MyTampaLife » Lutz

LocalShops1: Hyperlocal shopping for the Tampa Bay Area

Denis Baldwin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:05:00 +0000

One of the things I’ve always found interesting about the web is how easy it is to get to powerful databases of information. What I’ve always found annoying is trying to find that information specific to a region.

For us Tampa Bay residents (and those in the surrounding counties of Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota), you may find some help in the hyper local shopping site, LocalShops1.com. They are committed to promoting locally owned, independent shops. The mission of this site is to be a place where shoppers and business owners can come to network, on social and business levels to exchange ideas, post sales, become involved in the community. Out in the “real world,” they plan lots of fun community events, charity fundraisers and store parties.

About to celebrate their 1st anniversary, Local Shops is focused on highlighting high quality businesses in and around Tampa. This site does what other yellow-pages style sites do, but in a cleaner format and each business is hand selected and reviewed for inclusion instead of an across the board inclusion that many directories do. Signing up is FREE, and can be done here:
http://www.local-shops-1.com/LocalShops1/membership-options.html

There’s lots of good news coming out of this organization. They recently began embarking on a $250,000 advertising campaign with the Tampa Tribune, WFLA, tbo.com, Tampa Bay Magazine, Tampa Bay Business Journal and Genesis radio stations 1040 and 820. They are in the midst of a complete redesign of the website to make it easier to use. In August, they are launching “1Card”, the ultimate discount card for local business.

The Acting Studio offers two new summer acting camps

Denis Baldwin — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The Acting Studio (122 Flagship Dr. Lutz, FL, 813-679-4810) is back for two summer acting camps, aimed at two distinct groups. The workshop covers acting and vocal skills and culminates in a performance on the last day for family and friends. The hours are from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. This is a great summertime activity for students on summer break and their working parents who want their children to continue learning throughout the summer.

The first camp, running June 8th to June 19th, is

open to rising middle schools through early college.

The second camp, running June 22nd to July 3 and is open to all ages starting with 1st grade.

To register, contact Victoria Watson at 813-679-4810 or by email at vwatson50@hotmail.com.

The Acting Studio stages “Return to Forbidden Planet” for Moffitt Cancer Center

Denis Baldwin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:13:00 +0000

I had so much fun the last time this crew put on this show, that I’ll definitely be returning for a good cause. The Acting Studio (122 Flagship Drive, Lutz, Florida) will be doing a final 6 performances (April 9-11 & 16-18, 2009, 8 p.m.) of the Olivier Award winning production of Return to the Forbidden Planet.

Prior to the show and located within the same plaza, Guiseppe hosts an authentic Italian spaghetti dinner at his restaurant Villiagio’s (102 Flagship Drive, Lutz, Fl). Dinner vouchers are valid before the show or up to 30 days of the purchase. Enjoy an evening of laughter and music, fun for the entire family while helping Moffitt Cancer Center to further it’s work in the prevention and cure of cancer.

Tickets are $40 with all profits to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center. For reservations or more information contact Victoria Watson, 813-679-4810.

“Return to Forbidden Planet” at The Acting Studio

Denis Baldwin — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:01:00 +0000

For as long as I remember, I’ve had a negative cloud that follows me to every play or live stage performance. Growing up in a small town that had a number of theatre majors, I saw some of the worst butchering of plays that could be done. Actors don’t care. Producers don’t have a clue. Set designers throw garbage into half-assed sets. Every production I had been to growing up seemed forced and half-hearted. It had all but turned me off from stage productions all together.

Then, by chance, I found the Acting Studio (110 Flagship Dr, Lutz, FL 33549,

813-679-4810) and their production of “Return to Forbidden Planet“. Billed as a Shakespearean, Shatner-ian space comedy infusing classic rock songs into theatre, it sounded like something I’d be willing to give a chance to. What left me feeling apprehensive was the age of the cast, all 14 to 21 with an average age of 17. With all of the bad teenage productions I had seen, how could this one be any better?

