Indie Films at the Beach Theatre, St. Pete
June 30, 2008
Welcome back to The Expressionist Magazine
The Beach Theater and Emerging Pictures are having a three-day film festival featuring 3 films: Married Life, The Counterfeiters, and Paranoid Park ending tonight and tomorrow.
Tickets are available at the door and are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, seniors, and active military. Anyone not familiar with The Beach Theatre, it is located at 305 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach 33706.
Here is the rest of the schedule:
Married Life
Monday, 6/30, 7:30 p.m.
The Counterfeiters
Monday, 6/30, 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 7/1, 3:00 p.m.
Paranoid Park
Monday, 6/30, 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 7/1, 5:00 p.m.
Lyrical Hip-Hop Takes Center Stage
June 25, 2008
The amazing husband and wife choreography team, Napoleon and Tabitha D’Umo, are taking the hip-hop routines on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” to an all new level. What is completely different about their routines is that they are no longer just tricks and hitting hard; they mean something. There is a story to be told, emotions to be felt, and a floor for viewers’ jaws to hit.
Each week, my favorite routines have either been their contestants or included their contestants. One week it was a soldier leaving his wife to go to war, another routine was a pair doing a jailbreak, and a husband leaving his wife to go to work, but it was breaking her heart.
Tonight was the first time I had heard the term, “lyrical hip-hop,” but it struck me as a profound category. Some of my favorite routines on the show have been the free-style genres, like jazz, hip-hop, Krump, and the occasional contemporary. What was always lacking from hip-hop and Krump was any sort of audience connection, other than pushing pants lower and turning ball caps to the side and screaming wildly. I admit that I can get plenty riled up with a great hip-hop, but it’s purely for the “wow” factor and the energy level. Emotions are cool, though.
The hitting is still there, and the popping is just as strong as any dance routine, but there is an emotional bond between the performers and the audience. Gone are the days where the viewers will be satisfied to have seen a bunch of hot tricks and steps strung together…
That’s how it is in my book anyway.
Hell’s Kitchen – the Final Two
June 25, 2008
Tonight’s episode was especially entertaining, as Chef Ramsay softened up a tad and becomes more of a coach rather than a beast. As he has in previous seasons, he wanted to see how the contestants handle the pressure of running the show from the hot plate “at the pass.”
First up was the competition to mix things up. Everyone’s family was there for a Ramsay-catered lunch. Christina was the only contestant who had the presence of mind to know that something was up and started tasting her food and picking it apart as they ate. Corey and Petrozza were oblivious to the impending doom and the challenge came down on them hard: figure out how Chef made the dish and fix it for him in 45 minutes.
Christina had everything correct except for the puree that she chose rather than cream. Corey had everything right except she chose buffalo over venison. Poor Petrozza had the whole thing right, but plain old forgot to make the puree altogether. With that, Christina won and went on a lame tour of L.A. and a couple of restaurants with Chef and her parents. Corey and Petrozza had to clean the glasses and break blocks of ice by hand.
Prior to dinner service, Chef Ramsay did his usual pep talk to test the contestants’ fire and authority by having them yell at him. Petrozza and Christina pretty much sucked. Then Corey didn’t do too hot for her first attempt and Ramsay threw the plate he was holding as he showed her what authority is all about. Best line of the night: laughing, Petrozza didn’t realize that Ramsay threw it and said, “I didn’t get to break any plates.”
Petrozza manned the hot plate first and missed the sabotage by the sous chef, Scott, who left the peas out of the risotto. Meanwhile, Christina burnt her first attempt at a salmon and then proceded to pass on the replacement raw. Ramsay started getting really mad at her and, of course, asked her if she wanted to go home. Other than those little things, Petrozza did fine.
Corey was next and also missed Scott’s intentional meat sauce swap until she had already poured it on the Wellingtons. Fail! Right from the start, she couldn’t read the food tickets and was very hesitant. After that, she pretty much stayed on top of the game and the kitchen ran smoothly under her watch.
Then it was all eyes on Christina, including all 42 of Ramsay’s eyes. Just to make things difficult, she caught the basil in the mashed potatos rather than the mint. While the kitchen kept turning out food with her direction, the mistakes of earlier were just below the surface, waiting to boil over.
Ramsay refused to pick a winner of the service and told them to each nominate one person.
Corey nominated Christina, Christina nominated Corey, and Petrozza nominated Christina. After a commercial break and a very long sentence, Ramsay revealed that the first finalist is…
Petrozza
After another unbearably long, pausing sentence and some flashback clips, he chose for his second finalist…
Christina
With that, Corey left on good terms and with a British farewell kiss from Ramsay and a couple of compliments.
That’s it, Petrozza and Christina face off next week for the grand prize. If it was anything like last year’s showdown, it is going to be riveting. I’m looking for some celebrities and at least two ridiculously hard contests to decide the winner.
Art in Strange Places
June 25, 2008
What is art? I can sum it up in one word, creation. Creation is vision turned reality, so with that in mind, everything you see and touch would be art whether it’s man-made or natural, art surrounds us. Sometimes we forget that art is everywhere, and fail to stop and see the beauty this world has to offer. Once in a while, someone comes along and harmonizes man-made art and natural art into one.
