Spark up your evening in lyrical style at Black on Black Rhyme Poetry Night — an event that's not your professor's prim-and-proper literary affair. This wordy whirl is a whole other type of poetry in motion.
Tonight's featured performer, 21-year-old spoken word artist Nicole " The Poetic One" Nelson, tackles the mic with passionate and powerful style, delivering messages inspired by her experiences growing up in St. Louis, where she has established herself among the city's open mic dens and college campuses for the past two years, and has recorded more than a dozen of her poems. In 2009, Nelson started a non-profit organization called T.A.G. (To Acknowledge Greatness) to address the need for inner city schoolchildren to express themselves and share a love for reading and comprehension.
The weekly Black on Black Rhyme event features drink specials and food and has been described by participants as a lively night. (What else would you expect from a host named Life?) Doors open at 8 p.m. $5 before 10 p.m.; $7 after 10 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 p.m. Blue Shark is at 1502 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City. 813-248-3499.
See 9 to 5: The Musical tonight at the Straz, and if you purchase a $15 rush ticket (with canned-food donation), all proceeds will go to Metropolitan Ministries. Cheap tickets and a charitable contribution — you can't beat that.
This is how it works: Purchase a $15 rush ticket to the today or tomorrow when you donate non-perishable food items benefiting Metropolitan Ministries. 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.
For something a little more down to earth (literally) and just in time for Halloween, attend a lecture on Creepy Crawly Creatures, where an insect expert mysteriously known as Mr. Ray explores the creepy, fascinating worlds of various spiders and insects, and — squeamish folks, take note — Mr. Ray brings along with him live critters. All ages welcome; call 727-943-4922 for information. Free. 7 p.m. Tarpon Springs Library, 138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs. 727-943-4922.
This article appears in Oct 21-27, 2010.