Join us for the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s quarterly Donuts & the Download on Downtown! This morning event will highlight what’s happening in Tampa’s Downtown and ways to engage with the Partnership’s programs and initiatives.
Get the download on the benefits of membership, networking opportunities, transportation initiatives, marketing efforts, new developments, public art, crime prevention, beautification efforts, and much more. Complimentary pastries and coffee will be served.
This event is held at the Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Downtown at 400102 E. Cass Street Tampa FL 33602 Description on October 22nd from 8:30am – 9:30am. For more information and to register, click here.
The Champagne Bar at Oxford Exchange packs a punch of color and whimsy into a 400-square-foot corner of its retail shop — adding a combination of Florida chic, vintage quirk and feminine flair to the storefront along Kennedy Boulevard.
The Champagne Bar officially opens Thursday and will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. It will serve champagne, sparkling wine and champagne cocktails, and be available for private events.
The idea of opening a bar within Oxford Exchange had been floated for years, almost since it opened in 2012, said Allison Casper Adams, who owns Oxford Exchange with her brother, Caspers Co. CEO Blake Casper. But it was tough to envision a bar working with the rest of the Oxford Exchange, which combines a restaurant, boutique, bookshop, coffee and tea bars, coworking space and Warby Parker eyewear store under one historic roof.
When Aesop, a luxury line of skin and hair care products, pulled its display from that corner of the boutique in early 2019, the time finally seemed right, Adams said.
“We kept going back and forth, because this whole concept was based on not drinking, really, and we were worried about it changing the feel of the place — the whole vibe,” Adams said. “It’s easy for me to wrap my head around a champagne bar, because it’s not so liquor-driven. We have so many celebrations here, baby showers and weddings, and so it just seemed like it went with who we are.”
Adams and Jordan Winston, director of the Casper-owned Oxford Design Studio, have created a space very different from the rest of Oxford Exchange, with shades of pink from blush to mauve to neon bar lights. It’s punctuated with animal prints, tropical bird pillows and wicker furniture. The bar is an antique French bakery counter that Adams picked up years ago from a vintage market in Atlanta.
The aesthetic is inspired by Annabelle’s, a private social club in London, which is “all about celebrating, and the more the merrier,” Winston said. “It’s just decadent and over the top.”
Oxford Exchange is also collaborating with Winter Park artist Anna Rifle Bond — co-founder of retail juggernaut Rifle Paper Co., a stationery and gifts company that’s growing into the interior design space with rugs, throw pillows and wallpaper. Bond designed the menu for The Champagne Bar, and the Oxford Exchange boutique sells Rifle’s paper goods.
“I think it’ll be big during brunch,” Adams said. “It’s kind of like when we opened the Oxford Exchange — it’s so exciting to see how people use it.”
“Check out the Champagne Bar at Oxford Exchange” –Tampa Bay Business Journal
A special report June 23 in the Tampa Bay Times revealed that a major African-American cemetery had vanished from public view a century ago and that 800 or more bodies might still lie beneath the ground.
n the weeks that followed, ground-penetrating radar confirmed the report, people living on the property are being relocated, and steps are being taken to turn the 2½-acre property along North Florida Avenue into a memorial park.
What becomes of Zion Cemetery remains to be seen, but the story so far is the subject of a free panel discussion open to the public 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Tampa Bay History Center downtown.
The Story of Zion Cemetery, co-sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times, is the latest in the History Center’s series Florida Conversations.
The panel will feature Paul Guzzo and James Borchuck, the Times staff members who broke the story, as well as Rebecca O’Sullivan of the Florida Public Archaeology Network and Leroy Moore, senior vice president of the Tampa Housing Authority.
The Florida Conversations series, cosponsored by USF Libraries and WUSF public media, features authors and presenters covering a variety of Florida topics, including politics, fiction, history and the environment.
RSVPs are requested, at (813) 228-0097. The Tampa Bay History Center is at 801 Old Water St., just east of Amalie Arena.
“History Center panel to explore rediscovery of Tampa’s forgotten Zion Cemetery” – Tampa Bay Times (subscription required)
Your Downtown Calendar
The following is just a sample of upcoming events in Downtown Tampa. Visit the Downtown Tampa Events Calendar for a more comprehensive list!
Wait Until Dark
Through Sunday, October 13
Stageworks Theatre
Murder, secret identities, and a switchblade named Geraldine set the stage for this white-knuckle thriller that will have you sleeping with the lights on. Susan, a blind woman, lives with her husband Sam in a basement apartment in Greenwich Village. While away on business, Sam unknowingly smuggles a peculiar doll into the States. But when the doll goes missing, a woman is murdered and a mystery begins to unravel that leaves Susan tangled up with a ruthless con man. A battle of wits ensues and light becomes dark as the tables are turned in a deadly game of cat and mouse — all leading to a “gripping finish”. For more information, go to Wait Until Dark.
Brews by the Bay
Friday, October 11, begins 8pm
The Florida Aquarium
Enjoy unlimited beer tastings and food samplings with amazing undersea views at Downtown Tampa’s most unique beer and food event. The Aquarium will keep the endless beers flowing while serving delicious food from local area restaurants, and providing a sea of live entertainment including #NoFilter, Orquesta Infinidad, and a silent disco on the rooftop! Experience it all while looking through the amazing exhibits which feature animals from around the world. For more information, go to Brews by the Bay.
Humane Society of Tampa Bay
Saturday, October 12, begins 7pm
Tampa Convention Center
This is the Humane Society Tampa Bay’s Signature black-tie gala featuring live and silent auctions, a cocktail hour with complimentary wine and beer, dinner and dessert, live entertainment featuring adoptable pets, after-party and cigar bar on the waterfront, and more. Gather with more than 900 animal lovers and community leaders for a beautiful evening to help raise funds for homeless animals! For more information, go to Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
Taking the Stage at the Straz Center
Spymonkey’s Hysteria – Through Sunday, November 3
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Tuesday, October 8 to Sunday, October 13
The Florida Orchestra – Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony – Friday, October 11, begins 8pm
Arts Legacy REMIX: Caribbean Celebration – Friday, October 11, 6:30pm to 9:30pm
JB Smoove: Lollygaggin Tour – Saturday, October 12, begins 7:30pm
This Week at Amalie Arena
twenty one pilots – Wednesday, October 9, begins 8pm
UFC Fight Night – Saturday, October 12, begins 5pm
for King & Country – Sunday, October 13, begins 6pm
Monday Morning Memo –Monday Morning Memo is a weekly update of “insider downtown information” regarding developments, transportation, special opportunities and other useful information to help you make the most of downtown. Subscribe to receive this weekly newsletter.
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