Neighborhood News Bureau

Category: Arts

  • MLK Essay Contest celebrated community and inclusion

    MLK Essay Contest celebrated community and inclusion

    BY EVELYN GUERRA, Neighborhood News Bureau

    Tyna Middleton, the Enoch Davis Center Senior Advisory Council Secretary, and Virginia Scott shared a hug before Scott gave the event history. Scott is the president of the St. Petersburg Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Organization, Inc. She has been part of the organization since this event began 32 years ago.

    The Martin Luther King Jr. High School Essay Contest bring students from various high schools to participate, and Scott emphasized how important it is for these students.

    “The youth are contributing to the community and society,” Scott said. “These students want to do it; they want to make it good.”

    She also said that this is an important event because of the kind of how the general public can act.

    “All of the years are about young people beginning to serve,” Scott said. “To become more of an individual in a society where you follow your peers.”

    Contribution to society

    At the 32nd Annual MLK Essay Contest, Virginia Scott, President of the St. Petersburg Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Organization Inc., spoke to the attendees about the history of the event.

    Scott has been involved since the very beginning and enjoys to hear what the students write every year.

    “The youth are contributing to the community and society,” Scott said. “These students want to do it; they want to make it good.”

    The event is hosted by the Enoch Davis Center and is sponsored by a few other groups such as the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

    First speech

    Deondrick Harper delivered his speech first. He is in 10th grade at Gibbs High School and was unsure at first.

    “It went pretty good,” Harper said. “I was nervous at first, but after I got some of my essay out I felt more comfortable.”

    Harper wrote his piece on which Martin Luther King Jr. techniques society can use for peace and justice. He covered recent police brutality and how he thinks we are closer to eliminating racism than we think.

    Harper noticed that what he thought was most important about this contest in the community.

    “We’re letting people know what is going on in the world, it is the most important win or lose,” Harper said.

    Harper was awarded honorable mention at the end of the night and $25.

    Life of a hero

    Aysiah Pagan, a sophomore at Gibbs High school, presented second. “I was nervous because of stage fright but I think it went well,” she said.

    Pagan wrote her essay on how love should be our race, and peace be our religion.

    “We’re remembering what MLK did and what he died for, we’re remembering to have love in this world,” Pagan said.

    She was awarded third place for her essay and given $75.

    First prize

    Daniela Pepe, a ninth grader from Gibbs High School, was the third student to present her essay for the MLK High School Essay Contest.

    Pepe spoke about how silence is poison to a good cause. She was trying something different.

    “I am used to singing at school, but not public speaking, so it’s a new experience,” Pepe said.

    Pepe thinks this local essay contest is doing good things.

    “Everyone that writes this essay is trying to resolve the conflict,” Pepe said.

    Pepe received first place in the essay contest and won $200. She also won two tickets to sit at the annual MLK Leadership Breakfast, Monday.

  • Historic Women’s Organization Hosts “Hidden Figures” Screening for Local Girls

    Historic Women’s Organization Hosts “Hidden Figures” Screening for Local Girls

    BY GRACE CUNNINGHAM, Neighborhood News Bureau

    The St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority hosted a screening of the film “Hidden Figures”  Friday night in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Following a red carpet entrance and photo opportunity, the theater at Cobb Luxury 10 at Tyrone Mall, in St. Petersburg, Florida, was filled with local girls and women from the community. Introducing the film, which tells the true story of three black women who worked on the main projects for NASA during the 1960s, were several guest speakers.

    All of the guests work in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)  and encouraged the young women in attendance to reach for the seemingly impossible.

    Though the theater was a bustling scene permeated with laughter, the event addressed other issues currently presented to young black women.

    “No matter what they face, they can overcome sexism, racism – whatever it is – and be whatever they want to be,” said the event’s master of ceremonies, Loretta Thompson.

  • A Community on the Verge of Extinction

    Filmed by USFSP student, Tracy Darity, this video shows her concerns regarding “concerning gentrification, the Warehouse Arts District,” and the lack of entertainment options in Midtown, St. Petersburg. According to Darity, “as a person of color, I believe this is a very important topic, and it saddens me that black community has grown numb to what is taking place around them.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPTvoA2eAsw

     

  • PARC’S Florida inspired 2016-2017 exhibition coming to Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum

    PARC’S Florida inspired 2016-2017 exhibition coming to Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum

    PARC’s traveling exhibition featuring artists with developmental disabilities will be on display July 29 – August 13, 2016.        

