TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tampa Theatre Offers Night Of Oscar Fame

ADVERTISEMENT

By RAY REYES

rreyes@tampatrib.com

Published: February 23, 2009

TAMPA - Sylvia Martinez-Hasque didn't have to travel 2,500 miles to Hollywood to experience the glitz of Oscar night.

She stayed in her hometown instead, bought a VIP ticket to the Tampa Theatre's Oscar Night Party on Sunday and became a celebrity for the 30 seconds it took to sashay down the red carpet.

"I loved it," Martinez-Hasque said as she entered the theater. "It was almost as good as the day I delivered twins."

Such are the spoils of the famous - no matter how fleeting.

Sunday's soiree at the Tampa Theatre was one of 52 events nationwide sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Attendees got the star treatment, which includes a ride around the block in a stretch limousine and a grand entrance on the red carpet surrounded by Tampa Theatre volunteers acting as adoring fans and paparazzi.

As VIP guests entered the theater, they were greeted by the sound of popping champagne bottles. They received bags of movie swag and official programs from the 81st annual Academy Awards before the ceremony was shown on the big screen.

And because the Tampa Theatre is a movie theater, popcorn, as well as hors d'oeuvres, was available.

"It's a big night," event coordinator Sarah Pickett said. "And the theater is just a jewel of Tampa."

About 300 guests and "celebrities" were expected to attend, she said.

Each one was greeted on the red carpet and under the flashing marquee lights by "Roan Jivers," who improvised celebrity identities for attendees by how they looked or what they wore.

A tall blonde became "Gwyneth Paltrow." A young man with a chiseled jaw was "Brad Pitt." And Viann Guzman, who wore a wreath of blue feathers in her hair, became Penelope Cruz's character in the film "Vicky Christina Barcelona."

"This is just a bit of big city fun," Guzman said.
Jivers said that if a guest doesn't immediately resemble a celebrity, he or she becomes an art director, a special effects wizard or a super agent to the stars.

"A woman with long legs becomes a choreographer," Jivers said. Just like The Dark Knight, the Joan Rivers impersonator was reluctant to reveal her true identity.

"When you can't get Joan," she said, "you get Roan."
Jivers then spotted the tall Jovonna Helwick wearing an elegant white dress. To Jivers, Helwick became diva Beyonce.

"It's such an awesome experience," Helwick said of the Tampa Theatre's Oscar party. Then she switched to the persona Jivers gave her. "I'd like to thank my fans. Their support allows me to be the best I can be. And I hope they buy more of my records."

John Bell, president and chief executive of Tampa Theatre, said Sunday's party was a glamorously tongue-in-cheek event.

"We have so much fun with it," Bell said. "The audience has fun with it. Everybody has fun with it."

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT