Breezin Entertainment Blog

Photos from Book of Lists Iced-Themed Party

Aly and Jessie enjoy networking at the Book of List Party.

Cool Entertainment provided by Breezin' Entertainment.

 Ice Carving provided by Breezin' Entertainment

 

Check out all the Photos from last night's Event!

Have a Happy Gasparilla!

Breezin' Entertainment wants to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Gasparilla.

We checked the weather for tomorrow and it is going to be sunny skies, High near 75F. In other words, a perfect day for a Pirate Invasion!

History of Gasparilla

HISTORY OF GASPARILLA– The Legend
Gasparilla sounds like an exotic drink...or perhaps even a rare, tropical flower. But, as any Tampa resident can attest, "Gasparilla" means boats, pirates, parades, merriment and more. It means January is here, and the city's illustrious festival celebration is, once again, about to begin.

Gasparilla...the pirate. The name and foundation of Tampa's traditional Gasparilla Carnival come from legendary pirate Jose Gaspar, "last of the Buccaneers," who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the late 18th and early 19th century. Gaspar, given to calling himself "Gasparilla," served as a lieutenant in the Royal Spanish Navy for five years until 1783 when, upon seizing command of a Spanish sloop-of-war, he with his fellow mutineers set sail for the Florida straits. And so the young Spanish aristocrat-turned-pirate began an adventurous life as outlaw of the sea.

Although few facts are known of the life and death of the famed Gasparilla, accounts from his own personal diary boast the capture and burning of 36 ships during his first 12 years as a pirate. Crews of captured ships were given the option of joining Gaspar's ranks or walking the plank; fates of captive ladies were determined largely by his moment's fancy.

The number of ships that fell prey to Gasparilla and his buccaneers during later years is not known, but he continued to ravage Florida waters until December 1821. Deciding it was time to retire from pirate life, Gaspar had just convinced his crew to split up their accumulated fortune, disband and live out their lives in peace and luxury. But the sight of a merchant ship sailing northwestwardly toward Orleans was all too inviting for the greedy adventure-seekers. One last thrill, and they would end their careers in grand style – Gaspar and company could not resist, and so set out to pillage the seemingly unassuming merchantman. Closing in on their prey, the pirates realized, to their chagrin, they had chosen a United States Navy warship in disguise for their final folly. And final it was. A bloody battle ensued, leaving Gasparilla's flagship burning to ruin. As the story goes, just as the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise was boarding the defeated ship, Gasparilla seized a heavy chain, wrapped it around his waist and neck and leaped into the water, brandishing his sword in a final gesture of defiance as he sank into the sea.

Gasparilla...the man. Judging from this scant bit of history, it is clear that Jose Gaspar was well suited to his chosen occupation as pirate. Tales of his triumphs at sea prove he was certainly bloodthirsty, greedy and adventurous enough; as pirate, he fit the bill. But aside from the fact he possessed a fierce nature with some rather contemptible traits, what else is known about the character of this legendary man?

As an aristocrat by birth and officer in the Spanish Navy, Gasparilla was well educated, possessed courtly manners and had all the appearances of a fine gentleman. He was a faithful friend and expressed kindness to those he held dear. The mighty Gaspar, it is said, had a soft side, which he demonstrated on more than one known occasion. Once, when close friend and comrade-in-crime Roderigo Lopez expressed a sincere desire to leave the outlaw life and return to Spain, Gasparilla not only gave his consent, but extended his blessing, supplied a boat, and sent a number of men along to help his beloved First Mate on the long journey home.

In another instance, Gasparilla discovered the Captain of a captured ship to be a former classmate, inmate and friend from the Spanish Naval Academy. The Pirate leader was so thrilled to see Captain Menendez, he took him back to headquarters despite threats from the Captain of escaping and bringing an end to the pirate's exploits. Gasparilla did not try to force Menendez to become a pirate, but held him as a friend and confidante, showing him every courtesy and consideration. Eventually Menendez died saving his captor-companion's life by intercepting a disgruntled crew member about to attack the sleeping Gasparilla.

Perhaps the best example of Gasparilla's more human side comes from the story of his love for Ann Jeffrey, a beautiful English woman captured while on her way to visit her sister in Louisiana. Gasparilla fell desperately in love with the young maiden and was intent on marrying her. But when the lovesick Gaspar proposed, Ann would not accept his offer confessing fearfully that she was in love with Batista, another one of his pirates. Despite his certain instinct to have the lovers put to death in some cruel manner, Gasparilla seized a merchant ship and agreed to set her free unharmed, cargo and crew intact, on the condition that Ann and Batista be married on board and carried safely back to England.

