Events

The Regent is the Place to have your Special Events in Hillsborough County

Posted on by jonildaf

As today’s hip-hop female duo The City Girls will say, “It’s that season!” Yes, a season of upcoming wedding, graduation, birthday, and holiday events! But do you ever think of wanting a spectacular place for a memorable event? If you’re in the Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, or other parts of the Hillsborough County area, why don’t you come and rent an event space at The Regent?

The Regent is an event venue and a satellite facility for Hillsborough Community College, Brandon Campus. The event venue has a 10,000 square foot ballroom that divides into 2 or 3 rooms, including a 5,000 square foot outdoor event space. With a courtyard and a covered terrace, it will help set the mood right for any hot outdoor events.

The Regent Video Filmed and Edited by: Jonilda Francois

“We have weddings; we have about 80 weddings a year; we have foundations and galas and stuff for fundraising. We have a lot of those. We do both chambers of commerce for the Riverview and Brandon areas. We have schools for proms and homecomings, all the way from Land o’ Lakes and Zephyrhills…” Said Shannon Keli, The Executive Director of The Regent. 

Keli has over 20 years of cooperate events and meeting experiences in Florida and Texas. She has worked for Universal Studios Creative Development, Young Presidents Organization, Streams Ministries, and Mary Kay Corporate.

The facility’s mission statement: “The Regent will meet the needs of the Greater Brandon community in Eastern Hillsborough County with a focus on artistic, civic, cultural, educational, historic, philanthropic, and social purposes, including classes, meetings, events, and performances. Beyond a place to house events, The Regent takes to heart its mission in becoming for the citizens of Greater Brandon a place for diverse interest to come together and build connections and a sense of civic pride. We welcome here friends and partners who believe that a strong civic, education, and cultural industry rests on the past and creates the future. May we never cease to remember, learn, and enlighten.” 

The Regent Team all showing smiles and spirits at their facility. Photo by: Jonilda Francois

“We are flexible, with a ‘blank palette.’ We can work with anything, as a selling point,” said Keli.

To get more information about the facility or wanting to book your next event with The Regent, visit their website at www.experiencetheregent.com or call at 813-571-2494.

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook.  

A Vintage Event in the Bay Area

Posted on by jonildaf

Indie Flea Event Produced by: Jonilda Francois

On May 19, 2019,  Indie Flea held an event at Armature Works in Tampa, FL. The event started at 11 am – 3 pm. According to their Instagram account, there were over 100 makers that showcased homemade and vintage products. 

Indie Flea is an event for creative, business owners, and designers to show their handmade products (jewelry, plants, baked goods, vintage collectors, etc.). They are marketing in cities like St. Petersburg, Gainesville, and Tampa. Very soon, Orlando, Miami, and Nashville will be the next top cities to have their vintage event. 

As people were entering the eco-friendly event, many were looking around to see the specific items that were made from scratch or used as antics. Several vendors made certain goodies like cookies and jam that are vegan items, and the event had a mix of today’s music and a slide show that helped bring in the excellent atmosphere. 

“We’ve been working really hard on creating a community… From last year, getting our operations in a system,” said Becky Rudolf, Director of Operations for Indie Flea. 

This year’s Indie Flea was a great kick-off, a week before the memorial weekend holiday for people to enjoy the sunny weather while looking for vintage summer clothes, accessories, and tasty treats.

“Since this is such a large production, we have over 100 vendors … We also have to connect with the venue itself, our promotions, the marketing, and we feel like we are catching a nice rhythm and really getting the community involve…” said Rudolf.

For more information about the Indie Flea, please visit their website at http://theindieflea.com or Instagram @indieflea

The Beauty of Art and Food at a Bay Area Festival

Posted on by jonildaf

2019 Tampa Riverwalk Food and Art Festival Produced By: Jonilda Francois

This year’s Tampa Riverwalk Food and Art Festival was held in the bay area. Many people came to the event to see certain jewelry, sculptures, foods, food booths, and of course… Art! “Being able to provide and share a beautiful environment, for the public community at this venue, involving such talented vendors that both, have started with me years ago,  as well as meeting many new faces and talent!” Said Wendy Harding, Market Coordinator for Your Tampa Markets via email.

The event was held under Your Tampa Markets on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Water Works Park in Tampa, FL (near Blake High School and Armature Works). It started at 10 am – 7 pm, with many vendors and booths to share many talented and local business owners in the community. 

“I started in 2012 on Harbour Island, as a vendor, at a local waterfront restaurant with one table, and selling jewelry. It grew from 1 to 68 vendors over time. Since then, I have coordinated Fresh Markets at the Port of Tampa’s Channelside and Downtown Tampa, Artwalks, Food Truck events, leased Artisan Kiosks & mall markets,” said Harding. 

It was a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon, on May 11, 2019. People from the Tampa Bay Area were very thrilled and fascinated about seeing the Tampa Riverwalk Food and Art Festival event. There were tunes played by a local artist and musician, cultural and homemade foods, arts and crafts, and cute shops, just in time for Mother’s Day.

According to Harding, she is planning to do the event again next year and may not relocate. “I think we already outgrew this one, but I like consistency, and right now, I don’t see changing what works.

