10. Solve a murder at the University of Tampa.
Friday and Saturday night, UT’s The Progressive Murder Mystery takes you to a raucous pool party, and of course the host gets killed. What makes this different? The guests — and maybe the detective — have a tough time solving the murder because, well, they’ve been partying, so you have to help them figure out who the murderer is. This production’s the brainchild of 10 UT students.
Free. 8 p.m., Reeves Theater (Vaughn Center, second floor). Pre-show with drinks, 7:30 p.m.
9. Celebrate real American exceptionalism.
On Sunday, head back to UT for pianist Duncan MacMillan and Early 20th Century American Piano Music: The American Indianists. We Americans love to think we’re better than everyone while conveniently ignoring how we’ve really co-opted a lot of Euro culture. That’s cool, because the Spanish were the first Euros to settle here, but The American Indianist Movement (1880s-1920) endeavored to find a national music style that had nothing to do with European ones. Composers (including Arthur Farwell) who contributed to this movement incorporated tribal melodies and folklore into their work, which ranged from 19th-century Romanticisim to modern harmonies.
Free. 3 p.m., Fletcher Lounge (Plant Hall).
It’s gonna get cold. Well, Florida-cold. Nothing feels as good as pizza and a glass of red wine when it’s cold, fo call Ozona (or your fave pizza place) and turn on a movie.
404 Orange St., Palm Harbor.
7. Die Hard.
One of our film critics, Ray Lehmann, cannot abide Die Hard, but for me, it’s a tradition, just as much as Love, Actually, White Christmas, Holiday Inn, A Christmas Story… Hell, it could take all weekend for you to watch even a few of ’em. But since this is a Jesus-free weekend post, stick with Die Hard and, hell, the sequels. You may need some eggnog to get you through.
OK, so that’s an exaggeration, but Saturday morning at Sunken Gardens you can make your own terrarium at the Air Plant Terrarium Workshop. Fee covers admission, materials and the class.
$50; $60, non-members. 10:30 a.m. 727-551-3102.
Urbanite almost always sells out their shows, but rumor has it Sunday night has some tickets left. It’s a play about two women separated by time.
$5-$29. 8 p.m. 1487 2nd St., Sarasota.
4. Go make jam.
And forget for a moment it’s a “gift-making” workshop, because, well, it’s jam. Don’t kid yourself; you’re going to keep it for yourself. What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
$55. 12-3 p.m. Urban Canning Company, 1040 4th St. N., St. Pete.
It’s a scavenger hunt that benefits Friends of Strays. Get your ass out of bed early enough to compete with some dignity at 11 a.m. and remember, it’s for the puppies. And kitties.
$100 (team of four). 11 a.m. Friends of Strays Animal Shelter, 2911 47th Ave. N.
2. Pay for a kitty’s knee surgery in cupcakes.
OK, so that’s an oversimplification, but basically, head to Smallcakes in Oldsmar Saturday, buy some cupcakes (or the Smashcake, which is two scoops of ice cream inside a cupcake) and some of the money you spend helps pay for Sofie’s knee surgery. And she’s super-sweet — just like the smallcakes.
2-4 p.m. 3705 Tampa Rd., Oldsmar.
1. Eat some chili for people without healthcare.
Get some chili at the Flying Boat Brewing Co. and know that your money benefits the Best-of-the-Bay winning St. Petersburg Free Clinic. Plus, chili, y’all. Sunday + chili = Perfect.
$17. 12-5 p.m. 1776 11th Ave. N., St. Pete.
Alright, we’ll be back next week with our annual Christmas weekend what-to-do.
This article appears in Dec 7-14, 2017.
