No. 1 Ladies Watch Party. Join the ladies at the YWCA to watch HBO's much-praised new series, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, based on Alexander McCall Smith's best-selling book. It features the bountifully talented Jill Scott in the lead role and an all-African-American cast filmed on location in Africa. In honor of the event, HBO and the YWCA are giving away five trips to Botswana to inspirational women — visit ywca.org for more info, or call 727-896-4629, ext. 10 to reserve a seat. Thurs., April 16, 4-6 p.m., YWCA, St. Petersburg, free admission.
Cokie Roberts Luncheon A celebration of the updated, 10-year anniversary of Roberts' story of women's progress, We Are Our Mothers' Daughters. Roberts, an Emmy-winning journalist and best-selling author, is a political commentator for ABC News and a senior news analyst for NPR. Visit tampachamber.com for tickets and info. 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Thurs., April 16, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, $50, 813-274-8511.
Beer Wars Live. A single-night screening event featuring the premiere of the documentary, Beer Wars, about the billion-dollar brewing business and the challenges small indie brewers face when up against corporate brewery giants. A live, post-film simulcast panel discussion with independent brewers and beer industry experts follows. Thurs., April 16, 8 p.m., Regency 20, 2496 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon; Woodland Square 20, 3128 Tampa Road, Oldsmar; Grove 16 Cinemas, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel; Citrus Stadium Park Mall 20, 7999 Citrus Park Town Center Mall, Tampa. $15.
Discussion with Frontline Executive Producer David Fanning The founder of the award-winning Frontline series gives a talk on the program's behind-the-scenes machinations and the challenges of in-depth reporting in today's fast-moving socieity. Thurs. Apr. 16, 7 p.m. reception, 8 p.m. talk, The Poynter Institute, 801 Third St. S., St. Petersburg, $50 VIP/$35 discussion only. Call 813-254-9338×2241 or visit wedu.org for information.
This article appears in Apr 15-21, 2009.