Arts and Culture in Tampa Bay

Hi all!  Travis here with the cool Tampa Bay area events taking place in Ybor City tomorrow, Nov. 7.  There some neat things to do in Tampa Bay, so listen up. 

Ybor Art Walk (at Various locations) - from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Ybor Art Walk, a monthly art event sponsored by Ybor Art Association, will take place in history Ybor City.

The Art Walk is a self-guided tour of over 20 participating artistic venues in Ybor City. This month, Square One Rocks! will kick off at 11:00am at the Ritz Ybor (www.ritzybor.com).

No street closures are planned and for more information and a brochure, visit www.YAAOnline.org. 

Kraftz for Kids (at 1923 East 7th Avenue) - it happens from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.  You can indulge yourself in some crafty creations!  

Jezabelles and Her Wandering Gypsies are hosting a FREE event each Saturday for the entire family.   For more information and a schedule, call  813 / 247-1923 or email jezabelle-gypsies@hotmail.com 

Ybor City Saturday Market at Centennial Park East Pavillion from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  If you are looking for fresh produce or a November shopping adventure, then this is the place for you. 

Visit the Ybor Market this Saturday in Centennial Park.  For more information, please contact Lynn Schultz at 813/241-2442 or visit www.ybormarket@yahoo.com.

and there you go...so get out and start exploring Tampa's historic Ybor City.  and keep checking back for other things to do in Tampa Bay.
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some great Tampa Bay entertainment news!  It's been a while since we've done a giveaway, so we are going to try this again. 

Hopefully you have all heard about the brand new production at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - Wonderland, Alice's New Musical Adventure.  if you haven't heard, just check out the previous blog by clicking here. 

Well, we have two tickets to give away for the performance on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 at the Performing Arts Center. 

These will be Facebook giveaways, so don't forget that you have to be a fan of the Visit Tampa Bay Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/visittampabay). 

We'll be doing the giveaway on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 10am, so make sure you are there and ready to answer a trivia question. 

The first 10 correct repsonses have a chance at the tickets.  so, we'll see you then! 

And keep checking back for more updates about cool Tampa Bay entertainment options and other things to do in Tampa Bay.
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with all of the Tampa Bay area events happening at the Florida State Fairgrounds for the rest of November.  So, we won't drag it out and here with go some Tampa Bay entertainment. 

Nov. 6-8: Junior League of Tampa Holiday Gift Market - The Junior League of Tampa hosts its 6th annual Holiday Gift Market fundraising event in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall. The three-day shopping event features more than 120 specialty merchants from across the country offering unique merchandise such as boutique jewelry, clothing, handbags, home goods, children's items, gourmet foods, and much more! 

Event hours are Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission tickets at the door are $5 per adult and children ages 12 and younger enter free. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. For more information, visit online www.jltampa.org.

Nov. 13-15: Dixie Fest & Rib Burn-Off - Held outdoors at the Fairgrounds, Dixie Fest welcomes people to celebrate their southern pride during this three-day event. Main events scheduled to take place include monster truck rides, battle of the tribute bands, a Miss Dixie beauty contest, Dixie babes bikini contest, a nightly biker parade, a "Southern Boyz" all male revue, a karaoke contest, and a best tattoo artist contest.

In addition, there will be a variety of foods, vendors, and more.  Event hours are Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from Noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 9 p.m. General admission is $10 each day or $20 for a 3-day admission pass for ages 15 and older, and free admission for children ages 14 and younger. Active military personnel with valid I.D. receive reduced admission for $5 per day. Parking is $3 per motorcycle, $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. To purchase tickets in advance, visit online www.dixiefestnow.com or any Ticketmaster location.  

Nov. 14: Pet Adoption Expo - The ASPCA, Humane Society of Tampa Bay and No More Homeless Pets team up to present this one-day adoption event featuring over 40 animal rescue groups with hundreds of animals looking for a good home. Held in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, there will also be pet demonstrations and vendors with pet specialty items for sale. Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free for this event only. For more information, visit online www.humanesocietytampa or call Lisa Knight at 813-367-2078.

Nov. 14-15: Southeast Hunter Jumper Horse Show - The Southeast Hunter Jumper Association will host a two-day horse competition held in the Gran Prix Ring and Pony Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. The show starts at 8 a.m. each day. Competitions will be held in hunter and jumper divisions for children and adult categories with prizes to be awarded. Entry fees vary based on the entry category.

Participants must pre-register and fees must be paid with entry submission. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Participants and visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.sehj.com.

Nov. 17: Tampa Bay Senior Expo - The Tampa Bay Senior Expo is a special event designed to help seniors find local professionals who offer expertise in financial planning, health, fitness, volunteerism and recreation. Held in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall for one day only, there will be free educational seminars, over 100 exhibits, health screenings and giveaways throughout the day.

Event hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission and parking are free courtesy of The St. Petersburg Times. For more information, visit online www.tampabayexpos.com.

Nov. 22: Cheer & Dance Blast - Cheer Champion Express will host an officially sanctioned USASF all star event open to all youth Rec cheer & dance teams, school cheer & dance teams, all star cheer & dance teams, dance studios and individual competitors. 

Individual and team registration fees vary depending on application entry date. Held in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall, event hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 each for spectators and children ages five and younger enter free. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. For more information, visit online www.ccecheer.com.

Those are just a few of the events taking place at the Fairgrounds for the rest of the month, so head over to www.floridastatefair.com to get a full list of Tampa Bay area events!

Until next time, keep checking back for other things to do in Tampa Bay.
 

Hey everyone! Travis here with the ulitmate in Tampa Bay entertainment.  I bet many of you didn't know that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus makes its World Debut each year in Tampa!!!!! 

That's right...each year there's a new show and the first people who get to see it are in Tampa Bay!  Well, it's getting to be that time of year again, and details are starting to come out, so listen up! 

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is roaring into Tampa January 6-10 with Barnum’s FUNundrum, a celebration of P. T. Barnum so big, it is an event 200 years in the making!

From the moment guests arrive, the momentum explodes as The Greatest Show On Earth comes to life in a way that can only be inspired by the greatest showman who ever lived. 

Hop aboard and go on an unbelievable excursion that brings together performers and characters from exotic countries all over the world - even from places for which there are no geographic borders.

Thrill-seekers may pay for the entire seat, but will only need its edge as a rip-roaring motorcycle troupe braves fear and physics in the 16-foot Spherical Miracle. 

Height-seeking high-wire artists perform 40 feet in the air, all while at a 45 degree angle.  Masters of Musculature use their bodies in the ultimate test to see how far the human body can be pushed in a mind-blowing world of distortion and contortion. 

Just as the Ringling Bros. train keeps traveling from city to city, Barnum’s FUNundrum keeps the energy going as each extraordinary act blends thrills and contemporary spectacle to overdeliver a heart-racing experience that, until now, was beyond imagination! 

Beginning 90 minutes before show time, families can get up close with some of their favorite animal performers in the free Animal Open House.  And then, starting one hour before the show, guests can join on the arena floor for the All Access Pre-show, free to all ticket holders.

Here are the show times:
Wednesday, January 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 9 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 10 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

It's all at the St. Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa.  Ticket Prices start at $15 and go up.  All seats are reserved, and tickets go on sale November 20 at 10:00 a.m. at any Ticketmaster outlet, the McDonald’s® Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum, or by phone at 813-287-8844 in Hillsborough or 727-898-2100 in Pinellas. 

And there you have it.  But I'll be back with more info as the show gets closer, and maybe even some tickets giveaways! 

Until then, keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay and other Tampa Bay area events!
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some cool Tampa Bay area events...well, really events taking place in historic Ybor City. 

Ybor City's special event season has officially begun and November's theme is "Celebrating Cigar Heritage".  That means, some awesome Tampa Bay entertainment for all of you. 

For a calendar of this month's special events, just click here. 

