ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – July 24, 2023 — The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, the supporting arm for performing arts programming at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater recently launched their first-ever summer camp for kids. During the two-week camp, the kids will be rehearsing and participating in a production of Seussical Jr. learning the various aspects and phases of the performing arts. The show itself is a musical specifically adapted for young performers and inspired by the works of Dr. Seuss.

“I’m very proud that we are able to offer this program and these kids are going to be able to perform on our stage,” said Bill Edwards, Founder & CEO of the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts.

The mission of the foundation is to make performing arts accessible to all with several of the participants attending the camp on a full scholarship. The campers, under the direction of Katrina Young, Education and Outreach for Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, learn how to act, work with a group and work together to put on a production for a live audience.

“Katrina is a former educator and currently teaches theater and dance. She is the perfect person to be spearheading our Summer Camp efforts. We’ve added the camps to our repertoire of educational offerings and now have this to offer in addition to field trips, workshops, hands-on art festivals and more,” said Amy Harriet Miller, President of the Bill Edwards Foundation. “We offer the program to all children of all socioeconomic backgrounds, since you never know where the talent is going to come from.”

Two performances at the Mahaffey Theater are slated for Friday, July 28th at 7:30 pm and a Saturday matinee on July 29th at 3:30 pm. Tickets are on sale and available through Ticketmaster or calling 727.300.2000 and are just $10 with FREE parking.

About Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts –
The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts was founded as a 501(c0 3 nonprofit in 2011 and is dedicated to providing arts education programs, community outreach and performances as well as concerts for the entire community with emphasis on diverse programming for youth and families. The foundation is the supporting arm for the performing arts programming at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater. For more information about the foundation visit, BillEdwardsFoundationfortheArts.org
or call 727.308.5100

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – July 20, 2023 — Bev Jennings, Founder & CEO of SEE Company Inc. has added to her catalogue of luxury brand apparel by introducing a new Men’s Accessory line. The SEE brand apparel was launched in 2021 and has continued to add new clothing and accessories with the men’s items being the most recent.

“When I diversified the SEE brand by adding a luxury apparel line, I wanted to stay true to my commitment to diversity, inclusivity and sustainability. Our mission is to “See Everyone Elevate.” With that being said, we knew we wanted to include men’s wearables into our offerings,”  says Bev Jennings.  “We’re excited to launch our beautifully designed silk pocket squares, silk men’s neckties (with a special message included) and our designer men’s socks.”

In keeping with the SEE brand promise of diversity, inclusivity and sustainability, Bev’s team collaborated with noted London designer, Furious Goose to create the SEE Signature “S” Pattern Silk Pocket Squares and necktie. Available in three accent colors individually or as a Power Pak of 3.

“The “patterned with purpose” necktie design is like no other and includes unique messaging on the reverse side to keep diversity, inclusivity and sustainability close to your heart,” said Jennings.

About Bev Jennings and SEE Company
After over 30 years with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and most recently as Head, Global Supplier Diversity & Inclusion, Jennings was a key leader in J&J becoming the first Healthcare company to join the elite Billion Dollar Roundtable. Jennings founded SEE Company Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida to partner with business leaders and decision makers in realizing their potential for transformational growth and success while cultivating diversity and inclusion. With the overall mission of SEE Company to “See Everyone Elevate” Jennings made the conscious decision to use diverse suppliers throughout her business structure. The SEE Collection embodies diversity, inclusivity and sustainability. For more information about the SEE Company visit SEECompany.co and SeeCoStyle.com. (https://www.seecostyle.com/)

TAMPA, Fla. – July 18, 2023 — On May 25, members of the GFA Festival Committee members and organization leadership met at the Tempus Projects in Ybor City to fulfill a long-time tradition of the “Passing of the Chairs.”  GFA 53 Co-Chairs Clay Hollenkamp, Jeff Nader, and Sabrina Pollard passed their respective chairs along to the Co-Chairs for the 54th Annual Raymond James Festival of the Arts.

GFA 54 Festival Co-Chair Cynthia Banua
Cynthia Banua is a Tampa-based designer and art advisor and strives to make art collecting accessible to everyone and to support a diverse group of artists.  She has been a member of the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts committee since 2019, serving on the load-in/load-out and emerging artist teams.

