Comic Daniel Tosh is returning to Straz Center in Tampa

Comic Daniel Tosh, the current king of cable television snark, will bring his "June Gloom Tour" back to the Straz Center in Tampa June 27 for performances in the Carol Morsani Hall at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Regularly priced tickets start at $59 and go on sale at noon Friday (Feb. 8).

Jarrod Carmichael will open.

The tour kicks off on May 30 in Salt Lake City and travels to more than 25 cities across the country.

Tosh's Internet video-skewering show "Tosh.0" airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central and will consist of 30 episodes throughout 2013. The series premiered in 2009.

In 2010, the comedian's "Tosh Tour Twenty Ten" came to the Straz Center's Morsani Hall for two performances. Both the 7 and 10:30 p.m. shows were complete sell-outs with Tosh setting a new Straz Center box office record by selling all 5,220 available seats, the most tickets sold for a single-artist, single-evening engagement at the venue.

Information: 813-229-7827 or www.strazcenter.org.

—Publicity photo

Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton Tampa bound, along with many more top country acts

Miranda Lambert with husband Blake Shelton at the 2012 Country Music Assn. Awards ceremony. Photo by Wade Payne / Associated Press.

Country's coolest couple, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, are headed to Tampa. Alas, not on the same date but both artists will be performing this year at the newly renamed Live Nation Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds, formerly 1-800-ASK-GARY (yep, glad that clunker has been retired).

Lambert and Shelton are part of Live Nation Amphitheatre's Country Megaticket, an expanded eight-show “package” featuring many of the top country acts. The series starts May 11 with a performance by Tim McGraw.

Here's the complete lineup:

May 5:  Tim McGraw
w/ Brantley Gilbert, Love and Theft

June 7:  Rascal Flatts
w/ the Band Perry (read my interview)

June 22: Brad Paisley
w/ Jake Owen and Chris Young (he plays Joyland in Bradenton Feb. 8)

Aug. 30: Blake Shelton w/ Easton Corbin (read my interview) and Jana Kramer (she plays Joyland Feb. 15)

Sept. 6:  Jason Aldeanw/ Thomas Rhett

Sept. 20: Miranda Lambert
w/ Dierks Bentley

Oct. 4: Keith Urban w/ Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch

Oct. 25: Luke Bryan w/ Thompson Square & Florida Georgia Line (read my interview)

Orders for this eight-show country package, priced at $199-$998, will be accepted from the general public beginning 10 a.m.  Feb. 9, before individual show tickets are available.

Information: 800-745-3000 or megaticket.com

Gasparilla survival guide: 15 rules of partying at the day parade in Tampa

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Tampa is attended by more than 400,000 annually.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/01/24/4363340/gasparilla-survival-guide-15-rules.html#storylink=cpy

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest, better known as the Gasparilla Day Parade, has been Tampa Bay's biggest annual party for decades.The Tampa parade officially takes place from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, but expect people to start showing up at dawn to reserve a spot along beautiful Bayshore Boulevard. Here are 15 rules for having a safe, fun day while surrounded by 400,000 party people.

1. Don't be a bead bully: If you get the urge to push over your neighbor in attempt to grab the shiny object being hurled from the float high above, remember, those beads are basically worthless.

2. Follow the rules of boozing: If you are age 21 or older with valid photo identification, beer along with Captain Morgan Rum and cola can be purchased at one of several Gasparilla Charity Beer Gardens located throughout the event. Despite what you will surely witness as flagrant breaking of the rules, attendees are not allowed to bring their own booze.

3. Bring water: There are more than 100 food, beverage and novelty vendors located throughout the event so you'll survive without packing liquids and lunch. But a couple water bottles and some beef jerky or trail mix stuffed in a pocket or purse always comes in handy. You just can't use glass containers, Styrofoam cups or coolers. Small soft-sided coolers and lunch bags are permitted for childcare needs and medical needs.