Gasparilla..the extravaganza. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Though that treasure has never been discovered, the story of the swashbuckling Gasparilla was unearthed and his memory revived in 1904 when Tampa's social and civic leaders adopted the pirate as patron rogue of their city-wide celebration. Miss Louise Frances Dodge, society editor of the Tampa Tribune, was planning the city's first May festival. At the suggestion of George W. Hardee, then with the federal government in Tampa, she decided to develop a theme for the affair based on the legend of Gasparilla.

Secret meetings gave birth to the first "Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla," whose forty members planned to surprise the populace with a mock pirate attack on Tampa. Masked and fully-costumed, the first krewe arrived on horseback and "captured the city" during the Festival Parade.

HISTORY OF GASPARILLA TODAY
The first invasion was so successful and well-received by the people of Tampa that a city-wide demand was voiced to make the Mystic Krewe organization permanent and to replicate the carnival each year.

Tampa has upheld its tradition by celebrating Gasparilla every year with only ten exceptions since that infamous first invasion. Today, Ye Mystic Krewe numbers over 700 of the city's most prominent men, who uphold their mascot Gaspar as a "hearty old swashbuckler with courtly manners and possibly – just possibly – prankful habits." 

In 1954 the Krewe commissioned the building of the world's only fully rigged pirate ship to be built in modern times. Named the Jose Gasparilla, the ship is a replica of a West Indiaman used in the 18th century. She is constructed of steel at 165' long by 35' across the beam, with 3 steel masts standing 100' tall. During the year she is usually docked at the Tarpon Weigh Station on Bayshore Blvd. for the public's viewing pleasure. In the past, Gasparilla has been celebrated on the second Monday in February.

A break in tradition came in 1988 with the move to a Saturday festival. The change allows surrounding communities to take part in the celebration. In 2002, the festival was moved to the last Saturday in January. In addition to the traditional invasion and parade, the Gasparilla celebration encompasses a full week's worth of activities held throughout the city. This January, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla will lay siege upon Tampa once again.

Need More Information about tomorrow's Gasparilla Invasion? Click Here!

 

Thank you to gasparillapiratefest.com for this article

 

Book of Lists

The Book of Lists is Tampa Bay’s most valuable business reference guide and the one publication readers turn to, again and again, throughout the year. It’s a compilation of the TBBJ’s weekly lists and is full of important information about Tampa Bay area businesses.

 The Book of Lists Celebration is tonight!

Thursday, January 26, 2012
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
St. Pete Times Forum
401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602

Did you make the list in 2011? Then come to the party!

 If you’re the top officer on one of our 2011 Lists then you and a guest are invited to join us for the most exclusive party of the year!

This event is invitation only.

Read more: 2012 Book of Lists - Tampa Bay Business Journal

 

Deadline Extended!

We will be accepting photos until Tuesday, January 31st.  We have had numerous request to extend the deadline so that this year's Gasparilla pictures can be used.

Send your pictures to marketing@breezin.com

for a chance to win$25 to Seasons 52!

TSE Starts Here Party!

We had a blast at last night's The Special Event Starts Here Party at The Ritz in Ybor.

Can you find Stefani and Cindy dancing in the crowd?

 

Welcome Meeting Planners to the Bay Area!

Join Us and Tampa Bay & Company to welcome Meeting Planners to the Bay Area!

Meeting planners from across the United States and representing a variety of markets and industries will get an up-close-and-personal look at what the Tampa Bay area has to offer during one of its most celebrated festivals – the 2012 Gasparilla Pirate Fest.  A record-setting 29 meeting planners representing every region and market segment is slated to attend this year’s event.  

“This is a fantastic opportunity to show what a colorful, exciting and vibrant destination we have here in Tampa Bay,” said Director of Convention Services and Special Events Susan Williams.  

In addition to getting rowdy with the pirates and krewes that will fill this year’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest, the meeting planners will get a taste of why the area is a premier meetings destination.  During the trip, they will experience some of the Tampa Bay area’s best treasures, including reception and dinner cruise on the Bay Spirit II and receptions at some of the area’s finest hotels, including the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, Embassy Suites Tampa – Downtown Convention Center, the Westin Harbour Island Hotel, the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk, and the Hyatt Regency Tampa.  

