» 2010 » February

• Progress on the New Dali Museum

  Written by Bob Horn No Comments
  Last Updated: February 24, 2010

  If you’ve never paid a visit to the Dali Museum, you really should! It’s a fantastic land of the surreal, and walking through the museum and really taking time to absorb what you see there can create entirely new neural pathways in your brain! Dali’s works are amazing, over the top explosions of color and shape and reality gone wild, and they are nothing but fun to see. Fans who live in the area or who visit here are very lucky – the St. Petersburg Dali museum holds the largest collection of Dali works in the United States and the largest collection outside of Europe.

  For anyone who does not know Salvador Dali’s works, you can get a pretty good idea of what they’re about by checking out this Google Images site.  And for those that do know Dali’s work, but are not familiar with all of the great things about the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, you should check out the Museum’s web site.  It’s worth looking at – aside from information about the exhibitions at the Museum, you can also learn about special events like the Saturday Family Fun Day and the S’Real Friday Happy Hour, with live music and half price admissions after 5:30 PM.  Think about it – go to Happy Hour, have a couple of drinks, then walk around and take a look at some of the most mind-bending depictions of non-reality imaginable.  Guaranteed to make your Happy Hour even happier.  And, while you’re at it, you might make a new connection with someone else who’s attending – it’s a popular Friday evening event!

  The current Salvador Dali Museum is located at 1000 3rd Street South, just to the south of the University of South Florida’s Bayboro campus.  For now. 

  And that leads us to the photograph below (please click on the photo to see a higher resolution, full size image), and the really exciting news that I’m posting about.  The Dali Museum will be moving, probably in 2011, if all goes according to plan.  The new Dali home will be a 35 million dollar, 66,450 square foot structure – that’s twice the size of the existing museum!  Included in the layout will be 50% more gallery space than the current museum has, which means that there will be a lot more of Dali’s work on display at any given time.  The museum will feature a huge, futuristic looking glass geodesic structure, giving it a unique look and feel that should provide incredible visual impact in its setting on the waterfront and adjacent to the Mahaffey Theater.

  I’ve been watching the progress on the new building since early last summer.  For a long time, it looked just like any new building, with foundation, walls, etc.  But in recent weeks, there has been, as the museum folks might say, surreal progress! The shell of the new structure is complete, and the very Dali-esque glass sculptures that will define the look and feel of the museum, both inside and out, are morphing towards completion. It’s both a bizarre and a beautiful look, and I have to believe that Dali himself would have smiled upon this new museum.

  If you’d like more information about the new Dali, follow this link to an FAQ page.

  And if you’d like to drive by to take a look for yourself, just head downtown on First Avenue South until you reach the last north/south road, which runs along the edge of the bay, which is BayShore Drive. Take BayShore towards the south, and after you pass the marina and Al Lang Field, you’ll see the Mahaffey Theatre. Right after the Mahaffey is the new Dali. You can’t miss it!

   

• 2010 Relay For Life of Gulf Beaches, FL

  Written by Connie Langhorst 1 Comment
  Last Updated: February 11, 2010

  The 2010 Relay For Life of Gulf Beaches, FL is scheduled to take pace at the Bilmar Beach Resort on Treasure Island Beach on April 16 and 17 . . . and NOW is the time to sign up and get involved!

  It seems that everyone knows someone, whether a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker, who has been impacted by cancer.  The Relay For Life events, which are hosted and held throughout Pinellas County, are a great way to celebrate survivors, remember and honor those who have been touched by cancer, and to fight back through fundraising (or, as I like to refer to it, friendraising).

  The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in our community, and in communities around the globe, a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, to remember lost loved ones, and to fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events and 18 hours in length.

  Having lost my neice, Julie, to cancer (at the age of 21), I was proud to be invited to serve as co-chair for the first-ever South Gulf Beaches Relay For Life, which took place at Stetson College of Law in Gulfport, FL.   Now an annual activity, Relay For Life events are hosted throughout Pinellas County, which demonstrates our care and concern for the communities in which we live and work–and for each other.

  While every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back.

