All Entries in the "Concerts and Shows" Category
Review of the Tampa Bay Music Conference
I recently attended the 6th annual Tampa Bay Music Conference, held at the Ritz Theatre (503 7th Ave. Tampa, FL. 33605)in Ybor City.
The event was not what I expected. Being billed as a top class event ($40 tickets), I figured it would be a lot of fun with a lot of people and plenty to see and do. It turns out that it wasn’t nearly as robust as I had hoped.
Firstly, let’s examine the name and why it’s misleading. When you think of Tampa Bay Music Conference, what do you think of? I think of musicians from Tampa Bay coming together, preferably from all walks of life and musical backgrounds, to meet and “confer”, jam and socialize. This was a very acute version of that ideal, as the musical scope was limited to rap, hip hop and R&B and very little of this had anything to do with Tampa Bay. While I don’t know the background on all of the acts involved, I was told by several people there that very few of the musical acts actually were from Tampa.
Secondly, when I picture a music conference, I picture vendors that are suited to the music industry. Where was Guitar Center? JBL? Fender? Shure? Where were the brands I come to know and love? Who was there? LaCie, the hard drive manufacturer. Why were they at a music conference?
Thirdly, for a highly publicized event, there were very few warm bodies. I hung around for about three hours and in that time counted maybe 100 people total in and out of the door. One would think that an event with this potential could draw thousands of people. Perhaps other people knew what I didn’t and simply chose to avoid paying $40 for a half-hearted rap concert.
Fourthly, when I think of a Music Conference, I don’t think of one guy on stage rapping while 20 people sit around looking bored. Where are the additional stages? Where is the crowd participation? Where is the excitement in the air? There wasn’t even anyone near the stage calling out the rapper’s name. There were three people standing up front with camera phones snapping photos, but where is the crowd that a big show should bring?
All of that said, there were a few good things going on. The waitstaff was awesome. Bartenders made me several good drinks. The side room was full of people actually talking about music and attempting to network. I just wish the whole event had the kind of chemistry that the side room was flirting with.
The Wizard of Oz on the Big Screen With The Florida Orchestra
With the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz projected on a movie theater-size screen above the musicians, The Florida Orchestra (TFO) will perform the Oscar Award-winning music live, May 23 and 24 at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.
In this special re-mastered edition of the MGM film, the musical soundtrack was digitally removed to allow the TFO to accompany the original dialog and songs of Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion on their fairytale journey to the fabled Emerald City.
In addition to such beloved favorites as We Are Off to See the Wizard, Follow the Yellow Brick Road and Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the original orchestration also cleverly contains many familiar symphonic quotes of music by Schumann, Stravinsky, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Delius and Mussorgsky.
Show times are Saturday, May 23 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m. at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. South, St. Petersburg 33701. Tickets are $45 and $35, children 12 and under receive $10 off. To purchase tickets, call 800-662-7286 or log on to www.floridaorchestra.org.
The Florida Orchestra presents the 14-concert Progress Energy Masterworks Series and the 8-concert Raymond James Pops Series, both of which are performed in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. In addition, the orchestra performs the 6-concert Holland America Line Coffee Concert series at the Progress Energy Center – Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. The orchestra’s concert activities also include a selection of special concerts, a variety of free Pops in the Park Concerts performed in parks around the Tampa Bay area, and a Youth Concerts program reaching approximately 30,000 4th and 5th graders annually.
The Florida Orchestra is supported in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners; Pinellas County Cultural Affairs Department and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners; the City of Tampa; the City of St. Petersburg; the City of Clearwater; and the School Districts of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.
Cirque Du Soleil’s Saltimbanco
I have to apologize up front about the quality of the photos I took of the show. They really don’t give this amazing experience the justice I wish I could have given it. As many of you know, I’m more of a faux-tographer than a photographer. Thus, my archaic SLR setup doesn’t give the kind of clarity in shooting dark scenes as I would prefer. I’m working to remedy this problem with a shiny new F/2.8 70-300mm Canon Lens, but for now please enjoy what I was able to capture.
