New Release: HYDE PARK ON HUDSON

In spring 2005, National Geographic photographer James Balog headed to the Arctic on a tricky assignment: to capture images of the Earth’s changing climate. Within months of that first trip, the photographer conceived the boldest expedition of his life: The Extreme Ice Survey. With a band of young adventurers in tow, Balog began deploying time-lapse cameras across the brutal Arctic to capture a multi-year record of the world’s glaciers. Chasing Ice is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet. His hauntingly beautiful videos compress years into seconds and capture ancient mountains of ice disappearing at a breathtaking rate.

Then, opening Friday, Jan. 4, Hyde Park on Hudson stars Bill Murray and Laura Linney in a historic tale that explores the all-too-human side of one of the nation’s most iconic leaders. In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Murray) readies to host the King and Queen of England (Samuel West and Olivia Colman) for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York, marking the first-ever visit of a reigning British monarch to America. As Britain faces imminent war with Germany, the royals are desperately looking to FDR for U.S. support. Blending literate wit and drama, Hyde Park on Hudson is directed by Roger Michell from a screenplay by Richard Nelson, and has already netted a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, Musical or Comedy for Bill Murray’s performance as FDR. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30, 5 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Show times for the following week are available at www.TampaTheatre.org

Tickets for each of these films are $10 for adults, $8 for children, seniors, military and Tampa Theatre members at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa.

Special Sneak Preview of “Downton Abbey” Season 3

WEDU will host a preview screening of the much-anticipated third season of its acclaimed series “Downton Abbey” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3. The event is free and open to the public and will feature the first hour of the first episode. As the story unfolds, the Great War is over, and the long-awaited engagement of Lady Mary and Matthew is on. But all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate.

Seating is limited, and a free ticket is required. Visit www.TampaTheatre.org/downton-abbey-preview-event/ for details and to register online.

“A Magic Cure”

On Thursday, Jan. 10, The Lawrence A. Martucci Benefit presents acclaimed illusionist Reynold Alexander in a show to support Tampa-based charity The Children’s Cancer Research Group. Called “the most acclaimed magician in Latin America,” Alexander has appeared in more than 20 countries and has successfully performed the famous Houdini’s Water Torture Cell escape, handcuffed and locked upside down in a water tank.

The performance is appropriate for ages 7 and older. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $58.50 at the box office or $62.50 online at www.TampaTheatre.org. VIP tickets are $107 at the box office or $114 online, which includes a pre-show reception with beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres, photos and a silent auction.

“Sex Symbols of the Silver Screen” Classic Movie Series

Before there was George Clooney, there was a young Marlon Brando. Before there was Angelina Jolie, there was Marilyn Monroe. And before all of them, there was the original “it” girl, silent film seductress Clara Bow. Sunday afternoons will sizzle as Tampa Theatre presents eight classic movies featuring some of the most iconic Sex Symbols of the Silver Screen on select Sundays, Jan. 13 – March 17.

Film titles and dates will be announced soon!

Tickets for the Sex Symbols of the Silver Screen classic movie series are $9 for adults and $7 for Tampa Theatre members; tickets for the silent film “It” with live accompaniment are $12  for adults and $10 for children, seniors, military and members at the box office, or online at www.TampaTheatre.org ($2 convenience fee applies).

Tour the Tampa Theatre

Where does the Mighty Wurlitzer organ go when the movie starts? Why are there stuffed peacocks perched around the proscenium? (And, for that matter, what is a “proscenium” anyway?) Learn the Theatre’s secrets, stories, art and architecture with a “balcony to backstage” tour of the historic movie palace. The 90-minute tour will kick off in the lobby at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8 and Saturday, Jan. 19. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 2 to 12. Tampa Theatre members are free.

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The Theatre

The Tampa Theatre opened its doors in 1926 as one of America’s most elaborate “movie palaces”. The theatre opens its doors to over 600 events a year and is currently in a fundraising program to upgrade its projection system to a digital system. The theatre boasts a Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, which I cannot wait to visit again so I can hear it being played (my first instrument was the organ and it is still a favorite of mine to listen to). They also offer tours and field trips, which I would love to do someday. If you live in or are visiting the Tampa area I recommend a visit to this living piece of Tampa’s history.

A glimpse at the beautiful Tampa Theatre

Rockapella

Rockapella began in 1986 as quartet of Brown University graduates singing Doo Wop on the streets of New York City. Scott Leonard, the now senior member of the group joined in 1991. You may know them best as the house band and comedy troupe for the television show, “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” which aired on PBS from 1991-1996. The Carmen Sandiego theme song is still there #1 downloaded song. They are also famous for their Folgers coffe commercials that aired between 1998-2001.

I have now had the pleasure of seeing the Rockapella Holiday show twice, the first time about 5 years ago. A Rockapella show is a fun family night out. All 5 guys are very talented musicians and have great stage presence. In a world where so much of the “pop” music is digitalized, over dubbed and auto tuned it is so refreshing to hear musicians who are talented vocalists who perform with sound reinforcement but not full of processing.

You can download Rockapella’s 2011 Christmas Album A Rockapella Holiday, to enjoy this Christmas season.

Myself & Scott Leonard

Disclosure: I am thankful to the Tampa Theatre and Rockapella for inviting me to be their guest at this fun concert. All opinions are 100% mine. There are affiliate links in this post.

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This December, the Tampa Theatre will deck its historic halls with a month-long celebration of holiday films, concerts, theatre tours and special presentations that highlight the season in ways from family-friendly to far-out, traditional to up-tempo.

Holiday Classics Movie Series

When you come to the Tampa Theatre, you’re not just coming for a movie – you’re coming for an experience. One of the most popular of those experiences for guests is the opportunity see a beloved holiday favorite on the big screen and sing along to Christmas carols with the Mighty Wurlitzer before each show in the unmatched elegance of the city’s historic movie palace.

The Muppet Christmas Carol 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2
The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser’s redemption on Christmas Eve. Immediately before the film, Mrs. Claus herself will make a special appearance for an interactive story time and presentation of “The 12 Days of Christmas” with the children in the audience.

White Christmas 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9
A successful song-and-dance duo become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save a failing Vermont inn.

Miracle on 34th Street 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16
When a kind, elderly man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing.

It’s A Wonderful Life 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 3 p.m. Sunday Dec. 23
An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

Tickets for the Holiday Classics Movie Series are $9 for adults, $7 for children, seniors, military and Tampa Theatre members at the box office, or online at TampaTheatre.org ($2 convenience fee applies)

New Releases: Anna Karenina and Rare Exports

Opening Friday, Nov. 30, Anna Karenina is already being called an automatic contender for the Best Picture OSCAR. The bold, theatrical new presentation of the epic love story is the vision of acclaimed director Joe Wright, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s great novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love). The film marks the third collaboration of the director with Academy Award-nominated actress Keira Knightley and producers Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Paul Webster, following their award-winning box office successes Price & Prejudice and Atonement. The film also stars Jude Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The film will run throughout December, and showtimes are available online at TampaTheatre.org

On the darker end of the holiday spectrum, Rare Exports is billed as “A film for those who think they don’t believe in Santa Claus anymore.” Based on award-winning shorts by Finnish director Jalmari Helander, the film focuses on a group of local reindeer herders whose Christmas is disturbed when archaeological excavations on the mountain uncover the source of the original Santa Claus myth. Rather than a “jolly old elf,” however, they find a supernatural being who instead of rewarding good children, punishes the naughty. Roger Ebert called it “an original, daring, carefully crafted film,” but far from family-friendly, this late-night special feature is more geared toward monster-movie fans. Showtimes are 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8.
Tickets for each of these films are $10 for adults, $8 for children, seniors, military and Tampa Theatre members at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa.

Rockapella

On Thursday, Dec. 20, the Tampa Theatre will host the return “A Rockapella Holiday” at 7:30 p.m. Known as the kings of contemporary a cappella music, this five-man powerhouse of vocal talent sweeps through sold-out venues across the country year-round, but Rockapella’s holiday show is one not to miss. With a style that adds a smooth edge to the season’s warm heart, Rockapella’s music ranges from unexpected reworkings of familiar standards to brand-new originals destined to be classics. Audiences of this annual favorite can expect to be tickled and touched by a performance like no other.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $26 for children at the box office, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at TampaTheatre.org ($2.50 convenience fee applies)

Tour the Tampa Theatre

Where does the Mighty Wurlitzer organ go when the movie starts? Why are there stuffed peacocks perched around the proscenium? (And, for that matter, what is a “proscenium” anyway? Learn the Theatre’s secrets, stories, art and architecture with a “balcony to backstage” tour of the historic movie palace. The 90-minute tour will kick off in the lobby at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 22. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 2 to 12. Tampa Theatre members are free.

A catapult for the imagination since 1926, the Tampa Theatre is a symbol of our city’s glorious past and bright future. Tampa Theatre is a passionately protected landmark and one of America’s best-preserved examples of grand movie palace architecture. The Tampa Theatre Foundation’s mission is to preserve the Tampa Theatre as a dynamic cultural institution.

If you live in or are visiting the Tampa Bay area and have never visited the Tampa Theatre, you are missing a big treat. I visited the theatre several times when I was attending college in Tampa and I cannot wait to get a chance to go back.

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