Visual Arts
Adrian Howard Galleries, at the Suncoast Resort Hotel, 3000 34th St. S., St. Petersburg (727-865-6906). Just Around the Bend continues through July 1. A wide variety of media is showcased at this exhibition, including multicolored glass mobiles by Steven James, metal sculptures by Mark Perhot, water fountains by David McClure, ink and graphite drawings by Budapest-based artist Patu and acrylic on plastic canvas paintings by Cristobal Sanchez. Hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 1 p.m. to midnight Friday; and 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday.
Ambiance Galleries, 1535 Ninth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-821-8331). The gallery features a group show through June 30. Works on display include oil, water and mixed media by Lee Smith Albion, John Canning, Betsy Vincent, Chica Brunsvold and Joyce Lazzara. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Pete (727-822-7872). The center celebrates Latin heritage with four new shows through June 29: Places in the Heart features paintings of homelands and other significant places by Andrea Carreno, Luis Vega, Gustavo Acosta and Angel Hurtado; El Cinco de Mayo combines the work of sculptors Felipe Packard and Ricardo de la Vega with paintings by Dodie O'Keefe; The Daily to the Divine offers oil and acrylic abstracts by Alekxey Sabido; and Colors of the Sun highlights Dr. Ludner Confident's vivid, allegorical paintings. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, through Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Brad Cooper Gallery, 1712 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-248-6098). Mysteries, featuring the works of contemporary artist Peter Mitchev, continues through July 21. Mitchev, one of the most successful and productive Bulgarian painters, offers works that are slightly Byzantine and reminiscent of Gustav Klimt. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment.
Centre Gallery, in USF's Phyllis P. Marshall Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa (813-974-5464). Splinters Pearls, a multimedia exhibition of sculpture and prints by Yudit Naage, opens Monday, June 25, and runs through July 12. Yudit's work started out as imaginary explorations of small openings in the ground and broadened to include body spaces and exteriors. The Potato Years, an exhibition of paintings by Bradikus (Brad Kokay), continues through July 21. The artist's fascination with comic books and animation comes through in this show of playful, organic and thought-provoking works. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Clayton Galleries, 4105 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa (813-831-3753). Hot Summer Show I, featuring works by Peter Brown, Robin Cody, Lynn Davison, Billie Hightower, Cassandra James, Rebecca Sexton Larson, Stacey Rosende, Craig Rubadoux, Jeff Whipple and others, continues through July 7. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Dresses for Humanity, presented by The People's Princess Charitable Foundation, continues through July at Centro Ybor. Back in 1997, Princess Di auctioned off 79 of her dresses for charity, and local resident Maureen Rorech Dunkel bought 14 of the coveted beauties. The auction and catalog raised more than $5-million for charity, and Dunkel continues the Princess' charitable work by exhibiting her collection. Tampa is the last city lucky enough to see the wardrobe, before it enjoys a 10-year run at Kensington Palace. The exhibition takes place in the vacant store between Victoria's Secret and GameWorks, on Eighth Avenue. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, and admission costs $10 for adults, $8 for seniors. Call 813-961-8388 or visit www.princessdidresses.com.
EastWest Gallery & Framery, 529 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-823-9629). The gallery celebrates its first anniversary with Journey to Joy. This show, which continues through June 30, features the giclee prints of artist Stuart Tang, whose works are filled with imagery from mythological tales. This is Tang's first exhibition outside China. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave., downtown St. Pete (727-821-7391). Ground Cover: Contemporary Quilts continues through June 22. This in-depth exploration of the landscape through textiles (both metaphorical and concrete) features the works of six cutting-edge quilt artists, including Nancy Crow, Michael James and Pauline Burbidge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Gallery Enormous, 540 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-551-9865). This new St. Pete gallery is located in the space previously occupied by Fusion Gallery. The first show, Enormous Talent: A Taste of Things to Come, features works by those artists that will be represented by the gallery throughout its first year. The debut show continues through July 13, and artists include Theo Wucik and Frank Strunk III. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment.
