Planet Picks

Thursday 12.6

Bring on the Spiced Cider A Yule log in the fire, a plate of prime roast, decked halls and wassailing companions dressed in Victorian garb — it can only mean one thing, a madrigal dinner. A Victorian Yule Feast, the 14th annual madrigal dinner, takes place through Dec. 8 in the Marly Room of the Museum of Fine Arts. Menu preliminaries begin at 6:15 p.m. (cash bar, wassail bowl, cheese and fruit) with the main course served at 7 p.m. Main entrees include a choice of roast prime rib of beef au jus, boneless breast of chicken Veronique or a vegetarian pasta primavera. A candlelight procession of the Eckerd College Concert Choir & Eckerd Ringers commences the entertainment, a performance of Brother Heinrich's Christmas, a fable with music. Tickets cost $44.50-$49.50. All seating is reserved with eight to a table. The Museum of Fine Arts is at 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. For more information and ticket reservations, call 727-864-8297.

Friday 12.7

The Red Sun in Black and White Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts opens a new exhibit, War and Peace: World War II, featuring collected photographs that include images loaned by Nicholas Orzio, General Douglas MacArthur's personal photographer. Orzio, who traveled occupied Japan during 1948 and 1949, has documented the war crimes' trials, the people, the earthquakes and volcano activity. His images detail the physical struggle of the Japanese people and provide a glimpse into the moods and emotions of the men, women and children recovering from a devastating war. The gallery is also displaying World War II images by other photographers. A reception takes place from 6 to 9 p.m., and the exhibit runs through Jan. 27. Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts is in Old Hyde Park Village, at 746 S. Village Circle, Tampa (813-251-1800).

High Art/Society The annual Winter Salon at Hyde Park Fine Arts is a multimedia, salon-style exhibit featuring the work of over 20 artists, more than half of whom are new to the gallery. These new artists include folk painter Kathleen Deasey, ceramist Linda Chumley and painters Bruce Minney and Marlene London. Returning gallery favorites include Lynn Whipple, Margaret Steward, Jack Barrett, Bask and more. A reception takes place from 7 to 10 p.m., and the exhibit runs through Jan. 5. Hyde Park Fine Arts is at 937 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-258-8883).

Saturday 12.8

As the World Televises Through high-definition television, personal anecdotes and live narration, TV journalist Bill Kurtis presents HD Planet, a 90-minute commentary on life in the contemporary world. Kurtis anchors A&E's Investigative Reports, the longest running regularly scheduled series devoting a full hour to a single, contemporary news topic. Recently he's been interviewed about bioterrorism on Larry King Live (Nov. 21) and Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor (Oct. 26). HD Planet starts at 8 p.m. at the Mahaffey Theater for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost $18, $24 and $34. The Mahaffey Theater is at 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg (727-892-5767).

Jingle Bell Rock Don't step on Santa's blue suede boots. A Rockin' Christmas is a fun-filled, energetic rock 'n' roll cabaret featuring favorite songs from the '50s and '60s, as well as today's new Christmas classics. A Rockin' Christmas plays at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Jaeb Theater through Dec. 23, with show times at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $20.50 and $24.50. TBPAC is at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, downtown Tampa (813-229-7827).

Sunday 12.9

When Life Gives You Cranberries The attention and acclaim the Cranberries' garnered from the success of their debut single, Zombie, has been proven well-deserved by their subsequent releases. Their albums to date are Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?; No Need To Argue; To The Faithful Departed and Bury the Hatchet. These natives of Limerick, Ireland, continue to make some of the most delicate yet punchy rock songs out there. The Cranberries play the Mahaffey Theater at 7 p.m., presented by Star-95.7. Tickets cost only $9.57-$19.57. The Mahaffey Theater is at 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg (727-892-5767).

Monday 12.10

Piano Man With the simultaneous release of 30 and Songs I Heard, Harry Connick Jr. has again demonstrated the craftsmanship and work ethic of a musician at the top of his game. These projects add to a rich and multifaceted body of work that includes Connick's fall debut composing, arranging and conducting the Broadway production, Thou Shalt Not. Harry Connick Jr. and His Big Band play at 7:30 p.m. on their Songs I Heard Tour at the TBPAC's Carol Morsani Hall. Tickets cost $29.50, $45 and $65. TBPAC is at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, downtown Tampa (813-229-7827).

Tuesday 12.11

Orchid Fever Orchidelirium is the name the Victorians gave to the flower madness that is for botanical collectors the equivalent of gold fever. Wealthy orchid fanatics of that era sent explorers (heavily armed, more to protect themselves against other orchid seekers than against hostile natives or wild animals) to unmapped territories in search of new orchid varieties. As the family Orchidaceae grew to currently encompass the more than 60,000 species, orchidelirium may have passed. But as journalist Susan Orlean finds out, a vein of orchid madness still exists, strong enough to inspire larceny among collectors. Join a book discussion of Orlean's The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession at 3:30 p.m. at the North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Boulevard, Tampa (813-975-2111).

Wednesday 12.12

Family Discussion Known as one of America's foremost pediatricians, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., has written 28 books on child and family development throughout his 40-year career, including The Self-Calmed Baby, Listening to a Child and The Children's Hospital Guide to Your Child's Health and Development. Brazelton gives an informative presentation, titled Stresses and Supports for Today's Families, on the stresses parents face today and the pressures imposed on them to perform. The presentation takes place at 7 p.m. at the Mahaffey Theater. Tickets cost $25. The Mahaffey Theater is at 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg (727-892-5767).

This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2001.