Butterfly effect: Call it a warhorse, but Puccini’s Madama Butterfly still offers more gorgeous music than an earthling could hope for in one evening. You know the story: Lieutenant Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy, temporarily in Japan, arranges a wedding with 15-year-old Cio-Cio San without ever intending to stay married to her. But three years later, she (and the son he unknowingly fathered) are still waiting for his return. Soprano Yunah Lee makes her debut with Opera Tampa as Japanese geisha Cio-Cio San, a role that has won her acclaim elsewhere. Richard Troxell, last seen as Rodolfo in the 2013 Opera Tampa production of La Bohéme, returns as Pinkerton. Un bel di indeed! Fri., March 13, 8 p.m., and Sun., March 15, 2 p.m., $39.50-$99.50, Straz Center’s Morsani Hall, Tampa, strazcenter.org. (Text contributed by Mark E. Leib)
WMNF Books & Record Fair: WMNF Community Radio will be selling thousands of records, CDs, DVDs and other media to raise money for the listener-funded station. In addition, they say they'll have a ton of stereo equipment (and they will make sure it all works) plus musical instruments and memorabilia, all priced more than reasonably.
Barrymore Hotel (across from the Straz Center), 111 W. Fortune St., downtown Tampa. wmnf.org.
Explosive wit: Lewis Black will once again disseminate our political landscape and launch into a catharsis that’s contagious when he performs his show The Rant Is Due Part Deux at the Straz’s Ferguson Hall on March 14, 8 p.m. Black, known for his comedy specials and “Back in Black” segments on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, will riff on both major political parties — the President, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi,as well as Republicans John Boehner, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry and the Eeyore of our nation’s capital, Mitch McConnell. For more stand-up shows, read Michael Murillo's Laugh Tract.
Everything’s gone green: Being that it’s a Tuesday holiday, it’s going to be a long, green, five-day lead-up to St. Patrick’s Day this year. Start off at the annual River o’ Green Fest at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday. For a more authentic Emerald Isle experience, the Pooka Irish Band (pictured) will present Ireland Heart and Soul, a 90-minute program of music, dance and theater from 4 to 7 p.m. March 15 at The Friday Morning Musicale Theater, 809 Horatio St., Tampa ($10, $8). Expect traditional ballads, cheeky storytelling, foot-tapping jigs and reels and contemporary pub songs. Find more St. Patrick’s Day-themed events in our St. Patrick's events guide.
Sunset on SunLit: Words nerds, take note: The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair is back March 13-15 at St. Pete’s Coliseum with a focus on the Moderns. The prodigious nine-day event SunLit Festival winds down this weekend, presenting some of its best events. On Sat., March 14, 7:30-11:30 p.m., Kerouac Night at the Flamingo Bar commemorates the beat icon’s birthday on March 12, 1922. The final watering hole of the late author will, as per tradition, feature The Brad Morewood beat poets reading their works backed by an improvisational jazz band, led by Russian symphony conductor JohnTerryl Plumeri and jazz guitarist Kelly Green. Ronny Elliott and others perform. A Boyd Hill Poetry Night Hike takes place March 14 at 6:30 p.m. and Pass the Plate: The Florida Holocaust Museum Survivors Passover Cook-off is March 15, 2 p.m. For more, visit sunlitfestival.org.
Attention, Muggles! The touring parody sensation by Dan and Jeff Attention, Potted Potter — The Unauthorized Harry Experience, disseminates seven Harry Potter books in just 70 minutes — 360 characters. Perfect for ages 6 to Dumbledore. Regularly priced tickets are $39.50-$79.50. Fri., March 13, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., March 14, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., March 15, 2 and 5 p.m. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827. strazcenter.org.
Selfies All forms of self-portraiture, self-examination and self-recrimination painted by member artists. Free refreshments. Attendees will have an opportunity to win a piece of original artwork by a local artist. BOGOs and clearance items also available. Free. Sun., March 15, noon-3 p.m. Studio 1212, 1405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 727-446-4566. studio1212.net.
Fests and food: Sunset Fest on West Corey Enjoy a beautiful sunset, live music, and sample some of the best food on St. Pete Beach Saturday evening. For more information, visit spbrec.com. The Safety Harbor Seafood Festival offers fun for the whole family at the Marina both Saturday and Sunday. Eat fresh seafood, enjoy live entertainment, children's activities, arts and crafts, and more. Free admission to both fests. cityofsafetyharbor.com.
Bard luck: Tampa Shakespeare Festival's performances will begin at 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free. Read Mark Leib's review and a preview of USFSP's outdoor production of As You Like It here. Water Works Park, 1710 N. Highland Ave., Tampa. 813-963-6461.
Three cheers for Tampa Bay Beer Week: Brew Circus @ The Pour House on Friday evening, Stilt House Brewery Pi Day Countdown on Saturday. Read this handy guide to get you started!
Live music: Check Ear Buds for info on the Cigar City Brewgrass Festival and more.
This article appears in Mar 12-18, 2015.