Just the name alone lets you know Bjorn Again: The ABBA Experience has its tongue firmly in cheek. The satirical yet affectionate and musically faithful stage show about the 1970s hit machine (“Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Mamma Mia”) stops at the Straz Center this Saturday for one night only. The revue (not to be confused with the long-running ABBA musical-turned Meryl-Streep movie) was bjorn back in 1988 in Melbourne, Australia, and has since been performed 4,000 times in over 60 countries. (Photo by Bruce C. Schmidt) 8 p.m., Sat., June 26, $35, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, strazcenter.org. —Anthony Salveggi
The Free Yourself Party is a dance , performance and art jam, featuring Emily Page art. rawvibesart.com. Sat., June 26, 8 p.m., Raw Vibes Art and Performance Space, St. Petersburg, free.
This weekend, the Got Jokes? Comedy House hosts two showcases of up-and-coming Tampa Bay talent. The first, Late Night with Got Jokes? is an open-mic night hosted by GJ? comedians and cast members Gwiggy and Chuck Glass. And you’ll laugh with a happy belly, ’cause there’s food service and a full bar. Next up is the Sacred Sounds Saturdays Team Takeover, where four poetry teams (that can include up to five members) from all over Florida compete for $300 by performing a single poetic piece in tandem. It’s hosted by Reggie Eldridge and David “DeTyme” Tolliver (pictured), bronze winners of the 2010 Southern Fried Poetry Slam Competition. Late Night with Got Jokes? 8:30 p.m. Fri. June 25, $5; The Team Takeover, 7:45-11 p.m. Sat. June 26, $10 in advance, $20 at the door, Got Jokes? Comedy House, 15333 Amberly Drive, Tampa, gotjokesimprov.com. —Lily Reisman
Books, glassware, antiques, music, toys, clothes, shoes, oh my! Plus, the ACTrageous Yard Sale offers live music by Gracie Grieshop to get you in the shoppping mood, with all proceeds to benefit the Animal Coalition of Tampa, a low-cost vaccine and spay/neuter clinic. actampa.org. Sat., June 26, 8 a.m., Animal Coalition of Tampa Clinic, 1719 W. Lemon St., Tampa.
Once a month for the duration of the dog days of summer, LRMA offers a refreshing look at modern art in the Summer Film Series. June's screening selection is Who Gets to Call It Art?, a documentary about Big Apple curator Henry Geldzahler that includes archival footage of artists like Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein and interviews with artists Frank Stella, David Hockney and James Rosenquist. 3 p.m. Sun., June 27, Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Palm Harbor, free.
brings together people from all walks of life and political affiliations to show opposition to legalizing drilling off our coasts. 11 a.m. Sat., June 26, visit handsacrossthesand.com for list of participating beaches and related events. —Katie Machol
Looking to boost your culture quo? Look no further than this monthly classical music series at the MFA. Today's guest artists, the Georgia Guitar Quartet, offer a journey through music history via their 24 strings, playing "everything from arrangements of works by classical masters like Bach and Brahms to more experimental music by Cage and Stockhausen, and contemporary rock by Led Zeppelin and Radiohead." fine-arts.org. 2 p.m. Sun., June 27, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, $20, $10 students.
American Stage's After Hours line-up includes a reprise of Eve Ensler’s ever-popular Vagina Monologues, which celebrates women — and, as Chelsea Handler would say, the kaslopis — with candor, comedy, poignancy and more than a few tears. June 25-27, 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun., pay-what-you-can at the door or $15 in advance, American Stage Theatre Company, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, americanstage.org. —Lily Reisman
Whether you’re a fan of one of those dance competition shows or simply want to admire the spectacle, be sure to attend the Millennium Ballroom Dancesport Competition. One of the largest and most prestigious in the country, it features professional and amateur ballroom dancers from all over the country competing for the $125,000 in cash and prizes. Hold onto your knickers, Dancing with the Stars fans, because the dashing Maks Chmerkovskiy and Tony Dovolani will be judging some of the events, and So You Think You Can Dance judge Mary Murphy (pictured) is in attendance, high-pitched squeal and all, to receive a Hall of Fame award (better pack your earplugs). The competition also offers some dazzling ballroom displays by American Dancesport champions. Through June 26, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg; visit m2dance.com for full schedule of events and ticket prices. —Katie Machol
Expect the usual offerings at the Dunedin Craft Festival — handmade artworks from local and national crafters, from small-scale works to installations — along with a green market slinging specialty teas, exotic plants, and housemade sauces and salsas. artfestival.com. June 26-27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Main Street, Dunedin, free.
The biggest event of the weekend in St. Pete, attracting some of the biggest crowds for any event all year, is St. Pete Pride. The annual commemoration of the unofficial launch of the gay pride movement — the Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village in June, 1969 — culminates Saturday with the Promenade and Street Festival, preceded Friday night by RuPaul's Drag Race winner Tyra Sanchez in a pre-Pride fashion extravaganza at the Tyrone Square Mall. Read all about it at Creative Loafing's new gay community website, CLGBT.
This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2010.