The List announcements are chosen at the editor's discretion. Send essential information, including time, date, price, location and contact number to: The List, 1310 E. Ninth Ave., Tampa, FL 33605, or fax to 813-248-9999. No calls; information cannot be taken over the phone; e-mail may be sent to cooper.cruz@weeklyplanet.com. Copy must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, eight days prior to the publication date. Call venue to confirm listings.

Back to College

The first week back from summer break is all-important in terms of preparing for a productive semester. It's your last chance to second-guess your course selection and drop/add classes. You've got to buy textbooks and familiarize yourself with the material. OK, so you just have to buy the books, but there're lots of smaller tasks that are just as essential, like getting a houseplant and downloading a new screensaver. But after that, it's time to meet up with old friends and/or make new ones, before the curriculum gets too rigorous to socialize. Chances are there's a bulletin board of fliers somewhere on campus, advertising couches for sale, roommates wanted and some unpopular course like Gender in Education. But if you really want to know what to do your first week back (besides attending Greek mixers) this list's for you.

Beef 'O' Brady's, 2802 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa (813-977-6007). Beef's is a local chain of neighborhood sports bars that serve excellent food and offer comfortable booth and table seating for watching your favorite televised sports events. So what if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers home game against the New England Patriots is sold out? Round up the guys and catch the kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. Beef's also has a Tuesday College Night, with happy hour from 4 to 11 p.m., featuring 29-cent wings and $1 drafts.

Club 1509, 1509 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City (813-247-6606). Thursdays are College Night at 1509, an upscale Miami-style club, where GQish bouncers usher the loveliest and handsomest in first. Needless to say, proper dress required. It's worth the effort, though, to party to the best in hip-hop, booty and '80s retro, spun by DJs Blaze & Freddy Fernandez. On Thursdays, $5 covers free beer all night and free drinks until 1 a.m.

Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill, 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-822-4562). Named for owner Mark Ferguson, Ferg's is a former gas station, remodeled into a multitiered hangout that is both dog and Rollerblader friendly. Located across from Tropicana Field, Ferg's is the perfect venue for pre- and post-Rays-game festivities. So if you're downtown for a game and there's no rush to get home and study (hah!) stop by for a pitcher and appetizer.

Peabody's Billiards & Games, 15333 Amberly Drive, Tampa (813-972-1725). Peabody's is a great upscale evening hangout, featuring 55 TVs, 15 tournament-size pool tables, a video game room, darts and a full bar with 24 beers on tap. There's happy hour during Sunday and Monday football, but for a true college crowd, this place really fills up on Friday and Saturday nights.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, at Tropicana Field, One Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg (813-825-3250). The Rays play the last game of a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23. The game is the teams' last meeting of the season and Cal Ripken's last game at the Trop. The Rays then take on the Chicago White Sox (Aug. 24-26) and the Seattle Mariners (Aug. 28-30). Games times are 7:15 p.m. weekdays, 4:15 p.m. Saturday and 1:15 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $4 and go up to $195.

The Falls, 15333 Amberly Drive, Tampa (813-971-3255). New Tampa's premier nightclub and restaurant, The Falls has been open about two years and is a favorite Wednesday night club for area students. Wednesday night features DJ Detox and happy hour specials such as $2.50 domestic beers and $2 shots. Proper dress is required.

The Lobby, 217 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-896-3800). The Lobby is a cozy, artsy martini bar/lounge in the recessed upstairs of The Garden restaurant. With terrific art on the walls and lush furniture, the scene is young and cool. The Lobby also features one of the area's most unique entertainment acts, the Unprofessionals, a company of nine improvisers, who perform every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The troupe improvises scenes based on audience suggestion — Whose Line is it Anyway? style — to the crowd's delight.

Vertical Ventures, 5402 E. Pioneer Park Blvd, Tampa (813-884-7625). Vertical Ventures is an indoor rock-climbing gym, and really there's no better way to check out a person's shoulders or butt than when they're climbing overhead, strapped into a harness. Tuesday is College Night at Vertical Ventures, when climbers get half off admission with a valid college ID. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Rates are $11 weekdays, $12.50 weekends and holidays. Rentals cost $2.50 for a harness, $3 for shoes and $1.50 for chalk.

