This Star-Spangled Weekend, July 1st - 4th

Asante Exhibit @ USF - Artists Barbara Stubbs and Kendra Frorup exhibit artwork based on their African experiences. USF Florida Centre Gallery, 4202 E Fowler Ave, MSC 2700 Tampa. Opening is at 7-9PM Friday.
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Art On The House - Hill Ward Henderson Law generously foots the bill for the Tampa Museum of Art on Fridays, 4-8 PM. TMA, 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa.
Free.

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Hot Summer Show @ Clayton Galleries - Jeanne Cameron, Lynn Davidson, Carl Knickerbocker, Bruce Marsh, Jeffrey Kronsnoble, Peter Kuentzel, George Pappas, Stacy Rosende, Craig Roubadoux, Roberta Schofield and others will be showing. Through July 9th. 10 AM 5 PM, 4105 S. Mac Dill Ave, Tampa.
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Colorpalooza/On Vacation @ the Morean - Make your own mailable postcards, $1/each. 719 Central Avenue, St Pete.
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Revolutions, Susan Janvrin Retrospective - Art & Music at New Way Cafe, 6114 N. Central Ave. Tampa.
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[Post still in progress]

Street Art: Literal, Figurative, and Corporate

Found this stenciled, no longer in use, ATM machine along a main drag with the word "RABID". It belongs to a bank that no longer exists.

This self-incriminating stencil, repeated many times on the sidewalk in downtown Tampa, in front of a certain pink government building is an example of corporate graffiti. I wonder if the police managed to "find" it, who was arrested, just like taggers are, and how much were they fined? Does anyone know?  I wonder when it will be painted over? Not until all the units are sold, probably. Maybe never.

A graffito was perhaps pressure-cleaned off, and took the underlying coat of paint with it, leaving behind this abstraction, a ghost or x-ray graffiti.








Not far from the piece above is a richly painted section of an alley with a strong tribal aspect. Love the color contrast imparted by the rust stains from the gutter drains.

Mindy Solomon Patrick Glover Opening Tonight, Wednesday, June 29th.

 

Mindy Solomon Gallery invites you to join us tonight at 6PM as we welcome Patrick Glover and his new collection of paintings entitled, “Blurred Vision.

 

“Blurred Vision” is a continuation of Patrick’s “Highway Series” that had began 6-years ago  and now features over 200 paintings. Exhibition opens tonight at 6PM and on view through July 30.

Cuban Sandwich Show, Part XII: All Art-All Tampa

Cafe Hey

The AllArt-All Tampa show, concert and reception was held n June 18th, at Cafe Hey, a jewel of a hangout on Franklin St. just North of the Interstate. Cafe Hey has carved out a niche for itself in the past few years with great food, drinks and service. Their soups are excellent. As is their Cuban Sandwich, brownies, and everything else I've tried.

Cafe Hey, closer view.

Cafe Hey has regular poetry readings held on Wednesday evenings. They also have a film night (check their website [Link]) and one storefront over, they have an annex, a 2nd intimate space in which they hold concerts. For this show, both were in use. The art and food were in the main space, the music in the smaller annex.

David Audet had a series based on the roosters (and hens) that run wild through the alleys of Ybor, South of Seventh Avenue. This one on the left is titled "Rooster Flying Dice".












On the right is a digital photograph by Laszlo Horvath, titled "Resting Place".

This is one of a series by Dustin Rowland titled "Tampa [Over] Exposed. They were all in small prints, with pastel colors and burned out highlights lending the prints an ethereal look. Another on the right from Dustin Rowland.

On the left is "A Portrait of Ybor", by David Audet. Here, there are two Ybors one that is dour, straitlaced, full of nylon gears and cogs, and below, almost opening like a pocket watch to reveal the time, a secret, lovely, passionate Ybor lies, framed ornately in gold.

A view of the North wall of Cafe Hey showing the works hanging for the All Art-All Tampa show.






View of the counter and S. wall of Cafe Hey on the left, who thoughtfully made a stack of Cuban Sandwiches and two Cakes that looked exactly like giant Cubans for the Show, seen on right.




On the left is "Lemonade", by Steven S. Gregory, a beautiful example of local architecture.

Meanwhile, at the annex, musicians played. This is Jun Bustamante, a musician with a beautiful voice, here doing her sound check.

