DISPLACED BUT NOT DISREGARDED This weekend, the Florida Holocaust Museum debuts two traveling exhibitions with corresponding themes. Displaced Persons Camps: Rebuilding Culture and Community in the Aftermath of World War II is a panel exhibit that delves into the lives of writers, directors and musicians who helped establish religious, educational, social and cultural institutions within the DP camps. Several original DP camp artifacts, like a man's wedding shirt made from a parachute and a Jewish wedding certificate, are also featured. In Displaced: Europe 1945-46, Maxine Rude (formerly a photographer for the U.S. Army and United Nations organization UNRRA) displays a series of black and white images exemplifying the daily lives of DPs in camps during the post-Holocaust period. An opening reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres begins at 7 p.m. ($8 general; members enter for free). Regular hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., and noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.; Displaced Persons is on display through Nov. 27, Displaced: Europe through Jan. 8. $8 adults/$7 seniors and students with I.D./$4 ages 18 and younger. 55 Fifth St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-820-0100, www.flholocaustmuseum.org.
SUCK THIS Narrated through diaries, journal entries, letters and the occasional news clipping, Bram Stoker's Dracula is a classic vampire novel that features one of the most terrifying characters in the history of literature. Count Dracula needs little introduction, as we are all aware of his various unsavory habits, specifically the one that involves sucking the blood out of human victims to satisfy a particularly voracious appetite. Other memorable characters include Jonathan Harker, the naïve young businessman whose lovely fiancée, Mina, attracts the count's attention; Mina's friend, the vivacious, suitor-rich Lucy Westenra; and everybody's favorite stake-wielding vampire expert, Abraham Van Helsing. A stage version of Dracula opened on Broadway in 1977; tonight, Eight O' Clock Theatre opens its 2005-06 season with its own adaptation of the Stoker masterpiece. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Sept. 16-25. $17 general/$11 students 19 and younger. Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo, 727-587-6793, www.largoarts.com.
CAREY ON I think Drew Carey set his sights just a little too high when he attempted to convince us all that Cleveland, in fact, "rocks." But while his mainstay show never did much that was truly creative, you have to be impressed by the skills he and his fellow cast members flashed on Whose Line Is it Anyway? The improvisational show's format was imported wholesale from Britain, but Carey et al quickly made it their own. Tonight at the Van Wezel, Carey brings along the gang — which includes Greg Proops, Chip Esten, Jeff Davis, Sean Masterson and Jonathan Mangum — for two performances of improv. The television program has been terrifically successful and I assume the players will not disappoint live. But I've got to ask: Where's Wayne Brady, bitch? Shows are at 6 and 9 p.m. 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 953-3368, 800-826-9303 or www.vanwezel.org. Tickets are $45 and $55. Cooper Baker
FOLLOW THE RED BRICK ROAD A few weeks back, a pair of 66-year-old, size 5 1/2 slippers were stolen from the Children's Discovery Museum in Grand Rapids, Minn. The ruby-colored stars of The Wizard of Oz are only one of five known pairs left from the film and are valued at over $1 million, which just goes to show you that Oz obsession never dies. That bodes well for Tampa Theatre's fourth annual movie-themed wine tasting/fundraiser, The Vineyard of Oz. As the title implies, the event celebrates Dorothy and her adventurous friends, via a silent auction, samplings from choice wineries (like Merryvale Vineyards and Illuminati) and munchkin-sized bites from select area restaurants, including Café Ponte, Michael's 717 South and SideBern's. Attendees are encouraged to come in Oz-esque costumes. (Watch out for ruby slippers that look a little too authentic.) Premium Tasting, 6-7 p.m.; Grand Tasting, 7-9 p.m. $90 for both (includes a Neiman Marcus gift bag); $60 for the Grand Tasting only. Members receive a $5 discount and all attendees receive a souvenir Riedel Glass. 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-8981, www.tampatheatre.org.
CLASSIC BEAUTIES Nobel Prize-winning scientist Walter Gilbert has other interests besides chemistry. In fact, he and wife Celia possess a rather extensive collection of classical antiquities, and the couple has loaned several of these to museums around the country for the art-loving public's viewing pleasure. Locally, a selection is featured in From Myth to Life: Images of Women from the Classical World, opening today at the Tampa Museum of Art. The featured objects examine the multiple roles of women and girls in ancient times, and among the 44 works are Greek vases, terra cotta and bronze statuettes, gold jewelry, and household objects from the ancient civilizations of Greece, Phoenicia, Etruria and Rome. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.; From Myth to Life is on display through Dec. 31. $7 adults/$6 seniors and military/$3 students ages 6 and up. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-274-8130, www.tampagov.net/dept_museum.
MULTIPLE TALENTS Dee Sutton was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1993 while working for the Social Security Disability Program. As a life-long advocate for people with disabilities and a former rehab counselor, Sutton's determination to help others only increased. She wrote federal appeals for those who were denied benefits from 1998 to 2000, and in 2002, she co-produced and wrote music for The Trials of Katherine, a play about MS and the common misconception that a person's worth is defined by what he or she can and can't do. Sutton explores that theme further in Perception, a concert with a story that premieres today at Java Junction. A range of Bay area performers combine talents for the production, portraying an early 1960s garage band with a female lead singer and a secret. A few words by a special guest speaker follow, along with a prize drawing and original performances (musical and otherwise) by the show's stars. Proceeds go toward gas expenses for Meals on Wheels volunteers. For more information, visit www.miraproductions.net. 2 p.m. $18 advance/$20 at the door. 705 Franklin St., Clearwater, 727-799-1100, www.myjavajunction.com.
WALK THE WALK Having suffered from our own share of hurricane-related destruction, we Floridians recognize the importance of a grassroots effort to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. If you haven't done your part, clean out your closet and your pantry, empty the piggy bank (or whatever holds your spare change), and head to the nearest relief center immediately. Metropolitan Ministries collects food, clothing and money for the Red Cross at its main donation center in Tampa (2101 N. Florida Ave.); and in St. Pete, The Studio@620 gathers donations for America's Second Harvest (620 First Ave. S.). Fundraisers are cropping up all over town, including a Katrina Disaster Relief concert in Clearwater tonight to raise money and collect food and clothing for musicians directly affected by the hurricane. Expect performances by Mountain of Venus, Earth Bombs Mars, COPE, and Bob and Jodell ($10, 705 Franklin St.). For an extensive list of hurricane benefit events and charities, turn to this week's listings section on page 27.
This article appears in Sep 14-20, 2005.