As Trump inches closer to a national disaster and Florida shrugs its collective sunny shoulders once again (hey, at least we didn't all vote for Rubio, although I'm not sure what we did was any better), remember how lucky we are to live in a place that, if Trump does become our next president, will still have sunshine while everyone else has snow, which is a real thing that happens in real places. Apparently. The only worse than having Trump as president would be having Trump as president and having to fight hypothermia.
Which is why we should revel in all our remaining Trump-free weekends, Loafers. Get outside, go see a show, appreciate this big, beautiful, almost-completely Trump-free world in which we live. No time like the present, amirite?
Before we launch right into Friday, it's worth mentioning that at some point this weekend, you should definitely go see Cirque du Soleil's Toruk- First Flight at Amalie Arena. Just do it. Thursday night audiences (of which I was one) loved it; these guys keep getting better and better at what they do. Squeeze it in somewhere, because the Cirquish is only in town through Mar. 20.
Shameless plug: Come hear me speak tonight at the Gulfport Historical Society's monthly porch party. It's kind of a long story, but I'll tell you somewhat funny and mildly historical stories about my travels retracing some musty old driving tours during my one-hour Manatee, Mermaids and Watermelon Queens talk. The Society has booze (donation only) or bring your own, and the same goes for food. (Full disclosure: I sit on the GHS board, so of course I think this is awesome, but still...)
Not feeling the porch party? I'll bite back the bitter tears of rejection as I suggest you head to the Palladium to hear the Backtrack Blues Band. Actually, I wouldn't blame you a bit. Now, if you blew off my talk to go hear, say, Nickelback, we'd have to talk, but otherwise, it's cool. The Palladium's one of the 'Burg's gems, and what better way to end the week? Pop over to Wine Madonna and unwind with some nibbles and a quiet glass of wine.
Clearwater Public Library's hosting what may be the smallest ComicCon ever Saturday from noon until 6 p.m., so please go show it some love. Hey, you never know what you'll find. Clearwater Comic Con 2016 has comic writers, artists and local groups including Emerald City Comics, Pike’s Comics, Chuck Dixon, Austin Janowsky, Clark’s Comics, Fierce Comics and Big RedHead Comics.
Extend that St. Paddy's Day buzz Saturday. Round about 2 p.m., head to the Seminole Heights Library (4711 Central Ave., Tampa) for Improbable Athenaeum's There's Music in My Heart All Day. Katherine Tynan, a compatriot and correspondent of Yeats, wrote war-time poems taken to the hearts of soldiers’ mothers; thousands of copies were sold to benefit the Red Cross. Improbable Athenaeum will perform a selection of Tynan's beautiful poetry, filled with passion for her county, her faith, and her people. Several of her poems were set to traditional Irish airs and became popular songs; Ned Averill-Snell will sing!
It's all about the boobs at the Spring Beer Fling Saturday afternoon and evening. The Fling, held in Vinoy Park from noon until 10 p.m., benefits My Hope Chest, a local nonprofit that raises money for breast reconstruction for uninsured and under-insured breast cancer survivors. Rusted Root will play, and of course you can get beer and food.
Beers and boobs not your thing, or perhaps you want to hang in Tampa? Cool. Here's something different: You can eat like military officer at Fort Foster's Dinner Under the Stars did in the 1830s, sans the food safety concerns (we hope). The dinner takes place at inside the walls of Fort Foster. Think of it as chewy history. Dinner starts at 5:15 Saturday evening.
And, simple as that, dishes are done. Bob's your uncle. Whatever silly saying you use, consider your weekend hog-tied and ready to rumble. Now, get out there.
