Three great art parties Friday night:  First, digitally enhance your weekend at University of Tampa’s Electronics Alive VI, a biennial invitational exhibition of high-tech wonders. An opening reception 7-9 p.m., allows visitors to view animated shorts and experimental films and 2-D/3-D digital art. The exhibit’s lecture series begins Thurs., Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. with Alan Price, director of the film installation Empire of Sleep: The Beach.

Other installations include The Travels of Mariko Horo by Tamiko Thiel, an interactive 3D virtual reality piece; Oasis by Yunsil Heo and Hyunwoo Bang, a table that is covered by black sand, and Dreamachine by the late Brion Gysin, a stroboscopic pillar of moving light. Artists Corey George, Santiago Echeverry, Lew Harris, Christina Hung, Cynthia Lawson Jaramillo, Joanne Steinhardt, Mark Stock and Doug Sutherland also display works. Jan. 21-Feb. 24 at University of Tampa’s Scarfone/Hartley Gallery and R.K. Bailey Art Studios, 310 N. Boulevard, Tampa, ealive.utarts.com.

In Sacrosanct, at the West Tampa Center for the Arts, you can see artists express what they felt is above change, criticism, or interference in the former Santaella Cigar Factory. The result is a wide range of personal and social interpretations in all media from local artists as well as artists throughout Florida. Opening reception Fri., Jan. 21, 7-10 p.m., with music by DJ Fuego, appetizers and donation bar. In Gallery 209 on the second floor: works by New York artist Mark Schwartz, protege of Andy Warhol, are on display along with those of local artist Alex Torres. Jan. 21-31. 1906 Armenia Ave., Tampa.

Art After Dark: The '80s — Yesterday or Another Century? takes over the Tampa Museum of Art Friday night at 8 p.m. Relive the flashy decade with performances by Artistic Boogie, a roller-skating dance crew, music by Wild Out Entertainment, a cash bar and snacks provided by Sono Cafe. Fri., Jan. 21, 8 p.m. $10, members free. W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa.

Avast ye, kiddies! Get yer children off the Wii and out to one of the several fun fests happening this weekend. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 21, BattleFest 2011 wages mutiny on the historic AmVic battleship. The family-friendly party on features food, live entertainment by the Navy’s official Dixieland band, a silent auction, cigar lounge, ship tours, pirate movies and games. The AmVic is located behind the Florida Aquarium in the Channelside District of Tampa. Visit americanvictory.org for details.

On Sat., Jan. 22. In Tampa, little ones kick off the pirate party season at the Gasparilla Children’s Extravaganza. Festival begins at 11 a.m. along Bayshore Boulevard, from Bay-to-Bay to Orleans avenues. At 3 p.m. the Gasparilla Air Invasion and Gasparilla Children’s Parade begin, and stick around until 7 p.m. for the Pirate-technic Extravaganza.  For information, visit gasparillapiratefest.com.

The Touch-a-Truck Festival and Florida Clown Day at Largo Central Park is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,where kids can check out every vehicle imaginable — even a BayFlight helicopter! Inflatables, train rides along Largo Central Railroad, Rocketship Car rides around the block, and a food court will also be set up. Click here for more details.

The New York Times praised Monica Bill Barnes & Company recent work for their “subtle gestures infused with meaning and power.” The Big Apple-based Barnes & Co. has established over the past decade-and-a-half a trademark blend of theatricality, intelligence, humor and physicality. What’s more is the troupe’s latest touring performance, Mostly Fanfare, can be seen locally at HCC-Ybor at an affordable cost.

The show premiered at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival last summer and has received rave reviews. It gets its stylistic inspiration from Nina Simone and delves into the ways we allow others to get to know us on the outside vs. who we are on the inside. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Jan. 20-22, at the HCC Performing Arts, corner of Palm Avenue and 14th Street, Tampa. $10, $5 for seniors and students; HCC faculty, staff and students admitted free with ID. For information, call 813-253-7695.

Taking stock of the recent Salvador Dali Museum opening and the thriving bars and shops along Central Avenue, one wouldn’t guess that there’s been any sort of recession going in St. Petersburg. The city has a forward energy that’s palpable, and you can experience it and revel in it at I Love St. Pete. Artpool hosts the annual art, music and fashion bash on Sat., Jan. 22. The show includes works by funky local duo Blue Lucy – Chad Mize and Phillip Clark – plus Dylan Marvin, Rusty Rich and Florida Folk artist Katherine Michael. Jewelry designer Andres Medina, who recently moved to St Pete, will have handmade jewelry for sale, Adam Steadman provides silkscreens and an eco-friendly green fashion show is presented by The Pink Cricket's Sara Turner. 7 p.m.-midnight at ARTpool Gallery & Vintage Boutique, 919 First Ave. N., $10, $15. For information, call 727-324-3878 or visit artpoolgallery.com.

If you're staying in Friday night, two promising new TV shows premiere on IFC — comedies that are sure to appeal to lovers of satire and pop-culture parody.

See the Onion News Network at 10 p.m. and the  Portlandia, starring SNL's Fred Armisen and Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein, at 10:30. The former is a fake-news program a la Daily Show — pre-host-celebrity-ego domination, of course. The latter is a tasty slice and dice of counter-culture cliches in the counter culture capitol of the U.S., Portland, Ore. For more information, visit ifc.com. Below is a hilarious clip from Portlandia:

Also, briefly ….

Fri 21 The Florida Orchestra: The Music of Queen A cast of seasoned rock artists help take on the “Another One Bites the Dust” and other classics by the famed rock band. 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater, St. Pete. $40-$65.

Sat 22 Second Annual Manatee Celebration Day Activities centered on the protection of Florida's favorite marine mammal. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Heritage Museum and Craig Park on Spring Bayou, 100 S. Spring Blvd, Tarpon Springs, free, 727-937-0686.

Sun 23 Alfred Hitchcock’s The Trouble With Harry Comedic mystery starring John Forsythe, Edmund Gwenn and Shirley MacLaine in her debut role. 3 p.m., Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa; 813-274-8981; $9, $7; tampatheatre.org.

This article appears in Jan 20-26, 2011.