Museum of Fine Arts in St Pete celebrates its 50th Anniversary with major exhibition Monet to Matisse- On the French Coast. Monet to Matisse, set for Saturday, February 7-Sunday, May 31, brings together paintings created on both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of France. The exhibit opens on the same day the MFA opened to the public in 1965. To commemorate this joyous occasion, the MFA is presenting a Founders Day Open House—free for everyone—on the first day of the exhibition – Saturday, February 7, 10am-3pm. MFA is also pleased to welcome the exhibits Life’s a Beach, Photographs by Martin Parr (Feb. 7- April 26) and African American Life and Family (January 17-May 3, in celebration of their 50th Anniversary.
For the Founder’s Day event The Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet will perform outside the Museum and Suzuki violinists will play inside. Face-painting, balloon art, and “Kidding Around Yoga” will be just a few of the activities for the entire family. Nan Colton, the MFA’s performing artist-in-residence, will look at some of founder Margaret Acheson Stuart’s favorite works in “Passions in the Collection.”
MFA continues the celebration with its Wine Weekend St. Pete 2015: Cheers to 50 Years on Saturday & Sunday, February 7-8. Wine Weekend St. Pete is presented by The Margaret Acheson Stuart Society. Festivities include an International Wine Auction with dinner at Café Montmartre on Saturday ($285/Person) and Anniversary Brunch on Sunday ($100/Person). The events are all at the MFA and salute the Belle Époque. Tickets can be ordered by visiting www.WineWeekendStPete.org or call 727.753.WINE (9463). For more information on public programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, please visit www.fine-arts.org.
2015 Mainsail Show– St. Petersburg welcomes the return of the Mainsail Art Show this April. The 40th Annual Mainsail Art Festival will be held at St. Petersburg’s waterfront Vinoy Park on April 18 and 19. New this year, the festival has increased cash awards to $64,000 featuring the $10,000 Best of Show Gold Award. In addition to 250 professional artists converging on Vinoy Park, Mainsail presents the Young at Art student show, Kids Create art activity tent, live music and a variety of culinary art food vendors. As always, admission for visitors is free. Mainsail is recruiting volunteers to assist. For more details, visit www.mainsailart.org or e-mail volunteers@mainsailart.org.
The Heart of Pinellas Decorative Artists (HPDA), the local chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters, installed new officers in December. The slate includes Marion Steinbrunner, president, Laura Ebbers; 1st vice president, Pat Stone; 2nd vice president; Sonja Sindell, treasurer. The HPDA invites anyone interested in the decorative arts to join them at a meeting on the second Saturday of each month at First Lutheran Church, 1644 Nursery Road, Clearwater. All skill levels are welcome. For more info contact Charlene at cwegma@aol.com call 727-367-8205 or visit www.hpdafl.com.
Pinot’s Palette in downtown St. Petersburg celebrated its One-Year Anniversary with a Silent Art Auction on January 17. Over 200 people attended the event in support of The Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which provides funding for research to find a cure for children with cancer. The event and silent auction raised $800 through massages from Peaceful Warrior Massage and the Silent Art Auction, making it the company’s most successful event to date. For more information on Pinot’s Palette visit www.PinotsPalette.com/stpetersburg.
Keep Saint Petersburg Local (KSPL) will commemorate its Three-Year Anniversary with the 2nd “Celebration of All Things Local” on February 7 from 10am to 5pm in Williams Park. It’s been a banner year for the Independent Business Alliance that’s working to build a thriving local economy and a unique community. Highlights include surpassing 500 members (many of St. Pete’s favorite independent businesses and non-profits). After a request for a ‘local czar” from the St. Petersburg Mayor’s office, KSPL now works closely with Jessica Eilerman, the Mayor’s Small Business Liaison Manager. KSPL was invited by the American Independent Business Alliance to present at this year’s national conference in Minneapolis, KSPL received several “Best of the Bay” Awards, and KSPL hosted the city’s first LOCALICIOUS Eat LOCAL Drink LOCAL Week in October. The 2nd Annual LOCALTOPIA, “A Community Celebration of All Things Local” will be Saturday, February 7, 10am to 5pm at Williams Park, 330 2nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg. FREE family & pet-friendly event. For more info call 813-500-7708, Email KeepSaintPetersburgLocal@gmail.com or visit www.keepsaintpetersburglocal.org.
The 57th Annual Queen of Hearts Ball will be Saturday, February 28, 6:30pm at te Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel, 333 First St. S, The event will benefit the new St. Anthony’s Hospital Memory Disorders Center and Angels Against Abuse. with 100% of profits from the Ball going to the two charities. Over $1M has been raised over the years. Tickets are $125/Person. Sponsorships start at $500. Make reservations by February 23 to 727-289-7418 or jwedding@tampabay.rr.com. More infoVisit www.QueenofHeartsBall.org or call 727.344.5500 .
St. Pete Concertgoers can now enjoy dinner from their favorite restaurant delivered to The Mahaffey Theater before the performance! The Mahaffey Theater has partnered with FoodNow to bring your favorite restaurant dishes to you before select upcoming concerts. With this newly offered experience, you are able to choose from more than 50 of St. Petersburg’s best restaurants and then enjoy it in the relaxed ambiance of the Mahaffey’s beautiful candlelit plaza or atrium. All the convenience with no added charges! For more information visit www.themahaffey.com/page/Dinner-Delivered/85.
The Gulfport Merchants Association (GMA) has announced a call for applicants for its 2015/2016 community support program. Local non-profit organizations that target or include Gulfport in their activities are invited to apply. For more details and to apply, see the application available at www.GulfportMA.com. The deadline to apply for a community support grant is February 28. Special consideration will be given to organizations that help with GMA Events including “Gecko Pub Crawl,” “Gecko Ball,” and “GeckoFest.” In 2014/2015, the GMA awarded grants to the Gulfport Historical Society, the Gulfport Neighbors, the Community Law Program and Gulf Coast Giving.
American Stage Theater Company After Hours is seeking solo and group comedy acts for its Sunday Comedy Series. Improv groups, sketch, one man shows, mimes, magicians, musicians, spoken word artists, filmmakers, monologists, niche concept shows and entertainment of all kinds are encouraged to submit. The only criteria is, funny. Details at www.americanstage.org
Multiple Grammy Award®-winning singer & legendary performer Bette Midler announced her return to the stage for her first major tour in a decade. Tickets on sale for the Tampa show at Amalie Arena on Mon day, May 11 at 8pm. With every ticket purchased online, Bette Midler fans are entitled to a copy of her new CD, “It’s the Girls!” Additional information: www.livenationentertainment.com.
Two historic preservation advocates & a nonprofit organization are fighting to save the historic 1897 Belleview Biltmore Hotel from demolition and have filed a lawsuit to block its sale and demolition. Save the Biltmore Preservationists and Diane Hein, president of the nonprofit organization, joined with Belleair resident T.C. Hayes as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Town of Belleair in the 6th Circuit Court in Pinellas. The suit contends that by allowing the demolition of the hotel, the Belleair Town Commission is going against its own comprehensive plan. Filing date was January 7. Information is available, and donations to help fund this lawsuit are being accepted now, at www.savethebiltmore.com.
Volunteers needed:
February 20-21- Lights On Tampa (A free celebration of public art at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa) Info: www.lightsontampa.org
April 20-26- 4th Annual Florida Listening Room Festival (intimate concerts by professional artists from living rooms, offices and other unique spaces around the state) Contact: fran@ListeningRoomNetwork.com. Info: www.ListeningRoomFestival.com.