State of the Art returns!

Just a quick note for all you art-stars out there, State of the Art v.2 is happening April 25th at the Roosevelt in Tampa. I had mentioned in my year end wrap-up for 2008 that the first State of the Art was the best art party I had been to that year. With that in mind, State of the Art v.2 should be a great party tonight. With live music, fashion and a live art installation being put out, State of the Art v.2 should be a no miss party to hit up tonight. Considering just how cool the last event was, I want to make sure people get a lot of notice for this one so the turnout will be amazing.

On a side note: I apologize to anyone who read the earlier article stating that the show was today. I got a little too excited when I got the e-mail stating it was April 2nd that I forgot to look at the flyer, which states the show is on the 25th. Honestly, no one feels more stupid than I, since I drove out to Tampa for a non-existent show!

State of the Art v.2 will be going on at the Roosevelt, 1812 N. 15th St., Ybor City, at 9 p.m. They don't have a cover charge listed but plan on paying around $10 to get into the show. Last year's was worth at least twice that with the amount of art and music going on. I'll get more information to you as this develops

Two new nights to shake it in St. Pete

If you think there's nowhere to dance in St. Petersburg that isn't an "ultra-lounge", you have just been proven wrong. Both the Uptown and the Emerald have opened up new nights to cater to those of you who like to move a little more.

Do you like bright flashing lights? Do you have a tendency to move your arms around in motions that flow with the beat of an electro song? Then Tuesdays at Uptown are right up your alley. Expect people gyrating with glow sticks on the small stage area where the bands normally play. But be warned: some of these guys are using glow balls on strings that will smack you in the face if you get too near. Best part: There's no cover and starts at 10 p.m.

Wednesday's new Filth Night at the Emerald offers something for the the St. Petersburg hipsters who wish they lived in Brooklyn. It's not high-class, but has a great mix of music, from cool classics to the latest hits.   Plus, it's still ladies night so all the girls can get their drink on for cheap while dancing and shaking to the music. Cover charge is only $1.

Here's a big hint to small bar owners in St. Pete: Dancing is fun. You don't need a large venue like Vintage or Push to get people off their feet and moving.

Photo: Stavros mixes it up at Filth's Obama victory after-party at the Emerald Bar. [Handout photo]

Tons turned away from Aja nightclub

Construction delays turned the grand opening of the ultramodern Aja nightclub over the weekend into a "family and friends" event, a club spokesman said.

Those who bought tickets to Aja (pronounced Asia) and weren't able to get in the Channelside club were given refunds, said Enrique De Jesus, a property partner and club promoter. "We originally intended to make it our grand opening, but with all the construction delays, we didn't have ample time to train staff," De Jesus said. "But there was phenomenal turnout. There were hundreds of people waiting to get into the place. A lot of people could not get in."

He said the club would be ready for Super Bowl parties. Aja will debut with scheduled appearances by Pamela Anderson, DJ AM, Jazzy Jeff and several NFL players.

Located on the ground floor of the Towers of Channelside, the 11,300-square-foot space was named after Steely Dan's album Aja. The $4.24-million, two-level club has four bars and an outdoor patio with glowing lights that change colors.

A new Barfly worth buzzing about

Good news for all you intoxication connoisseurs in Tampa Bay. Tbt* has found a new Barfly who will be hitting the streets in search of the best places for booze hounds to go. Wade Tatangelo is the new man who will steer you to beer and he's off to a good start with his new review of the Beef O' Brady's on the USF campus that will be published in Friday's tbt*. Formerly, Wade was the music critic at Creative Loafing but his skills will put to good use at tbt* as you can see below.

"Nestled in the Marshall Student Center on the USF Tampa campus, this Beef ’0’ Brady’s is the place to enjoy hot wings and other pub grub goodies alongside undergrads in a room decked out in Bulls green and gold. There’s a 10-stool bar, cafeteria-style seating, a dozen LCD screens and billiards tables. And yes, there is beer and wine. But if you wish to enjoy an adult beverage, don’t arrive before 5 p.m. Apparently school officials are afraid students might tie one on before suffering through that College Algebra course. Guess they’re not worried about night class inebriation," — Wade Tatangelo

That's just a teaser, but I'll link up the full review when it's available or you can check it out in Friday's tbt*.

