[image-1]It’s sought-after by some, taboo to others and, according to playwright Eve Ensler, empowering to women. Yes, it’s the vagina, the titular star of Ensler’s much-performed play The Vagina Monologues, in which women of different ages and backgrounds perform monologues on the ins, outs, ups and downs of possessing the almighty va-jay-jay. In “My Angry Vagina,” a woman rants about injustices like tampons and OB/GYN tools. In “The Little Coochie Snorter That Could,” a woman fondly recalls being 16, when she had a sexual encounter with an older woman. And “Reclaiming Cunt” celebrates the repressed loveliness of the C-word. (Pictured: Bonnie Agan, Magali Naas, Brandii Edwards and Jessica Alexander) May 28-29, 7 and 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat, American Stage, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg, “pay what you can admission” at the door, $20 in advance, americanstage.org. —Andrew Silverstein
Spring into summer (since the heatwave is already here) with some kickass art and music at the restART Spring Forward Show at The Orpheum. It’s the equivalent of the Bat Signal for hipsters, with more than 25 vis-artists showcasing their work and doing live demos; the always-mysterious promise of “performance art”; film installations; the live musical stylings of Grey Market, Will Farina and DJ Lord Fader; and, best of all, free PBR until the kegs are killed. Got your attention now, huh? 7-11 p.m. Fri., May 28, The Orpheum, 1902 N Avenue Republica de Cuba, Tampa, $5, [email protected] Machol
[image-2]up to five people performing in a single piece of poetic work. And if this weekend’s word battle doesn’t sate your thirst for poetry slammin’, check out Sacred Sounds every Saturday at Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse in Tampa. (Pictured: Wally B throws down in the Sacred Sounds Team Poetry Slam. Photo by bwlphotography.com) 7:45-11 p.m. Sat., May 29, Got Jokes? Comedy House, 15333 Amberly Drive, Tampa, $10 in advance, $20 at the door, tampaslam.eventbrite.com. --Katie Machol
It's a sad day for classical music lovers: The Florida Orchestra's final performance of the season. At least it's led by internationally renowned conductor Gunther Herbig, who opens the evening with Schubert’s joyful Symphony No. 5, paired with Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. florchestra.org. The show visits two venues: 8 p.m. Fri., May 28, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa; and 8 p.m. Sat., May 29, Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg. $20-$67.
