Bud Bowl
Begun in 1989 with the broadcast of the first TV commercial of the Budweiser v. Bud Light bottle battle, Bud Bowl has evolved into a two-day concert series---this year turning a parking lot at Channelside in Tampa into a music venue.
Staged by Chicago production company Mowalla Productions, specialist in the entertainment promotions and marketing field, the event began on Friday, January 30 with headlining performer Snoop Dogg followed by 3 Doors Down on Saturday. Though standing space heaters were introduced to combat the near freezing temperatures, 9,500 guests attended on Friday followed by 8,800 on Saturday, overshooting the expected attendance by more than 5,000 people.
Taste of the NFL
While many went to Tampa last weekend for the most-watched football game of the year and some of the hottest parties with big name acts—Fall Out Boy, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Rihanna all performed at events throughout the weekend—the Minnesota-based team behind Taste of the NFL has another mission: to end hunger. Held annually on the eve of Super Bowl Sunday, the January 31 event at Tropicana Field marked the 18th anniversary of the food and wine fund-raising event.
Every year an alum or current player from each of the NFL’s 31 teams is paired with a notable chef from its city. Saturday’s participants included Susan Goss of West Town Tavern in Chicago—an original member of the Taste of the NFL team—who worked with Shaun Gayle from the Chicago Bears, chef Allen Susser of Chef Allen’s in Miami assisted by Miami Dolphins alums Earl Morrall and Dick Anderson, and Nobu’s executive chef Shin Tsujimura alongside New York Jet, Freeman McNeil.
Life Off The Field
The Players Wives Association, whose members include spouses of active and retired NFL players, hosted its eighth annual Life Off the Field Banquet and Fashion Show gala at the India Conference Center on January 30. Catering By Robert transformed the 25,000-square-foot space with white pink sheer draping, linens, and lighting. The nearly 400 attendees enjoyed brunch and a spring-preview fashion show from Dillards.