—Cooper Cruz

Visual Arts

Ongoing

531 Central Fine Arts, 531 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-822-2787). To celebrate the close of Summer, 531 is highlighting the work of Vincent Magni, offering his popular sculptures and provocative oil paintings at a reduced price. Also featured is a selection of Barbini glass and works from the gallery's company of fine artists. The exhibit runs through Sept. 5. Summer hours are noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Visit www.531central.com.

African Art Gallery, 1711 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-737-5312). This gallery features the finest in hand-carved African art, as well as other collectibles imported from West Africa. Paintings by Hargraves Nutkwana and Cecile Boswell Brown are also on display, along with the Benya Collection of never to be found again ancient artifacts from different African tribes. The West African Fofole Collection of modern, handcarved furniture rounds out the collection. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and by appointment on Sunday.

Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Pete (727-822-7872). Uncharted Water, a collection of 36 paintings selected by Juror Edward Minchin of the American Watercolor Society, focuses on diverse uses of water media. H2O, the Arts Center's annual members show, features works by more than 200 member-artists using water as an image, medium or subject. Both exhibits are on display through Aug. 24. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, through Saturday.

Baisden Gallery, 442 Grand Central Ave., Suite 100, Tampa (813-250-1511). Presently on display is an exhibit of glass works by Lucio Bubacco, Dale Chihuly, Louis Sclafani, Richard Royal and Janusz Pozniak. The exhibit also includes paintings by Ron Pieniak, among others, and photography by Matt Larson. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment.

Clayton Galleries, 4105 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa (813-831-3753). Hot Summer Show III features 19 gallery artists in the last of three rotating group shows. The exhibit continues through Sept. 8. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin (727-298-3322). Bear's Paw features quilts with strong design, color and innovation while paying homage to the traditional craftsmanship of quiltmaking. Star Search: 2001 Challenge of the Quilter's Crossing features works by 25 members of the Quilter's Crossing utilizing the Star block assigned to them. And the Quilts of Mildred Dort showcases this highly respected artist's versatile design. The three exhibits continue through Aug. 26. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Visit the center at www.DFAC.org.

Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave., downtown St. Pete (727-821-7391). Clay Rocks surveys new works by some of Florida's best ceramic artists. The exhibit features creations by several local artists as well, and continues through Aug. 24. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Galerie du Soleil, formerly the Thomas Kinkade Spring Gate Galleries, 727 S. Dakota Ave., Tampa (813-249-5880). This gallery in the heart of Hyde Park not only continues to carry the beautiful works of Kinkade, but also stunning pieces by impressionists Leonard Wren, Royo and Stephen Shortridge, realist Chao Young, serigraphs, giclees and oils by Don Hatfield and actress Jane Seymour, and more.

Glass Canvas Gallery, 233 Fourth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-821-6767). The new summer show presents recent acquisitions from Eastern Europe and the United States. The show runs through Aug. 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Gold Dragon Gallery, 3508 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa (813-832-2755). Florida Fantasies, a summer exhibit curated by Patt Fosnaught, continues through Sept. 8. The Gold Dragon specializes in original paintings, limited edition prints, pottery, sculpture, blown glass, stained glass and custom framing using only conservation techniques. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Graphicstudio, 3702 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa (813-974-3503). Visual/Verbal is an exhibit featuring word and image works by artists like William S. Burroughs, Kiki Smith and John Scott. Nudes is a collection of works by 14 artists, including Robert Mapplethorpe, Philip Pearlstein and Jim Dine. Both exhibits run through Sept. 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