That was the case with Gutzon Borglum. You may not know his name but you should because he created something with nature that has amazed the American people, and the world for that fact since the early 1920s. His work has been on a US postage stamp, postcards, and is part of a National Park. His vision, his creativity, and the risk he took to create his art are second to none. Can you guess what he created yet? Gutzon Borglum created Mount Rushmore, near Keystone, South Dakota.
For his art, he chose four Presidents who had a right to be up on that mountain. Gorglum chose George Washington, our first President; Abraham Lincoln, the man that ended slavery and fought to keep our nation together through the Civil War; Thomas Jefferson, the creator of the Declaration of Independence and the man that bought most of the current land of the United States; and Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, a man so strong that helped defeat the Mexican army and protect our Lone Star State. Teddy also created the Rough Riders a ruthless band of lawmen. These Presidents shaped America and also shaped the vision Gorglum had for his masterpiece.
To create something like this is short of a miracle. He dangled off a cliff day in and day out, facing all the elements yet still carving a massive bust of these Presidents on a breathtaking canvas that had already existed for millenia. The carving started in 1927 and continued until 1941. There were a few injuries along the path and no deaths, though an injury to an artist is suffering for their cause, so an injury to those men was honorable.
Unfortunately, Gorglum would never see his masterpiece finished. He died before it was completed but his crew continued and finished the job making Gorglum’s art and vision a reality. Today we can all sit and admire this breathtaking work of art, next to the natural perfection of the Keystone National Park.
To find out more about Mt. Rushmore, check out:
A Sad Day For Comedy- Carlin Dead at 71
June 23, 2008
Sunday a legendary comedian, who brought his sarcastic humor to the millions died suddenly of a heart attack in St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica California. George Carlin arrived on Sunday, complaining of chest pain, something that is not uncommon to Carlin who has a history of heart problems. He died at 5:55 PM according to his publicist.
He was still performing up to the day he died, just having finished a show in Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas last Sunday. Last Tuesday he received the news he was being awarded the 11th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Carlin was 71, and the comedy world will surely miss him.
Florida Artists – Look At This
June 22, 2008
Lets face it artists, Florida has limited resources for us. Just this past week, I looked online for museums and galleries in the Tampa Bay area to show my work at. The results of my effort was very discouraging. Talking with other artists, I have felt their frustration with this matter. Many artist complain about the lack of places to show their work, lack of training resources, grants, and organizations to join.
Sometimes we come across information that can help, that maybe the general public didn’t know existed. We found this website on the ever populated and very complicated MyFlorida.com, Florida’s official website. It’s the Division of Cultural Affairs, and their main purpose is to help artists in Florida. They offer programs, grants, and other helpful information that Florida artists will find valuable.
Their web site is http://www.florida-arts.org, check it out and see if our state government can help you.
The Love Guru
June 22, 2008
Another Mike Myers success, I haven’t laughed this hard since the Austin Powers trilogy. Mike Myers is a love guru from India who was born in America (hence the irony) and he is hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs to help get their star hockey player back with his wife. Since their split up, he can’t shoot a puck and his career is on the down slide. His wife is with L.A. Kings goalie Jacques “Le Coq” Grande (Justin Timberlake), named for his large… well, you know ( one of the funny names Mike Myers is well known for even on his Saturday Night Live skits).
Myers, the Love Guru, wants to be the #1 guru and needs to get on Oprah, who said she would give him the spot on her show if she got the Maple Leafs star back with his wife, so the Guru takes the job by Jane Bullard “Jessica Alba” the owner of the Maple Leafs to destroy the “Bullard Curse.”
The Love Guru pulls out all the comic relief as he gets Darren Roanoke, back on track. It’s a laugh from scene to scene, then add a hot-tempered, pissed-off midget, you might recognize as “Minnie Me” from Austin Powers, you get probably one of the best comedies this summer. It has a lot of sexual innuendos (Guru Tugginmypudha) finalized by two elephants having sex on the ice of the Toronto Maples Leaf’s end zone. Language is mild, but it doesn’t need a lot of swears, the movie is just plain funny; a comedy I am sure you will enjoy, especially if you are a Mike Myers fan.
I give it 5 of 5 stars.
So You Think You Can Dance – Top 18
June 20, 2008
Last night saw two more contestants leave the competition. All in all, I thought the performances were good from Wednesday night, with a couple of exceptions. The choreographers seemed to step up to the plate and only delivered one bad costume/routine act of the night, in my opinion. Thayne and Chelsea got a raw deal with their routine because the costumes and story didn’t come through at all.
There are certainly a fair share of athletic, attractive girls this year, but the men are a bit sparse in the mass-appeal department. Some are gangly while others seem to lack personality either when dancing or during the interviews. They do make for some interesting pairings, and most of them are working.
Before getting to the Bottom 3 couples, I have two groups of favorites right now: a couple favorite and two individual favorites. I think the strongest couple so far is Joshua and Katee. They had two back-to-back great routines and performances. This week’s Broadway number was out of this world entertaining. Individually, I love Twitch and Kherington the best for their skills, looks, and personalities.