GFA 54 Festival Co-Chair Adam Nichols
Adam Nichols has been a Florida resident for 18 years. Adam joined GFA as a Festival volunteer seven years ago and decided to join the concessions committee six years ago. He took over the committee four years ago with his best friend Catherine and has enjoyed being part of the leadership team.

GFA 54 Festival Co-Chair Jennifer Versaggi.
Jennifer Versaggi is a Tampa native and an expert in Property and Casualty insurance and financial services.  She is a Certified Personal Risk Manager who specialize in private client and high-end art collections.  As a Festival Co-Chair for GFA 54, she gets to combine her love of art with giving back to her community.

The Festival Co-Chairs are responsible for managing and executing tasks with over 18 different committees and nearly 400 volunteers who make the Festival possible.  GFA 54 will be held at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in downtown Tampa on March 2 and 3, 2024.

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About GFA: The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to producing an annual, premier juried outdoor art festival for the enjoyment and education of patrons, artists and guests as well as for the enhancement of the Tampa Bay area’s cultural arts. The non-profit organization relies on support from sponsorships, on-site retail sales, and corporate and individual gifts to fund its programs and events. To learn more, visit GasparillaArts.com.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – July 10, 2023 — The Left Bank Bistro is having a special celebration to commemorate Bastille Day on Friday, July 14th beginning at 5:00 PM. The restaurant will have live contemporary jazz music by David Downing & Friends beginning at 7:00 PM.

“We wanted to create a fun event to commemorate Bastille Day, which was the taking of the Bastille signaling the beginning of the French Revolution, and it thus became a symbol of the end of the old regime,” said Susanne Byram, owner of The Left Bank Bistro. “At the LBB we also wanted to symbolize the new regime by combining art and music with fine dining for a memorable culinary experience.”

In addition to the Left Bank Menu, Chef J has created a traditional French-inspired entree especially for the evening. Pair it with a celebratory Bastille cocktail created by our Head Bartender Jake, that has an infusion of toasted coriander, fresh thyme, lemon, Tesseron Composition Cognac along with China Amber – magnifique!  To complement the special cuisine for the evening, David Downing & Friends will be playing some traditional and contemporary tunes live to keep the holiday in the festive spirit. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited.

About The Left Bank Bistro
The Left Bank Bistro is located in the uptown, MLK Business District area at 1225 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., St Petersburg, FL 33701 The elegant decor and setting takes you back to 1920’s Paris – where artists and poets lived during that time period. The restaurant is housed in a meticulously restored 1922 bungalow that features French cuisine along with signature top-shelf cocktails named after the artists of the day. There is inside as well as outside seating for patrons. For reservations call 727-256-1691 or visit the website at https://www.theleftbankbistro.com/

TAMPA, Fla. – June 15, 2023 — Wheels of Success will be celebrating their 20th year as a Tampa Bay area charity this Friday, June 16th. The charity began in the Tampa, Hillsborough county area and has expanded over the years to include Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Tampa is one of the most expensive metropolitan cities in the country for transportation costs and the only one without mass transit. Parents working until 5:00 pm and relying on public transportation to pick up their children from daycare find it almost impossible to get there by the 6:00 pm deadline.

“It’s hard to believe we’re going into our 20th Year as well as coming up on our 1,200th car presentation,” said Susan Jacobs, Founder and CEO of Wheels of Success. “I can remember when it was all just a dream I was working on and now two decades later,  it’s a reality for many families in the three counties we serve.”

Wheels of Success clients must be referred to the program by a social service agency or their employer via their website application to be considered. The charity provides its clients with reliable vehicles as well as assistance with automotive repairs, insurance/tag and title and other car related services; and required car-care classes. Vehicles are obtained through donation (or purchase)  and are restored to good running condition through the support of community partners and donors. The charity has always had a “Pay It Forward” philosophy and when clients receive a vehicle, they “buy” it from the program by making monthly payments for one year based on ability to pay, and are also required to donate 3 service hours per month to the organization to help keep expenses down. These payments enable our clients to make a difference and help Wheels of Success to keep rolling and serving others.

About Wheels of Success:
Wheels of Success is dedicated to providing personal transportation solutions by partnering with the community in a circle of support to keep people working and sustain their independence. Since June 2003, Wheels of Success has provided almost 1,200 vehicles and an additional 1,000 repairs and car related services.

Media contact: Susan Jacobs, 813-995-5040 or for more information visit us online at http://www.wheelsofsuccess.org or email: info@wheelsofsuccess.org