Tampa Bay Nightlife

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, 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!

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?

Hey everyone...Travis back with some great Tampa Bay area events taking place in December.  We're bringing you all of the Florida Orchestra events taking place in December.  So, here we go:

December 4 & 6: Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto - As the youngest winner ever of the International Beethoven Competition Vienna, Austrian pianist Stefan Vladar makes his TFO debut performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor. 

Stefan Sanderling conducts this program, which also includes the TFO premiere of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6. Vladar has been a regularly featured soloist at prestigious music festivals in Salzburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Hong Kong, Osaka, Rheingau, Ludwigsburg and the respected Schubertiade in Austria. 

Show times: Fri., Dec. 4 at 8 pm, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - Carol Morsani Hall; Sun., Dec. 6 at 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall.  Tickets are: $20, $30, $43, $53, $67

December 11, 12 & 13: A Holiday Pops - With guest conductor Jeff Tyzik on the podium, attendees will be treated to a sleigh load of musical chestnuts, favorite yuletide tunes and best-loved Christmas carols, all with the over 150 voices of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. 

Now in his fourteenth season as principal pops conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic, Jeff Tyzik has lead many of the top orchestras around the United States, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, Boston Pops, Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops.

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

December 16: 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, joins The Florida Orchestra for “A Celtic Christmas.” 

They will toast the holiday season with their wondrous weaving of Irish vocals, old-world airs and tug-on-your-heartstrings yuletide tunes, complete with fiddles, flutes, penny whistles, guitar, banjo, accordion, mandolin and even some step dancing.

With eleven recordings to their name, including a Grammy nomination for their “Celtic Album” with the Boston Pops, they have received numerous honors, including being selected as the Best Musical Group of the Year by BBC.  In fact, their recording “On Christmas Night” was chosen as one of the Top Christmas Albums of the Year by The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Village Voice and The Washington Post.

Show time: Wed., Dec. 16 at 8 pm, Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater.  Tickets are: $25, $40, $55 and $70

And of course, tickets to all performances can be purchased by calling 800-662-7286 and online at www.floridaorchestra.org.  So, get out and enjoy the holiday season with the Florida Orchestra. 

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

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some amazing Tampa Bay entertainment options for you!  We just got this info in from our friends at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, so here it is:

Join Charlie Daniels, The Marshall Tucker Band, and other great country and rock acts on Dec. 5 from noon until 6p.m. for a free concert in the back lot of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

But wait, there’s more! This amazing free concert is actually the culmination of a full weekend of fun that starts on Thurs. Dec. 3 with The Charlie Daniels Charity Blackjack Tournament in the casino at 9 p.m.

Blackjack entry fee is $250 per player. The total guaranteed prize pool for players is $22,750; first place will pay $10,000. Tickets are available at the Hard Rock Retail Store or by phone: 813-627-7740. Space is limited with only 144 seats. 

Tournament registration is from 5 - 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 outside the Poker Room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Tournament play begins at 9 p.m.

On Friday, Dec. 4 The Charlie Daniels Celebrity Golf Tournament will be held at Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club, in Valrico. Entry is $500 including golf, two tickets to a pairing party and an awards dinner – both at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a deluxe goodie bag, and two VIP passes for food and beverage at the Saturday concert. To participate, contact Tammy at (727) 243-8293.

Scheduled to appear on the Dallas Bull/Budweiser stage in the back lot of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino along with The Charlie Daniels Band will be: The Marshall Tucker Band, Confederate Railroad, Lee Brice, Wiley Fox, Jason Young, N-Kahootz, and Suite Caroline. 

Though the concert is free to the public, there are a limited number of VIP passes available for $50 that include a free meet and greet with Charlie Daniels and free food and beverages in the VIP tent. To purchase a VIP pass call Tammy at (727) 243-8293.

Also, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., fishing captains Keith & Monte from the vessel Wizard, as seen on the Discovery Channel’s show Deadliest Catch, will be on hand to sign autographs.

Following the concert, a Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) tournament will be held in the Seminole Hard Rock back lot. FCW is the training facility for the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). WWE wrestlers will sign free autographs. Admission is $10 at the door.

Wow, I'm running out of space to talk about everything that's happening at one of the best Tampa Bay hotels there is.  So, just head over to www.seminolehardrock.com to get more details...if you need them.

And keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay!
 

Hey gang!  Travis here with some cool Tampa Bay entertainment.  The University of South Florida Alumni Association announces its Super Bull XIII 2009 Homecoming events to be held next week.  Here are the details you need to know:

Monday, November 16
What: Homecoming Kick-off
Where: Marshall Center Ballroom, USF Tampa campus
When: Noon
Info: The USF Alumni Association continues its tradition of presenting the USF students with the opposing team’s (University of Louisville) mascot at the official Homecoming kick-off to burn at the November 20 Parade After-Party.

Friday, November 20
What: Parade Watch Party
Where: Gibbons Alumni Center front lawn, USF Tampa campus
When: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Info: FREE event with music, games and food samplings from the Bulls Country vendors.  The Alumni Association will participate in the Homecoming parade, which begins at 7:00 p.m., with a decorated float.  

What: Serengeti Night Safari at Busch Gardens:  In collaboration with the USF Alumni Association
Where: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
When: 9:00-11:30 p.m.
Info: Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Africa during this one-of-a-kind experience to be held after the USF Homecoming parade. Call 1-888-800-5447 for more information and to make reservations.  Tickets are $45.00 for adults plus tax, and $25.00 for youth 5 to 16 years of age plus tax.

Saturday, November 21
What: Bulls Roast Tailgate
Where: Fenced lot outside Gates A & B at Raymond James Stadium
When: 3 hours prior to kickoff of the USF vs. Louisville game (9 a.m. tailgate for noon game)
Info: Barbeque, music, Budweiser® beer and sangria, face painters, games, FREE USF spirit supplies and scheduled appearances by Herd of Thunder, Rocky, USF Sun Dolls and Cheerleaders.  Tickets are $35 for USF Alumni Association members and $45 for non-members and can be purchased at www.USFalumni.org/bullsroast or by calling 813-974-0338.

Kickoff for the Homecoming football game against the Louisville Cardinals is at noon Saturday, November 21.  The game has been selected as the BIG EAST Network Game of the Week and will air locally on WFTS-TV ABC 28.

so, get out there and support the USF Bulls!  And we'll see you back here for more great things to do in Tampa Bay, and other awesome Tampa Bay area events!
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here again.  I have some cool information straight from one of the best Tampa Bay hotels in the area - the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. 

This Thanksgiving season, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino lives up to Hard Rock International’s famous “Love All, Serve All” tagline by donating $5,000 dollars worth of Thanksgiving dinner items to help Metropolitan Ministries achieve their enormous need.

The Seminole Hard Rock Girls are dropping by the Clear Channel Helping Hands Food Drive being held at Westshore Plaza on November 20 at 7am with a truckload of meat, cereal, mixed vegetables and other highly requested items.

The Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Food Drive (being held at 2010 N. Florida Drive Ave.) is open from November 2 through December 24th. If you want to get involved, call 813.209.1000 or log onto www.metromin.org.

Then, join the 2009 Seminole Hard Rock Girls to take photos from noon until 5 pm on Friday, November 27th as Seminole Hard Rock’s elaborate holiday tree is lighted in Seminole Hard Rock’s Hotel Lobby.

Player’s club members are encouraged to bring a new toy for the Toys for Tots Gift Exchange Lottery which will also take place in the Lobby from 10am until 4pm also on November 27th in exchange for a myriad of prizes from free play to on property food credit.

Also, guests are encouraged to take an angel from the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Lobby to donate a gift to a child in need.

So, take a page out of the Seminole Hard Rock book, and get involved this holiday season!  And as always, keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay...and we'll even give you some cool idea for shopping 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 back with some cool Tampa Bay entertainment that'll have you rocking at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. 

Three exceptional musical stand-up comedians: Michael Mack, Ron Feingold and Kier showcase an evening of music and stand-up comedy along with a closing jam session that has to be seen to be believed!

All three comedians have been heard on the nationally syndicated radio program Bob and Tom and they have also been seen on national television such as Comedy Central and ABC's America's Funniest People.

It all happens on Monday, November 9...Doors open at 7pm, with the show at 8pm.  It's at Floyd’s at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and tickets are $20...you can get them through Ticketmaster or at the door & Hard Rock Shop.

have fun rockin out with those guys!  We'll see you back here for more great things to do in Tampa Bay!