Weekend Recommendations — Christmas Edition
by DANIEL VEINTIMILLA
It’s that time of the year, when winter solstice festivities from all of the Abrahamic and gnostic religions collide in a wonderful way. Here’s a list of 10 events to help you celebrate with the Pinellas art community.
Get Hippy-Merry at the Blueberry Patch on Friday, with a Grateful Dead tribute band at the BYOB Holiday Party with Russ Bowers Isn’t Dead Yet. Included with the festivities will be a “Paint at the Patch” community project, where kids of all ages can go to the front stage and draw. The art pieces will sell for a donation of $20. This, of course, is a kid-friendly event, but to get into the Patch you must be 21 or older. $5 entry fee at the door. No pets allowed. And like they say, “Peace Love and Blueberries!”
If you have last-minute Holiday shopping to do, why not hit up Green Bench Brewery for a crafty beer as well? Friday is the last night to catch the St Pete Indie Market – Night’s Exchange which features dozens of vendors; mainly local artists and craftsmen, vintage collectors, gardeners and food trucks, among others. Why spend your money in a corporate big box store, when you can support local independent vendors?
Let go of your shame of your most hideous holiday sweater. Wear it to the Ugly Sweater Shindig! happening at 3 Daughters Brewing on Friday. There’s going to be lots of giveaways for the best — or funniest, I should say — get ups. The music is going to be provided by 3 Peace and delicious food by Locale Market. Keep an eye on this event for any unforeseen changes.
If your thing is to head-bang the night away, head to Fubar Downtown tomorrow night for Punk Rock Christmas Vacation. The lineup includes Wolf-Face — the 1985 movie Teen Wolf comes to life in the form of an infectious, hairy punk band. TEEN AGERS, an Orlando Pop Punk band, “are the result of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object; just…a bit slower, so as to not pull something.” Debt Neglector, another Orlando band, features members of New Mexican Disaster Squad, Gatorface and No Friends. (Their album “Atomicland” debuted via Smartpunk late summer) and Everymen, who describe themselves as confetti punk from South Florida, tops off the roster. $5 at the door. 21 and up.
Itching for some funk? Celebrate with some stank on Friday at Holey Miss Moley and Friends Funkmas’ at Ringside Cafe St. Pete. Holey Miss Moley a self-proclaimed Funk-flavored Rock-Soul infused groove factory of high-energy blends; from disco to jazz, soul and hip-hop, should be great for moving and grooving. A funky veteran pianist from Colorado leads the exciting fusion band Future Vintage Band. Justino And The Difference, a St. Pete prog/fusion/experimental favorite represents Pinellas with Jon Ditty, a rapper, songwriter, artist and activist from Dunedin.
We Still have a few Fridays left of the year to catch the Downtown Dunedin Open Mic Night – Every Friday Night. Everyone is encouraged to participate as long as the content is family-friendly. So, I encourage singers, musicians, comedians, and poets of Pinellas to go and conquer the stage at Dunedin Coffee Company & Bakery. Maybe eat some tasty treats too! They have a sound system, so we can hear loud and clear.
Saturday afternoon is the last chance to attend Steal This Art! – Cove Holiday Art Shop. A group of local artists are selling their unique work and merchandise at Donelly’s COVE – Creative Opportunities & Visual Ent. Find the perfect gift or help finance your favorite artist’ creative projects for 2018. I saw some cool stickers on sale, and some amazing work reasonably priced. Here’s a list of the artists: Jake Troyli, Scott Hillis, Boo Ehrsam, Suarez, The Peach Moon, Tasko, Donnelly, Carlos Pons, Scum Doodlez, Von Zombo, Demigod, John Gascot, M.G Stout, Brooklyn, James Oleson, Mason Schwacke, Koske tattoos and Anthony Andretti. So, if any of these names sound familiar to you support your pals. If not, attend to learn about some real local talent.
A sing along/cookie swap party? Wow! My mind is blown by Saturday’s Ugly Sweater Cookie Swap Sing-Along Soiree at The Studio@620. The “funny attire” is suggested but not required. To participate in the cookie exchange, start by baking two-dozen cookies. The first dozen will be for sharing during the party, separate the second dozen into two containers of 6 cookies each, to swap with others. Everyone, at the end of the night will go home with two containers of cookies made by somebody else randomly. So, sing some holiday songs and have a jolly old time at the studio. The best Family fun for everyone!
Old-school punk rock dominates downtown St. Pete’s Saturday nightlife. The Bends presents Chris Barrows Band // Car Bomb Driver // Kevin K — with no cover. Stoked to share the news that Chris Barrows Band, fronted by a co-founder of the beloved ’80s Tampa punk band Pink Lincolns, is back with a vengeance. St. Pete’s long-running testosterone-fueled bad Boys Car Bomb Driver say they’re a punk band that’s all about the libido. And Kevin K Band, a power pop/rock underground veteran musician from the New York Punk scene. He’s played some boisterous shows at the Emerald and is back to raise some more hell. Fun fact, he has a new book out, How to Become a Successful Loser.
St. Petersburg’s No. 1 attraction The Dali Museum invites you on Christmas Eve to another Mimosas & Masterpieces: Brunch at The Dali, an artistic take on Sunday fun-days. They offer a Catalan-inspired brunch that looks amazing! Among plenty of other specialties, like their Cava Poached Truffle Stuffed Pear — good lord! Don’t forget to visit the galleries, stroll the grounds, contemplate the Avant-garden, browse the Museum store and soak in all the brilliance, fancy sustenance and inspiration. FYI, you don’t need to pay gallery admission to eat at Café Gala.
