MAY 19 THURSDAY
YIN AND YANG Salerno Theatre Company opened its doors to the public for the first time a little over a year ago. Now, at the conclusion of its inaugural season, the company stages a two-week run of the gothic musical, Jekyll & Hyde. Based on R. L. Stevenson's 1886 novella about a split personality run amok, Jekyll & Hyde tells the story of a brilliant young doctor and research scientist who becomes convinced that the cure for his father's mental illness lies in the separation of Man's good and evil natures. However, when his experiments backfire, Dr. Jekyll unintentionally frees his own dark side and his evil alter ego, Edward Hyde, wreaks havoc in the streets of late 19th-century London. This production is directed by Jorge Acosta and Emi Stefanov, with choreography by Fadi Akhtar. For more information, call 813-631-9430 or visit www.SalernoTheatre.com. 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., May 19-29. $18-$21. HCC – Ybor Theater, corner of 15th Street and Palm Avenue, Ybor City.
MAY 20 FRIDAY
BIRDHOUSE ROCK See flights of fancy from a handful of celebrities and 20 award-winning artists in Flock Around the Dock, an annual fundraiser for the Tampa Audubon Society that occurs at the Florida Aquarium tonight. Comic novelist Carl Hiaasen, film superstars Leonardo DiCaprio and Susan Sarandon, and Dallas alumni Larry Hagman have all contributed their imaginations to produce hand-painted, one-of-a-kind birdhouses to be claimed at a live auction along with birdhouses by renowned area talents like Jeff Whipple, Dee Hood, David Audet, John Costin and Denis Gaston. Guests can also nibble on a variety of tasty eats, dance to live tunes by swingin' sextet, Lounge Cat, and place silent bids on items that include vacation getaways and high-quality gifts. Proceeds from the event support the Tampa Audubon Society's educational programs and enable its continued efforts to spread the word about the importance of conserving and restoring the earth's natural ecosystems, and more specifically, its bird and wildlife populations. For more information or to take a sneak peek at the birdhouses, visit www.tampaaudubon.com. 7-11 p.m. $50 per person. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 727-273-4000.
DESIGNS ON DISPLAY If you were captivated by Project Runway, Bravo's reality show for aspiring designers; have a keen interest in the fashion industry; or, just want to see some lithe beauties parade down the catwalk, the International Academy of Design and Technology hosts its 20th annual Design Expo and Fashion Show, "Strut." This event is one of the largest college fashion show productions in the country, boasting hundreds of garments created by more than 70 of IADT's most accomplished student designers. In addition, students from the Media Arts, Digital Photography, Animation, Production and Interior Design programs exhibit their portfolio pieces during the Design Expo, which runs prior to the fashion show. For more information, call 1-800-222-3369. The expo opens at 5 p.m.; the show begins at 8 p.m. $25-$40 reserved seating/$15 general/$10 students with I.D. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-8511.
THE MANY SHAPES OF CLAY Ron Meyers has been throwing clay on the wheel for over 30 years, creating imperfect, utilitarian pottery decorated with wildly quirky figures both human and animal in nature. Andy Nasisse incorporates an expert knowledge of folk art into his ceramic works, producing vessels, platters and sculptures enhanced with expressive faces and gestures. Ted Saupe is influenced by the 19th- and early 20th-century utilitarian pottery of the southeastern United States, and the country pottery of Oribe, Japan. The practical simplicity of the two styles is reflected in Saupe's modestly decorated creations that include bowls, cups, jars, teapots and other useful ceramics. These three artists, who've been known to exhibit together in the past, are featured in a group show at the Florida Craftsman Gallery titled, Spheres of Influence. Also opening this weekend is a self-titled solo show of ceramic pieces by DeLand potter Tim Ludwig. An opening reception for both shows occurs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. tonight. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and noon-4 p.m. Sun.; the works are on display through July 9. Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-821-7391.
MAY 21 SATURDAY
PHOTOSHOP BY HAND Anybody with two working hands can take a photograph. But how many of these folks are aware that they can go above and beyond the download and printing of an image, making it more of an artistic creation as opposed to a technical display of amateur skill? Tampa Museum of Art educator and 2005's Big Picture Photo Laureate, Rebecca Sexton Larson, offers locals the chance to do just that in "Hand Coloring Black and White Photographs: You Choose the Colors." As the title implies, this workshop focuses on hand coloring, a necessary and common practice from the early days of photography that has become a rather popular art form. Sexton Larson also introduces the class to a variety of media tools, including Marshall's Photographic Oils. For experimentation purposes, interested participants should come equipped with several large, black-and-white photographs that have a matte finish and are printed on fiber-based paper. (A limited number of prints are also available for use.) 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $30 general/$15 members. Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-274-8130.
WHOLE HEALING The Mind, Body, Spirit Expo is an annual two-day event that offers Tampa residents a chance to learn about the many facets of holistic healing. This theory of healthcare focuses on "whole self" (mind, body and spirit) via examination of the patient's physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. At Mind, Body, Spirit, attendees can receive a relaxing massage, have their aura photo taken, procure services from a variety of psychics and spiritual healers, and much more. For folks who're just looking to pick up some natural goods, there are abundant vendors offering an array of jewelry, clothing, herbs, minerals and vitamin supplements. For more information, call 541-482-3722 or visit www.bmse.net. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., May 21-22. Admission is $8 for the entire weekend; children 10 and younger enter free, and parking is $5. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa.
MAY 23 MONDAY
A LEHRER AFFAIR The Poynter Institute and WEDU-Ch. 3 welcome award-winning journalist and author Jim Lehrer as he discusses and signs copies of his 15th novel, The Franklin Affair. Painstakingly researched, The Franklin Affair is rich with historical detail about Benjamin Franklin and the American Revolution. However, the action takes place in modern-day Philadelphia and the protagonist is a young historian who discovers a centuries-old crime implicating Franklin as the primary suspect. The public is invited to attend a special reception ($50 per person/$90 per couple) for the chance to mingle with Lehrer in a casual, hors d'oeuvre-heavy setting; for those interested in simply attending the hour-long book signing and discussion, the cost is $35 per person or $65 per couple (reception guests receive preferred seating). All admission proceeds benefit WEDU. To make reservations, call 800-354-9338. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m.; the discussion and signing, 7 p.m. The Poynter Institute, 801 Third St. S., St. Petersburg.
This article appears in May 18-24, 2005.