Tampa Pride gets 501c3 status
Tampa Pride is officially a non-profit entity. The newly formed organization that hopes to bring Pride back to Tampa in March 2015 received word that the State of Florida has granted it’s 501c3 status. That means Tampa Pride is tax exempt and is officially a charitable organization. Tampa hasn’t had its own Pride festival since Pride on 7th folded a few years ago. The new Tampa Pride is not affiliated with any other Pride that has existed in Tampa and is not a part of St. Pete Pride. However, the organization hopes to work closely with other Pride festivals throughout the state. To make the March 26-29 festival a reality—which includes plans for a parade down 7th Avenue in Ybor City on March 28—organizers need to raise $70,000 by February. So far the organization’s GoFundMe.com account shows just under $4,000, so more donations are desperately needed. Find details at TampaPride.org.
Monsters aplenty
The annual All Hallows Ball was another smashing success this year, even with an earlier-than-normal date! The Monster-themed celebration returned to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) on Oct. 18, and brought out nearly 3,000 people. The annual celebration saw a collection of group costumes, individual creativity and a few inappropriate yet laughable get-ups (a deceased Joan Rivers and a real member of the Fashion Police, for example). But the Monster theme was mixed with a theme of fun, and the who’s who of Tampa Bay were out in full force. And to think, we’re still a week out from the actual Halloween date!
Get your Rocky Horror on!
Speaking of Halloween, what would the holiday be without Rocky Horror and its collection of musically macabre characters? Several productions of the iconic play (and film) are showing throughout the area, and in Sarasota, the Venice Theatre is presenting a specially themed Halloween party in honor of its local production. Al and Chuck Travel will sponsor the special Halloween Party at the theater on Saturday, Oct. 26, complete with a screening of the classic film starring Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry. We expect that the actors of the local play will be in attendance to bring a special 3-D element to the night. Money raised from the event benfit ALSO Out Youth, which assists the local LGBT youth of Sarasota and Manatee counties. Get tickets and information at VeniceStage.org.
Welcome to the Blu Room Theater
The rumors are true! The Flamingo Resort will soon have its very own live theater. The Blu Room, which has been a dance bar, show space, restaurant and line-dancing room, is being converted to a live theater space. On Nov. 8, the popular Lip-Schtick show, starring David Scarbie Mitchell, will pack the place and Trevor Keller of Gypsy Productions is a producer of the show. It sounds like more Gypsy Productions, well, productions, could find a home in the newly revamped space soon! Stay tuned for more details as they’re released.