The So Tampa Bay best and worst of 2008

The year is nearing a close and what better way to end it than to get all nostalgic about the times we had this year? Honestly, there were quite a few standout things that happened this year that I felt I needed to give credit either for their greatness or sheer horridness. That's why I've decided to create some year-end awards.

For better or for worse, these were some of the things that I think deserved mention this year. You probably won't agree but that's why it's my list. If you have any other events or people who you think should have been recognized, feel free to let me know with a comment.

BEST NEW VENUE: Art Pool
Everything about Art Pool just oozes awesome. From the kitschy design to its growth from a small art shop to the place to be every month. The parties are always unique, with a crazy theme to tie them together. Finally Tampa art scenesters have a a reason to journey across the bay.

BEST PARTY OF THE YEAR: Czar's 5th Anniversary
Mix free vodka with passwords, double agents, the USSR and a whole lot of forethought and you have Czar's wild anniversary. I cannot even put into words how great this party was. Oh wait, I can and did. It was original, well thought out and -- most importantly -- a lot of fun! I'm hoping to see more events like this in 2009.

BEST ART PARTY: State of the Art at the Cigar City Theater
Take one part scenester, one part large open warehouse and mix it together with a little liberal thinking and you'd have State of the Art. No other party has utilized the Cigar City Theater as well, and the fashion show was to die for. Not to mention the first piece of art you'd see when walking in was a live piece representing the bloody aftermath of adultery. It was edgy and made art feel rebellious again.

SCENE PERSON OF THE YEAR: Marina Williams
From putting together Art Pool to just doing her own crazy thing, Marina Williams was everywhere, getting her hands into everything. She's helped cultivate a new standard of what was considered hip for 2008 while staging some of the most interesting parties of the year.

BEST DRESSED: Amber Cox of A Wear to the Tear Vintage
Hands down, Amber exemplified the best parts of fashion whenever she was out and about. She had glitz, glamor and fun with whatever outfit she wore. She took the sequined-style dresses that my great-grandma would wear and made them hot for people in their 20s. For that alone, she deserves recognition.

WORST STYLE: Tight shiny pants on men
The sad thing is that I've seen this happening a bit more frequently. It's absolutely cringe-worthy. My motto: No man should be able to see his own reflection off of his pants. If this ever becomes an actual trend everywhere, I'm getting on the first plane back to Korea.

WTF STYLE: The Green Man at the Castle's gothic bikini beach party
Nothing makes you more confused than seeing a man dressed head to toe in bright green Spandex. Add to that, it was nowhere near Halloween and the theme of the night was swimwear. With costumes like these, I don't even look for an explanation. There'll never be one that's satisfactory.

WEIRDEST EVENT OF THE YEAR: Goths on Ice:
Part of the Convergence convention, Goths on Ice took the cake and was even wilder than watching a gothic Fonzie jump a shark in a pool (perhaps the biggest letdown of the year). There was just something about people in black frilly lace and PVC donning ice skates that was oddly appealing. Add in the reactions of regular skaters and you have an event that just left you speechless with bewilderment.

BEST PARTY YOU PROBABLY MISSED: Art Gone Bad at 688 Skate
Art scattered across half-pipes with kids skateboarding around paintings makes for a surprisingly pleasant experience. It's definitely interesting to be appreciating a nice sculpture and, all the while, looking over your shoulder for an oncoming BMX rider. It added a little bit of thrill to the art scene and I'd like to see more places capitalize on that.

BEST PARTY YOU'RE HAPPY YOU MISSED: Midget Chippendales at the James Joyce
This one will haunt me until the day I die. It wasn't really the guys who were disturbing (I'd really rather not see any of them in thongs again, though) but rather the ravenous women giving them dollars. No one should ever be that excited to stuff money in the crotch of a dancing dwarf. It just screams wrong.

MOST CLAUSTROPHOBIC EVENT: Sweatshop Strikes Back at Czar
So busy, I had a hard time even lifting up my camera. I was constantly being squished against at least five other people until I got next to the stage. It was a great time, but I was more than happy to go outside for a smoke every now and again to get away from the mass of hipsters.