4. Bring cash money: All the vendors are cash only so come prepared. If you over-spend, though, there are mobile ATMs located throughout the parade route as well as a few banks and merchants close to or within the event site.

Read more.

—PHOTO PROVIDED 

Bradenton area to be home of Ringling Bros. Circus Winter Quarters

Elephants on parade during Ringling Bros. media event Dec. 14, 2010, at Winter Quarters in Tampa.
Photo by Wade Tatangelo.

Read more here: http://heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com/2010/12/ringling-bros-ringmaster-announced-for.html#storylink=cpy

A major boon appears on the horizon for the bustling Bradenton area.

One that could not only result in more high-paying jobs, but also some nice name recognition.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus became synonymous with Sarasota when its Winter Quarters were there from 1927 to 1959.

Now "The Greatest Show on Earth" might be just as closely associated with Manatee County.

Feld Entertainment, which acquired Ringling Bros. in 1967, plans to eventually move Winter Quarters to Ellenton from the Florida State Fairgrounds, where the circus is currently rehearsing its 143rd edition for a world premiere Jan. 2-6 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The new Ellenton facility will house 100,000 square feet of office space and 450,000 square feet of manufacturing in two buildings along U.S. 301.

"We're not at a place yet where we can tell when we will have the capability to rehearse all the circuses at this facility," Feld spokesman Stephen Payne told the Bradenton Herald.

"But the long-term goal is to move Winter Quarters to Ellenton."

Read more.

Ringling Bros. ringmaster announced for 141st edition debuting in Tampa

Kenny Chesney on playing Tampa's Raymond James Stadium again

For the third year in a row, Kenny Chesney has chosen Tampa's Raymond James Stadium to launch a national tour with his latest, “No Shoes Nation,” playing the home of the Bucs on March 16.

Here's the coastal-living country king talking about his upcoming show at Ray Jay, his past gigs in Tampa and his favorite memories playing the venue, courtesy of his publicity peeps:

LISTEN

Tickets are $40.95-$279.25 and go on sale 10 a.m. Dec. 7 via Ticketmaster.

The "No Shoes Nation' tour also features Eric Church, Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves. It marks 20 years of touring for Chesney.

—Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell/Shore Fire Media

UPDATED 6/27: Louis C.K. bringing stand-up skills to Straz Center in Tampa

UPDATED 6/27: Second show added (see below).

Emmy and Grammy Award winning comedian Louis C.K. – creator, executive producer, director, editor and star of FX's critically acclaimed series "Louie" – will perform 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Nov. 29.at the Straz Center in Tampa.


And he's selling tickets his way.


“This year, I'm trying something new, building on the fun, success and fan-benefit of selling my content online," he said in statement. "I've cut the ticket charges way down and absorbed them into the ticket price. To buy a ticket, you join NOTHING. Just use your credit card and buy the damn thing.”

Tickets are $45 (inclusive of all fees) and are on sale at Louis C.K.’s website, http://www.louisck.com./

Back in December, Louis released his last standup special, "Louis C.K. Live At the Beacon Theatre," directly to consumers through his website for $5. He has since added additional content to the site.

http://www.strazcenter.org/

Tampa ranked vainest city in America

As someone who grew up just north of the city, and lived in South Tampa for several years, today's announcement comes as no surprise.

Tampa is home to the vainest people in America.

St. Petersburg ranked No. 11.

Miami ranked No. 8.

Men’s Health determined this by adding up each city’s percentage of Botox beauties, dye-job junkies and "people who will spend anything to look younger (Experian Marketing Services)," reads the email advertising the July/August issue of Men’s Health, on newsstands June 26.

Also tallied were sales of at-home hair dyes, teeth whiteners, and shapewear (SimplyMap), as well as per-capita rates of cosmetic procedures, cosmetic dentists, plastic surgeons, and tanning salons (American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, AMA, and SimplyMap).