When I heard Cirque Du Soleil’s Saltimbanco show was coming to the Lakeland Center, I knew I had to go. I had seen Cirque before in Las Vegas, but this was a very different show.
The differences are in both scope and scale, but I wouldn’t say that either show is better than it’s counterpart. The show I saw years ago had a moving stage and this stage was a large part of the act. The traveling Saltimbanco show, a mix of performance pieces including flying trapeze, acrobatic stunts, dance, creative musical numbers, imaginative customs and live music makes up for the moving stage with higher energy and more adventurous stunts.
The show starts off a little slow, introducing the audience to a few characters. Within a few minutes, the band steps up the tempo and with it an array of colorful characters join the mix. The acrobatics and feats of strength are the highlight of the second half, sending performers tumbling into the air. The performance was flawless. It’s obvious that the choreographer and the performers for this show make this their dream, and we all can share in that dream if only for a few hours.
Costume design is also top notch on this show. Ranging from the simplest of form fitting one pieces to elaborate head dresses and masks, the colorful ensembles draw your eye across the stage, trying to take it all in at once. As my companion at the show said, “It’s sensory overload. You can never take it all in.”
The Saltimbanco Arena Tour will stop in Tampa, FL at the St. Pete Times Forum for a limited engagement from June 25 through July 5, 2009. Tickets are on sale and available at cirquedusoleil.com, or by calling 813-287-8844.
The world premiere of Saltimbanco was held in Montreal on April 23, 1992 and featured a cast of 36 performers. During its 14-year tour under the big top, the show visited 75 cities on five continents, for a total of more than 4,000 performances before a combined audience of 10 million people.
In 2007, Saltimbanco embarked on a tour of over 40 arenas across Canada and the United States. The new tour model allows Cirque du Soleil to bring its shows to additional cities, giving more people than ever the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town.
Saltimbanco belongs to the emblematic style of Cirque du Soleil – a signature Cirque du Soleil show with a style that borrows from theatre, dance and music and where spectacular costumes, lighting and make-up take pride of place. The current cast of 49 artists, 15 of whom were part of the show’s original big top tour, hails from Canada and 20 other countries.
Full of color, amusement and amazement, Saltimbanco is a fun show for the whole family to enjoy, a great outing for everyone!
Amy Grant to host benefit concert for Metropolitan Ministries
Six-time Grammy award winner and contemporary Christian artist Amy Grant will host a special concert benefiting Metropolitan Ministries at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s Carol Morsani Hall.
In support of Metropolitan Ministries, Grant said, “I think a home is so important. It is a place to gather. A home helps to provide a foundation. There, you can find all your basic needs: food, shelter and love.”
This is a treat for Amy Grant fans as she will not be touring the United States until fall 2009. 100% of ticket sale proceeds from the concert will go towards providing ongoing counseling and support services to those enrolled in the Ministries’ transitional and affordable housing programs.
Tickets can be purchased through the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center web site at www.tbpac.org. Prices are $35 (Gallery level), $50 (Balcony and Mezzanine level) and $75 (Orchestra level). Receive $10 off by using the discount code faith09 when purchasing online.
For over 36 years, Metropolitan Ministries has served the greater Tampa Bay community by inspiring and uplifting disadvantaged families through life-changing supportive programs.
For more information about Metropolitan Ministries please visit www.metromin.org. To schedule an interview with Metropolitan Ministries staff, residents’ or Amy Grant, please contact Ana Mendez at 813-334-4332 or anamaria.mendez@metromin.org.
About Metropolitan Ministries
Metropolitan Ministries is a non-profit, nondenominational, faith based organization that faithfully provides answers for poor and homeless families. Founded in 1972 by 13 downtown Tampa Churches, this community supported ministry has earned the trust and support of charitable individuals, volunteers, businesses, churches, synagogues, civic organizations, schools and collaborative partners. Metropolitan Ministries does not depend on government funding and is not a United Way agency. Today, Metropolitan Ministries offers a wide spectrum of supportive services to alleviate suffering, promote human dignity and instill self-sufficiency.
