Artists and Writers Group
The roots of The Artists and Writers Group are found in the "Artists and Writers Ball", a hugely un-serious annual event in the late 1970s and 1980s in Tampa's arts and historical old town of Ybor City.
Back then, the "Ball" spoofed the mardi gras atmosphere of Tampa's better known Gasparilla parties. Each ball featured a theme guaranteed to inspire the most outrageous costumes and satirical musical performances and skits. At its heyday, the "Artists and Writers Ball" filled all four floors of Ybor City's Cuban Club with several thousand of the faithful.
Older and a little tamer now, The Artists and Writers Group, has transformed itself into a non-profit organization dedicated to producing art, literature and performance events for Tampa area residents.
Currently, The Artists and Writers Group presents three annual special events, all centered in Ybor City.
The Festival of the Moving Image presents established filmmakers, newly emerging videographers, and performance artists in a multi-day festival.
The 2009 Festival of the Moving Image was April 1-5. The eighth annual Festival will be in April of 2010.
Deep Carnival - A Festival of Words is a literary festival presenting authors, poets, songwriters and artists who read from and discuss their work.
The Deep Carnival 2009 will take place September 12, 2009.
Homemade is a symposium for artists who make music in both traditional and radical ways. It explores digital recording, Internet distribution and how to compose and self-publish music.
Homemade 2009 will be June 13-14, 2009.