If you like more information about the next Tampa Riverwalk Food and Art Festival, visit https://yourtampamarkets.com

Tampa Soaks Up the Sun at the Riverfest

Posted on by jonildaf

The Tampa Riverfest Festival 2019 video created by Jonilda Francois

The beautiful Tampa Riverwalk had their 5th Annual Tampa Riverfest by Verizon on May 3rd and May 4th, 2019. This was a free event for everyone in the Tampa Area to come to relax and enjoyed the 85 degree temperature at the Citrus Hixon Park, MacDill Park, The Sail Pavilion, Glazer Children’s Museum, and other places along the Riverwalk.  

On May 4th, the Tampa Riverfest took place at the Curtis Hixon Park.  The Riverfest event had a VIP Tent and required people to purchase a wristband(s). There was Live Music, Wiener Dog Derby, and a TacoFest that started at 10 a.m. Later that night, the event was scheduled to do the hot air balloon glow as part of the fun before they ended the festival at 10 p.m. It was the second day of this friendly and free community event this past weekend. There were no interviews conducted with the Tampa Riverfest committee.

People are cruising on their boat on the Hillsborough River at the 5th Annual Tampa Riverfest on Saturday, May 4th, 2019

During the day, several attendees were on the Hillsborough River on boats, enjoyed margaritas and beer drinks at the bar, received free sample of orange juice, food trucks, tacos, and/or listen to live music at the Curtis Hixon Park. While enjoying the events with family and friends, and their dogs. 

Along the Riverwalk, there were several other events that day. Attendees can go to the Kentucky Derby Watch Party at the Armature Works from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., the Hillsborough County Schools Music Performance and the Plank Bar were held at the MacDill Park at 11 a.m., and the Tampa Museum of Art had an admission discount for anyone to come half the price of the ticket(s).

Attendees were walking along the Tampa Riverwalk to see other activities during the 5th Annual Tampa Riverfest on Saturday, May 4th, 2019

Based on the website, the Tampa Riverfest committee is planning to do the event again next year. If you would like to get more information, please visit their website at https://thetampariverwalk.com/events/riverfest/ 

Huzzah for the Bay Area Renaissance Festival!

Posted on by jonildaf

The 2019 Bay Area Renaissance Festival at Mosi, was one of the events that were held in Tampa, during the weekends of Feb. 16th – Mar. 31st, between the times of 10am-6pm. There were many fun, creative, and memorable activities for family and friends that enjoyed the fantastic festival. Whether there were many costumes of fairies, leprechauns, mermaids, or Irish dancers, with craft beers and food, the excitement of the many faces was pleased. Also, as the reps for the Bay Area Renaissance Festival committee quoted on their website and over the phone, “rain or shine,” meaning the event did go on!

There was not a conducting interview with the Bay Area Renaissance Festival Committee. 

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival at Mosi is held every year located across from the University of South Florida (USF). It is the celebration of the European theme of the 16th Century full of entertainment and had the festival’s marketplaces that sell handmade shirts, bags, utensils, sculptures, and other souvenirs. 

https://spark.adobe.com/page-embed.js2019 Bay Area Renaissiance Festival

During the weekend of Mar. 16th and 17th, the theme for the festival were Shamrock and Shenanigans. It was one of the largest St. Patty’s Day celebration in the bay area. Many people had on their best St. Patty’s Day costumes (or wore green) to enjoy the festival. While the event was going on, the weather was not pleasant, it rains a little, but that did not stop anybody from having the time of their lives. 

As many people were chugging craft beer and eating fried turkey, there was live entertainment — for instance, the Wheel of Death, Mud Show, musical events, and much more. Overall, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival will come back next year with more exciting and fun activities.

If you want to get more information about the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, go to  https://www.bayarearenfest.com/#special-events. 

Wild Splash is Coming Back to the Bay Area in March!

Posted on by jonildaf

On March 2nd, 2019, one of the very public radio stations in the Tampa Bay area, Wild 94.1, will host their annual Wild Splash Presented by Fuccillo Nissan concert event in Coachman Parkat Clearwater. For this year’s concert lineup, they will have artistsKodak Black, Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Baby, Danileigh, and Rod Wave. It will be one of the first spring concerts in the bay area.

Wild 94.1 is associatedwith Beasley Media Group, Inc.The company is based in Naples, Florida, but founded in 1961 at Benson, North Carolina. Beasley Media Group, Inc. has 63 radio stations around the country. 

In the past, several artists performed at this fun and exciting musical spring break event. Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, B.O.B, Gucci Mane, Cardi B, Migos, and many others that previously performed. 

Around this time, students from high school and college will be in spring break, enjoying the sunshine, drinks, foods and the sounds of exciting, heart beating, young, vibrant vibes of artists giving the fans a good time at the Coachman Park. 

As a reminder, while going to Wild Splash, please bring your ticket(s), blankets (if you are planning to sit on the grass), a small bag, and “factory sealed water bottle,” according to Wild Splash. These might be all the small items you need while enjoying this fun event. 

Data Collected by Google, INEGI; Infographic created by Jonilda Francois using Google Maps

As an update, VIP tickets, “Wild Party Pass,” and admission tickets to Wild Splash are sold out. All local DTLR, the urban and athletic fashion clothing stores, and several ticket raids locations are the only ones that are still selling tickets. Hurry, they will go out fast! If those options may not work on your favor, you even got a chance to win two tickets to Wild Splash by listening to Wild 94.1 every day until February 22, 2019. 

You don’t want to miss out this event, and it will be a memorable one!

For more information about Wild 94.1’s Wild Splash, visit https://wild941.com/wildsplash/

Contact Jonilda Francois at JFrancois2@student.fullsail.edu or Follow on Twitter: @jonilda_f