Make that 3-day weekend count!

Labor Day is definitely a So Tampa Bay holiday. There's nothing better than hitting up the beaches and lazing around in the sun drinking a frosty cerveza. But there's more going on than you might think. Check it out:

No sunscreen required

If you're looking for a beach without all the hot sun but with all the girls in bikinis, look no further than the Vitale Brothers Studio in St. Pete. Their end-of-summer bash, Exotic Equinox, is Sunday. They'll have a fashion show featuring all bikini wear and some beach bum tunes from the HoDaddys. And I hear they're going to fill up part of the studio with sand to make it more beach-like. It doesn't get more radical than that.

It's not 'used,' it's 'previously loved'

Check out the Punk Rock Garage Sale at Cafe Bohemia Sunday. Different punk rock personas from across Tampa Bay will be there peddling their wares. This is one of those too-hip eclectic events that would be a total shame to miss. Even if you don't buy anything, you can still enjoy the live music. But hey, who doesn't want to buy an old punk rock toaster?

Sweat it out

There's also a lot going on in Ybor this weekend, including Sweatshop Strikes Back at Czar on Sunday. If you don't at least try to go, you might as well burn your hipster card because you don't deserve to carry it anymore. All three rooms in Czar will be pumped full of bands, fashion shows, art exhibitions and enough scenesters to start a small fashionista army. Czar has yet to disappoint with any of their wild party nights and this looks to be falling in line as the same type of can't-miss event.

Expect the unexpected

As for Saturday, the Free Media Art and Film Festival will be at the Cigar City Theater. It's all about the free expression of thought through a variety of mediums. When it comes down to it, free expression is another way to say "be as zany as you can possibly be." Expect to see some wild paintings and some out-there movies. Judging from prior shows at the Cigar City Theater, it should be awe-inspiring but a little risque. The after party will be at Crowbar so you can make a seamless transition from enjoying film to enjoying partying.

Yeah! Break Stuff!

So if you're not into fashion design or the hipster scene, what is there to do? How about a little destruction? The USF Contemporary Art Museum is hosting a reception for MashUp at 7 p.m Friday. The premise of the show is the art of damage "for both visual and aural effects." Granted, you don't get to walk in and start whacking things with a golf club but it's still an interesting concept and certainly one of the best that the USF Contemporary Art Museum has put on. Keep in mind that the event is free but parking is not, so be prepared to shell out $4.

Even more

Looking for something a little more family-friendly? No worries, the Whoa, Momma! blog has these events for you. No rugrats to worry about? Check out the full list of parties here and keep a look out for tbt* paparazzo Luis Santana at Honey Pot on Friday, tailgating at the USF-Tennessee Martin game Saturday, at Crabby Bill's Sunday and at Hedonistic at Shephard's on Monday.

Have fun out there, Tampa Bay!

[Thanks to Luis Santana of tbt* for the the top photo of people enjoying themselves at the Labor Day party at Shephards in 2006.]

Southern comfort on a rainy night

We're totally running this photo just because we like the priceless expressions on the people in this conga line at the Southern Ground Saloon in Tampa Friday night. We'd like to call your attention to the girl on the extreme right and the intensely interested young man behind her (it's even better if you click on the photo to enlarge it). Even with drenching rain from Tropical Storm Fay, a good crowd turned out for DJ Matt spinning country on the inside, and DJ Structure popping the top 40 on the patio. Check out the photo gallery! [Luis Santana, tbt*]

Club Skye raps up its 5th annniversary in style

One of Ybor City’s destination rap and hip-hop clubs brought on the T-Pain connection with an anniversary party Saturday night that featured Tampa rappers Tom G., left, and 2 Pistols, right, with special guest and T-Pain sidekick Tay Dizm. tbt* photog Luis Santana was invited along and calls the action: Tay Dizm hit the stage first and sang his hit Beam Me Up, featuring T-Pain (who wasn’t there) as well as some new hits. During his set, Tom G sang his single I'm There, which got the crowd pumped. After a short break and DJ change, 2 Pistols sang his hit single, She Got It, featuring T-Pain and Tay Dizm. The video for the song was shot at Matt Geiger’s Tarpon Springs mansion as well as the Hip Hop Soda Shop in Tampa. After the show, the rappers left through a back entrance to an awaiting SUV, but signed a few autographs and took photos with fans before riding off to an after party.  Here are some more photos from the event:

Wild 98 DJ Jordan takes a moment to share a pic with Kaisha Yearwood and Ava Morales.

2 Pistols looks as if he could use just a touch more dazzlement, don't you think?

Didn't make it out to the party? Check out our photo gallery!

