The Scenestress

It’s Monday morning — okay it’s 1 p.m. — and I’m staring bleary-eyed at a computer screen, trying to frame and recall the weekend that was. I definitely remember asking you all in my column last week to vote online and decide what event I would attend. So many things were going on it was simply impossible for me to decide. On Friday when the voting closed, I was looking at a three-way tie: Big Blu House, S/ART/Q and The Punk Party all received an approximately equal number of votes (and Saturday’s Chillounge trailed close behind).

What’s a Scenestress to do but saddle up and hit them all; starting with the CL sponsored S/ART/Q opening at G.WIZ. The group transformed the top floor of the science museum into high-end art show representing 14 local contemporary artists and their “process.” Giving the visitor a look inside the artist’s world, the guys (and girl) display everything from sketches and materials samples to actual easels and living room furniture . The reception has great turnout and I particularly enjoy fingering the mountain of foam sheets artist Nathan Skiles constructs his sculptures from (photo at right by Daniel Perales — Process is open at G.WIZ through April 25 if you didn’t make it this weekend).

Flipping the art script and jaunting across town, I’m excited to see hip-hop group Big Blu House in Gulf Gate. Pastimes Pub is always a great venue for a live show and I have a feeling the Haus will live up to the hype. Their smooth and sincere jams make the masses move and J-Blu on the mic spits with precision and power. I’m also happy to see my girl Carrie, who used to bartend at Cabana, now slinging at Pastimes, and because I always drink PBR in Gulf Gate, order a cold one from the hot mama while I enjoy the show.

Break for a few hours of rest, work, and then more parties:  Read the rest of this entry »

Way back in April of ‘09, a commenter at CLSarasota.com just could not believe I had missed some band called No Fraud play a show (sound familiar?). Being a 20-something Sarasota-transplant, I’d never heard of No Fraud, who were, according to Mr. Cakemangler, responsible for ”the best early Florida punk/hardcore recording ever released.” Well then.

I went about the business of writing my column despite this egregious oversight until the chance for redemption came: No Fraud. Is back. In Sarasota. OMG! The irony is too delicious to ignore and so on Friday night I am dressed in boots and black — with a touch of hot pink — and heading to Pastimes Pub to partake in my first real punk rock show.

I’m running a little late, as usual, so I quickly give my $5 cover to Big Leon at the door and rush to get a view of the stage. Suddenly, I am fully in the pit, pushing and shoving and trying to stay vertical long enough to cross the room. It definitely gets my adrenaline going and when I find to a safe spot and stop to take in the stage I understand. Lead singer Dan Destructo grips the microphone like he’s making love to it (albeit violently) and shouts, sings and chants while the guitars and drums thrash behind him. The dudes in the pit take in the energy from the band and crash into one another with their own ebb and flow. It’s chaotic, it’s loud, it’s raw and it’s real. Photos and Interview with Dan Destructo after the jump!

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The Wienermobile, photo by James De Mass

Well, the Ketel was certainly flowing on Saturday, but on Sunday morning the sunshine was prying apart my curtains and telling me to get up, go out and do something on this beautiful day. Who am I to ignore that call, especially after weeks of chilly days and downright cold temps at night? I got a friend, a blanket, and some snacks at Publix and hit the bay-front park off 14th St. to bask in the sunshine for the few hours it lasted.

I wasn’t the only one enjoying the brief change in weather as evidenced via my Facebook feed: People were thrilled to get outside for the Downtown art fair both Saturday and Sunday — even the Oscar-Mayer Wienermobile was out around town; I kept seeing it pop up in photos too. We’ll see if the weather lasts but it seems as if spring is sproinging in Sarasota, and season is finally actually starting. Certainly the success of the first-of-its-kind Noise Ordinanace CD Release Party is a sign of more good things to come. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m in Miami (bitch) for Super Bowl XLIV and started the weekend off on Thursday night with dinner at STK, where the Kardashian sisters also happened to be dinning, dressed in Herve Leger. Wow, short, tight dresses on Kardashians? Who’da thunk it?

While the ‘Dash sisters headed to neighboring hotspot Coco Deville, I bopped down the street to the GQ Party at the Bud Light Hotel, where what’s usually the Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel has been taken over by the Budweiser marketing gurus and turned into a beery extravaganza, down to the monogramed towels and mints. The party was a bit of a sausage-fest, aside from the paid hostesses shakin’ it in little tiny shiny dresses. Chart-topper T-Pain arrived shortly after I did with a twelve-deep blinged-out posse, and I am sad to report that I did not recognize the singer and failed to snap a photo. I thought he always wore a big stupid top hat.

