Gasparilla Film Festival

Travis back with a Tampa Tourism update that I know you'll be eating up.  Here's the info right from the Restaurant's mouth!

The legendary Columbia Restaurant has returned with a new book to tantalize the taste buds and imagination. 

In 1994, The Columbia Restaurant Spanish Cookbook won acclaim with its blend of history and cuisine.  The saga continues in the new release:  The Columbia Restaurant:  Celebrating a Century of History, Culture, and Cuisine.  

Over 100 years of The Columbia’s history comes to life in 300+ colorful pages, illustrated with many new color and black and white photos along with stories from the Hernandez Gonzmart family members, employees, business partners and long time customers.
 
This book will delight home cooks, offering seventy-seven new, authentic recipes and theme menus for the holidays, Sunday brunch, wine tastings, and cocktail parties.  Learn simple and elaborate dishes made famous by the Columbia.

History buffs will enjoy the newly-researched origins of The Columbia and stories of its early struggles through Prohibition and Depression.

Watch The Columbia’s glamorous rise during the 1950s, when it throbbed with romantic music supplied by Third Generation Family Member Cesar Gonzmart and his magic violin.   Federal bulldozers lurked in the 1960s, as urban renewal demolished much of the old Latin Quarter.  In the 80s, new locations meant new opportunities and risks.  Somehow, the Gonzmart family made the struggle look easy. 

A death in the family prompted a business crisis in the 1990s that threatened the Columbia as it neared its centennial.  Quick thinking and hard work salvaged the sinking ship and charted her into the 21st Century.  The voices of employees, family members, and friends help tell the Columbia’s colorful and fascinating story.

Published in October 2009, The Columbia Restaurant:  Celebrating a Century of History, Culture, and Cuisine is available for 29.95 at any Columbia Restaurant, or at their website: www.columbiarestaurant.com.

So, make sure you get a little bit of the Columbia's history for yourself.  And as always, keep checking back for more great Tampa tourism updates, as well as great things to do in Tampa Bay.
 

Hi all!  Travis back with some really cool Tampa Bay entertainment options, no matter who you are!  You can bet that you'll catch me at this exhibit more than once. 

We are heading out to MOSI for a brand new exhibit that will be there from Feb. 13 - May 31, 2010.  DaVinci The Genius and the Secrets of the Mona Lisa will be at MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry, for this limited engagement.

This is the exhibition’s first appearance in the southeastern United States and will shed light on DaVinci’s contributions to modern science.

While DaVinci is widely known for his Renaissance era artwork – he had numerous contributions to the fields of science and technology. From mankind’s first flying machines and scuba gear to musical and time-keeping instruments, DaVinci’s well documented thoughts helped to create some of the world’s greatest inventions.

DaVinci – The Genius takes visitors on a journey through DaVinci’s thoughts, with reproductions of his most famous renaissance art in actual size, a series of anatomical sketches, and entertaining and educational presentations in 3D of the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, the Vitruvian Man and the Sforza Horse. 

The exhibition includes opportunities for visitors to try several of DaVinci’s inventions. Plus, children can express their genius by participating in activities in the DaVinci children’s area.

The Secrets of Mona Lisa, uses patented infrared technology and intense illumination to scan the Mona Lisa and virtually peel away layers of varnish applied over centuries. The camera was able to uncover how the Mona Lisa looked as she was originally painted, including layers of over-painting, restoration and attempts at preservation – even identifying the individual pigments that DaVinci used. 

These amazing revelations are displayed in gallery style and in full on super size, high resolution prints, with the largest being the 14 ft x 10 ft giant infrared of Mona Lisa.

Throughout the exhibition’s run, MOSI will be offering a number of DaVinci events, including artist sketch nights, Italian cooking demonstrations, young inventors events and a DaVinci discussion series.

and there's the scoop.  If you want more info, just visit www.mosi.org.  Like I said, look for me because I'll certainly be out there a bunch. 

Keep checking back for updates about this exhibit (because there'll certainly be others), as well as updates about other great things to do in Tampa Bay!
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some Tampa Bay area events, hosted by the Florida Orchestra, during December.  So strap your sleigh bells on because here we go!

Dec. 2: An Intimate Collaboration, The Austrian Way Highlighting Music by Beethoven & Bruckner. 

As a multi-cultural prelude to The Florida Orchestra’s next Masterworks concert, The Studio@620 and The Florida Orchestra present An Intimate Collaboration: The Austrian Way, with discussion, music, and other art forms related to Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6 featured on the Masterworks series on December 4 and 6.

An Intimate Collaboration: The Austrian Way takes place Wednesday, December 2, at 7:30 pm at The Studio@620 located at 620 First Avenue South in downtown St. Petersburg. Seating is limited and reservations are required.  Suggested donation $10. To place a reservation, call 727.895.6620 or visit www.studio620.org.

Dec. 4 & 6: Masterworks: Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto.  The youngest winner ever of the International Beethoven Competition in Vienna, Stefan Vladar performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 with its flowing, gliding and sparkling melodic gifts on a program with Bruckner’s majestic and soaring Symphony No. 6.

It's Fri, Dec 4, 8 pm at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - Carol Morsani Hall, and on Sun, Dec 6, 7:30 pm at Ruth Eckerd Hall.  Tickets are: $20, $30, $43, $53, $67. 

Pre-Concert Conversation: All Masterworks programs offer a pre-concert talk about the music and the composers in the concert hall beginning one hour prior to curtain.

Dec. 10: Coffee Concerts: Opera’s Greatest Hits - Alastair Willis conducts this morning Coffee Concert that features Verdi’s Traviata, Prelude to Act III, Puccini’s La Boheme, and Rossini’s Overture: Italian Girl in Algiers.

Don’t miss the pre-concert conversation and complimentary coffee and donuts one hour before the concert. It's Thurs, Dec 10, 11 am at Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater. 

Pre-Concert Conversation: All Coffee Concert programs offer a pre-concert talk about the music and the composers in the concert hall beginning one hour prior to curtain.  tickets are: $24, $29, $34, $42

Dec. 11-13: A Holiday Pops - Sure to put a smile on your face and good cheer in your heart, treat yourself and your family to a sleigh load of musical chestnuts, favorite yuletide tunes and Christmas carols with your orchestra and the soaring voices of The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay.

It's Fri, Dec 11, 8 pm at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - Carol Morsani Hall; Sat, Dec 12, 8 pm at Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater; and Sun, Dec 13, 7:30 pm at Ruth Eckerd Hall.  Tickets are: $20, $30, $43, $53, $67

Dec. 16: Special Concert - Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas: 

Hailed by The New York Times as “passionate, tender and rambunctious” and singled out by The Washington Post as “an astonishing array of virtuosity,” the Irish traditional music and dance group, Cherish the Ladies, will toast the holiday season with their wondrous weaving of Irish vocals, old-world airs and tug-on-your-heartstrings yuletide tunes with fiddles, flutes, penny whistles, guitar, banjo, accordion, mandolin and even some step dancing.

It takes place on Wed, Dec 16, 8 pm at Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater, and tickets are: $25, $40, $55, $70

So, make sure you get out and enjoy one of the many events that the Florida Orchestra has in December. 

And keep checking back here for info about other Tampa Bay area events and great things to do in Tampa Bay. 
 

Hey everyone!  Travis back with some Tampa Bay entertainment in one of my favorite areas of Tampa Bay...historic Ybor City! 

Anyone and everyone can come join the fun and ambiance of Ybor City for a day of activities celebrating the rich cigar heritage that once made Tampa the "Cigar Capital of the World."

Join thousands of cigar enthusiasts at the 11th annual Cigar Heritage Festival!  You can see master cigar makers Wallace and Margarita Reyes attempt to break the record for "World's Longest Cigar."

The current US Record Holder was in 2006...which was 30.78 meters.  I mean, how cool would that be??!! 

Plus, you can shop the World's Finest Cigars, including Cuesta Rey, Arturo Fuente, Rocky Patel, Camacho, 601, and many more!

Also, there'll be a Kid Zone, Food Court, Cigar Accessories, Tours of the Ybor City Museum State Park, Cigar Rolling, Live Entertainment, Charity Beer Garden, Authentic Cultural Food Vendors, Cultural Activities For The Whole Family, the Ybor City Fresh Market, and the list just keeps going! 

And for all of you sports fans, they have you covered too, because there'll be a Game Zone featuring NCAA Football, Poker, Dominos, & More! 

It all happens in CENTENNIAL PARK in YBOR CITY (on 9th Ave. between 18th and 19th Streets).  It's tomorrow from 10am to 5pm, so make plans to stop by during the day!  You can bet you'll see me out there. 

Have a great time everyone!  And keep checking back here for other Tampa Bay area events and other great things to do in Tampa Bay! 
 

Hey everyone!  Travis back with more fun Tampa Bay entertainment options for you.  We are heading back to the largest science center in the Southeast US...MOSI!

In celebration of National Game and Puzzle Week, MOSI will be hosting a SCRABBLE Fun Day with puzzling activities for the whole family.

On November 28, from 11 am to 3 pm, visitors can challenge players from the National SCRABBLE Players Association to a competitive style game.

Guests can also watch two SCRABBLE experts play each other and learn the strategies and ideas behind competitive play. Additionally, the National SCRABBLE Players Association will be displaying SCRABBLE memorabilia and boards.

The Fun Day will take place inside Mindbender Mansion, MOSI’s limited engagement exhibit featuring brainteasers and puzzles for the whole family.

The exhibit (running through January 3) challenges visitors to unlock a series of clues and become Master Mindbenders. With more than 45 brainteasers and 5 group activities, Mindbender Mansion has activities the whole family can enjoy.

If you're looking for more information on Mindbender Mansion and Scrabble Fun Day visit www.mosi.org.

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

Hey everyone, Ece Yilmaz here with upcoming exciting sports news that you don’t wanna miss. The Suncoast Sports Festival will be hosting sports at three different locations in Tampa January 23-24, 2010!!!

Come join our nation’s best athletes from fourteen exciting sports, as they compete against each other at the Suncoast Sports Festival in Florida State Fairgrounds, University of South Florida and Ed Radice Sports Complex. Here is more info:

FLORIDA STATE FAIR GROUNDS
Come to the Florida Fairgrounds arenas (Expo Hall and Entertainment Hall) for girls and boys AAU and USAG gymnastics, tumbling and trampoline, rhythmic gymnastics, karate, tae kwon do, baton, spirit cheerleading, spirit dance, Florida amateur wrestling, and cross country  events. 

Participating Sports:

January 23, Saturday: Girls Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Tramp and Tumbling, TaeKwon Do, Karate, Cheerleading, Dance

January 24, Sunday: Girls Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Tramp and Tumbling, Boys Gymnastics, Wrestling, Baton

Admissions:
Daily: $12 per adult, $8 for children (5-17), under 5 is free
Weekend: $17 per adult, $13 for children (5-17), under 5 is free
Parking: There will be a nominal fee for parking.

THE ED RADICE SPORTS COMPLEX
Hey baseball fans! In case you're not aware, The Ed Radice Sports Complex is hosting the IBC baseball events for The Suncoast Sports Festival.  Looks like it is going to be very exciting, so get your tickets now!

Participating Sports:

January 23-24, Saturday & Sunday: Baseball

Admissions: 
Daily: $5 per day, Children under 5 is free

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
University of South Florida will be home for synchronized swimming and basketball events of The Suncoast Sports Festival.  If you are looking for an amazing swimming show, don’t wait so long to buy your tickets!

Admissions: 
Daily: $8 per adult, $5 for children (5-17), under 5 is free
Weekend: $10 per adult, $7 for children (5-17), under 5 is free

Participating Sports:
January 23, Saturday: Basketball, Synchronized Swimming
January 24, Sunday: Basketball, Synchronized Swimming

If you don’t wanna miss all the action, there is also grand slam package for all sporting events:
$25 per person for all sporting events for adults,
$17 per person for all sporting events for children.

Enjoy the ultimate sports event in Central Florida!!! It is also Florida’s number one spot for all of the athletes in your family. Bring the whole family and enjoy everything that the SSF can offer you.  You can find more information and details about the festival at: www.allsportsinvitational.com.

Stay tuned for more updates on Tampa Bay area events and other great things to do in Tampa bay! 
 

Hi All...Travis here with some great Tampa Bay entertainment options for the holidays.  We are heading out to Bok Tower Gardens this time. 

The holidays at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales will be especially joyful with “Joy to the World” as the theme for the 15th annual Christmas at Pinewood holiday home tour November 27 through January 3.

One of Central Florida’s favorite holiday events, designers will deck the halls of the 20-room, 1930s Pinewood Estate with elegant and elaborate decorations based on verses of the popular Christmas carol, holiday traditions around the world and the joy of the season.

The Wild Hare in Winter Haven has started a new tradition this year by sponsoring The Pantry on behalf of another non-profit organization, the Lake Wales Arts Center. Designers Patti Bostick and Heather Coscia have created a whimsical Candyland filled with “Visions of Sugarplums.”

Another new decorating idea by Citizens Bank & Trust involves community-wide support from its staff and customers who have filled The Loggia with angels, birds and natural wonders to illustrate the theme song’s refrain, “And Heaven and Nature Sing.”

More than 10,000 visitors who are expected to attend the holiday home tour will be invited to vote on their favorite room designs. The top prize in the “People’s Choice” awards is the opportunity to host a private event for 25 at Pinewood Estate.

Also, visitors may purchase tickets for a drawing to win prizes that include a private dinner for eight at Pinewood Estate.

Plus, on November 28 through January 1, enjoy seasonal music during carillon concerts at 1 and 3 p.m. from the Singing Tower. On December 11 and 13, evening holiday home tours at 7 p.m. will be included with Christmas concerts featuring soprano Alana Trimmier at 7:30 p.m.
The concerts include a champagne reception. Space is limited and the cost is $38 or members $29. If you want tickets, then email phrestina@boktower.org or call 863-676-1408 for reservations.

If that wasn't enough, listen to this.  Bok Tower Gardens, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature 14 unique varieties of poinsettias on display at the Visitor Center and more than 200 red and white poinsettias at Pinewood Estate.

Holiday home tour hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Christmas Day 1 to 5 p.m. There is an additional fee for tickets that can be purchased at the entrance gate, Visitor Center and Pinewood Estate.

just Visit www.boktowergardens.org or call 863-676-1408 for more information.  And as always, keep checking back here for other great things to do in Tampa Bay and other Tampa Bay area events!

Hey guys!  Travis back with some cool news about a brand new source for your information about Tampa Bay!  It's called 83 Degrees, it's totally online, and here's the info straight from them:

A new economy is emerging across West Central Florida - from Tampa to Sarasota to
Clearwater to Spring Hill to Lakeland - and 83 Degrees plans to tell that story.

Today, 83 Degrees (www.83degreesmedia.com) will go live with its first weekly e-magazine, complete with features, Innovation and Job News, Development News, Q&As, and photos and videos that capture the innovative people and companies driving the Tampa Bay region's economy.

If you have news tips about things they should cover, they should be e-mailed to tips@83degreesmedia.com . They want to hear about talented people, innovations, investments, ideas, new businesses and job growth in the New Economy that reflect Tampa Bay's rising TIDE -- Talent, Innovation, Diversity, Environment.

The weekly online magazine will publish Tuesdays and be sent out free via e-mail to subscribers!  You can sign up at www.83degreesmedia.com.

So, log on and have some fun.  And keep checking back for some great things to do in Tampa Bay and other Tampa Bay area events and news!
 

UT will play host to Albany State in Thursday's opening round in the 7:30 p.m. match. The winner of the South Regional will advance to the NCAA Elite Eight which will be held at a campus site to be determined.

Tickets may be purchased at the gate for $10 (adults) and $6 (students with ID/senior citizens). Children under the age of five shall be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Go out and support my Spartans as they look to bring home another national Championship trophy!

Thats all for now, but stay tuned for more Tampa Bay Sports updates from Jerm and your Tampa Bay team! 

Hey everyone!  Travis back with some important Tampa Bay entertainment news for the holidays!  This comes straight to us from our friends at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

In case you didn't know, the latest show is having its world debut in Tampa in January at the St. Pete Times Forum.  If you haven't heard about the show, just click here!

Well, here's how you can get free tickets:

This Friday, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will be giving away tickets to see the 140th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth®, Barnum’s FUNundrumSM, a celebration of P. T. Barnum so big, it is an event 200 years in the making.

In exchange, they're asking Bay area residents to donate food to help stock the shelves at Metropolitan Ministries, to feed the needy in the Tampa Bay community this holiday season. 

Friday, November 20 from 11am to 1pm, representatives from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will be collecting nonperishable food items in exchange for tickets to Opening Night of the circus.

A donation of 10 items entitles each consumer to one show ticket, with a limit of four tickets per family, while supplies last. Tickets will be for the Wed. night, Jan. 6, 7:30 p.m. performance only, at the St. Pete Times Forum. 

Donations will be collected in front of the McDonald’s® Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 33602, phone: 813-301-6500.

if you want more information about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey visit www.ringling.com.

And keep checking back for other Tampa Bay area events, and info about other great things to do in Tampa Bay. 

hey everyone!  Travis back with some really fun Tampa Bay entertainment for the holidays!  We are heading to the USF area to have some fun with one of the best Tampa Florida attractions around...MOSI! 

This Thanksgiving Break, MOSI will be offering “Camp Turkey,” which is a unique approach to learning about traditional Thanksgiving foods.

Campers will work in MOSI’s lab and experiment on classic Thanksgiving dinner items by freezing them and finding out what makes them taste the way they do.

Campers will also explore the way Native Americans prospered by making artifacts and crafts and learning hunting techniques.

Here's the REALLY fun part...children will celebrate Thanksgiving the MOSI way by launching a turkey with a catapult. (For Kindergarten – 4th Graders.)

The Camp takes place November 23, 24,and 25, from 9am to 4 pm.  Like i said, it all happens at MOSI (4801 East Fowler Avenue).  the cost to attend is $95 (for MOSI Members) and $114 (for nonmembers). 

Just head over to www.MOSI.org for more info.  And as always, keep checking back here for more info about great things to do in Tampa Bay!
 

1. Name this cast member and the character she will portray in Wonderland the Musical, whose credits include on Broadway: In the Heights (four 2008 Tony Awards®), Good Vibrations. Off-Broadway: In the Heights (Drama Desk Award), Byzantium?
2. Name this talented producer of Wonderland the Musical, who also serves as the President/Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center?