 

Polaroids, nude festivals and '80s zombies

Say cheese!

Polaroids are such a great part of our culture. I remember getting my first Polaroid camera and thinking it was the coolest thing since my first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure. Mom would buy me some film and I'd quickly take 10 shots and ask for more. It was only when she refused to buy me more that I realized how much the film costs. Sadly, that film is going the way of the dinosaur as Polaroid says it will stop making it in early 2009. Bummer. But it's given Art Pool, St. Pete's place for the arty hipster, another good reason for a party.

The Purple Polaroid Party at Art Pool Saturday (8/23) is all about honoring the passing of America's most beloved instant film. It's not all just Polaroid images, though. Every single person entering Art Pool will have a photo taken to be added to the main installation. But please, wear something purple! So not only will you see some cool and unique art, you'll also be art. (In a good way. Not like what happened in that erotic lounge disaster a few weeks back.)

Leave your modesty at home

If you feel that clothes are just not your thing this weekend, this is the event for you. Eccentric local artist Xzanthia is hosting X-Bash at Riverboat Nudist Resort starting Friday. But it's not just about getting naked and hanging out. There will be seven bands, six DJs and some crazy art shows. Topping it all off is a massive foam party -- and you won't even have to worry about getting your clothes messy! This is a clothing-optional event, so you can keep your shirt on if you're a bit shy. Be prepared to see other people sans-pants. For all the details, check out Xzanthia's Web site.

They better play 'Thriller'

You know there's always some flesh-eating action somewhere in Tampa Bay. Not cannibals mind you, but our newest obsession: zombies. It was only a matter of time before the Pegasus Lounge got in on the act with Shock to the System: The 80s Zombies Prom. I'm thinking something like a John Hughes zombie movie starring Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson as undead high school students with inner angst about whether to love or eat each other.

Pegasus is known for pornographic karaoke and pretty heavy bands on a regular basis, so I'm interested to see how this one turns out. So far, no one has been able to take the Tampa Bay zombie crown from the Deadite Empire run by Jesse and Bridgette Fisch (pictured on the left) but it looks like there's some healthy competition building.

[Special thanks to Lisa Haiss of tbt* for the photo illustration at the top and to the photographers of the original images, all of which can be seen at the Purple Polaroid Party.]

The kinkiest wedding in the Bay

I've got one last story to tell before I get Fetish Con out of my system and I won't have to think about whips and chains for another year. In case you haven't been following So Tampa Bay, a wedding took place Sunday at Fetish Con with all the glamor of a traditional wedding along with a kinky twist.

There was no way I expected it to turn out the way that it did. One point I want to make clear right off the start: it was beautiful and I mean that sincerely. As cliched as it sounds, it always gives you a warm feeling inside when you see a couple joining together for the rest of their lives. When the ceremony involves ropes and a screwdriver, that just makes it all the better.

It started out with a bang when April Metz, the bride, was brought in over the shoulder of one of the groomsmen and placed down in front of the altar by her husband-to-be, Mark Harrington. All the while the maid of honor was holding a leash attached to her neck. From there, the first half of the ceremony ran fairly normal but when the vows were given and rings were exchanged, the wedding took a turn to the kinkier side.

April immediately turned around and kneeled as her maid of honor removed her collar and leash. Mark then proceeded to gently bind her with rope. Once she was completely bound and teary-eyed - which I hope was just because she was emotional and not because the ropes were too tight - Mark placed a permanent collar around her neck symbolizing her as his property. From then on, the wedding was just a traditional affair and if it wasn't for the dresses made of latex and leather vests, it would've looked like it was a normal reception.

Honestly, despite the variety of fetish models in attendance and the fact that the officiator of the wedding was holding a horse-hair whip, the wedding was about the two of them being in love. For them it just happens to be a more painful sort of love.

On one final weird So Tampa Bay note, Mark put the garter around my arm after the wedding. Here's hoping for no wedding bells in my future. My life is crazy enough.

Be sure to check out more photos from the ceremony here.

And you can see the rest of the pics from Fetish Con 2008 here.

[Photos by Leigh Armstrong/tbt*]

Dangerous fashion and fashionably dangerous

If you had a quiet weekend, you must not have stepped out your front door. Between Fetish Con and the Wearable Art Show going on, there was enough wacky and stylish Tampa Bay shenanigans to fill a whole album full of photos. Here are some of the coolest that my cohort, Luis Santana, and I found over the weekend.

Had I known that one of the girls was going to be dressed up as a dryad, I totally would've brought all of my Dungeons and Dragons buddies along for the show. I'm pushing the geekiness a little on this outfit but on the next, it's utterly apparent. You might want to listen to this before you scroll down.