HCC-Ybor Gallery, in the Performing Arts Building, Palm Avenue at 15th Street, Ybor City (813-253-7674). HCC's campus gallery season begins with Words-Stories-Images, an exhibition of visual poems, collaged photographs and altered atlases by Fort Lauderdale artist Mimi Shapiro. The exhibit runs through Oct. 1. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Heavenly Things, 216 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-822-8938). Don Williams has recently returned from Europe, where several pieces of his raku pottery won him an award at an art exhibit in Romania. An exhibit of Williams' work continues through Aug. 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Hyde Park Fine Arts, 937 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-258-8883). Local artist Bask exhibits works created in collaboration with seven other Bay area artists: David Williams, Ron Pieniak, Brandt Elling Peters, Frank C. Strunk III, Kathie Olivas, P$ynner and Mark Taylor Michaels. The series is on display through Sept. 22. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Mad Fish Gallery, 6116 Central Ave., Tampa (813-234-9300). This contemporary gallery features Keywest pottery, functional pewter by Tim Woodsman, hot glass by Paul Maiville, watercolors by Ray Koehler, John Piening mixed media and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Merrick Gallery, 330 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg (727-896-2787). Contemporary Masters II can currently be seen at the gallery, all discounted in honor of the gallery's second anniversary. Continuing through August, the show features works by Crash, Hirst, Rosenquist, Rauschenberg and Warhol. Gallery resident artists (Gerhard Birkhoffer, Rocky Bridges, Antonio Caparello, Leslie Neumann and David Williams) also contribute works. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

New Heights Gallery and Coffeehouse, 6310 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa (813-234-9758). Garbage is Garbage – Drawings of Kurkryneksy, a collection of anti-regime posters from 1975 U.S.S.R., are on display through Sept. 20. Glass sand-cast sculptures by Marlene Rose-Coates are likewise on display until Sept. 20. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Nuance Galleries, 720 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-875-0511). Nuance and 3-D pop artist Charles Fazzino have teamed up for an exhibit benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fazzino is best known for his brightly colored serigraphs of New York City, but his images vary from classic films to sporting events. The exhibit runs through Sept. 1, with a percentage from the art sold benefiting the MDA. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Old Hyde Park Art Center, 705 Swann Ave., Tampa (813-251-3780). Fete of Clay II features works by members of Candace Knapp's Thursday-at-the-Center sculpture group. The exhibit opens Tuesday, Aug. 28, and runs through Sept. 29. The Center is free and open to the public. Hours are 3-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 5-7 p.m. every third Thursday.

Painted Fish Gallery, 350 Main St., Dunedin (727-736-0934). The gallery's latest show , Vista, presents hand-colored etchings by Tampa artist John Costin, whose recent works concentrate on herons and egrets in their natural habitats. The exhibit runs through Sept. 2. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (extended to 7 p.m. on Friday).

Plainsmen Gallery, 2450 Sunset Pt. Road, Suite A, Clearwater (727-726-5100). Reality and Beyond is an exhibit of whimsical prints and fairy sculptures by fantasy artist James Christensen, whose interpretation of reality is often quite amusing. Wildlife artists Diane Pierce, Dennis Logsdon and Ernest Simmons present more traditional views of realism. The exhibit runs through Aug. 31. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Romeo Art and Design Gallery, 1515 Seventh Ave., Tampa (813-247-1010). The gallery of third-generation Ybor City artisan Walter P. Romeo features stylish furniture and original art by local artists: Dennis Johnson, Greg Latch, Ray Paul, Guillermo Portieles, Tomas Marais and Alex Espalter-Torres. The exhibition continues through Sept. 1. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7-10 p.m. Thursday.

SoHo Gallery, 2105 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-822-2280). The World of Man is a collection by visual artist Aurora Heuple, whose works are based on her experiences growing up a native of Mexico City and her studies of Indian cultures. The exhibition continues through Sept. 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Something Fishy 913 N. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater (727-461-FISH). Lots and Lots of Pots features new pottery from John Freimarck of Virginia, Lynn Fisher of Michigan, and Tim and Pam Frye of Illinois. The exhibit runs through Sept. 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Studio Gallery on Azeele, 3707 Azeele St., Tampa (813-875-5160). Metaphor in Abstraction, an exhibit of three Florida women (Nancy Sykes Cockerham, Fern Samuels and Rebecca Skelton), runs through Aug. 30. Hours are 2-4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, noon-4 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, or by appointment.

