Around the Tampa Bay region, filmmakers put people to work investing their time and talent thanks to the benefit of a tax incentive designed to make Florida more attractive for doing business -- and that's just the first act. Acts 2, 3, 4, etc. are still to come.
Downtown Bradenton is groovy. And it's going psychedelic to prove it.From March 5 to April 16, downtown Bradenton will celebrate the '60s through art, fashion, literature and music during its SHOUT the 60s event. "The 14 events offer something for everyone," says Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, the organization sponsoring the event. "Fashion, films, food, music, politics, performances, baseball, and demonstrations." Isham says the idea for the '60s event was spurred by a performance taking place at the Manatee Players. "About six months ago, we decided to expand upon the production that Manatee Players was doing called Shout!, about a girls' group in the '60s. The idea came out of the monthly meetings of our Cultural Partners Work Group."Isham further explains that, like the spirit of the '60s, the event is all about collaboration."One of our key core values is collaboration, explains Isham. "The 60s promo grows out of and depends on our collaborative action. Whereas other groups say they are interested in collaboration, we 'walk the talk.' "Partners for the event include ArtCenter Manatee, DeSoto Historical Society, Manatee County Cultural Alliance, the Manatee County Historical Commission, the Manatee Players, the Pittsburgh Pirates, South Florida Museum and the Village of the Arts.Isham points out that while the event is fun, there is a serious component, too. On March 19 the Rowlett Magnet School's drama department will present a performance of Healing the Hurt that chronicles veterans' experiences of and healing from the Vietnam War. Flash Back, Flash Forward on April 4 will explore the role of government and conservative and liberal values at the Institute for Public Policy on the the USF campus.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Johnette Isham, Realize Bradenton
Art is about to hit the streets. Quite literally, in fact. And a group in Tampa is hoping its gallery will enhance art and business in a Tampa retail district.The Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) is hosting the third annual Chalk Walk art festival from March 18-20 in Tampa's Hyde Park Village. To augment the event, the TBBCA is fashioning a gallery from a village storefront to showcase the art of artists participating in the Chalk Walk festival. The gallery is currently open and will remain open until April 2. Christina Campbell, TBBCA's general manager, says the event and the gallery are part of the group's mission to enhance business and art through cooperative partnership. "We firmly believe that art is good for business and business is good for the arts," says Campbell. "Individuals can not only stroll in and out of the gallery looking at the beautiful works, but also see the space that is available."Campbell says the gallery is a win-win for artists and commercial realtors. The Chalk Walk artists that participate in the gallery make 100 percent on their sales. The donated retail space from Hyde Park Village not only helps the artists by providing them the perfect opportunity to display their works but to also make and save some money. The gallery space benefits Hyde Park Village because it activates and shows the space in a different light, full of exciting and engaging images. While people walk through the gallery space they are also able to see the type and size of some of the spaces available for retail.Campbell says the gallery idea seems to be working. "Last year's gallery location is now occupied by a business."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Christina Campbell, Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts
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