All Entries in the "St. Petersburg" Category
Bridezilla Attacks Florida, NOVA535 Hosts
From “American Princess” to “Bridezilla,” native Floridian and local star Kirsten Stiff brings national attention to the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas with her second WE TV hit reality show.
When: Sunday, September 27th from 7:30-11 pm
Where: NOVA 535 at 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Street North, St. Petersburg FL 33701
Cost: Admission is free. NOVA 535 will provide complementary champagne and hors d’ouvres.
NOVA 535, a unique event space and modern art lounge, will host a free party for the debut of the action-packed “Bridezilla” episode that was filmed in part on its premises. Florida resident and “Bridezilla” star, Kirsten Stiff, daughter of Cindy and Robert Stiff (formerly of The Evening Independent), will host the party with the help of award-winning filmmaker and groom Seth Walker.
Although she’s also been featured on a season of the WE TV reality show, “American Princess” actress/choreographer/dancer/vocal instructor/doggie tutu designer Kirsten Stiff is not your typical boring reality TV star.
“As I said on “American Princess,” ‘You either love me or you hate me.’ but this time on “Bridezilla,” I have a feeling you’ll hate me. Oops!” she laughs, adding “I still love you!”
An active member of her community, Stiff’s “bridezillaness” is up for debate. A founder of multiple performance art organizations nationwide, Stiff also donates a percentage of the profits from her doggie tutu line “Princess Lola’s Tutus” to local non-kill animal shelters. “Reality TV brings out the actress in me,” she admits, “But at the end of the day I hope bringing cameras to Florida will ultimately help local businesses.”
Those present at NOVA 535 on Sunday for Stiff’s “Bridezilla” premiere will be able to watch cameras follow her through Ybor City, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Dunedin and Sarasota as she brings national attention and a touch of insanity to her home state. “I’m not all bad!” she promises.
NOVA 535 to Give Away a $50,000 “Dream Wedding”!
On Sunday, August 9th 2009 at their first annual Bridal Gala, NOVA 535 will be holding filmed interviews for brides who are interested in winning a free “Dream Wedding” valued at over $50,000. The decision will be made by August 31, 2009. Applicants will be screened by film producer Tony Armer and must agree to be filmed for an upcoming documentary on the bridal process. The winner’s “Dream Wedding” ceremony must be held at NOVA 535 on Sunday January 31st, 2010.
Everyone attending the bridal show should RSVP by e-mailing Kdem0827@aol.com. All brides interested in winning the ‘Dream Wedding” must fill out a “Dream Wedding” application and also sign-in at the Bridal Gala between NOON and 2:00 pm. Although NOVA 535 will have the applications available the day of the gala, brides interested in entering the “Dream Wedding” contest are strongly encouraged to fill out the application in advance. The “Dream Wedding” PDF application can be downloaded and printed out by clicking here.
ALL BRIDES MUST BE PRESENT ON AUGUST 9th 2009 WITH ALL PAPERWORK 100% COMPLETED, PRINTED OUT, SIGNED AND PHYSICALLY HANDED IN BY 2 PM SHARP IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE GRAND PRIZE.
All brides must also bring a copy of their valid driver’s license for a customary background check that will be run if they are selected as a finalist.
All brides must be at least 21 years of age and legally able to marry in the USA.
Admission to the Bridal Gala is $2 and will include booths by Tampa Bay’s top professional fashion and formal wear retailers, entertainers, elegant printers, hair and make-up artists, florists, event planners, photographers, caterers, bakers, tent & rental companies and much more.
Interview: Erica Sutherlin
Tonight, July 18th, Tampa Bay is in for a performance treat. Local actress, playright, poet and director Erica Sutherlin is presenting her one-woman showcase “Manifesting Soul” at the Historic Royal Theater in Midtown St. Petersburg.
The debut showcase and album is a compilation of life inspired material reflecting the experiences, observations and call to self awareness Erica has perceived in her life and the lives of others. Produced by Erica C. Sutherlin and co- produced by Cranstan Cumberbatch, Josh Matthews and the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs, this showcase is a journey through ear caressing melodies and contemplative lyrics searching for love, truth, enlightenment, and goodness in this world of chaos and confusion. Erica’s poetic flow and delivery is un-paralleled, her energy is raw and awe striking to the likeness of a controlled explosion.