THE 'DON'T TAKE YOUR GRANDMA' EVENT: Fetishcon 2008
Seriously, unless your grandma likes the idea of human ponies, whips and latex. Not saying anything is wrong with it, I just worry about exposing my grandmother to things like this. She might get ideas and that's information I don't need to know. I'm scarred enough as it is.

BIGGEST TREND OF 2008: Zombies
The Zombie Nation was everywhere. Tag your party with zombie and it instantly made it that much hipper. From zombie luaus to cowboy zombies, there seemed to be a new and different event focused on zombies every week. Now that it's 2009, let's give another horror franchise a go. Why not give the mummies some love?

MOST UNEXPECTED TREND OF 2008: Art exhibitions becoming the cool and hip thing to do
With the amount of indie galleries around the bay, 2008 saw a huge rise in the interest of the local art scene. People decided that it'd be more fun to go to an art show than go out to an Ybor club on a Friday night. Trust me, I'm not at all complaining and I couldn't be prouder of Tampa Bay. I hope 2009 continues the trend and we get more independent artists and more unique galleries opening throughout Tampa Bay.

A night in Soviet Russia

Amber Wilson played double agent for those smart enough to give her the code phrase.

It's hip to be Communist. Furry hats, wool fatigues and red stars are in style right now. Czar in Ybor City has latched on to that vibe and run with it for five years now but it wasn't until Wednesday night (11/26) that they put it all together for their 5-year anniversary party. This wasn't just a Russian theme going on but rather a whole redesign of what Czar is and can be starting right at getting in the door.

A patron waits patiently and salutes as she enters into the Cyberia Lounge area.

Spread through different channels including text messages and e-mail were secret code words to get in the club with discounts or free admission. "Vladimir" was the base code that got you in (They pretty much nixed the use of that one so people could get in). The phrase "The Babushka runs a spa in Chernobyl" got you in at half price while "The spa in Chernobyl is brothel, my friend" got you in for free. All this underground advertising and the promise of a free alcohol area meant the club to be filled with people less than an hour after opening.

This doesn't look any thing like me...

Of course this only got you into the Cyberia lounge area. From there, patrons would have to talk to the bartenders to retrieve their passports in order to journey over the Imperial Ballroom area. As silly as it sounds, the security (all cleverly dressed up as Russian soldiers) enforced the need for the passports and stamps much to the dismay of the few who were too drunk to go along with the gag.

DJ Sirius took a break and guarded the outside path to Imperial Theater

Taking a short journey outside and through back hallways not usually open the public, the visitors to Czar's Russian recreation would finally stumble upon the main dance area. The quest didn't end there because there was still that promise of that hidden room of free vodka. After speaking to the DJ to get your stamp to get some food (plus a free drink!), people were told to find a double agent to get papers to access the interrogation room. It's not quite as easy as it sounds though for a couple reasons:

1. Anyone on staff could be a double agent and they were constantly moving about.
2. Before you found the double agent, you needed to find out the code to tell the double agent.
3. They switched up who played the double agent throughout the night.

If this sounds intense to you, let me assure you that it was. The point was to get people talking though and it did it's job. I got so many people approaching me thinking I was the double agent simply because I had a camera around my neck.

A good interrogator always has duct tape, a flashlight and a bullwhip.

Those few wily enough to get papers were finally treated to the interrogation room and V.I.P. area. Yes, you'd actually be interrogated first. To make it even more fun, live video of the interrogation was broadcast to the Cyberia Lounge for other bar-goers to watch. The reward was worth it though, with a small private lounge complete with it's own DJ and pour-your-own drinks for free.

The raid went on the VIP and Jimmy Sellers forced Dj Sirius to take a break from mixing in the VIP room.

Of course, they couldn't have people just sitting in this room all night, so the security came by periodically and "raided" the room, kicking everyone out and ripping up their papers. This got a lot of people upset but I didn't see any of them leave Czar, but rather they went searching for the new double agent to get new papers.

