There’s plenty to do in the Bay Area on this sure-to-be warm-weathered (if rainy) Memorial Day. The St. Petersburg Lions Club throws a Bluegrass Barbecue on Sunset Beach in Treasure Island. Admission is $15, but proceeds go to the visually impaired, and admission includes all kinds of good-for-the-soul sounds, from Gypsy Wind (pictured) to the Bluegrass Parlor Band and Gator Grass.
Most Memorial Day food fests are full-on Americana, but if you’re looking to branch out, check out the Italian Lifestyle Wine Dinners, a six-night series of prix fixe dinner-and-wine pairings from May 31 to June 5. Proceeds from the dinners, the Abilities Foundation’s latest project, benefit job placement services for disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Choose from an international array of cuisine at Paddy Burke’s Irish Pub, Middle Grounds Grill, Savannah’s Café, Madfish, Roy’s and The Venue. Visit abilitiesfoundation.com for full schedule and list of locations.
Take a time out in Largo, where a free Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony honors those who have given their lives in the armed forces. Active and retired military personnel and their families can also take advantage of free admission at the Henry B. Plant Museum, and The Florida Aquarium offers half off admission for military members. Bluegrass Barbecue, noon, Mon., May 31, Lions Club Beach House, 9300 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, stpetelionsclub.com; Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony, 7 p.m. Mon., May 31, Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo, largoevents.com; free Plant Museum admission, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, plantmuseum.com; half-off Aquarium admission, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, flaquarium.org. —Andrew Silverstein
Over the past several years, the R&B pop group otherwise known as the Backstreet Boys have been delving into AC territory to appeal to their now grown-up fanbase, although the lyricism of 2009’s This Is It is still a little dance club juvenile. (Sample lyric from “Masquerade”: “This scene’s so hypnotic, smoking mirrors, lights and magic … So won’t you stay and dance with me?”). The last time they stopped here to sing the National Anthem at the first game of the 2008 World Series. The Rays didn’t win and the BBs haven’t been back until now. 7:30 p.m. Mon., May 31, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, $52.50-$85, rutheckerdhall.com. —Leilani Polk
Whether you want to shake his hand or wring his neck, you can meet Survivor villain Russell Hantz (pictured), along with surprise Samoa winner Natalie White. Everyone gets an autographed photo (and bragging rights, natch) at today's Meet the Survivors event. seminolehardrocktampa.com. Mon., May 31, 6-8 p.m., Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tampa, free.
Dubbed as “relentless reggae” (no pun intended), Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad infuses their psychedelic roots-dub sound with heavy funkin’ keys on Hammond B3, Rhodes and clavinet, and carries it along on a tight and airy backbeat. The quartet’s 2009 release, LIVE UP!, is a “closing statement” of the former lineup and includes a collection of live recordings taken from several concerts in 2008 and 2009 when the band was a six-piece. Mon., May 31, The Local 662, St Petersburg. —Leilani Polk
This article appears in May 27 – Jun 2, 2010.
