Tallahassee-Based Band "Go Radio" Hosting Free CD Launch Party April 16

Hey Tallahassee! Show these local boys some love on Friday, April 16, 2010! Tallahassee-based band "Go Radio" has big news to share. They're hosting a FREE CD release show at Big Daddy's to celebrate the launch of their new EP called Do Overs and Second Chances, their debut on the Fearless Records label set to release April 20.

Vocalist Jason Lancaster may be a familiar name to you, he's ex-Mayday Parade. Mike Jansen of American Science and Daniel Lancaster as Stages and Stereos will be rockin' at this shindig which is also a tour kickoff party. Go Radio will be part of A Day To Remember’s "Toursick 2010" tour (April 19 – May 18).

While I haven't listened to the entire EP, tracks "Goodnight Moon" and "When Dreaming Gets Drastic" are rockin' sweet tunes for my ears. Check out other Do Overs and Second Chances tracks on Altpress and check out Go Radio’s MySpace page for tour information and all sorts of need-to-know info about the band.

Here are the deets for the Go Radio’s FREE CD Launch Party and Tour Kickoff Party
When: Friday, April 16
Where: Big Daddy’s, 654 W. Tennessee St., Tel: 850-561-6449
When: 7 p.m.
How Much: FREE! All ages welcome. FREE BEER for those 21 and older with proper ID
Why: Be Part of something rocking, fun and because I said so.

Hey, Mon! It’s the Easy Star All-Stars, April 13 at Engine Room

Check this out, recording artists Easy Star All-Stars will be making a stop in Tallahassee on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at Engine Room (809 Railroad Ave.; Tel: 850-222-8090). This is one of three Florida appearances on the group’s Spring Tour 2010 (April 10 is Ybor City and April 12 is Orlando) which includes international dates, so feel lucky Tallahassee.

These are the days when I wished I lived in Tallahassee because honestly, the music scene is livelier than in my new community in Southwest Florida (which a Miami Herald columnists compared to Del Boca Vista of Seinfeld fame). Anyway…

Here are quick deets on Easy Star All-Stars and their April 13 Tallahassee appearance:

• They put a fresh, reggae spin on pop and rock classics;
• The group's 2003 album, Dub Side of the Moon, was a reggae re-vision of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and sold 90,000 copies, making it one of the most successful reggae albums of the 21st century;
• They're so cool that even "The Mouse" is interested. With a release date of June 8, 2010, Easy Star All-Stars is one of several reggae artists on the CD by Walt Disney Records called The Disney Reggae Club. Easy Star All-Stars sing a remake of “Ev'rybody Wants to be a Cat (from the animated flick, The Aristocats). Other artists on the album include UB40 and Ziggy Marley. They're definitely in good company;
• While I haven't seen the band perform in person, I’ve checked out some of their videos and they just look like fun;
• Spiritual Rez, the reggae-funk band will open for the headliners;
• Admission for the event is $12. Purchase your tickets in advance online here.

Dress code of note: Engine Room does NOT permit high heels so ladies, don’t cause a scene and leave the heels at home (or in the car).

Check out their music on the Easy Star All-Stars MySpace page or website.

Now go be jammin’ April 13 with Easy Star All-Stars!

What's on Your Playlist?

I know this isn’t fashion related but I thought I would report on it since it was something that happened in Tallahassee. There are some definite benefits to being a college student. One of the best ones at FSU is seeing movies for free at the on campus movie theater. Just so you know, it is really cheap ($5) for non students to see a movie there. That is a huge price decrease compared to a normal theater, other than the dollar theater in town. The snacks are cheaper too. They show various film festivals, such as currently coming up is a Middle Eastern film fest, your favorite classics, as well as recently released. One of the biggest perks of the movie theater is the pre-showings of movies.

This week I saw the pre-screening for the movie “Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist.” I would give it two thumbs up!! One of my biggest pet peeves about movie trailers is that they show all the funny points in the movie and when you actually see it you are disappointed that they spoiled it. With this film they just continue to deliver. I have never heard an audience react so much to a film such as this. We laughed, we cried; ok so no one cried, it wasn't a tear jerker, but it was probably the first film I have gone to that people openly yell at the screen. Things such as "OMG, please don't do that" or a resounding "EUUU" was heard a couple times. There were a lot of comments about a word rhyming with witch towards a certain character in the film. People even applauded during the movie and were cheering when characters stood up for themselves. I have never seen an audience more drawn into and feel completely apart of a movie before. It was entertaining enough to watch the people around my seat.

Another bonus about the movie, it didn’t drag on. It was approximately an hour and half. It brought you through the story and you still felt it was complete at the end. So here is to “Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist”, simply a good movie.