I've never seen this much work go into an anniversary party for a club. Normally, its just some drink specials and some tacky decorations. Czar went all out and I've got to hand it to Sandy Heim and the workers there for putting on one of the best and unique parties that Ybor has ever seen. Czar's version of the Motherland may not have been accurate or serious, but it was entertaining and one of my most memorable experiences of going out to date.

Shiver me timbers! Not out in the cold.

St. Petersburg Times photo

Cold weather got you down? Don't let it! It's supposed to warm up by this weekend and not a moment too soon. Going out partying is just like sleep because you'll never be able to make up lost time!

Walk this festival, not the plank

If you have dreams of sailing the open seas with only a parrot and a large bottle of rum for company, stop by the Florida Pirate Festival at Vinoy Park Friday (11/21) through Sunday (11/23). Even though pirates are the obvious Tampa Bay norm for festivals, it's still fun to go out with an eye-patch and hook for a hand. It's supposed to have a family friendly area but you know there will be enough saucy wenches and scurvy dogs to satisfy the adult crowds as well. So study up on your pirate lingo and don't come dressed as a ninja. I hear pirates hate those guys.

Sound familiar?

It's just a shame not many people on this side of the pond got a chance to the Beatles in concert. On Friday (11/21), Cheap Trick will be performing the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album in its entirety at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Given the style of their normal music, it should be interesting to hear their interpretation of it. Then on Saturday (11/22), four local bands will each play one side each of the White Album for a tribute called the White Album Recreation at Skipper's. Here's hoping Rebekah Pulley gets to do Happiness is a Warm Gun.

Drink up, help the kids

If you like alcohol but not the idea of dealing with numerous impressions of Captain Jack Sparrow then trade out the rum for some vodka and hit up the Ritz on Friday(11/21) for the Vodka Fest. Don't be showing up in blue jeans and sneakers to this one, either. This isn't a t-shirt and jeans kind of festival though, it's an upscale fundraiser with dozens of the finest spirits for sampling. It's a bit more expensive too, but proceeds benefit the Sky Ranch Foundation for troubled children. Those children need you to go and sample all that alcohol. Do you really want to let them down?

Sounds more fun in summer

Those of us who are inherently lazy (pretty much all of us), we now have an event that caters to us. It's Chillounge in Straub Park on Saturday (11/22) and all it involves is relaxing on some outdoor furniture and sipping a few cocktails. The goal is to transform the park into a giant open-air lounge. Plus there's a fashion show going with it as well as some sweet jazz music to keep your feet tapping. You'll be plenty comfortable though.

Wear that style out

Take a look in your wardrobe right now. Would you describe your clothing as hip? Didn't think so, so make sure to hit up Pale Horse Saturday (11/22) for the Back in Black T-shirt show. These aren't just normal T-shirts as each one is a limited edition style that'll be fairly unique to you. Pale Horse has become a mecca of sorts for the graphic artists in St. Petersburg so it's a great place to come and hang with hippest of the hip. Plus, each T-Shirt is only $15 you can grab some stylish threads and not empty out your bank account. No worries about them falling apart either.

Rays may have lost but the party was a home run

While the Rays were ultimately defeated by the Phillies, the people at Vintage in St. Petersburg were not about to let that stop the celebrating Wednesday. Whether they were enjoying the chance to play in the World Series or looking for any excuse to drink on a Wednesday is not a question I can answer but even after the game, the party at Vintage kept going until the club had to kick people out.

That's what I call a Rays Hawk! In case you couldn't tell, Andrea Rose loves her home team and isn't afraid to let everyone know. Team spirit seemed to be at an all-time high at the Vintage with a mass of cheers for every good move on the Rays part. That doesn't mean everyone was rooting for the Rays though.

Talk about some dangerous choices in headgear and skin art. Dre Doe wanted to make sure I got a good look at local hip-hop musician Gambit Da Bandit's tattoo on his neck. Given the animosity after the Phillies won game one, these guys were pretty daring to be showing up at the Rays afterparty to do some heckling.

