Thursday 8.9
DAG of all Trades Although David Alan Grier is perhaps best known for his characters on the acclaimed series In Living Color and comedic roles in such films as Boomerang, he's equally capable in dramatic roles. The graduate of the Yale School of Drama has received a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Jackie Robinson in The First (1981) and successfully made the jumps from theater to television to film. Grier continues to alternate between stage and screen, having recently finished filming a re-imagining of King Lear for TNT. He performs at the Improv through Sunday, Aug. 12. Shows start at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost between $18 and $24. The Improv is at 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City (813-864-4000).
Friday 8.10
Exciting and New Three of St. Petersburg's premier arts organizations — American Stage, The Arts Center and the Florida Craftsman Gallery — host The Arty Party, a tropical-theme port party, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Port of St. Petersburg's Terminal 1, 250 Eighth Ave. S.E., in downtown St. Petersburg. The party features everything but a boat, including live music by the Rock N Chair Band, tropical hors d'oeuvres by Emmerson Catering and a cash bar. Guests are encouraged to wear casual attire and dance the hot August night away. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and all proceeds benefit the educational programs of the three arts institutes. Call 727-823-1600, ext. 229.
Something About MarySinger/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter is as natural an artist as they come. Her hits include the raunchy I Feel Lucky, which preceded her being voted the '92 Country Music Association's Female Vocalist Of The Year, the swooning Passionate Kisses and the thought-provoking House of Cards. She's also recorded a number of excellent covers, including Tom Waits' Downtown Train. She performs along with Steve Earle & the Dukes at 8 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater (727-791-7400). Tickets cost $40-$60.
As Seen on VH-1 Straight from the rockumentaries of VH-1's Behind the Music, it's a concert of big-haired, '80s ballad rockers, Vince Neil with Ratt and Slaughter. Gone are their days of sold-out stadium glory, but obviously there are still enough nostalgic fans (and snidely curious bystanders) to make their tour feasible. Tickets to the all-ages show cost $26.50, and doors open at 7 p.m. at Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N., St. Petersburg (727-896-1244).
Saturday 8.11
In Seine Learn how to use a seine net, a fishery biologist's tool of the trade, to collect and examine fish life from estuaries around Tampa Bay. The instruction takes place from 10 a.m. to noon at Spa Beach and the Education Station at The Pier Aquarium, 800 Second Ave., N.E., St. Petersburg (727-895-7437).
Beer Out the Wazoo Lowry Park Zoo's sixth annual WaZoo! celebration features beer samplings from more than 100 breweries around the world. Several Bay area restaurants are providing a fine selection of local cuisine, and guests can party or kick back and relax with a variety of live entertainment throughout the evening. The event takes place from 8 to 10:30 p.m., and proceeds benefit the 1,500 animals at the Zoo. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of (quantities limited). Designated driver tickets are $7. Lowry Park Zoo is at 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa (813-935-8552).
Sea Glass The Pier and Crystal Mirage Gallery are hosting an art show, Art on the Water, in The Pier's first floor rotunda area, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, the day of the Downtown Art Association's Gallery Walk, and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12. Artists Alan Promades, Jeffrey and Joan Patterson and local father and son Chuck and Harry Boux present some of their glass pieces, and during the Gallery Walk, visitors will be treated to live entertainment and refreshments served compliments of Cafe Lido. The Crystal Mirage Gallery is at The Pier, 800 Second Ave., N.E., St. Petersburg (727-895-1166).
Sunday 8.12
On Paper The Tampa Museum of Art presents this visually compelling exhibit featuring six large-scale works from the museum's contemporary collection. The exhibit's focus is the varied use of paper as a medium. Among the works featured are a 20-foot photographic tableaux by Patrick Nagatani and Andree Tracey, a hanging scroll-like composition in multiple layers of manipulated paint by Mary Lou Stewart, a photographic composition by Penelope Umbrico, as well as innovative prints by Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Sonnier and Mel Kendrick. The collection runs through Oct. 21. Adult admission costs $5, and the museum is at 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa (813-274-8130).
Pillow Talk This 1959 romantic comedy first paired Rock Hudson, as a playboy songwriter, and Doris Day, as an interior designer, in a clever and somewhat parodic tale of quarrelsome acquaintances who share an incognito party line. Once their phone relationship becomes clear, the two fall in love, despite themselves and the courtly pursuits of a mutual friend played by Tony Randall. The matinee starts at 3 p.m. at Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa (813-274-8286). Adult tickets cost $4.
Monday 8.13
Are You Ready for Some Football?The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Miami Dolphins in their first preseason game of the 2001 schedule. All tickets are sold out, but don't let that stop you from tailgating outside Raymond James Stadium, 4042 N. Himes Ave., Tampa. Or you can find yourself a seat at one of the Bay area's numerous neighborhood sports bars, and gorge yourself as the Bucs show off their retooled offensive. The game starts at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Tuesday 8.14
21 That's the name of the game at the weekly blackjack tournaments aboard the Sun Cruz Casino, a 1,000-passenger cruise ship that docks in the Bay area. The tournaments offer $2,000 in prize money to a minimum of 14 players and take place, along with the casino's other games, nine miles out in the Gulf, in international waters. The casino offers 200 slot machines, 17 table games and a live poker room to those willing to pay the $10 boarding fee. There's also a $7 buffet. So pick up some Dramamine and test your luck. The blackjack tournaments take place from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. every Tuesday, setting out from John's Pass at 12788 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island; and every Thursday, setting out from Clearwater Bay Marina at 198 Seminole St., Clearwater. Call 1-800-474-DICE.
Wednesday 8.15
The Starr Reports Ringo Starr is the original drummer turned singer. Decades before former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl made the transition to front man of the Foo Fighters, Ringo Starr made the transition from the busted-up Beatles to recording solo. He later started fronting his All-Starr Band. He's produced 19 solo albums, including Goodnight Vienna, VH-1 Storytellers and his latest, The Anthology … So Far. Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band perform at 8 p.m. at the USF Sun Dome, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa (813-974-3002). Scheduled All-Starr appearances include Sheila E, Rodger Hodgson (from Supertramp) and Ian Hunter (from Mott the Hoople). Tickets cost $35, $50 and $75.
This article appears in Aug 9-15, 2001.