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Erica on her work. Here is that interview:
1. You’re an actress, playwright, poet and director. Of all of these facets of entertainment, what’s your favorite part to play and why?
Once i would have said performance, but as i grow, i realize that i’m not just one particular part of art…i am all, they create and are a part of me. you don’t have to choose just one, even though everyone wants you to choose one. it’s not that I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none, my degree is in performance. the majority of my work is in performance but we grow and evolve, right? i see the world differently now, i want to experience it differently and put my touch on it. so, i am all of those disciplines, equally.
2. You’ve played notable characters in a number of performances, including Shakespeare’s Macbeth. What’s your most memorable character and why?
I would have to say the character i’m playing now, Mrs. Muller (the black mother) in doubt. most people know this play because it was commission for a screenplay and won numerous awards, especially the mother. however, it was a stage play first, which also won numerous awards. this particular character is so complex, yet human. at first, you want to hate her, but you realize the passion she has for her son. she’s so multi-leveled, deep even, but aren’t we all?
3. How would you describe your poetry and it’s message? Do you stick with a set theme or have you grown and changed as a poet over the years?
Life in rhythm. my poetry/songs are intended to enlighten, they should be a reflection of tangibility, something you can take with you, on the inside. regardless of your gender, you should be able to understand or relate to the message (which is hope, self love/preservation, spiritual enlightenment, awareness of the world around you, the love of others or another). i have grown as a writer, my themes are continual and fluid. i write about what is present within me or around me during that moment/time. i do not enjoy writing hate poems, so i try to approach the piece/subject from a different angle.
4. You’re directing both Amen Corner and Fame in the coming year. What do you hope to bring to a well known production like Fame?
The Amen Corner is on hold but Fame…i really would like to have fun with it. i am the musical theater performance teacher for pinellas county center for the arts and i thought it would be fun to produce a show that’s very dance heavy and fun. most people feel like the script isn’t strong, however, i believe if my students can take something not as complex as Sweeney Todd or Rent and blow it out of the box…then i would feel that they are ready for more challenging material. besides, everybody our age or older remembers Fame, the movie..though its different.
5. Since moving to St. Petersburg, what have you seen change in the local entertainment industry? Are there good things coming from others putting on plays and performing poetry? If so, who?
Since moving here I’ve had to adjust quite a bit, the scene is smaller, the circles are tightly woven and being an out-of-towner isn’t necessarily the best thing. however, slowly i’m breaking circles and creating a space for me and my art. there’s tons of good things coming from other artist across the board (visual and performance). in the performance world, Aleshea Harris is gearing up for her one-woman show, Lavaland production is doing some cool things, Amazncran Creative Works is lining up some interesting shows for this upcoming year. there’s great work/art coming out of the american stage, studio 620, free fall theater, local artists are making a move! as Aleshea and i like to proclaim, “we preparing for the takeover”! Venus Jones, Life, Poetic Collage are doing great things in the Tampa Bay area. I could go on on, cause that’s just a slice of performance and we haven’t even touched music, visual or dance.
6. Manifesting Soul, your debut album, is a collection of your reflections on life. Who is your target audience and how do you hope it will be received?
I would love to say everyone is my target audience because that’s what my heart and god desire. my art is not designed to tear anyone down, rather to open them up to themselves, discover something new or unexplored within the universe and self. it’s meant to cause you to fall in love over and over again, even if it’s with yourself or others because we are spiritual beings on earth having a human experience. i pray that it will be well received and understood.
7. When you’re doing a poetry presentation, how would you describe your delivery? Do you have a certain tone or presentation that you use throughout your performances?
My delivery is different…i cannot describe it…a friend of mine describes me as a “controlled explosion”. it is my background in performance that gives me an edge. my approach is to pull you into this world i am creating and follow me on this journey.
