USF SUN DOME TO HOST PET-A-PALOOZA

TAMPA-On Sunday, February 28th, one of the first events of its kind will take place at the University of South Florida’s Sun Dome, when the TAMPA BAY PET—A–PALOOSA hosts its animal adopt-a-thon in partnership with WQYK-FM Radio. The event is presented by Animal Based Charities (ABC), an IRS 501 c 3 non-profit corporation, which is located in Tampa, Florida.

Animal Based Charities was founded by a group of like-minded friends and is a non-profit whose mission is to raise funds to support the local animal rescue groups. To that end, ABC held its first fund-raising event in August of 2009. ABC raised $29,000.00 in one evening and rescue groups who had not previously worked together, joined forces to save these animals. The Hillsborough County Animal Shelter and the Humane Society were also in attendance, as well as Big Cat Rescue, known for their commitment to save rare and exotic cats. We were very pleased with the outcome of our first fund-raising event.

Since August, ABC has distributed over $15,000.00 to local animal rescue groups as well as over 12,000 pounds of free food. These small rescue groups are committed to saving animals, and ABC felt it made sense to form an entity that can help raise funds and save animals. Since August, ABC has developed a tremendous collaboration between the rescue groups, who, before this effort, had rarely talked to each other.

The Tampa Bay Pet-A-Paloosa is the first of 2 major adopt-a-thons to be presented by Animal Based Charities this year. The need is massive. ABC has the full support of Rose Ferlita and Ken Hagen of the County Commissioners. Never before have so many different and distinct organizations come together on behalf of saving the animals in the Tampa Bay area.

The Tampa Bay Pet-A-Paloosa will be held at the USF Sun Dome on Fowler Avenue in Tampa. Doors open at 10:00am and the event concludes at 3:00pm. Admission is FREE and parking is FREE. ABC invites everyone to come out and adopt one of the many animals available for adoption. All animal food donations are accepted. WQYK is the media partner and will be on-site to greet people and help publicize the need for an event of this magnitude and size.

For more information, contact Animal Based Charities at 1-877-799-PETS (7387).

Liza Cancels Tour Dates

Clearwater, FL – It has been announced by Liza Minnelli’s management that she has been advised to cancel her concert at Ruth Eckerd Hall scheduled for Friday, March 19 at 8 pm due to knee replacement surgery and won’t be able to perform until further notice. Ms. Minnelli regrets any inconvenience to her fans.

Tickets for the concert must be returned to their point of purchase for a refund.

St. Petersburg Opera’s “Cosi Fan Tutte’

For its next fully staged opera, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, St. Petersburg Opera has recruited a trio of local design and directing talents to join Maestro Mark Sforzini in bringing a school for lovers to the stage of the Palladium Theater. The title of the opera roughly translates as “women are like that”, but the opera was also given the subtitle ossia La scuola degli amanti (the school for lovers). Mozart sets Lorenzo da Ponte’s libretto to gorgeous music with blockbuster solo arias as well as interesting trios, quintets and sextets. The plot explores the concept of fidelity and proposes that women are fickle and can be easily tricked into betraying their lovers. Two sisters are in love with two young soldiers. The men accept a wager with a cynical bachelor, who bets that the ladies will betray the soldiers at the first opportunity. The soldiers pretend to go off to join their regiment but return in disguise to romance the sisters, each attempting to seduce the other’s beloved. It’s a farce with a deeper meaning that gets handled a bit differently by every director.

The team of local artistic celebrities joining forces for the production includes Todd Olson, Producing Artistic Director of American Stage, as the stage director, set designer Scott Cooper, also from American Stage, and Michael Della Penna, a local hair and fashion designer who is creating original costumes. Mark Sforzini, Executive and Artistic Director of St. Petersburg Opera, will provide musical direction and conduct the St. Petersburg Opera Orchestra.

Six of the principal singers will be making their debut with the company after being heard last February in nationally advertised auditions that brought over 150 opera artists to the area to sing for Maestro Sforzini. The handsome young soldiers are being played by Stephen LaBrie and Benjamin Bunsold on Friday and Sunday, with LaBrie and Brian Kuhl on Saturday. The sisters will be sung by Toby Newman and Cassandra Black on Friday and Sunday and Newman and Perri Montané on Saturday. The cynical bachelor will be Benjamin LeClair and the comical maid will be Michelle Seipel. Singers with previous SPO appearances include Montané, who was in Die Fledermaus, and Kuhl, who was the hilarious Gastone in La Traviata.

St. Petersburg Opera returns to the Palladium Theater for three performances, January 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and January 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are priced from $20 to $61.50 and are available from the Palladium Box Office, by telephone at 727-822-3590, or online at www.stpeteopera.org .

Forbes March

By: John Chambrone

LARGO-For those of you that heard ‘Out in the Open’ today, here is a picture of soap actor Forbes March from when he was in Largo recently. I was planning on writing up the interview today, but between work, the bf’s wisdom teeth being pulled, and it being a holiday eve, time has eluded me. I will get the interview up soon. Until then, here is a pic of the soap actor, myself, and the shirt that was ‘made for radio.’

