THURSDAY 11.4
What Now? The election is finally over and if you're curious about its consequences, head to Eckerd College and check out one (or both) of the post-election talks. The first takes place at 7:30 p.m. tonight and features a media panel that consists of St. Petersburg Times columnist Lucy Morgan, WFLA-970 host Jack Harris, Tampa Tribune reporter William March and Mabili Ajani, host of WMNF-88.5 show Critical Times. The topic is "Election 2004 Outcome: What It Means to Floridians," and the focus is on issues that affect us on a statewide basis, including Social Security and Medicare; the effect of "new" campaign styles; any effects of the outcome on the 2006 governor's race; the effectiveness of early voting and more. At 7:30 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 8, Anderson Cooper, anchor of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360#176, visits the college to explore "Election 2004 Outcome: What It Means to Americans." Cooper's focus is on issues that affect Floridians on a national level. Both events are free and open to the public. Fox Hall — Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-864-7979.
FRIDAY 11.5
Great but not Grateful Dark Star Orchestra is a different sort of Grateful Dead tribute band. The Chicago-based group pays homage to the fathers of improvisational rock by actually performing one show, song for song, from a selection of 2,500 that were performed by the Dead during their 30-year tenure. By exploring every manifestation of the legendary band, DSO allows fans to "see" shows that happened long before they were born, going so far as to adapt the Dead's phrasing and vocal arrangements, and even playing on specific musical equipment used in the various eras. The Dallas Morning News affirmed that DSO was "the next best thing to being there," and the Washington Post called them "the hottest Grateful Dead tribute act going." You can judge for yourself tonight when the band presents two sets under the stars at Jannus Landing. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. 16 Second St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-896-1244.
Words, Words, Words Def Poetry Jam presents a diverse "cast" of poets in a spoken word performance that's like a poetry reading minus the boredom and pretension. Beginning as an HBO series, Def Poetry Jam was adapted to the Broadway stage in 2002 and was followed by a successful and highly acclaimed tour. The 51-city "encore" tour stops in Sarasota and then Tampa, featuring eight racially diverse poets in performances that range from angry rants to thoughtful, funny narratives. Def Poetry Jam won a Tony Award in 2003 for Best Special Theatrical Event, and was conceived and produced by Stan Lathan and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. Shows begin at 8 p.m. tonight at Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-953-3366; 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 6, at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-229-7827. Tickets cost $29-$39 at Van Wezel; $19.50-$32.50 at TBPAC.
SATURDAY 11.6
Art with an Accent Finding Freedom: Forty Years of Soviet and Russian Art opens this evening at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. ($10). The show features a diverse selection of 25 artists' works from the Kolodzei Collection of Russian and Eastern European Art, chronicling four decades of Russian and Soviet non-conformist art from the post-Stalinist era to the present, and providing the public with a better understanding of the Soviet Union through its artists. Visitors can also attend a 2 p.m. lecture on Nov. 7 by Russian artist Vitaly Komar, who speaks about his collaborative work with Alex Melamid, his life as an artist in Russia and why he immigrated to the United States ($10). Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. and 1-5 p.m. on Sun. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors; children and students enter free. Note: Sunday admission is free to everyone. The exhibit runs through Jan. 2. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, St. Petersburg College — Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 Klosterman Road, Palm Harbor, 727-712-5762.
SUNDAY 11.7
Ritualized Expression Bellydance Superstars & The Desert Roses bring their mesmerizing live show to the Royalty Theater tonight, presenting a modern twist on the ancient art of belly dancing. The troupe is comprised of some of the country's most renowned and talented belly dancers, and these lovely ladies combine all the elements of the traditional dance with a cross section of tribal, Egyptian and cabaret styles. Bellydance Superstars & The Desert Roses is the brainchild of music mogul and former Sting manager Miles Copeland, and is the only professional touring company of its kind. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Royalty Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-441-8868. For those interested in a more hands-on experience, a belly dance workshop with Rachel Brice is offered before the show, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Rungo Academy of Clearwater. The fee is $50 in advance and $60 at the door (1969 Sunset Point Road, 727-459-8558). Advance tickets to the workshop and show can be purchased at www.bellydancesuperstars.com.
MONDAY 11.8
Poe House Enjoy a haunting afternoon at Sarasota's historic Powel Crosley Museum, which brings life to Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination. A cast of historical and literary characters are featured in each room and over the course of a two-hour interactive performance (hosted by the "Master of the Macabre" himself), guests can view three of four theatrical presentations that are offered: Tell Tale Heart, Black Cat, The Cask of Amontillado and The Raven. Light refreshments are available between shows, and opening and closing gatherings take place in the courtyard facing Sarasota Bay, with readings of some of Poe's most famous poems. Performances are at 2 p.m. Mon. and Wed., and 7:30 p.m. Tue., Nov. 8-17, with a special 7:30 p.m. performance on Thu., Nov. 18. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and ages 2-12. Powel Crosley Museum, One Seagate Drive (1/2 mile north of University Parkway and U.S. 41), Sarasota, 941-722-3244.
TUESDAY 11.9
A Little Song and Dance In 1973, Bob Fosse received an Academy Award for Cabaret, a Tony Award for Pippin and an Emmy Award for the television special Liza with a 'Z', making him the only director in history to win three major industry prizes in a single year. This evening, you can see highlights of his achievements in a single performance of Fosse at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Winner of the 1999 Tony Award for Best Musical, Fosse is almost two hours' worth of re-created numbers by longtime Fosse stars Anne Reinking (his ex-lover) and Gwen Verdon (his ex-wife). A talented cast presents Fosse's revolutionary choreographic techniques — locked ankles, hip thrusts, shoulder rolls and leaning postures — in this performance of Broadway hits from Cabaret, Chicago, Sweet Charity, Dancin', All That Jazz and many others. The touring production is directed by Debra McWaters. 8 p.m. Tickets: $40-$60. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-791-7400.
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2004.