Grossman Gallery, 1111 Swann Ave., Tampa (813-258-4441). Grossman presents a silent auction and a live auction to benefit the American Diabetes Association, auctioning hundreds of works of art (paintings, sculptures, jewelry, artifacts) from 6-11 p.m., Saturday, June 23. Grossman's Hyde Park gallery is a fun (i.e., no intimidation or elitism) place to see art, the first show including the works of impressionist painter Greg Cartmell and abstract oils by Sikrat. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Hyde Park Fine Arts, 937 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-258-8883). Momente, featuring the latest works by Thomas Murray, continues through June. Roughly a year ago, Murphy pulled up his Tampa stakes and high-tailed it to New Mexico to pursue a masters in fine art at UNM. The series of works at HPFA, consisting of paintings and hand-pulled lithographs, is the product of the artist's first year in his new locale. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Merrick Gallery, 330 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg (727-896-2787). Contemporary Masters II can currently be seen at the gallery, all discounted in honor of the gallery's second anniversary. Continuing through August, the show features works by Crash, Hirst, Rosenquist, Rauschenberg and Warhol. Gallery resident artists (Gerhard Birkhoffer, Rocky Bridges, Antonio Caparello, Leslie Neumann and David Williams) also contribute works. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Painted Fish Gallery, 350 Main St., Dunedin (727-736-0934). The owners/artists of Painted Fish celebrate the gallery's sixth anniversary with new artworks and fine crafts reflecting contemporary Florida themes. Works on display include watercolors by Bill Renc and Cindy Jednaszerski, calligraphy by Linda Renc and wheel-thrown pottery by Ira Burhans. The show continues through July 1. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (extended to 7 p.m. on Friday).
Plainsmen Gallery, 2450 Sunset Point Road, Suite A, Clearwater (727-726-5100). A Summer Reprieve, a collection of bronzes by Frank Divita and scratchboards by wildlife artist Dennis Logsdon, shows through July 3, alongside new wildlife lithographs. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Romeo Art and Design, 1515 Seventh Ave., Tampa (813-247-1010). Third generation Ybor City artisan Walter Romeo has returned, and with fellow artist Dennis Johnson, presents a new art space featuring work by local artists (Guillermo Portieles, Alex Espalter-Torres, Tomas Marais) along with stylish furniture and coffee. A grand opening is being planned, as are nights of live music. Hours are noon-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Studio Szabries Gallery, 2109 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-895-2444). Bodies of Light: A Celebration of the Human Form is held over through June 29. This show offers Fred Szabries' latest paintings on aluminum and acrylic. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Tampa Gallery Association Third Thursday Event, otherwise known as an evening of extended hours, takes place on June 21. Members of the association support the art scene by offering extended hours (5 to 8 p.m.) on the third Thursday of each month. Galleries include the African Art Gallery and Museum, Artsiphartsi, Brad Cooper Gallery, Gold Dragon Gallery, Old Hyde Park Arts Center, Gold Dragon Gallery, Nuance Galleries, Tampa Museum of Art and Studio Gallery on Azeele. Call 813-875-0511 for a complete list of participating venues.
Museums and Attractions
Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa (813-273-4000). The aquarium's latest exhibit, Sea Hunt, includes colorful predators from the world's oceans. The aquarium also features over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals in three galleries: Wetlands, Bays and Beaches and Coral Reefs. Enjoy behind-the-scenes and audio tours, dive shows, a touch-tank with sharks and rays, and special exhibits like No BoneZone, Frights of the Forest and Dragons Down Under. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $13.75 for adults, $12.75 for seniors, $8.75 for kids ages 3-12 and free for children under 3. Visit www.flaquarium.net.
Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 Fifth St. S., St. Petersburg (727-820-0100). Women of Ravensbruck: Portraits of Courage continues through Aug. 19. This show features images by Julia Terwilliger, who immortalized the faces of triumphant women who survived Ravensbruck, the major Nazi concentration camp for women. Working Through the Past: 1946-2000, The Art of Samuel Bak also continues through Aug. 19. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $6 for general, $5 for seniors and college students, $2 for ages 18 and under and members get in free.