Anyway, I watched T-Pain “DJ” from the VIP lounge with retired footballer Clayton “Vince” Holmes and his big shiny diamond Super Bowl ring until I couldn’t stand the hype man cutting into the beats anymore and got the hell out of there. Check out all my photos from night one after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve gone through a lot together in ’09. Looking back at my first year as your resident night-life-style writer, I must say it’s been quite a ride. I’ve discovered some fun at local watering holes, rubbed elbows with celebrities and (arguably) mastered the art of iPhone photography. Way back in January my column debuted with a visit to Soap, the monthly indie dance party, which set the tone for what I would be doin’ for y’all: seeking out the coolest and craziest stuff Sarasota has to offer. I was surprised to find no shortage of cool and crazy in this town, despite our rep as an over-sized seaside retirement community.

Regular faves like Horsefeathers’ biweekly Drag Queen Bingo never failed to entertain, with a barrage of inappropriate language alongside a healthy dose of gambling, and the other corners of Sarasota’s own little Bermuda triangle also kept me busy (including one memorable ladies’ night at the now-defunct Esca). In May I familiarized myself with all Southside Village has to offer, making some new friends and crawling into the office the next day with one helluva hangover. I also hit the beaches for margaritas at the little-known Lido Key Tiki Bar and a Sunday pool party at The Colony organized by Klauber dynasty offspring. Read the rest of this entry »

Miami is one colorful city, and not just because of Art Basel. The “most important art show in the United States” has become so large since its inception in 2002 that numerous satellite fairs have popped up all over the Miami area. Only a weekend browsing it all will tell the difference between the official show and the outsiders.

After strolling just 20 feet into the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Basel epicenter, I am dazzled by the swirl of it all. The giant white walls stamped with masses of color transport me to a strange world, one inhabited exclusively by elegant people carrying designer handbags, with the soft hum of their many different languages hanging in the air. Read the rest of this entry »

Bullshit there’s nothing to do in Sarasota.

If I have one concept to impart in my weekly time with each of you it is this: The scale and scope of happening hotness in this town continues to impress me, and we have those of you who are getting out there and making it happen to thank for that. Last week in particular, those awesome folks were numerous and varied. Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

Monthly dance party Soap has become something of a guilty pleasure for me. Guilty because Wednesday morning at the office after a night downing PBRs and whomping it up with Skiffle & Co. is generally a particularly tough concept. On this particular Tuesday, however, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, I secured a glorious Wednesday off. “It’s party time,” my pink hoop earrings seemed to be saying, so I plugged them in and headed to the Cabana for an extra-special Soap with musical guest Gil Mantera’s Party Dream, all the way from Ohio. Read the rest of this entry »

While LBK standby The Colony Beach Resort has faced its share of troubles, Molly Klauber, third-generation hospitality professional and granddaughter of Colony Chairman Murf Klauber, has been hipping up the venue of late with a series of web-promoted events. This Sunday the theme was Club Colony, a poolside afternoon party with DJ Adam Schiffman, fiancé to the young Miss Klauber, and Molly herself behind the bar.

After a late Saturday night ending in an impromptu pool party at a residence on Longboat Key, the  jaunt to the Colony provided everything I needed to enjoy my Sunday. I said “hello” to the brunette bikini-clad Miss Klauber, and went straight to the grill for a burger and next the bar for a bloody. My posse and I grabbed a seat on the sand and enjoyed some serious sustenance and getting acquainted with our surroundings. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s another new kid on the block of the downtown Sarasota dining scene….and this one may have a chance. On Wednesday I attended the media preview launch of the First Street Chop House, formerly Arosa, on the corner of First Street and Pineapple, and was pleased with what I saw.

Upon arrival a nice young man led me upstairs to the reception while sharing a little history about the building, which was actually built in 1926 and was at one time, among other things, a gentlemen’s club. A server greeted me promptly to offer a drink, after which I greeted a few other Loaf-ers and played spot-the-rival-media-groups (I tallied a few from SRQ Magazine and The Observer, with whom I very politely shook hands when introduced). Read the rest of this entry »

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get ready to rumble!

It’s Saturday night and I’m at Stardust Event Center for the first ever Sarasota Roller Girls bout. As I wait for the match to kick off, a palpable feeling of getting ready to crush some bitches hangs in the air. I can’t wait. The MC builds anticipation with a detailed explanation of the rules of the game — something about “blockers” and “jammers” — as well as individual introductions of all the pun-tastic players on both teams. (I think “Smashley Whiplash” might be my fave.) Read the rest of this entry »