Yep, bull riding is a sport. And not just because it has a regular season or a macho-sounding sponsor or even because riders accrue stats that could be listed on the back of a trading card. No, I think it's a sport mainly because judges award riders points based on degree of difficulty and form, making it sort of like ... ice skating. With dirt. And cowboys. And really, really angry animals. Now that I've sold you on its bona fides, you can see the raging bulls live and in person as the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. stampede the St. Pete Times Forum this weekend as part of the 2010 Built Ford Tough Series (told you it was macho sounding). Forty superstars of the circuit will be on hand to compete in three rounds over the course of two days against some of the toughest, bucking-est bulls around. How BIG TIME is this event? So big time, the Versus network will be airing both days of the competition—but you get to see it live. Sat., Jan. 30, 8 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 31, 2 p.m., St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa, $10-$100, stpetetimesforum.com. —Anthony Salveggi
One man’s trash is another man’s work of art—like at this weekend’s re:create: The Art of Upcycle. It’s only fitting that it be held at the Project 3.0 site itself: the historic “greenovated” Roosevelt in Ybor. This unique art show features recycled art by local artists like Carlos Pons Paz, David Rothman, Joe Traina Photography, John Steelman (Ratsoap Studios) Isaiah Perkins (Boundless Creativity), Efren Rebugio Jr. (Everyday Research), and Xzanthia, to name a few. They’re also presenting a Re-Fashion Show, a sneak peek of the Project 3.0 documentary, and a lineup of some of the best electro/pop/house DJs in the Bay—Pauly Crush, Christian Noir, and DJ Noi; they’re even giving out free food and drinks. Sat., Jan. 30, 9 p.m., The Roosevelt, 1812 N. 15th St., Tampa, $10. —Katie Machol[image-1]
For Bold and Fresh: Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck, Tweedledee and Tweedledum take a road tour for the ages, leaving in their wake either a manic renewed faith in Amurrica or a sour taste in your mouth, depending on who you’re talking to. And it’s already sold out. Good job, concerned citizens. Fortunately for those of us who couldn’t score tickets, their performance (and make no mistake; it is a performance) is broadcast live in HD to a few, erm, lucky theaters around the country, where you can see them opine on all the hot-button topics you can't make up your own mind about. Sat., Jan. 30, 8 p.m.; encore Tues., Feb. 2, 8 p.m., Citrus Park Stadium 20, 7999 Citrus Park Town Center Mall, Tampa, $25; visit fathomevents.com for a full list of participating locations. –Franki Weddington
Ybor Art Studio and Live Art After Dark have joined forces for Wimmin of the Pit and The Danse Du Fête to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. So join other good souls and partake in fun festivities for a good cause—there’s everything from belly dancers to artists, face and body painters, food, wine, beer, and musicians. Sat., Jan 30, 6:30 p.m., Ybor Art Studio, 2702 Seventh Ave., Ybor City, $8, 813-868-4879. —Lily Reisman
We're still in the first month of the first year of a shiny-brand-new decade, so there's still time to restART your resolutions -- which is just what the artists, filmmakers and musicians at tonight's event are hoping to do. See works by Eric Ondina, Matt Rentz, Will Stryffeler, Carlos Pons and the Art Colony of Ybor; check out films by Chris Jackson and Ariana Dominguez; and jam to the sick sounds of Aaron Lepley, BC and Lazzy, The Gondis and more. If the art alone's not enough to get you buzzed, they're also giving away free PBR. Sun., Jan. 31, 7-11 p.m., Orpheum, Ybor City, free.
I think of tapas as delightfully delicious but never-quite-satisfying dishes that only leave you wanting more; in the culinary world, tapas are like the tease who never follows through. But satisfaction is all but guaranteed at Tapas: A Taste of the Arts -- an afternoon of theater, music, visual arts and dance with some pretty cool contributing artists (like Suzanne Camp Crosby, Jeremy Chandler, Kim Radatz, Phyliss McEwen and Taylor Ikin in visual arts; and music, theater and poetry by Sam Koppleman and Pamela Epps, Paul Kiesling and Lynne Wimmer, to name just a few), hosted by The Arts Council of Hillsborough County. Contact Jenny Carey at 813-276-8250 or [email protected] for more info. Sun., Jan. 31, 3-5:30 p.m., HCC Ybor Performing Arts Building, Tampa, free.
The Senator Wore Pantyhose isn't the latest NewsWeek headline (though, especially in Sen. Craig's Idaho, who would be surprised?). When a (clearly fictional) politician attempts to run his campaign with honesty and integrity, his manager decides to garner some media attention with a staged adulterous scandal. Surprise, surprise, it backfires -- especially once a nosy cast of characters get involved, including a televangelist and his wife, a couple criminals looking for hidden loot, an underage single mother and, of course, the senator's wife. Visit carrollwoodplayers.com for more info. Jan. 8-30, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m., Carrollwood Playhouse, Tampa, $16-$18.
Tropical decor, roadside kitsch and Florida art abound at the ninth annual Floridiana Festival. And when they say kitsch, they're not kidding; the show boasts "alligator ashtrays, flamingo figurines, citrus-shaped radios, carved alligator canes and vintage aloha shirts." Just to set the (retro) mood, there are also screenings of old Florida tourism flicks and a Florida Highwaymen documentary, Florida art evaluations, historical exhibits, and a chance to meet Larry Roberts, author of Florida‘s Golden Age of Souvenirs: 1890-1930. Visit hulahula.biz for more info. Sat., Jan. 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Gulfport Casino, Gulfport, $6.