Florida International Museum, 100 Second St. N., St. Petersburg (727-822-3693). The following shows continue indefinitely: The Cuban Missile Crisis ($6.95 for adults); The Kennedy Collection ($9.95); Countdown to Destiny, an exhibition of photos of Martin Luther King Jr. ($3.95); and Habana Esperando: Photographs by Margaux Ravis (free). Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. All-inclusive day passes cost $11.95, and annual passes go for $15.95.
Gulf Coast Museum of Art, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo (727-518-6833). Betye and Alison Saar: Conjure Women of the Arts, a video examining the personal and artistic relationship between artist and daughter, runs June 26-July 8. Lisa Williamson: Gardens; The Wild, The Timid and The Invisible, along with John Henry: Wandering Spirit, continue through June 24 and Aug. 27, respectively. The former features Williamson's paintings and fiber art, while the latter offers Henry's sculptural installation in the Sculpture Garden. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (extended to 7 p.m. on Thursday), noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission costs $3 for adults (free on Thursday). Visit www.gulfcoastmuseum.org.
Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa (813-935-8552). Summer Safari Nights, the zoo's annual summer series, has begun again from 6-8:30 p.m., featuring the zoo's main exhibits as well as live swing and reggae bands. Admission is free for annual zoo pass holders. General admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children age 3-11 and free for children under three. Call 813-935-8552.
Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Pete (727-896-2667). H.A. Sigg: Recent Work continues through July 1. Largely unfamiliar to American audiences, this Swiss artist uses color and form to suggest spiritual exploration and transcendence. Sigg's exhibit includes 18 acrylic paintings, eight sculptures and 11 collages. Beyond Adornment: Beads from Around the World also continues through Aug. 26. Admission costs $6 for adults, and hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Salvador Dali Museum, 1000 Third St. S., St. Pete. (727-823-3767). A Disarming Beauty: The Venus de Milo in 20th Century Art continues through Sept. 9. This show explores our culture's continued fascination with the mass-produced Venus through surrealists and contemporary artists who incorporate the icon into their works. Admission costs $10 for adults. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hours extend to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, when admission is half off. Visit www.salvadordalimuseum.org.
St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. N.E. (on the Pier approach), St. Pete (727-894-1052). Souvenirs of Florida – From Tasteful to Tacky continues through Sept. 15 The exhibit traces the earliest souvenirs made of naturally occurring materials, such as alligator teeth and palm fronds from the 1880s through the dreadful kitsch of the 1960s. On permanent display is the Walk through Time Gallery and Try History on For Size Gallery, where visitors can see themselves in vintage costumes through mirrors creating the illusion of wearing period clothing. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for ages 7-17, and free for kids 6 and under. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts, in Old Hyde Park Village, 746 S. Village Circle, Tampa (813-251-1800). Tampa's latest museum, the first devoted solely to the art of photography, features Masters of Black & White through July 1. This stunning display of visuals includes works by internationally known artists Willy Ronis, Andreas Feininger, Julius Shulman, Clyde Butcher and, of course, Ansel Adams. Admission's free, and hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.tgpa.org.
Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa (813-274-8130). Arte Contemporanea di Vetri (Contemporary Art in Glass) continues through October. Landscape/Land Use, a contemporary landscape photography show, continues through July 8. The museum also features The American Experience: 20th Century Prints from the Berkman Foundation through July 22; Tampa Public Art: A Selection of Recent Projects, through July 8; James Rosenquist: The Florida Years, 1976-2001, through Aug. 5. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (extended to 8 p.m. on Thursday) and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission ranges from $3 to $5, free 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
USF Contemporary Art Museum, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Cam 101, Tampa (813-974-4133). Contemporary Art from Cuba: Irony and Survival on the Utopian Island continues through July 14. Sixteen Cuban artists use their works to explore irony and humor as a survival technique for their country's political difficulties. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Ybor City State Museum, 1818 Ninth Ave., Ybor City (813-247-6323). As We Heard It: Three Generations of Ybor City News continues through Sept. 30. This show pays tribute to the Manteiga family, founders of La Gaceta, the nation's only trilingual newspaper. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visitors may see the Museum and the Casita (worker's home) for $2 per person.
