Jeffree Star at the Orpheum Club

Jeffree Star got up close and personal with some fans at the small Orpheum club in Tampa last night (July 30). A model/makeup artist/celebrity from Los Angeles, he has too many friends on MySpace and is turning his notoriety into a music career. Jeffree’s debut album, Beauty Killer, drops September 22nd on his own Popsicle Records via Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group. "Prisoner," the lead single, is now streaming on Jeffree's MySpace page: www.myspace.com/jeffreestar.

According to a Jeffree quote from one of his publicists "Beauty Killer is my way of saying ‘fuck you’ to what everyone’s idea of what beauty stands for.“ In the immortal words of Bull on Night Court "Ohhhkay." The set featured covers of Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" and "Somebody's Watching Me" (yep the song that Michael Jackson sang back up on, now on a Geico ad campaign, but with a more techno edge) as well as songs from Beauty Killer.
—John Davisson

Photos by John Davisson

Tori Amos at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

"A few thousand ecstatic fans filled the venue for a show from Tori Amos. Tori had us (3 photogs and 2 marketing chaperones) shoot a song at soundcheck. Yep, extra song for us. Definitely different, she was posing and singing. Thankfully she wore the same outfit during the show; she had us shoot soundcheck in Gainesville several years ago and wore a different outfit (requiring an explanation in the review). No explanation needed this time, but in the interest of journalistic integrity..." -John Davisson


Our concert photographer, John Davisson, captures Tori Amos at her concert in the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in Orlando on July 28.

Photos by John Davisson

Gainesville Fashion Week Casting Call

At last Saturday's Gainesville Fashion Week casting call, models trickled in to Sharab Lounge throughout the day, mostly in pairs, to be measured and photographed. Check out our Facebook album for our pics from the first Gainesville Fashion Week last spring.

Today (Wednesday, July 29) at 5pm is the deadline for models to apply for Gainesville Fashion Week in September. Call 352.376.4221 for details. (P.S. We hear they're looking for more guys.)

Want to apply?
www.gainesvillefashionweek.com/images/stories/modapp.pdf

Photos by Sean Kelly

Vans Warped Tour 2009

The Vans Warped Tour hit Orlando last weekend (Friday, July 24th). The weather was hot -- between shooting, photographer John Davisson would hide under the stage to stay cool.

This list shows just how many bands were there from across the country (even Canada). It also shows the rules: No cussing in Florida. Looks like the message wasn't well-received.


The Vans Warped Tour brought 6-7,000 people who followed the bands on six stages. It used to be referred to as "Punk Rock Summer Camp," but this year, there were so many girl bands to start out, photographer John Davisson said it seemed like "Punk Chick Summer Camp."

We really liked "Lights." Pictured are, from left to right, Underoath (from Ocala), Versa Emerge (from Port St. Lucie) and There for Tomorrow (from Orlando).

Photos by John Davisson

INsite Retro Barbecue Photo Shoot

One hot summer Friday last month, we threw a retro barbecue for some local models and caught the whole thing on camera. But it wasn't all fun and games -- the whole shoot had to go down in about two hours!

"It was just so crazy," says stylist Stephanie Granada, who had to somehow keep track of all the samples and accessories on the way from Scissors Salon to Cabana Beach (while the sun was going down fast!). Thankfully, she says, the models were really patient.

Stephanie and Sean collaborated on ways to approach a retro vibe that would still be appropriate for readers. "Shooting with modern clothes, models and technology and still trying to
keep the retro look we were trying for was constantly on my mind," Sean say. "I wanted
to do the best job possible because everyone's efforts were riding on my pictures."

Intrepid INsite intern Alex Martin gamely volunteered to pose with his friend, teammate Clark Burckle, with the models for our July shoot. Luckily, they were used to walking around in their suits -- they're both on the UF swim team and had just left practice to come to the shoot.

But shooting this many people makes things interesting. "Making this size of a group look good was one of the hardest parts," says photographer Sean Kelly. "One and two
people are relatively easy to shoot, but lighting, directing and positioning seven models was a first for me."

Photographer Sean Kelly got real friendly with the sand to get the best shot as the sun set on our July retro barbecue shoot.

"It was about 159 degrees that day, and I had wet sand on my hands, in my pockets, all over my cameras, and generally in places not appropriate to mention," Sean says. "After it was all over, we jumped into the pool and packed up and went home and drank a lot (of water)."

See the full spread in July, page 24.

Photos by Sean Kelly

Rue Bar Black Out Party

Tonight (Fri., July 24), show up at Rue Bar before midnight in all black to get in free for their Black Out party. Here's some wardrobe inspiration...

But really, what girl doesn't have at least five black dresses? Girls, share with guy friends (and post the pics on our FB group to prove it). Dare ya.

Photos by Rodney Rogers

Miss Caribbean Tan Model Contest - Round 3

Last night, Tuesday (July 22) welcomed the 3rd round of the Miss Caribbean Tan Model Contest. We knew that Gainesville was home to tons of hot ladies, but dang! Guess word is getting out -- Rodney says it was standing room only at XS.

We're exited to see how our girls compare to Tennessee's girls on Sept. 18.

Skyy's Foam Frenzy

Skyy's Foam Frenzy
The 3rd annual FOAM FRENZY was last Fri., July 17th, at Skyy. People were engulfed in towers of foam and found themselves next to some truly gorgeous people.

