'Sex and The City" glitz hits Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch got a little sexy Thursday night.

Nearly 200 hundred fans of the hit HBO show and film “Sex and The City” turned up at Main Street’s Lakewood Ranch Cinemas for a screening and opening night party for “Sex and The City 2.”

A long line formed down the Main Street sidewalk just before the party started, with many moviegoers dressed to the nines for the event — just like the film’s famous New York characters Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda.

The fashionable crowd was more than co-manager John Ganas was expecting.

“I knew it was going to do good,” he said earlier Thursday of ticket sales to the party and film. “But I didn’t expect it to be this big.”

Lakewood Ranch resident Kaitlyn Miller, 21, and her group of friends were the first in line for the party, ready to partake in the food and music at the event. But Miller was more looking forward to the movie.

“There’s glamour, there’s beauty,” she said of why she loves the film series. “It’s a chick flick, what’s not to love.”

Inside the cinema’s lobby was belly dancing by dance troupe Entertainment by Tahja — to coincide with the Arabian feel of the new film’s plot.

The film features the four best friends taking a break from the city and visiting the Middle East for a glamorous girlfriend getaway of fashion and fun. That’s what brought Lakewood Ranch friends Linda Bastian and Sue Duffy out to the theater.

“I like the glamorous clothes,” said Duffy, 58. “And the good-looking men.”

“Sex and The City 2” stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon.

Other area theaters didn’t throw a bash for the film, though Royal Palm 20 hosted a celebration for “Prince of Persia.”

The Lakewood Ranch party was presented by the Sarasota Film Society.

Visit Bradenton.com/entertainment to read a movie review of the film.

Local MSA students perform at Lincoln Center celebration

On Saturday, be sure to think of the 24 students and four teachers from Manatee School for the Arts. They will be performing at New York's Lincoln Center during the venue's 50th Anniversary Celebration. The group was one of ten national schools invited by the Forte Festival to perform, which is quite an honor. They will present a 30-minute performance, showcasing their ballet, hip hop, ballroom and contemporary dance talents - along with a little singing, too. Sounds almost like "Glee," doesn't it?

Easter Seals art in the Village

My next Sunday column is about the Easter Seals Southwest Florida's art initiative program and its upcoming show at the Village of the Arts beginning on June 4.
I was invited over to the Manatee County-based organization earlier this week to chat with art teacher Karen Davenport and get a sneak peak of the art that will be shown during the month-long exhibition.

The wonderful art collection is done by Easter Seals' clients, all of whom live with physical and developmental disabilities. But all that melts away when it comes to art as seen in the photos Davenport shared with me.

If interested in the show, visit Marina Adair's Gallery #11 at 925 12th St. W., Bradenton. Works will be displayed through June 30. The public is invited to a free reception from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 4 at the gallery. RSVP at 355-7637, ext. 410.

 

Bradenton featured on top 25 small cities list for the arts

Bradenton is moving up in the world. Our city landed the No. 22 spot for the "Top 25 Small Cities for the Arts" by American Style Magazine.  

And though Sarasota came in at No. 5, Manatee County is mentioned in its spot with the magazine highlighting Sarasota and Manatee counties' Festival sARTee. The festival will make its debut during the Ringling International Arts Festival in October. Visit http://www.americanstyle.com/2010/05/top-25-small-cities/ to check out the list. Other Florida cities include Key West, which claimed the No. 4 slot and Naples, which came in at No. 14. St. Pete grabbed the No. 1 spot for the top 25 mid-size cities, followed by Tampa at No. 11.

The list is part of the magazine's 13th annual Top 25 Arts Destinations readers' poll, which is comprised of large, mid-size and small cities.

Tampa Bay Rays, We The Kings and Manatee County schools join forces

May 28 will be a thrilling day for local baseball and music fans alike. Tropicana Field will host the Tampa Bay Rays against the Chicago White Sox. Afterwards, We The Kings will perform in a post game concert.

The $24 lower level outfield tickets will be available for $20 for the special night. A portion of ticket sales from this section of the ball park will benefit Manatee County schools. Tickets can be bought through the Manatee Education Foundation by 5 p.m. Monday. Call Tricia McKay May at 708-8770, ext. 2149 for more information.

Game time is at 7:10 p.m. The first 10,000 fans will receive a free B.J. Upton T-shirt.

We The Kings members are Travis Clark, Hunter Thomsen, Drew Thomsen and Danny Duncan - all former students of Bradenton's King Middle School. The band is currently promoting its latest album, "Smile Kid," featuring its latest Top 40 hit "We'll Be a Dream" with Demi Lovato.

Lakewood Ranch Cinemas hosts 'Sex and the City 2' party

Lakewood Ranch Cinemas will host a special opening night party at 8:30 p.m. May 27 for the nationwide release of "Sex and the City 2."

Guests can enjoy drinks, a wine bar and hors d'oeuvres followed by a 10 p.m. screening of the film. Tickets are $25 at the door and covers both the film and party.

The sequel to the popular film and HBO show follows Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda on a glamorous adventure outside of their New York City lives where fun, fashion and mystery await.

Lakewood Ranch Cinemas' opening night party is presented by the Sarasota Film Society. For more information on the event, call (941)955-FILM.

Gecko Fest online silent auction

The 2010 Gecko Fest may be over but a few geckos are still lurking around the Gecko Fest headquarters. Gecko Fest organizers are launching a special silent online auction event to give the artistically-designed geckos a home.

Nine geckos will be auctioned off beginning Saturday. Bids start at $500. They include "Curly," the yellow and green gecko with swirls; a Spider Man gecko; Elvis as a gecko; a Pittsburgh Pirates themed gecko; "A Long Night" gecko; the "Geeky" gecko; Lizard King of Hearts gecko; the "Gecko Intimidator" inspired by Dale Earnhardt and "Lacy Lizzie," the gecko in the little black dress.

People interested in the geckos can visit the auction preview page at www.paps-r-us.com/bradenton_geckofest_2010.html.

The auction ends May 31. Proceeds from the gecko sales will benefit area artists, local arts organizations and school art programs.