Don’t forget the kiddies. The free children’s Guavaween daytime festival happens 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Kids can decorate pumpkins, make Halloween masks and participate in several other fun activities. Plus, there’ll be family-friendly entertainment on three stages. If you decide to stick around and send the little ones home with a sitter, admission is $17 for the adult portion of the event.
[image-1]The weather begs for something fun to do outdoors, so take a break from the mad dash of costume and party planning to unwind at the John’s Pass Seafood Festival, an annual Tampa Bay tradition for 25-plus years. Dedicated to fishermen lost at sea, the festival includes 60 local and regional artists, a fish-cutting competition, blessing of the fleet, an oyster-eating contest, a “real” haunted house, live music throughout the village, a street dance, Merbella’s live mermaids, Captain Tut’s Pirate Parrots, an expanded environmental area, fiddler crab races and a children’s area. Enter the kids in a Halloween costume contest Saturday at 3 p.m.; trick or treating will take place throughout the event. All costume contest participants will receive a prize. Participating restaurants include Bubba Gump Seafood Co., Sculley’s/The Hut, Hooters, Charlie’s Seafood, Crabby Bill’s and Hammerheads Seafood. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 30, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun., Oct. 31; 150 Johns Pass Boardwalk W., Madeira Beach, free;?for more information, call 727-322-5217.
[image-2]Extremities by William Mastrosimone redefined the career of late-great Charlie’s Angels sexpot Farrah Fawcett when she starred in the 1983 Off-Broadway play (and its 1986 movie adaptation). The story also set a new standard for gritty, realistic female-male combat, usually seen in a more fantasy-driven format such as B flicks and Blaxpoitation movies – no disrespect to Pam Grier, of course. In Silver Meteor Gallery’s production of the play, directed by Greg Milton, Dahlia Legault – CL Best of the Bay Best Female Actor – stars as Marjorie, the woman who turns the tables on a would-be rapist Raul (Robert Hooker). Points of view about how Marjorie should deal with the situation and rape in society come to the fore via roommates Terry (Nicole Smith) and Patricia (Suzy DeVore). Proceeds from the sales go to rape counseling and domestic abuse charities. 8 p.m. Oct. 28, 29 and 31 (no performances Oct. 30 due to Guavaween) and Nov. 3-7; Silver Meteor Gallery is at 2213 E Sixth Ave., between 22nd and 23rd streets, in Ybor City. $15, $12 for students, seniors and military. Call 813-300-3585.
[image-3]The brilliance of Pale Horse Design and Gallery’s next big event, Point and Shoot Yourself, lies in how effectively it obliterates conventions left and right. For one, you’re not the passive observer, gaping in awe at some oh-so-impressive artist. Instead, you become a crucial part of an interactive photo exhibit and, extra-special bonus: You get your own ridiculously menacing black-metal buddy to pose with you. Tampa Bay artists, Aziritt, Casey Paquet, Chase Donald, Allen Leper Hampton and Pale Horse, a.k.a. Chris Parks, create custom-made, monster-inspired photo standees that you can take your picture with. In addition, Hampton displays for the first time his collection of photographs that chronicle his starkly scenic travels across the South. And because Scandinavian black metal intrigues the Pale Horse crew, Emily Dwyer and Parks present a series of self-portraits in homage to the genre’s Nordic forefathers. Be sure to bring your cameras and be part of the show. 7-11 p.m. Sat., Oct. 30; free; 611 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. For information, call 727-823-6202.
[image-4]Mexico’s Day of the Dead (Nov. 2) is a holiday brimming with candy skulls, but it’s more sentimental and spiritual than our trick-or-treat extravaganza. Get in on the festive magic of an authentic Day of the Dead fiesta at Casa Tina’s Dia de los Muertos Festival. The free weekend-long event at Pioneer Park in downtown Dunedin includes live mariachi music, kids’s crafts, piñatas, 18-foot-tall mojigangas (puppets) and a performance by Ballet Folklorico. Attendees can try Mexican goodies, like Casa Tina’s loaded rice and beans and tamales, or shop for crafts and candy skulls, look at visual art on display and see who wins best ofrenda (offering for the dead) and Frida Kahlo-look-alike. Capping it all off are a family parade, community altar and candlelit procession. Plus, Casa Tina restaurant presents a tequila tasting with snacks, arts exhibit and entertainment ($15 advance, $10 at the door). Bring a picture of a departed loved one to add to the giant community ofrenda. Sat. Oct. 30 noon-11 p.m. and Sun. Oct. 31 noon-5 p.m.; Free; 420 Main St., Dunedin. Visit casatinas.com/events/index.php for a schedule of events.
This Halloween season has bestowed on us frighteningly awesome events for whatever mood strikes us, in just about any setting. Check our Halloween page for info on Guavaween, haunted houses, tacky-tastic theme park attractions and grown-up parties. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly event, head to Hall-O-Boo at the Museum of Science and Industry. It features "not so scary" fright zones inspired by Hollywood classics, trick-or-treat stations and fun science demonstrations, puppet shows, a labyrinth, parade, makeup station and other hands-on activities. Hall-O-Boo is 6 -9 p.m. Oct. 28-Oct. 30. 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa; $12, $10 for MOSI members. Call 813-987-6000.
[image-5]See 9 to 5: The Musical tonight at the Straz, and if you purchase a $15 rush ticket (with canned-food donation) for the 7:30 p.m. performance Sunday, all proceeds will go to Metropolitan Ministries. Cheap tickets and a charitable contribution — you can’t beat that. The offer is valid two hours before show time (5:30-7:30 p.m.) and only at the Straz Center Ticket Office. Tickets can be chosen according to best available of those that remain after regular ticket sales; one discounted ticket per donated item. If you’re not familiar with the rollicking revival, 9 to 5: The Musical takes audiences back to the hilarious tale of office friendship and revenge popularized in the 1980 classic film 9 to 5 (starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda). Hear the famous theme song by Parton and other rousing numbers. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.
Also, in brief ...
[image-6]Time for Three Classically trained violinists and double-bass player approach tunes with a playful, garage-rock mentality, tearing up jazz, pop, bluegrass and other styles. 8 p.m, Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall, Tampa. Fri., Oct. 29. $20, $10 for students. 813-229-7827. (Note: performances this weekend at Mahaffey Theater and Ruth Eckerd Hall, too.)
Downtown Clearwater Blast Friday Formerly known as Downtown Clearwater’s Fourth Friday, the popular event returns to Cleveland Street 5:30–10 p.m Fri. The free event features Richie McDonald, former lead singer of the award-winning country band Lonestar, and country artist and American Idol Josh Gracin in concert.
Circus McGurkis, known as "The People's Fair," has been taking place since 1971. The hippie-tastic event features arts, crafts, music, games and topical information with a focus on activities for children and families. Hip Expressions dancers entertain. Sat., Oct. 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Lake Vista Park, 16th S. & 62nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg.
