PATIO PEOPLE: Looking for somewhere to take Pops this Father’s Day weekend? Here’s the perfect summer exhibit that most dads can relate to: Patios, Pools, & the Invention of the American Backyard. The Smithsonian Institute touring exhibit kicks off this weekend at the Tampa Bay History Center with buy-one-get-one-free admission for dads (with one paid adult admission) on both Saturday and Sunday. In the show, rare photographs, historic drawings and period advertisements delve into the the mid-century shift from front porch to back yard — spurred on by postwar prosperity and the proliferation of suburbs and tract houses. June 13-Aug. 30; open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 801 Old Water St., Tampa. $7.95-$12.95. tampabayhistorycenter.org.
Tonight's Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks. If you can't afford the tickets, there are plenty of watch parties going on tonight. Be close to the action at The Sail, that cute 360-degree bar-cafe by the Tampa Convention Center and the RiverWalk, which will erect a big screen overlooking both a view of the game and the scenic waterfront. Beer and food specials will be available. The Sail requests you bring your own chairs. Game starts at 8 p.m. – come early for best seating.
CON ART: If you're by the Tampa Convention Center, you might see some adults in outlandish anime costumes moseying about. They're attendees at the four-day Metrocon is back and will offer the usual merch, shows, social events, costume and cosplay competitions, gaming areas and more.
DOUBLE-WIDE O' FUN: Scoring 4 stars from CL writer Ashley Davidson, The Great American Trailer Park Musical
is a hoot and holler if you're looking for theatrical fun. The musical's story introduces to a controversial new tenant at Armadillo Acres stirs things up. Check the Straz Center's site for times and tickets.
LOCAL ORIGINAL THEATER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BAY: TampaWorks 2015, at 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. , at Stageworks Theatre, offers an evening of eight original one-act short plays written by some of the best local playwrights (including CL's own Editor in Chief David Warner!). The plays focus on common experiences unique to our region and our unique and often peculiar cultural identity. Showtimes at 8 p.m. Saturday night and 3 p.m. Sunday. Buy one ticket. Get one FREE Use code TWBOGO at checkout. Tackling heavy subject matter from suicide to sexuality and eating disorders to the more lighthearted day-to-day travails of being a teenager, the award-winning theatrical and film project Project: Shattered Silence provides a voice and outlet for a group of young adults and a night of entertainment and enlightenment for everyone at Ruth Eckerd Hall's Murray Theatre Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Plus, this is the final weekend to see Eric Davis' unique Bard adaptation, The Tempest: Esta isla es mia at freeFall Theatre in St. Pete. Read review here.
HOLY COW! Stroll galleries in downtown St. Pete during the Second Saturday Gallery Walk that are hosting cool art parties. Cory Allen Contemporary Art is hosting a one night installation piece from the artist Drown called "Happy Meal." The piece features a live dairy cow, inviting commentary on nutrition, wellness, lifestyles and the food industry. Also, don't miss Lance Rodgers — Changing Climates: from Cold Wars to Hot Flashes at ARTicles and Wanderlust at Strands of Sunshine.
BADASS FEMALE COMICS: The Talk's bawdy co-host Sheryl Underwood is headlining the Improv this weekend. Plant High grad Ellen Steinberg, one of the comedians featured on Oxygen's Funny Girls, a reality series that wrapped up its season last month, is back in town too.
HELLACIOUS ART PARTY: See what lurks in the shadows at Hellspeak, presented by the Ybor Art Asylum. The fundraising event includes works by Bekky Beukes, Ken Dean, Camaron Parker, Eddie Rivera and Angelo Nales, will be featured during the show along with burlesque and musical entertainment by Vita DeVoid, Cheryl Lilith and others. Saturday, 8 p.m., 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City; 18 and older admitted, and there will be a full liquor bar available for 21 and older. gofundme.com/yborartasylum.
MODERN DANCE IN YBOR: In the performance,Tampa Modern Dance Company: Transitioning Through Loss Dancers move through life’s stages with choreography by Ashley Grimes, Shawn Martini, Danielle Dominguez , Casey Hicks and Aly Coscia. $15-$25. 7 p.m. Sunday at The Ritz Ybor, TampaModernDanceCompany.com.
NEW FILM FEST: If you're up to trekking across the big bridge, then head head to the Skyway Film Festival at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, which screens 50 narrative films, documentaries, and shorts showcasing initial offerings from first-time directors in their feature film debuts. Read more here.
This article appears in Jun 11-17, 2015.