Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Mary Smith, a St. Pete area modern fashion designer, held an informal show last Saturday evening at Sequins and Denim. The shop on Central Avenue, in the heart of Downtown St. Petersburg, sells retro consignments pieces featuring some of Mary’s designs, designs of others and other fun retro fashions.

Mary has been designing clothes for four years and has lived in the Bay Area for two of those. Her biggest inspirations are both of her grandmothers, who she inherited her skills from. A Detroit native, Mary shows the urban culture of the Bay Area through her designs.

Be on the lookout for more shows featuring this local fashion designer who is on the rise.

Joey McChesney contributed to this post; Jonathon Robinson took care of the photographs. See Jonathon’s web site for additional shots.

This is for a pair of tickets to see the opening night performance of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a Tony Award winning musical comedy at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Now here’s a popular place… Do you know what it’s called? Send your guess to us via the contest entry page for your chance to win the tickets. Of the correct responses received by Saturday NOON, one will be selected on Monday and your tickets will be held at will call for Tuesday night.

We got another pair of VIP tickets to the International Cane Spirits Festival. The festival features sugar-cane-based spirits that you will be able to sample. The spirits come from all over the world, including Brazil, South America, the Caribbean Islands, and Tennessee. They can be yours, if you know your Tampa Bay area well!

I spotted this place right through the fence, and thought it might do well for our contest here. Do you know where this landmark is? If so, head on over to our contest entry page and let us know! Of all the correct entries received by Wednseday - tomorrow - at NOON, one will be selected at random. If you are the one, you’ll get the VIP treatment and sample all sorts of rums at the International Cane Spirits Festival Best of luck.

Congratulations to our past winners of the photo contests. If you haven’t won yet, here’s your chance. Do you know where this lovely lady spends her days? If you think you know, tell us from the contest entry page! Of the correct answers submitted, one of you will win a pair of tickets to the International Cane Spirits Festival! Be sure to enter by Tuesday NOON for your chance - good luck!

The Abilities Wine and Food Festival is all set for this Saturday, March 10. The party is from 7-9pm at Tropicana Field, and tickets are $75 each. Read more on the Abilities Foundation website. And, yes, you can win a pair right now.

I think this is an easy one - then again, I do really like food. Do you know where this tiled surface is? If you think you do, let me know through the contest entry page. The winner will be chosen from all correct entries received by noon Tuesday March 6, and notified shortly thereafter. Check your email around 1pm to see if you have won.

This post was written by guest writer Joey McChesney - I only took the photos for the evening. Thanks Joey!

Oscar night at the historic Tampa Theater was a spectacle straight out of Hollywood. The event integrated many Hollywood traditions and elements into one glamorous, fun-filled evening. Tampa was one of 49 cities to host an official Oscar viewing party, and all proceeds go directly to charity. The host of the evening was Roan Jivers, AKA Pat Fenda, who greeted the guests who arrived by limousine. Pat Fenda is a local icon. Not only is she a woman who can juggle knives, she is a hilarious impersonator. Ms. Fenda has performed around the world and began her company, Strictly Entertainment, in 1984 in South Tampa.

The veteran performer by far was the star of the evening. Jack and Jill, the penguins from the Florida Aquarium, were definitely the happiest feet to make the strut down the red carpet. When the pair left their autographs behind, the humble Ms. Jivers even offered her assistance scooping the remnants off the carpet.

The night was a bit windy, but the temperature was favorable for such swanky attire. The guest/celebrities were decked to the nines in high-end gowns and tuxedos. Tampa Bay broadcasting personality Jack Harris was on hand to serenade the crowd as well. He was gracious as always, making the guests feel adorned at the pseudo-Hollywood event. The cosmetics team from Neiman Marcus provided touch-ups and wind therapy to all the dames as they entered the enchanting 80-year-old theater.

The theater was even more elegant than usual, filled with gourmet hor devours and bubbly of plenty. The caterer of the evening, Rita Carlino, was a shining star herself. Her delicious spread left the taste of Hollywood gold in the guests’ palettes. Rita is one of Tampa Bay’s culinary masters. Her radiant energy shines through with her creative masterpieces. Rita Carlino also left the guests with the taste of Hollywood glitz with her scrumptious Hollywood goodie bags.

The evening brought the magic and excitement of the Governor’s Ball right here to Tampa. From the silent auction, to the actual Oscar viewing ceremony, Tampa’s elite were given the star treatment. The gala was a hit and the illuminating Tampa Theater marquee shined brighter than ever. This was an event that left the guests’ hearts glowing from an evening of glam and giving.

Congratulations to Philip Watson. Because he knew where to find the statue in this photo, he won a pair of tickets to see Bruce in the USA this Saturday.

We have another pair of tickets to give away to this concert at Skippers. But you have to know a bit about this place we live in. And this week might be a bit harder than it has been.

The facility shown here was originally opened in 1933 - do you know what and where it is? If you believe you know, let us know from the contest entry page. The winner will be chosen from all correct entries received by Tuesday at noon, and notified shortly thereafter.

BRUCE in the USA will be performing at Skippers Smokehouse on Saturday, March 3. Bruce in the USA has been called the “World’s Greatest” Springsteen tribute band. Furthermore, the “World’s Greatest” band from Tampa will help the party get started at 8pm. Go buy your tickets now! Or, read a bit further for your chance at free tickets.

The gentleman shown here watches over you while you eat and party. Do you know where he stands? If you think you do, submit your answer on the contest entry page and you’ll be entered to win. The winner will be chosen from all correct entries received by tomorrow at NOON, and notified shortly thereafter.

Good luck!