It was a rainy, but busy weekend in the ‘burg and beyond. Here’s a recap of the arts weekend, mostly filled with stuff I witnessed personally.
In the theaters: Excited to see that Jobsite Theater opened Return to the Forbidden Planet, this weekend.
Jonathan Harrison and Amy E. Gray
I did the show in 1996 at the Jaeb Theater, where Jobsite is mounting this production. Like our production, Jobsite has put together a stellar (or interstellar) cast, which includes my buddy, Vodkanauts front-man Johnathan Harrison, as the captain and his bandmate, Mark Warren, on guitar in the stage band. Heather Krueger, my favorite theater singer in Tampa Bay, is also in the cast.
Planet mixes sci-fi, Shakespeare and rock ‘n roll and is a guaranteed good time. In a preview last week, TB Times critic Stephanie Hayes, included a nice mention of our production:
Return to the Forbidden Planet had a successful run in the Jaeb in 1996, when the Warehouse Theater put on a production featuring local stars of the era including Paul Wilborn, Lee Ahlin and the late Jeff Norton. Now-retired TV news anchor Bob Hite had a bit role via video.”
I was a star of an era and didn’t even know it!
For the whole story: http://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/stage/jobsite-beams-up-to-the-jaeb-theater-for-return-to-the-forbidden-planet/2183760
Also this weekend – freefall Theatre opened The Burnt Part Boys, a new musical set in a West Virginia mining town that was the scene of a tragic disaster. And American Stage closed Steel Magnolias.
Art Walk: I had a long list of stops I wanted to make this Art Walk, but Florida’ summer rain arrived just before 6 and kept us inside until 7 or so. We did make stops at the Morean, which had a show of dog-related art and lots of booths. A quick stop at Craftsman House and then on to Duncan McClellan’s. Got to catch up with my buddy Ken Rollins, of Rollins Fine Art, who was hanging at Duncan’s.
Weak from hunger and craving Chinese, we drove from Duncan’s up to ABC Seafood, on 54th – where they make my favorite Hong Kong Wonton Soup. We left there dry and very happy.
The rain kept the crowds down everywhere this Artwalk, and made us so late we missed some of the live music and the beer tastings offered this time. Still, the walk continues to grow and expand and we’ll be back in July for another round.
Have Gun at Ale & The Witch: Caught a great outdoor set by Have Gun Will Travel downtown’s great craft beer house on Friday. Despite early rains, the show went on and the patio was packed. Lots of music folks including House Concert entrepreneur Fran Snyder, WMNF’s Amy Snider and Cheryl Mogul, and Craftsman House owner Jeff Shorr.
The show was a celebration of Have Gun’s new album, and the one-year anniversary of Rock Brothers Brewing, which released High Road Ale which was “inspired” and named for Have Gun Will Travel.
The band played most of the tunes from their new album, Fiction, Facts and Folktales and some their favorites, like “Sons and Daughters of the Gilded Age.” It was a great “get” for the Witch’s owner, Brett Andress, and he was smiling broadly from the back all night.
Hotel Zamora opens: Our friends Derek and Karen whisked us away on Sunday for a boat trip from downtown out to the brand new Hotel Zamora on St. Pete Beach’s Intracoastal Waterway.
The boutique hotel, which opened just last week, even smelled new inside. We were the only boat at the docks out back and the pool and spa area was all set up with no people – kind of like a film set before the actors arrive. The whole place has a Miami Beach vibe and it doesn’t hurt that there’s great Cuban music piped throughout.
Upstairs, the restaurant was doing some business, and serving a very cool menu for brunch. New takes on benedict, pancakes and great baked goods.
That’s the weekend. Back to Monday. Don’t miss Helio’s Jazz Orchestra, with singer Lorrie Hafer, in the Side Door on Tuesday!
Keep up with what’s happening at the Palladium by visiting our website: www.mypalladium.org.
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