It’s hard enough to wrangle a hip group of artists/musicians/designers/models together at the same place and time, but it’s even harder to convince anyone to come see the spectacle. The visionaries at Square One do just that with scenester-crowded, can’t-miss-‘em shindigs — like Saturday's eco-themed Magnum Opus — that draw party people in droves. More than 75 visual artists display their work (among them CL faves like Bluelucy, Kat Wilson, KLAAREN and Robert Wegmann), Jeremy Gloff hosts his album release party, and dance and fashion shows by Bella Danza, Enigma Dance Kru, Kinetic Dance Group and Wear To The Tear Fashion mean that there's always something shiny and new to look at onstage. The cherry on top is that this nightlong shindig is completely gratis. Sat., Nov. 14, 7-10 p.m. , The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, free, squareoneflorida.com. – Franki Weddington
What goes together better than wine and blues? The holy union (which drew more than 30,000 folks downtown last year) gets its due this weekend at the
For those of you seeking your Jack Hanna (pictured) fix, here it is. This weekend, the renowned animal expert and frequent guest on Late Night With David Letterman will appear not once, not twice, but four times at Busch Gardens to regale you with stories of his adventures in the wild and drop some knowledge about the world’s exotic beasts. Take a Serengeti Night Safari, where Hanna will share his tales on the African continent, or bring your pj’s and the kids for a fun-filled Family Sleepover Featuring Jack Hanna at an on-site dorm. In the morning, fill up on tasty eats at Breakfast with Jack Hanna, which comes with priority seating at the first showing of Meet Jack Hanna, a conservation-themed show in the Moroccan Palace. Serengeti Night Safari Featuring Jack Hanna, 6:30-9 p.m., Nov 13, and 7:30-10 p.m., Nov. 14, $60 per person; Family Sleepover Featuring Jack Hanna, 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., Nov. 13 and 14, $78 per person; Breakfast With Jack Hanna, 8:30 a.m., Nov. 14 and 15, Crown Colony restaurant, $16.95 adults, $10.95 children; Meet Jack Hanna, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Nov. 14 and 15, Moroccan Palace, buschgardens.com. – Anthony Salveggi
The theme of Jason Collin's exhibit of photography, Haikyo, is "urban decay," in which he explores images of everything from hard industrial devastation, to a preserved brain in a medical office, to earthquake-shattered glass windows, past which you can see mountain views. An opening reception is held at 8 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 13. Visit jasoncollinphotography.com for more info. Raw Vibes Art and Performance Space, St. Petersburg, $7.
Ladies of Tampa Bay, all your dreams are about to come true. Fantasy Fest may be over, but you haven’t missed your chance to see wrinkly old man arse shaking onstage: the calendar boys of Forever Young – a dance troupe of local 60 to 79-year-olds — are back to make sure that their cheeks make your cheeks blush. Their jaw-dropping dance routines and bad-boy humor are enough to make anyone giggle. At least you can see some skin for a good cause: proceeds benefit the Homeless Outreach, which supplies blankets to Tampa Bay’s homeless. Nov. 14-15, 8 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Back Door Theater, 4919 17th Ave. S., Gulfport. $15, foreveryoungdancers.com. – Franki Weddington
Artist, owner, and fabulous dresser Marina Williams begins another yearly tradition with the debut of her Juried ART music and fashion show, which offers diversions and divisions in Painting, Photography, Fashion, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Textile, 2D, 3D and Video Art. New Year's comes early at the gallery's opening reception, which urges art party-goers to "wear something shiny, sparkly and red carpet-ish. Sequins are a must." Visit artpoolrules.com for more info. Sat., Nov. 14, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., ARTpool, St. Petersburg, $10; includes drink ticket and appetizers.
If your heart belongs to Dixie and you're looking for some down 'n' dirty Southern-style fun this weekend, look no further: the Dixie Fest and Rib Burn Off offers monster truck rides, a battle of the tribute bands (any bets on how many "Sweet Home Alabama" covers there will be?), a Miss Dixie beauty contest, a Dixie Babes bikini contest, a nightly biker parade, a Southern Boyz male revue (!), a karaoke contest, and a tribute to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Visit dixiefestnow.com for more info. Nov. 13-15, 4-11 p.m. Fri., noon-11 p.m. Sat., noon-9 p.m. Sun., Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa, $10 or $20 three-day pass; free admission ages 14 and younger.
Local spoken wordsmith, actress and poet Aleshea Harris (pictured) takes the stage for After Hours Cabaret: Grit and Silk, her original musings on everything from "love and hope to war and breasts" via a fusion of word and song. Visit americanstage.org for more info. Nov. 13-15, 7 and 9 p.m. Fri.-Sun., American Stage, St. Petersburg, "Pay what you can" admission.
Dancers with and without disabilities take the stage with outstanding choreography that combines the use of wheelchairs with traditional dance in this performance by the REVolutions Dance Company. Fri., Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, $17, $12 students.
More than 40 animal rescue groups — including local chapters of the ASPCA and Humane Society — team up to bring hundreds of adorable, adoptable animals to the public at the Pet Adoption Expo. The expo also offers pet demonstrations, training classes and pet specialty items. Adoption fees at both shelters include spay/neuter surgery, micro-chipping, rabies vaccination, and one-year County pet registration/tag; cat adoption fees are half-price, and veterans receive a military discount. Adopters should bring valid photo identification and proof of current address. Visit humanesocietytampa.org for more info. Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Florida State Fairground, free.
This weekend, you can shuffleboard at the St. Pete Shuffle or play Bingo at your community theater in Tampa. The average age of Florida citizens might be rising higher than the heat index, but the youth of Tampa Bay are reclaiming these traditionally geriatric activities for their own. Tonight, theater-goers young and old alike can enjoy a game of Bingo while they see the story of Babe and Sis unfold onstage in The Queen of Bingo. The two sisters are polar opposites: one fit and trim, one fighting the battle of the bulge; one looking for love, the other content in widowhood; and one content to lose gracefully at Bingo, while the other plays as though her pension depended on it. Meet the sisters and the rest of the off-beat Bingo players in this hilarious comment on life after 50. This weekend's performances are also a fundraiser for the theater, and admission includes wine, appetizers and the show. Visit carrollwoodplayers.com for more info. Nov. 13-15, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., Carrollwood Playhouse, Tampa, $20.
Instead of hitting up the neighborhood Denny's for an artery-clogging bacon and pancake breakfast, do your body — and the American Heart Association — some good by stepping out with about 20,000 folks in today's Tampa Bay Start! Heart Walk — one- or three-mile walks through Al Lopez Park and RayJay stadium (where you can see your efforts displayed on the Jumbotron!). Proceeds benefit the AHA, which works to prevent heart disease and stroke — the number one and three killers in America. Visit americanheart.org for more info. Sat., Nov. 14, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, free; donations appreciated.
Enjoy fiery Pasodobles by Mary Gonzalez, Humberto Zambrano, Noemi Perez-Silvia, Rolando Perez and Colette Jones, accompanied by lunch from Vizcaya at today's Cafe Cuple, presented by the Spanish Lyric Theatre. Register by calling 813-936-0217. Sun., Nov. 15, 12 p.m., Centro Asturiano, Tampa, $40; includes lunch and show.
This article appears in Nov 4-10, 2009.