A Night with Judy and Friends

Story and photos by John Chambrone

Pictured: Carrie West, Judy B. Goode, and Mark ‘Tea Cup” Bias

YBOR CITY-The fabulously talented Judy B. Goode has had it pretty rough lately. While recovering from an accident that broke both of her wrists, the always chipper songstress was dealt another blow as her beloved dog Cloe dog passed away. This leaves her out of work for another month, this time without her faithful companion. Always the trooper, for Goode, the show must go on and the bills must be paid, so her many fans and friends held a benefit for the singer to help her through this tough economic time. Even with both wrists in casts, she continues to be a bundle of energy. In an attempt to draw in the younger disco crowd, she recorded a new song, “So Fabulous,” that has been a big hit with her audiences.

‘I’ll get by with a little help from my friends’ was pretty much the theme of the evening. Tickets were sold for a 50/50 raffle that included a ton of prizes folks donated to assist the singer. Goode took home over 700 dollars that night, which will cover her electric bill, and some other bills that were piling up. “I am so grateful to my friends in the community that were there for me through this time.” She was moved to tears on a few occasions where she thanked her fans, who she regards more as her family. Friendship and family are what the night was all about. Goode has been singing in the bay area for well over 25 years now and has quite a loyal following. If you are a friend of Judy’s, you never know who else she will bring along to the party. Be it her rendition of Sonny and Cher, at the same time, or the accompanying ‘heads’ she wears as all 5 members of the Village People, this always entertaining performer never disappoints.

Goode performs every Monday night at Streetcar Charlie’s in Ybor City. For other upcoming dates, or more information on this local treasure, click onto www.judybgoode.com.

Clip Begins

Story & photos by:  John Chambrone

TAMPA-Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival was off to a good start this past Thursday evening. Celebrating  it’s 20th Anniversary this year, the name recently had a facelift. On closing night of last year’s fest, they announced the event’s new name. Calling itself Clip, the festival is getting underway. A little over 500 people attended the opening night festivities. It was fitting that the Quentin Crisp bio pic “An Englishman in New York,” served as the opening night’s film. The very first film festival in 1990 featured “The Naked Civil Servant,” which depicted the events up to Crisp’s move to New York. Both movies, filmed 30 years apart, featured actor John Hurt as the enigmatic Crisp.

Opening night featured the return of some old friends of the festival like Mark Puig and Keith Roberts, and appearances by great local officials Mayor Pam Iorio, newly appointed Police Chief Jane Castor, and County Commissioner Kevin Beckner. Cool media representatives on hand were veteran entertainment reporter Steve Kmetko, and local fun maker Sterling Powell, who handled the red carpet for the evening. The festival is a little more than half way over and Executive Director Chuck Henson stated that overall attendance is 40% more than it was at this time last year and general admission box office tickets are more than doubled from this time last year. It is a testament to the importance of the festival that in these hard economic times, people continue to support this vastly popular annual event. The film festival is a great social event that features over three dozen films.

FMI on the remaining films, parties and street fair, check out their website at: www.cliptampabay.com.

Pictured below: Mayor Pam Iorio, Police Chief Jane Castor and County Comissioner Kevin Beckner

Celeb Dish with Steve Kmetko

Story and photo: by John Chambrone

(Picture from Opening Night at Clip)

TAMPA-Veteran entertainment reporter Steve Kmetko will be appearing in Tampa as a featured guest for the Clip Film Festival. Taking place between October 8 - 18, the festival is celebrating it’s 20th year. Formerly known as the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the event is a celebration of gay cinema. Kmetko will be there for opening weekend festivities. I recently got the chance to interview him for ‘Out in the Open,’ where I called him at his home in Chicago.

JC: What prompted you to come out professionally?

SK: It has been 11 years now, it coincides with the death of Matthew Shepard. For so long it had been speculated about Nathan Lane but he never talked about it. Then finally he got to a point where he said in an interview with the Advocate, where he was on the cover, that as long as these kinds of things are still happening, it is incumbent on all of us who are gay to let the straight people out there know just how many of us there are, and that this is not acceptable. That made so much sense to me. Besides, I think that at some point every gay person out there is tired of living a lie. Fortunately at this day and age, they don’t have to do it as much as we once did. I think we are making progress. That was the primary reason, the brutal murder of Matthew Sheppard. I just felt compelled to be public about it.

JC: I know that you have spoken to his mother recently, how did that go?

SK: It went very well. I long admired her for all of the work she has done since her son died. She became an activist for gay people against violence. Here is a woman, it is my impression, that is fairly soft spoken, very gentle, and just living her life. All of the sudden, this horrific crime intruded. Not only intruded, but claimed someone that was very dear to her. So she rolled up her sleeves and started speaking out. Here, 11 years later, she is working on getting an anti crime anti violence bill through congress. She is pretty convinced it is going to happen soon and if it does, she is certain the president will sign it. So I say good for her. It is quite a story.

