For additional information, contact:
Amber Abram, Publisher
Durium Jones, Marketing
David Warner, Editor
(813) 739-4800
After nearly twelve years publishing under the name Weekly Planet, Creative Loafing will rise again with the Best of the Bay™ issue on Wednesday, September 20. This year’s Best of the Bay™ issue will also feature several Hall of Fame winners and a fond look back at Weekly Planet’s past. To celebrate, Creative Loafing is hosting the Best of the Bay™ Beerfest at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Saturday, September 23rd from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and SPCA Tampa Bay.
Meet Beerfest superheroes Amber, Lager, Malt and Stout as they battle the evil Dr. Hangover at the event. Admission includes a souvenir cup and sampling opportunities for over 80 different brews, along with entertainment including live music and games. Beerfest wristbands may also be presented at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Players Club to receive $10 in free play for new members.
Advance tickets may be purchased for $15 or on September 23rd for $20. Tickets are available at the Seminole Hard Rock Retail Store and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Purchase by phone at (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100. Visit www.weeklyplanet.com/beerfest for event details or pick up the Beerfest program in the September 20th issue of Creative Loafing. (Ages 21+ with ID only.)
Over 2,000 readers enjoyed last year’s Beerfest held at Olde Hyde Park village on September 24, 2005. This year’s Beerfest is presented by and held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Sponsors include Monty Python’s SPAMALOT at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, International Academy of Design and Technology, Sam Ash Music Stores, 93.3 FLZ and 98 Rock. Vendors include Atomic Tattoos, Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Company, Caliente Resort & Spa, Innovative Research, and the Jade at Tampa Palms.
WE’VE BEEN LOAFING SINCE 1972.
Chick and Debby Eason founded Creative Loafing Newspaper in their Atlanta living room as an arts and entertainment guide in 1972 as a response to their perceived lack of information for Atlanta’s events. All three of their children, Jennifer, Ben and Taylor, also worked in the business.
In 1988, Ben Eason established a Creative Loafing in Tampa. He developed the paper and purchased it from his parents in 1994, renaming it Weekly Planet. In 1998, the Planet expanded by adding an edition in the Sarasota market. In 2000, the children purchased the Creative Loafing chain. The current Creative Loafing network includes papers in Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa and Sarasota.
Weekly Planet Sarasota will become Creative Loafing Sarasota with the September 20th issue and will debut their website, www.sarasota.creativeloafing.com with this same issue. New editor, Max Linsky, has already launched a new blog, the smorgasboard, a heaping helping of Sarasota odds and ends. Visit www.thesmorg.com to vote in the Best of the Suncoast Reader’s Poll now.
The same foundations continue to guide Creative Loafing today. Our mission is to help Urban Explorers do things that enrich lives and strengthen communities. In addition to a comprehensive listing of local happenings covering everything from gallery openings to sporting events, Creative Loafing publications offer their communities a lively mix of news, commentary and the most respected and authoritative critics on the subjects of food, film, theater and music.
Online products will continue to deepen an Urban Explorer’s ability to “read and do” with comprehensive search capabilities and access information relative to personal interests. Interactive online features now allow readers to add their own commentary to continue conversations within their communities of interest or even purchase discounted gift certificates from local spas, bars and restaurants.
Creative Loafing has also brought urban exploration to life through our latest event platforms including Field Day, Beerfest, Sensory Overload and our Political Parties. In addition to major events, we have successfully launched Street Teams in three markets this past year. Our Street Teams connect directly with readers at select events in and around Tampa Bay several nights each week.
Creative Loafing will continue to provide quality news and event coverage, feature the best critics our cities possess, produce exciting and relevant events and products. We are and will continue to be a media company that listens and remains an important alternative voice within our communities.