As Metropolitan Ministries celebrates over 35 Years of Hope, the Ministries is becoming known beyond the Tampa Bay community as one of America’s most effective and innovative caregivers. Metropolitan Ministries has been awarded Charity Navigator’s highest four star rating for demonstrating exceptional financial health, outperforming most of its peers in its efforts to manage and grow its finances in the most fiscally responsible way possible. Metropolitan Ministries is located at 2002 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602. For more information visit www.metromin.org or call 813-209-1000.
“The Waiting Room” Art Show and Electronic Music Night
Tek-nique Entertainment presents “The Waiting Room”, a night of chill music and cool art. Art show by vivid Dark J.E. Feightner with music by DJ’s Loki, Shard, Shumatra71 and ElliotNess.
This Saturday, April 18th. $5 at the door. Held at the Ybor City Social Club.
4/18/2009 9:00 PM at Ybor City Social Club
1909 N 15th St, Ybor City, Florida 33605
Cost: $5
Songwriter’s Night 2nd Anniversary at the Bunker
The Bunker is one of my favorite little coffee shops and intimate music venues here in Tampa. It also helps that it’s only a mile from my house!
On May 14th, they’ll be doing their 2nd Anniversary Songwriter’s Night. This promises to be a good time, especially with all of the local music talent coming together.
Bay Area Beat: Local Music News announces second Showcase in April with Adrianne!
Two showcases for local artists in one month? Is this really an April fool’s joke? Nope. It’s for real! Bay Area Beat, new the Bay Area music magazine dedicated to local artists and musicians, proudly announces its second artist showcase on Friday, April 24, 2009 at Pro Star Sound Stage (3220 28th Street North, St. Petersburg, Fl 33713) with singer/songwriter extraordinaire Adrianne.
Adrianne is no stranger to the Bay Area. A native of Miami and currently living in Atlanta, she’s been performing her unique brand of soulful music for over ten years, by way of Miami, Boston, Toronto, London, Atlanta and Los Angeles. She’s shared stages with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Lori McKenna, Jeff Buckley, Melissa Ferrick, Tegan and Sara, Girlyman, Peter Mulvey, Jonatha Brooke, The Weepies, Kristen Hall, and Men-at Work singer Colin Hay. Her songs have appeared on Men in Trees, Grey’s Anatomy, Ghost Whisperer, One Tree Hill, Dirt, Studio 60, Guiding Light (soap it up!) and several films such as Eulogy and The Deal (with Christian Slater) and several movies on Lifetime. For more information, please go to www.adriannemusic.com.
Opening for Adrianne is US Virgin Islands-born Tampa-based singing sensation Francillia, an incredibly talented and versatile performer currently with Bay Area psychedelic dance/club outfit Beatnik Castle. A former Ms. St. Croix and VI Vixen Swimsuit Calendar model, Francillia was the 2008 Regional winner Best Female Contemporary singer Talent Quest Finals in Ybor City last year.
In addition to singing Beatnik Castle’s current dance/club single “Will U B Mine?” Francillia, with piano accompaniment from Jeff Felten, will perform acoustic versions of new material from her upcoming solo CD “Temptation,” scheduled for release in 2010 on Mad Monk, LTD Records. For more information, go to www.beatnikcastle.com. Doors open at 7:00 pm and admission is $10. Call 727-521-BEAT (2238) for more information.
Rock For Hope Concert and Shriner’s Benefit at Wild Wing Cafe
Yesterday, we attended the Rock For Hope Concert and Shriner’s Benefit at the Wild Wing Cafe (9210 Anderson Rd, Tampa, FL 33634, (813) 890-9453). This benefit went to help physically challenged children, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Sunday. Put on by Maximum Entertainment’s Rich Rubin, this show featured several musical acts, hundreds of people and a bike/chopper show, all for a good cause.
Bands started early, pouring in around noon. Outlaw country stars Hundred Proof were playing when we rolled up. This is the kind of country I like, a mix of the nasty attitude of Johnny Cash and Hank the Third with whaling guitars and rockabilly sensibility. They were followed by Adrian Ray, another country band.