    The Florida Inspired 2016-2017 features works of art from the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC in St. Petersburg, a non-profit organization where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can express fully their artistic talents. More than 30 unique pieces of art are featured in the traveling exhibition will be on display at Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum.

    Alex J. and the Big Whale at a previous art exhibition.

               A large art piece, Big Whale by Alex J. encourages the community to be inspired and create their own piece of artwork, which is then included onto the art!

    “The goal of visitors to alter Alex’s painting is to show unexpected ideas, and an expanded conversation about the relevancy and creative values of diversity of abilities and experiences. With the traveling art exhibition, we are increasing opportunities for inclusion for emerging artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Florida’s diverse visual arts, creative industry and aesthetic dialogue,” said Maria Emilia Faedo, PARC’s originating exhibition curator.

    The Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum is located at 2240 9th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg.  Museum hours are noon – 5 p.m. on Tuesday – Friday. Admission to the museum is free, though donations are appreciated. The public is welcome to attend all special weekend events.

    “We are delighted to partner with PARC on this extraordinary exhibit with hopes that we might all be ‘inspired’,” said Terri Lipsey Scott, Chair of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum.

    Red House by artist Tyler C., who works and creates at the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC, is on display at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in St. Pete starting July 29 – August 13.

    Red House by artist Tyler C., who works and creates at the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC

    Since 1953, PARC has been supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by offering a variety of services focused on their unique needs and goals. For more information about the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC, call 727-341-6931.

    PARC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities to exercise their independence and experience life to the fullest.  Established in 1953, PARC currently serves more than 800 individuals in the greater Tampa Bay area. To learn more about PARC, call 727-345-9111 or visit www.parc-fl.org.

  • Gallery celebrates second year, highlights Florida-born artist

    Gallery celebrates second year, highlights Florida-born artist

    REPORTING BY KATIE CALLIHAN AND MARLA KORENICH
    PHOTOS BY KATIE CALLIHAN
    NNB Reporters

    MIDTOWN-During February of 2014, a massive snowstorm known as PAX froze and shut down the entire heartbeat of the city of Atlanta.

     

    Mitchell, 33, talks with a Guest about her art pieces. She says, “ I usually say a prayer at the beginning of the week and then come up with paintings I want to do. The Lord never disappoints.”
    Mitchell, 33, talks with a Guest about her art pieces. She says, “ I usually say a prayer at the beginning of the week and then come up with paintings I want to do. The Lord never disappoints.”

    The major power outages left more than 100,000 people in the dark without heat for days, and for some, weeks. (source: http://time.com/6747/over-200000-without-power-in-georgia-as-winter-storm-descends/)

     

    During that snowstorm two years ago, Melissa Mitchell was one of the many stuck inside. With nothing else to do, her curiosity peaked and she decided to pick up a paintbrush for the first time.

    Within the first two weeks of her new painting career, Mitchell had sold 20 pieces. This was clear evidence that she had something special worth pursuing.

    Mitchell said, “I was always colorful and creative, but I never painted before because I didn’t think I could.”

    Little did she know that just a couple years later, she would be the featured artist at Gallerie 909’s second year anniversary celebration this past Sunday in Midtown, St. Petersburg.

    Walking into the gallery, natural light bounced onto her collection from a large window next to the front door.

    Many laughs were shared as stories were told about the different pieces of art displayed.
    Many laughs were shared as stories were told about the different pieces of art displayed.

    Her vibrant pieces covered the main entry white wall on the right-hand side of the room.

    They added life that displayed bold, black lines contrasted by a pop of bright colors.

    “My pieces are organized chaos. The black lines give balance,” Mitchell said about her painting style.

    Spread across a white shelf and scattered under her wall of paintings, Mitchell was also selling handmade earrings. Mitchell said that she started to make earrings for herself because she couldn’t find anything else to buy that matched her bright clothes.

     

    “Chanel West came all the way down from Boston to Tampa in August. She now bakes from her home to support her two daughters.”
    Chanel West came all the way down from Boston to Tampa in August. She now bakes from her home to support her two daughters.