Thankfully, I was very surprised. I was literally in shock for most of the 2 hour performance, as the dedication to the script and the high energy of this production couldn’t have been pulled off any better. Every young actor put their heart and soul into this, and it’s evident where the energy came from considering the husband and wife team of Victoria and Daniel Watson that run the Acting Studio and put on these productions.

When you meet Victoria Watson, you’ll be instantly overwhelmed. If I could bottle her natural energy and aura and sell it, I’d be a rich man and crystal meth manufacturers would be out of business. Part academic and part Tasmanian devil, her infectious nature can be seen in every young mind she touches. When she walks into a room full of her students, they all run up to hug her and share their goings-on with her. Her energy is backed by her education and long-time dedication to theatre, including dual degrees in performance and theatre education form USF and 14 years of teaching experience.

When you meet her husband, Daniel Watson, you see the Yin to her Yang. A degree in vocal performance, 14 years professional teach experience, musical director, operator of gear and electronics and extensive theatre experience. You can see easily how Daniel and Victoria came to this point with these kids in this place, as it’s the only place I could see either of them truly being as happy as they are.

In 2000 when they were expecting their second child, they decided to take a leap of faith and quit their jobs to pursue running their own business. It was called Musical Memories and involved the professional recording of music groups for fundraising. A good concept that was starting to pick up speed until 9/11 hit, and everything changed. They decided that they would have to go back to teaching full time that January. In November, tragedy struck. While hanging Christmas lights, Daniel fell from the second story to their concrete driveway when hornets came out from under the eaves. He had broken his left leg in 2 places and destroyed his left elbow and fractured his pelvis. He would spend the next 6 months in a wheelchair.

Meanwhile the bills were mounting and Victoria knew she needed to do something, since we had 2 very small children and no income. Her stepfather at the time had a small storefront in Lutz and she decided to try my hand at teaching drama to home-schooled students. This space would eventually become the Acting Studio. Daniel eventually had a full recovery with no repercussions. Seven years later, they have three storefronts, a full size stage and a recording studio. Their family continues to grow, welcoming a little girl to their family and over 100 students that they have come to love like their own.

While they started The Acting Studio out of necessity, they have watched it become a place where people come to be accepted and loved, along the way discovering the incredible talent that lies within each one of them. They know that they will not be judged by us or their peers and that they will be supported no matter what they want to accomplish. Along with learning everything that they want to know about music and theatre, they also learn appreciation not only for the arts but for their fellow students and actors.

Regardless of where life takes them, the goal of the Acting Studio is for all of the students to have the confidence to succeed in all of their endeavors. We hope to give them a place to foster their talent and to draw strength from the experiences that they had at the Studio. Where some may see a child that is shy or lacking in confidence, Daniel and Victoria see a child that simply needs to find the hidden potential inside of them, for everyone has a gift if they are given the proper tools to develop it. As an onlooker and new attendee of the Acting Studio’s performances, I can see that the dedication to this ideal can be seen in every interaction, both on stage and off.

For this production of Return to Forbidden Planet, the teenage class consisted of a very convincing set of young actors. The young man who played Captain Tempest reminded me of a young William Shatner. His lines were often over the top and tongue-in-cheek, delivered as they are supposed to be. His machismo and bravado is what makes Tempest what he is, both in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and in this production. Excellent leads include that of Gloria, the science officer and lost love of Doctor Prospero. You can tell this actress really embodied the conniving and underhanded nature of Gloria, tempting the cook while continuing to seduce her estranged husband.

The part of Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, went to a young girl that seems like she is on the peak of greatness. You can tell she is a bit shy and timid, a must for this part, but she really nails it as the production goes on. Her part of the song, “Teenager in Love” perfectly compliments the Cook, as their duet continued to play in my head throughout the night.

The young actor who played Dr. Prospero, the oldest of the cast at 21 years old, puts on a dynamic performance of his own. He’s a very emotional and expressive actor, and it can be seen in his wild facial expressions. Sometimes comical, sometimes serious, always good.

My favorite character, and I admit I’m biased because I love Robots, is Ariel, the robot assistant of Prospero. Delightfully creepy, his sprayed-on bronze robot suit and robot-articulate expressions send chills and create laughs, often at the same time.

