Hop a Free Ride from d-towner on Vimeo
I found mine walking across the Harbour Island Bridge. It was hot, I was wearing heels, and I was happy to get picked up by Hop Tampa. Who knew?
Shane Meade and the Sound, originally uploaded by plannermagoo.
LOVE Shane Meade and the Sound (SMS). I first heard them at the ECO.lution festival and since then I’ve not been able to stop listening to their CD, Time Waits for No One. SMS is coming back downtown to play an End of the Season Summer Blow Out - the final concert in a series hosted by the Tampa Downtown Partnership. All proceeds from drink sales benefit the Gasparilla Film Festival.
The stage will be in a gorgeous setting outdoors on N. Franklin St. next to Fly, across from Orange Park Gallery. Don’t miss their show this Friday June 12th 5-8m. P.S. It’s a dog-friendly event!
Chris McCarty in Downtown Tampa from d-towner on Vimeo.
On May 9th the delicious Chris McCarty took to the stage on N. Franklin Street, playing his brand of soulful acoustic rock to benefit Tampa Bay Business Commitee for the Arts. It was one of a series of monthly concerts organized by The Tampa Downtown Partnership for people to come out and enjoy the energy of our city. It’s always a good time and a great place to connect with other urbanites. After the concert I had the opportunity to interview Chris inside Orange Park Gallery in front of a painting by artist Larissa Makeeva. When’s the next downtown concert? Friday June 13th from 5-8pm. Shane Meade and The Sound (SMS) will be playing their blend of soul-infused, folk rock with a splash of mountain funk to benefit the Gasparilla Film Festival.
artLOUD! from d-towner on Vimeo.
artLOUD! is the result of d-towner Abbey Dohring’s vision to dress up a vacant block of Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa with paintings by local artists. You can see the block was dullsville before Abbey made artLOUD happen (LOVE Google Map’s Street Views). Now there are interesting things to look at when you walk this block which FYI is the same block where Element is under construction. You’ll have to watch the video to hear our theory on the theft and return of 2 of the original paintings. Very curious. If you’ve got a theory share it in the comments below.View Larger Map
A vibrant public space in Downtown Tampa? from d-towner on Vimeo. Props to the City of Tampa for doing right by it’s citizens by having the American Institute of Architects (AIA) restore and transform the Historic Federal Courthouse into a vibrant public space. Everything is coming together - final funding is in the works and future tenants are signing letters of intent to occupy the building when it opens in 2010 as ”The AIA Center.”
There is still some space available so check out this floor plan link and don’t miss the opportunity to move your business into what is arguably going to be the most fun, beautiful and inspiring space to work in downtown. Let’s start with the front steps. Have you ever been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY? The front steps are one of America’s greatest public spaces. There are always people hanging out. It’s a great place to chill, people watch, meet-up with friends, etc. Our courthouse steps will offer the same opportunities when The AIA Center opens up because there will be stuff to do there - eat at the restaurant, grab a coffee, check out what’s on display in the public gallery, attend a party, etc. And where there is stuff to do, people gather, hang out and voila! You’ve got a vibrant place.
Inside, the building has a vibe I would describe as “old world grandeur.” In Tampa! Who knew? Check out the video and learn more. And while you’re at it, shoot a quick email to the mayor and let her know you are in support of this transformation and want to see more. It’s our responsibility to let our elected officials know what makes us happy so they can keep on keepin’ on.
Suki’s Mom, Sing, recently opened a fabulous Vietnamese restaurant in Downtown Tampa - Bamboozle. The food is fresh, healthy and delicious. Today I had the spring rolls for lunch. I highly recommend you gather up some quarters (because downtown parking meters require 6 per hour) and go see Sing for lunch. Be sure to tell her you saw her and Suki on my blog.
Ronnie got his folks, Marvin and Monique, to get him out of the condo (they recently moved to Downtown from Southfield, MI right outside Detroit) and out on the street to check out the Chris McCarty concert at Live After Five put on by Tampa’s Downtown Partnership to benefit the Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts.
Roxy recently made the move from a house in South Tampa to a condo downtown. She’s one of the newest residents at Residences of Franklin Street - conveniently located a few steps away from Fly Bar & Restaurant - where she can often be spotted Friday evenings on the rooftop enjoying cocktails with her Dad, Nick.
Join millions of people around the world for Pangea Day - a global interactive, 4-hour live broadcast of films, music and speakers this Saturday afternoon, May 10th 2-6pm. The Tampa party is being held at the Innovation Hangar - a funky warehouse and shared workspace for creatives located in the Channel District at 211 N. Meridian (Jackson St. dead ends into our parking lot). The event is free - including popcorn! Just bring a blanket or folding chair and stop by. Following the Pangea Day broadcast, the Hangar is also hosting the closing reception of the I-H-2 art exhibit that evening, from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m., with live music, hors d’oeuvres and a donation bar.
