Toasts the ‘Grapest Showman’
Tampa Theatre brings back its popular fundraiser WineFest March 25-26, offering a weekend of fun for both wine and movie lovers alike in the Bay Area. Now in its 19th year following a 2021 postponement due to the COVID pandemic, the festival announces each year a clever, often humorous, cinematic-centered theme for the weekend-long event. For 2022, the historic theater located at 711 N. Franklin St. in downtown Tampa will celebrate the 2017 Hugh Jackman blockbuster musical THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. Presented by the Vinik Family Foundation, WineFest: The Grapest Showman is expected to offer all the modern musical’s fun, flavor, and spectacle. This year’s itinerary includes a sing-along film screening for all ages and a weekend of wine activities for those 21 and older with valid ID.
No one is more excited about the return of the historic theater’s acclaimed wine festival after the year-long hiatus than event chair Rachel Radawec. “We’re lucky to have finally made it to the ‘The Other Side,’ but it’s ‘Never Enough’ just to get the doors back open,” she notes, quoting a few of the musical’s most memorable songs as the nonprofit prepares for its signature fundraiser. “We can put on “The Greatest Show’ every single night but this majestic landmark still needs the support of its community to continue providing the kind of artistic and educational programming Tampa Theatre is known for.”
Although this year’s planned Wine Pairing on Friday, March 25 and Premium Tasting on Saturday, March 26 sold out soon after their announcement, tickets are still available for a special sing-along screening of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Friday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. and for the festival’s Grand Tasting event on Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come dressed to the film screening as their favorite characters from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. Lyrics will be provided onscreen and theater goers of all ages can ‘follow the bouncing top hat’ to sing along during the film Tickets are $13 for general admission and $10 for Theatre Members.
Tickets for The Grand Tasting event during The Grapest Showman weekend are $65 ($55 for Tampa Theatre members) being held from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. These guests will be able to sample dozens of boutique wine and scrumptious bites from a variety of participating local restaurants including The Battery, Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria, Bouzy, The C House, Cru Cellars, Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café, District Tavern, GenX Tavern, Oxford Exchange, and Peterbrooke Chocolatier. The evening also includes a silent auction during which guests can bid on premium items from local shops, restaurants, and attractions. As with the sing-along film screening, WineFest guests are welcome to channel their favorite characters from the film or don Showman-inspired costumes.
For the safety of its patrons during the COVID 19 pandemic, Tampa Theatre will follow the guidance of local and national public health officials, and in accordance with CDC guidelines, require the wearing of masks in all common areas and in theatre seats unless guests are actively eating and drinking. In addition to putting in place a regular system for sanitizing restrooms, seats and common area surfaces, the historic theater recently underwent an HVAC system upgrade which included the installation of a bipolar ionization system to maintain fresher, cleaner air throughout the venue and its offices. Tampa Theatre does recommend that attendees check the show’s web page beforehand for any new safety updates or requirements of its guests.
For the latest news about this year’s WineFest, check the event website by clicking here. Readers can also connect with Tampa Theatre at their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
More on the Tampa Theatre:
The Tampa Theatre is a historic U.S. theater and city landmark in Downtown Tampa, Florida. Designed as an atmospheric theatre style movie palace by architect John Eberson, it opened on October 15, 1926.
Story written by Chris Kuhn exclusively for Destination Tampa Bay™ . All photos are courtesy of the Grapest WineFest and the Greatest Snowman film for editorial purposes only, all rights reserved. See a previous year’s wine fest at the Tampa Theatre here. For another fun wine event check out the St Pete Dine & Wine here.