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dishing-lights-camera-action-ybor-0Movie set tents went up in the G.BAR parking lot late two Saturdays ago. It was perfect timing since that same night GaYBOR District were hosting the Sugar & Surge Parties for the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Parts of the major motion picture, “Magic Mike” are being filmed in Ybor City. Besides the streets of Ybor City, locations included The Bricks and the Amphitheatre on 7th Ave. Hundreds of Tampa Bay extras showed up and played their part as patrons on the street getting into the club and dancing on the Amphitheatres rotating dance floor. The film is an independently produced film directed by Oscar-winning director, Steven Soderbergh and is based on the story of the early years of Channing Tatum as an exotic dancer in Tampa before becoming a Hollywood star. The film also stars Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer.

dishing-lights-camera-action-ybor-1Lights, Cameras, Action in Ybor

Movie set tents went up in the G.BAR parking lot late two Saturdays ago. It was perfect timing since that same night GaYBOR District were hosting the Sugar & Surge Parties for the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Parts of the major motion picture, “Magic Mike” are being filmed in Ybor City. Besides the streets of Ybor City, locations included The Bricks and the Amphitheatre on 7th Ave. Hundreds of Tampa Bay extras showed up and played their part as patrons on the street getting into the club and dancing on the Amphitheatres rotating dance floor. The film is an independently produced film directed by Oscar-winning director, Steven Soderbergh and is based on the story of the early years of Channing Tatum as an exotic dancer in Tampa before becoming a Hollywood star. The film also stars Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer. This is the second film for Steven Soderbergh to be filmed in Tampa Bay. The first was “Oceans Eleven.” The “Magic Mike” budget reportedly is $20 million with $1 million being spent in Florida.

People are Talking…

-The theme to this year’s All Hallows Ball is “Up in the Air”. Maybe that explains all the fairies we have seen in GaYBOR! They are everywhere and OMG, many are very HOT!

-The Bluz & BBQ Benefit at Curtis Hixon Park on the riverfront had lines of people sampling and eating barbecue from area smokers while listening to some great blues bands. The charity event was set up to help open the now closed Davis Island historical gem, Roy Jenkins Pool. Thousands came out and had a blast. I think there was some cash made for those expensive city pool renovations.

– TIGLFF had quite the week with over-the-top new festival films, actor and director parties, Taste of Tampa Bay, Vendor show, and tons of people to credit helping volunteer and staff for the film festival. Job well done, president Ken Hodges and staff!

dishing-lights-camera-action-ybor-2Buy from Small Independents

There is a poster on Facebook spreading like wild fire. . .it reads “If you really want to occupy Wall Street, do your holiday shopping at a small independent merchant.” We cannot agree more! There are so many small ways we all can do this. Yesterday, on my way to the big grocery store, I decided to stop by my small neighborhood Italian grocery store “Castellano & Pizzo” to pick up some cheese. This family business has been here since 1891. While there, I found some more “must have” items. Maybe the slogan “Shop Independents” should also be, “Re-discover the beauty of your own neighborhoods!”