The Bottom 3 couples last night were: Thayne and Chelsea, Marquis and Susie, and Chris and Comfort.
Thayne and Chelsea were victims of a bad routine, so I can’t really blame them for being in the Bottom 3. Their dancing was fine, but the movements, story, and costumes doomed them to the dance-off.
For the salsa dance, I thought Susie and Marquis plain old sucked. Nigel was right when he judged them and said that he’s seen more chemistry in high school chemistry 101. They didn’t have any hotness at all and Marquis moved like a go-go dancer.
Chris and Comfort pretty much bombed the krumping. Of course Comfort did great, because that is what she does, but when you put her with Chris… it was just awkward. My favorite part was during the judging when Nigel said that his grandma is more gangsta than Chris and Chris replied that he didn’t want to grab his crotch on TV. /sad
After the dance-off, which was good for everyone but two, the decision was made pretty easy. For the second week in a row, a couple was voted off together as Marquis and Susie left the show. I wonder what she will be doing for a career now, because she sure as heck isn’t going to be let back into the school system after what she wore for tryouts.
Red Carpet Material – Review
June 19, 2008
They talked about it since 2005, we got little tastes of their sound through their MySpace and website and anticipated the release each day. In May 2008 our prayers were answered, Red Carpet Material by 16 Second Stare was released on iTunes and Amazon. Let me tell you it was well worth the wait. Congratulations to 16 Second Stare, this should be an instant hit.
The album features the deep raspy voice of “Angry Tim” or as I know him best as “The Judge.” His unique voice imitates the great rock band AC/DC who helped put Heavy Metal on the charts. Combined with the background singers his lead vocal songs like Take Me Back, and Better Man will send chills down your spine. His voice captures the ladies heart in his ballad song “Goodbye.” Tim’s electric voice will wake you the hell up, and make you bang your head rockin’ to his songs! He makes his hometown of Detroit, known for great music, proud!
The album also features vocals by Todd Pettus, a ”Swamper” from the deep southern state of Alabama. Todd is a master of the guitar, a true “Southern Rock Artist.” His vocals and his guitar playing will send you to the heavens above. His intense songs like Ballad of Billy Rose will take the blues and Rock’em happy again. His vocals were masterful in Stuck In The Moment, which gives you a nostalgic flashback to the Beatles, but this flashback is not caused by acid, it’s caused by the psychadellic vocals and sound put together by the band. He comes from a city that produced great bands like Lyndard Skynard, Muscle Shoals, something must be in the water down there.
This album breeds success because it fits to so many likenesses. It has a blues feel combined with rock. You never know what you’re going to get with the next song. It fits audiences old and young; with that kind of diversity what could go wrong? 16 Second Stare will be captivating audiences for years to come.
This album is available through iTunes and Amazon, you can purchase each song for $0.99 each or the entire album for $9.99. The print album will be released shortly. Check out the band’s web site for more details and direct links to purchase www.16secondstare.com
Side Splitters Comedy Club- Upcoming Events
June 19, 2008
Side Splitter’s Comedy Club
Upcoming Events & Info
Maryellen Hooper
Hometown Honey comes back to her home club!
Thursday June 19 – Sunday June 22
Before she became a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and getting her own special on Comedy Central, Maryellen frequently preformed at Side Splitters Comedy Club. Now she is back and better than ever with a CLEAN COMEDY show referencing her time as a mother, wife, and home renovator! She is quirky and energetic and has been seen on the Lifetime Network, CMT, and on tour with Winona Judd! She has opened for comedy greats Gilbert Gottfried and, surprisingly, Andrew Dice Clay!
GIRLS NIGHT OUT SUNDAY JUNE 22: $15 includes admission, a drink in SID’s Lounge, and the ever popular Girls Night Out Game (www.gnogames.com)
Starting at 5:30 p.m., we will have FREE Wine Samples, FREE Wine Snacks, and FREE Massages!
Coming Soon
Tim Wilson
Thursday June 26 – Saturday June 28
If you like Jeff Gordon, then you will probably hate Tim Wilson. Wilson’s comic commentary covers subjects such as blind dates, cell phones, annoying relatives, sex, politics, and religion. Wilson is best known for such ditties as “The Jeff Gordon Song,” “Trailer Love” and “First Baptist Bar & Grill,” which he refers to as “my Freebird.” Since inking a deal with Capitol Records in 1998, he’s released more than a half-dozen albums, including “The Real Twang Thang,” “I Should’ve Married My Father-in-Law” and “Hillbilly Homeboy.” His latest CD, “Church League Softball Fist Fight,” was released in November. Along with being a longtime regular guest on nationally syndicated radio programs such as “The Bob & Tom Show” and “John Boy & Billy,” Wilson also has some impressive TV credits, including appearances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Evening at the Improv and Grace Under Fire.
Tickets are $16 for general seating, $18 for preferred seating. All tickets go up $2 on the day of the show. Advance tickets may be purchased at www.SideSplittersComedy.com or via phone at (813) 960-1197.
