4th Friday Clearwater Will Get Better Thanks to Free Ticket Drawings from Smooth Jazz 98.7
Written by Alice Roses
The return of 4th Friday in Downtown Clearwater is getting more exciting. In addition to performances by Level 10 and Jose Valentino, Tampa Bay’s popular jazz radio station Smooth Jazz 98.7 in conjunction with Ruth Eckerd Hall will be on location providing entertainment prizes with drawings held throughout the night.
Ruth Eckerd Hall to Unveil Commemorative Painting by Christopher M. Sills on Nov 8
Written by Ruth Eckerd Hall
It has been announced that the unveiling of Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Commemorative Painting by nationally acclaimed artist Christopher M. Still will be Sunday, November 8, from 10 am to 2 pm. This open house event is free to the public.
The painting celebrates how the community came together to create what is considered to be one of the finest performing arts centers in the country. The painting depicts many longtime Ruth Eckerd Hall supporters as audience members, as students from The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute bring the Hall’s logo to life on stage, while founders Jack and Ruth Eckerd look on from behind the curtain.
“What an experience, to portray the warmth of this community and the history behind this very special center for the arts,” commented Christopher Still.
“We look forward to the entire community joining us as we celebrate this masterpiece,” said Robert A. Freedman, President and CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall, “this signature artwork is akin to the Chagall paintings that adorn the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.”
The event is sponsored by Progress Energy.
Reality TV Star Kirsten Stiff to Host Free Party at NOVA 535 Sept 27
Written by Carolyn Baccaro
Unique event space and modern art lounge NOVA 535 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 Seth Walker.
Poets for Human Rights Announce Two Poetry Contests to Honor Declaration of Human Rights
Written by Kate Sweet
The issue of Human Rights has grown since the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written by Eleanor Roosevelt on December 10, 1948.
To highlight the importance of the significance of this issue, Poets for Human Rights is issuing a call for entries for their two contests.
Moscow Ballet Performs Great Russian Nutcraker Tour at Mahaffey Theatre on Dec 27th
Written by
Moscow Ballet will present its Great Russian Nutcracker performance at the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg on December 27th 2009 at 3PM
Set against Valentin Fedorov's spectacular hand-painted backdrops and life-sized dancing puppets, the Great Russian Nutcracker delights audiences with a visual tapestry rich in detail and whimsy. It is especially distinctive for its unique setting of Act II in the “Land of Peace and Harmony” and for the introduction of a new character, a Christmas Dove. New this year is a fantasy clock with wings of an owl that cast a shadow over the battle between the Soldiers and the Mice.
Natalie Cole Will Return to Ruth Eckerd Hall on December 21st
Written by Ruth Eckerd Hall
Nine-time Grammy® Award winner Natalie Cole returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall for the first time since her sold out performance earlier this year on Valentine’s Day with her Holiday and Hits show on Monday, December 21 at 8 pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 18 at noon.
Natalie Cole has enjoyed success singing R&B, traditional pop and jazz during her incredible thirty-year career. Unforgettable, her duet with her famous father, won a Grammy® for “Record of the Year.” Miss You Like Crazy and When I Fall in Love were also big hits. During her long career she has released more than 20 albums and has had numerous hit singles. In September 2008, Ms. Cole released Still Unforgettable which included the timeless standards Walkin’ My Baby Back Home (duet with Nat King Cole), The Best Is Yet To Come and Something’s Gotta Give. The album reached #8 on the U.S. R&B album charts and #1 on the U.S. Jazz charts. She was awarded her ninth Grammy® in 2009 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal album.