When the lights dimmed and I heard Black Sabbath, my heart skipped a beat. Then the model hit his chest to activate the light and complete the look. Even with a costume made of balloons, Iron Man is still one of the most chic superheroes.

When the last model came out on the stage, everything went black until her chest piece lit up like a cop chasing down a drunk driver. Being a motorcycle rider, the first thing that popped into my head was that I should get my passengers to wear an outfit like that so people will notice me on the freeway.

Admittedly, I didn't really get to go to Fetish Con so tbt* photographer Luis Santana took care of the hard work and got pictures of all the action. My only comment: Don't wanna know where that snout's been sniffing.

With a name like Defenz Mechanizm, you've got to expect the weird and wild. It's kind of like a punk rock geisha so I can't decide if I would want to get tea with her or go moshing.

Not all of Fetish Con was a fashion show as Miss Velvets would tell you. If she could that is. Unfortunately for Luis, she was a little tied up with some things when he was taking her photo.

I did manage to get to Fetish Con and check out a fantastic BDSM wedding that was both endearing and kinky, a very hard mix. I'll have the full rundown of that a little later but for now if you want to see some of the stylish (if painful) looking dresses at Wearable Art, check here. If you want to check out Luis Santana's full rundown of Fetish Con pics, make sure to check here for his three days of comprehensive coverage.
 

Tying the knot - in more ways than one!

It's one thing to have a convention dedicated to the BDSM alternative lifestyle in Tampa, but I hear there's going to be a wedding there as well. Details are slim, but I know it's going on at Fetish Con on Sunday.

I can't help but wonder what it could possibly be like...

1. What are the vows going to be like? Maybe the man says the usual lines of serving in tenderness and respect and then the woman vows to "beat you and send you to the corner in your cage if you've been naughty."
2. Is everyone going to be in skintight black material? Maybe the bride will wear latex and the groom will be in leather?
3. For that matter, what is the bouquet going to be like? The only thing I can imagine is roses. With lots of thorns. I can't imagine there would be a clamor to catch those.
4. Will the traditional wedding march be played? I'm hoping the bride walks down the aisle to some Lords of Acid.
5. I don't even want to think about what the ring bearer and flower girls are going to look like. The mere thought of that chills me to the bone!

Check back here late Sunday or Monday, when I'll have full coverage of what is sure to be the kinkiest wedding of the year.

[iStockphoto.com]

Fashion. Music. Beer. It's your choice.

So Tampa Bay, what is there to do if you want a weekend of fun without the chafing of latex at Fetish Con, but still want to see some wild outfits? Check out the Wearable Art Fashion Show at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center this Saturday (8/16). Any event that has a girl dressed like a mix between a dandelion and a muffler is good in my book.

If music is more your thing, you're in luck. There's a wealth of concerts this weekend with styles for everybody. On Friday (8/15), get your femme indie rock fix with Geri X at The Globe, or you can relive the '90s with Candlebox at Jannus Landing. (Remember them? They sang this song.) Saturday has the '80s metal covered with AC/DC tribute band Highway to Hell at the Largo Cultural Center. Check out this story by tampabay.com's own master of the '80s, Steve Spears. If you want to break out those cowboy boots and 10-gallon hats, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift play the Ford Amphitheater on Saturday, and you can scoot over to the after party at the Dallas Bull.

Nothing reminds me more of good old country-western fun than whipped cream shots in the mouth. The Dallas Bull has undergone some significant changes -- you can read all about it here -- even throwing in some hip-hop (sacrilege!). Even if you don't go to the concert, it's the place in Tampa Bay for some boot-scooting boogie.

What if you just want to get totally obliterated on beer? Tank's Tap Room's Beertopia on Saturday is for you. Starting at 2 p.m. and going all the way until 3 a.m., you'll have ample time to sample each and every beer (don't forget the designated driver, people). Throw in a barbecue, Jagermeister girls and a pirogi-eating contest, and you have a mini Oktoberfest stuffed into one day.

[Dallas Bull photo by Luis Santana/tbt*]

Fetish Con '08: Bringing the pain back to Tampa

Click for a gallery from the 2007 Fetish Con.

Tampa may never get an Olympics or a major political convention. But by gum, it’s still got Fetish Con.

For the fifth straight year, Fetish Con, a celebration of all things kink-tacular, is expected to draw more than 2,000 randy conventioneers to downtown Tampa for a series of workshops, parties and leather-clad networking. It’s billed as the largest adult fetish gathering on the East Coast.