Theater/Performance(See Classifieds for auditions.)
Alice in Wonderland, presented by TheatreUSF, continues through June 23, in Theatre II. Follow the white rabbit through this untraditional and experimental version of the classic Lewis Carroll tale. Done in poor theater style, the production is stripped of everything except the essentials: actors, audience and space. If you haven't guessed, this requires plenty of imagination. Show times are 8 p.m. June 20-23. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $4 for seniors and students. The theater's on campus, at 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. Call 813-974-2323.
Blue's Clues Live, the stage presentation based on Nickelodeon's hit series for preschoolers, returns to Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Carol Morsani Hall, June 27-July 1. Tickets are $11, $21 and $26. Blues' Clues follows Blue and her friends as they search for clues on their quest for the most spectacular place. Parents who bring babes in arms, 18 months and under, are required to purchase a lap ticket for $5. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is located at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-222-1000).
Cheryl Lee Studio of Dance Recital, Point, Click, Dance, an internet-theme show, depicts different Web sites and computer jargon (for instance the young men of the studio perform a piece titled You've Got Male) through a variety of ballet, tap, jazz, clogging, Irish step and acrobatics. Dancers range from preschool to professional level. The recital takes place at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 23, at Mahaffey Theater. Tickets are available through the studio (727-345-6800), or an hour before the show, at Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg (727-822-7872).
The 45th Annual Frank Rey Dancers Concert, choreographer Frank Rey's 200 dancers performing works ranging from classical ballet to the latest in hip-hop, includes feature productions 2001 Swing, Brits and Brogue and Gypsy Lore, at The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center 7 p.m., Sunday, June 24. Tickets are $13 and $15 and go on sale an hour before the performance. The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-222-1000).
The Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir, continuing a 150-year-old tradition, comes to Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for a rare performance. The choir's trademark sound of 325 singers blends with their accompaniment, 17 musicians and a portable pipe organ, on classical favorites, Americana and classics portraying the life of Christ. The choir performs at 8 p.m. in the center's Carol Morsani Hall Saturday, June 23. Tickets are $24.50, $39.50 and $49.50. TBPAC's at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-222-1000).
Write Me a Murder, presented by the Carrollwood Players, continues through June 23. Frederick Knott's suspense thriller, a mixture of romance, greed and deceit, keeps the audience guessing as a young writer plots the perfect murder. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $12, and the Carrollwood Playhouse is at 4333 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Call 813-265-4000.
Comedy
Coconuts Comedy Club, at the Cinema Cafe, 24095 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater (727-797-JOKE). The incorrigible Charming Hooligans improv troupe performs every Friday at midnight. Admission costs $5. Show times are at 9:30 p.m. Cover varies (two-drink minimum). Reservations suggested.
Improv Comedy Theater, at Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City (813-864-4000). Thomas Brown, whose first stand-up performance was at the Comedy Works in Tampa, returns for a one-night stand 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 27. The non-smoking show costs $8, a bargain for one of the nation's most popular stand-up comics. All prices are advance purchase, and cost $2 more at the door. (Get a ticket recently? Call about the Improv's Driving School. No kidding.)
Side Splitters, 12938 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-960-1197). Ted Alexandro, who's appeared on CBS's The Late Show with David Letterman and had a guest spot on Comedy Central's Dr. Katz, takes the stage June 26-July 1. The star of NBC's Mr. Rhodes, Tom Rhodes, performs through June 24. Regular admission ranges $5-$12 (depending on the night). Show times are 8:30 p.m. weekdays, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Snaps Comedy Club, (formerly Tropix) 810 E. Skagway Ave., Tampa (813-935-7576). A mixed bag of comedians from BET and Def Comedy Jam troupe through Snaps each week, having worked their way up from the Miami comedy joints. Show times are at 8 p.m. Thursday, as well as 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission costs $10 (two-item minimum).
Wacky Weaver's, located inside the Brandon Brew House, 779 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon. (813-661-5527). Bob Featherer headlines 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. June 22-23.