4th Friday Clearwater Celebrates Jazz with Performances by Level 10 and Jose Valentino on Sept 25
Written by Heidi Lux
The 30th Anniversary of Clearwater’s Jazz Holiday begins this September 25th in real jazz style with the Clearwater Downtown Partnership kicking it off at their popular 4th Friday Clearwater Party on Cleveland Street event. Performances none other than local jazz celebrities, Level 10 and Jose Valentino, will infuse the crowd with their jazz inspirations. Two city blocks will be closed down in the Cleveland Street District to cater to the expected 1500-plus party-goers in attendance. The party is FREE and the details are as follows:
I had been anticipating Clearwater Fashion Week from the event’s first press release. As soon as I read the words “designer clothes at sample sale prices,” I knew it was going to be a good event, but what it evolved into was beyond my expectations. When I stepped inside Station Square’s first floor retail space, it was like walking into an industrial-chic, converted warehouse boutique in SoHo, New York.
Opening night on Wednesday, Sept 2nd, brought out the “who’s who” in Clearwater, and then some. City Councilman George Cretekos was there, shopping with his wife, and Mayor Hibbard was on the scene early as well. Paul Wilson of Wilson Media & Advertising and the Sunscreen Film Festival hosted the night’s fashion show, and TV star Jason Dohring (Veronica Mars, Moonlight) stopped by to lend his support to friend and fashion show producer Sarah Clouden. Clouden, who has eight years experience producing fashion shows and even her own line of lingerie in Europe, directed the runway shows for the week.
30th Clearwater Jazz Holiday to Bring Top Jazz Talent to Coachman Park, Clearwater
Written by Heidi Lux
The Clearwater Jazz Holiday has a thirty year reputation for bringing some of the best names in jazz music to Clearwater, Florida. This year is no different. The four day festival, which is completely free thanks to donations and volunteers, will take place in Coachman Park October 15th through 18th. 
Al Jarreau will headline on the opening night, which is a Thursday. Jarreau is a seven time Grammy Award winner who holds the distinction of being the only vocalist to win in three separate categories: jazz, pop and R&B. Jarreau is known for his “innovative musical expressions”. He has performed with Miles Davis and has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his musical accomplishments.
Spend your Friday night with one of People Magazine’s 50 most beautiful people, Chris Botti! The jazz trumpeter will be headlining the second night of the festival. Rising above the “Muzak” label he was branded with early on in his career, Botti has proven himself to be a versatile musician, excelling in both jazz and pop. He is one of the world’s top selling instrumental artists, and has performed with Sting, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Yo-Yo Ma and John Mayer to name a few.
Downtown Clearwater Turns Fabulous with the Opening Night of Clearwater Fashion Week
Written by Heidi Lux
Last night was the first night of Clearwater Fashion week and it was fabulous! I have been excited about this event since I first got the press release, but the opening night was beyond my expectations. What’s not to love about it? Designer clothes for sample sale prices, good food catered by the Belleair Country Club, and a runway fashion show featuring Gioffre, Roberto Cavalli, Whitley Kros and Craig Taylor!
The event was full of “who’s who” in Clearwater, and then some! Actor Jason Dohring stopped by, as well as Paul Wilson and designer Craig Taylor, who was instrumental in making this fantastic event possible. I even had to brush past the mayor to get my hands on my 45% off Rebecca Minkoff handbag! A percentage of the sales benefitted Ruth Eckerd Hall, so really it was a donation…
Local Celebrites Will Dance for Charity at Dancing with the Stars Tampa Bay on Sept 26th
Written by Heidi Lux
On September 26, 2009 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside’s Grand Ballroom, steps will be taken on and off the dance floor to raise awareness and support for the mission of Heartbeat International. The non-profit organization has teamed up with Fred Astaire Dance Studios and local celebrities for the second annual Dancing with the Stars Tampa Bay. Hearbeat International is the world's premier provider of free, cardiac pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and medical care to needy patients around the world.
Improv Comedy Show from Got Jokes? at The Lodge in Tampa Aug 30
Written by Alice Roses
Improv comedy group Got Jokes? will perform at The Lodge in Tampa on Sunday, August 30th at 8:00pm.
