february 3 thursday
A Musical with Togas In writing A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart borrowed generously from the comedies of Roman playwright Titus Plautus (254 BC-184 B.C.), creating an inspired blend of stock characters while leaving room for ample gags and broad comedic schtick of the classic vaudeville variety. The story follows crafty slave Pseudolus, who is assured his freedom if he can win the hand of a lovely courtesan for his master. Complete with the lyrical gymnastics of musical genius Stephen Sondheim, Forum is possibly one of the most irreverent and hilarious comedies ever written. It's so good, in fact, that there are two productions running concurrently – one in Tampa (Salerno Theatre Company) and one in St. Pete (St. Petersburg Little Theatre). Catch either or both this weekend only. 8 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 3-6. $21 general admission/$17 seniors and children. HCC – Ybor Theater, located on the corner of 15th and Palm avenues, Ybor City, 813-631-9430, www.SalernoTheatre.com; and 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun. Feb. 4-6. $18 general/$8 students. 4025 31st St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-866-1973, www.splt.info.
february 4 friday
Acoustically Speaking Acoustic Syndicate is a lively Americana band whose music is, as the name implies, purely acoustic. Willingly lumped into the jam-band genre, the North Carolina natives have recently added St. Pete to their tour schedule, giving the area's much-deprived bluegrass enthusiasts yet another reason to go out and see live music. (Is it a coincidence that Alison Krauss and Yonder Mountain String Band are also in town this week?) However, Acoustic Syndicate can't be considered a strictly bluegrass outfit, seeing as they pull from an array of influences that include folk, jazz, rock, blues and even reggae. Plus, their vocal harmonies are just plain fantastic and they put on a rockin' show – passing it up would be a huge, avoidable mistake. 8 p.m. $15. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-895-3045.
Ride 'Em, Cowboy! In junior high school, I started crushing on a boy who rode bulls and sported cowboy boots. Because I fancied myself an "alt" chick, I wasn't pleased by this attraction as I was more inclined (and better equipped) to chase the indifferent, flannel-wearing boys with questionable bathing habits. Unfortunately, I couldn't control my desire, so instead, I wrote poems about him and secretly learned about his dangerous hobby so that I had a reason to talk to him. The rules of bull riding are simple: jump onto the back of a gigantic, volatile beast and, one-handed, stay aboard for eight seconds, just like in the Luke Perry movie that we all pretend we haven't seen. Now, I've never really been able to apply my knowledge of the sport to the real world, but it does help when I'm writing about the Professional Bull Riders, a group of the world's best bull-conquering athletes who make a stop in Tampa this evening. 8 p.m. $16.75-$101.75. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 813-223-1000, www.stpetetimesforum.com.
february 5 saturday
Art by the Pound Amidst random mini-stockings of generic candies and pamphlets for festivals in Bumfuck, Egypt, there are press kits that actually catch my attention. These shining examples of advertisement combine information with props, and are usually put together by whoever is most financially affected by the turnout. The package I received for Pound and a Bear Hug, Covivant Gallery's latest exhibit, appeared to be sent by the artists themselves and was crammed full of goodies: stickers with witty logos, glossy reception invites, a T-shirt made of heavy, quality cotton. However, it was the images that caught my attention most, colorful examples of graffiti-inspired works by Ales "Bask" Hostomsky and Leon "Tes One" Bedore that go on display this weekend. You can meet the artists at the opening reception tonight (7-11 p.m., $5 general/$3 students), and enjoy spins by DJs Research and T. the Beat Specialist, as well as a special live performance by Philly-based hip-hop group, Word Association. Regular hours are noon to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun.; the works are on display through Feb. 27. 4906 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-234-0222, www.covivant.com.
Theater La Mode Jobsite Theater is made up of acting professionals dedicated to fostering the growth of area talent while developing a creative "home" in Tampa for artists of all disciplines. As part of that commitment, Jobsite initiated Job-side Projects, which highlight experimental works by local talents in a casually staged performance much different from the fully mounted productions we normally see from the group. This year's first side project is Daniel MacIvor's See Bob Run, a solo piece featuring Caitlin McDonald as a young woman hitchhiking her way eastward to an unknown destination for reasons that are made clear via one-sided conversations with the drivers and confessional moments wherein she speaks directly to the audience. Kari Keller directs. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Feb. 4-5. $3 suggested donation. Shimberg Playhouse – TBPAC, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-222-1055.
february 6 sunday
Mask ExpressionsA mask is, by definition, a covering worn on the face to conceal a person's identity. For the folks of Faustwork Mask Theatre, however, the reverse is true. You can discover why at today's performance of The Mask Messenger at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. This charming combination of monologue, physical comedy and theater delves into the many varied uses of masks throughout history. Included are oversized silent masks, half-masked characters that speak, and crawling creatures with masks atop the head. These members of a gang of nearly 20 personalities appear in vignettes that range from comic to poignant to bizarre, expanding the idea of the mask to encompass body language, makeup, clothing, and the many faces we wear daily. Described as "inventive, magical, never less than completely absorbing" by The Toronto Star, this is a show that you don't want to miss. 2 p.m. $6.50-$10.50. Ferguson Hall — TBPAC, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-229-7827.
february 8 tuesday
Career Pep Talk Verve is a self-directed group of locals committed to making the Bay area a better place for young professionals to live, work and play. With this agenda in mind, the organization plans events that give community members the chance to network with other like-minded individuals while learning techniques to improve everyday living. Tonight, you can have "Your Toughest Questions Answered" at Verve's latest meeting/speaking event in St. Petersburg. Executive coach and "change agent" Lore Raymond is the guest of honor, and she shares how she traded in her silk suits and office mentality for a life of "integrity, inspiration, and island culture," transforming a two-week vacation to Honduras into a five-year stay and total career make-over. Along with her life story, Lore offers advice on a variety of career-related subjects, from breaking into a new field of work to making your boss recognize your true value as an employee. For more information or to register, send an email to info@vervetampabay.com. 6 p.m. The Studio @ 620, 620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-895-6620.
This article appears in Feb 2-8, 2005.