That big USF art show and party: It's back, art fans. Pop in on the USF CAM: Sun Kissed: 2015 MFA Graduation Exhibition Opening Reception & Student Show tonight. Awards Margaret Miller, Director of IRA/CAM, introduces the graduating MFA artists, and Wallace Wilson, Director of the USF School of Art and Art History, announces the award winners for the Art History Research Paper Competition and for the 39th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, with selected artworks installed in the William and Nancy Oliver Gallery (FAH 102). Attendees are invited to ArtHouse next door (FAH) at 8–11pm for open studios, music and more, after the event. Free admission. Friday, 7-9 p.m., University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum, 3821 USF Holly Drive, Tampa. ira.usf.edu.
Tonight's the night to hit Seminole Heights: Before hitting USF, head to the First Fridays Seminole Heights gallery hop, which returns with exceptional offerings to enjoy. Stop at Pyramid for Turbulence. Artists include clients Misael M, Annalee E. and Kaeishie M. Wing plus established locals Femily Killer, Alexander Stephen Albano, Jim Reiman, Jenae Marie, Jeremy Rivera, Angela Azmitia, Cory Robinson and Daniel Mrgan. The Cuban Sangwiche Show gets in on the First Friday fun at Grownman Brand Studios, 6-11 p.m., April 3 ($5) with live music and poetry readings. Tempus Projects presents to must-see shows — Darkness Invisible and QUAID's Slime Dune. Read a review here.
Cat show! The Amazing Acro-Cats show includes a cat named Alley, recently awarded Guinness Book World Records title for longest jump made by a cat . Tuna, the leader of the The Rock Cats, purported to be the only cat band in existence, joins Oz on guitar, Dakota on drums, Nue on keyboards, and Sookie on chimes. Expect guest critters too: Cluck Norris, a chicken, plays cymbal and tambourine. April 2-9, Thursdays-Sundays, various times; $20; 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. stageworkstheatre.org, circuscats.com.
The Love Doctors' Spring Fling: Attend an open mic hosted by goofy geniuses and self-proclaimed lonely heart physicians Charlie Doan and David Waterman. Expect comical love stories, songs, skits and even a puppet show! Performers are asked to keep their acts under 10 minutes; walk-ups are welcome if space is available but they prefer you sign up for a slot prior at the event’s Facebook page. Free, 8 p.m. Saturday at New World Brewery., Ybor City.
Take me out to the rock show: Enjoy a fantastic night with veteran rockers when The Baseball Project with The Ditchflowers, DJ Gabe Echazabal play Ybor City. Formed in 2007, indie supergroup The Baseball Project holds both its namesake sport and its music in high regard. The audiophile-dream act comprises Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows), Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate), drummer Linda Pitmon (ZuZu’s Petals) and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Mike Mills. The musicians are attracting popularity in their own right retooling America’s-favorite-pastime classics like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” along with new originals about the sport. Saturday, 9:15 p.m. at the Crowbar in Ybor City. $15. More info here.
Bite-size fun: Also in Ybor Saturday night, the 9th Annual Aficionado Days Tapas Trail & After Party celebrates the manufacturing of the first cigar rolled in Ybor City in 1886. The family-friendly event features a stroll through Ybor City while sampling tapas and hors d'oeuvres at more than a dozen of Ybor’s top restaurants. After the trail, attendees will head to the After Party at the historic Macaroni Building on 22nd St., for door prizes, a silent auction, a complimentary cigar from Tampa Sweetheart Cigars, desserts, spirits and the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice #1 Tapas on the Tapas Trail” for 2015. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Saturday, 4-9 p.m., Ybor City. ybor.org.
The Fansparilla Kickoff and more: Celebrate the Women’s Final Four in Tampa with food trucks, live entertainment, giveaways at downtown’s 360-degree waterfront, pet-friendly pub/cafe the Sail Pavilion. 5:30-10 p.m. today. A Tourney Town fest will also take place during the day Saturday at the Amalie Arena.
Pool party! Infinite Skillz says he’s hosting the best pool party in Downtown St. Pete with killer drink specials. Find out 2-6 p.m. at Taps & Tequila's DTSP Pool Party, 300 10th St. S., St. Pete. Event page on Facebook.
Food, fabulous food — and beer: Lately, there's no shortage of food fests, and if we included them all we'd have nothing else. Top picks include the Loquat Festival in New Port Richey and the Have Your Beer and Eat it Too food truck cooking competition and festival at Green Bench Brewery, both on Saturday.
Underwater Easter Egg Hunt at Florida Aquarium: See a SCUBA Certified Easter Bunny and Underwater Easter Egg Hunt at The Florida Aquarium 2 and 3 p.m. throughout the entire Easter weekend. More Easter events here.
