All Entries in the "Entertainment & Arts" 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.

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.

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.

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.

Upcoming Vitale Brothers “Size Matters” show at NOVA535

On Friday July 10th at NOVA 535, local celebrity artists The Vitale Brothers will present their latest art show “Size Matters”! In typical NOVA style, the show will be kicked off with an extravagant party which will combine art, music and fashion.

The artists responsible for the content 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.

$5 admission. Doors open at 9 PM. Music by Dj Mega and Una Slim and fashion by Wear to the Tear.

Housed in a 1920 built five & dime; NOVA 535 is a lush, meticulously renovated 7,000 sqft. versatile event space with two full bars and plenty of convenient parking.

NOVA 535 Unique Event Space and Modern Art Lounge 535 Dr. M.L. K. Jr. St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 www.NOVA535.com

[5]Art Gallery’s New Exhibit “IN WHITE SPACE”

Last week, I went to the (5)Art Gallery’s new exhibit, located in the upstairs of an old warehouse-looking/factory-looking building (1906 N . Armenia Ave. #210 Tampa, FL 33607)

This group exhibition features a variety of works from guest artists. This year’s exhibition will debut in Gallery [5]art in West Tampa located in the Old Santaella Cigar Factory. The exhibition includes work from artists Alex Costantino, Brian Goe, Lauren Alyssa Howard, Vincent Kral, Wes Kline, Sonya McAlister, Justin Nelson, Rebecca Skelton, James Reiman and Christopher Weeks.

Art is such a subjective thing that it’s hard for me to judge what is “good” and what is “bad”, but I can definitely say that a lot of it is interesting. There were a variety of mediums, but most dealt with either print or paint medium. Some of my favorite exhibits included a constantly turning engine on a pedestal, complete with a crown of thorns. An homage to our countries desire to automate and capitalize on religion? A warning of the high horsepower performances by preachers and cult leaders to show that we’re not in the driver’s seat? Maybe it’s just cool looking and shiny. Either way, I loved it.

One room was dedicated entirely to science fiction, with many exhibits being draw from Star Trek. A three level portrait of a green alien woman being sassy was a nice turn-on, if only because it spoke to my inner geek’s sex drive.

There was a pretty well done glass piece in one room as well, relying on light to extend the physical boundary of the glass to create shadows that took on a life of their own. Every angle you look at this piece, the light shines through and you get a deeper perspective.

There was a wolf, tinted green and mouth agape, printed on a mattress. The worn out look of the medium combined with the stark colors takes the trash art concept and gives it some teeth.

There was a whole lot more to see as well. Here’s some photos:

The rest of the photos I took are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisbaldwin/sets/72157620059656155/

Siegfried and Roy present Darren Romeo, the Voice of Magic is playing to packed houses as part of Busch Garden’s "Summer Nights"

Fans old and new join Romeo as he lights up the stage in the Moroccan Palace Theater at least twice nightly (except Wednesdays). Show admission is included with park admission. Romeo was brought in to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Busch Gardens as the park stays open late through August 16.

Romeo, who performed to full houses in Busch Garden’s Stanleyville Theater during “Summer Nights” six years ago, captivates audiences with his incredible vocals and Broadway style shows. He performs classic stage illusions and dramatic new magical effects with lightning speed, and weaves a roller-coaster paced show that often has the audience doubled over with laughter. Even David Copperfield claims, “You must see his show!”

The Las Vegas icons Siegfried & Roy took Romeo under their wings as a protégé, and have made him the beneficiary of a lifetime of performing experience.

Show schedule:

June
Sunday – Tuesday, Thursday at 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday at 7 & 9 p.m.
Saturday at 6, 8 & 9:30 p.m.
Dark Wednesday

July
Sunday – Tuesday, Thursday at 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday at 6, 8 & 9:30 p.m.
Dark Wednesday
Additional shows: Friday, July 3 & Saturday, July 4 at 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday, July 31 at 7 & 9 p.m.

August
Sunday – Tuesday, Thursday at 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday at 7 & 9 p.m.
Saturday at 6, 8 & 9:30 p.m.
Dark Wednesday

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is located east of I-275, north of Busch Blvd. at 10001 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa, 33612.

For more information on Romeo, log on to www.darrenromeo.com or follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DarrenRomeo.

For more information about Busch Gardens “Summer Nights,” log on to www.buschgardens.com.

Tampa Bay gets it’s chance to be on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

Ever want to be on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Tampa Bay residents, this is your chance.

This Friday, June 19th, producers from the show will be at the St. Pete Times Forum, auditioning potential players.

Auditions will run from 7 A.M. to 11 A.M. You will take a test (of 40 questions) and submit to an interview with a producer. A small portion of those who enter will be chosen for the show (approximately 10%), but anyone over 18 years of age can enter.