Chair's Message

Hola:

We could not have asked for better weather for Fiesta Day!  I was proud of Ybor City as I walked up and down La Setima with our President.  The majority of vendors in the Sabor de Ybor were our own restaurants.  Tom and I checked out the BB&T race car and learned that it had been in the Daytona 500 just the week before. 

We all miss the days of the "free soup" for the touristas.  However, this 64 year-old event has taken a decidedly modern and business oriented twist.  Carmine's had their original deviled crabs and Spanish bean soup for sale.  I ran into many old friends as we weighed into the crowd at 7^th and Angela Oliva.  The Maxima Stage was exceptional and featured three top Latin Bands from the Bay Area.  I caught Danny Lozada along with his wife Haifa and their band performing some fantastic salsa. And yes, as the recently elected Alcalde de Ybor Tom Keating promised, there was "dancing in the streets." 

We took a few moments to drop-by our Sponsor Hospitality Center at La Terrazza, where Luigi, Andrea and Maria demonstrated what true Ybor hospitality is like everyday.  We stopped at the Columbia Restaurant's booth, where they were serving their top-of-the-line seafood paella; there was a nice line, so we moved on down the road.  I later heard that they had over 600 customers.

At 16^th street, we browsed the work of students from UT, USF, HCC and IAD&T and young professionals from the Ybor Art Association in our Arte de Ybor Gallery.  Back on La Setima, I stopped to talk to a young craftswoman that makes beautiful purses out of Cigar boxes - she had a rare 8-5-8 Fuente "sun-grown."

On the way down to 15^th Street, we stopped to talk to Steve Bird proprietor of the New World Brewery.  While Steve's venue is on 8th Avenue in the 1300 Block, he decided to promote his business and support the community by having a booth on 7^th Avenue.  We sampled his barbecue pork sliders.  Tom said, "You think this is good; try his chicken - you don't even need sauce."

I want to thank our committee and staff for all the hard work, dedication and commitment in making this year's event a huge success. Muchas gracias to our sponsors, participating members, and volunteers.  Your support is what has kept this traditional celebration alive for 64 years!

Hasta la proxima (until next time),

 Fiesta Day 2011

Photos Courtesy of James Adair

Chamber Happenings

March 8- Ybor Chamber Membership Luncheon, Tues. 11:45AM- 1:15PM- The Ybor Chamber has extended invitations to the Mayoral candidates to make presentations at the March chamber membership luncheon. The March luncheon is sponsored by the Ybor City Museum Society. Look for the luncheon registration in your email.

March 17- PM Networking Event at Club Skye, Thurs. 5:30-7:30PM- Mark your calendars now for networking on St. Patrick's Day! Sandwiches, cheeses, veggies and desserts will be served. Come out for Green beer and drink specials. You just might catch a leprechaun or at least have some good luck rub off on you!

April 9 & 10- The 5th Annual Ybor Aficionado Days, Sat. & Sun.- Mark your calendars now for the 5th Annual Ybor Aficionado Days.  This celebration of the first manufactured cigar in Ybor City will feature a Tapas Trail of Ybor's finest restaurants with an After Party/ Smoker at the Italian Club on Saturday night, and a traditional Spanish brunch on Sunday at the world famous Columbia Restaurant. 813.241.8838

Events & Announcements Around the District

March 3-18- Independent Women: An Artist, Faculty and Student Event- The Ybor School of Visual and Performing Arts Gallery presents work by HCC's directed independent study photography students and art faculty member Suzanne Camp Crosby. The opening reception is Thursday, March 3rd from 5:30PM to 8PM. Call for gallery hours. 813.253.7674

March 5- The Venetian Carnival in Tampa, Sat. 7:30PM- The Italian Club will host a masquerade dinner dance that is being called a step into a lucid dream. For more details call 813.766.8441 or go to www.morpheoproduction.com.   

March 5- Ybor City Mardi Gras Ball Xtreme, Sat. 7PM- The Don Vicente Historic Inn will host the Ybor Art Project for an evening of entertainment, food and drink. Get your tickets by visiting www.yborartproject.com    

March 5- Florida Brewers Guild 2011 Beerfest, Sat. 12:30- 11:30PM- Come out and sample over 100 of Florida's best craft beers at this year's Beerfest! Attendees have access to unlimited beer tasting with their Florida Brewers Guild glass. Get your tickets early; 2008, 2009, and 2010 were complete sell-outs! www.floridabrewersguild.org

March 11- Rough Riders Annual St. Patrick's Trolley Hop, Fri. 6- 12PM- The event is open to all Krewes, the public and their guests. Check in from 6 to 7 PM. For tickets call 813-727-9616

March 12- Rough Riders' St. Patrick's Parade , Sat. 8- 9:30PM- If you haven't had your fill of beads and revelry then maybe the Rough Riders' annual celebration of St. Patty will tip your scale in festive Irish spirit. Come down for the wearin' o' the green. 813.248.1898

March 15- A Farewell Tribute to The Honorable Pam Iorio Mayor of Tampa, Tues. 11:30AM- 1:30PM- Join the Phoenix House at their fourth annual Humanitarian of the Year Award luncheon as Mayor Iorio gets awarded with the Phoenix House Humanitarian of the Year Award. The luncheon will be held at St. Lawrence's Higgins Hall. Please RSVP by Friday, March 4. 813.881.1000 x6606

March 19- Meet the Artist: Tim Parker, Sat. 10AM- 2PM- The Singing Stone will once again feature a live meet and greet this time featuring Tim Parker.  Tim's art works ranges in styles from Classical Paintings and Tropical Themes to Contemporary Abstract Art. 813. 247. 2787

March 23 thru 27- The 9th Annual Ybor Festival of the Moving Image-  The festival explores the cinematic mindscape of independent filmmakers, with a strong focus on Florida filmmakers and artists. Included in the eclectic mix are live performances, art, music and dance-- including exciting new work by NYC performance artist Pat Oleszko, Francesca Talenti installations, and works by Margaret Ross Tolbert. 813-259-6419

April 2- The 10th Annual 5K Race for Sight:Roar Through Ybor, Sat. 6:30AM- Get registered for a race to benefit the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research. The race will honor males and females in 11 age divisions with awards as well as an after race celebration, and prize, t-shirt and goodie bag give-a-ways.register online at www.active.com. 813.289.1200

Recruiting Artists For Man On The Moon- Square One is is looking for artists interested in showing at their 4th Spring creative and performing arts showcase.  The event is being held Saturday, April 2nd from 7PM to midnight at the Ritz Ybor. Sign up before it's to late! Email artist@squareoneflorida.com for more information.