The Florida Orchestra’s Annual Free Pops in the Park concert takes place tomorrow, October 16th, at 7:00 PM in Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg.  Once again this year, it looks as though the concert timing coincides perfectly with our new cool front that arrived just last night, so it should be a glorious evening to throw down a blanket, eat a picnic dinner (or maybe just dessert), and enjoy the wonderful music that the Florida Orchestra always delivers.  The park setting is just a very fun way to listen to the Orchestra, and the musicians always seem to thrive on this outdoor setting – I guess it’s a nice change of pace for them.  If you want to get a good spot for your blanket, go early – this is a very popular happening!  And, as always, the concert finishes off with the 1812 Overture, played at the same time as a nice little fireworks display is set off over the Vinoy Basin – it’s a perfect pairing!  If you’d like to go, and you’re not familiar with Vinoy Park, it’s at the far east end of 5th Avenue North, where 5th Avenue dead-ends at Tampa Bay.  Parking will be available at lots around the downtown area, or along Beach Drive or along NorthShore Park…

This concert has been presented for free, outdoors, each year for the past seventeen years thanks, in large part to local Realtor Helen Torres who seventeen years ago pledged $20,000 per year to the Florida Orchestra for the next twenty years in exchange for this annual outdoor concert/gift to St. Petersburg.  Three more years in her pledge – I hope that, at the end of the twenty years, someone else steps up and takes over for Helen.  In the meanwhile, we’ll continue to attend each year and to enjoy the music.  In the words of Joni Mitchell, they’ll be ”playin’ real good, for free”.  Just another one of the many reasons that St. Petersburg is a fantastic place to live and play!

It’s always a pleasure to see the furniture, art, wall treatments and other accessories that are presented in these showhouses.  And with this year’s location at Ovation, there’s the added pleasure of the incredible views of Tampa Bay and downtown.  The Showhouse will be open this year from March 6th through April 4th.  For hours and additional information, check the Florida Orchestra’s page  about the house on their website.  It’s fun to see these condos and the design work, and the ticket price goes to support our great orchestra.  And, for a bonus while you’re there, JMC, Ovation’s developer, has hired folks to keep their two model condos open whenever the showhouse is open.  So you actually get to check out four separate condos for the price of your ticket!  Can’t beat that deal!  Also, be sure to walk out to the east of Ovation and check out the “O Wave” public art sculpture.  It’s a beautiful piece of art that was commissioned by JMC specifically for this property, and its design reflects the spirit and feel of the building.  For a look at some High Dynamic Range photos that I took of the O Wave sculpture last year, check out my post on it. 

Oh, if, by chance, you fall in love with Ovation while you’re there, please be sure to give me a call.  I’ll be happy to work with you to negotiate the best deal for you!  It’s always a smart move to have a Buyer’s Agent working with you if you’re interested in buying ANY new condominium.  There is a misconception that, in a new condominium development, you have to work with the sales staff on site.  That is not the case.  Although they are nice people and will certainly be happy to help you, they work for the condo developer, not for you.  Call your own Realtor (or me, if you don’t have an existing relationship with a Realtor) and be sure that you have someone looking out for your interests! 

Pops in the Park

The Florida Orchestra’s Annual Free Pops in the Park concert takes place this coming Saturday, October 17th, at 7:00 PM in Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg.  This year, it looks as though the concert timing coincides perfectly with our expected cool front next weekend, so it should be a glorious evening to throw down a blanket, eat a picnic dinner (or maybe just dessert), and enjoy the wonderful music that the Florida Orchestra always delivers.  The park setting is just a very fun way to listen to the Orchestra, and the musicians always seem to thrive on this outdoor setting – I guess it’s a nice change of pace for them.  If you want to get a good spot for your blanket, go early – this is a very popular happening!  And, as always, the concert finishes off with the 1812 Overture, played at the same time as a nice little fireworks display is set off over the Vinoy Basin – it’s a perfect pairing!  If you’d like to go, and you’re not familiar with Vinoy Park, it’s at the far east end of 5th Avenue North, where 5th Avenue dead-ends at Tampa Bay.  Parking will be available at lots around the downtown area, or along Beach Drive or along NorthShore Park…