Meet the JabbaWockeeZ from the show America's Best Dance Crew. If you paid $40 to get into the Vintage based purely on the fact that you wanted to see celebrities, this is what you got. Johnny Gomes of the Rays did show up, but his appearance was so brief that it's almost like he wasn't there at all. Overall, the night was great and fun but please don't make the promises of getting celebrities like Derek Jeter, Lil Wayne and Missy Elliot if you can't confirm it. I saw quite a few people upset over the fact that no celebs were present.

Make sure to check out the rest of the drunken shenanigans at the Rays after party photo gallery!

A messy beginning to October

I love October. It seems like it's the month with the most crazy activities going down in the bay area, and most of them are full of people dressed in outrageous costumes. This weekend I got to see that and more -- as well as get drenched in buckets of slime. Good times! (Okay, boss, can I get hazard pay now?)

I started out Friday (10/3) at First Friday to check out some of the people going to both Against Me! and Apocalyptica, along with some sports fans who came downtown after the Rays game. Here's what struck me as I ambled down Central Avenue with my camera.

I saw uncountable mohawks in St. Pete on Friday, including one on Dan Eckrote. Given the popularity of the newly christened official Rays hairstyle, it won't be long before you see Tampa Bay lawyers and doctors sporting it. As it is, it's gotten popular enough that my 70-plus-year-old grandpa is talking about getting one -- even though he's got the horseshoe pattern baldness. Imagine a mohawk, but just in the back.

Probably the strangest thing I saw on Friday was Sparkle Genera and her roller skates. It's not often you get to to see a woman holding a beer with roller skates draped over her shoulder (careful with that glass, sister!). Take that back: It's not often to see outside of a Derby Darlin's match or Czar's Crisco Roller Disco. Love the pink wheels, though!

After the game, the streets were full of people celebrating after the Rays victory. I caught Kristy Westphal and Brett Hughes making that long trek from the Trop over to the Central Avenue drinking area to continue their throwdown.

***

I won't lie. I was nervous about going to see Gwar at Jannus Landing on Saturday (10/4) with a camera around my neck. If you don't know, they're known for hosing the audience down with slime, so I devised a way to protect my camera with lots of Saran wrap and electrical tape. Thankfully, it worked. So, while I came out dripping with ooze, my camera remained safe and secure so I could show you these pictures.

Andrew Smokler came prepared. He wanted to get slimed but didn't want it in his eyes. He was a very smart man, and Gator Guard security guy Kevin Moore gave him a thumbs up for it. Meanwhile, I cursed him because I hadn't thought of that.

Claire Sayetta, Rachel Koch and Tim Adger proudly show off their clothing that looks like it got doused in Kool-Aid. It's part of a tradition to wear white clothing to a Gwar show to mark how many times you get hit. Doesn't work so well on a black T-shirt, but I can still see some color stains on it from the night's festivities.

This is just one of the many ways the band soaked the audience with goo. There were also decapitations of political figures with enough arterial spray to give Japanese horror movies a run for their money. This cannon is the prime reason I got messed up; I got hit, not once, but twice in face with it. All in all, though, it was a messy good time. I can see why people like to get hit with the slime. Considering the heat and sweaty masses of people, the cool goo was refreshing.

Yes, even Batman was there (albeit sans Robin). If you see him at any more events around the bay, make sure to let us here at So Tampa Bay know. We're trying to keep a watch on his activities, and his presence at Gwar made things all the more curious. His suit must have some sort of slime repellent as he was the cleanest person who exited the concert that night.

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from the First Friday madness and the wet and sticky Gwar show!

Sad day for the Swigwam

What! The Swigwam Beach Bar is closed? How can that be?

According to the Web site, its demise came with the bankruptcy of Shells Restaurants. Bummer.

Can't picture it? That's because the "Swiggy" kept a low profile behind the Travelodge on St. Pete Beach -- exactly what kept locals in flip-flops and bikinis coming back for more than 20 years. Well, that and the house speciality drink -- the Bushwhacker. With vodka, rum, Kahlua and handful of other potent ingredients, it's like a Mudslide on steroids.

More than anything, the Swigwam was just a nice little shack on the beach with nothing between you and the gulf except a bunch of sand and a cool libation in a plastic cup.

Maybe somebody will have the sense -- and cash -- to reopen it?