So, here's our question: Did this help to clean up all the paint after the Day Glo Party last week? We *did* see piles of foam on the street below on Saturday afternoon. Genius.

Skyy's Heaven & Hell Party

Skyy's Heaven & Hell Party
Pics from last night's (Thurs., 7/16) Heaven & Hell party at Skyy. Is it
just us, or does the girl on the right look like Rumor Willis?

Bud Night at :08

Last night (Thursday, 7/16) INsite photo guy Rodney Rogers caught Bud Night at the newly reopened :08 Seconds. The Budweiser girls handed out tons of giveaways and registered some lucky people for a chance to win their way aboard the Bud Party Cruise.

Bud Light Blue Crew

Bud Light Blue Crew
Last night at XS and Gator City Wednesday of all things (July 15)the Bud Light Blue Crew Girls were handing out giveaways and entry tickets for the Bud Party Cruise. Of course, being a Wednesday at Gator City, ladies drank free until midnight.

If you missed them, don't worry. We've been seeing them all around town lately.

Miss Caribbean Tan Model Search

Miss Caribbean Tan Model Search Round 2
Here are some pics from last night¹s (Tuesday, July 14) 2nd round of the Miss Caribbean Tan Model Search at XS. Each weekly winner will go against Tennessee¹s best to coincide with the Florida v. Tennessee game on Sept. 18 at :08 Seconds.

And besides the girls in bikinis, another incentive to show up: Each week, someone in the audience wins a two-person, two-night cruise to the Bahamas. How appropriate. Oh, and the weekly winner gets $300 (we¹re guessing to maintain that award-winning tan?).

TV20 Talent Show

TV20 Talent Show
Last month, INsite got to go backstage at TV20 for the taping of their talent show, which airs on TV20 Mon-Thurs 6-7am in July. We even got to go backstage into the Production Control room, very cool!

In this segment, break dancers Misti (yellow) and Mandi (pink) of Monozygotic, with DJ Jarad Bowens (aka "G") in the background, compete in a two-minute clip. The twins travel to battles all over, Gville, Ocala, Tampa and Orlando. Director Gabriel Tyner even tries his hand (or foot?) at break dancing.

Vote for your favorite during the month of July:
http://www.wcjb.com/articles/index/15
TV20's Talent Show airs Mon-Thurs 6-7am in July.
PHOTOS: Sean Kelly

Re-opening of :08

Last night (Thurs., July 9), we were glad to see Gainesville staple :08 Seconds(that's eight seconds, i.e., the goal time for riding a bull) re-open to huge crowds. There were lines out both doors until 1am. With all those people crowding the dance floor, we¹re curious just how much of that famous line dancing occurred. (Oh, and P.S. Country girls are hot.)

Day Glo Party

Day Glo Party
Also last night (Thurs., July 9), Skyy Nightclub hosted a Day Glo Party. We weren't sure what that meant, either, until we saw the bright neon paint dripping down from the balcony and splattering on the sidewalk below. (Skyy is an open-air club on the second floor above :08, by the way.)

Photographer Rodney Rogers said it took four washings to get the paint out of his clothes. It's still on his shoes. We¹re guessing that's not a priority for these folks. We kinda like the colors! Very Kanye-Westy.

Miss Caribbean Tan Model Search

Miss Caribbean Tan Model Search Round1
Last night we cheered at the 2009 Miss Caribbean Tan International Model Search at XS (Tues., July 7). Rumor has it that all contestants win a two-night Bahamian cruise, so we're dusting off our bikinis as we type...
For the next four Tuesdays, XS and Landshark beer will be hosting the contest, starting at 10pm. Search "Miss Caribbean Tan Model Search @ XS" on Facebook.

Finals will be held September 18 at :08 Seconds, and to coincide with the Tennessee/FL game, our top 10 girls will be competing against their top 10!

But, the effort's worth it‹each week, someone watching will win a two-person, two-night cruise to the Bahamas (plus, of course, the overall winner gets tons of prizes).
PHOTOS: Rodney Rogers

Plain White T's

Plain White T's
After suffering through a hot and humid Tuesday evening (6/30) waiting in line to meet the Plain White T's at the Venue, we joined roughly 450 people who came out to see the show. They opened with local band T13C (who put on a flawless and high-energy show), Day's Difference and Company of Thieves, led by Genevieve Schatzm, who sounded like an early Gwen Stefani.

The T's played a three-part set, thus, the theme: The Three Part Harmony Tour. This was their last stop in Florida.
The first set of the PWT's was a typical upbeat set and featured fan favorites like "Friends Don't Let Friends Dial Drunk," and "Our Time Now."

The stage was stripped down for the next set, which lead singer Tom Higgenson said should feel more "intimate." "I want it to feel like we're playing in your dorm room," Tom quipped. The highlight of the second set was easily the band's current hit, "1, 2, 3, 4."

The last set of the Plain White T's at the Venue June 30th was nothing but rapid-fire pop madness with a 30-minute medley of songs. The band slowed it down for their 2008 Grammy nominated hit, "Hey There Delilah," which even had some of the security staff singing along!
Lauren Irizarry
PHOTOS: Sean Kelly