If you happen to be in Ybor City, the Ybor City Ambassadors will be distributing these calendars to merchants this week. 

If you want more information about other special events, just visit www.YborOnline.com. 

Enjoy...I love Ybor City, so make sure you get out there and have some fun.  And keep checking back for other things to do in Tampa Bay.
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some AWESOME Tampa Bay entertainment that everyone need to be at!  Here's the info just in from the Seminole Hard Rock (one of the best Tampa Bay hotels out there)! 

Musician, singer, songwriter and actor Rick Springfield and his band will perform on Dec. 30 in a state-of-the-art event tent erected just for this concert at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Best known for his 1981 Grammy award-winning single, “Jessie’s Girl” on the classic album, Working Class Dog, and his role as Dr. Noah Drake on the daytime drama General Hospital, Springfield has amassed an impressive music collection of almost 20 albums over the years.

The still-handsome Australian-born rocker’s newest CD is a departure for him. Entitled My Precious Little One: Lullabies For A New Generation, it’s a collection of mellow songs he wrote in the 1980s for his boys, now 20 and 21.

His current band includes longtime bass player and collaborator on Venus In Overdrive, Matt Bissonette, keyboard player, Derek Hilland, guitarist George Bernhardt, and drummer Rodger Carter.

Tickets are $55 for reserved seating; $40 general admission, available at the Hard Rock Store and all Ticketmaster outlets starting Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. (you must be 18 years and older.) Doors open at 7 p.m.; show at 8 p.m. Parking, as always, is FREE.

So, I hope to see you all out there!  Until then, keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay!
 

Hey everyone...Travis here with some great Tampa Bay entertainment news!  This time, we are heading out to St. Petersburg for the 21st Annual Northeast Exchange Club Ribfest. 

It's Nov. 13-15.  This Ribfest marks its 21ST year of helping a variety of youth-oriented causes “one rib at a time”. 

This three-day charity fundraiser features the best barbeque ribs in the World, plus national touring artists playing classic and southern rock and country hits.

You can also catch Hell on Wheels, the nation’s leading BMX action stunt show, along with a Classic and Custom Car Show.  Tickets are on sale, so hurry up.  Just make your way to www.ribfest.org to get the full scoop (and slab of ribs)!

And they'll have plenty of napkins, so don't worry.  I hope everyone enjoys, and keep checking back for more great Tampa Bay area events and other great things to do in Tampa Bay.
 

1. The 205 foot neo-Gothic and art deco Singing Tower carillon is an experience like no other. Name the famed architect who designed it.
2. Name the Music Director for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and what year of his tenure is he entering into?

Travis here with more Tampa Bay area events and awesome things to do in Tampa Bay!  We just told you about one event happening tomorrow (Halloween) that you should make it out to, even though it's not a Halloween event! 

This is the Champions Trophy Vallamkali (Dragon Boat Race), and it's from 9AM to 5PM (Races begin @ 11:30AM) at Veterans Memorial Park (at 3602 N US Highway 301 in Tampa). 

The 2nd annual Champions Trophy Vallamkali is an attempt to replicate the traditional snake boat race in Kerala, India and is an event that caters to the Asian Indian population all over Florida and the neighboring states.

The race is performed in a Dragon Boat, which holds a crew of 20 paddlers paced by a drummer at the bow and guided by a steersperson at the stern. Combining power and rhythm, the 20 paddlers must work together to achieve maximum speed.

for those of you who have seen these types of races before, then you know how cool they are.  And for those of you who haven't, make sure you head out to take a look...you won't regret it. 

It's a free event, but parking is $5.  Visit www.championstrophytampa.com to get more details. 

And keep checking back here...we'll be bringing you tons more Tampa Bay area events. 
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some cool Tampa Bay entertainment for everyone!  This Sat., Oct. 31 (that's right, Halloween), the Raggae Jerm Jam hits Tampa Bay. 

It all happens from 2-9pm at the Bayanihan Arts And Events Center (at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive in Tampa). 

