IN A GALAXY OF HIS OWN Actor Charles Ross looks like a cross between Topher Grace (whose character in That '70s Show has an earnest obsession with Star Wars) and Mark Hamill (who actually starred in the sci-fi classic). Coincidentally, the cutie-pie Canadian has spent the past three years traveling from one side of the continent to the other to perform The One Man Star Wars Trilogy, an hour-long homage that Bay area folks can enjoy at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center this weekend. Without the use of props, costumes or any other actors, Ross sings the theme music, imitates the infamous scrolling text at the beginning of each episode, reproduces the sound effects of X-Wing starfighters and light sabers, and impersonates almost all of the Star Wars characters. Next on his agenda? The One Man Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Seriously. 7:30 p.m. Thu., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sun., through Nov. 6. $21.50. Jaeb Theater, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-229-7827, www.tbpac.org.
WOULDN'T IT BE LOVERLY? One of the biggest controversies of musical-to-film history came when Julie Andrews was passed over for the role of Eliza Doolittle, a character she'd made famous in the New York and London stage shows. Essentially, Warner Brothers didn't want to risk casting a Broadway actress in the central role of a $17-million film, despite lobbying by My Fair Lady lyricist Alan Jay Lerner. Thus, the role went to Audrey Hepburn, a household name and guaranteed money maker. The outcome, as fans of Hepburn and the musical admit, is a beloved classic despite the fact that 90 percent of Hepburn's vocals are dubbed. (On an ironic side note, Andrews became a film star in her own right later that year with the release of two successful musicals: Mary Poppins and shortly after, The Sound of Music.) Professor Henry Higgins' makeover of Eliza Doolittle from cockney flower girl to refined lady is presented in a local production by the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center Theatre Department. Octogenarian Dick Poole directs. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Nov. 4-20. $16 general/$14 members and students. 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs, 727-942-5605.
BUNGALOW BOUNCE Although the first American house to be called a bungalow was designed in 1879 by William Gibbons Preston, two California architects — Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene — are most often recognized for motivating the American public to build the simple, one- and one-and-a-half story homes. There's much debate over what constitutes an honest-to-goodness bungalow; purists insist that bungalows feature structural simplicity, efficient use of space, and understated style, with the majority of living space located on the ground floor. You can judge whether or not the homes of Historic Kenwood meet these criteria at the neighborhood's annual BungalowFest, which showcases the area's abundance of 1920s-era Craftsman Style bungalows. The two-day event begins tonight with an intimate moonlight tour, at which you can enjoy wine and cheese samples at five select homes followed by coffee and dessert at a sixth. Two gardens (one, a winner of the neighborhood Landscape Contest) and 10 charming bungalows are featured on Saturday, with complementary trolleys making stops throughout the day. A portion of proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. 7-10 p.m. Fri., Nov. 4. $15; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Nov. 5. $10 (two-day tickets are available for $20). Tickets for both can be purchased at Craftsman House, 2955 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Visit Historickenwood.org for additional information.
ART FROM AN ANIMATED ERA The Museum of Fine Arts celebrates its 40th anniversary with the unveiling of three stimulating new exhibits featuring works taken or created in the era that the museum was established: the 1960s. Art, Love, and Life in the Village: Weegee's Wild New York is a collection of 53 images captured by the notorious crime-scene photographer that deviate significantly from his harsher representations. These photos reflect the lively, artistic spirit of Greenwich Village in the '60s and demonstrate Wegee's softer side. Also featured is The Sixties Show, an exhibit of mostly abstract works by Willem de Kooning, Martin Canin, Enrico Donati, Norman Bluhm and Leon Berkowitz, in addition to photographs by Robert Rauschenberg, Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander and Jerry Uelsmann. Finally, there's Peter Max, which includes vivid prints, posters and album covers focusing on love, flower power, hope and optimism by an artist known for his playful creations. Regular hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun.; all of the exhibits will be featured through Jan. 22. $8 adults/$7 seniors/ $4 students 7 and up (children 6 and younger enter for free). Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, 727-896-2667, www.fine-arts.org.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD I reach into my mailbox, fingers brushing stacks of envelopes and faxes and other random paperwork. Grasping the pile, I feel a twinge of excitement — at the bottom is a package heavy with significance and I can tell it carries something very interesting. At my desk, I tear at the wrappings and pull out a faux writing tablet or slate or whatever you prefer to call it, but rather than a clean, blank surface, I'm faced with a zany but rather appealing invitation to an art show by a couple of my favorite local talents. Neighborhood Watch is a collaborative exhibition of paintings, prints and installations by Bask and Tes One. The former is known for works express his anti-iconic, sometimes caustic world view, which materializes throughout his textured paintings and mixed-media productions. The latter strives to bridge the gap between fine and graphic art, and uses his urban street style to play with themes like color versus contrast, or grime versus grace. Meet both artists at the opening reception, which occurs from 7 p.m. to midnight tonight. Call for regular viewing hours; the works are on display through Dec. 10. RedLetter1 Gallery, 1510 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City, 813-241-2435, www.redletter1.com.
FUNKIN' JAMS AT JAVA While PBS can stand for any number of different things (Public Broadcasting Service, Portable Batch System, peanut butter sandwich…), let's imagine for a moment that it stands for the initials of three very talented musicians who've all done time as the Funky Meters, a power funk trio featuring bassist George Porter, Jr., drummer Russell Batiste and guitarist Brian Stolz. All are New Orleans natives who've spent years cultivating their talents in various musical endeavors. Porter stands as one of the original members of the Meters and has played or recorded with a myriad of artists, from David Byrne to Patti Labelle; Batiste was born into one of New Orleans' most musical families and heads his own group, Orchestra From Da Hood, in addition to moonlighting with the space-jam outfit Vida Blue; and Brian Stolz is a successful solo artist whose guitar work and greasy vocals have backed the likes of Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, The Neville Brothers and Dr. John. Porter-Batiste-Stoltz (or, as they like to initial themselves, PBS) convene this evening at Java Junction, and if you fancy yourself a funk lover, this is a show you don't want to miss. Infinite Groove Orchestra, a group of local funksters, open. 8 p.m. $15. 705 Franklin St., Clearwater, 727-799-1100, www.myjavajunction.com.
This article appears in Nov 2-8, 2005.