Labor Day

Clearwater's Labor Day Celebration, a Key West-style party, features a tribute to Jimmy Buffett and the reggae of Spy vs. Spy. The event takes place 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, on Cleveland Street between East and Fort Harrison avenues. Call 727-562-4022.

Gulfport's End of Summer Gecko Fest, which includes a walking parade and fireworks, begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1. The festival starts off with street entertainers, dance demonstrations and steel drum performers from The Florida Orchestra. Visitors are encouraged to wear fun hats (especially of geckos or fish) and/or colorful costumes for the parade, which begins at 7 p.m. and proceeds along Shore and Beach boulevards. The fireworks display, shot from Williams Pier, begins at 9:15 p.m. The festival takes place in downtown Gulfport. For more information, call 727-893-1070.

Labor Day Massacre, a One Punch Productions event, takes place at the Tampa Marriott Waterside, marking the hotel's debut of professional boxing inside its luxurious Grand Ballroom. The event features the IBF's fifth-ranked Jr. Lightweight, St. Petersburg's David Santos. Santos, a past NABF Junior Lightweight Champion, has suffered several hand injuries over the past couple years, but is on his way back to title contention. The event also features Tampa Super Bantamweight knockout artist Carlos Diaz and a female boxer from Bradenton, lightweight Sharice Gray. The event takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31. Tickets cost $25, $35 and $60. The Tampa Marriott Waterside is located at 700 S. Florida Ave., Tampa (813-221-4900).

Live on the Bay 2001, an island music festival, offers families a fun-filled day of music, food and friends. The diverse musical lineup features Sinatra-style crooner Don Juceamp, Tampa's own Bush Hogs, Groovy Tuesday and Outdrive. The festival takes place on Beer Can Island, 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1. The concert is free, and there are several boats shuttling parties from Apollo Beach to the Island for a minimal fee (approximately $3-$5). For more information or directions, call 813-621-1412. www.rockhaus.net.

Sand Sculpting Contest, the second annual event hosted by Ryan Realty, takes place at Clearwater Beach, just north of Pier 60, on Saturday, Sept. 1. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with judging taking place at 1 p.m. There are prizes for all participants and 13 trophies, including a People's Choice award. Pier 60 is at 10 Pier 60 Drive, located at the end of State Road 60, in Clearwater. The event is free to enter and spectators are welcome. For more information, call 727-442-2822.

Sponge Docks Craft Festival, an outdoor crafts fair on the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs, features beaded jewelry, decorated plants, calligraphy, handcrafted children's clothing and more. The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2. For information, call 813-962-0388.

Visual Arts

Openings

Adrian Howard Galleries, at the Suncoast Resort Hotel, 3000 34th St. S., St. Petersburg (727-865-6906). Confluence and Influence blends the end of summer with the beginning of fall, featuring works by Mark Mizener, Laura Luna and Ocampo Silva, among others. Mizener specializes in impressionist painting on silk. Luna is exhibiting fired clay abstract figures and pottery. Silva is showing Spanish-influenced, mixed-media oil and acrylic paintings. The exhibit opens Saturday, Sept. 1, and runs through Sept. 30. 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.

Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin (727-298-3322). Three exhibits, by painters whose works depict the meeting of land, sea and sky, begin Tuesday, Sept. 4. Drawn to Light is an exhibit of seascapes by eight contemporary artists. Melbourne artist Harry Leach shows a selection of his impressionistic Florida landscapes. And Sarasota painter and teacher Roy Nichols presents a selection of his academic landscape/seascape works. The three shows run through Oct. 14. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Visit the center at www.DFAC.org.

Ongoing

531 Central Fine Arts, 531 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-822-2787). To celebrate the close of summer, 531 highlights the work of Vincent Magni, offering his popular sculptures and provocative oil paintings at a reduced price. Also featured is a selection of Barbini glass and works from the gallery's company of fine artists. The exhibit runs through Sept. 5. Summer hours are noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Visit www.531central.com.

