Tampa Is…?

No one really knows how long chickens have been roaming Ybor City.  I’d guess they have been there since the late 1800s, but I know I have seen them strutting around Ybor for the last 25 years or so, which makes the “Chickens of Ybor City” an older franchise than many of the businesses currently found on 7th Avenue.

But now, someone wants to get rid of the chickens.  In fact, someone or something has killed at least one hen and her chicks.  So now the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has shown up in Ybor to catch some of them chickens with a plan to move them to Pasco and Polk Counties, in the hopes that no more chickens get harmed (or so they say).

Tommy doesn’t want any part of that.  Tommy has lived in Ybor for over 20 years.  He helped found the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Association, and is one of the founders of Guavaween.  For the past ten years(well, most years), he also hosted the annual James E. Rooster Funeral Procession and Party.  And Tommy likes feeding the chickens.  Oh, and everyone calls him ‘Rooster Tommy.’

Lots of folks like the chickens.  Artists and tourists love to photograph the chickens of Ybor City.  When writing about the culture of Ybor, workers mention the chickens.  Hundreds have gathered at Tommy’s rooster funeral parties to celebrate the Chickens of Ybor City.  (Yes, Arroz con Pollo is on the menu.)

So, of course, now we have all the makings of a chicken protest party.  The party will be this Sunday, November 16 at around halftime of the Bucs game.  Or maybe just following the Bucs game.  At any rate, please make a note of it, because the Times article has the wrong day.  The chicken protest will be held on Sunday, November 16, exactly at 2:30, give or take 90 minutes either way.

Editor’s note:  Don’t sweat the time thing - time barely matters in Ybor City.  Otherwise we’d know when the damn chickens got there in the first place.  Also, if you have read this far, you may as well read the last bit.  Anyone got a better name for a “chicken protest party?”

I promised to give away these tickets, and I put it off, and put it off.

I prCeltic Thunder will be performing on Monday night at the St. Pete Times Forum, and I have a pair of tickets to give to you.

Celtic Thunder is a new group of exceptionally talented young male singers from Ireland and Scotland, who perform an eclectic mix of songs, ranging from the traditional “Mountains of Mourne” and “Come By the Hills” to international hits such as “Brothers in Arms” and “Desperado,” as well as original compositions by Celtic Thunder’s musical director and composer Phil Coulter.

The ensemble songs reflect the power of the soloists, who range in age from 14 to 40 and share a common Celtic heritage.

For those of you who have never heard of the group, check out the review of Celtic Thunder from Wednesday night in Pennsylvania:

Tickets begin at $37.50 (plus service charges). You can get them at the McDonald’s Box Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets, or by phone - call Ticketmaster at 813-287-8844 or 727-898-2100.  For more information, call 813-301-2500 or visit www.stpetetimesforum.com. Advanced parking passes are available at www.ticketmaster.com and the box office.

OR…. you can have a pair if you are the first to send us a note via the contact form.  Check your email first thing Monday morning to see if you are the winner!

Editor’s note:  As hoped, we found someone who graciously volunteered to review Jobsite Theater’s The History of the Devil.  Say hello to Adonna, and we promise to give her a proper welcome soon.  In the meantime, here is her review.

Forget Georgia; the Devil is down in Florida this month in The History of the Devil, a dark, witty tale of historical fiction and human nature. The story begins as the Devil selects his “advocate,” an appeals lawyer who must counsel Satan himself in his appeal trial to return to heaven after centuries on earth. In a courtroom in Kenya, a hot, hellish setting full of death and decay, the audience sits as a jury, witnessing accounts of the Devil’s earthly encounters.

We follow Satan’s story from his first moments on earth through to his judgment. As the prosecution and defense call their witnesses, we see reenactments of Lucifer falling from heaven, learning what it is to be human, encouraging depravity and destruction, bargaining with Jesus and more.

Witnesses are resurrected from their graves to testify at the trial, and we see that Lucifer is quick to persuade others to indulge in their dark side, even admiring their perversity, but hesitant to take direct action himself. Throughout this “history,” he struggles with his human qualities, experiencing innocence, pain, lust, betrayal and more—all while groveling for a chance to return to heaven, pleading his innocence as a mere scapegoat for mankind’s sins.

Overall, The History of the Devil is a delightful guilty pleasure for those with an open mind and a curiosity for history and religion. As the plot unravels, it raises some interesting questions of human nature and justice, with a wicked mix of historical cameos you just might feel guilty for laughing at.

The final scenes are a delightful trick, with a twist of fate for the court’s final remarks and judgment. Led by a talented and witty cast, a nearly three hour play quickly flies by for an engaged audience treated to the animated performances of a wide array of characters.

The History of the Devil presented by Jobsite Theater continues through November 16th at the Shimberg Theater, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are $24.50.

Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties to Close Elevated Portion of Friendship TrailBridge

Structural problems are forcing the closure of nearly all of the Friendship TrailBridge, a popular recreational link between Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

On Tuesday, an inspection found the elevated portion of the TrailBridge has significant structural deficiencies. As a result, officials from both counties decided to immediately close much of the bridge.

Less than half a mile on each end of the bridge will remain open. The rest of the TrailBridge, including all of the humpback center span, will be closed off.

This is the old span of Gandy bridge, which was saved from demolition in 1999, and has since been used as a recreational park / hiking trail.  they have always had to deal with a shoestring budget. I don’t think it was ever used as a viewing area for boat races, which could have raised some funds to save this thing (as would a running race, etc.).

I got an email from that cool artsy theater-type himself, Mr. David Jenkins.  He was concerned that the two local daily newspapers may not be sending a reviewer to the latest Jobsite production, thereby depriving all of their readers the chance to read what’s going on (not to mention the publicity for Jobsite that comes with it).  Update:  The Tribune confirmed they will not review it.