8. Who are your influences in each of your disciplines?
God. god told me to watch everybody, everything and learn. life is my influence, but if i have to name them, here are a few…spike lee (filmmaking)-i dig his willingness to be different, edgy and opinionated. bill grivna (directing stage)-he taught me to see the world of the play, paint its emotions on stage. thomasina clarke, alfred woodard and whoopi goldberg (acting)-they taught me that being different is beautiful, being a woman is powerful and words are nothing without breath. langston hughes, amiri baraka, emily dickenson, nikki giovanni, sonia sanchez (writing)-taught me that breath is nothing without words to give it sound.
9. Where do you see yourself and your performances in a year? 5 years? 10 years?
My goals are to receive my MFA in filmmaking in the next couple of years, use my production company to produce works that compliment my mission and vision, possibly teach at the college level.
10. Are there any other poets or performers that you enjoy working with in the bay area? If so, who and what have you worked on with them?
I’ve had the honor to work with numerous bay area artists on a number of different art mediums and i would work with them again in a heart beat. i am looking forward to working with other local artists.
Erica’s show tonight will be a fun experience, and at only $15 is a real bargain. I encourage everyone to check out her production of Manifesting Soul tonight at the Royal Theatre in Midtown St. Pete.
Restaurant Review: Johnny’s Pizza & Restaurant
Good things come in strange packages, and gas station turned restaurant Johnny’s Pizza & Restaurant (3001 28th St N, St Petersburg, FL 33713-2604, (727) 323-3919) is a fine example of that principle at work. To look at Johnny’s, you wouldn’t assume much. From the outside, it looks like a carryout place that used to be a gas station, and it is. From the inside, the hustle and bustle of a diner is apparent in everything you see. On the surface, there’s nothing classy or proper about it. Then the food arrives and you’ll find yourself blown away.
I knew about Johnny’s from one of my clients who ordered us in a Greek Pizza during a meeting. It was nothing short of amazing. I knew I had to try it in person. At another meeting, she and I and another business associate decided to go there and do Johnny’s right.
We showed up around lunch time on a Saturday and the place was packed. There were people standing around picking up to-go orders and most every booth was filled. Everyone seemed pretty pleased, and other than a bit of slow service on refills I would agree with the sentiment. The waitstaff was complimentary, attentive and sweet all while juggling a dozen or so tables full of people. I’d say considering all of that, they did a good job.
Our food order took about 40 minutes, a bit longer than I expected. Jeanette ordered the roast pork and Thomas ordered the roasted lamb, both low-cost specialties under $10. I decided to take on a large Greek Pizza, the same as I had tried before. I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat it all, so bringing it home to enjoy over the next few days was the most logical decision. I’m very glad I did. I’m only miffed that I didn’t take advantage of their “Buy 1, get 1 half price” pizza deal, as this would have been a great meal to keep around all week.
The thing about Johnny’s Pizza is that you get something more than just a pizza. The Greek is a fine example of this, being based on a white sauce and covered in spinach, gyro meat, feta, tomatoes, onions and pepperoncinis. The pizza is piled thick at probably 1″ from crust bottom to bubbling cheese. While I’ve had a lot of Greek pizzas with feta and the vegetables listed above, very few take it the extra step with the gyro meat. The crust is a bit crunchier than I like, but the pile of toppings more than make up for any misgivings I may have for the base. This pizza is a bargain too, with the large being under $20.
Thomas continually commented on how great his lamb was. He pulled me off a piece (with his fork, it was that tender) and it was truly melt-in-your-mouth magnificent. They cover it (and the accompanying potatoes) in this red sauce that is a bit spicy but incredibly flavorful. This may be the best lamb I’ve had outside of a Greek community. Leaving the bone in adds to the flavor and the portion size is outstandingly large. Once you throw in the corn on the side, the meal is overwhelming in scale and flavor. Everything a restaurant can do right with a lamb dish was done right here.
The roast pork was made with the same care as the roast lamb. It’s slow roasted in a way that keeps the pork intact until you hit it with your fork and then it begins to come apart. Very little knife work is required to break the pork down. Jeanette also commented about the quality of the pork and my confirmation bite supported her claims. It really was exceptional Greek-style roasted pork.
