QUE FOR A CURE RETURNS FOR ANOTHER YEAR

The Seize the Moment Foundation will be hosting its Que for a Cure event on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16 at the Showmen’s Club, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Riverview. “My goal this year is to raise more than last year,” said Roni-Kay Lopez, founder of the Seize the Moment Foundation. “I want it to keep growing every year to show that the awareness is getting out in our community.”

Te Seize the Moment Foundation will be hosting its Que for a Cure event on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16 at the Showmen’s Club, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Riverview. Last year, this event raised $20,000 for epilepsy research.

By Libby Hopkins

and development,”

TAMPA BAY RODEO & FAMILY FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY BARTOW FORD, GALLOPS INTO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Lopez became an advocate for epilepsy after her successful surgery in 2008. She started her foundation to help others with a great support team of volunteers. She volunteered to consult other candidates considering the surgery and has since helped 12 others with their surgery, and she was actually in the surgery room with one. “Our mission is to raise local, state and nationwide awareness about epilepsy and seizures,” Lopez said. “We hope to make our cause, our organization and our patients known to ‘Seize the Moment.’”

Lopez hopes to raise more money for epilepsy research with this year’s Que for a Cure. “With funds raised last year and some winners giving back their earnings, we gave TGH/USF $20,000 to the epilepsy fund I set up for epilepsy research

Lopez said. “I hope to have a packed event for both days to show the teams and vendors who have supported the event and are participating that we are sparking interest in our community of what we do. My hope is to bring people together to see not only what the barbecue is about, but to see what we do for our charity, how we help and assist patients in need, how our funds help doctors and hospitals with research and development and how we share our stories to inspire others.”

Lopez is still looking for sponsors and donations for this year’s Que for a Cure.

“We are still looking for event sponsors, and any business or individual who would like to donate to our silent auction and rafe are welcomed to do so,” Lopez said.

“We can always use volunteers to help with the event as well. Areas of parking, rafe, merchandise sales — honestly, any and all help is appreciated. Donations are always welcomed and can be done on our website for those who cannot attend.”

If you would like to learn more about the Seize the Moment Foundation and Que for a Cure, visit www.queforacureseizethemoment.org.

The best entertainment in Western sports gallops into the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds when the Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, arrives on Friday and Saturday, July 14 and 15. The two-day extravaganza chockfull of bull riding, bronco busting and barrel racing brings cowboys and cowgirls throughout the South to test their skills against some of the best bucking horses and bulls in all of rodeo. Tickets are on sale today for this electrifying event.

Seven-time International Professional Rodeo Association Announcer of the Year Matt McGee from the award-winning T-T Rodeo Company, based out of Waycross, Georgia, will present lively and hilarious entertainment between competitions that will have fans stompin’, hootin’ and hollerin’ with excitement. Highlighting the bull riding competition, select competitors will attempt to ride Georgia Smoke Shop, a legendary undefeated bull.

Fans can arrive early for the Family Festival featuring good grub, spirited games, live music and entertaining activities that will thrill the entire family, from the littlest cowpokes to the most seasoned cowhands. Roaring into the Family Festival for the first time, a monster truck will show of its oversized maneuverability in demos. Rodeo royalty will be in the house as fans can meet and take pictures with Justin Thigpen, 22time world champion cowboy with more than $1 million in career rodeo winnings. An expanded, tented eating area will allow fans to eat and enjoy the live music featured on the Bartow Beer Barn entertainment stage protected from the sun or rain.

In addition to a monster truck, live music and meet and greets, guests can test their skills on the mechanical bull, ride ponies, speed down the giant slide or play oversized lawn games. Yummy vittles at the Family Festival include corn dogs, barbecue, tacos, funnel cakes, ice cream, pizza, hot-pressed Cuban sandwiches and more. There’s something for everyone at this summer spectacular.

The Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, is a community event featuring local vendors and area sponsors, including:

• Bartow Ford.

• Acme Barricades.

• Bass Pro Shops. • Boot Barn.

• Hooters. • Duke’s Brewhouse.

• John Deere. • KC Coastal.

• US 103.5.

• Tampa Bay Times

• Russell’s Work & Western Wear.

For more information and tickets, please visit https://hillsboroughcountyfair.com/tickets.

Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency Approves Substantial Funding For Tampa Theatre

Tampa’s historic movie palace, Tampa Theatre, is owned by the City of Tampa and managed by the nonprofit Tampa Theatre Foundation. Recently, the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted to approve Tampa Theatre’s funding request for $14 million for restoration of the iconic city landmark.

Phase one, which consisted of restoration of the lobby, paint, plaster, seats and drapes, was completed in 2017 and 2018.

Phase two is already underway. “Our goal is to present a fully restored Tampa Theatre to the community in time for the Theatre’s 100th anniversary in October of 2026,” explained John Bell, president and CEO of Tampa Theatre.

The plan for phase two is a two-part component. One part is to make substantial capital improvements. The second part is for programming and to establish an endowment to preserve the theater for the next century.

Phase two has lots of exciting projects that will make going to Tampa Theatre an even greater experience for residents of and visitors to the Tampa Bay area. One project is the construction of a 42-seat micro cinema. It will be located in a floral shop that is located to the left of the existing box ofce.

According to Jill Witecki, vice president and director of marketing, “Despite the small size, this micro cinema will dramatically increase our programming. If we have a concert or special program one night, we are not able to ofer a film a clean run. If we can use the smaller venue for one night of a film run, we will be able to guarantee a clean film run. As our CEO says, ‘We will be able to say yes to everything.’”

Another project is to restore an unused third floor (which is located on the Florida Avenue side). According to Witecki, “We have a need for space. This area has not been touched since the 50s. We need to install an elevator, put in electricity and more. It will become classroom and meeting space.”

Other projects are less noticeable but much needed, such as updating HVAC and plumbing and modernizing the production system.

Tampa Theatre is a strong economic driver. An average of 160,000 visitors come each year, generating millions in state and local taxes.

“The CRA support will ensure that the Tampa Theatre continues to be a landmark in downtown Tampa,” said CRA Chairwoman Lynn Hurtak.

For more information, please visit www. Tampatheatre.org.

POPULAR SUMMER CLASSICS MOVIE SERIES RETURNS TO TAMPA THEATRE’S BIG SCREEN THIS SUMMER

Tampa Theatre is proud to present its popular Summer Classics Movie Series this summer. This is the 32nd year that Tampa Theatre has ofered this series.

According to Jill Witecki with Tampa Theatre, “This year, the series celebrates a century of extraordinary filmmaking. The oldest ofering, a collection of silent comedy shorts from 1919-1927, takes Tampa Theatre back to its roots of presenting silent films with live musical accompaniment on its original Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.”

All of the shows are held on Sundays and are presented at 3 p.m.

The lineup starts with Mrs. Doubtfire on June 4. Next, you can see the thriller Veritgo on June 11.

Then, on June 18, come see the silent film The Flying Ace from 1926. This will be a free screening in celebration of Juneteenth. The film features an all-black cast and tells the story of the dastardly pilot Finley Tucker and the object of his affection, Ruth Sawtelle, who is said to be loosely based on aviator Bessie Coleman.

At the time of its release, The Flying Ace was advertised as “the greatest airplane thriller ever filmed.” In 2021, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of

Congress as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

Tampa Theatre will show Fantasia on June 25. Witecki said, “For the first time in Tampa Theatre history, the ‘Disney Vault’ has been opened to us, allowing us to screen a film that has been on our cinematic bucket list for a long time.”

Then, on July 2, come see Enter the Dragon. Next, you can see the musical Mamma Mia! on July 9. Witecki explained, “Mamma Mia! is a special selection by Tampa Theatre donor Jim Porter, who bid on and won the opportunity to ‘Pick A Classic’ during our WineFest fundraiser auction in March.”

The Breakfast Club will be shown on July 16. Then, you can experience 2001: A Space Odyssey on July 23. On July 30, go see The Lion King. Planet of the Apes will be shown on August 6. The drama Titantic will take the big screen on August 13, followed by Casablanca on August 20. The series will end with a showing of the silent film The Silent Clowns on August 27. Both silent films will be accompanied by Steven Ball on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.

Tickets for The Silent Clowns are $14.50, or $11.50 for members. The other tickets are $10, or $7 for members. Please visit www.tampatheatre.org.