Elton John Rocks Tallahassee

Elton John rocked a near full house at the Leon County Civic Center tonight (or do I say last night?). For close to two and a half hours, Sir Elton performed number one hits like "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," "Bennie and the Jets" and "Crocodile Rock."


Other tunes included "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," Candle in the Wind" and "Philadelphia Freedom." The man certainly has stamina and practically played continuously with short breaks to sip water and acknowledge the crowd.


Elton John is an excellent performer and appreciates his fans. Towards the end of the evening, after leaving the stage, Sir Elton returned to the stage and signed autographs for fans near the stage, including concert programs, a sequined silver jacket and a green purse. I saw a few fans hold up shoes for him to autograph but he quite didn't make it to sign the shoes.

He then performed a few other hits before calling it a night.

Acoustics at the Civic Center were fabulous and my seats were awesome, too. Seventeen rows back from the stage. Lucked out in securing those gems!

Elton John rocked Florida's Capital City. And who said there isn't anything to do in Tallahassee?

Do I Dare? America's Next Top Model Auditions in Tallahassee (2008)

Hey ladies! Do you have what it takes to be America's Next Top Model? Then here's your chance to audition for America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Chubbys Night Club, 5 - 7 p.m. Um, OK. Since auditions are being held at a place called, "Chubbys," does this mean I have a shot at becoming America's Next Top Model?

I mean, I have the sass, attitude and drama like all those skinny girls on previous cycles. Plus, I got curves to blow them outta the water, too. So, do I dare audition? Oh, the disappointment. I can't. I'm too old and too short to apply. And I thought I had a future in the modeling world.

If you're between the ages of 18 and 27 and at least 5'7", consider auditioning and let me experience the process vicariously through you. Check out this link over at Fox 49 WTLH for details.

Good luck! If anyone's auditioning, drop me a line.

Is Anyone Going to Play with Me? Free Screening of the Kite Runner Movie

So"The Kite Runner" movie competition has been extended until Nov. 15. This is because there was some controversy over the child actors. But that's not what this post is about.

I'm BEGGING, Tallahassee. Join the Tallahassee Kite Runners club so we can receive a free, private screening of "The Kite Runner." It's not a scam, it's not too good to be true. We just need at least 100 people to register on the Paramount site for the online community.

You won't receive spam (just an occasional email from me) but will hopefully receive bragging rights for being part of a something cool (that would be the free, private screening of "The Kite Runner."

Click here to join.

Click here to read my previous plea.

Thanks!

What I Got to See from the Filming of "Recount" in Tallahassee...

Alright, so I wrote this post last week, about Kevin Spacey being in town to film the HBO flick, "Recount." Roberto over at Comunidad de argentinos en Tallahassee (my Spanish is poor, I'm assuming it means for the Argentina Community in Tallahassee?) asked that I post what I saw (BTW - thanks for dropping by!).

*sigh*

I didn't make it downtown to see any of the filming! Darn work got in the way and I was tied up with meetings the first half of the week. I did see a CNN truck and dark Secret Service type vehicles each morning on the drive to work. I assume they were being used for the filming.

However, my sources told me a scene shot at the Doubletree Hotel Tallahassee took four takes, something to do with Laura Dern and I think bag pipers playing the FSU fight song - does that sound right?

Another source told me the week prior to the shoot (maybe it was the weekend), a little bash was thrown over at downtown's Metro Deli and Mr. Spacey made a surprise appearance.

So sorry Roberto, I didn't get to see anything either.

I'm Off My Game: Kevin Spacey's in Town and I Find Out Now!

I know I've been wrapped up with work and other bits of life when I finally learn today about Kevin Spacey being in town, filming HBO's movie called "Recount." I really haven't been living under a rock, about a month ago I was meeting a friend at the Tallahassee Mall and saw casting signs for the HBO film. I peaked my head inside but didn't see where casting auditions were being held then decided since the signs were handmade they weren't legit.

Fast forward to yesterday, where I saw a blip in the Tallahassee Democrat about roads being closed and today, I found the Tallahassee filming schedule for "Recount" on a St. Petersburg Times blog called The Buzz: Florida Politics. The schedule's from mid-October so don't know how much it's changed.

A couple of gals from the office and I will head downtown tomorrow to see if we can catch a glimpse of the filming or see Mr. Spacey, Laura Dern or any of the other actors. They ship out of town at the end of the week and most of the film will be shot in Jacksonville.

