Local metal band to play at Marauders game

Local hard rock band, The Stand, invites you to McKechnie Field 5:30 p.m. June 18. The band will be the featured pre-game entertainment for the Bradenton Marauders. Tickets are $6 and includes the show and the ball game. Or you can win tickets via 105.9 The Buzz: 1059thebuzz.clearcontests.com/front/OpenContest.asp?Action=Login&SurveyID=77746&zx=578.

In the meantime, The Stand has been busy performing in the Tampa Bay area. Band members were finalists in the 97X's Backyard BBQ recently and are currently working with Rising Sun Music Recording Studios on an upcoming album. They have been also been working with the Teach the Dream Foundation to promote the arts for the next generation. Next month, they plan to perform for the USO at Eglin AFB to celebrate a new branch opening at the base. Band member Chaz McKell, Jr. said The Stand is competing in an online competition for a spot in the Vans Warped Tour in St. Pete. To support their efforts for that goal, visit www.battleofthebands.com/wearethestand.

Ford Amp changes name to 1-800-ASK-GARY Amp.

Roz, spokesperson for 1-800-ASK-GARY David Harb, General Manager for the Amphitheatre and Marc Abend, Live Nation Sr. VP for Venue Sponsorships, unveil the new logo for the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre

This just in: Ford Amphitheatre is changing its name to 1-800-ASK-GARY.

For real.

I have the press release to prove it. And I phoned the PR people involved, too, who confirmed that this, indeed, was not a joke. In fact, it's already on the venue's Web site: www.livenation.com/venue/1-800-ask-gary-amphitheatre-at-the-florida-state-fairgrounds-tickets

According to the press release, the name change is the result of a multi-year deal between Live Nation, which owns Tampa's popular outdoor concert venue and 1-800-ASK-GARY. ASK-GARY is a Florida-based free medical and legal referral service that connects car accident victims with injury attorneys and doctors. I find their commercials . . . amusing. But can't really imagine seeing say - the Dave Matthews Band or Rihanna - at a place called 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre. Even if you shorten it to GARY Amp.

Accidental referral services and entertainment don't seem to mix well - at least on paper, much less a marquee. But the venue begs to differ. Here's what the press release said:

The sponsorship agreement between 1-800-ASK-GARY and Live Nation represents another solid example of 1-800-ASK-GARY’s commitment to Tampa Bay. “Around here, 1-800-ASK-GARY is synonymous with helping people in our community receive medical and legal services they may need after they’ve been injured in an accident. By lending the 1-800-ASK GARY brand to such a cultural and community asset, the naming rights deal ensures a steady flow of top notch entertainment for the community to enjoy,” says Paul Wilson, president and CEO of WILSONMedia & Advertising, the ad firm responsible for the campaign. “This brand integration opportunity extends the level of exposure of 1-800-ASK GARY to entertainment seeking audiences of all ages and ethnicities, something traditional advertising cannot offer,” added Wilson.

So this will keep the music alive in Tampa Bay. I just hope they don't play those commericals on the jumbotrons during a show, though. It would be a total mood killer.

- January Holmes

Will you be at Harry Potter theme park?

If you are planning to attend opening day of Universal Orlando's newest theme park - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (June 18), let us know. The Herald is looking for local residents who are willing to blog about their experience. Please call sections editor Jana Morreale at 745-7059 if interested.



For more information about the park, visit www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter

Ticket demand increasing for Ringling International Arts Festival

Ticket demand is sky-high for October's Ringling International Arts Festival. With several performances already sold out, organizers have announced another increase in ticket inventory to meet the need.

This time around, the hot ticket is the Forman Brothers Theater of the Czech Republic's "Opera Baroque" featuring marionettes with live actors. The opera, we're told, is adapted from the 18th-century "Czech opera about a comically small crooked-looking chimney built by masons, or the quarrel between the landlords and its mansons," according to the festival Website.

Seating capacity for this performance has been increased by 30 percent with a move to a new venue: the Ringling Circus Museum.

Overall, 50 percent of festival tickets have already sold, leading organizers to anticipate a 100 percent sell-out within the next four months leading up to the events. So if you're interested in attending one or several of the 11 stage productions featuring a mix of music, dance and theater, get your tickets soon. The festival is Oct. 13-17 at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art grounds in Sarasota. For more info, visit http://www.ringlingartsfestival.org/.

Parrish woman wins "Menopause" contest

Congrats to Joanne Middleton of Parrish. She was chosen as the winner of the "Girls Night Out" contest. She and three friends spent Friday night on the town indulging in a prize package that included: a limo ride to the Asolo Repertory Theatre to attend the opening night of "Menopause The Musical,"a champagne after-party with the cast of the show, dinner at Treviso restaurant and accommodations at Sarasota's Hotel Indigo.

Middleton said: “I’m just so excited about this. Three girlfriends and I are having the time of our lives at the opening night of MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL®. It’s going to be twice as nice, though. It’s also my 25th wedding anniversary this month and my husband Mike and I are coming back to enjoy the show together and dine at Treviso to celebrate. I can’t believe I won!”

The online contest was held by Asolo Rep and Clear Channels 107.9 WSRZ.

Up-and-coming retro artist

Find out about Brendan Coudal and his painting, dubbed "What a Predicament," in my column on Sunday.

The retro-styled painting will be used for the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Fourth of July Community Fireworks Celebration. But that's not all that Coudal is up to.

Former Bradenton resident judge on "Last Comic Standing"

Actress, comic and former Bradenton resident Natasha Leggero will be a judge on this season's "Last Comic Standing" on NBC. The new season kicks off June 7. According to her parents, who still live in the area, Leggero will also be appearing at the Hard Rock in Orlando June 26 with the comedians of E!'s "Chelsea Lately."

We've put a call into Leggero to find out how she landed a judge spot on the show. Watch this space for updates.

*****UPDATE*****

We just caught up with Natasha via email in Africa. Yes, Africa! She continues to take her comedy transcontinental. Here's what the stand up comic had to say about her latest whereabouts and forthcoming appearance on "Last Comic Standing":

"I am in Africa working for a non-for profit group called Malaria No More. I am traveling with 4 other comics (Ed Helms, Nick Kroll, Rikki Lindhome and Paul Scheer) and we are here to shoot some videos to help raise awareness of the (100% curable) disease. http://www.malarianomore.org/

The producers for 'Last Comic Standing' contacted me and we had a meeting and they explained the re-vamp of the show. It sounded super funny and I was huge fans of the other people attached (Greg Giraldo, Craig Robinson, Andy Kindler) so I said yes!"