  Celebrate – The Survivors Lap
  Relay starts with a Survivors Lap, an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories achieved over cancer. The Survivors Lap is an emotional example of how Relay participants are creating a world with more birthdays–like those of each individual on the track.

  Remember – The Luminaria Ceremony
  After dark, people who have been touched by cancer and loved ones who have been lost to the disease are honored and remembered during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each bears the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.

  Fight Back – Fight Back Through Fundraising
  There is a chance to fight back against cancer through fundraising.  In addition to what the fundraising teams do before the Relay, there are endless fundraising opportunities onsite.  From food, face painters, crafts and more, Relay teams have plenty of ways for participants and visitors to support the fight against cancer.

  No matter where you are, there’s a place for you at Relay.  You can make a difference by signing up online to start your own team or by simply making a donation.

  Thanks to Relay participants, the American Cancer Society is helping create a world with more birthdays . . . a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life.

  Survivors are the reason we Relay.  They make up a group of nearly 11 million strong who are finding their way through the cancer experience and fighting back against the disease. At Relay For Life, Survivors are always the guests of honor.

  The Luminaria Ceremony is the opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those who have won their battle. This is one of the most moving parts of the event that you will not want to miss. Honor or remember someone at Relay For Life with a luminaria.

  Just another special way that we care and share . . . in Paradise Found! 

  Visit the 2010 Relay For Life of Gulf Beaches, FL website to learn more, to donate, or to sign up to participate. 

  To register your team or to participate in the survivor activities, visit www.relayforlife.org/gulfbeachesfl. 

  Or, for more information, contact Nancy Williamson, Team Development Chair, at 727-581-9644 or ACS Community Representative, Christine Hartman, at christine.hartman@cancer.org or 727-812-7026. 

  CREDITS:  Relay For Life Logo courtesy of the American Cancer Society and ACS Relay For Life.  Event photos (from 2004 South Gulf Beaches Relay For Life) courtesy of yours truly. 

• Gulfport Centennial Art Walk

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: February 1, 2010

  Help the charming City of Gulfport celebrate its upcoming centennial! 

  2010 marks the beginning of a new decade and officially marks the City’s 100th birthday!

  The public is invited to help celebrate the new decade with an old tradition at the Gulfport First Friday Art Walk on Friday, February 5 from 6-to-10PM.  Plan to participate in this historic milestone and absorb Gulfport’s authentic “Old Florida” atmosphere.

  Peruse the work of over 50 artists and crafters, as well as authors, antique dealers and entertainers stretched over a half-mile up and down scenic Beach Boulevard. While browsing the art and craft booths, don’t miss Gulfport’s unique shops, boutiques and galleries. Enjoy dinner at one of over a dozen fine restaurants within the Art District, now one of the foremost dining destinations in the Bay Area. Live entertainers will be appearing at venues throughout the Village. Observe the talented artists at work all along Beach & Shore Boulevards.

  Gulfport Art Walk takes place on the First Friday and Third Saturday of every month, year-round. Parking is always available, the event is free, and free trolley rides are available from off-site parking areas, including nearby Catherine Hickman Theatre and Gulfport Public Library.

  CENTENNIAL ART WALK DETAILS:
  
  When:  6 to 10PM, Friday, February 5, 2010
  Where:  3129 Beach Blvd. in Gulfport, FL
  Cost:  Admission and Parking are FREE.
  For More Information:  Call 1-866-278-9255 or visit www.GulfportMA.com.

  This event is pet and family friendly!

  Once you discover Gulfport, Tampa Bay’s “best kept secret,” you’ll want to come back for more! 

  Just another day of history and fun . . . in Paradise Found! 

  For more information on many other Gulfport events, go to www.ExploreGulfport.com or www.GulfportFlorida.us.

  The Gulfport Art Walk and event recorded information line is 866-ART-WALK.

   

  

  

  

  CREDITS:  Press release and Art Walk photos courtesy of Gulfport Merchants Association website.  www.Gulfportma.com.  Poster art by Mike Darras (“The Peace Man”) courtesy of www.DomainHomeAccessories.com. 

  
• «
• « Newer
• 1
• Older »
• »