JC: I did get the chance to meet her 10 years ago. She is an amazing woman. Can you tell me about your involvement in myQmunity and how we can hear the interview?

SK: You go to myQmunity.com and there is a little picture of me, several years old, because who uses current pictures in this day and age. There are a number of podcasts we have since we have been doing this. We have the current ones as well as the ones we have done previously on the website.

Demonstration/Protest Of WFLA CH 8 For Airing Homophobic Infomercial

What: A peaceful demonstration to protest Media General’s anti-gay programming.

Who:Fair-minded people willing to stand up to hateful anti-gay attacks.

Where: Media General HQ- 202 S Parker St Tampa, FL 33606-2395

When: July 15 4:30 PM Press Conference, followed by a 5:30 PM demonstration.

On a day designed to celebrate the local diversity of our community, WFLA News Channel 8 was paid to air “Speechless: Silencing the Christians”, a one hour misinformation piece reflecting views that incite harm and hate against our citizens. The airing of this infomercial coincided with the celebration of St. Petersburg Pride as well as the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which as you know began our journey to full equality. Hundreds of calls and emails were in protest to WFLA News Channel 8 unfortunately our concerns went ignored. What is at question here is not the Freedom of Speech or the Freedom of Religion, what is at question if the ethics of their actions and the lack of concern they have for our families, friends and neighbors in Tampa Bay.

When asked about airing the program, WFLA’s Manager John Scheuler stated they usually don’t screen for content, but that they didn’t think this program was hateful or vitriolic however he added that those who “chose the homosexual lifestyle might be upset by the strident tone”. The lack of concern in airing that infomercial was repugnant and it is clear now that WFLA chose to increase their bottom line instead of care for this community.

Other stations around this great nation recognized the hateful message crafted into this infomercial and chose NOT to air it. Even after our pleas to not air this propaganda, WFLA chose to ignore the will of concerned citizens. We the citizens of Tampa Bay refuse to allow this company to railroad us into accepting their actions. We ask that all fair minded people stand with us and let your voices be heard and stand with us against the unethical actions of WFLA and their parent company Media General.

Contact Scott Campbell, scsmc7@gmail.com, phone 727-455-3065 Cell or R. Zeke Fread, Director Pride Tampa Bay. pridetb@verizon.net, Home: 813-251-0693. Cell: 813-367-6792

Outrageous

WMNF Community Radio wmnf.org proudly presents the Tampa Bay Premier of the nationally acclaimed first run documentary ‘OUTRAGE!’ This Premier is currently scheduled for one showing at Tampa Pitcher Show, 14416 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa on Wednesday, July 15th at 7 P.M. Doors open at 6 with full menu and bar service available. More shows may be added by popular demand. Tickets are $8 adv., $10 at door, and will benefit WMNF. Tickets or more information can be obtained at 813-238-8001 or wmnf.org.

Academy Award nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated) delivers a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. OUTRAGE boldly reveals the hidden lives of some of our nation’s most powerful policymakers, details the harm they’ve inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media’s complicity in keeping their secret.

Evening with the Friends of Dorothy

An Evening with the Friends of Dorothy:

a Judy Garland Cabaret

Produced by Economic Stimulus Productions
June 12 - 28

Tickets are “Pay-What-You-Can”

An Evening with the Friends of Dorothy: a Judy Garland Cabaret, is an evening of song celebrating the American icon in a month that marks both her birth, and the 40th anniversary of her death. Follow the yellow brick road and enjoy such song titles as “Zing! Went the Strings of my Heart”, “Swanee”, “You Made Me Love You”, “Do It Again”, and of course, “Over the Rainbow”. This New York style cabaret will take place in the new lobby of American Stage Theatre Company, which features comfortable living room style seating, full service bar including EcStim’s signature jello-shots and PBR, and a backdrop of windows overlooking the lighted trees of Williams Park.

Prizes awarded for Judy Garland look-alikes so don’t forget your ruby slippers!

Playing nine performances only, this limited engagement stars Michael Titone, Samantha McKinnon Brown, Julie Rowe at the piano, and is directed by T. Scott Wooten. An Evening with the Friends of Dorothy: a Judy Garland Cabaret is produced by Economic Stimulus Productions. Independent Theatre can be a financial burden to produce, but thanks to The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 signed into law by President George W. Bush, Producers Julie Rowe and T. Scott Wooten decided against buying stuff and instead pooled their tax rebate checks together to produce live theatre. Economic Stimulus Productions is proud to be producing performance art fully funded by the United States Government. Thanks, FORMER President George W.!!!

An Evening with the Friends of Dorothy: a Judy Garland Cabaret will be performed on the following schedule: June 12 through June 28, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 pm, Sundays at 7 pm. Performances will take place at American Stage Theatre Company’s new space, 163 3rd Street North, St. Petersburg. Tickets are “Pay-What-You-Can” for all performances. There will be a cash bar, $2-PBR, and $1-Jello shots every night.

Reservations can be made by calling 727-823-PLAY (7529) or