TECO Public Art Gallery, 2623 704 N. Franklin St., Tampa (813-251-3688). Art teachers from the Hillsborough Art Education Association are exhibiting their work through Aug. 31. The show consists of paintings, photographs, ceramics and fabric sculptures created by teachers in the Hillsborough Public School System. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Museums and Attractions

Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater (727-441-1790). This nonprofit organization is dedicated to education, research and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine animals. Drop by to visit the dolphins, sea turtles and river otters, and to touch a stingray or two. Admission costs $7.75 for adults and $5.25 for kids. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa (813-273-4000). The aquarium's latest exhibit, Sea Hunt, includes colorful predators from the world's oceans. The aquarium also features over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals in three galleries: Wetlands, Bays and Beaches and Coral Reefs. Enjoy behind-the-scenes and audio tours, dive shows, a touch-tank with sharks and rays, and special exhibits like No BoneZone, Frights of the Forest and Dragons Down Under. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $13.75 for adults, $12.75 for seniors, $8.75 for ages 3-12 and free for children under 3. Visit www.flaquarium.net.

Florida International Museum, 100 Second St. N., St. Petersburg (727-822-3693). The following shows continue indefinitely: The Cuban Missile Crisis ($6.95 for adults); The Kennedy Collection ($9.95); Countdown to Destiny, an exhibition of photos of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ($3.95); and Habana Esperando: Photographs by Margaux Ravis (free). Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. All-inclusive day passes cost $11.95, and annual passes go for $15.95.

Great Explorations, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-821-8992). The whole family can learn art and science concepts at this interactive museum. Exhibits include Music!Music!Music! and SSSnakes, SSSpiders and SSScorpions, as well as the new VETerinary Office and ZOOMzone. Admission is $4 for everyone ages 3 and up. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Gulf Coast Museum of Art, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo (727-518-6833). John Henry: Wandering Spirit, continues through Aug. 27, offering Henry's sculptural installation in the Sculpture Garden. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (extended to 7 p.m. on Thursday), noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission costs $3 for adults (free on Thursday). Visit www.gulfcoastmuseum.org.

Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-254-1891). Simple Pleasures: America's Love of Pond Yachts continues through Dec. 23. The hobby of pond yachting reached its height of American popularity in the 1930s. This show features vintage pond yachts and their rigging, historical memorabilia and photographs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission costs $5.

Kid's Firehouse Museum, 9510 Kids Firehouse Ave., Largo (727-585-1300). The museum has 11 antique firetrucks and memorabilia on display as well as a playground facility. Kids can learn fire safety tips, watch a safety video and get some free memorabilia. Admission is free; donations are encouraged. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays.

Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa (813-935-8552). Lowry Park Zoo is offering $5 admission on Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 9. So get out and visit the zoo's 1,500 exotic animals, and check out the interactive exhibits, including Lorikeet Landing, the Petting Zoo and Stingray Bay. General admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids 3-11.

Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Pete (727-896-2667). Beyond Adornment: Beads from Around the World continues through Aug. 26. Admission costs $6 for adults, and hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa (813-987-6300 or 813-987-6100). Museum highlights include BioWorks Butterfly Garden, an engineered ecosystem that emulates natural wetlands; the Back Woods, 40 acres of special water conservation elements and outdoor exhibits; and the Saunders Planetarium. The IMAX Dome Theatre features an 82-foot hemispherical movie screen (see Movie Marquee for schedule). The Museum's combo admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and $9 for ages 2 to 13. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call the info line at 813-987-6100 for IMAX show times.

Pier Aquarium, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-895-7437). The Aquarium, a nonprofit marine education resource center, is home to fabulous exhibits that include California sharks, invertebrates and coral reefs. Tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is $1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Teachers, call about special field trip rates and tours.

Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History, 329 S. Bayshore Blvd., Safety Harbor (727-726-1668). Longrifles, an exhibit of early American weapons that have evolved into a unique art form, is on display through Dec. 31. The weapons are modeled after those used by settlers, soldiers and militia in the United States from the 1770s to about 1820. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission costs $2 for adults and $1 for ages 12 and under.

Salvador Dali Museum, 1000 Third St. S., St. Pete. (727-823-3767). A Disarming Beauty: The Venus de Milo in 20th Century Art continues through Sept. 9. This show explores our culture's continued fascination with the mass-produced Venus through surrealist and contemporary artists who incorporate the icon into their works. Admission costs $10 for adults. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hours extend to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, when admission is half off. Visit www.salvadordalimuseum.org.