The sound is jazzy, with latin blood in its veins, all in a voice that is distinctively her own. See videos of Jun performing [Link], [Link], [Link]. Her site is here [Link], Facebook here [Link]. I've been listening to her "Mi Casa Es Su Casa" CD in my car and loving it. Her voice runs through me.

Laszlo Horvath and his electronic violin played beautifully in this intimate space. He is a distinguished photographer who had work in the show as well. His range is broad, playing a wide variety of music in an inspiring manner.

 On the right, a view of showgoers hanging around the sidewalk tables outside Cafe Hey.
 It was a beautiful evening (A note of thanks to  the "Two J's" for making it more so) and another successful Show/Event for the Cuban Sandwich Show. Congratulations to Cafe Hey, David Audet, all the artists, musicians and great people there for a memorable evening.

--- Luis

Café Hey 1540 North Franklin Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602 (map) 813-221-5150 www.cafehey.com

Street Art: Across the Street.

Music to read this post by: [Link]




This near-life sized Lady sits protected from the elements on a door entryway inset into a building. Her creator wanted her to last and took care where he painted her. There's a spider spinning a web in her head.  Note the little cluster of mushrooms overhead.

Besides her to the right, is a much later addition that has been popping up all over, a political sticker of our new governor Scott suggesting an alternate title. You will be seeing that in detail here soon.

This one lives across the street from the one above, a stencil with the words: "Don't no Buz" and the face over a half-moon. This one is also shielded from the elements.

Less than a block away, I ran into this tiny bit of dystopoetics...

--- Luis

Cuban Sandwich Show, Part XI: Tampa Song, Live Music @ Gram's Place

Maggie Council performing in the patio at Gram's Place

Gram's Place is a hostel just north of downtown Tampa, named after Gram Parsons [Link], an influential musician with a brief but stellar career in the 60's. [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link]. Parsons has quite a following in Europe, and the hostel is frequented by devotees of his music from the other side of the pond. Saturday it hosted The Cuban Sandwich Show's Tampa Songs, featuring some of our best and brightest musicians: Franc Robert [Link], Maggie Council, Blue Island Beer Club plus Jayne Kelli, Parson Brown, Ray Villadonga, Big Picture, Charlie Souza Dean Johanesen, Judy Tampa & Bunko Squad, and Ronny Elliot.

Unidentified Duo Singing during Open Mike Session

Franc Robert onstage singing the blues.

Franc Robert

Franc Robert [Link] singing onstage. He belted out  first-rate Delta style Floridian blues, number after number in his unique voice. Franc has been playing for decades.  Franc rocked the house.

Maggie Council

Maggie Council (below) has been a Tampa favorite for decades and with good reason. Her beautiful, incisive, and mercurial voice
is spellbinding. [Link], [Link] She not only sings beautifully, but also writes all those beautiful moving songs, too.

Listening to Maggie Council.

Blue Island Beer Club plus Jayne Kelli

Blue Island Beer Club plus Jayne Kelli

Karen Zack modeling Cuban Sandwich Dress

Ms. Zack, front view

Below, top Cuban Sandwich model, Cuban Sandwich Poster Girl and songstress Karen Zack on the Gram's Place runway modeling her husband's creation "Le Sandwiche Cubain", perfectly accessorized with a real Cuban Sandwich. The detail on this item of faux couture was fabulous. The designer has graced us with a masterpiece (complete with velcro) and Ms Zack with her inimitable style and smile.

Ms. Zack and band onstage at Gram's Place

Sadly, I had to leave after just one song from Ms. Zack to cover the show at Cafe Hey...

Concertgoers

Congratulations to David Audet, the Cuban Sandwich Crew, Gram's Place and most of all, the many talented musicians who made this  a magical afternoon.


--- Luis

Ai Wei Wei Released, Muzzled.

The good news is that after two months being held, the artist has been released and is at home. The bad news is that he has been effectively muzzled: No talk, no interviews, no travel, no Twitter, no internet, no media.And his assistant, accountant and designer's whereabouts are still unknown.

The artist is free to move around Beijing, but has to report about his planned movements. All of this is to go on for a year. And the 'economic' investigation against him is still ongoing.

Good to hear he has been released and is apparently healthy. I anticipate a torrent of work from Ai Wei Wei, perhaps the best to date.

