It's a crazy busy weekend, so put off your holiday shopping and chores, and have some fun at these events Friday through Sunday.

Demetri Martin typically offers clever visual aids and music, but he’s much more than a run-of-the-mill prop comic or guy with a guitar. His latest show Demetri Martin: The Persistence of Jokes brings us more of the babyfaced, 41-year-old Greek-American, who has a somewhat dry but laid-back delivery — a little reminiscent of Stephen Wright and the late, great Mitch Hedberg. Sat., Dec. 13, 8 p.m., Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall, $39.50, strazcenter.org. 

LGBT Welcome Center Grand Opening The much anticipated opening of a valuable community resource is finally here. Attend a ribbon-cutting reception Friday at 6 p.m. at the renovated historic bungalow in the heart of the Grand Central District. A VIP Donor Reception takes place 5-6 p.m. Featured at the event will be live entertainment and a performance of the Scott & Patti Show. For more information or to volunteer, call 727-321-3854.

Mark Joseph Oliver: The Best Laid Plans reveals new works by a Tampa native on the rise. Oliver’s art has been displayed in art galleries around the nation including The Temporary in Baltimore, Ritter Gallery in Boca Raton and Creative Paradox in Annapolis. An opening reception will be held to introduce the new show where guests can enjoy appetizers, beer and wine. Fri., Dec. 12. CASS Gallery, 2722 South MacDill Avenue, Tampa. Read more about him an interview by Emma Sims.

Celebrate the Tempus Projects, one of our area's most cutting-edge outposts for fine art, at Hi-5 — Tempus Projects’ Fifth Anniversary Celebration Sat., Dec. 13, 7 p.m. As per tradition, there'll be an after-party at the Mermaid Tavern. tempus-projects.com.

While in Tampa, head to Workspace for Amos Kennedy and a Benefit for Lindsay Ingraham (pictured, left). Kennedy travels from Detroit for this special event, where you can browse more than 100 unique letterpress prints available for sale at only $25 each. In addition to the show, Workspace will also be having a benefit for a local friend of the neighborhood who could use a hand this year — she has been battling pancreatitis and cannot work. The gallery will be raffling off gifts from The Independent, Ella’s, Lush Cosmetics and more. Sat., Dec. 13, 7-10 p.m. 4501 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. tampaworkspace.com.

Tour de Clay of Tampa Bay The Seventh annual Tour de Clay of Tampa Bay is a community fundraising event in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Studio tours and sales help benefit WMNF Community Radio. Five studios are participating and supporting the event with chance drawings, sales of tumblers and something new — a Raku Brunch. The most northern stop on the tour, San Antonio Pottery, will also have several musicians on Saturday. Visit the event website for more information on studio locations and event times. Dec. 13-14. tampatourdeclay.com.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor It's your last chance to enjoy a comedic blast from the past with a peek inside the writer’s rooms of Mel Brooks, Sid Ceasar and Carl Reiner. For more details, read Mark E. Leib’s review here. Through Dec. 14. American Stage Theatre Company, 163 Third St. N., St Petersburg. 727-823-PLAY. americanstage.org.

Because this year marks the 50th anniversary of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Snow on 7th will pay homage with a real-life mother and baby reindeer. The reindeer will be available for both free viewings and photos. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and his family will kick off the parade at 7 p.m. Fifteen high school marching bands will make their way down Seventh Avenue, where peppermint- and cinnamon apple-scented snow will make us forget we’re in Florida for a little while. As per tradition, Santa Claus will arrive at the end the parade and sit a spell for free photo opportunities in front of the tree at Centro Ybor. Free cookies and hot chocolate will also be passed out in front of the tree. Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m., Ybor City. Free admission. ybor.org.


Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker returns to the Straz this weekend. In the annual performance, internationally renowned guest artists dance alongside award-winning dancers of Next Generation Ballet and a cast of nearly 175 dancers, gymnasts and other guest artists. Sat., Dec. 13, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 14, 2 p.m. Straz Center’s Morsani Hall, Tampa. 813-229-7827. strazcenter.org.

In St. Petersburg, the Rock ’n’ Roll Holiday Extravaganza brings us favorite St. Pete punk/garage bands doing it up big with an annual holiday show. This year the Octave on Central Avenue hosts the shindig featuring Pretty Voices, Car Bomb Driver and Treasure Island. Octave will also be giving out prizes for the best (worst) ugly holiday sweater. No cover. Sat., Dec. 13, doors at 9 p.m. 661 Central Ave., St. Pete. Many more holiday events this weekend here.

Hop on your bike for a good cause. The Winter Wonder Ride starts downtown and goes all the way to Bayshore, then back again. Afterward, try food and drinks from local vendors and dance until 10:30 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. $50 general admission, $10 post ride celebration. Sat., Dec. 13, 2-10:30 p.m. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.  

Since 2012 Vélo Champ Cycle Sport has hosted the Tampa Riverfront CX race along the Hillsborough River. The event includes local craft beer, music and, of course, familiar faces in Tampa’s bike culture Saturday and Sunday. 

And a few more no less worthy of inclusion …

In his new book Pin Action: Small-Time Gangsters, High-Stakes Gambling, and the Teenage Hustler Who Became a Bowling Champion (Pegasus/W.W. Norton), Gianmarc Manzione treks back in time to tell the story of Ernie Schlegel (pictured), a back-alley bowler whose talent was almost overwhelmed by his big mouth and wild streak as he fought his way to the top of pro bowling. Manzione will read and sign books at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Haslam’s , 2025 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Read an interview with Manzione here.

Snow Place Like Tarpon & Boat Parade: An old-fashioned holiday spectacle amidst the quaint Main Street trappings of downtown Tarpon Springs. Featured will be reindeer and falling snow, carriage and hay rides. Boat parade in Spring Bayou at 8 p.m. Friday; free admission. ctfl.us.

Damon Wayans & Daman Wayans Jr.: Wayans Sr. became a comedy A-lister after his stint on In Living Color (“Homey don’t play dat!”). He and his TV star son (New Girl, Happy Endings) headline sets at 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday night at the Hard Rock. seminolehardrocktampa.com.

This article appears in Dec 11-17, 2014.