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Neighborhood report

Arts group brings a cultural 'carnival'

Three groups of young arts lovers aim to draw some of their peers to the party to get them to add their backing to the arts.

By MEAGHAN FORBES
Published January 20, 2006

A mime, artistic games and a mechanical woman are just a sample of what party planners have in store for Saturday's AMP Carnival of the Arts at the Tampa Theatre.

Avant Garde, the Balcony Club and the Producers have organized the event to showcase visual, performing and cinematic arts. The three groups are made up of young supporters of the Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Theatre and Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Together, the clubs represent AMP, which stands for art, movies, performance.

"This is a cultural event for young professionals to support the growing downtown art scene," said Leana Lopez, Tampa Theatre's membership coordinator.

Now in its second year, the carnival aims to entertain while exposing partygoers to the organizations.

"It's a chance to celebrate the place that we live in and the culture that's here," said Sarah Pickett, Balcony Club chairwoman and event organizer.

The carnival will highlight each group's cultural art interest, said Kelley Juneau, the carnival's marketing chairwoman who is a member of Avant Garde. It will feature a VIP room with free champagne, massage chairs and poker tables. Adding to the theme will be snow falling from the theater's marquee and carnival staples, such as cotton candy, snow cones and a tarot card reader.

"It's very carnival-esque, energetic and fun," Juneau said. "There's something to do if you want to do something or just have cocktails and hang out."

The city will close off Franklin Street in front of the theater for several outdoor events.

A film collector who last year brought the shower curtain from the movie Psycho will show other movie memorabilia and discuss the art of filmmaking from the 1930s.

A big screen will air footage from the first Gasparilla parade and movies filmed in Tampa, such as The Punisher.

An artist from Avant Garde will paint a canvas piece over the course of the evening.

The Producers will provide a mime, a juggler and a drag queen.

Inside the theater, patrons will take pictures next to cutouts of celebrities, get a henna tattoo or drink from a chocolate fountain.

Lounge Cat will provide entertainment outside on TECO Plaza.

"It's almost like going to the fair," said Pickett. "It's the weekend before Gasparilla, so we're trying to get everyone in the party mood."

- Meaghan Forbes can be reached at 226-3434 or mforbes@sptimes.com

AMP Carnival of the Arts is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at the Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. Tickets can be purchased at www.tampatheatre.org and are $30 for members, $40 in advance for nonmembers and $45 at the door. Guests must be 21 or older. For information, call 274-5507.

[Last modified January 19, 2006, 08:43:07]