february 17 thursday
Harvey Exposed There's nothing as stunning or awe-inspiring as the images in National Geographic magazine. Vivid and detailed, these are the finest examples of photography that you'll see almost anywhere. You can appreciate several photos in person at The Arts Center with the opening of David Alan Harvey's Divided Soul. The former National Geographic staff photographer displays a selection of his works from Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Puerto Rico and Portugal, all showcasing his self-described, subtly stunning "ballet of street photography" scenes. Harvey gives a free slide-accompanied lecture today at noon; you can also meet him and enjoy an opening reception tomorrow evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and noon-5:30 p.m. Sun., through March 27. 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-7872.
Let's hear it for The Boys Jobsite Theater moves from high-speed comedy to touching humor in Tom Griffin's The Boys Next Door. The play focuses on the lives of four mentally handicapped men who live in a communal residence in a New England City: Arnold, the restless ringleader who buys multiple groceries and suffers from deep-seated insecurities; Lucien, who sings the alphabet and lugs around a weighty book he's incapable of reading; Norman, who loves his keys and his pastries; and Barry, a quick-witted schizophrenic who fantasizes about being a golf pro. The quad is supervised by an easygoing, but increasingly discouraged social worker named Jack, who's torn between his obligations and his aspirations. Directed by Ned Averill-Snell. 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat., and 4 p.m. Sun., Feb. 17-March 6. $16.50-$21.50. Shimberg Playhouse – Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-229-7827.
february 18 friday
Di On Display Florida International Museum invites the public to view a traveling exhibit chronicling the life of the late, great Princess Diana. Diana, A Celebration opens with a sophisticated reception where guests can enjoy classical music by the David Dillingham Quartet while nibbling on delectable eats prepared by the Renaissance Vinoy and perusing various displays of Princess Diana's personal effects. Included are 150 items ranging from designer dresses (like her 1981 Royal Wedding Gown) to family heirlooms, personal mementos, paintings, and rare home movies and photos. The opening reception occurs tonight from 7 to 10 p.m.; admission is $100 per person. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (open until 8 p.m. Fridays), and noon-6 p.m. Sundays through May 22. $19.50 adults/$15.50 seniors, students and military/$9.50 museum members/$9 ages 7-12. Florida International Museum, 100 Second St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-822-3693, www.floridamuseum.org.
University Entertainment This weekend, USF – Tampa becomes the backdrop of two separate productions. First, an all-student cast performs The Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler's play that demystifies the taboo of the word vagina with candid, funny and sometimes painful insights by women talking about their no-longer-private parts. Proceeds from the production benefit The Spring of Tampa (7 p.m. Fri.-Sat., and 1 p.m. Sun., Feb. 18-20. $20 general admission/$10 students. Phyllis P. Marshall Center, 813-905-4222). USF's School of Theatre and Dance opens a short run of Missa Brevis and Other Dances, a concert of works by legendary, contemporary, and up-and-coming choreographers. Highlights include Missa Brevis, created by the late, well-regarded José Limn and featuring 22 dancers in a modern dance performance; and guest choreographer Lorelei Bayne's Uncertain Weather, a piece that uses athletic movement to explore life's changing and unforeseen circumstances.(8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., and 3 p.m. Sun., Feb. 18-20; 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat., Feb. 24-26. $12 adults/$6 seniors and students. Theatre I, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 813-974-2701).
february 19 saturday
Combating Cancer Although bone marrow transplantation is now a common treatment for patients with leukemia and immuno-deficiency illnesses, the genetic makeup of the donor's marrow must match the patient's own as closely as possible. Today, you can find out if you're a suitable match at Cars Against Cancer, a car show and bone marrow drive organized by Hillsborough Community College, Checksmart, TampaRacing.com and Florida Blood Services. During the event, Florida Blood Services seeks possible bone marrow matches for those patients listed on the National Registry. Typically, it costs $70 per person to be tested for possible donation; this event offers the test for free. Monetary donations will also be accepted for the Casie Snow Fund, which was set up by a Bay-area teenager with leukemia who passed away last August. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $10 fee for entrants to the car show (9-10 a.m. registration)/free to spectators and donors. Hillsborough Community College – Dale Mabry Campus, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa, 727-656-5298, www.tamparacing.com.
Homer Would Be Proud Centro Ybor is the toast of the town at the Sixth Annual Florida Brewers Guild BeerFest, a festival that celebrates the rich history of beer making, which apparently dates back to a 4,000-year-old Mesopotamian clay tablet recipe. This beer lover's fantasy features unlimited samplings that also serve as introductions to beers not generally available in the Bay area. Over 100 beers from Florida brewpubs and microbreweries are available to taste, in addition to a complete selection of international beers from Belgium, Canada and Germany. Festival gatherers can also enjoy live music by Ted Wray and a variety of How To clinics on different brewing stages. 1-6 p.m. $25 (21 and older only). Centro Ybor, 1600 East Eighth Ave., Ybor City, 727-866-7350, www.floridasbrewersguild.org .
Keep On Trockin' Picture this: a company of all-male dancers performs a complete repertoire of ballet and modern dance. Picture the dancers lightheartedly incorporating and exaggerating the conceits, quirks, accidents and underlying absurdities of serious dance. Picture the big, heavy (and sometimes hairy) bodies costumed in form-fitting lycra and lacy tutus, daintily balanced on tippy toes as swans, sylphs, water sprites, romantic princesses and angst-ridden Victorian ladies, enhancing rather than mocking the classical art form with their incredible skills, creating both a parody and a tribute. The dancers of the 30-year-old Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo are a sight to behold, and you can see them tonight at Ruth Eckerd Hall. 8 p.m. $30-$40. 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-791-7400.
february 22 tuesday
Local Relief Efforts A group of local nonprofits have banded together to present Tampa Tsunami Relief Effort: Together We Care, a two-part grassroots effort to raise money for the victims of the recent tsunami disaster. Tonight, UT's Department of Communication and the Tampa Bay Film Society host a silent auction and film screening of A Peck On The Cheek, an Indian feature that focuses on the romance between two Sri Lankan youths and the struggles of a girl searching for answers surrounding her adoption. (5:30 p.m. silent auction; 7:30 p.m. show. $10 general/$5 students and seniors. Sunrise Cinemas, 1609 Swann Ave., Old Hyde Park, 813-258-4646.) The Tampa Bay International Network and the Tampa Bay Sushi Society join forces tomorrow (Feb. 23) at noon for a fundraising luncheon at Bombay Masala Indian Restaurant. Here, guest speaker Veena Rayapareddi offers insight about her Indian homeland and the tsunami's impact on it. Please R.S.V.P. by calling 813-263-4216 or sending an e-mail to info@tbin.org (Noon. $15. 4023 W. Waters Ave., Tampa). Proceeds from both events benefit UNICEF Tsunami Relief.
This article appears in Feb 16-22, 2005.