Poetry & Prose
Barnes & Noble-Brandon, 122 Brandon Town Center Drive (813-661-9883). Celebrate breast cancer survivors and attend a presentation by Diane Chechik, author of Journey to Justice and There's Nothing Like a Breast and Kim Davies, author of Me, Amazon Woman. The authors share their unique experiences and what inspired them to write their books. Takes place 3-5 p.m. Saturday, June 23. Hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. everyday.
Harmony Books & Gifts, 2517 W. Henry Ave., Tampa (813-872-0295). Aside from a spiritual cafe, psychic readers, aura video cameras and compatibility charts, this unique book/gift shop offers a variety of workshops and classes. A Beginning Spiritual Development class takes place at 7 p.m. every Tuesday, while Advance Spiritual Development begins at 7 p.m. each Thursday. Each class costs $10. Harmony also offers a Spiritual Mingle, from 7 to 9 p.m., on the third Friday of each month.
Inkwood Books, 216 Armenia Ave. S., Tampa (813-253-2638). Donald B. Ketcham reads and signs his coming-of-age novel set in 1940s Florida, The Kid and the Old Man: Adventures of Daniel Kroff, on Saturday, June 23, at 2 p.m. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, extended to 9 p.m. on Thursday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Libraries
Jan Kaminis Platt, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa (813-272-6000). Join a book discussion on Isabel Allende's The House of Spirits 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 23. Allende's novel chronicles successive generations of a South American family. Call for hours.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa (813-264-3831). Take part in a free printmaking workshop for ages 18 and older, instructed by printmaker Daniel Dew, president of the Florida Printmaker's Society, 7-8:45 p.m., Tuesday, June 26. Call for hours.
Seminole Heights, 4711 Central Ave., Tampa (813-273-3669). Get one-on-one instruction in the library's online resources, including the library catalog, Information Gateway and Suncoast Free-Net, at 7 p.m. each Tuesday in June.
Tarpon Springs, 138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs (727-943-4922). The library's Summer Reading Program introduces and discusses a bevy of animals every Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday nights (7 p.m.) in addition to readings and other fun stuff, kids can check out a variety of birds, iguanas and snakes. On Thursday mornings (11 a.m.) plays and magic shows commingle with various animals, reptiles and the occasional huge cat from WildLife on Easy Street. All events are free, but reservations are a good idea. Call the library for more details.
Open Mic
Albi's, 123 Hyde Park Ave., Tampa (813-253-2771). Suzanne Willett hosts a late-night open mic for poets, musicians and comedians at 11 p.m. every other Wednesday. Call ahead to find out if this is one of the lucky weeks.
Beaux Arts Gallery and Folk Coffeehouse, 2635 Central Ave., St. Pete (727-328-0702). Beaux Arts' open mic takes place from 8 to 11:30 p.m. every Saturday. Art films are shown at 8 p.m. Friday, and 2:30 and 8 p.m. Sunday. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. daily, extended from 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and 7 to 11:30 p.m. Saturdays. A donation of $2 to $5 is suggested at the door, but coffee and tea are free.
Big Kahuna's, 450 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach (727-447-7088). Every Thursday, the Big K hosts a music-oriented open jam at 9 p.m. Admission costs $4.
Brass Mug, 1441 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa (813-972-8152). The Mug offers an open jam night every Monday. Beginning at 9:30 p.m., the event allows musicians to take the stage and show off their chops. As extra incentive, all musicians can down 75-cent drafts throughout the evening. A full P.A., sound and drums are provided.
Cool Tunes Coffee Bar, formerly Java Lounge, 2551 Drew St., Clearwater (727-799-3788). Open mic takes place from 9 to 11:30 p.m. every Wednesday and Sunday, and an open music jam runs from 9 to 11:30 p.m. each Thursday. Local bands perform every Friday and Saturday (admission costs $1). Open mics are free. Hours are 9 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday, and 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday.
Corrigan's Irish Pub, 4685 28th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-528-0711). Poets, musicians, comedians and everybody else can have their 15 minutes at Open Mic Night every Monday from 7 to 11 p.m. The Dough Boyz Duo host the show and play a few ditties of their own in between the amateurs.
