Frankie Negron in Tampa, January 9th

Concert By Frankie Negron, Tampa, Florida
Salsa singer and performer
Saturday, Jan 9 (2010) 10:00p

Tickets: Only available at the door the night of the show
Before 10PM - $10 each for general admission / $15 each after 10 PM
VIP tickets are $25 each

Studio, Inc.
3603 W. Waters Avenue
Tampa, FL 33614
United States

Latin heart throb and salsa singing sensation, Frankie Negron, will be playing at Studio Inc. on January 9th in Tampa.

If you haven't seen him in concert, he puts on a great show, filled with passion, emotion and energy. He has such a booming and powerful voice, and a God-given talent, it is not often someone with this talent comes to Tampa to perform in such a (relatively) small and intimate setting.

I saw him in 2005, and he was excellent! Read the concert review from 2005.

Video below of Frankie Negron performing "Por Tu Placer", one of his most popular salsa songs.

Wild Wonderland Pictures at Lowry Park Zoo

Here are some pictures I took at the Lowry Park Zoo this past weekend. They had their seasonal "Wild Wonderland" celebration. The park turns into a night spectacle with millions of lights, attractions, Christmas music, and even some of Santa's reindeer.

If you have a chance to see it before December 30th, you should take advantage of the opportunity. It is a great place for the family, and for the kids.

It runs from 6 to 9PM during the evening.

Some penguins frolicking in the Florida "cold"


Tropical fish in the fish tank


One of Santa's reindeer taking a vacation in Florida, after a hard week at work. I didn't realize that the antlers actually fall off, and then grow back again!


The Lowry Park Zoo at night during Winter Wonderland


In the sugar plum fairies section

Siesta bridge, Sarasota, Christmas Lights

A great place to see Christmas lights is Sarasota is on the north bridge on Siesta Drive, going to Siesta Key.

There are a couple of water-front houses that coordinate every year to make a beautiful, tropical Christmas display.

Sarasota is located approximately 1 hour south of Tampa.

New Year's Extravaganza at Villaggio Ristorante, Lutz, Florida

Without a doubt, one of the best Italian restaurants in the Tampa Bay Area is the Villaggio Ristorante.

Villaggio Ristorante
102 Flagship Drive
Lutz,FL 33549
813 949-0572

Looking for something to do this New Year's?

New Year’s Eve and Magic Show Canceled because of the magician's illness

December 31, 2009
10:00pm
$65 per person Reduced to $45 per person. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause. It will still be a great New Year's eve in Lutz, outside of Tampa.

MENU

Oyster Rockefeller
Zuppe di Lenticchie

Risotto Pescatore
Shrimp, Scallops, Clams and Mussels

Spring Mix Endive
Roasted Red Peppers “Bagna Cauda”

Salmone in Champagne Dill Sauce
Duck all Orange

Potato
Broccoli

Panettone Ricotta
Frutta

Wines
Please choose your wines for the evening...
Prosecco
Pinot Noir
 Chianti Riserva
Villa Aninori
Dolcetto

Pictured below, Aldo and Rachel Colombini - very entertaining and hysterically funny!

Holiday Practica at Simone's

The place to be this Friday will be Simone's Dance Studio in Town & Country area.
Address:  8336 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, Fl. 33615.  Here is the email she sent out earlier this week:

Hello everyone,

This Friday, December 18 is our Holiday Practica.

This will be the last Practica of 2009, so come celebrate with us as we dance the night away!

Since this is the last one, I'll be providing food for everybody (The school's holiday gift to everyone).

On the menu:

• Meat Lasagna
• Vegeterian Lasagna
• Chicken Strogonoff
• Rice
• Salad
• Bread
• Deserts

Due to being a holiday party, you are welcome to BYOB. How about that...a party is a party!


I know many of you are very busy with shopping, but how about taking a little break to enjoy yourselves...! We will love to see you there.

The party is $10 at the door

Love, always...

Simone

Winter Salsa Jam in Tampa

Here is an email that I received from Tanja Kensinger regarding an upcoming weekend full of salsa activities in Tampa:

Announcing a new Meetup for The Tampa Salsa Meetup!

What: Winter Salsa Jam

When: December 18, 2009 9:00 PM

Price: $10.00 - $80.00 per person depending on passes purchased

Where:
Flava Fitness Studio
3744 W. Lambright Ave. Behind Westshore Pizza
Tampa, FL 33614
813-792-8244

Join Island Touch for a weekend long Salsa Jam! Parties, workshops, performances, 1st ever Island Touch picnic and a Red and White Party! We have a great line-up of out of town guests this year. Jayson Molina, Joe Figueroa and Ben Cartegena. It all happens Dec 18 - 20. See you then.

For more information, check out the Meetup Group below:

Click here to check out
The Tampa Salsa Meetup!

Salsa and Bachata workshop, Dec. 20, Tampa

Here is an email that Juan Paredes sent out about an upcoming salsa and bachata workshop in Tampa:

Hello my people,

Hope everyone had a nice thanksgiving weekend and getting ready for the Christmas holidays. As many of you know I have been wanting to do a ladies styling class myself:) but don't really think I can outdo our next workshop...... Miss Cristina Zavala!

I would like to invite you all to join us on Sunday December 20th at Frank Rey Dance Studio for this very special workshop. I have had the pleasure to travel with Cristina and have seen this girl in action and you definitely don't want to miss this fun and energetic class. She will focus on styling and proper technique that is geared to the beginners as well as Intermediate/Advance dancers.

Cristina and I will also be teaching an intermediate Bachata workshop. In this workshop we will focus on proper lead as well as fun and challenging footwork found in the Dominican style.