Later on, Blind Rage came up to do a set of classic rock songs.
Blind Rage took a bit of a break to let Francillia of Beatnik Castle come up and o her hit, “Will U B Mine?” While this isn’t her ideal crowd, she did a great job and everyone cheered for her.
We left shortly after Blind Rage continued, but I hear Bark at the Moon, the premiere Ozzy Osbourne Tribute band continued to tear up the stage.
This really was a great benefit show, and it was awesome seeing so many people out to support the Shriners Hospitals. They do great work to save lives and improve lives for kids that wouldn’t have had a chance otherwise. It was totally worth the wicked sunburn I got to be there and support the cause.
Sensory Overload at the HoneyPot
When Creative Loafing puts on a party, it puts on a party! The HoneyPot (1507 E. 7th Avenue in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida) was the host for the fourth annual “Sensory Overload” party, a mix of live music, djs, circuit bending, models, artwork and booze. While not what I expected, it was an excellent collection of elements.
When I first heard about SO4.0, I imagined a combination of rave and art show. I had thought the art would be digitally created and printed and the music would be electronic/techno. When I walked in, I realized I was in for a whole different sense-probing experience.
From an art standpoint, the mediums included large LCD televisions showing off presentations and a series of lavishly dressed models on platforms. There were a few standing presentations of a non-digital and non-fleshy variety, but the real stars of the show were the costumes and the digital experience.
As I made my way through the main floor, I was surrounded by fog, dancing people and flashing lights. A screen hung on the wall showing people tweeting about the party, at the party, for everyone to see. After just leaving the Tweetup an hour before, I was beyond burnt out on the idea of twitter, but most people seemed to enjoy it.
The music was really exceptional. On the experimental electronic side, there were guys playing video games and using the soundtrack in their musical act. There was a band with a horn section and a real life drummer, a far cry from the drum machine and synthesizers I was expecting.
As I made my way up to the 2nd and 3rd floors, there was a whole different vibe to each. The 2nd floor was a very private and chill down tempo room with people lounging about and producers working the controls for the lights and sound of the main dance floor.
The 3rd floor was playing a mix of hip hop classics and video game controlled sounds. At one point, on DJ was using a modded Nintendo DS (perhaps it was a PSP??) to control the sound. Projectors displayed a Google Maps presentation on loop and several other monitors showed digital living room designs and marketing campaigns.
As the third floor got louder and more full, I made my way back downstairs. The place was packed, and for good reason. The party continued to rage on, showing new models, more artwork on the televisions and more fun music. Shortly after midnight, I ducked out but I hear it continued to rage on well into the night.
Spirit of Cigar City Radio
In my continual dedication to new media in Tampa Bay, as well as my interest in all things cigar-related, I recently discovered Spirit of Cigar City Radio.
The “Spirit of Cigar City Krewe” was formed in July of 2006. They are a group of business men and women from different walks of life and from different locations, but with one belief. That belief is to promote the history of Tampa, Ybor City and their diverse heritages by supporting charities and fostering civic pride.
The Spirit of Cigar City Radio Program was constructed on the basis of providing news information to Krewe members and playing the sounds of Ybor’s past. The idea was constructed months after the Spirit of Cigar City Krewe was constructed. Program Director, Steve Tabak aka “Havana Steve” has been in the music industry for 14 years. Spirit of Cigar City Radio Program is by far unique in its own kind.
No other Krewe has ever thought of doing an internet radio program which provides its members with valuable information concerning parades, social, etc. The Spirit of Cigar City Radio Program has evolved throughout the years to switching the format. You will still receive information concerning the Krewe, but there are several new segments. The “Smoker’s Den” is a new segment which features the “Cigar of the Week”. Havana Steve will review his favorite cigar and tell a little about the history of the manufacturer. The Spirit of Cigar City Radio Program is constantly changing.
To see what’s going on at the Radio Program, see their homepage:
http://www.spiritofcigarcityradio.com/index2.htm