Foursquare provided information on where people check into those salons most often.
Top 10 vainest cities in America

1. Tampa

2. Plano (part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex)

3. Atlanta

4. Las Vegas

5. Dallas

6. Pittsburgh

7. Houston

8. Miami

9. San Francisco

10. Providence

Full list of most, and least (go  Des Moines!) vain cities in America.


—Photo from the Facebook page South Tampa D-----bags.

Beach Boys to play Tampa

Fresh off a winning performance Sunday at the Grammys (OK, they might've looked a bit goofy but sounded great), the reunited Beach Boys are gearing up for a global 50th anniversary tour that will bring them to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa on Saturday, May 5.

The previously feuding Brian Wilson and Mike Love, plus Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks will be touring together for the first time in more than two decades.

The 40-plus city tour, which begins in April, includes a co-headlining date at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27 and a performance at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 10.

The Beach Boys will also release a new, as-yet-untitled studio album and commemorative 50th anniversary catalog with Capitol/EMI this year.

Regularly priced tickets for the Tampa show start at $49.50. A limited number of exclusive VIP ticket packages – including premium seats, a meet and greet, sound check access, exclusive merchandise and more – are available for $295.50. Tickets, which go on sale noon, Friday, Feb. 24, may be purchased by calling 813-229-7827 or 800-955-1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center ticket office or online at www.strazcenter.org.

More information can be found at www.thebeachboys.com.

—Publicity photo of The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Reunion at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

Gasparilla survival guide

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest, better known as the Gasparilla Day Parade, has been a Tampa Bay tradition for more than 100 years.

The swashbuckler-themed event can be a wonderful afternoon spent along beautiful Bayshore Boulevard and throughout downtown.

Or it can be a disaster.

It all depends on your planning.

And self-discipline.

The parade officially takes place from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, but expect people to start showing up at dawn to reserve a spot and filling the neighboring bars until Last Call.

Here are 15 tips to help you have a safe, fun day while surrounded by 400,000 party people.

Read more.

Red Hot Chili Peppers to play Tampa

After a five year absence, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are headed back to the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa on Jan. 23. Santigold opens.

Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer are currently in Europe, touring in support of their album "I'm With You," which was released in August and produced the hit single "Monarchy of Roses."

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a nominee for the 2012 class of inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the Tampa show go on sale 10 a.m. Dec. 10. Ticket prices are $42.25 and $62.25 (facility fee and service charges not included) at www.Ticketmaster.com. To order tickets by phone call 800.745.3000.

—Photo by Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

Bill Clinton headed to Tampa: Lady Gaga incident from Saturday would make great topic for the talk

Former President Bill Clinton, who just had a big night out with Lady Gaga, will bring his "Embracing our Common Humanity" tour to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa on March 21

"President Clinton’s public speeches describe the challenge of globalization, emphasize our growing interdependence, and point the way toward a common future based on shared goals and values," reads the publicity release.

No word on whether he'll reflect on his big bash Saturday at a packed Hollywood Bowl.

The concert, dubbed “A Decade of Difference,” doubled as Bill Clinton’s 65th birthday party.

“I just love you and your hot wife,” Lady Gaga said, mere feet from Bill Clinton, his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and their daughter, Chelsea," reads the Los Angeles Times report. "Gaga described her life as a screwy embodiment of the American dream in eyebrow-raising language, and she praised the Clintons by promising that 'tonight, I thought we’d all get caught up in a little Bill romance.'"

Gaga then performed her hit “Bad Romance.”

Details:  7 p.m. March 21, 2012, at 7 p.m., Carol Morsani Hall, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Tickets: $65-$185; $325 (includes handshake, photo with the former president). Information: www.strazcenter.org or (813) 222-1000.

Photo: Former President Clinton takes the stage during the "Decade of Difference" concert Saturday at the Hollywood Bowl. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times.

Bill O’Reilly headed to Tampa to deliver 'truth'

Bill O’Reilly's appearance March 11 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts is dubbed "It's Time for the Truth — Straight Up Whether you like it or not, Tampa will never be the same."

