26 Orlando native Wayne Brady returns to his Florida stomping ground for two nights' worth of shows at the Tampa Improv beginning tonight. Yes, his comedy cred was somewhat tarnished by that daytime television stint, but give the guy a break: he also appeared on Chappelle's Show to make fun of himself. His best line: "Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?" 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., 813-864-4000.
27 Short people may never forgive him, but anyone who relishes bracingly intelligent songwriting will flock to see Randy Newman at Tampa Theatre; for more info, see Music Week, p. 62. 8 p.m., 813-287-8844.
28 Yes, yes, we know — tonight marks the 22nd annual Halloween extravaganza otherwise known as Guavaween; for a schedule of events, turn to this week's List Brief, on p. 33. If you're looking for somethin' more scholarly to do, we suggest the free St. Petersburg Times Festival of Reading at USF-St. Petersburg. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
29 Richard Wagner's suspenseful Ride of the Valkyries and Bach's chilling Toccata and Fugue in D minor are just a few pieces performed in "Carnival of Disguise," the first concert of FloriMezzo's 2006-07 Chamber Music Series. A costume contest and treats for the kids follows. 2:30 p.m., Palladium Theater.
30 For a pre-Halloween horror movie night, we recommend John Carpenter's The Thing and Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original), The Shining, Hellraiser, and, of course, Nightmare on Elm Street.
31Some truly scary Halloween-day releases: Meatloaf, Bat out of Hell III and Ricky Martin, MTV Unplugged.
01 A nationwide celebration, African People's Solidarity Day, is honored locally with a teach-in and benefit for African-led development projects and liberation movements. 6:30-10 p.m., The Studio@620.
UPCOMING
Nov. 2, All the Great Books (abridged), American Stage, www.americanstage.org.
Nov. 4, Annual Fine Art Auction, Brad Cooper Gallery, www.bradcoopergallery.com.
Nov. 5, Gov't Mule, Tampa Theatre, www.tampatheatre.org.
This article appears in Oct 25-31, 2006.