Got Jokes? has quickly become known as one of Tampa’s hottest up and coming talent. The group is composed of talented and diverse stand up comics, spoken word poetry artists, improvisers and actors. The individual members of the group have performed on Wild 98.7, HBO Def Comedy, Bet Comic View, HBO Brave New Voices, USA Network. Got Jokes? has played three consecutive 300+ sold out shows at the Improv in Ybor City
David Foster and Friends Perform at the St. Pete Times Forum on October 30th
Written by
Producer, songwriter and famed musical showman, David Foster, will be performing on the “David Foster and Friends” tour with some of his talented friends. The tour will stop at the St. Pete Times Forum on October 30, 2009 at 8:00 pm. He will perform with his friends some of the hits that have paved the way for the many artists that he has worked with over the years including Whitney Houston, Barbara Streisand, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Michael Bublè, Andrea Bocelli, Chaka Khan, Madonna, Chicago and The Corrs. In addition to such artists as Philip Bailey from the chart-topping Earth, Wind and Fire, Oprah protégé’ Charice, Chicago’s Peter Cetera and American Idol’s Michael Johns, fans can expect surprise visits at every show.
Discount Tickets to Ruth Eckerd Hall Shows will be Available on Public Sale Day August 29th
Written by Ruth Eckerd Hall
Ruth Eckerd Hall announces their annual Public Sale Day on Saturday, August 29. Doors will open at 8:30 am.
For one day only, patrons can purchase tickets to Ruth Eckerd Hall’s variety of nearly 120 performances for $29.00. The 27th season includes a stellar line-up such as the Tampa Bay area premiere of Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple, the “Original Jersey Boy” Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, the legendary Bill Cosby, Grammy®-award winner Tony Bennett and much more.
Deep Carnivale: A Celebration of Words - Tampa's Literature Festival - to Take Place Sept 12 and 13
Written by David Audet
Deep Carnivale: A Celebration of Words, Tampa’s premier literature festival, takes place Saturday, September 12-13, 2009, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Dozens of authors, poets, songwriters and artists will present work on multiple stages in the Performing Arts Building of Hillsborough Community College, Ybor City Campus. The event is free and open to the public. The venue is located at the corner of 14th Street and Palm Avenue.
Organized by The Artists and Writers Group, Inc., in partnership with Hillsborough Community College-Ybor City Campus, this is the third year of a celebration of writing and reading that brings artists representing a diverse range of writing styles, ages, experience, and cultural backgrounds together to share their love of literature and related art forms with the Tampa Bay community.
Upcoming Events this Fall and Winter in Clearwater's Cleveland Street District
Written by Heidi Lux
This autumn, the Cleveland Street District in Downtown Clearwater will be alive with events and concerts. Many events are free, and all of them are fun. Check out the schedule below to see what is happening.
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Roger Daltrey of The Who Comes to Ruth Eckerd Hall with Use It or Lose It Tour November 30
Written by Ruth Eckerd Hall
Tickets for Roger Daltrey’s “Use It or Lose It Tour” will come to Ruth Eckerd Hall on November 30th at 8:00pm. Tickets are on sale now.
As lead singer for The Who, he’s lent his Olympian pipes to a staggering array of enduring rock ‘n’ roll anthems. And with plans for the band’s next tour still up in the air, Daltrey decided a solo jaunt – his first since 1985 – would be just the thing “to keep my voice in trim, so I’ll be ready,” he explains. “Those songs demand a lot of voice!”
Clearwater Jazz Holiday Announces 2nd Annual Clearwater Jazz N Art Walk Oct 17 & 18 2009
Written by Joanie Sigal
Clearwater Jazz Holiday is proud to announce the Second Annual Clearwater Jazz ’N Art Walk in downtown Clearwater, October 17th and 18th from 10AM – 5PM.
Each year more than 60,000 visitors come to Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater to enjoy 4 days & nights of FREE Jazz by some of today’s greats. The visitor experience is complemented by the Clearwater area’s mild fall weather, miles of world-famous Gulf beaches, brilliant sunsets, nearby attractions, accommodations and dining to suit every taste and budget.