Unfortunately, I’m going to be busy being a rock star and a dad to attend any of the performances this weekend, much less make my thoughts of it somewhat coherent.  So, I figured I would ask you great readers to do the job of the local dailies, and go see a play, and write a review for it.

Here’s the advance from the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center:

The History of the Devil

Jobsite’s 10-year anniversary production, and by all accounts the show that put Jobsite on the lips of area theatergoers. Jobsite is excited to revisit this epic courtroom drama where the Devil is up for parole that sold out every performance in 1999. The trial of the new millennium is about to begin – and you’ve been called for jury duty! Old Nick believes he’s done his time and deserves to be readmitted to heaven. History is examined (Christ’s temptation, Nazi crimes), witnesses are called (including a belligerent Dante Alighieri), and the audience is left to consider whether the Prince of Darkness has spent his time as an outcast, as a mastermind or in the service of man in this black comedy.
Contains adult language, situations and subject matter.

RUNNING TIME:  Approximate run time is two hours and 45 minutes including a 15-minute intermission.

You may also want to take a look at Jobsite’s longer description of the play.  Also, CreLo’s Leilani Polk previews the production, and from a nearby cubicle, Anthony Salveggi recommended the show.

If it sounds intriguing enough for you to consider, then please just buy the tickets and enjoy History of the Devil.

However, if you feel like doing the job of our local daily newspapers and promise to write up a small review of the play for publication on Sticks of Fire, use the CONTACT FORM to send me your phone number, and I’ll make sure you get hooked up (aka FREE TIX) for the showing of your choice.

And yeah, both David and I want you to give your honest thoughts on the show.

Soon, the 18-year-old woman who was raped and beaten in April at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library is expected to leave the rehabilitation center where she has been receiving treatment.
The house where her family lives and where she will reside needs extensive renovations to accommodate her medical needs when she returns home.

Thankfully, people have been stepping up to offer assistance.

If you would like to offer assistance, there are a number of ways to do so:

• Pink and red latex bracelets with the inscription, “Everyone’s Daughter, Everyone’s Friend,” are available at the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce for a $5 donation. The bracelets will be available at the chamber, 315 S. Tamiami Trail, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at the office of Child Protection Education of America, 3439 Brook Crossing Drive, Brandon, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
• Bloomingdale High School’s PTSA is hosting a 5-kilometer run/walk fundraiser November 1st at Bloomingdale High School. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the event starts at 10 a.m.
• Also on November 1st, the International Independent Showmen’s Association, 6915 Riverview Drive, Riverview, is presenting a fundraising entertainment extravaganza beginning at 12 p.m. Tickets are $25 and will be sold at the door. The outdoor concert is being organized by St. Petersburg resident Jim Brady, and will feature doo-wop, country and Latin entertainers. Bring your own chairs and blanket. Food and drinks will be available for sale.
• Aaron Fredricks, proprietor of East Coast Pizza in Ruskin is planning two events in cooperation with the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce. The first is a barbecue on November 22nd and the second is a golf outing on December 5th. These events are still in the planning stages, so if you’d like more information, or would like to offer your services, please contact Mr. Fredricks at (813) 234-1700 or fred12582@aol.com.

And if you’d like even more info, here are some additional resources:

• Tampa Tribune report, June 2008
• A column by Steve Otto of the Tampa Tribune
• A report on fundraising efforts at Sticks of Fire.com.
• A fund to assist the victim’s family is being administered by SunTrust Bank
• Contact info for Sarina Fazan of WFTS TV in Tampa, who has been actively involved with reporting on the case itself as well as various fundraisers and other assistance efforts.

(Cross posted at Ridiculous trickle of consciousness)

It took Wayne Garcia 1 hour and 15 minutes to vote this week.  His masterful writing skillz make it sound as if it were a complete nightmare.

It took Kate more than an hour, too.  Her expressive writing skillz make it sound as if it were a trippidy acid trip.  With kids in tow.

My writing can’t compare at all, so luckily (for all of us) I was able to submit my choices in 20 minutes.

I went to the Fred B. Karl County Center in downtown Tampa on Thursday morning, rode up the elevator to floor 16, and got in line at 9:39am.  Once it was my turn, I handed my FL DL to the volunteer, and by 9:54 I was finished signing my name, and was given a ballot.  I grabbed an “I VOTED” sticker at 9:58, and was waiting for an elevator at 9:59.

Not a very exciting story, I know.  But then again, it’s just voting.  The exciting part comes after they count.  You know - when the lawsuits begin.

Now it’s your turn.  Vote and be bored heard.

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The cover story on Friday’s tbt* is about a bunch of zombies that wander around Tampa Bay now and again.

The Deadite Empire is a group of 100 or more local souls who dress up in gore for kicks, and socialize at pub crawls, horror events, movie showings and the like.  Most of the online action is at their myspace page, but I also found a pretty basic webpage (hey, they are zombies, not webgeeks) with info about the founders.

I had never heard of these guys, but I have seen Batman walking around a number of times, and Peter Pan has been flitting around Ybor City for years.

Thinking about all of these people who costume for more than just Halloween, I figure there must be other Bay area groups that get in costume on a regular basis.

There is a Tampa Bay Anime blog & forums, but didn’t see anything about getting in costume.  Likewise the local Elvis fan club meets and sings Elvis songs karaoke-style, but not so sure about the bejeweled clothes, thick sideburns, and big sunglasses part.  I couldn’t really think of any others to look for.

Maybe you know of a subculture that thrives here in Tampa Bay.  Tell us what you’ve seen, and if you are aware of any websites…