The supporting cast were also exceptional. Throughout the performance, I laughed and sang along and felt their energy throughout the room. In a packed house, I don’t recall seeing a single person get up or take their eyes off the cast. It was a dynamic performance and the actors commanded the audience with authority. I was delightfully impressed and will be attending more Acting Studio performances as they are announced.

If you want to see all of the photos of The Acting Studio’s production of “Return to Forbidden Planet”, you can see them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisbaldwin/sets/72157615175355547/

Return to the Forbidden Planet rocks the house at The Acting Studio

Denis Baldwin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:20:00 +0000

Tomorrow, I’m going to be seeing what looks to be a lot of fun from a local theatre troop.

The senior class from The Acting Studio (122 Flagship Dr., Lutz, FL) has put together a “must-see” show reviving the longest running show on London’s West End, Return to the Forbidden Planet by Bob Carlton! Shakespeare, B-movie Sci-Fi and classic rock tunes from the 50′s and 60′s are creatively woven into an enjoyable experience for the whole family! The Olivier Award Winning Best Musical explodes like a meteor shower of red hot hits, including the cosmic classics, Great Balls of Fire, Good Vibrations, Teenager in Love, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, All Shook Up, She’s Not There and many more, with music by The Animals, The Byrds and The Beach Boys.

This talented group of high school actors has put together a high energy show with lots of laughs, great music and dancing in the aisles. Under the direction of Victoria Watson, this production takes advantage of the strong ensemble skills these young artists work on all year long. “Because they know each other so well, our kids feel safe enough to step outside their comfort zone and expand their horizons by taking risks that truly pay off in a show like Forbidden Planet,” said Ms. Watson. Musical Director, Dan Watson adds, “Introducing this generation to these all time greatest hits has been a blast. People will definitely be walking out of the theater humming good, good, good, good vibrations…”

Performances are at The Acting Studio, 122 Flagship Dr., Tampa, FL (Hwy 41 near Lutz)

Friday, March 13th 7:30

Saturday March 14th 2:00 and 7:30

Tickets are $12.00 Call (813) 679 4810 for reservations or information

www.theactingstudio.net

The Acting Studio Classes are performance-oriented and for all skill levels in Mime * Improvisation * Scene work * Study of Classical Works * A broad range of Stage Skills * Winter One Act * Spring Musical * Summer Workshops. Homeschooling Classes during school hours.

Restaurant Review: Hot Rod’s BBQ

Denis Baldwin — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:57:00 +0000

It’s no secret that I love BBQ. I have built BBQ smokers. I’ve cooked and catered BBQ. For a while, I was consuming BBQ 5 to 7 times a week. I’ve been able to try most every region of BBQ, with sauceless, thin sauce, thick sauce and blackened varieties of most every animal that walks or swims. BBQ is a big part of my life, and because of it, I’m a huge snob about what constitutes good BBQ and not-so-good BBQ. Just as it takes a lot to make “great” bbq, it also takes a lot to make “bad” bbq. The trick is to separate that which is mediocre from that which is exceptional.

When it comes to good BBQ, you can’t do much better in the Tampa Bay area than Hot Rod’s BBQ (18430 Livingston Ave, Lutz, FL 33549; 813-948-7988, open Wednesday – Thursday 11:00 – 8:30 and Friday – Saturday 11:00 – 9:00). I was introduced to this BBQ joint over a year ago by Loren Williams, a fellow Tampa Bay Miatas member.

Hot Rods is the kind of out-of-the-way place which is easily missed. It’s a bit of a trek up into Lutz, down Livingston Road some 4 miles or so off from Bearss. It sits in a densely wooded area, in an inconspicuous looking building that could just as easily be mistaken for a hillbilly’s yard or an abandoned cabin as it could a thriving business. Chances are, you’ve driven by it a dozen times if you live or work in that area and have never seen it. That’s part of it’s charm, actually. Within this downtrodden looking structure is housed some of the greatest smoked flavor I’ve had.