    Mitchell has already sold over 300 pieces of jewelry without any traditional advertisements. She said that she only executes Facebook and Instagram as her network and marketing tools.

    “I’m definitely a millennial,” said Mitchell. “All of my business is either from social media or word of mouth.”

    This was not Mitchell’s first time in the hot seat. Since day one, Mitchell has already participated in about seven art shows and has sold over 150 pieces total.

    Bright fabric like orange sherbet ice cream was wrapped around Mitchell’s head.“This is my artwork too,” she said. She explained that printing her paintings on fabric is another project she’s going to start working on for others to purchase as well.

    Patrick Collins, neighbor to the gallery and owner of Deuces BBQ, poses with one of his cooks smoking ribs and shrimp during the peak of lunch hour.
    Patrick Collins, neighbor to the gallery and owner of Deuces BBQ, poses with one of his cooks smoking ribs and shrimp during the peak of lunch hour.

    During the celebration at Gallerie 909, Mitchell sold at least 12 pieces, but she said that wasn’t her biggest success of the day.

    “I spoke to an artist that is now ready to restart. If I encourage anyone, it is a good trip,” Mitchell said.

    Mitchell was just one of the many artists that were welcomed by Carla Bristol, Gallerie 909’s owner and event curator.
    Gathered around tables of plates with fresh baked mini-cheesecakes and BBQ pork sandwiches painters, musicians, sculptors, and friends all shared one reason for being there.

    They just love Carla Bristol.

    Annie Tyrell, owner of Annie’s Beauty Supply, gave Bristol credit for her success.

    Annie Tyrell, owner of Annie’s Beauty Supply, poses with her niece Brenda Jackson.
    Annie Tyrell, owner of Annie’s Beauty Supply, poses with her niece Brenda Jackson.

    Tyrell moved her beauty supply store to be Bristol’s neighbor. Their storefronts now face each other on the Deuces. Tyrell said that Bristol found the new location for her.

     

    Tyrell followed Bristol’s advice.

    “At my old location, I was dead, and now, I am alive,” said Tyrell. “She is the life behind the Deuces.”

    Creative Pinellas executive director Barbara St. Clair, was one of many in the crowd and said, “She’s a dynamo. Every time she does something, it’s great.”

    “This is a place for connecting,” said Bristol.

    Bristol hopes to expand the gallery to even include art that people can wear.

    Bristol also mentioned that she wants larger workshop classes for the future.

    Gallery owner and event curator, Carla Bristol, demonstrates how she greets every guest with a hug.
    Gallery owner and event curator, Carla Bristol, demonstrates how she greets every guest with a hug.

  • Family Day Celebration draws a crowd to the Deuces

    • 1st place Len
    • 2nd place carl
    • 3rd place katilia

    REPORTING BY ANNA STEBBINS, VIDEO BY JADE ISAACS, AND PHOTOS BY LAURA MULROONEY

    NNB Reporters

    This story was originally published by The Weekly Challenger at: http://theweeklychallenger.com/family-day-celebration-draws-a-crowd-to-the-deuces/

     

    ST. PETERSBURG – The renaissance of the 22nd Street corridor, also known as the Deuces, continues to build up steam. At its prime, big names such as Louie Armstrong, Duke Ellington and James Brown could be seen working and playing along the corridor.

    Although no giants in the entertainment industry could been seen hanging out on the Deuces last Sunday, what you could see was food, fun and local entertainment at the inaugural “Family Day on the Deuces.”

    Over 50 people attended the event at Deuces BBQ, 911 22nd St.

    The festivities kicked off at 3 p.m. with a Macaroni and cheese contest, whole hog roast, crawfish boil and live music from the Southside Blues Brothers and special guests: local rapper, Varis and Marques Clark, poet and author of  “Poetically Correct.”

    “I saw (the event) online and haven’t had crawfish in awhile, so I figured I’d make the drive to get some,” said Joe Toscano, who came from Palm Harbor.

     

    The focus of the event was to give people a reason to come down to the Deuces and connect with the community while having fun, according to Patrick Collins, owner of Deuces BBQ, who helped plan the day. Co-sponsors of the event included neighboring businesses, Chief’s Creole Café, Gallerie 909 and the Historic 22nd Street S Merchant Association.

