Thursday 10.25
Oil on Linen An exhibit of more than 20 artworks by Stacy Rosende, an emerging Tampa artist, opens with a preview lecture at 11 a.m. at Scarfone/Hartley Galleries. The lecturer, John Stomberg, is director of the Boston University Art Gallery and is well acquainted with Rosende's work. Rosende received her master's of fine arts degree from Boston University in '96. The exhibit consists of large brilliant paintings with layers of textured paint, and several monoprints that she's created with inks and mixed media, scrubbing and reworking the canvas surfaces. A reception takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, and the exhibit runs through Nov. 30. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Scarfone/Hartley Galleries is at the corner of North B Street and Brevard Avenue on the University of Tampa campus (813-253-6217).
Friday 10.26
Burn, Baby, Burn You're sure to come away from Devils Night III nursing a variety of pleasant burning sensations brought on by this party's multitude of sinful entertainment. The Masquerade's four full liquor bars offer free beer and Candy Corn shots from 7 to 8 p.m. and drink specials every hour as the night gets underway with Astroslam 2001: Women's Wet-N-Wild Astroglide Wrestling Championships. DN3 also features live music from Hell on Earth and a Halloween Costume Contest with a grand prize of a car courtesy of Stadium Lincoln Mercury. Add to that, there are all kinds of naughty games to play with The Living Bed Girls, famous for their Hot Body Blows: A Human Petting Zoo, Dungeon of Pain and Sell Your Soul Booth. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the first 100 receive a DN3 Survival Kit. Admission costs $10, $8 for those wearing a Halloween costume. The Masquerade is at 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-247-3319).
The Year's Nauti-est Party The Florida Aquarium's annual Nauti-Night Masquerade, Tampa's premier Halloween party, features lavish food displays by caterers and restaurants from all over the Bay area, including Orange Blossom Catering, Chantilly Cakes and Amici's. The night's entertainment features three DJs, two dance floors, local rock band The Baracudas and special guest Lady Bunny, the outlandish founder of Wigstock and noted personality of New York's cabaret scene. This adults-only event is completed by open liquor and cigar bars, and is guaranteed to sell out. Tickets cost $50 for Aquarium members, $60 for non-members, and proceeds benefit Aquarium veterinarian programs, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Call the Nauti-Line at 813-273-4568.
Saturday 10.27
Life's a Drag Superdrag is a four-piece rock band from Knoxville, Tenn. A band whose sound is a wall of fuzz guitar, a pummeling 4/4 beat and a pop sensibility akin to The Beatles, with influences like Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr. and Guided By Voices. Their first two albums, Regretfully Yours and Head Trip in Every Key, failed to turn Superdrag into superstars, despite favorable reviews and a video (Sucked Out) gaining momentary exposure on MTV's Buzz Bin. The band is touring in support of its recently completed third full-length album, In the Valley of Dying Stars, along with The Anniversary (harmonic pop-punk hotties) and Mars Volta (a new band from ex-members of At the Drive-In). They play the State Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $8. The State Theatre is at 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-895-3045).
Monster Mosh The 98 Rock stage at Guavaween 2001 promises headbangers a hellacious paradise. The lineup is packed with brooding, brutish bands known for dark attire and modern-gothic lyrics: Disturbed, Adema, Systematic, Drowning Pool and Stereomud. Truly, there's something satisfying about raging with a bellyful of booze amid a tangle of costumed bodies to the throb of deafeningly loud rock. Show times to be announced. The stage is located on the southwest corner of Seventh Avenue and 15th Street, Ybor City. (See Guavaween 2001 for ticket info.)
Sunday 10.28
Hyde and Shriek Considered by many to be the first great American horror film, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1920) combines historic charm, grim naturalism and a virtuoso performance by stage legend John Barrymore. The film is also one of the more faithful adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, penned during one of his frequent bouts of ill health. The story recounts a visionary scientist's fateful attempts to unleash the human mysteries of the civilized self. Organist Rosa Rio brings this otherwise silent flick to life with the Tampa Theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer organ at 3 p.m. Admission costs $8, $6 for students, seniors and military. The Tampa Theatre is at 711 Franklin St., downtown Tampa (813-274-8286).
Poe Boy Actor David Keltz invokes the spirit of Edgar Allan Poe, performing selections of classic Poe in twin programs hosted by the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Keltz, donning a 19th century costume of period vest, cravat and dark dress coat, looks every bit the part. The show includes the tales The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale Heart and The Cask of Amontillado, as well as the poems Annabel Lee, Bells and The Raven. The first performance is part of A Poe Halloween Party, taking place at 3 p.m.; admission costs $20 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and younger. The second performance is part of an Edgar Allan Poe Wine Dinner Show, taking place at 7:30 p.m.; admission costs $85 and includes a four-course wine dinner. The Renaissance Vinoy Resort is at 501 Fifth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-894-1000).
Monday 10.29
Ridged Riffs Saxophonist Jack Wilkins and friends premiere music from his new CD, Ridge Lines, as part of the University of South Florida's Monday Night Jazz Series. The performance features musicians from the recording, such as guitarist Barry Greene and pianist Clay Perry, and features two great American standards, Singin' in the Rain and This Love of Mine. Wilkins is in frequent demand across the country for master classes and performances as a Selmer Instrument Company clinician. As the director of Jazz Studies at USF, Wilkins coordinates the programs of the jazz chamber ensembles and teaches jazz improvisation and jazz history. He's also played and recorded with artists ranging from (fellow USF prof) Chuck Owen, John Mellencamp and Tiny Tim. Admission costs $10, $5 for students and seniors. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall (FAH 101) at USF, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa (813-974-4398).
Tuesday 10.30
All in the Family Fueled by Ramen Records launches a Florida showcase tour — The Family that Plays Together Stays Together — at 8 p.m. at the Orpheum. The show variously features the indie label's best in ska-punk, pop-punk, emo and straight rock: The Impossibles, The Stereo, Recover, Mid Carson July and The Aeffect. Indeed these bands are family, but they haven't always stuck together. Singer/guitarist Rory Phillips momentarily left his band, The Impossibles, to co-found The Stereo with Jamie Woolford, before reuniting with them and leaving Woolford a band of one. The Aeffect, relative newcomers to FBR, have emerged over the past year from Gainesville's sodden indie scene. Doors open at 8 p.m., and tickets cost $8. The Orpheum is at 1902 Republica de Cuba, Ybor City (813-248-9500).
Wednesday 10.31
That 'Dinner and a Movie' Guy Comedian Paul Gilmartin, a graduate of the Second City Training Center in Chicago, has been nominated for a CableAce award for his work as co-host of Dinner and a Movie, which is in its fifth season on TBS. He's performed stand-up in clubs around the country and appeared on such shows as Politically Incorrect, HBO's Comedy Showcase and MTV's Half-Hour Comedy Hour. He's also written for the Emmy awards, as well as Dennis Miller. He performs at the Improv through Nov. 4, but to get a preview, check out the audio clips on his Web site. Tickets cost $10-$16 depending on the night. All prices are advance purchase and cost $2 more at the door. The Improv is at Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City (813-864-4000). www.paulgilmartin.com.
This article appears in Oct 25-31, 2001.