Connecting People In and Around Tampa with Local Awesomeness
Gianna Russo's Groups
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Henry Plant Museum
12 members
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Tampa Travelers
9 members
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YellowJacket Press
15 members
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freeFall Theatre
9 members
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CreativeTampaBay
59 members
Gianna Russo's Page
Latest Activity
YellowJacket Press is an independent poetry press. YJP supports emerging and established poets in Florida with an annual chapbook contest, chapbook publications, and public readings.
The 2nd Annual Florida Poets Happy Hour and Prime Time Show at Karma Bar & Café
October 9, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
Join YellowJacket Press (YJP) for a TGIF happening! The 2nd Annual Florida Poets Happy Hour and Prime Time Show will take place on Friday, October 9, 2009 from 6-9pm. The event will feature "two for one poetry specials” throughout the night by Yello…
YellowJacket Press is an independent poetry press. YJP supports emerging and established poets in Florida with an annual chapbook contest, chapbook publications, and public readings.
In 1891 railroad magnate Henry Plant constructed the most astonishingly magnificent hotel of its day. With its splendid Moorish architecture, opulent furnishings, and tropical gardens, the Tampa Bay Hotel is home to the Henry Plant Museum.
YellowJacket Press is an independent poetry press. YJP supports emerging and established poets in Florida with an annual chapbook contest, chapbook publications, and public readings.
YellowJacket Press "in Just spring" Poetry Reading at Indigo Coffee
April 17, 2009 from 6:30pm to 9pm
2008 YellowJacket Press Poetry Chapbook Winner reads on April 17, 2009
Tampa Fl.—The 2008 YellowJacket Press Chapbook Contest winner, Kate Sweeney will debut her chapbook, Better Accidents, at the “in Just spring” Poetry Reading on Friday, April 17…
YellowJacket Press "in Just spring" Poetry Reading at Indigo Coffee
April 17, 2009 from 6:30pm to 9pm
2008 YellowJacket Press Poetry Chapbook Winner reads on April 17, 2009
Tampa Fl.—The 2008 YellowJacket Press Chapbook Contest winner, Kate Sweeney will debut her chapbook, Better Accidents, at the “in Just spring” Poetry Reading on Friday, April 17…
Profile Information
- If you live in Tampa Bay, Why are you here?
- I am a native of Tampa. My mother is also a native and our family lives here.
- How long have you lived here?
- I was born in Tampa--let's just say it was prior to the moon landing!
- What neighborhood do you live in, why did you choose it and what do you like about it?
- My husband Jeff Karon and I have lived in Seminole Heights, in the Hampton Terrace neighborhood, for 13 years. I was brought up in Wellswood, and Seminole Heights is equally centrally located. We are close to my alma mater, Hillsborough. We love the historic bungalows (our house is over 80 years old), the trees, the friendly neighbors, the terrific neighborhood association, and the fact that we're close to most areas of Tampa.
- If you were to move to a different neighborhood, what would it be and why?
- Probably, Kenwood in St. Pete. The art scene there is currently more vibrant than in Tampa.
- What is your favorite thing about Tampa?
- Cuban sandwiches and deviled crabs! WMNF! Gasparilla! Lowry Park Zoo! The nearness of the beaches! Pane Rustica! The Wine Exchange! Javier's flemenco music at Spain restaurant! Tampa Theatre! The mangrove walk at Picnic Island! Davis Island! Bayshore at sunset!
- What kinds of things are you involved in?
- I am a poet, writer, gardener, and lover and supporter of the arts. I am the editor of a poetry chapbook publishing endeavor that I founded, YellowJacket Press. I have been active in the literary scene for many years, and taught creative writing and English for many years. I serve as an artist advisor for the Arts Council of Hillsborough County.
I have an herb and flower garden that spans our entire back yard. I love good wine and good food, and love to cook.
I love music, dance, visual arts, film, travel, entertaining and being entertained, and of course, poetry. I am close to my family and have friendships that have spanned my entire life.
- Tell us about what you do.
- Besides writing, I currently work as the Curator of Education for the Henry B. Plant Museum, located at University of Tampa. For years I taught English and creative writing at the college and high school levels, and developed the creative writing program at Blake Magnet School of the Arts, where I taught for 9 years.
- If you live in Tampa, Why do you stay?