Holiday House Cafe, 2634 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa (813-972-534). Betsy Bolger-Paulet, who thinks there's a lot of talent going unnoticed in the Bay area, hosts Third Thursday Spoken Word, taking place this month on June 21. Sign-up starts at 9 p.m., so if you've got something to say, be there.
Irish Cottage Cafe, 4233 U.S. 19, Holiday (727-842-5929). Local musician Ted Wray hosts an open mic from 7 to 11 p.m. every Monday. While this event is open to everyone, it is geared toward musicians. Stop by to show off your talent or get in on a jamming session with the regulars.
James Joyce Irish Pub, 1704 1/2 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-247-1896). Tuesday's female singer-songwriter night has become an open mic for all musicians, 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. every Tuesday, hosted by Rebekah Pulley and Jerry Provost. The pub also offers a variety of live, acoustical music nightly. Call for hours.
Subterranean Digs, an open poetry event, takes place every other Tuesday at Atomic Age Cafe. This event begins with sign-up at 9 p.m., followed by the open mic at 9:30 p.m. Admission's free, but donations (money, clothes, non-perishable, etc.) are always collected for Metropolitan Ministries. The cafe's at 1518 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Call 813-247-6547, or visit http://sybil.org/dig.
Yeoman's Road Pub, 236 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa (813-251-BRIT). The open mic line-up at Yeoman's includes a blues jam every Tuesday with Mike Tozier, Weekly Planet's 2000 Best Acoustic Act winner. Vince Longo also hosts an open jam every Wednesday, featuring an eclectic mix of performers from the Bay's music scene. And, for good measure, an open jazz jam takes place every Thursday. All events are free and start at 9 p.m. (or thereabouts).
Sports & Nature
Brooker Creek Preserve Grab the bug spray and a few good friends before heading out to Brooker Creek for a free guided tour of the grounds. Tours are given from 9 to 11 a.m. every Saturday and reservations are a must. Brooker Creek is located in Tarpon Springs. Call 813-943-4003 for more information and directions.
Coed Volleyball, at Forest Hills Recreation Center, takes place from 7:30 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday. If you want to get your game on without committing to a team or schedule, this is the place. Walk-ins are always welcome at this free, social spike fest. The center is at 724 W. 109th Ave., Tampa. Call 813-977-0892.
Laser Tag at the Ice Sports Forum Already a popular ice skating venue, the Tampa Bay Lightning's practice facility has opened a 3,300-square-foot, space-theme laser tag facility capable of handling up to 40 players at once. Competition levels vary from beginner to experienced. The forum encourages walk-ons and league participation. Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. The Ice Forum is located at 10222 Elizabeth Place, Tampa (813-684-7825).
Tampa Bay Devil Rays, at Tropicana Field, One Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg (813-825-3250). With the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Greg Vaughn and New York Yankees' Bernie Williams sharing American League Player of the Week Honors for the second week in June, their teams' series June 22-24 is all the more sweet. Game times are as follows: 7:05 p.m. Friday June 22; 4:15 p.m. Saturday, June 23; 1:15 p.m. Sunday, June 24. Tickets start at $4 and go up to $195.
Tampa Bay Sierra Club Outings The club is always off hiking, canoeing, biking or backpacking somewhere in the Florida wilds. Give 'em a call and join in the positive energy. Call 813-253-3555 in Tampa or 727-584-8889 in Pinellas.
Special Events
MarketPro Computer Show, a dearth of IBM PC compatible hardware, software, printers, monitors and accessories sold at discount prices. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 to park, and the show's held June 23-24 in Charles M. Davis Special Events Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 N. U.S. 301, Tampa. Call 813-622-7275.
Feed Your Senses, an evening of music and art put on by The Arts Project International, features sculptor Nina Winters and painter Jim Warren, whose work is frequently in Tampa Bay Magazine, along with The Brass Menagerie, a classical brass quintet plus a percussionist who perform classical, jazz and popular favorites. The evening gets started at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 23, at the Clearwater Arts Studio, 101 N. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater (727-639-8070). Tickets are available at the door for $12, $10 for seniors and students.
This article appears in Jun 21-27, 2001.