A dance to advance, a pole for control

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by Kirstin Hermansen
To read about Pole dancing classes click here!

The boobs are fake, the money is real and everyone has a secret, but most people do not know the true story of these girls who work it for a dollar, or two. 

            Ashley Wilson, who goes by "Brianna" at The Penthouse Gentleman’s Club on 1801 N. West Shore Blvd. in Tampa, is a 23-year-old woman who has held every position available.
           Wilson was in a car accident one year ago and shattered her ankle, restricting her from dancing and having to take the door girl position.  She averages $400 a week between her hourly pay and tips, and works Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.  When she was dancing, a decent week consisted of $1,000.

Local coffee shops offer more than a good cup

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By Nastassia Czarnec
To read about Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop, click here! 
 

TAMPA, Fla. — The convenience and speed of the service at Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts have many Americans rushing through the drive-thru for their early morning caffeine fix, but those who choose local coffee shops say it’s the quality and conversation that keep them coming back for more.  

Tampa is bursting with privately owned coffee houses that provide guests with freshly brewed organic coffee in artsy atmospheres, complete with overstuffed chairs and dimmed lights. Many of the shops menus have fresh, roasted organic coffee that attracts many coffee connoisseurs during the morning and late afternoon rush. Although many of these establishments have the qualifications to prove that their coffee is organic, many lack the certification needed to actually call their coffee “fair trade.”

Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival celebrates 21 years

By Melissa Russell

April Bates
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     TAMPA, Fla. – April Bates sat under the shade of a tent outside Tampa Theatre, waiting for the next movie to start. Around her, couples strolled hand in hand to the box office to buy tickets to see the next movie, “Mississippi Queen.” 

     “Queen,” which was screened on Sunday, Oct. 17, was one of many films showcased during the 21st anniversary of the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. 

     The festival brought viewers to the Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa and Muvico Baywalk in St. Petersburg. The films crossed genres of all kinds including documentaries and movie shorts. One documentary covered a punk band in “Le Tigre on Tour,” while another film, “I Killed My Mother,” portrayed a young man’s love-hate relationship with his mother.

     Bates said she had attended many of the festivals over the years and felt this was one of the best for content, production and entertainment. One of her favorite films was “Out in the Silence,” a documentary about filmmaker Joe Wilson’s controversial marriage to another man.

More than T-shirts

By Nicole Nemeth

To read how the screen printing process works click here! 

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TAMPA, Fla.—Monday afternoon most of the employees at Tampa T-shirts, were taking a quick break. The sound of music and machines filled the factory space.

The process of screen-printing T-shirts has little to do with community. However, Juan Davis, CEO of Tampa T-Shirts, uses the process as a platform to improve the world around them.

“That’s just who we are. Always have been. We are successful because of our community, so we give back,” Davis said.

Various venues thriving in Tampa

By Jimmy Geurts

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TAMPA, Fla. — Despite a turbulent economy and the shutdown of local music venues like Jannus Landing, two of the Tampa Bay area's many venues have managed to stay afloat — with wildly differing methods to make their music heard. 

The Ritz Ybor, located on 1503 E. 7th Ave., now hosts lavish private events with catering as well as concerts. Meanwhile, Transitions Art Gallery, located on 4215 E. Columbus Drive, relegates many of its behind-the-scene tasks to one person.