African Art Gallery, 1711 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-737-5312). This gallery features the finest in hand-carved African art, as well as other collectibles imported from West Africa. Paintings by Hargraves Nutkwana and Cecile Boswell Brown are also on display, along with the Benya Collection of never to be found again ancient artifacts from different African tribes. The West African Fofole Collection of modern, handcarved furniture rounds out the collection. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and by appointment on Sunday.

Baisden Gallery, 442 Grand Central Ave., Suite 100, Tampa (813-250-1511). Presently on display is an exhibit of glass works by Lucio Bubacco, Dale Chihuly, Louis Sclafani, Richard Royal and Janusz Pozniak. The exhibit also includes paintings by Ron Pieniak, among others, and photography by Matt Larson. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment.

Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave., downtown St. Pete (727-821-7391). Students from Rawlings Elementary in Pinellas Park have brought life to a variety of sculpted deer with the help of artist-members of FCG. The project, Deer on Parade, is on display through Sept. 8. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Galerie du Soleil, formerly the Thomas Kinkade Spring Gate Galleries, 727 S. Dakota Ave., Tampa (813-249-5880). This gallery in the heart of Hyde Park not only continues to carry the beautiful works of Kinkade, but also stunning pieces by impressionists Leonard Wren, Royo and Stephen Shortridge, realist Chao Young, serigraphs, giclees and oils by Don Hatfield and actress Jane Seymour, and more.

Glass Canvas Gallery, 233 Fourth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-821-6767). The summer show presents recent acquisitions from Eastern Europe and the United States. The show runs through Aug. 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Gold Dragon Gallery, 3508 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa (813-832-2755). Florida Fantasies, a summer exhibit curated by Patt Fosnaught, continues through Sept. 8. The Gold Dragon specializes in original paintings, limited edition prints, pottery, sculpture, blown glass, stained glass and custom framing using only conservation techniques. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Graphicstudio, 3702 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa (813-974-3503). Visual/Verbal is an exhibit featuring word and image works by artists including William S. Burroughs, Kiki Smith and John Scott. Nudes is a collection of works by 14 artists, including Robert Mapplethorpe, Philip Pearlstein and Jim Dine. Both exhibits run through Sept. 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

HCC-Ybor Gallery, in the Performing Arts Building, Palm Avenue at 15th Street, Ybor City (813-253-7674). HCC's campus gallery season begins with Words-Stories-Images, an exhibition of visual poems, collaged photographs and altered atlases by Fort Lauderdale artist Mimi Shapiro. The exhibit runs through October 1. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Heavenly Things, 216 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-822-8938). Don Williams has recently returned from Europe, where several pieces of his Raku pottery won him an award at an art exhibit in Romania. An exhibit of Williams' work continues through Aug. 31. 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). Local artist Bask exhibits works created in collaboration with seven other Bay-area artists: David Williams, Ron Pieniak, Brandt Elling Peters, Frank C. Strunk III, Kathie Olivas, P$ynner and Mark Taylor Michaels. The series is on display through Sept. 22. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Mad Fish Gallery, 6116 Central Ave., Tampa (813-234-9300). This contemporary gallery features Key West pottery, functional pewter by Tim Woodsman, hot glass by Paul Maiville, watercolors by Ray Koehler, John Piening mixed media and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Merrick Gallery, 330 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg (727-896-2787). Contemporary Masters II can currently be seen at the gallery, 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 and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Nancy Markoe Gallery, 3112 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach (727-360-0720). NMG, a Niche award-winner for top U.S. crafts retailer, presents Saluting the Dog Days, featuring handmade stoneware pottery for your dog (or cat). The featured selection continues through Sept. 20. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

