Lights on Tampa is a critically acclaimed and award winning program whose mission is to bring free access to artistic excellence. Its emphasis is on new media technologies and education. Lights On Tampa is informed by successful international models including BEAP (Biennial Electronic Art in Perth), and Lights of Turin.

From an international call to artists, a highly respected jury consisting of Anne Pasternak, Jerry Saltz, and Dave Hickey, recommended a pool of artists to participate in Lights On Tampa 2009. While all will be innovative and experiential, one installation is specific to the Super Bowl in recognition of Tampa hosting Super Bowl XLIII. The intent is to broaden the reach of the arts through Lights On Tampa, and connect with new audience groups. Millions will see all of the installations.

The program is a public/private partnership that reinforces Tampa’s commitment to the arts, technology, and education. It is a cultural and aesthetic event designed to engage, entertain, and educate Tampa’s diverse community.

Lights On Tampa is a biennial program timed to complement a larger community initiative to revitalize and strengthen the downtown core, reinforce the city’s commitments to the arts and technologies, and capitalize on the peak tourist and convention season in Tampa.

Lights On Tampa 2009 brings the work of major contemporary artists to downtown Tampa. Lights On Tampa kicks off on January 10th with a large public event, and the installations will continue to run through February 2nd, in order to reach visitors in Tampa for the 2009 Super Bowl.

Lights On Tampa 2009 sites include: The Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, USF Park, Cotanchobee Park, and Fort Brooke Parking Garage. Community members, and visitors will celebrate the opening of Lights On Tampa 2009 through a pedestrian-friendly public event in order to experience each of the destinations.

Jennifer Murphy from ForbesTraveler.com recently reported on America’s Most Awesome Aquariums, and names Tampa’s own Florida Aquarium in the top ten:

While African black-footed penguins are on exhibit at the Florida Aquarium, the diverse aquatic habitats and ecosystems of Florida are the main feature here. Ideal for children, the Aquarium offers everything from a Caribbean-themed outdoor water exhibit where kids can play to a shark-diving activity that allows certified SCUBA divers (at least 15 years of age) to swim with live sharks. Equally inspiring is the Aquarium’s Coral Reef Gallery, which simulates a 60-foot dive from shallow-water reefs to deeper waters teeming with eels, squirrelfish, angelfish, and blue tang.

This is the fourth such honor the aquarium has received in as many years.  Both Coastal Living and TripAdvisor.com ranked Tampa’s aquarium in its top 10 aquariums in America and Parents Magazine ranked it in their top five “family-friendly aquariums in the country.”

The Florida Aquarium (map) is in the Channelside District.

BayStar Hotel Group to develop $29 million new-build property slated to open in 2010

InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announces that a Hotel Indigo is coming to downtown Tampa, Fla.  The 168-room new-build property is expected to open in a mixed-use urban community in 2010.

The new Hotel Indigo will be located in Channelside.

Construction is set to begin before the end of 2008.

On-going training is an essential element to the Guides’ performance and they receive some of the best available from organizations like Busch Gardens, the American Automobile Association (AAA), Tampa Fire and Rescue, Tampa Police Department, and more.

TAMPA’S DOWNTOWN GUIDES PROVIDE:

• Directions
• Restaurant Suggestions
• Stranded Motorist Assistance with Flat Tires and Dead Car Batteries
• Downtown Parking Information
• And more…

ALL SERVICES ARE FREE
Funded through the Special Services District and managed and operated through the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

Tampa’s Downtown Guides
(813) 267-2220 – MAIN CONTACT NUMBER
(813) 857-8274 – Lynda Remund, Director of District Operations

HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday – Friday – 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday – 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday – 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENT ASSISTANCE
Tampa’s Downtown Guides are available for hire to meet and greet downtown event goers, hand out valuable literature, give directions and much more. Click here for complete details.