--- Luis

The Cuban Sandwich Show, Part X: Taste of Tampa Passion

Mark Rosa and David Audet after reading a positive review.

On Saturday, June 18th, the Cuban Sandwich Show staged its Taste of Tampa Passion at the Joffrey's Cafe on the edge of Centro Ybor's inner plaza.Originally it was supposed to be outside, but mercifully, it was moved into an air-conditioned space. It was still broadcast out into the plaza for those daring to brave the considerable heat.







Poets gathered, greeted each other and talked...

Richard Di Pietra Performing "I am a Cuban Sandwich"

Richard Di Pietra performed part of his one-man play "I am a Cuban Sandwich", a wondrous oral/ living history of what life was like here just one generation ago, before all spaces were commercialized. People had less material goods, but lived full, richly textured and colored lives.







The poetess below (whose name escapes me, please send me a comment and let me know, I will insert it here ASAP) read from her extraordinary poem, "The Pastor's Wife". A complex and passionate poem exploring and questioning human and Divine love, the sacred and the profane.

West Tampa Poetess Sylvia Curbelo read several poems, including one of her early ones. Behind her in this picture one can see the pages from past publications of poems David Audet pinned up on the walls decorating Joffrey's, and celebrating readings from long ago.

This poet, also unidentified, read several poems, followed by Richard Di Pietra, who also read poetry.

Stephanie Carpenter sang beautifully, specially the wistful song about being loved the way a beloved loved his guitar.











Congratulations to David Audet and all the poets who made this part of a spectacular afternoon and to Joffrey's for providing their space.

--- Luis

This Gay Pride Weekend: June 23rd - June 26th

Blurred Vision @ Mindy Solomon Gallery - Mindy brings us the works of Patrick Glover,  eleven of them. Glover works in the space between representation and abstraction. Vernissage on Wednesday, June 29th, from 6:30 - 8 PM at Mindy Solomon Gallery, 124 Second Ave. NE,  St Pete. Mindy's gallery openings and shows are among the best in the area. Runs through July 30th. Free admission.
[Link]

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Meet The Artists: Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse @ Unversity of Tampa Scarfone/Hartley Gallery - Mickett and Stackhouse's work shown here centers on water in two and three dimensions in monoprints. Reception is at 6:30 PM today, Thursday June 23rd. Exhibit runs Friday through July 15th. 310 N. Blvd, Tampa. Free admission.

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2 for 2 Art & Music Show @ The Bricks -  Warren Gibson and Daniel Williams exhibit their work at the Bricks cafe (which has fine food and drink). Music by Criminal Culture and Sumo Syzlak. Saturday, June 25th, 10:00 PM. The Bricks, 1327 E. 7th Ave, Ybor City. Free admission.

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Artist Talk Series: Lance Rogers @ Raymond James Financial Center -  One of our top painters will be talking about his process, with a Q&A session after his talk. Today, Thursday June 23rd, 5:30-6:30 PM, Raymond James Financial Center, 880 Carillon Parkway, Tower 4, St Pete.

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Monochrome @ Dazzio Art Experience Gallery -  Group show of works by Judi Dazzio and other artists. 627 Central Ave., St Pete. Runs through August 13th. Free admission.

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Urban Impression @ Local 662 - Ten local artists in a group show at 662, with music from Calla Terrace. Friday, June 25th, 8:00 PM, 662 CentraL Ave, St Pete. $5.00 admission.

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Cuban Sandwich Show Events for this weekend:

Friday June 24	6:00pm 9:00pm Performance 7:00pm	Cuban Sandwich Show, Pyramid Style! At Pyramid adults with developmental disablities are artists and performers whose dreams come alive on canvas, on stage and in the souls of people whose gifts are too often unrecognized. Our open house will feature a spirited Flamenco in tribute to Ybor City with traditional and wheelchair dancers, as well as other songs and dances. Not to be outdone, Pyramid visual artists will present jewelry, canvases and other pieces with a Tampa theme in their own unique style. TBA Pyramid, Inc. 1508 West Sleigh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604 (map) 813-931-3986 www.pyramid.org ___________________________________________
Friday June 24	6:30pm 10:00pm	I Love Sulphur Springs Show Artists reception. The show runs June 24 and June 25, 2011. Free Community Stepping Stones Gallery 8019 Van Dyke Place, Tampa 33604 (behind the Sulphur Springs Theatre) (map) 561-310-3002  _________________________________________
Friday June 24	8:00pm	I Am a Cuban Sandwich Authors Richard DiPietra and Mary Ellen take you on a journey through the physical and cultural life of Ybor City. Not the Ybor of today with its bar scene and late-night revels, but what Ybor was, before time and Interstate 4 cut through the heart of a very special place. More... $10 at the door (or call for reservation). Silver Meteor Gallery 2213 E 6th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605 (map) 813-300-3585  ___________________________________________
Saturday June 25	11:00am 3:00pm	I Love Sulphur Springs Show Artists reception The show runs June 24 to June 25, 2011. Free Community Stepping Stones Gallery 8019 Van Dyke Place, Tampa 33604 (behind the Sulphur Springs Theatre) (map) 561-310-3002  ______________________________________
Saturday June 25	2:00pm 5:00pm	Remember When? Storytelling and BS session about Ybor and all things Tampa hosted by King Corona owner Don Barco and cigar pro Joe Howden, "Remember When? is an informal gathering of folks who know where the bodies are buried but can't or won't tell. If you've got a story and like cigar smoke with strong coffee   be there. Microphone provided. Free King Corona Cigar Bar 1523 East 7th Avenue, Ybor City, 33605 (map) 813-241-9109 www.kingcoronacigars.com __________________________________________
Saturday June 25	8:00pm 9:30pm	I Am a Cuban Sandwich Authors Richard DiPietra and Mary Ellen take you on a journey through the physical and cultural life of Ybor City. Not the Ybor of today with its bar scene and late-night revels, but what Ybor was, before time and Interstate 4 cut through the heart of a very special place. More... $10 at the door (or call for reservation). Silver Meteor Gallery 2213 E 6th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605 (map) 813-300-3585

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[This post is unfinished, still in process]

Past, Present and Curtis (Sneary) @ Donna Gordon Gallery/Studio

Donna Gordon Gallery and Studio, located at 625 Central Avenue in St Pete, is currently specializing in contemporary realist artists. The current show is Past, Present, and Curtis. The Curtis is artist Curtis Sneary. He's worked for 23 years in advertising, corporate graphics, newspaper design, and most important to this review, as a fine artist, in a style that has been described as "painterly realism". In his artists' statement he says he likes "...to explore conflicts between humanity vs mechanization and isolation, and how we Americans commodify ourselves, others and nature."

Curtis Sneary, "Hula Hoop"

On the right is "Hula Hoop", a smiling woman from a  viewpoint that makes her look like a little girl, wearing boy shorts, visor, sandals and a bikini top (after a recent conversation with Mindy Solomon, I'm paying more attention to clothing), arms extended, keeps a golden-yellow hula hoop spiritedly going by poolside. This embodiment of vitality and playfulness is Sneary's wife.

On the left is "Sign Off", something we all have experienced at one time or another, though thanks to 24 hr programming and infomercials it's become almost nostalgic, and I think Sneary is alluding to this. On the right is "Gumby Texting", where Gumby, recontextualized into the present, fails to pay attention while riding his horse (Pokey?) and gets into an accident while texting. Again, the light-hearted but incisive sense of humor is at play here.

Donna Gordon, "Her fondest Memories"

I ran into this Donna Gordon bronze sculpture at the show, one of my favorites, "Her Fondest Memories".  The view on the right shows how the figure's inner being is metaphorically composed of her fondest memories. One can look close and see a child, and many other different things.

Curtis Sneary, "Playboy 2"

Here again we find the artist's attractive wife, scantily clad only in her panties, her tanned body practically aglow on the sheets, in bed, in a sensuous pose....geeking away on the computer!

On the left is "Playboy 1", where the subject is talking on the phone.






On the right is "Night Tennis", a wonderful realistic rendition of people playing tennis at dusk. It sounds simple, and to a degree it is, but this is very good, the colors and sense of space in particular.

On the left is "Blue Boat" one of several paintings in the show of local scenes.

By chance, while visiting the gallery, we ran into artist Rick Reeves, who will be featured as the DGGS next show.  Here he is, holding one of his unbelievably realistic and detailed works, this one of a scene from the Civil War.




Congratulations to Donna Gordon and Curtis Sneary for a fine show.

Runs through July 28th at 625 Central Ave. [Link]