Which is pretty much exactly what you would expect from the polarizing pundit whose show, "The O’Reilly Factor," on the Fox News Channel, has remained one of the highest rated cable news programs for more than a decade.

Hundreds of newspapers (including the Bradenton Herald) carry O'Reilly's weekly column, and more than five million copies of his six non-fiction books are currently circulating, including his latest bestseller "Pinheads and Patriots."

Details: 7:30 p.m. March 11. Regularly priced tickets start at $47.50 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online at www.strazcenter.org.

Mos Def and Talib Kwali headed to Straz in Tampa

Expert emcees Mos Def and Talib Kweli released the landmark hip-hop album “Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star” on Aug. 26, 1998, to critical acclaim. More than a dozen years later, the reunited Black Star pair is hitting the road performing that iconic debut album live in full, as well as their individual hits.

Mos Def is probably best known in the rap world as a solo artist for late 1990s/early 200 hits “Body Rock,” “Definition” and “Oh No.” He’s also famous for movie roles in “The Italian Job,” “Cadillac Records” and appearances on the TV series “Dexter.”

Kweli hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart in 2000 with “Move Something” and then just missed the top spot the following year with “Get By.”

Details: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2, Carol Morsani Hall at Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Tickets start at $36.50 and go sale a noon Aug. 26. Information: (800) 955-1045 or www.strazcenter.org.

Britney Spears to play Tampa?

On Tuesday, Britney Spears' North American tour dates were announced.

After kicking things off in California on June 17, Brit Brit plays Florida in July. Check out the open date between Orlando and Miami:

http://www.britneyspears.com/tour/

I have no confirmation, but think it's a pretty safe bet Spears might be returning to Tampa's St. Pete Times Forum where she played in 2009 or hitting the nearby Gary Amphitheatre on July 21.

Stay tuned...

Click for review of Spears' new album "Femme Fatale."

Image: Britney Spears performs for ABC's "Good Morning America" (Reuters) via Los Angeles Times.

Lauryn Hill to play Tampa

Former Fugees and solo star Lauryn Hill is scheduled to perform March 23 at The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. 7th Ave. Tampa.

Tickets start at $65. 

Call 813.229.7827 or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or at http://www.strazcenter.org./


Photos: Lauryn Hill, Aug. 2010. Credit: Michael Robinson Chavez/ Los Angeles Times.

'Million Dollar Quartet' among highlights of Straz Center's 2011-12 Broadways Series

PUBLICITY PHOTO “Million Dollar Quartet”

The current Broadway smash "Million Dollar Quartet," the Tony-winning revival of "La Cage Aux Folles" and 25 Anniversary production of "Les Misérables" are among highlights of 2011-12 Broadway series at Straz Center in Broadway:

The jukebox musical “Million Dollar Quartet” (Jan. 3-8, 2012) opened on Broadway to strong reviews last April and continues to draw large crowds at the Nederlander Theatre. Nominated for a Tony Award in the Best Musical category, it takes place in a single afternoon, Dec. 4, 1956, at the now sanctified Sun Records in Memphis.

Rock aficionados will recognize the date as when, largely by chance, rock and country gods Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley participated in a holy jam session. The Perkins, and then Presley, hit “Blue Suede Shoes,” Cash’s famed “Folsom Prison Blues” and Lewis’ sizzling “Great Balls of Fire” are among the numerous, pioneering popular songs in the production.

“It’s four of the greatest talents in music history getting together and an event that actually happened,” said Straz Center Vice President of Marketing Michael Kilgore. “The people who wrote the book researched this and talked to (Sun owner/record producer) Sam Phillips to get the true story of those four legends interacting.”

Levis Kreis won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical last year for his fiery portrayal of Lewis.

“Jerry Lee Lewis was on his way up and, in my mind, steals the show,” Kilgore continued. “He was the brash newcomer basically telling the others he was going to as big, or bigger, than them.”

Click to read entire piece, running in A&E section of today's Herald.