Got Jokes? Performs at The Lodge in Tampa on Sunday, August 16
Written by Heidi Lux
Tampa's premier comedy troupe, Got Jokes? will return for a second show at The Lodge in Tampa. The group performed at this venue last month to great success.
Jonas Brothers Concert at the St. Pete Times Forum on August 18 with Special Guest Jordin Sparks
Written by
TAMPA BAY- Grammy-nominated and platinum-selling recording artists, Jonas Brothers will bring “The Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009” to the St. Pete Times Forum on Tuesday, August 18. The tour, which will take the band to three continents, will feature new music taken from the June 15 worldwide release of their upcoming Hollywood Records album.
Helen Mirren and the National Theatre's Production of Phedre at the Capitol Theatre Featured
Written by Heidi Lux
On July 10th, The Capitol Theatre brought Helen Mirren to Clearwater. Sort of. The National Theatre in London premiered an experimental new program called NT Live, in which a play is performed at the National Theatre in London while simultaneously broadcast live via satellite to theatres throughout the world.
The Capitol Theatre participated in this experiment by re-broadcasting the event a few days later, as the satellite equipment to receive the live broadcast was $8,000. (The Capitol Theatre is still in its fundraising for renovation stage, so this money is better spent on new seats or rafters).
Gloria Tesch, World's Youngest Published Novelist Takes Readers on Fantasy Journey
Written by Heidi Lux
Gloria Tesch began writing her first novel at the ripe old age of eleven, and celebrated her thirteenth birthday with the publication of her debut book. “Maradonia and the Seven Bridges,” a sweeping epic journey into a fantastical world of magic and power, earned Gloria the distinction of being the world’s youngest published author.
Entertaining, spectacular and remarkable are just a few of the words to describe the stage filled with youth from ages 2 to 17, in the Broadway production of “Annie Jr.” presented by International Youth Theater at the Francis Wilson Playhouse Theater, on August 8, with proceeds to benefit Youth for Human Rights Florida.
The production was entertainingly unique, as the young performers love both the art of theater and the education of human rights; and the evening intertwined them both. A play written for children, filled with funny lines singing and dancing, it still carried a message of how children’s human rights can be so easily violated.
Clearwater Fashion Week in Downtown Clearwater September 2-7
Written by Heidi Lux
The Clearwater Designer Co-Op, in partnership with the City of Clearwater, will present the first bi-annual “Clearwater Fashion Week” from September 2nd to 7th in downtown Clearwater’s Cleveland Street District.
The Clearwater Designer Co-Op was founded by Clearwater residents including well known designer, Craig Taylor, who spearheaded Clearwater Fashion week. The group, whose members include professionals and volunteers alike, has the purpose of helping the City promote the Cleveland Street District by spotlighting it with a week-long series of fashion events and a highend designer sample sale.
4th Friday in Clearwater Returns on September 25th to Benefit Clearwater Jazz Holiday
Written by Karla Jo Helms
Clearwater, FL, August 10, 2009 - The 30th Anniversary of Clearwater’s Jazz Holiday begins this September and to kick it off in real style the Clearwater Downtown Partnership is having their popular 4th Friday Clearwater Party on Cleveland Street on September 25th. Two city blocks will be closed down on Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater. The Level 10 band will be performing to all the street party-goers. To get the party kicking off, Jose Valentino will be the opening entertainment. There will be beer & wine for sale while food and wares will be sold by multiple street vendors.
Barrage's New Production Animado at the Capitol Theatre September 10
Written by Heidi Lux
August 4, 2009, Clearwater, FL – Before this show actually hits the road for its official US tour, this global ensemble descends upon the historic Capitol Theatre in the Cleveland Street District in Downtown Clearwater on Thursday, September 10 at 7 pm with their newest jaw-dropping eclectic mix of music, song and dance that will leave your heart racing. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 14 at noon only at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office.