Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-898-2100, mahaffeytheater.com.
Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-822-3590, mypalladium.org.
Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-791-7400, rutheckerdhall.com.
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, downtown Tampa, 813-229-7827, tbpac.org.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-953-3366, vanwezel.org.
ART EXHIBITS AND HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Holiday Art Sale Featuring discounted original paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics, and holiday gifts as well as free cider and cookies for all shoppers. Proceeds benefit Project Return, a nonprofit that provides educational, vocational and supportive housing services to people with mental illnesses. 11 p.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 9-10. Free admission. The Lobby Gallery 2 @ Project Return, 303 W. Waters Ave., Tampa.
Annual Christmas Show and Sale Select from a variety of unique holiday gifts, including ceramics, jewelry, paintings, prints, cards, books and more created by Eckerd College students and faculty. On display through Dec. 8, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Free admission. Elliott Gallery-Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-864-8340.
20th Annual Holiday Show and Sale Dunedin Fine Art Center is decked out in its usual holiday finery — Christmas trees with handmade ornaments and the like, all available for purchase — and its 2006 holiday exhibition, Present-Perfect, features a range of media by local artists, from pastels and colored pencil works to jewelry, pottery sculpture and photography. Through Dec. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Wed. and Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. Free admission. 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, 727-298-3322, dfac.org.
Holiday House & Gift Market The Pasco Arts Council sparkles with seasonal decor, stocking stuffers and a large assortment of fine handcrafted items by community artists. Through Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Free admission. 5744 Moog Road, Holiday, 727-845-7322.
50 Below Sale Progress Energy Art Gallery is stocked with Chanukah and Christmas items, stocking stuffers, hand woven scarves and purses, jewelry, prints, cards and many other fine art pieces created by local artists and priced at $50 or less. Through Dec. 23, noon-8 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Free admission. 6231 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey, 727-848-6500.
All I Want ... and More!!! Holiday Member's Show Florida Craftsmen Gallery presents an exhibit of original, holiday-themed fine craft works in wood, fiber, glass, clay, metal, mixed media, paper and jewelry by Florida artists and craftspeople. Through Dec. 30, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. Free admission. 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-821-7391, floridacraftsmen.net.
Stargazing: Holiday Stars of The Arts Center A variety of media — holiday-themed and otherwise — by artists who've been featured at the center over the past several years, as well as new works by center instructors. Through Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. Free admission. 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-7872, theartscenter.org.
BENEFITS AND FUNDRAISERS
St. Petersburg Museum of History Holiday Party, Lecture and Membership Drive The museum concludes its 2006 Wine & Cheese Lecture Series with a talk about the history of toys, game boards and other retro playthings by Tim Walsh, historian and author of Timeless Toys. 6:30-9 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 7. $5 guests (free to members). 335 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg, 727-894-1052.
19th Annual Madrigal Dinner — A Victorian Yule Feast Dine on a scrumptious gourmet meal prepared by the Wine Cellar Restaurant while enjoying a performance of holiday songs by the Eckerd College Concert Choir and Eckerd Ringers, Victorian costumes, tables decorated with genuine Waterford crystal and a comedy performance by the Players. Proceeds go toward the Concert Choir's 2007 Spring Tour. 6:15-9:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 7-9. $70. The Marly Room — Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Call 727-864-8222 to make reservations.
Home is Where the Heart Is Holiday Stroll Attendees stroll along the Davis Islands waterfront during this block party, which features live music and entertainment, holiday lights and decorations, food, wine and more. Proceeds benefit Kid's Charity of Tampa Bay. 6-10:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 8. Blanca Avenue, Davis Islands. For more info, call 813-263-3469.
Uhuru Holiday Pie Sale Want to enjoy a delicious holiday pie without going through the hassle of making it yourself? If so, the Uhuru offer fresh-baked, made-from-scratch apple crumb ($12), pumpkin ($8) and sweet potato pies ($10), which are available for pick-up Dec. 16 and 23 at the Saturday Morning Market (Central Avenue and First Street N., St. Petersburg), and Dec. 22 and 24 at the Uhuru Solidarity Center (541 16th St. N., St. Petersburg). Proceeds support the African People's Education & Defense Fund programs. To order pies, call 727-824-5685 or visit apedf.org.
Lights of Lake Park Estates Each year, the residents of Lake Park Estates light up the neighborhood to celebrate the holidays and raise money for the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. 6:30-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 6:30-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., through Dec. 31. Donations appreciated. For directions to the Seminole address, call 727-586-4432 or visit thehospice.org.
