Black on Black Rhyme — one of the Bay area's longest-running spoken-word and open-mic events — continues its Women's History Month observance with another lady wordsmith: Tasha Jones. 9 p.m., Hip Hop Soda Shop, Tampa, 813-810-3582, free.
Formed in Gainesville in ’92, Less Than Jake has been one of the more durable acts to reside in the realm of ska-punk. Perhaps that’s because the band never strictly adhered to the subgenre, and thus didn’t become obsolete when the kids moved onto something else. Much of their more recent material downplays the ska and horns in favor of grabby punk. The Expendables out of Santa Cruz, Calif., bring a less aggro sound that leans toward reggae and dancehall. 7 p.m., Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg, $21. —Eric Snider
Our own PoHo Wayne Garcia joins St. Petersburg Times columnist Ernest Hooper, Tampa Tribune senior political writer William March, WMNF assistant news director Mitch Perry, and Tampa Bay Business Journal editor Alexis Muellner for a public media panel discussion hosted by Democratic Professionals Council of Tampa. 11:30 a.m., Mise en Place, Tampa, free admission to event ($25 with lunch), 813-367-7178.
The Encore Chamber Series continues tonight with a "Viva La France!"-themed concert. A 12-piece chamber ensemble is joined by special guest violinist and former Florida Orchestra concertmaster Ellen dePasquale; an artist talk-back with coffee and dessert follows. 7:30 p.m., Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg, $10-$20, 727-822-3590.
LocalShops1.com in collaboration with Gulfport Chamber of Commerce hosts a "Branding and Marketing Seminar" with Intensity Academy hot sauces founder Michele Northrup. 6 p.m., Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St., Gulfport, 727-637-5586, free.
This article appears in Mar 4-10, 2009.