting research on the monetary value of various substances. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet could totally be tripping balls right now…
Gimme Some Sugar
I'll be taking a road trip to Atlanta this weekend to watch a former college teammate of mine, Rashad Evans, do battle with Chuck Liddell at UFC 88. It seems like just yesterday that Rashad and I were sitting around drinking Miller Low Life and watching this sort of thing on TV. Fast forward a…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Seattle-based indie garage rockers The Boss Martians (pictured) perform at the Emerald Bar in support of their July release, Pressure In The SODO. The Plastic Stars of Clearwater provide support. 9 p.m., 550 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, $3, 727-898-6054. 2. Is it a coincidence that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is presenting “Our Environmental Destiny”…
The Short List — Thurs., Sept. 4
Finally, a speech from the RNC worthy of posting in these pages. It wasn't a home run (you have to say some — anything! — substantial to get the A+), but V.P. Palin definitely held her own. Tonight, Johnny Mac closes the show. Rather than level with the public to earn their vote, the Republicans…
Local activists at the RNC
So the shit is flyin' in St. Paul. And we have some Tampa Bay activists in the thick of it. This week, homeless advocate Bruce Wright and other local activists joined the anarchists, Ron Paulites, FBI agents, media whores and real whores in the Twin Cities for the Republican National Convention. As expected, all hell…
For those still mad at Scott Weiland…
This might be a disc to boycott. The Stone Temple Pilots singer (and former Velvet Revolver frontman) will drop a second solo album, titled Happy, Nov. 18 via his own Softdrive label, reports Billboard.com. Anyone still seething about Scott Weiland and STP canceling Aug. 22 at the Ford Amphitheatre probably won't want to spend his…
The Short List — Wed., Sept. 3
Day two for the Republicans was another bust. Bush via satellite? Fred Thompson droning on in prime time? Yawn. (Remember: The Dems had the Hillary psychodrama on day two.) So, instead of convention speeches, here's the (brutal) first six minutes of the CBS Evening News. Joe Lieberman puts 'em to bed at the RNC. WaPo…
Five Things to Do Today
1. This evening’s Wednesday Night Film selection is Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?, a documentary that follows the David and Goliath-style tale of the 2004 Missouri senate race between a young unknown political science instructor and the well-known member of a political “dynasty” with strong connections. 8 p.m., Cafe Bohemia, 937 Central Ave.,…
No touchy Feely
"He's been a good kicker in the league. We decided to bring him in here and see where he's at. We'd like to have a kicker opening day, and he's our kicker. We don't want to have every other week a kicking contest again."—Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, of signing Jay Feely to a…
Voter turnout: Crappy
Did the candidates suck, or do we?
Fundraiser: AIDS Walk-St. Petersburg
Saturday, September 13
The Myths About Obama & McCain
Looking for truth beyond the rhetoric.
When corporations go local
Whole Foods may be a mega-chain, but at least it’s trying.
Film: Gonzo and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Friday, September 5
Peg’s Cantina delivers
Dinner for two and breakfast too, if you’re lucky.
The zombie threat
I'm reading World War Z by Max Brooks, a fictional account of the world's response to a zombie outbreak. In the book, the U.S. military fails miserably in its first real battle against the undead but later changes tactics and ultimately triumphs, as does the rest of the world. I have always wondered how the…
Theater: Blackbird
Thursday, September 11
Art: Becky Flanders: Recent Works
Saturday, September 6
Bad words
And other things we leave behind.
What happens online should stay online
Bosses, mind your own business!
Dreams of Obama
The possibility of Obama lies in the movement more than the man.
Dance: A Shared Evening of Contemporary Dance
Sunday, September 14
Art: re:Member September
Friday, September 5
Art: The Edge of Invisible
Thursday, September 11
Discussion: Art as a Catalyst for Social Transformation
Friday, September 12
This Budometer’s for you
Test your taste buds to find your ideal wine.
Traitor, Transsiberian and more
Reviews of recent releases
Would drilling for oil off Florida’s Gulf coast lower fuel prices?
Would drilling for oil off Florida’s Gulf coast lower fuel prices?
Automatic Loveletter headlines CL in Concert at the State
Tampa's Automatic Loveletter isn't your typical emo band. Yeah, the quartet serves up glossy power ballads with titles such as "Eyes on You," but listen to the vocals; there's a grittiness and authority there that transcends genre. Frontwoman Juliet Simms (pictured) is only 21, but she belts out lines about love lost like a seasoned…
Comedy: Cedric “The Entertainer”
Saturday, September 13
Jobsite Theater gets better with age
Reflecting on the company’s 10-year anniversary.
Film: Misconceptions
Wednesday, September 10
Art: Dreams at DFAC
Wednesday, September 17
A transgender woman’s difficult job search
Prejudices compound the struggle to find employment
Fundraiser: artHEALS
Saturday, September 13
Before the Rain is a postmodern puzzle
An intricately structured ’90s classic finally arrives on DVD
Reverse the curse
SoHo Tavern has what it takes to make it.
The Beauvilles go over to the dark side
Full-length debut, Whispering Sin, ultimately finds hope.
Lecture: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Thursday, September 4
Green is not the new black
The Amandas dole out fashion advice.
Pizza stones
Pizza craving? Time to get stoned.
Film/Music: Woodstock
Friday, September 12
Art: The Print Show
Tuesday, September 9
Comedy: Dave Attell
Friday, September 5
Art: artlink Japan 2008
Wednesday, September 10
This week’s wine and food events
Thursday, Sept. 4 — Tuesday, Sept. 9
Brandon Bound
Buca Di Beppo serves cheap, satisfying chain food.
She’s no Geraldine Ferraro
Ms. Palin, Mr. Clinton and “There’s a finger in my soup!”
Grille One Sixteen: Elegant alternative
Décor and food that’ll wow you in Carrollwood
Art: The Human Condition
Wednesday, September 10
Jonas Brothers, Captain Kid
Plus Chris Isaak
Beach Theatre goes gonzo
Discover the real Hunter S. Thompson
Shifting sands at Flight 19
Experimental Skeleton builds a giant indoor sand dune.
Art: Enmanuel Maldonado and Lisseth Chavaria
Thursday, September 4
Film: Independents’ Film Festival
Tuesday, September 16
Art: Work Outside and Faculty Kent Bicentennial Portfolio
Sunday, September 7
Theater: An Oak Tree
Thursday, September 4
Special Event: The Loafies
Tuesday, September 16
USF rocks out
MashUp is a smashing good time
Fundraiser: Leather, Feathers and Bears Ball
Saturday, September 6
Let’s face it, I need some dick. What do I do??
okay so….I’m sick of being single and I’m a gay male…I’m thinking about just calling some exes up for a quickie but I’m not sure if its a good idea. I may get a lil’ bit attached again so…it could be a bad thing. But let’s face it, I need some dick. What do I…
Green is Not the New Black
Help! I have this friend; let's just call him, “the cowboy”, who owns this ridiculous green pleather jacket that looks like something a villain would wear in a 1970s Kung-Fu movie. Now the cowboy can pull it off somehow and that's not where my issue is; my issue is that he is spawning imitators. My…