Among this year’s sexy, sexy highlights:

• Seminars on wax play, mummification, body casting, pillories and straitjackets, cupping (applying large suction cups to the skin), polyamory, Gorean slave dancing and “How to Meet the Dominant Person of Your Dreams.”
• A demonstration called “Household Sadism,” full of tricks on how to save money on BDSM gear now that the economy’s in the toilet. “What we don’t realize is that the best 'affordable’ BDSM gear is sometimes found at home or designed for home use!” the Fetish Con event schedule says. So true.
• Appearances by models RubberDoll, Velvet Slave, Mizz Fluffy, Mr. Anthropic, JezebelTempting, JoJo Suicide, Bloodbunny, Above Average Arthur, Ghettobutt ... honestly, we could go on all day. The names are just fantastic.
• And, for the first time, a fully equipped dungeon space with “full-time dungeon masters as well as ambient music and lighting.” (Because really, it’s the ambient lighting that makes your dungeon pop. That’s what Paige Davis always says.)

If you work in downtown Tampa, keep an eye out for street-walking conventioneers bound in rubber and plastic. Please say hi and welcome them back to our fair city.

And swing by the Hyatt on your lunch break Friday — you may end up staying all weekend.

The scoop on this year’s ceremonies:
Where: The Hyatt Regency Tampa, 211 N Tampa St., Tampa.
When: Pre-registrees may check in from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday; there is a meet and greet party from 6 to 11 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the registration desk opens at 11 a.m., and the show runs from noon to 8 p.m. On Sunday, the desk opens at 10 a.m. and the show runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How much: Single-day passes are available for $25, cash only.
After parties: There are two. The first, a military-themed Vamps & Vixens Ball, starts at 10 p.m. Friday at the Hyatt. Admission is $10 with a Fetish Con badge, $15 without. The second is the Fetish Con Fantasy Masquerade Ball, starting at 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10 with a badge, $15 without. And there will be a host of unofficial Fetish Con parties in Ybor City and elsewhere throughout the weekend.
For more info: fetishcon.com

- By Jay Cridlin, Times staff writer. Photo by Luis Santana/tbt* (2007)

Not your grandmother's convention

From the multitudes in black to the incessant meowing by 35-year-old overweight men, I can definitely say this past weekend ranks at the higher levels of my weird-o-meter. With both Convergence 14 and the pre-party for Fetishcon, the weekend was full of everything from sexual innuendo down to outright lewd acts. (I saw performer using a lollipop in fashion that has curbed my desire for anything sweet for at least a month). But I'm not going to be the only one with these images scarred into my brain. I took some photos throughout the weekend that will haunt my nightmares for years to come.

Call me a geek, but I want a pair Thomas Willeford's glasses. Who doesn't want to look like a megalomaniacal evil super genius with a plot for world domination? Amazingly rad stuff and I want a pair. If you do too, check them out here.

As much as I wished it, Eric Krastel would not fall down. I almost wanted to push his friend Stephanie Lipka out of the way so he wouldn't have the support. In fact, the only person who did fall down near me, blamed my flash for it. If he were a good skater, I might be inclined to agree, but when you're hugging the wall for five laps around a rink, don't blame your lack of skill on the photographer's millisecond of flash.

When I saw Danielle Cowan in her bathing suit for the gothic bikini contest, the only thing I could think was the fact that Mary-Anne was far more tan and could never be that pale on that wacky island.

How do you know that a gothic convention was in Tampa Bay? The massive amount of booze and preference of mojitos is a hint. Acid Poptart gets classy by downing some right before the bikini contest. With a name like that though, I'm not really expecting her to act like Mother Theresa.

This was the biggest letdown of the event. The OneFonz was going to jump over a remote controlled shark in a pool. It was just a kiddie pool so I expected it to be kind of funny. Then they took away the pool to make it safer. What a letdown. I can't be too disappointed though, considering he lacked the skill to even make this jump. I'm dead serious. Henry Winkler gives you two thumbs down.

While not scary by itself, Orias Bastet's performance will haunt me for years to come. What started out as wonderful and delightful dance for the Cabaret de Kinque at the Crowbar ended with her being beat down and choked to death on stage (of course it was just theatrics). This was the turning point of the night. Everything else afterward became a little too graphic (for a family newspaper, that is). With all the craziness at the Cabaret, I'm both excited and scared for the upcoming Fetishcon. I hear there's even going to be a BDSM-styled wedding. I'm guessing handcuff instead of rings?

If you want to see some more crazy goth action, click here, or if you want to see the Cabaret de Kinque photos that I was able to and post, click here.