    Elihu Brayboy, owner of Chief’s Creole Café, provided the crawfish boil and was very pleased with the turnout.

    “I’ve heard nothing but very good feedback.  It’s very important to keep this trend up,” said Brayboy. “It brings a sense of community and brings people from other areas of this city to this area.”

    There were over 15 mac n’ cheese entries for the competition and, as a family-friendly event, the kids were the official judges.

    The winner of the contest, Len Nhoung, went home with a cash prize of $50 and a $50 gift card to Deuces BBQ.  Carl McClellan, a chef at neighboring Chief’s Creole Café, came in second place and received a $50 gift card to Deuces BBQ.

    The secret to the winning mac was the addition of mozzarella cheese, sharp cheddar cheese and crisped bacon, Nhoung said.

    With a $10 ticket, visitors could get their hands on a plateful of baked beans, mac n’ cheese and barbeque pork.  For $12, people could help themselves to a heap of boiled crawfish, accompanied with sausage, corn on the cob and a chunk of corn bread.

    This event was perfect for people of any age, offering board games at each table, outdoor festivities, and dancing to old school blues.

    The Family Day featured more than just food.  There were also several vendors that included African art, portrait painters, handmade jewelry and featured pieces from Gallerie 909.

    The sponsors of the gathering are expecting to host more of these types of events throughout the year in an effort to bring together the community.

  • Local artists revive the Deuces

    Local artists revive the Deuces

    REPORTING BY KATIE CALLIHAN AND MARLA KORENICH
    PHOTOS BY KATIE CALLIHAN
    NNB Reporters

    MIDTOWN – On Saturday, February 27th, Midtown hosted St. Petersburg’s first Black Arts Festival. This event pulled various vendors from across the world into one vacant, grass lot at the corner of 9th Avenue South and 22nd Street South.

    The owner of Gallerie 909, Carla Bristol, curated and hosted the community event.

    _MG_5425
    Carla Bristol stops to speak with one of her many visitors gazing at the various collections of artwork located at 909 22nd street south.

    “I decided to do this event as a culmination for black history month,” said Bristol.

    The Southside Blues Brothers were playing live facing 22nd street south. You could hear the combination of the piano, guitar, and deep, soul-filled vocals from a mile away.

    Bristol selected this particular band to attract and to remind the community members of the momentum that the Deuces could still carry once again.

    _MG_5388
    The Southside Blues Brothers added energy and soul to the Black Arts Festival.

    “I wanted to see the energy on the corner again – to see what the corner would be like,” said Bristol.

    The weather was cool, the sun was shining. By 11am, the layers of sweaters and jackets started to peel off and the venders were adding their final touches to their displays.

    A stimulating energy was in the air and the community started to trickle in just as Bristol had hoped.

    Across long, rectangular tables and under the roof of white, square tents, each artist displayed great spectrums of bold colors and textures; you knew that there was a story behind everything.

    Handmade jewelry with large stones, paintings with texture, lotions imported from Africa, and other goods were all being sold at fair prices.

    In the middle of all the vendors, three art stations catered a variety of crafts for children. You could catch them zipping through and winding between booths playing tag with decorated masks on their faces; colorful feathers falling from them.

    _MG_5227
    Artist, Ramel Jasir demonstrated his unique painting style that consisted of smooth lines of collected dots – his own spin off of pointillism. Jasir said that he used to be a musician. Without prior sketching or making outlines, he says, “The music takes the line in different directions.”

    A few artists, “Freddy Fred” and “Zulu Painter” from the Bloom Art Center participated in their first art show. “Zulu Painter” was painting live against his easel. He said that he finds inspiration by first looking at magazines. When he finds certain images that he likes, he then paints them together as one collective image.

    _MG_5300
    Sehou Saho from Senegal imports shea butter from his homeland in Africa to make and sell. “The shea butter helps people and I like to help people,” said Saho.

    Another contributor in the festival was traveling Folk Artist, Sandy Hall.

    Hall, mother of six, stood in the middle of a small, shaded tent that stretched about as far as both of her fingers could point.

    “This is my life,” she said as she directed her guest’s eyes across her display of paintings that varied in different rectangular shapes and sizes.

