Thursday 11.15
The P.T. Barnum of Retail The locally produced, Broadway-style comedy Webb's City is the story of J.E. "Doc" Webb (1899-1983), one of the most colorful businessmen in the history of Pinellas County. The musical, which opened last June, centers on Webb's cultivation of his popular, kitschy St. Pete shopping center, which at its height drew 60,000 people a day, folks who came to gawk at Webb's mermaids, dancing chickens and kissing rabbits, as well as take advantage of the lowest prices in town. The LiveArts Peninsula Foundation has brought the show back for a second run, through Nov. 24, at Mahaffey Theater. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15-17, 23 and 24, with afternoon shows at 2 p.m. Nov. 17 and 24. Tickets cost $15-$25. Mahaffey Theater is at 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg (727-892-5767).
On the Bayfront With more than 600 boats, the 24th Annual St. Petersburg Boat Show is the largest in-water boat show on Florida's Gulf Coast. Check out brand new 2002 models of motoryachts, sportfishing boats, cruisers, racers, inflatables and jet boats, and see the latest in high-tech electronics, hardware, fishing tackle, maps, diving equipment and nautical clothing. Special events include Kids' Fishing Clinics, Ladies Lets Go Fishing Seminars and a Swimwear Fashion Show. The boat show takes place from noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 18. Admission costs $7, $2 for kids (6-12). Attendees are invited to come by boat. Free docks are located on the east side of the Bayfront Center, adjacent to the fountains. The Bayfront Center Yacht Basin is at 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg. Call 800-940-7642.
Friday 11.16
Or Die Trying What began as the last great polar journey of exploration's heroic age is one of the greatest survival stories of all time: In 1914, polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, leader of the British Imperial Trans-Atlantic Expedition, set out to be the first to cross Antarctica; his ship, the Endurance, was trapped and crushed in the ice pack of the Weddell Sea, and a 17-month struggle for survival ensued. Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure, an IMAX film, re-creates the extraordinary true story, retracing the historic steps of Shackleton and his crew across the Antarctic, glacier-clad South Georgia Island. The film opens at the IMAX Dome Theatre at the Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. Movie admission costs $7.95, $6.95 for seniors and $5.95 for kids. Call 813-987-6300 or 813-987-6100.
To the Moon! Author Douglas Coupland (Generation X, Microserfs, Miss Wyoming) reads and signs his seventh book, All Families Are Psychotic (Bloomsbury/$24.95). The novel, set in Florida, is the saga of the estranged Drummond family's graceless attempts to gather and get along for the middle child's impending Space Shuttle launch. Coupland's reading begins at 7 p.m. at Inkwood Books, 216 Armenia Ave. S., Tampa (813-253-2638).
Saturday 11.17
It's Fun to Stay At the YMCA, the mission is to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities, and the approach is through health-conscious programs such as Personal Training, Men's 3-on-3 Basketball, Adult Co-ed Volleyball and the Fitness Challenge. These and other programs strengthen the participants and also reinforce the Y's core values of respect and responsibility. The Central City Family YMCA Health Fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features more than 15 community agencies: Healthy Families, the Florida Blood Services' Bloodmobile, Seniors in Service, Tampa AIDS Network, Overeaters Anonymous and the American Lung Association, to name a few. This family event is free and includes free door prizes and fitness classes. Central City Family YMCA is at 110 E. Palm Ave., Tampa (813-229-9622).
The Last Don Dada Jamaican DJ/toaster (emcee) Super Cat is a major figure in the positive-consciousness dancehall movement, as his fusion of reggae and hip-hop reaches out to a broad audience. He's even reached the pop mainstream with his featured guest vocals on Sugar Ray's '97 hit Fly. Born William Maragh in Kingston's Cockburn Pen ghetto, Super Cat's own albums include his '92 major-label debut, Don Dada, and its '95 follow-up, The Struggle Continues. New releases, such as Champion Filly and Bass and Treble, are available through his independent label, Wild Apache, on 7-inch and online at MP3.com. Super Cat, backed by The Players of Instruments, performs at Club 901, along with featured openers NYJA Inc., Adonai, 5th Element and Mighty Punisha. Doors open at 9 p.m., with free food from the Jerk Hut Restaraunt. Club 901 is at 901 Franklin Ave., downtown Tampa (813-632-9551).
Sunday 11.18
Drum Tornado Jazz drumming has never been the same since Elvin Jones manned the kit behind John Coltrane in the '60s. He elevated polyrhythms to new, dizzying heights on Trane's often frenetic music. In light of Elvin's influence, it no longer would suffice for adventurous players to rely on the ching-chinka-ching swing basics. The drummer, now 74, leads the Jazz Machine, a crackshot group of players: trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, saxophonist Pat LaBarbara, pianist Eric Lewis and bassist David Pulphus. This is a genuinely special jazz event, the likes of which not often comes to Tampa Bay. Elvin Jones' Jazz Machine perform at 8 p.m. at Tampa Theatre. Tickets cost $25, $37.50 and $50. Tampa Theatre is at 711 Franklin St., downtown Tampa (813-274-8286). —Eric Snider
Garbage Chic At some point in your life you've probably accused someone of looking trashy, but would you ever compliment someone for wearing trash? That's the toss up at the heart of the Trash Fashion Show, a recyclable couture extravaganza to benefit Equality Florida. Trophies are awarded for the most bizarre, most creative and best overall. The materials allowed include anything ready for the trash and all recyclable materials. (Examples: bottle caps, palm fronds, potato chip bags.) Permitted bonding materials include elastic, tape, twist ties and wire. Admission to witness the contestants catwalk their outfits costs $5 at the door. The event takes place at 8 p.m. at the 1470 West nightclub, at 325 Main St., Dunedin (727-736-6246).
Monday 11.19
Pre-O. Jackie An exhibit of photographs titled Jackie Kennedy: The First Lady opens at the Northern Trust Bank of Belleair Bluffs. The exhibit comprises images taken by Jacques Lowe, who earned national attention for documenting the Kennedy senatorial and presidential years. Lowe has exhibited the collection since shortly after Mrs. Kennedy's untimely death from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to help raise awareness of the disease. The exhibit, which is part of a national tour joined in part by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, runs through Nov. 30. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. North Trust Bank of Belleair Bluffs is at 525 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs (727-501-1800).
Tuesday 11.20
Voyeur D'ohrm Watching the Tampa Bay Lightning is much like watching the Bucs — more than enough talent, moments of greatness, lots of unsettling losses and seasons in doubt from the outset. But we love them even when they lose. We stand by and enjoy the smattering of wins and hope for things to come together as the sportscasters have predicted. On that note, the Lightning have a fine chance of making up some ground when they face the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice Palace. Tickets cost $8-$150. The Ice Palace is at 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa (813-301-6600).
Wednesday 11.21
Rhapsody in Boom The Bass Queen, Baby Anne, is back in Tampa at Club Fun to celebrate the release of her new mix compilation, Dark Side of the Boom. Her breakbeat sets, infused with heavy Miami bass, have made her Florida's most popular female DJ, and with her new CD she's ready to gain national attention. The album includes tracks by DJ Icey, who first encouraged her to start spinning in '92, as well as other Central Florida artists like Chris Gallagher and Brad Smith. DJ Mojo, Daveaux and Keith MacKenzie open on the turntables. Admission costs $10 at the door. Club Fun is at 1507 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-247-4225).
This article appears in Nov 15-21, 2001.