- Family (mom, dad, sons, sisters & brothers-in-law, niece and nephew, aunts, cousins) and many dear friends.
- Where else have you lived?
- Physically--no where. Imaginatively--everywhere I've ever visited, read about, written about or seen in pictures. Music and dance also take to me live is new places.
- What kinds of things are you interested in seeing on Brand Tampa?
- Arts and culture events, networking with folks involved in such things.
Gianna Russo's Photos
Gianna Russo's Blog
Poetry is on the horizon
Spring seems to be the time when we gear up for poetry around here. I've spent the past month culling through manuscript submissions for YellowJacket Press--an above average bunch for this year's contest for sure. There is some stunning work being written in Florida. And I've been surprised to discover a few poets from here in Tampa and the bay area that I don't know (me, not know them?!) Anyway, it's cool and we'll have a winner (or two) by March 15th.
That brings me to my own work. I've gotte… Continue
That brings me to my own work. I've gotte… Continue
Posted on February 19, 2009 at 4:31pm —
The Wild Party--freFall Theatre's debut production
I’m going to gush. Last night we experienced a transcendence. In less than 2 hours, the world of Tampa Bay that we’ve lived in for so many decades--that is, sports fan central--was transformed. By theatre. The Wild Party, freeFall Theatre’s inaugural production, rocket-launched us into another reality and flew us to the moon.
There we sat in the “living room” that was both stage and audience at Studio 620 in St., Pete. We perched on a couch with 3 other people, in a room full of easy chairs, so… Continue
There we sat in the “living room” that was both stage and audience at Studio 620 in St., Pete. We perched on a couch with 3 other people, in a room full of easy chairs, so… Continue
Posted on September 28, 2008 at 9:45pm —
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OPEN AUDITIONS:
Ellen Mueller is seeking physical and improvisational performers of all types for two free collaborative workshops exploring the concepts of success and evaluation.
About the Workshops and Ellen Mueller:
These two free workshops will be led by Ellen Mueller at the University of South Florida Marshall Student Center, February 28 & March 1, Noon – 4:00pm, and April 4 & 5, Noon - 4:00pm. The approach for these workshops is based on techniques gleaned from yoga, the Brave New Institute – an improvisation training center in Minneapolis, MN, the Theatre of the Emerging American Moment – a theatre company dedicated to dissecting and celebrating the experience of living in America today, and Viewpoints – a technique for building ensembles and creating movement. Specifically, we will explore our collective response to the concepts of success and evaluation. Our goal is to gather and develop images, ideas, questions, situations, and characters through the practice of movement and improvisational exercises. Participants can expect to learn about the Eight Secrets of BNW Creativity, as well as an approach to collaborative creation. The material collected will be used as research for new performance works, and may lead to future collaborations with workshop participants.
Ellen Mueller was raised in Fargo, ND and currently lives and works in Tampa, FL. She received a BA in Theatre and Art, and a BS in Design Technology from Bemidji State University. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Studio Art with emphasis on performance at University of South Florida. For more information about recent projects, please visit EllenMueller.com
Audition Details:
Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 7pm – 9pm
University of South Florida
Fine Arts/FAH Room 280
4202 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33620
Instructions:
Wear clothing appropriate for movement. Please bring a headshot, or a snapshot that clearly displays your face. No prepared material is necessary. The audition will consist of movement and improvisation exercises, and may be conducted individually or in groups as the schedule allows. If you have any special talents, musical skills, etc, please be prepared to share them. You will be asked to indicate which of the two workshop dates you are available for, or if you are available for both. To reserve an audition slot, please email Ellen at emmuelle@mail.usf.edu with your availability between 7-9pm on January 6, 2009. If you are interested in the project, but are unavailable on this audition date/time, please feel free to contact Ellen to make alternative arrangements.
I would love to attend your collaborative show, that sounds fantastic! Remember to post it as an event here! It sounds like you are really enjoying yourself and I love hearing that. I believe I emailed the gentlemen concerning the Honduras film but there was never any reply. However it has taken off very well throughout my congregation and their friends, and their friends, and their friends! Which reminds me, have you received a copy of it, yet? Michael Marrs is also keeping an eye out for fall film festivals to submit to.
How are you. You are at UT? You must be so happy! I think this Brand Tampa thing is great. No wackos just lots of friends.
Getting ready for school and MC fall concert. Here we go again! I love being busy.
How are you??