Michael Koryta, whose background in journalism makes me feel like I made a pretty good career move – his five subsequent novels have been translated into 20 different languages, including the L.A. Times Book Award-winner Envy the Night. The highlight of the myriad panel discussions, roundtables and readings is a session with Dennis Lehane, who has achieved the holy grail of author-dom not once, but three times: his novels have been adapted for film by superstars Clint Eastwood (Mystic River); Ben Affleck (Gone Baby Gone); and, most recently, Martin Scorsese, who brings Shutter Island to the big screen, starring his muse, Leo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley (so you know it’s a serious film). Michael Koryta, 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 22; ennis Lehane, 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 23, Eckerd College Miller Auditorium, 4200 54th Avenue S., St. Petersburg, visit writersinparadise.eckerd.edu for full schedule of authors. – Franki Weddington
The growly-voiced announcer on the Monster Jam commercials makes this one of my favorite events of the year. (You know, “sponsored by Beef O’ Brady’s and DAIRY QUEEN!” I never imagined that hamburgers and ice cream cones could make me quiver with fear and excitement.) No, I can't say I've ever witnessed the 1,500 horsepower, 10,000-pound Monster Trucks like Grave Digger compete in side-by-side racing, or the freestyle competition, where trucks “awe the crowd with huge big-air jumps, wheelies, truck spinning donuts, and the destruction of cars, vans, buses and even motor homes," but that voice-over guy makes me feel like I was there, man. Sat., Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, $15-$30, monsterjam.com. – Franki Weddington[image-1]
The Florida Orchestra's jumping through hoops to make sure that Tampa Bay knows that they ain't your run-of-the-mill, yawn-fest of a classical music troupe. What with its going all Trans-Siberian Orchestra lately with its tributes to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, this weekend brings another animal altogether: Cirque de la Symphonie, a combination of aeriel acrobatics and orchestra. Acrobats, contortionists, aerial flyers, dancers, jugglers and strongmen all take the stage to prove that the symphony isn't for the weak of heart. (Pictured: Jarek & Derek perform with The Florida Orchestra for Cirque de la Symphonie) The show visits several locations this weekend: Jan. 22-23, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg; and Sun., Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Visit floridaorchestra.org for more info. $20-$67.
It might be worth the trek to Wesley Chapel for the Suncoast Arts Fest, a WMNF-coordinated event that offers live ska, blues, jazz, rock, reggae and polka (what?!) performances throughout the weekend; a four-person collaborated sidewalk chalk art installation; works by more than 100 artists and craftspeople; an interactive kid's art area and more. Visit suncoastartsfest.com for more info. Jan. 23-24, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel.
Pups and people dig into delectable desserts at Pups, Pirates and Pastries, a pirate-themed event (Tampa's already gearing up for Gasparilla) with a few special guests -- adorable, adoptable pups and kittens from local shelters; dogs and their well-behaved humans are all invited to attend. Visit houndsmeow.com for more info. Sat., Jan. 23, 12 p.m., The Hound's Meow, Lutz, free.
Hip Expressions and Tribe Marrakech offer an array of music and belly-dancing classes at the Winter Sun Carnivale (bathing suit season is 10 months out of the year here, so I guess it's time to get back in shape). Choose from more than a dozen undulating workshops, or if you think of belly-dancing as a spectator sport, belly up to the bar at St. Petersburg Nights restaurant, where the troupe puts on a show while oglers enjoy an all-vegetarian Middle Eastern buffet. Visit hip-expressions.com for full schedule and more info. Fri.-Sun., Jan. 22-24, St. Petersburg Nights Restaurant, St. Pete Beach, $20 per class or $175 weekend pass; $20 dinner and show.
If you've always envied professional athletes -- the glory, the money, the ladies, the attention, yada yada yada -- then Glitz and Sticks might be just the event for you. Tampa Bay Lightning players deal you in on a variety of casino games while you indulge in haute cuisine, dancing, live entertainment and a variety of auctions -- so you get to be the star for a night. Proceeds benefit the Tampa General Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Visit lightning.nhl.com/glitz for more info. Sun., Jan. 24, 6-9 p.m., Hyatt Regency Downtown, 211 N. Tampa St., Tampa, $150.
Snoopy, Marmaduke, Beethoven, Scooby, Pluto (and maybe Goofy): our preoccupation with (wo)man's best friend is evident in our entertainment choices -- especially in Sylvia, lauded as A.R. Gurney's "hysterical comedy for anyone who ever owned a dog, loved a dog, or wanted to wring a dog's neck." Visit wcplayers.org for more info. Jan. 15-31, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., West Coast Players Theatre, Clearwater, $18, $15 students, seniors and military, $12 groups of 10 or more.