Bradenton Beach-resident Damon Fowler on national release 'Devil Got His Way'

DAMON FOWLER by TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE/ttompkins@bradenton.com

Here's my interview with Bradenton Beach-resident Damon Fowler, who just released "Devil Got His Way" on Blind Pig Records.

Fowler returns from the Bahamas just in time for a WMNF (88.5)-sponsored CD release party Saturday at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa. “Devil Got His Way,” his second album for the prestigious Blind Pig Records, came out Jan. 18. It has already received glowing reviews from top Americana publication No Depression and daily newspapers such as the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and Philadelphia Daily News. Many of the songs on “Devil Got His Way” were written in Bradenton Beach.

 Continue reading.

Damon Fowler Group with Mike Kach (keyboards) performing "Devil Got His Way" track 

"You Go Your Way" at Daytona Blues Festival Oct. 2010

UPDATED: Katy Perry's world tour headed to Tampa

UPDATED Jan. 21: Tickets are $45 and go on sale 10 a.m. Sat., Jan. 29 at the St. Pete Times Forum box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For more information call (813) 301.2500 or visit www.sptimesforum.com.

Katy Perry, pop's most consistently interesting star of the past couple years, will kick off the North American leg of her "California Dreams World Tour 2011" June 7 in Atlanta, according to e-mail issued today by her record company EMI music.

She plays the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa on June 10.

I had the privilege of seeing Perry the last time she played Tampa Bay in April of 2009.

Here's what I wrote:

Pop tease Katy Perry delighted a sold-out crowd Tuesday in St. Petersburg with her snarky lyrics, catchy melodies, and undeniable charisma. Alternating between naughty sexpot and cute nerd next-door, the singer/songwriter best known for the kinda-sorta controversial single "I Kissed a Girl" pleased about 1,000 concertgoers at Jannus Landing with a winning mix of well-executed songs and spot-on, funny stage banter that appealed to the highly eclectic, all-ages audience - even if some four-letter words probably upset the parents of tweens in attendance.

Continue reading my review. 

Photo: Katy Perry. Credit: Michael Robinson Chavez / LA Times.
 

Katy Perry performing "I Kissed a Girl" at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg, April 28, 2009

Broadway-bound 'Wonderland' in Tampa today through Jan. 16

Famed composer Frank Wildhorn’s “Wonderland” musical—loosely based on the Lewis Carroll classics “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass”—premiered about a year ago at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, marking the first production in the center’s Broadway Genesis Project.

A revised and re-subtitled “Wonderland: A New Alice. A New Musical” returns to Tampa today boasting “four new songs, a vastly revised book (script), two new major cast members and a set on steroids,” reads the Straz Website.

Wildhorn recently spent time in Sarasota overseeing the highly successful run of his “Bonnie & Clyde” musical, which played at the Asolo Rep and is planned to open on Broadway in September.

"Wonderland" plays at the Straz through Jan. 16. The Tampa performances are previews of the Broadway production. Previews in New York begin March 21 and the show opens April 17 at the Marquis Theatre.

Frank Wildhorn talks "Wonderland"

Ringling Bros. 'Fully Charged' in Tampa Jan. 5-9

Ringling Bros. arrive 'fully charged' in Tampa

Here's my feature on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's new show "Fully Charged" that will be at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa Jan. 5-9. The story ran today on front page of the Herald's Accent section.

Floridians have enjoyed a first look at The Greatest Show on Earth ever since Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey moved to Sarasota in 1927.
On Wednesday, Ringling Bros. premieres “Fully Charged” at the St. Pete Times Forum. Following its Jan. 5-9 run, the 141st edition of the circus tours the country via a mile-long train. Rehearsals began the day after Thanksgiving at winter quarters, which relocated to Tampa’s Florida State Fairgrounds in 1993 after spending 75 years in Sarasota County. Ringling Bros. offered local media a sneak peek of the production last month inside the fairgrounds’ Expo Hall.

Continue reading. It's based on the reporting done during visit to the circus' winter quarters last month, which I blogged about here.