To sign up for the workshops and register please visit:
www.latingroovedance.com

Salsa Saturdays in St. Petersburg, Florida

Someone passed this along to me and said they are playing salsa music @ Ramada Inn

Where: US19 and 50th ave North - St Pete
When: on Saturdays, starts at 9 PM

"big dance floor............no cover..........not just salsa, all Latin Music"

If anyone has been there, let us know how it is!!!

Santa Pub Crawl, Hyde Park, Tampa

The annual Santa Pub Crawl

It's that time to celebrate a year gone by, and to meet up with old and new friends to ring in the holidays.

Wear you favorite Christmas outfit... bring you bells, and your noisemakers, and lets crawl.

Type: Party - Holiday Party
Start Time: Friday, December 4, 2009 at 6:00pm
End Time: Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 2:00am
Location: 405 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606


06:00PM - MacDintons ($10 - All You Can Drink 6pm to 8pm)
08:00PM - The Dubliner
10:00PM - The SoHo Tavern
11:00PM - The Rack
12:00AM - The Deck (hmm food)
1:00AM - The Lodge

***Remember to drink responsibly and to have a designated driver for your safety***

Get roasted, Thanksgiving Eve with the 13 Ugly Men, Tampa

Get Roasted Thanksgiving Eve
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
8:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m.

VENUE:
Rawbar Sushi and Taps Wine Bar and Lounge
777 N. Ashley Street, Downtown Tampa (First Floor of Skypoint), 813-463-1968.

DETAILS:
Don’t miss the 13 Ugly Men Thanksgiving Eve Block Party! The event will take over Rawbar Sushi and Taps Wine Bar and Lounge allowing partygoers to enjoy two different venues on one block. Enjoy the views of Downtown Tampa as you sip cocktails between both bars. This event gives you two sounds with three areas to “get roasted.”

TICKETS: ON SALE NOW!
SPECIAL ADVANCE ONLINE TICKET PRICING!
$10 Ladies / $20 Men

VIP TABLES: Includes one bottle of Grey Goose and 4 tickets!
$400

To purchase tickets, check out the 13 Ugly Men site.

Advanced online ticket sales will be closing at noon on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009. Tickets will be available at the door.

Proceeds to benefit: Bolesta Center, Inc
Serving the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing


They always throw a great party, and all of their parties support great causes in the Tampa Bay Area.

Here is a picture of their most recent Halloween Party in downtown Tampa.

Toby Love in Tampa, bachata

Toby Love, the very talented bachata singer will bring his passion for his music to Studio Inc. Night Club in Tampa, Florida.

When: Thursday, Nov. 19

Toby Love, a former member of the Bronx band Aventura, is best known for his Spanglish hit Tengo Un Amor. He also sings some very nice salsa songs.

The concert will run from 9 PM to 3 AM including performances by local musicians Latin League and Fantasma.

Ladies enter free until 10 PM and drink free until 11 PM.
After 10PM,ladies pay $15

Admission for guys is $15 before 10 PM and $20 after 10 PM.

Ages 18 and up.

View Toby Love video on YouTube

Studio Inc.
3603 W Waters Ave., Tampa.
Call (813) 598-3946 or (813) 650-4485.

Tito Nieves in Tampa

Tito Nieves Performing at the INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER in Tampa on November 28. 2009!!

Tito Nieves estas celebrando los 35 anos de Musica en El Indian Cultural Center en Tampa el dia 28 de Noviembre!! En tarima tambien Tony Tun Tun!! No se lo pierdes!!

Tito Nieves will be celebrating his 35th year anniversary in the Music Industry at the Indian Cultural Center in Tampa!! Tony Tun Tun will be performing as well. Don't mis this incredible show on Thanksgiving weekend!! See you in Tampa!!

Indian Cultural Center
5511 Lynn Rd Tampa, FL 33624-4813
(813) 264-4638

Tickets are $25 / per person and $40 for VIP.

Below is the video to his famous song "Fabricando Fantasias". It is a song about "Fabricating Fantasies" or lies. It is a song about the fantasy world, or the lies that he was living in while his young son was dying of cancer.

Some Miami pictures

This is a picture of the (building above the) Van Dyke Cafe, in South Beach Miami. This is a great place to hang out and people-watch. This is located at the Lincoln Road Mall, a pedestrian mall between Lenox Avenue and Washington Avenue.



Below is a picture of Miami at night, taken from Brickell Key, near the International Banking District of Miami.

Miami Duck Tours

What a great idea to have these Miami Duck Tours!  You can tour Miami by sea and then by land.  Next time I visit Miami, I will have to try the Miami Duck Tour.  Here are some pictures:



Miami Duck Tours uses custom made state-of-the-art amphibious vehicles called a "Hydra Terra." Each and every vehicle is a U.S. Coast Guard approved "T" vessel as well as a certified passenger vehicle for use on the roadways.



The tour starts in South Beach, to MacArthur causeway, to Star Island, the Port of Miami and downtown Miami.



Miami Duck Tours
1665 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139

1-877-DUCK-TIX
786-276-8300

Hyde Park Cafe'

One of the best places to dance in Tampa Bay is the Thursday night dancing at Hyde Park Cafe.

 

Here is their contact information:

 

Hyde Park Cafe

1806 W. Platt St.

Tampa, FL 33606

Ph: (813)254-2233

 

Dress: Dressy

Hours: Thu, 9:30pm to 1:30am

Cover charge: $7

 

Comments: One of the best salsa clubs, very good music.

Free salsa lessons available from 9:30 to 10:30pm.