THURSDAY 1.13
Schimmel me Timbers! Robert Schimmel — former In Living Color writer, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor and the man voted "Best Male Stand-Up Comic" at 1999's American Comedy Awards — performs live at the Tampa Improv all this weekend. Born in the Bronx, Schimmel got his big break in 1986 when Rodney Dangerfield invited him to perform on an HBO Young Comedians Special, which also debuted the likes of Andrew "Dice" Clay, Bill Hicks and Dom Irrera. Schimmel's cutting, outspoken style makes the basic truth a punch line, and many of his anecdotes relate to real life experiences, from his relationship troubles (he married one of his daughter's girlfriends), to his unique perspective on modern sexual attitudes, to his battle (and victory) against cancer. This personal element has gained him a respectable following and you can find out why starting this evening. 8 p.m. Thu., 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun., Jan. 13-16. $16-$20. Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City, 813-864-4000.
FRIDAY 1.14
East End Creativity According to everything I've read, London's East End once stank of breweries, leather tanneries and glue factories, and its residents were an assortment of criminals, prostitutes and folks too poor to live anywhere else. The East End now ranks as a heavy hitter in the London arts scene allegedly due to its hotbed of creative talent. You can see some of these artists' works in London NOW: Are You in Love Yet?, The Arts Center's new exhibit of visual art, photography and video installations by artists who were featured in the 2004 edition of East End Academy, a high-profile show at the Whitechapel Gallery. The mod-themed reception party (7-9 p.m., $30) features a DJ spinning 1960s Britpop tunes, drinks and appetizers by Carrabba's, gift drawings and an after-party at St. Pete's latest hipster hangout, The Bank (9-11 p.m., 1919 Central Ave., St. Petersburg). Raku firing, glazing and wheel throwing demonstrations by artisan Don Williams occur throughout the evening, and his pottery is available for purchase hot out of the kiln. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and noon to 5 p.m. Sun., Jan. 14-March 27. The Arts Center, 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, 727-822-7872.
Katz Magnified Alex Katz made a great impact on American painting beginning in the 1950s, and today he's arguably one of the country's most influential contemporary artists. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight, Katz, curator Michael Klein and publisher Peter Blum discuss the range of techniques Katz uses when developing his prints and paintings (USF College of Visual & Performing Arts, Music Recital Hall — FAH 110). The opening reception for Katz's self-titled exhibit follows (7-9 p.m., USF Contemporary Art Museum). Alex Katz encompasses cartoons and drawings, as well as a collection of paintings, prints and artist's books from throughout his lengthy career. The exhibit reveals Katz's studio practice by showing his processes — from preliminary sketches to final works — and features a selection of cartoons he created for his large-scale paintings. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., Jan. 14-Feb. 26. Admission is free, however, a $3 USF parking permit is required. USF-CAM, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-974-4133
.SATURDAY 1.15
All Star Music The North Mississippi Allstars are in town again, playing a bigger stage this time around (Jannus Landing) and co-headlining with New Orleans superstars Galactic. Brothers Luther (guitar, vocals) and Cody (drums, samples) Dickinson and bassist Chris Chew produce a sound that combines traditional organic music from northern Mississippi with elements of blues, jazz, country, Southern rock and soul. Like Galactic, NMA has recently shed a member; Duwayne Burnside (vocals, guitar) is working on opening a blues club in Mississippi. With this change, the music, according to Cody, "just started to open up a bit." About touring without Duwayne, he says, "As a three-piece, Luther has more room to play as much, or as little, as he wants. He has more freedom to experiment." Make sure not to miss Cody's performance on his infamous electric washboard, created by a fan and enhanced with wah wah pedals and other nifty sound-making and sound-modifying gadgets. For more information on Galactic, see the Music section. 7 p.m. $25. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-896-1244.
A Doggone Show The 2005 American Kennel Club (AKC)/Eukanuba National Championship is an event featuring 1,500 dogs from around the world that compete in breed, group and bred-by-exhibitor categories, all with owners hoping to see their delightful doggies win "Best in Show." (The $225,000 in cash and prizes probably doesn't hurt either.) There are also the AKC National Obedience Invitational and AKC National Agility Championship, both of which allow crafty canines to be judged on performance rather than physical attributes. Competitions occur throughout the day beginning at 8 a.m.; the final rounds begin at 7:30 p.m. Sat and. Sun., Jan. 15-16. Two-day passes: $28.50 adults/$23.50 seniors/$13.50 kids 2 to 18. Single-day passes: $19.75 adults/$16.75 seniors/$6.75 kids. The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship occurs at the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 813-223-1000; the National Agility Championship and the National Obedience Invitational occur at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-851. For more details on all shows, visit www.akc.org/events.
SUNDAY 1.16
River Impressions After you've noshed and mingled with the mod crowd at the Arts Center's London NOW opening, get a different view of that city at the Museum of Fine Arts' Monet's London: Artists' Reflections on the Thames, 1859-1914. The museum celebrates its 40th anniversary with this exhibit, inspired by one of the museum's most important masterpieces, "Houses of Parliament, Effect of Fog." The piece is reunited with others from one of Monet's most successful shows at the Durand-Ruel Gallery in Paris. Accompanying works from his "view of the Thames" series are also highlighted, in addition to paintings by American expatriate James McNeill Whistler and canvases by French fauvist artist André Derain. An assortment of other artists are also on display, including Jules Bastien-Lepage, Seymour Hayden, Childe Hassam and Frank Boggs. In all, more than 100 works are featured, including paintings, prints, watercolors, drawings and photographs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun. through April 24. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $4 for students and ages 7-18. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg, 727-896-2667.
MONDAY 1.17
Strike a Pose Yoga is a practice aimed at integrating the mind, body and spirit in the hopes of achieving a state of enlightenment or oneness with the universe. If you're like me and want to learn more about this ancient exercise before actually doing it, Tampa Theatre offers a single screening of Yoga Unveiled, which explains the history, philosophy and health benefits of yoga in what I've been told is a very well-edited and beautifully shot documentary. Special guest speaker, writer/producer Gita Desai, introduces the film and she, along with some local yoga studios, provides information and is available to answer questions in the lobby during intermission. For more information, visit www.yogalotusroom.com or call 813-254-6777. 7 p.m. $8 adults/$6 seniors, students and military. Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-8981.
This article appears in Jan 12-18, 2005.