St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. N.E. (on The Pier approach), St. Pete (727-894-1052). Souvenirs of Florida – From Tasteful to Tacky continues through Sept. 15. The exhibit traces the earliest souvenirs from the 1880s, made of naturally occurring materials, such as alligator teeth and palm fronds, through the dreadful kitsch of the 1960s. On permanent display is the Walk through Time and Try History on For Size galleries, where visitors can see themselves in vintage costumes through mirrors creating the illusion of wearing period clothing. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for ages 7-17, and free for kids 6 and under. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Tampa Bay History Center, in the Tampa Convention Center Annex, 225 S. Franklin St., Tampa (813-228-0097). The center highlights Tampa Bay's rich heritage and diverse culture by highlighting the area's milestones. Exhibits feature artifacts and photographs from the early Timucuan Indians and European explorers through the Civil War and both World Wars. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.

Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa (813-274-8130). On Paper is a visually compelling exhibit focused on paper as a medium. The show features six large-scale works from the museum's contemporary collection and is on display through Oct. 21. UnderCURRENT/overVIEW 5 features work by 15 artists who've achieved a certain level of expertise, offering a wide range of innovative forms of expression and artistic concerns. The exhibit runs through Sept. 16. Arte Contemporanea di Vetri (Contemporary Art in Glass) continues through October. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (extended to 8 p.m. on Thursday) and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission ranges from $3 to $5; free 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Veterans Memorial Museum and Park, 3602 U.S. 301 N., at the Tampa Bypass Canal, Tampa (813-744-5502). Permanent exhibits include Florida Soldiers Walk Through Time: 1590s-1990s, featuring Florida soldiers and American history from the 1590s through Desert Storm, and a Spanish-American War exhibit. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Ybor City State Museum, 1818 Ninth Ave., Ybor City (813-247-6323). As We Heard It: Three Generations of Ybor City News continues through Sept. 30. This show pays tribute to the Manteiga family, founders of La Gaceta, the nation's only trilingual newspaper. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visitors may see the Museum and the Casita (worker's home) for $2 per person.

Theater/Performance(See Classifieds for auditions.)

Cats, the family musical that revolutionized musical theater, runs at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Carol Morsani Hall Tuesday, Aug. 28, through Sept. 8. Cats, based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, has been touring North America since ending its 18-year run on Broadway last September. Tickets cost $15.50-$54.50. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. TBPAC is at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-229-7827).

Don't Mention My Name, a two-act comedy by Fred Carmichael, is presented by the Gulfport Community Players. The performances take place at 8 p.m. Sept. 6-8, 12, 14 and 15, at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport (727-323-8739). Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $7.

Que Felices Son Las Barbies, a one-woman comedy, embraces the frustrations and struggles of a Latina woman against conventional sexual and societal roles. The original production (the title translates as Barbies are really happy) is the work of Solvi, an award-winning New York-based company. Performances take place at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24 and 25, at the Campus Theater of Hillsborough Community College, at Palm Avenue and 15th Street, Ybor City (813-232-1447). Admission costs $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors.

The Nature of Fear and its Effects, this year's Original Works feature from The Jobsite Theater, uses the framework of a scholarly lecture to explore the subject of fear. Professor Templeton Q. Westlake leads the audience through a spectral bus stop, a haunted morgue and a graveyard where the dead don't stay down. The play runs through Sept. 2. at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Shimberg Playhouse, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-229-7827). Tickets are $15, $12 for students. www.jobsitetheater.org.

Comedy

Brewmasters, 401 E. Second St., Indian Rocks Beach (727-515-8059). G. David Howard performs every Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Cover varies and there's a two-beverage minimum.

Coconuts Comedy Club, at Howard Johnson, 6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-360-JOKE). Al Romero performs Thursday, Aug. 23, through Aug. 26. Open mic night features Jay Hewlett on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Show time is 9:30 p.m. Cover charge varies (two-drink minimum). Reservations are suggested.

Coconuts Comedy Club, at the Cinema Cafe, 24095 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater (727-797-JOKE). Carl Faulkenberry performs at 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24 and 25. Show time is 9:30 p.m. Cover varies (two-drink minimum). Reservations suggested.

