In keeping with the spirit of CL's first-ever holiday mixtape, we gathered a Who's Who of local musicians, led by our very own Christmas Carol, to pose as CL's slightly warped version of a Yuletide choir. Giving it the old fa-la-la are, on the top row: Zak Byrd (Acho Brother), Brian Merrill (Ditchflowers), Gregorio Allende (Nostalgia Amarilla), and Hector Mayoral (Acho Brother); 4th row: Ronnie Elliot and Kamran Mir (Urbane Cowboys); 3rd row: David Russell (Magadog), Steven Schumacher and Rob Jolowski (Urbane Cowboys), and Infinite Skillz; 2nd row: Shawn Kyle Beauville, Dynasty, Scott Harrell, and DJ Sandman; 1st row: Shon B (Yo Majesty), Jim Pedigo (Magadog), Shunda K (Yo Majesty), and Jeremy Gloff. Wassail, everybody!
Continue on to read about the A&E items up for bid, ranging from house concerts to theater tickets to the chance to be a music critic for a night. Click on individual items or go to cltampa.com/auction to place your bids.
House concert with Infinite Skillz and DJ Carl Spinslow
Win this item and you'll receive a three-hour musical set at your house party or event by DJ Carl Spinslow, including an eight-song concert by Best of the Bay-winning hip-hop master Infinite Skillz. You can also get your Flava Flav on and perform one song with Mr. Skillz as hype man (or woman). Winner may select Infinite Skillz songs from a pre-selected list. Also includes an autographed CD with the recorded versions of the songs picked for the concert. Bidding starts at: $100. Value: Priceless.
Jannus Live's a great place to see a concert, but it's even better when you're treated like a special guest. Win this bid and you'll get a pair of VIP tickets to three different concerts of your choice from Jan. 1 through June 1, 2012. Not only do these tickets get you and a guest into three of the hottest shows of the year, the VIP experience also includes a special entrance on First Avenue (no waiting with the rabble in a line stretching around the block) and access to the VIP balcony, a great vantage point for watching the show complete with private bar and restrooms. Bidding starts at: $25. Value: $300.
Rock on: Skipper's Smokehouse & Ringside Cafe
A must-have combo item from two beloved venues known for serving up great music and great food. The Skipper's Smokehouse package includes dinner for two ($30 value) and two tickets to virtually any show of your choice that takes place between Dec. 16, 2011, and Dec. 16, 2012. Ringside, St. Pete's home of rock 'n' blues, is offering a $25 gift certificate. Bidding starts at: $25. Value: $125.
Vinyl shopping spree with CL Music Editor
The vinyl shopping spree with Music Editor Leilani Polk has become a popular gift for record-collecting music enthusiasts. This year's winner will get to choose two records each from three indie shops: Daddy Kool and Bananas Music in St. Petersburg, and Mojo Books & Music in Tampa. That's six new records total, and Leilani will be there to advise on the best spins. Bidding starts at: $25. Value: $180. (Note: This offer excludes box sets, imports and/or limited/special releases; and if the winning bidder prefers to purchase CDs rather than vinyl, we can certainly oblige.)
Aussie funk jam party: Learn the didgeridoo
Australian Aboriginal people have been playing the didgeridoo for at least 1,500 years. Traditionally a hollowed-out eucalyptus trunk, the instrument is used for music, healing, meditation and more. Didg Revolution founder Darren Liebman will teach you and up to 12 of your friends how to play the didgeridoo in this two-hour, one-of-a-kind musical and cultural experience, taught in the evening at your home or a venue of your choice. Bidding starts at: $50. Value: $350.
Florida Orchestra tickets four you
An awesome offer for fans of our fantastic Florida Orchestra: four gift certificates, each one good for a pair of tickets to a concert in the 2011/2012 season. That's $400 worth of tickets: Use them throughout the year or get seven friends and make a classical night of it — or stuff them into Christmas stockings and surprise your favorite classical music fans. Bidding starts at: $60. Value: $400.
Where in the world are you going to find another deal like this? Get two tickets to see the holiday show by the a capella supergroup Rockapella at the Tampa Theatre on Dec. 22. Plus, if you were ever curious what they would sound like without all those other pesky audience members surrounding you, we've also arranged for you and a guest to sit in on their soundcheck for that evening. Throw in a copy of their holiday cd and yeah... you're welcome. Bidding starts at: $25. Value: $100.
The Amphitheatre VIP Experience
Ever want to hit the club with your entourage and get the treatment you, as the Very Important People that you are, deserve — private table, bottle service and all? This is the offer for you, then: Entry for six people to Ybor's Amphitheatre in Ybor, where you'll be granted entry to the exclusive section of the club reserved for VIPs and enjoy a bottle of club-chosen liquor. Because that is how you roll. Bidding starts at $50. Value: $300.
