Promising production of "Hamlet" opens in Tampa

   It's William Shakespeare's birthday -- he'd be 449 today -- and two of Tampa's best theater company are finishing up rehearsals for what may be Shakespeare's best play.

Holloway as Hamlet

   Tampa Repertory Theatre, a young company that has staged several of phenomenal shows and no bad ones, and Hat Trick Theatre, a solid company that has just returned to Tampa after relocating for a few years, are teaming up to open "Hamlet" on Thursday.
   It's directed by C. David Frankel, the artistic director of Tampa Rep. Jack Holloway, a fine actor and the artistic director of Hat Trick, plays Hamlet. Ned Averill-Snell, who is perhaps the finest actor in Tampa, is Claudius, and Steve Mountan, who is also among the  Tampa Bay area's acting elite, is Polonius.
   Every indication is that this will be something really special, and well worth the drive to Tampa for anyone who loves theater.
   It runs through May 12 at the Hillsborough Community College Studio Theatre, 1304 E. 11th Ave., Tampa (at the corner of Palm Avenue and Avenida Republica de Cuba in Ybor City). 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. $20 general, $15 students, military and seniors. www.tamprep.org.

Sarah Borges among highlights of WMNF's Tropical Heatwave

  It’s still two months away, but if you’re a fan of WMNF's Tropical Heatwave you’re already planning on going. Here’s the latest, still-incomplete info on the music lineup. Among the acts worth getting excited about are Sarah Borges, the Heligoats and Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets.

   It’s happening May 10-11 in venues around Ybor City in Tampa. The center of the action is the Cuban Club at 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba, but if you wander around to other venues you’ll discover some great bands you might never have heard otherwise.

Friday, May 10:

Sarah Borges appears May 11.

Paul Thorn (folk-soul)
Selwyn Birchwood (blues)
Mercy Brothers (rocking country gospel)
American Aquarium (rocking Americana)
Applebutter Express (ukulele folk funk)
Ray Bonneville (funky folk)

Saturday, May 11:

Stooges Brass Band (R&B brass band)
Sarah Borges (roots rock)
Los Hacheros (salsa)
Ryan Montbleau Band (rock-soul–folk)
Paul Thorn Band (roots rock)
Southern Hospitality (boogie blues)
Jason D. Williams (rockabilly piano)
Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison (alt-country)
Suenalo (Latin-funk-hip hop)
Ana Popovic (rocking blues)
Nikki Hill (soul, blues)
The Wholetones (bluegrass-punk)
Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets (folk-rock)
Krissy Krissy (pop soul)
The Heligoats (alt-rock)
The Whiskey Gentry (alt-country)
Dirty Bourbon River Show (circus rock)
The Happiness Machine (alt-rock)
Day Joy (dreamy alt-rock)

Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the door for Friday only, $30 advance, $35 at the door for Saturday only, $40 advance, $50 at the door for both days. Information, 813-238-8001 or www.wmnf.org.

WEEKEND: The Hold Steady, Have Gun Will Travel, to rock Guavaween music fest in Ybor City

City of Tampa officials have smartly shifted Ybor City's annual Guavaween bash from a debauched parade to a first-rate music festival dubbed The Many Shades of Ybor.

The Saturday event features The Hold Steady, one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands to emerge in the past decade, performing at The Ritz from 10:50 p.m. to 12:20 a.m.

And don't miss Bradenton-based Americana band Have Gun Will Travel, which will be at Crowbar from 9:45 to 11 p.m.

The music festival includes more than 20 bands representing national, regional and local talent in seven venues throughout Ybor.

Read more.

For much more to do in the Bradenton area and beyond check out Weekend.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/#storylink=cpy

'Bad Girls Club' casting call in Tampa

Hey ladies, are you cruel, naughty and sexy?

Ready to make your behavioral and psychological problems part of pop culture?

Then plan on being in Ybor City on Tuesday.

Oxygen’s hit reality show "Bad Girls Club" is inviting local females to attend an open casting call for Season 10:

10 a.m. to 5 p.m, June 5, Gaspar’s Grotto, 1805 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City.

The casting directors are from Bunim/Murray Productions, the creators of the hit shows “The Real World” and “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”

"Bad Girls Club" promises to bring together a cast of self-proclaimed ‘bad girls’ in a beautiful mansion.

"These women recognize that their fun, outrageous behavior has hindered their relationships, careers, and lives," reads the email. "Will living together help them move forward and turn their lives around – or will the claws come out and chaos rule?"

For those who can’t make it to the open call, applications can be submitted via email.

Visit www.bmpcasting.com/casting/bgc/ for complete details on how you can apply.

Applicants must bring a recent picture of themselves (which will not be returned) and photo ID. The minimum age to apply for Bad Girls Club is 21.

More information is available at http://www.bunim-murray.com/

Cortez Fish Fest, Beer Fest and Knight Parade with Jerry Springer (interview) in Ybor City make for wild weekend

Party people who attended last night's Get Down Downtown bash have a wonderfully long, wild weekend ahead of 'em.

HERALD FILE PHOTO Thousands of people fill the streets during last year’s Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The popular annual event, which features musical performances, arts and crafts and seafood, is Saturday and Sunday.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/16/3877447/cortez-fishing-festival-turns.html#storylink=cpy

The 30th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is Saturday and Sunday in Manatee County's famed fishing village (read more).

The Fifth annual Beer & Food Truck Festival is also Saturday, on Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton (read more).

The Knight Parade is Saturday night in Ybor City with Jerry Springer serving as honorary grand marshal.

Expect thunderous “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!” chants Saturday when the Knight Parade rolls through Ybor City.

Springer has been named honorary grand marshal of the annual event considered almost as wild as his famed tabloid talk show.

The Sarasota resident who titled his autobiography “The Ringmaster” (and basically played himself in the movie of the same name) will attempt to tame the rowdy crowd of 100,000-plus by tossing them T-shirts and “Jerry Beads.”

“Think about it,” Springer said. “It’s me. We’re going to have a great time.”

Read more of my interview with Springer.

And here's what's happening on local stages (and here) if street parties aren't your, ah, cup of tea.

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.