About the show:
The Reggae Jerk Jam is truly a wholesome family event that brings all the authentic tastes and sounds of the Caribbean directly to you. Share the music, love and the laughter of what makes the Caribbean unique and let it lead you all the way to your heart and soul.

Tickets are $10, but children 12 and under free!  Just head over to www.reggaejerkjam.com to get more details.  But, no matter what, make sure you plan on heading out to cool festival. 

Be back later with more cool Tampa Bay area events and other great things to do in Tampa Bay! 
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some Tampa tourism news.  Plus, it's some really cool Tampa Bay entertainment. 

The Sixteenth Annual ExTRAVELganza, the Bay Area's Premier Vacation & Sports Auction
Featuring the New Tours of Taste, take places on Friday, Nov. 13 from 7-10pm. 

It's happening at the at the spectacular newly opened Mainsail Conference Center!  As far as Tampa Bay hotels go, this one is amazing! 

There is no other fundraising event in the Bay Area quite as extraordinary as ExTRAVELganza, which provides the opportunity to purchase dream travel packages while raising scholarship dollars for hospitality and/or culinary arts students.

And, attendees will be delighted with a spectacular inaugural event - a Titanium Chef Competition with celebrity judge. Seats will be limited for this event.

So, make sure you log on to www.extravelganza.org to get more information about attending...also, they are looking for items for the auction.  So, if you have something you'd like to donate, you can do that as well...just check the site for details. 

See you there.  And keep checking back for more updates about Tampa Bay area events and other great things to do in Tampa Bay! 
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with more cool Tampa Bay entertainment!  This just in from the history center...on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7pm the Tampa Bay History Center will present a Florida Conversations lecture featuring USF Historian Andrew Huse and Columbia Restaurant owner Richard Gonzmart.

The two will discuss Huse’s new book, The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating a Century of History, Culture and Cuisine.

Although the Florida Conversations Lecture Series is normally hosted by the Tampa Bay History Center, this special installment will be held at the Siboney Room at the Columbia Restaurant’s Ybor City location.

Huse, a historian with the University of South Florida Libraries Department of Special Collections, worked closely with the Gonzmart Family to write this new centennial history of the famed Tampa restaurant.

In The Columbia Restaurant, Huse provides an in-depth look at the people who made the restaurant great. With a historian's eye for accuracy and a storyteller's ear for anecdotes, Huse traces the fortunes of the Columbia from the founder, Casimiro Hernandez Sr., to his great-grandson, fourth-generation restaurateur Richard Gonzmart.

Florida Conversations features authors covering the history, culture and people of Florida and is presented through a partnership with the University of South Florida Libraries Florida Studies Center.

Here's a great part about this event...it's FREE and open to the public. For additional information or to find out about upcoming lectures just head over to www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.  Have fun all you history majors and fans!

And keep checking back for more cool Tampa Bay area events, and other things to do in Tampa Bay. 
 

Travis here with a truly delicious event – the Ruskin Seafood and Arts Festival.  As far as Tampa Bay area events go, this one is at the top of the list to attend.  From Nov. 7-8, sun, sand and plenty of seafood line the shores of Tampa Bay for the annual Ruskin Seafood and Arts Festival. 

More than 20 vendors and restaurants offer visitors tastes of their seafood specialties, including shrimp, cracked conch, grouper sandwiches, clam chowder, alligator and oysters. 

In addition to the seafood, an arts and crafts area has nearly 100 displays of hand-crafted goods, wood carvings, furniture, jewelry, stained glass items and commercial exhibits. Other entertainment includes a boat show, children’s court and exotic animals. 

There’s something for the entire family, so head out and enjoy a day full of food, culture and fun!  Admission is $5 for adults and children (under 12) are FREE.  Plus, parking is free!  Visit www.ruskinseafoodfestival.org to get more details. 

So, put it on your calendar and get ready for a great time!  And keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay!
 

Hey everyone!  Travis back with some more scary Tampa Bay entertainment options for Halloween! 