    Hall shared that growing up, her family loved to tell stories.

    “Our stories kept us together as a family. I can’t tell the stories, but I can paint them,” said Hall.

    When asked how she learned to paint, Hall’s story began to unfold.
    In 2001, TV show ‘Bob Ross’ was playing in the background of a hospital room.

    Hall was diagnosed with cancer.

    Her mobility and her creativity were limited to the stark walls of the hospital that seemed to be closing in.

    One day, Hall’s nurse explained that she would soon be expecting a visitor, Hall’s mother. This was the last thing that Hall was emotionally prepared for.

    _MG_5194
    Folk artist, Sandy Hall.

    Hall was faced with a deep trance that forced a paralyzing apathy that had taken over her mind and body. She had no desire to do anything.

    “The nurse kept trying to get me to crochet or do puzzles,” Hall said.

    To make her mother happy, Hall decided that she would try to look busy, try to look entertained and try to hide the pain.

    “It wasn’t until my mother came and I had to be on my best behavior,” said Hall.

    For the first time in her life, Hall picked up a paintbrush and an empty canvas.

    Out of desperation, she began to paint.  

    Since that day, for Hall, everything changed. Hall succeeded in beating cancer and her newly discovered talent put all six of her children through school.

    Traveling in a passenger van, Hall said, “I used to line up my kids in an assembly line and have them help me with picture framing.”

    They say that if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.

    Today, Hall still makes a living selling her paintings online and in various art festivals across the country.

    Overall, St. Petersburg’s first Black Arts Festival was a great success and it inspired all ages to find and maintain their creativity.

    _MG_5350
    From Gainsville, Jordahn-Syhmone & Giahnna Nicholé demonstrate making their custom, copper jewelry pieces.
    _MG_5333
    The duo hopes to soon find a storefront here in St. Petersburg. “We started experimenting with friends and making jewelry and thought, we can sell this,” they said.

    Bristol plans on putting together more community events like this.

    For more information about Bristol’s gallery, Gallerie 909, stop by at 909 22nd St. South.

    Gallerie 909 is a stop on St. Petersburg’s Second Saturday Artwalk. The next art walk will be on March, 12th. There is free parking and entry into all participating galleries and studios.

    _MG_5371
    Artist, Fanta Celah from Chicago explained that her jewelry pieces take from 30 minutes up to 18 hours. She started designing and making her own pieces around 1990 when she saw her friends doing it first – so she picked it up herself.

    For more information about the art walk, please contact the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance at 727.518.5142 or email them at info@stpeteartsalliance.org.

     

     

     

     

     

  • What society can learn from the military about diversity

    Diversity in the Military Panel

    BY LAURA MULROONEY
    Neighborhood News Bureau

    ST. PETERSBURG –“After about two weeks you find strength through your diversity,” as former Navy Petty Officer Donald Holly anecdotally recalled his time spent drifting through the depths of the ocean in a submarine. “You learn to identify the things that don’t really matter… then you learn to appreciate those things.”

    A panel of three former military leaders convened Thursday night for the “Shades of Green,” discussion on diversity in the United States Military at Stetson University College of Law.

    diversity sub, featuredHolly’s sentiment characterized the tone of the 90-minute discussion, with little to no disagreement from the other two panelists, retired Army Col. DJ Reyes, and retired Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Terry Nealy.

    Although they were products of vastly different backgrounds the innate camaraderie and mutual respect was apparent. As with most military driven events, the panel of strangers conversed as if they had known each other for ages.

    Socioeconomic status, gender, race, and sexuality were just a few defining factors of diversity discussed Thursday evening.

    Due to the expansive nature of the military, a single-culture environment is not a prospect for members of the military admitted Holly.

    When asked by moderator Kristen Colelli, Stetson Law Juris Doctorate Candidate, “What is the most challenging aspect of accepting people from all over the place?”

    Reyes responded, “The biggest challenge is one of ignorance.”

    Not ignorance in a negative way, but ignorance in the sense of unfamiliarity, he clarified. According to Reyes, the members of the military are trained to fit one common model. It is difficult to keep one’s individuality in the process.

    Communication and mutual respect were revered throughout the discussion; Reyes explained that acceptance and inclusion occurs after lines of communication have been opened, “when respect goes both ways, progress can be made.”

