It's Crrrraig! Absurd, insane yet ever so charming, Scottish comedian/former late-night host Craig Ferguson is fresh from a comedy special on EPIX and can be seen live Friday night at the Capitol Theatre. Read more and find out more comedy shows by checking out Michael Murillo's Laugh Tract. 8 p.m., $53.50-$78.50, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater.
Friday night in the 'burbs: If you're way out in the boonies, there are a couple of events closer by in Countryside and Lutz for those not in the mood for a drive to the big cities. The First Friday Art Food Truck Rally in Lutz, which takes place the first Friday of every month, 6-10 p.m., offers nosh from The Cheesesteak Truck, Just Smokin BBQ, Renny's Oki Doki and The Tasty Tortillas. Music and other sounds and sights will accompany the eats. USF grads can join your fellow Bulls for a USF Alumni Holiday Social at The Brown Boxer Pub & Grill – Countryside starting at 6 p.m. The Brown Boxer’s Friday specials include 2-for-$25 entrees and drinks for $5. The restaurant can be found at 26111 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater. On the south side of Pinellas, art and crafts lovers can head down to Gulfport for its monthly art walk.
First Friday walks: In Seminole Heights, the Disco Dolls Studio will be showing Beth Emery's solo show Studio Cats, featuring large-scale oil paintings that depict the storied life of the studio feline. A black currant bourbon holiday punch will be served. Other galleries in the First Friday Seminole Heights art hop include Vintage Post Marketplace, Susan Gott Glass and Frolic Exchange. Click here for updates. Down south in Pinellas, the Gulfport Art Walk will include a show at CL's Best of the Bay winner for Best New Gallery, Portspace. The venue will display Fuzzy Logic by sculpture and performance artist Jordan Vinyard, whose interactive contraptions and other multimedia pieces make a statement about the absurd ways we craft our reality. Get more info on the art walk here.
Outside mart: The St. Pete Indie Market is setting up outside Green Bench Brewing again for the December Street Faire, which aims to get you in the holiday spirit with plenty of opportunities to mingle, indulge and shop while enjoying our fine Florida weather. Instead of a toy drive this year, the Indie crew decided to host a baby clothing drive to collect diapers and other items for babies in need, with the local nonprofit organization, @babycycle. Bring the dog and kids 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Food vendors include 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-9836.
Fur hippies: It'll be peace, love and puppies at Woofstock from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Tampa Heights' Water Works Park. The fest will benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and feature food trucks, beer and wine, among other vendors. Attendees can enter pooches in a hippie-inspired costume contest, or color bandannas at the tie-dye station. A $20 donation includes one beverage, T-shirt and raffle ticket. 1710 N. Highland Ave., Tampa, 813-274-8615.
Celebrate Repeal Day: Commemorate legal substance abuse with the U.S. Bartenders' Guild Tampa Bay, which hosts the annual Repeal Day Conference, which includes all sorts of educational and recreational events all weekend long. Saturday night is the big gala, Celebrating the World of Cocktails Gala at the Cuban Club. For a lower-cost alternative, head to Southern Brewing & Winemaking between 6 and 11 p.m. Saturday for The Repeal of Prohibition Party. A secret beer menu, classic films and dancing will be on tap. Use the password "all that jazz" to gain entry. Starts at 7. The Roaming Gourmand food truck will be on site with a themed menu, and 1930s attire is requested. Free, money for beer and food. 4500 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-7800.
Belly up to an art show: Artist, history guide and Fuma Bella bartender Charlie Doan has curated pieces from the last 10 years of Ybor City’s West End in a new solo exhibition, Little Bar Stories. During the opening reception, national voice-over artist and local raconteur David A. Waterman will tell the stories of “longtime Ybor habitues and bon-vivants” while a soundscape of ambient bar recordings plays in the background. Show runs Dec 5-Dec 27. Opening reception is Saturday, 5-10 p.m., at Silver Meteor Gallery, 2213 E. Sixth Ave, Ybor City. Read an interview with Doan here.
A Good Old-Fashioned Variety Show: If you miss those all-star talent shows of the 1970s, then join Jobsite Theater on Saturday night for Jobsite Rocks: Home for the Holidays featuring ensemble members and friends of the company performing music and comedy acts, as well as magic tricks, interpretive dance and more. $5 minimum donation at the door. Raffle tickets are $2 for 1, 6 for $10 or 13 for $20. Visit jobsitetheater.org for more details.
Night Court in St. Pete? Yes, but not the one from 1980s-era NBC (why doesn't TBS or TV Land show those reruns?). Join Gypsy Repertory Theater for a new interactive theater experience, where the audience gets to guess the correct verdicts while plaintiffs and defendants sing, dance and litigate. Prizes for the table with the most correct verdicts. The dinner show is at 2 p.m. and offers a barbecue buffet and soft drinks. Takes place at Witches BBQ Den, 111 Second Ave N.E., Suite 209, St. Pete, nightcourtafterdark.com.
Opera in Tarpon Springs: Performed in English by New Century Opera and set in Scotland, Lucia di Lammermoor is a dark, romantic tale of family honor, betrayal and madness. The story follows Lucia, whose brother coerces her into a marriage. Lucia's reappearance at her wedding reception, after she's killed her new husband, has become one of the most iconic scenes in opera. $25, $22 for members and students. At Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum, 100 Beekman Lane. tarponarts.org.
Plus, Lucero in concert Saturday night, holiday happenings … For holiday events, visit's CL's turn-page edition here and go to page. 37. For info about the great live music shows happening this weekend, hit up Leilani Polk's list here.
This article appears in Dec 3-9, 2015.