A Conversation with Big Brother 8 Houseguest Zach - UPDATED

I had the chance to meet and chat with Big Brother 8 houseguest Zach Swerdzewski while he's been home in Tallahassee. You'll have to wait for the complete article but he's a terrific, energetic and genuine guy. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Big Brother Zach fans need to mark October 17 in their date book, that's when his Web site www.DolphinCrash.com launches to sell his edgy surf gear and swimwear.

Stay tuned for the complete interview, which includes his thoughts about being on Big Brother 8 and what he's looking forward to.

Thanks for your time Zach!

Updated: Here's a link to the Part 1 of the interview, it focuses on Big Brother 8. Coming next week is the interview focusing on Dolphin Crash, which will now launch on Oct. 23.

Meet Tallahassee's Own Big Brother 8 Houseguest: Zach Tonight!

CBS's Big Brother is one of my vices. I saw it in the beginning and have seen it evolve over the years. This season, Tallahassee's Zach Swerdzewski made the final three - yeah! Tallahassee and yeah! Zach for putting up with Dick all that time.

If you're a Big Brother fan, come meet Zach at Barnacle Bill's tonight between 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Unfortunately, I won't be able to stalk, err, meet Zach, I have class tonight.

Made in Tallahassee: My Brother's Keeper

Remember my April article about Spike Lee speaking in Tallahassee and how a filmmaker gave Lee his DVD of a show called "My Brother's Keeper?" Well good news, Tallahassee! My Brother's Keeper "The First Impression": An Introductory Short Film to the Hit New Drama Series is now available here in Tallahassee at:

Vinyl Fever
2256 West Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, FL

CD Warehouse (Next to FAMU)
803 Railroad Ave.
Tallahassee, FL

If you can't get out and shop locally, pop over to Amazon.com. The DVD has the first two episodes of the six-episode season dealing with a gritty, realistic look at college life. Support the local talent and check it out! So, did Spike Lee help out? Dunno. But if/when I find out, will report back.

Private Screening of "The Kite Runner" in Tallahassee???

It could happen. I've taken on Paramount Vantage's challenge to set up an online community as part of the "The Kite Runner Loyalty Program and Competition." As the Kite Club Captain, I need to gather at least 100 members to the Tallahassee Area Kite Runners group and our handsome reward will be a private, pre-screening of "The Kite Runner" in Tallahassee. How cool would THAT be?

It's free to register and the screening would be sometime in October.

Why did I do this? I read the The Kite Runner because I was planning to join a book club. I found the book beautifully written yet ugly and dark, yet real. It sparked an interest in Afghanistan, which led to my March 2006 trip to Kabul. The book piqued my curiosity of what life is like for the Afghans so as crazy as it sounds, I made the journey. If you haven't found it yet, I kept a blog at: www.QuirkyKitsch.com.

I encourage anyone who's read the book, has an interest in good stories and films or just a curiosity about people to join the Tallahassee Area Kite Runners group. Hopefully, we can watch the film together and how cool would that be?

More Cool Things in Tallahassee

After about two years here in Tallahassee, I'm still trying to figure out where I fit in. I have to admit the community is a kitsch mix of old-Floridian tradition with college-capital culture.

I mean, there's the flea market on Capital Circle where you can buy things like guns, bows with arrows, chickens, jewelry and produce.

Then there's the kitsch, whimsical folk art of Mary Proctor. Have you visited her yet? Head south on Monroe and look to the left - the glittery sparkle from the junk yard is eye-catching. Don't be afraid to visit. Ms. Proctor is a lovely woman and passionate about her art.

Of course, there's the powerful draw of the area's universities. Last night I saw Spike Lee lecture at Ruby Diamond Auditorium (pictured). Even though I've been outta school for oh, too many years, he was inspirational. Hope you enjoy my take on the evening.

What's coming up in Tally?
The First Friday Gallery Hop is this weekend (already?!?!). Tomas Eads Art (www.thomaseadsfineart.com) will host a reception 6 - 9:00 p.m. with the Still Lifes exhibit of Noah Verrier. The gallery describes the still lifes as: "Simple in composition, economically rendered, and beautifully illuminated."

Learned "The Full Monty" playing at the Tallahassee Little Theatre April 12 - 14 at 8:00 p.m. and April 15 & 22 at 2:00 p.m. I haven't seen this on the stage but the movie had me laughing hysterically. I just wonder how they will show the full monty?????

Big Bend Hospice presents "Wind in the Willows" on Thursday, April 12 at the Quincy Music Theatre. It's a benefit performance in memory of Dr. Jessie Furlow:

"Wind in the Willows"
Quincy Music Theatre
118 E. Washington Street
Quincy, FL
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2007
Reception: 6:30 p.m.
Benefit Performance: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 general admission
For tickets and information: (850) 701-1341 or www.qmtonline.com