Dance-y campers: The acclaimed contemporary dance company and stubbornly lowercase cakeface is back. Founded by Amanda Szeglowski, who launched the company with two cohorts in 2008, the New York-based troupe specializes in “socially powered work, tactical collaborations and linguistic experimentation.” Their projects combine choreography and original, abstract scripts with unifying themes. Harold, I Hate You is an exploration of what we imagine about “the boy from upstairs.” Explains Szeglowski: “This new work is an investigation of omnipresent insecurities, which are, perhaps, imaginary.” The performance looks like it might be as disturbing as it is delightful. $10. Fri., Oct. 9, 7:30-9 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 10, 7:30-9 p.m. HCC Ybor Mainstage Theater, 1304 E. 11th Ave., Tampa. 813-253-7623. cakefaceart.com.
TIGLFF weekend two: KJ Mohr, who’s in her fifth year as director of programming for the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, hasl helped corralled a fabulously varied selection of films this year, with screenings scheduled on both sides of the Bay.
Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party, one of Mohr’s top picks, is a critics’ darling (Oct. 9, 9 p.m., Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa). 54: The Director’s Cut, a new print of the 1998 original about the famed Manhattan disco (with Ryan Phillippe) is reportedly so different that it could be renamed Studio 55 (Oct. 9, 8 p.m., Muvico Sundial). Enjoy flicks and fresh air at a Rooftop Shorts Party (Oct. 9, 9 p.m./screening at 10:30 p.m., Hotel Zamora, St. Pete Beach); The New Man — “a fascinating doc” about a Uruguayan activist seeking acceptance as a trans woman” is a must see (Oct. 9, 7 p.m., MCC of Tampa); Reel in the Closet shows how home movies and photos can preserve LGBT history. (Oct. 10, noon at Catherine Hickman Theater in Gulfport) and Two 4 One ends the fest with laughs (Oct. 10, 6:15 p.m., Hickman Theater).
Purr-fection! One of the biggest walk-a-thon fests of the year, the 25th Annual SPCA Pet Walk returns to Vinoy Park on Saturday. This year, it's not just for doggies — it's an event for cat enthusiasts, too. The Internet Cat Video Festival has been added to the lineup. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for a comfortable viewing of the just-released 2015 reel featuring 75 minutes of all-new cat antics. Be at Vinoy Park on Friday at 6:30 p.m. for video festival; Sat., Oct. 10, at 9 a.m. for Pet Walk. Food and beer trucks will be onsite to meet attendees’ noshing needs and Tampa Bay Rays’ fan favorite DJ Kitty will make a guest appearance. 701 Bay Shore Dr. NE in downtown St. Petersburg. Parking is available at metered spots along Beach Dr. N.E., the North Shore Pool Lot, North Shore Tennis Courts Lot, Sundial Garage (1st St. NE and 2nd Ave. N), and Pier Parking Lots (Pelican and Gulf parking lots). $10 Internet Cat Video Festival, $25 PetWalk registration. petwalk.org.
Greenfest 2015 This year the Surfrider Foundation has teamed up with Green Bench Brewing, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and Installation Artist Ya La’Ford for what will be sure to be a memorable night of art, music, crafts and good vibes. Join in as Ya La’ford summons her creative powers to paint a live art installation focused on educating the community about ocean conservation efforts. Best part? Attendees can help create this work. Free. Sat., Oct. 10, 6-10 p.m. Green Bench Brewing Co., 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Click on Facebook event page for more info.
Hyde Park Village Fall Fest Celebrate the opening of the pumpkin patch on Saturday with family-friendly activities like face painting and pumpkin carving, food samples, and crafts.The event will take place at the Village Circle within Hyde Park Village. Sat., Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Hyde Park Village, 1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa. hydeparkvillage.com.
Gulfport History Month Fun: On Saturday you can celebrate Gulfport at the Born on the Bayou Celebration, commemorating the 105th anniversary of the city’s incorporation (although Gulfport’s older than that!). The day’s festivities start with a free pet parade, organized by Gulfport Get Rescued. There will also be retro kids games, music, the mullet toss, Fishermen Feats of Strength (grown-up games), trolley history tours, and free guided kayak tours (courtesy of Sea Tow Tampa Bay; follow them on Facebook). Signup for the kayak tours is limited; signup at 9:30 and transport will be provided from the museum to the kayak launch site. Pets, kids, and humans welcome. All events start at the Gulfport History Museum (5301 28th Avenue South).