Improv Comedy Theater, at Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City (813-864-4000). Jake Johannsen, a Late Night with David Letterman regular, performs through Aug. 26. Gabe Kaplan, from Welcome Back Kotter, performs Wednesday, Aug. 29-Sept. 2. All prices are advance purchase, and cost $2 more at the door. (Get a ticket recently? Call about the Improv's Driving School. No kidding.)

Side Splitters, 12938 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-960-1197). C.D. LaBove, one of Sam Kinison's original Outlaws of Comedy, performs through Aug. 26. Show times are 8:30 p.m. weekdays, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Regular admission costs $8-$14 (depending on the night).

Sports & Nature

IPW Hardcore Wrestling, Florida's most successful underground wrestling organization, returns to the Florida WrestlePlex Saturday, Aug. 25, for another action-packed show called Paybacks Are Hell. Bell time is set for 8 p.m. The headlining match is a steel-cage event featuring three of IPW's top competitors: Havoc, Kubiac and Chaos. The event also marks the IPW's first show televised on UPN-44. The event airs at 2:30 a.m. that night, and UPN-44 is airing the IPW's events every Saturday thereafter at 2:30 a.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door. The Florida WrestlePlex is at 4055 35th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-526-6778).

It's Our Nature Outings, environmentally and historically informative events, gets you back to nature with hikes, birdwatching, kayak adventures, full moon walks and more on a regular basis. Some events are weekly; some are scheduled; and a full list of activities can be had by calling 727-441-2599 or by checking out www.itsournature.com.

Laser Tag at the Ice Sports Forum, already a popular ice skating venue, has opened a 3,300-square-foot, space-themed laser tag facility capable of handling up to 40 players at once. Competition levels vary from fun-seekers to experienced, all-out players, with walk-ons and leagues welcome. Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. The Ice Forum is located at 10222 Elizabeth Place, Tampa (813-684-7825).

Skatepark of Tampa, 4215 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa (813-621-6793). Skatepark of Tampa presents a back-to-school bash, featuring an all-ages skateboarding contest and a bowl contest. Both take place Saturday, Aug. 25. The divisions for the all-ages contest are 12 and under, 13-15, 16 and up, and sponsored. The bowl contest is limited to one division. An open practice takes place at 9 a.m., and the 12 and under division starts at 10:30 a.m., with the bowl contest not beginning until 7 p.m. Entry fee is $15 in advance, $20 day of. www.skateparkoftampa.com.

Tampa Bay Sierra Club Outings The club is always off hiking, canoeing, biking or backpacking somewhere in the Florida wilds. Give 'em a call and join in the positive energy. Call 813-253-3555 in Tampa or 727-584-8889 in Pinellas.

Tampa Tempest, the Bay's first women's professional football team, takes on the Houston Energy at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. Tickets cost $22 for VIP seating, $15 for general. All home games are at Leto High School, 4409 W. Sligh Ave. (at the corner of Sligh and Manhattan avenues), Tampa (813-908-3545). www.womensprofootball.com/tam/.

Special Events

Education Expo, featuring over 20 exhibitors, offers information for adults interested in pursuing a wide range of vocational and educational opportunities. Exhibitors include: Eckerd College, University of South Florida, University of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College, NOVA Southeastern, the University of Miami and many others. The expo takes place 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at WestShore Plaza, corner of Westshore and Kennedy boulevards in Tampa (813-286-0790).

Gorilla Theatre Fundraising Kick-Off, an evening of celebration, kicks off the 2001-02 season and fundraising efforts for Gorilla Theatre's educational programs. The evening features a wine tasting by Gianpiero's Pick of the Vine and entertainment by the Gorilla Theatre Company. The event costs $75 per person and takes place at a private residence 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. For more information, call 813-354-0550.

Old Hyde Park Live Music Series, the fourth event in the benefit series, takes place 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, in Old Hyde Park Village. The concert is free and open to the public, with proceeds from beverage sales benefiting Quantum Leap Farm. The village is at Swann and Dakota avenues in Tampa (813-251-3500).

Victory Over Violence, a celebration of peace, aims to promote community awareness, introspection and dialogue among the area's youth, families and schools. The free event takes place 12:30-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at the Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave., N., St. Petersburg (727-822-3590).

This article appears in Aug 23-29, 2001.