    “After work we don’t have to invite each other home for dinner, but we do have to work together,” commented Nealy. According to Nealy, people are wired differently and are products of their environment; the key is to respect those differences.

    Holly concluded the discussion by advocating the practice of labeling; he explained that the process of labeling empowers people to represent who and what they are. “To level the playing ground by diminishing labels we marginalize people,” labels allow us to own who we are.

    The panel was co-hosted by The Pillars at Stetson College and the Student Veterans Organization Stetson College chapter to highlight the importance of diversity and promote the understanding of diversity of all types during the American Bar Association’s Diversity Week.

  • Jazz on the wall

    Jazz on the wall

    Artist work on mural featuring Louis Armstrong on Chief's Creole Café.

    Artist work on mural featuring Louis Armstrong on Chief’s Creole Café.

  • African American Heritage Trail: The Historic Manhattan Casino

    The Historic Manhattan Casino comes to life at night with Jazz performances from local Jazz artists following in the footsteps of former greats.

    Photo courtesy of Tim Arruda

    Listen to live jazz as you delve into a soulful menu of upscale southern comfort at Sylvia’s St. Pete.

    Experience southern staples and a new twist on old favorites.

    BY LAURA MULROONEY AND JASON SAAB
    NNB Reporters

    Constructed by Elder Jordan Sr., one of the first African American businessmen in St. Petersburg, FL and his sons was and has remained a quintessential establishment in Midtown since 1925.

    For 40 years, the Manhattan Casino played a significant role as a social hub for the community.

    The Manhattan was once a venue on the renowned southern “Chitlin Circuit,” a string of venues throughout the eastern, southern, and upper mid-west areas of the United States that were safe for African American performers of all genres to perform uninhibited.

    George Grogan served as the booking agent responsible for bringing in big acts, while simultaneously employed at Gibbs High School as a chemistry teacher.

    Major jazz and blues performers, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, Fat Domino, Count Bassie, Otis Redding and local legendary icons Al Downing, LeRoy Flemmings Jr., Al Williams, and George ‘Buster’ Cooper played at the venue.

    Al Downing, also a teacher at Gibbs High School inspired many students throughout the years with his passion and skill, some of the impressionable youth followed in his footsteps like Buster Cooper.

    Cooper learned music from Downing during his formative years at Gibbs High School.

    Buster would eventually go on to play throughout the country, but started off at the Manhattan where he would play with his cousin’s band and any swing bands that would allow him to sit in as they visited. Buster remembers the Manhattan being the “only place we could play at that time.”

    The casino closed in 1966 due to effects of integration throughout the city, allowing African American musicians greater exposure by playing in once closed off parts of the city.

    In 2005 The Manhattan was renovated under the initiative of former St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster.

    After many years of debate and fiscal hardship, once just a dance hall and center for community events the space packs twice the punch.

    On the first floor Sylvia’s Queen of Soul Food Restaurant opened in 2013 and is the first upscale soul food eatery in St. Petersburg.

    Sylvia’s serves down home cooking with a swanky ambiance. Piping hot corn bread is served upon seating as a four-page menu is placed in front of you. The menu offers three styles of chicken and waffles, grilled, blackened, fried, and BBQ seafood options, and every southern side dish imaginable.

    Upstairs stills serves it’s purpose as a dance and event hall.

    The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, Inc. continues to keep the music alive at the Manhattan with live Jazz Jams every second Sunday of the month. With major events such as Jazz Jams culminating conclusion of the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival

    Jazz is offered every Saturday downstairs at Sylvia’s from 11-2. Sylvia’s also hosts a Gospel Brunch every Sunday.

    Buster Cooper Quote and Interview courtesy of Jon Tallon- Florida Historian
    King’s Dream Unite and Manhattan Casino night photos courtesy of Tim Arruda

    Visit the King’s Dream Unite mural painted by artist Ya La’ford to recognize unity within the community.

    Photo Courtesy of Tim Arruda

    Internationally known artist Ya La’ford incorporates lights with her murals to remind residents that hope can be found in the darkest places.

    Local musicians bring the old Jazz hall back to life every Saturday and the second Sunday of every month.