A Viking Fest … in Florida?! Yes, you can join the Scandinavian Trade Association (STA) for its second annual Viking Day public event to commemorate Leif Ericson’s Day and the Discovery of America. The Scandinavian Trade Association will promote Scandinavian businesses, culture and history through networking, food, fun and education. Witness the historical mead brewing, cloth spinning and dyeing, period costuming, Viking style combat demonstrations, storytelling, interactive games and music. There will be an exquisite Scandinavian Dinner and rousing, interactive stage show indoors for registered guests. Enjoy a full Viking ensemble cast, including an armored combat segment. Tickets are $25 adults/$10 for children under 10. Sat., Oct. 10, 2-8 p.m. Tampa Garden Club on the Bay, 2629 Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa. 727-415-5088. Event page on Facebook.
PP is the place to be: Used to be that the cultural cornerstone of Pinellas Park was the Wagon Wheel Flea Market. Such folksy deprecation is no longer tolerated in the central Pinellas town, which won CL’s 2015 Best of the Bay award for Best Most Unlikely Arts Destination. See what changes are in store in PP at Pinellas Park’s Better Block event, which includes the ARTicles group show, The Space We Share, in a pop-up gallery at 5625 Park Blvd. The corridor is anchored on the east by the Clayton Swartz Gallery and on the west by the train station, which houses the Chamber of Commerce, and the art and historical societies. ARTicles artists include Caitlin Albritton, John Bartone, Nathan Beard, Jules Cozine (work pictured), Margaret Juul, Chad Mize and several others. Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Beer here! The big fest at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Oktoberfest Tampa, offers an authentic biergarten, brats, games and more. Happening through Sunday. More info at oktoberfesttampa.com. One of the Tampa Bay area's most authentic and longest running of them all, The
German American Society Oktoberfest, always throws down with a big oompah band, a gigantic beer tent, German food and folk dancing, replete with guys in lederhosen kicking up a mean schuplattler and lovely ladies twirling in dirndls. Doors open at 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 10. Admission is $6. 8098 66th St. N., Pinellas Park. Info at facebook.com/germantampa.
"Signs, signs everywhere signs … " Bloom and Keep St. Pete Lit celebrate the official grand opening of BookSpace with Semiotics, art inspired by signs and symbols. Includes music from Infinite Third, interactive installations from Tampa Type and more. Current participating artists: Allen Hampton, Chon Mosley, Derek Donnelly, James Oleson, John Suarez, Zulu Painter and several other notable artists. $9, Bloom Art Center, St. Pete. startbloomin.com.
Honorable mentions:
Richard Dawkins in Clearwater The famed secularist discusses his new autobiography. $40, advance purchase required. Sat., Oct. 10, 7 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Octagon Arts Theatre, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater. 800-838-3006. evolvetampa.com.
St. Petersburg Preservation Waterfront Tour $5. Sat., Oct. 10, 10 a.m.; Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m. Saturday Morning Market, 100 First St. SE, St. Petersburg. 727-824-7802. stpetepreservation.org.
Cuban Historian Talk On Saturday, 10 a.m., Dr. Eusebio Leal, a historian from Havana, Cuba, will be visiting the Jose Marti statue at the Jose Marti Park in Ybor City (next to New World Brewery) and giving a free history lesson to those in attendance. Presented by the Ybor Chamber of Commerce. Visit ybor.org for more info.
Under-the-radar movies opening this weekend: Tampa Theatre premieres Mississippi Grind, a freewheeling road movie starring Emmy Award nominee Ben Mendelsohn as Gerry, a talented but down-on-his-luck gambler whose luck begins to change when he meets Curtis (Ryan Reynolds), a younger, slicker poker player. The two strike up an immediate friendship and Gerry quickly persuades his new friend to accompany him on a road trip to a legendary high stakes poker game in New Orleans. tampatheatre.org. He Named Me Malala, the doc about a young woman who inspired change around the world, is also opening at select theaters.
This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2015.