Johnny’s has a lot to offer at a bargain diner price. Since it’s so close to this client’s office, I’ll be heading there again in the future to try more of their roasted meat specials.
Restaurant Review: Hook’s Sushi Bar and Thai Food
If you’re looking for a sushi bargain in St. Pete, you’d be hard pressed to find a higher quality of food at a moderate price than at Hook’s Sushi Bar (1210 9th St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727)898-HOOK). The story of Hook’s reads like a Shakespearean novella. A cook working for the sushi place across the street (also good food, by the way!) felt scorned by the owner a few years back and opened up Hook’s on the opposing side of MLK Blvd. Many of his customers followed him and Hook’s has been a success story ever since. I’ve eaten here a few times now and the place is always packed with happy people enjoying fresh ingredients, marvelous presentation and good company. Why the owner Hook Atsavinh passed away earlier this year, the legacy and quality of his food lives on.
While Hook’s is decently priced as it sits (about $25 for me to eat very well), they also have excellent deals going on, such as $1 sushi on Wednesday.
I enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the craftsmen at work. These guys are incredibly skilled, as you’d expect any sushi chef to be. All of their ingredients are cut fresh in batches every few hours, placed in a cooler for all to see. Since they continually produce fresh sushi throughout the day, the ingredients don’t sit around long enough to be anything less than delicious.
To start my meal, I ordered the ginger salad. They make the ginger dressing fresh daily, so what you get is a pulpy and delicious dressing that is thick and rich without being overly sweet. The salad itself is practically a work of art, slivers of vegetables the perfect size for chop sticks. Every face of the presentation in the salad from perfectly chopped lettuce to crinkle-cut cucumbers make this $3 salad seem like a much bigger value than you pay for.
When it comes to the sushi, I decided to pick two of their big rolls, the Dragon Roll and the First Love Roll. Normally, 3 or 4 sushi rolls is what it takes to make me feel satisfied, but these rolls are approximately 30% larger than what most places serve so two rolls was just about perfect. When the plate came out, I was overcome with it’s beauty. I honestly felt bad for having to eat it, because this would be just as at home as a centerpiece of a Japanese themed home as it would in my belly. A delicate flower (edible!) topped a bit of sweet yellow ginger in the middle and a dab of Wasabi completed the center piece. The rolls ran yin and yang to the sides of the plate, complimenting each other beautifully.
The Dragon Roll, a head and tail of Tempura Shrimp with Asparagus, salmon and avocado is an artistic marvel. To look at it, you would recognize the imagery of the dragon instantly. From the first bite of fried shrimp through the last, this roll eats like a delicacy.
The First Love roll lives up to it’s name, giving me a reason to fall in love with sushi all over again. Eel fills the insides, laden with cream cheese and avocados with fresh raw salmon draped over the roll. The roll had a freshness and succulence to each bite that made me incredibly pleased. At most sushi places, I find myself drowning the sushi in soy and wasabi. Neither of these rolls needed the fodder, though I did sneak in a few small bits of wasabi after the rolls were gone because it was exceptionally hot and pungent. It’s so rare to find good wasabi that isn’t born of reconstituted paste.
Hook’s is a place that I’m putting on my short list for when I’m in St. Petersburg. Whether you’re looking for a quick and healthy snack or a whole meal, the presentation and attention to detail bring extraordinary value to an already reasonably priced meal.
Size Matters Fashion Show featuring Wear To The Tear Fashion
Along with the Size Matters Art Exhibit, a fashion show took to the stage at NOVA535 last night. Bringing models and fashion together with an art showing makes for an enticing evening. Seeing the girls showing off the Wear to the Tear line featured some ready-to-wear looks as well as a few extremes. Here are some shots from the show, as well as some followup shots in the dressing room.
