I had a pretty uneven 2006, like many people I know. Some creative types around here weren't lucky enough to make it to the end. Myself, I saw much too much of the insides of hospitals and operating rooms and they are nowhere as sexy as "Grey's Anatomy" depicts them. The year started with a bang-- well, we got a headstart, really, on Dec. 30, 2005 with the "Bombs Away!," the grand opening of Bombshell Gallery. And what a night - the first band to ever play the gallery was the now ubiquitous Giddy-Up, Helicopter! My own band, the Peabodies, featuring the Tampa Tribunes' pop music critic Curtis Ross on guitar and THE Jeff Wood on drums played a short set next. (Our bassist -for a long time on and off- was that night the truly gifted Mark Pezzo, who is now playing in Auditorium when not teaching psychology courses at the University of South Florida). The final act for the evening was Unrequited Loves who were fronted by the late, great Mike O' Neill.
MUSIC
I was dazzled by Giddy-Up, Helicopter! as I continue to be each time I catch a live show. I know the band (who are not five women - have you noticed Conner's, uh, "evolution"?) has recently finished recording an album and I'm excited to hear it. Other musical acts who impressed me: Hey There, Battleship! (what is this with the commas and the exclamation marks, folks? Save some for the underprivileged grammarian set.) the lovely and talented Geri X, Dry County - a great band that I can't ever seem to catch playing all together, all at once. Also: Disco Nap, Palantine. Candy Bars - who ended up on NPR a few months later. I finally saw the Heathens, the terrific alt-country band from Orlando.
ART
The art scene was as vibrant as ever. Bombshell proudly hosted a joint show between photographers Mitzi Gordon (yes, the editor of Orange) and Bradley Paul Valentine. It was really neat to see what the two of them can do with narrative in their pictures. Such talent. I was absolutely blown away by new painter about town (and Ringling School of Art student) Anthony Zollo, who some recognize as Geri X's drummer. Zollo's paintings are mostly steeped in realism - a nice breath of fresh air from the constant collage/pop art (which I love) that hangs on every wall from the Emerald's grass roots shows to big shindigs at the now defunct Covivant Gallery.
Photographer Marina Williams got herself to St. Pete (she lived previously in Sarasota) and got everyone worked-up with her exquisite photographs of her travels around the world. And her cheeky tie fashions - all the clothes are made out of recycled men's ties. Then, she split. Williams is currently over in merry old London getting a Masters in Art and cavorting with the likes of Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons - at least at one exhibit, as her pictures back home indicate.
So many exciting new discoveries...
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5 comments:
next year we're kidnapping you as our manager..(and really, what's up with all the commas?!@?!~?!?:R)!R)R)
My entire life and all of its events up until now have come to be funnelled into one meaningful purpose: Giddy-Up, Helicopter's manager.
If you get the chance you should check out The Diviners (www.myspace.com/thediviners)
Oh, for heaven's sake - I know and love the Diviners. One of my favorite shows at Bombshell was the Diviners with the Heathens (and James McFarland).
Great night. Amazing music.
we loved playing at the bombshell. ya know we don't officially have an "!" in our name. for some reason it's often inadvertently included. however we must go forth with the comma...just like giddy-up, who we inadvertently have a similar name structure, although they're cooler than us.
anywhoo - thanks again
cheers to a stellar 2007!
aaron -htb
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