We are heading over to the Shimberg Playhouse at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center this time.  Jobsite Theater presents Night of the Living Dead, now through Nov. 15. 

Another classic Jobsite Halloween treat...by Lori Allen Ohm, based on the screenplay by George Romero.  It's Directed by Chris Holcom.  Here's the lowdown -

Fallout from a satellite probe shot to Venus returns to Earth carrying a mysterious radiation that transforms the unburied dead into flesh-eating zombies.

Seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by the ravenous ghouls, begin to turn on each other as the dead encroach. 

Pretty cool right??!!!  so, make your plans, get your tickets and have some scary fun!!!  Regularly priced tickets start at $24.50.

If you want to order tickets, or if you need more info, just click here!

And keep checking back.  We'll keep bringing you more great things to do in Tampa Bay for Halloween, as well as other Tampa Bay area events. 
 

Hey gang...Travis here with some Tampa Bay enterainment news, as well as some Tampa Bay hotel updates...all in one! 

Pop artist, Jules Burt, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott, and current Buc defensive tackle, Chris Hovan are the celebrities confirmed so far to participate in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s annual Angelus Guitar Auction. 

It all takes place tonight at 7p.m. in Floyd’s nightclub at the Hard Rock in Tampa, where one-of-a-kind guitars decorated and signed by Charlie Daniels, Kenny Chesney, and Brooks & Dunn will be auctioned.

Artwork produced by residents of The Angelus will also be available for purchase. All art exhibition and auction proceeds benefit The Angelus non-profit organization for severely handicapped children and adults, located in Hudson.

Tickets will be for sales at the door for ONLY $10. (This event is for ages 18 and up only.)

Hosted by Chad Brock and Dave McKay of country station WQYK 99.5, the night will feature a silent auction at 7p.m. and a live auction at 9p.m.

PLUS, complimentary hors d oeuvres and wine samplings will be served courtesy of the Seminole Hard Rock.

In case you don't know about the Angelus, here you go:
The residents and students at The Angelus all have cerebral palsy and use wheelchairs for every day functioning. The 20-year-old organization in Hudson, Florida is a place for severely handicapped residents to call home. The Angelus currently has five group homes with 32 residents. With the continued help of the community, the goals and philosophy of the Angelus “a place to live, to love, to learn” will be maintained and the quality of life for the people who cannot help themselves will be assured. Visit www.theangelus.com for more information.

and of course, you can log on to www.seminolehardrocktampa.com to get more info about the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. 

As always, keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay. 
 

Hey gang...Travis back with some REALLY cool Tampa Bay entertainment news!  This just in from TBO.com...The Broadway hit "In the Heights" has won a slew of awards for chasing down and delivering the American dream to theatergoers.

Now fresh from Broadway, the show's national tour begins Tuesday in Tampa at the Performing Arts Center.

The title refers to New York's Washington Heights neighborhood, a barrio teeming with family-owned businesses built by Hispanic immigrants and their children. Central to the story are the owners of a taxi service, who struggled to put their daughter through college — the first in her family to go. Another family owns a beauty salon and a third runs a bodega. Everyone aspires to something better, and they all know it's possible in America.

The multigenerational story is relevant to both Miranda, who grew up in Washington Heights, and to author/playwright Hudes, whose Puerto Rican parents settled in Philadelphia. Miranda wrote a first draft of "Heights" in 1999 during his sophomore year at Wesleyan University. He based the characters and storyline on personal experiences and observations.

Through the next several years, the work developed into a series of successful stagings. Eventually, Miranda and Hudes met and collaborated to fine-tune the production that reached off-Broadway and then Broadway in 2008. While he focused on the music and lyrics, Hudes fleshed out the story and dialogue.

Here are the vitals for 'In the Heights': 

WHEN: Tuesday through Nov. 1; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Morsani Hall, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa

HOW MUCH: $38.50 to $72.50; just call (813) 229-7827 or visit www.tbpac.org.

If you want to read more of this story, including quotes from the cast and writer, click here!

And as always, keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay, and other Tampa Bay area events!