In the mood for something fascinating and different but academically accomplished and complex? No, I’m not talking about your bipolar cousin in graduate school — we’re talking about college-y stuff that’s way more appealing, like the University of Tampa presenting a pair of free concerts exploring the diversity of American Modernism.

First, there will be an afternoon concert of contemporary instrumental and vocal chamber music at 4 p.m. in the Fletcher Lounge of Plant Hall, and afterward you can attend an evening concert of avant-garde American music at 7 p.m., in the lecture hall of the Tampa Museum of Art.

Pieces will include Bradford Blackburn’s “Phase and Rephrase 3/2” for Harry Partch Ensemble, Ron Sword’s xenharmonic music for microtonal guitars, poetry set to a gothic electronic soundscape, Donald Martino’s “Strata” for bass clarinet, and improvisation by the Minaret New Music Ensemble.

During the event, admission to the galleries at the Tampa Museum of Art will be free beginning at 5 p.m., allowing concertgoers time to view the museum’s American Modernism exhibition before and after the event.

The concerts are presented by the Department of Music in the College of Arts and Letters. For more information, contact Bradford Blackburn at 813-253-6212 or bblackburn@ut.edu.

Before tabloid journalism, salacious dramas about dysfunctional royals played out on the live stage. For a stellar example, see Gorilla Theater’s production of James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter about Henry II, King of England; his three sons; his mistress; and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. You may remember the story from the 1968 classic film starring Peter O’Toole, Kathryn Hepburn and a young Anthony Hopkins.

The lavish live production at Gorilla features director Nancy Cole and actors Robert Hooker, Lynn Moore, Megan Byrne, Caroline Jett, Joe Winskye, Giles Davies, Jon Gennari and Nic Carter. Special-priced performances on Wed., Jan. 19 (name your price), and Sat., Jan. 29 (two- for-one night). Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thu., 8 p.m. Fri.- Sat. and 3 p.m. Sun. Talkbacks after the play Thurs., Jan. 20 and 27. $10-$30. Jan. 13-Feb. 6. Gorilla Theatre, 4419 N. Hubert Ave. #D, Tampa. 813-879-2914.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the next chapter in August Wilson’s Century Cycle, taking audiences back in time to the recording studio of a blues star.

Features mature subject matter and language. Previews tonight -Jan. 20; play officially opens Jan. 21. Show times are 7:30 Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 3 p.m. matinee Sat.- Sun. Tickets prices are $29-$50 depending on date and time of performance. Student rush tickets are $10, 30 minutes prior to curtain. Jan. 18-Feb. 13. American Stage, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-823-7529.

Also, briefly …

The Centre Gallery at USF will also be hosting the movie Brother Outsider – The Life of Bayard Rustin, available for viewing from 6 to 8 p.m.. Jan. 18-28. Centre Gallery is at Phyllis P. Marshall Center, USF-Tampa, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-974-5464. multicultural.usf.edu.

R-Rated Hypnosis with Hypnotist Anthony Potmesil 8 p.m. 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor, Ybor City. 813-864-4000. improvtampa.com.

This article appears in Jan 13-19, 2011.