They’ll also experience the area’s wild side, along with its history and culture with trips to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and historic Ybor City.  The trip will wrap up with a VIP Brunch and Invasion to celebrate the 2012 Gasparilla Pirate Fest, which will include a “Rock Star” motorcade down Bayshore Boulevard.  

Please join us in welcoming this group, as well as all meetings and conventions, to the Tampa Bay area!  The focus of the Convention Sales team of Tampa Bay & Company is to bring conventions and meetings to Tampa Bay to create positive economic impact for Hillsborough County.

 

It's Official!

We are pleased to announce that Breezin' Entertainment has been voted #1 in our market for
 The Knot's Best of Weddings 2012. 

Breezin' has been consistently selected over the past ten years!   

The Breezin' staff is excited and grateful to all those who voted!

5 "I Do" Don'ts

Never having planned a wedding before, nor having had the experience of going from engaged to married, there naturally is a big learning curve. We ladies are expected to assume the roles of wedding planner, hostess, daughter-in-law, bride, peacekeeper, decision-maker, budgeting guru, and wife all in one fell swoop. Talk about overwhelming! Here are a few key points that will help brides-to-be to feel confident about the whole ordeal.

 

1. Don't second guess your instincts. Everyone has an opinion about everything when it comes to weddings, and the good news is that you ultimately know what's best for you. So whether it's picking a wedding ceremony location, deciding which invitations to use, or deciding how large you want your reception to be, notice your initial reaction. It's nice to consider all of your options, but listening to your instincts can provide great clues as to what will be most meaningful for you on your wedding day.

2. Don't forget to stop and smell the roses. Literally. You bought a dozen luscious rose-filled centerpieces. Smell them! A wedding is not only about photo memories. For a more memorable wedding day, find ways to document all of the sensory experiences; sight, taste, smell, touch, sound. Rather than a disposable camera at each reception dinner table, why not have a memory book where guests are encouraged to record their favorite smells, tastes, and sounds from the evening? Are you and the groom artistically inclined? Set up a large blank canvas or paper sheet with colored pens and pencils, and encourage guests to create art inspired by your wedding. By encouraging guests (and yourself!) to explore new ways of interacting, you all will have created more meaningful, distinct memories of your big day.

3. Don't feel the need to follow etiquette guides too closely. They are guides, not set-in-stone commandments. A wedding etiquette guide may suggest that it's not appropriate to wear a chapel-length gown or have a floor-length train or a veil at a less formal wedding. Eh. Go for it. It's your wedding day and there is nothing more appropriate than a smiling bride on the big day!

4. Don't expect things to be magically perfect between the two of you after the vows. It's too much pressure! Men don't get married and suddenly change their behavior drastically, and neither will you. A wedding ceremony is a public proclamation of your love and your dedication to one another. It's one of the most special vows you can share with someone. What it is not, however, is a magic spell that is cast and makes you two different people, in a new relationship. Instead, you two are committing to love each other just you are right now, and accept each other, flaws and all. It's what the vows are all about. It's not really fair to get married and expect the person you're with to be different. Do you have concerns or hopes for how you'll work together as a married couple? Talk about it pre-wedding! Whether it's in pre-marital counseling or over a quiet dinner alone, talk about expectations and your roles together.

5. Don't worry as much about what might go wrong on the big day. You may have clicked on this article because you felt it would guide you away from imminent "I do" disasters. The real deal is that your attitude towards your nuptials is what matters. You can chose to focus on what might go wrong, what not to do, who you might offend. Conversely, you can chose to focus on the idea that things will probably go "wrong", they often do, but that is what makes your wedding unique and memorable. Life would be awfully dull if things worked out perfectly. Use humor as a way to defuse tension. Chose to view your wedding less about achieving perfection, and more about experiencing the journey.

Now, doesn't that feel more do-able?

 

Thank you Shannon Kellogg for this great article

Follow Shannon Kellogg on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrShannonK

Happy Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Ca! That’s the traditional Chinese New Year greeting that means “wishing you prosperity” in Mandarin. The first day of the Chinese New Year – which begins at midnight on January 23, 2012 – is the most important of Chinese holidays, celebrated by billions in China, and by millions of ethnic Chinese around the world. It’s a celebration that lasts for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival. Each year is associated with one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. For 2012, it’s the Year of the Dragon.

 

Happy Chinese New Year!