For the third year in a row, Tampa Museum of Art kicks off national Gay Pride Month — aka June — with Pride & Passion 2008, an evening of art and entertainment in celebration of the GLBT community. For one night only, locals can glimpse two special exhibits: nine prints — a combination of nudes and floral studies — by renowned photographer and provocateur Robert Mapplethorpe; and Equilibrium, an exhibit curated by Jen Saavedra and featuring artworks that explore social issues by locally and internationally exhibited GLBT artists like Santiago Echeverry, Chantel Foretich and Kurt Piazza. A $50 ticket to the event (limited to the first 300 sold) includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, desserts and beverages, and live music by Business Casual. Proceeds benefit the museum's exhibitions and educational programs. Fri., May 30, 8 p.m.-midnight, Tampa Museum of Art, 2306 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-259-1718, tampamuseum.com.
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2008.