The rest of the photos can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisbaldwin/sets/72157621260618712/
Size Matters Art Show
With images pulled from pop culture of both today and yesterday, the Size Matters art premiere took over NOVA535 on Friday night. The Vitale Brothers were the stars of the show, headlining with a supporting cast of other artists who brought their insight and character to the exhibit. Supporting artists include Bask, Tes One, Andrew Spear, Terribly Odd Frank, Strunk Ill, Davey Montooth, Chris Parks, Hydro 74, Sarah Gail Hutcherson, John Hutcherson, Chad Mize, Phillip Clark, T.W. Curtis, Dolla Bill, Melia White, Mark Michaels, Smilemaker Krystal Ralph, Hug Smugglers, Ron Pieniak, Ever, Cody Meagham, Ricardo Hernandez Marquez, Heinz Hinrighs, Andrea Pawlisz, Joey Vitale, Paul Vitale, and John Vitale.
Appealing to a wide audience, the subjects included a moniker of Lady Liberty with a Burger King parody, the recently deceased pitchman Billy Mays, Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, an iconic metal structure resembling a rusted boombox from the mid 80s, a headshell and needle brought to life size in a 3d model and a vectorized picture-of-a-picture take on Polaroid’s ad campaign from a decade ago. A trip upstairs revealed a callback to the 80s with Skeletor holding a lollipop. Dozens of pieces, most reasonably priced under $1000, ran the cultural range from the dawn of disco through the modern age.
It was very much an event to see and be seen. Hundreds of people poured into the event over the course of the 4 hour show. The accompanying fashion show was too big for just one post, so I’m running a separate post specifically for it.
Here’s some more photos of the artwork on display:
Here’s some crowd photos as well:
To see more photos from the Art Show, see the whole album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisbaldwin/sets/72157621258657146/
Big Bang Thursdays at Nova535
Nova535’s Supernova Sundays show may be gone, but the monthly rendition Big Bang Thursdays lives on.
Judging continues to be done by the same four judges who seem to have fallen into their respective judges roles with grace and humility.
There’s a good deal of comedians in this new format. The Got Jokes guys continue to host and emcee while local comedians take to the stage for crass and mostly-funny comedy.
A dance troop also hit the stage, doing a pop-n-lock rendition that was always fast paced, something synchronized and leading in a give and take that was both skillful and fun.
The crowd was young and hip, as you’d expect from this kind of show. There were a few people over 40, but most everyone I saw (and photographed) were in the 25-40 range and all seemed to be having a good time.
Big Bang is held the first Thursday of every month at NOVA535 in St. Petersburg.
St. Pete Pride Festival Photo and Video Post
There was a huge turnout for the St. Petersburg Pride Festival, bringing tens of thousands of people of every background and orientation together to celebrate unity and love. I managed to shoot over 682 photos, including dozens of gay wedding photos and hundreds of crowd and parade photos. Here are a few of my favorites.
It was a celebration of gay brotherhood, and the leather boys were out in force.
The floats were flamboyant and colorful.
.. and so were many of the observers.
It was a hot day, and David Warner was the center of our Creative Loafing world.
It was a day of political strife and strong messages about morality.
Flags of many colors flew overhead.
It was a time for gay love, and marriage..
… and straight love and marriage.
Dudes in towels and togas light up the crowd.
Beautiful smiles and kisses for our brides.
Speaking of beautiful brides…
Like a life long love, this long flag of unity filled the parade route, being held up by hundreds as it made it’s way along the parade path.
… and let’s not forget the haters. What would united bliss be without ignorant haters?
The rest of the set can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisbaldwin/sets/72157620652455230/
Kara also got some great video of the flag wavers:
Supernova Sundays gone, Big Bang coming!
While I enjoyed the Supernova Sundays that NOVA535 was putting on each Sunday, attendance fizzled and costs ran high, leaving it a dead project after only a few weeks. That said, they’ve re-organized the show into a monthly, held on the first Thursday of each month, repackaged as THE BIG BANG SHOW.
Come join me this Thursday, July 2nd. $10 in advance/$15 at the door, 7PM to Midnight.
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producerevent/68995?prod_id=9766
There will be comedians, musicians and other performers as well as a full dinner menu for anyone who wants to try some St. Pete favorites. Their caterers have always been great in the past.