Barbados native singer Rihanna is a Def Jam artist with the whole package — good looks, great voice and undeniable magnetism. She was propelled into stardom with five number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, tying her with Beyoncé and Mariah Carey for the most by a female artist this decade. Her Grammy-winning single “Umbrella” featuring rapper Jay-Z has been covered and remixed by too many singers and DJs to name, and even made a MySpace star of singer-songwriter Marie Digby. No doubt she’ll bust it out at tonight's NFL Pepsi Smash Superbowl Bash, probably on the cue of Jerry O’Connell, who’s hosting the live VH1 broadcast of the concert. Illinois pop-punk foursome Fall Out Boy and soft rockin’ LA trio Lifehouse round out the bill. Thurs., Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m., Ford Amphitheatre, 4802 U.S. 301 N.,Tampa, $20-$45. (Leilani Polk)
Plus more things to do today:
— All Star Poetry Slam (Super Bowl Edition). According to Lizz Straight, local spoken-word star and host of WMNF's Poetry Is..., poets are coming in from all over the country for this slam. Super Bowl fans? Or maybe they're coming for the cash-money prizes? Whatever the lure, this looks like a great night for spoken-word fans and for anyone seeking a dynamic alternative to mainstream Super Bowl entertainment. Tickets $12, live band, vendors, food and bar. 813-516-5012 or 813-380-0414.
— John Legend at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
— The Eagles at St. Pete Times Forum.
— Super Bowl Kickoff Party w. DJ AM & DJ Jazzy Jeff.
The Charles Fazzino Super Bowl Art Party, featuring 3-D art, helmet sculptures and commemorative paintings (like the one at left) by Fazzino. The perennial Super Bowl artist appears with Bucs quarterback Brian Griese at a fundraising reception for Griese's nonprofit grief support organization for children and families, Judi's House, founded in memory of his mother. Nuance Galleries, 804 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 6-9 p.m., 813-875-0511.
