It's the last week to see American Stage's extended run of August Wilson’s best play, Fences, and you should get tickets now, because it's still selling out. Fences follows Troy Maxson, an African-American rubbish collector whose bitterness and sense of lost opportunities make him a problematic husband and father. Set in Pittsburgh in 1957, it’s also about a time when new opportunities for black citizens were slowly becoming real, but the indignities of the past were too raw to be forgotten. As in all Wilson’s plays, the language is poetic, the characters are indelible, and the metaphors — including, in this case, the trumpet carried by Troy’s brain-damaged brother Gabriel — are brilliant. What happens to a dream deferred? Wilson’s answer is riveting. Sept. 25-Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. matinee Sat.-Sun; Previews Sept. 19-20 and 23-24, 3 and 8 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., 7:30 p.m. Weds.-Thurs., American Stage, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, $26-$45, $10 student rush tickets 30 minutes prior to curtain, americanstage.org. – Mark Leib
St. Petersburg's Downtown Neighborhood Association hosts a porch party inviting everyone to do just that -- associate with their neighbors. Instead of the perfunctory wave on the way to work, get out and talk to the folks who make up St. Pete's hip, arty community. Tasty tapas are provided by Z Grille, and architect Raul Quintana discusses plans for Center for the Arts Plaza, the park near the Mahaffey, and the new Dali Museum. Visit stpetedna.org for more info. Wed., Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., Signature Place, 100 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, $15, $10 DNA members.
Fox 13's Chief Meteorologist Dave Osterberg drops in to autograph copies of One Tank Trips, and the schwanky Venue ensures that the launch of its Celebrity Book Signing Series is no humdrum, stuff-shirt event: Chef Robert Uzzillia offers hors d'oeuvres for everyone in a chic party atmosphere. Register in advance by e-mailing thevenuetampabay.com. Wed., Oct. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m., The Venue, Clearwater, thevenueclub.com.
Every woman who comes in for a free Wacoal or b.tempt'd bra fitting and signs up for monthly e-mail self breast exam reminders during the Fi(gh)t for the Cure event earns $2 for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, and an extra $2 for every (perfectly fitting) bra purchased, donated by the Wacoal lingerie company. Several dates and locations are available, including: Weds., Oct. 14, Macy's, Tyrone Square, 6901 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg; Thurs., Oct. 15, Macy's, Wiregrass, 28233 Pasco Dr., Wesley Chapel; and Fri., Oct. 16, Macy's, West Shore Mall, 298 West Shore Plaza, Tampa.