When you get out of your car, you smell it immediately. The smell of a place that smokes food as often as Rod’s does has an odor that is undeniable. You can feel it soak into your skin as you exit your vehicle, permiating your lungs and throat as you walk to the front porch. When you walk in the door, you’re greated by a hodgepodge of images. Hot sauces line the walls, old caps hang from the ceiling, various old-country-store decorations fill the walls. I get the feeling I’m in my grandmother’s house the way I remember it as a child. It feels like such a natural family run place because it is a family affair.

As taken from their website’s “About Us” section:

HOT RODS is a family owned and a family oriented restaurant. We’re open four days a week; Wednesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Bring your children and a hearty appetite!

Hello, I’m Hot Rod. My wife Helen and our daughters, Hopie and Debbie, introduced to Lutz a BBQ and Grill, unique to this area. I was born in New Orleans and raised on a farm in Bush, Louisiana. Helen is a third generation Tampa native. We like to think we have produced a culinary blend of Louisiana and Florida taste.

Debbie, our daughter, is general manager or “The Big Boss”. Debbie is married to James Taylor Curtis, a rising country singer who hails from Land O’Lakes, Florida. Their new addition is James Taylor Curtis IV, born in March 2005. Our daughter Hopie, is our Events and Marketing Manager who is married to Rodney Smith, (our #1 Son-In-Law also born and raised in Tampa). Their newest addition is Hannah Hope Smith born in January 2004.

We attribute our restaurants’ success to our many friends and neighbors and their continuous support. Our family will always do our best to bring you a good meal at an affordable price, and will always be proud to be a Lutz business. Opening a restaurant was a boyhood dream that came true!

You feel good being there before you even see a menu, and that’s a hallmark of a good BBQ restaurant that I can stand behind.

Once you’re seated, you’re greeted with a fun menu concept. It looks like a simple old newspaper, printed on news print with old-style coupon-like layout. Imagine opening the sunday grocery ad in a small town and you’ve got the look and feel of Hot Rod’s menu. The menu has all the standards that any BBQ restaurant would including pulled pork, ribs, chicken, steaks, burgers and all the trimmings. Then there’s the oddities that everyone is curious about but few dare to order: BBQ’d Bats (yes, the flying rats), glazed spam and grilled meatloaf. No matter what you’re craving, Rods has something that will appeal to your inner grill fan.

If you have a large party or are just a glutton, they have the 15 pound All American Buggest Burger. Combine 10 pounds of 100% American USDA Beef, 1/2 cut BBQ sauce, hot sauce, onions, mustard and fully dress it on a custom-baked bun. Imagine a large pizza. Then imagine it 6 times thicker and filled with hamburgers. That’s what this $50 burger is. It’s enough to feed a small army and still have scraps left for your dogs. It’s that enormous.

Kara and I decided on the “Hillbilly”, which is a slab of ribs and a selection of meats (pulled pork, wings, etc.) with four sides of your choice. They claim it feeds 4-6 people. I always take these warnings as pure crap, as I could easily eat the entire thing myself. Boy, was I wrong!

The food that comes out fills the platter, which in itself fills much of the table. All of the meat is piled high, giving you gigantic succulent portions that will tame any hunger. If you can divert yourself from the meat, you will be pleasantly surprised by the sides as well. We chose the potato salad, baked beans, green beans and corn bread pudding. Every option was good.

Of all the sides, I have to hand it to both the cornbread pudding and the baked beans. The cornbread pudding was so moist and satisfying. Every bite reminded you of fresh cornbread that your grandparents most likely ate. We quickly plowed through a good portion of it so we ordered another quart to go.

The baked beans take their places as some of the best I’ve ever had. They are peculiarly sweet, thanks to a heaping serving of both brown sugar and locally-produced honey. Every bite mixes the candy-rich taste of the honey and brown sugar with the smokey-sweet taste of baked beans and pork. A person could live on the baked beans alone, making this meal difficult to choose what to consume next.

Hot Rods is an example of how great BBQ should be. Good people, good food, good atmosphere and everything quick except the low-and-slow cook time that obviously goes into their daily routine. I can only imagine how early they have to get there to produce this amazing food, but they’ll have a life-long customer as long as they keep doing what they do.