New Heights Gallery and Coffeehouse, 6310 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa (813-234-9758). Garbage is Garbage – Drawings of Kurkryneksy, a collection of anti-regime posters from 1975 U.S.S.R., is on display through Sept. 20. Glass sand-cast sculptures by Marlene Rose-Coates are likewise on display until Sept. 20. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Nuance Galleries, 720 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-875-0511). Nuance and 3-D pop artist Charles Fazzino have teamed up for an exhibit benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fazzino is best known for his brightly colored serigraphs of New York City, but his images vary from classic films to sporting events. The exhibit runs through Sept. 1, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the MDA. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Old Hyde Park Art Center, 705 Swann Ave., Tampa (813-251-3780). Fete of Clay II features works by Candace Knapp's Thursday-at-the-Center sculpture group. The exhibit runs through Sept. 29. The Center is free and open to the public. Hours are 3-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 5-7 p.m. every third Thursday.

Painted Fish Gallery, 350 Main St., Dunedin (727-736-0934). The gallery's new show presents hand-colored etchings by Tampa artist John Costin, whose latest show, Vista, concentrates on herons and egrets in their natural habitats. The exhibit runs through Sept. 2. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (extended to 7 p.m. on Friday).

Plainsmen Gallery, 2450 Sunset Pt. Road, Suite A, Clearwater (727-726-5100). Reality and Beyond is an exhibit of whimsical prints and fairy sculptures by fantasy artist James Christensen, whose interpretation of reality is often quite amusing. Wildlife artists Diane Pierce, Dennis Logsdon and Ernest Simmons present more traditional views of realism. The exhibit runs through Aug. 31. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Romeo Art and Design Gallery, 1515 Seventh Ave., Tampa (813-247-1010). The gallery of third-generation Ybor City artisan Walter P. Romeo features stylish furniture and original art by local artists: Dennis Johnson, Greg Latch, Ray Paul, Guillermo Portieles, Tomas Marais and Alex Espalter-Torres. The exhibition continues through Sept. 1. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7-10 p.m. Thursday.

SoHo Gallery, 2105 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-822-2280). The World of Man is a collection by visual artist Aurora Heuple, whose works are based on her experiences growing up a native of Mexico City as well as from her studies of Indian cultures. The exhibition continues through Sept. 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Something Fishy 913 N. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater (727-461-FISH). Lots and Lots of Pots is an exhibit featuring new pottery from John Freimarck of Virginia, Lynn Fisher of Michigan, and Tim and Pam Frye of Illinois. The exhibit runs through Sept. 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Studio Gallery on Azeele, 3707 Azeele St., Tampa (813-875-5160). Metaphor in Abstraction, an exhibit of works by three Florida women (Nancy Sykes Cockerham, Fern Samuels and Rebecca Skelton), runs through Aug. 30. Hours are 2-4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, noon-4 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, or by appointment.

Museums and Attractions

Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater (727-441-1790). This nonprofit organization is dedicated to education, research and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine animals. Drop by to visit the dolphins, sea turtles and river otters, and to touch a stingray or two. Admission costs $7.75 for adults and $5.25 for kids. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

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 age 3-12 and free for children under 3. Visit www.flaquarium.net.

Florida International Museum, 100 Second St. N., St. Petersburg (727-822-3693). Have a sundae on Sunday. The museum invites visitors to enjoy an old-fashioned ice cream social and viewing of Norman Rockwell's Family Life Series, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2. 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 Dr. 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.

Great Explorations, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-821-8992). The whole family can learn art and science concepts at this interactive museum. Exhibits include Music!Music!Music! and SSSnakes, SSSpiders and SSScorpions, as well as the new VETerinary Office and ZOOMzone. Admission is $4 for everyone ages 3 and up. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Gulf Coast Museum of Art, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo (727-518-6833). John Henry: Wandering Spirit continues through January 2002. Henry, a renowned sculptor, exhibits a new monumental installation in the museum's courtyard 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.

Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-254-1891). Simple Pleasures: America's Love of Pond Yachts continues through Dec. 23. The hobby of pond yachting reached its height of American popularity in the 1930s. This show features vintage pond yachts and their rigging, historical memorabilia and photographs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission costs $5.

Kid's Firehouse Museum, 9510 Kids Firehouse Ave., Largo (727-585-1300). The museum has 11 antique firetrucks and memorabilia on display, as well as a playground facility. Kids can learn fire safety tips, watch a safety video and get some free memorabilia. Admission is free, donations are encouraged. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays.

Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa (813-935-8552). Lowry Park Zoo is offering $5 admission on Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 9. So get out and visit the zoo's 1,500 exotic animals and enjoy the interactive exhibits, including Lorikeet Landing, the Petting Zoo and Stingray Bay. General admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids 3-11.

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa (813-987-6300 or 813-987-6100). Museum highlights include BioWorks Butterfly Garden, an engineered ecosystem that emulates natural wetlands; the Back Woods, 40 acres of special water conservation elements and outdoor exhibits; and the Saunders Planetarium. The IMAX Dome Theatre features an 82-foot hemispherical movie screen (see Movie Marquee for schedule). The Museum's combo admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and $9 for ages 2 to 13. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call the info line at 813-987-6100 for IMAX show times.

Pier Aquarium, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-895-7437). The Aquarium, a nonprofit marine education resource center, is home to fabulous exhibits that include California sharks, invertebrates and coral reefs. Tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is $1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Teachers, call about special field trip rates and tours.

Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History, 329 S. Bayshore Blvd., Safety Harbor (727-726-1668). Longrifles, an exhibit of early American weapons that have evolved into a unique art form, is on display through Dec. 31. The weapons on display are modeled after those used by settlers, soldiers and militia in the United States from the 1770s to about 1820. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission costs $2 for adults and $1 for ages 12 and under.

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 from the 1880s, made of naturally occurring materials, such as alligator teeth and palm fronds, through the dreadful kitsch of the 1960s. On permanent display is the Walk through Time and Try History on For Size galleries, 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 Bay History Center, in the Tampa Convention Center Annex, 225 S. Franklin St., Tampa (813-228-0097). The center highlights Tampa Bay's rich heritage and diverse culture by highlighting the area's milestones. Exhibits feature artifacts and photographs from the early Timucuan Indians and European explorers through the Civil War and both World Wars. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.

Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa (813-274-8130). On Paper is a visually compelling exhibit of works focused on paper as a medium. The exhibit features six large-scale works from the museum's contemporary collection and is on display through Oct. 21. UnderCURRENT/overVIEW 5 features work by 15 artists who've achieved a certain level of expertise, offering a wide range of innovative forms of expression and artistic concerns. The exhibit runs through Sept. 16. Arte Contemporanea di vetri (Contemporary Art in Glass) continues through October. 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.

Veterans Memorial Museum and Park, 3602 U.S. 301 N., at the Tampa Bypass Canal, Tampa (813-744-5502). Permanent exhibits include Florida Soldiers Walk Through Time: 1590s-1990s, featuring Florida soldiers and American history from the 1590s through Desert Storm, and a Spanish-American War exhibit. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

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.)

Cats, the smash hit that revolutionized musical theater, can be seen at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Carol Morsani Hall through Sept. 8. Cats, based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, has been touring North America since ending its 18-year run on Broadway last September. Tickets cost $15.50-$54.50. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. TBPAC is at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-229-7827).

Don't Mention My Name, a two-act comedy by Fred Carmichael, is presented by the Gulfport Community Players. The performances take place at 8 p.m. Sept. 6-8, 12, 14 and 15, at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport (727-323-8739). Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $7.

The Nature of Fear and its Effects, this year's Original Works feature from The Jobsite Theater, uses the framework of a scholarly lecture on the subject of fear. Professor Templeton Q. Westlake leads the audience through a spectral bus stop, a haunted morgue and a graveyard where the dead don't stay down. The play runs through Sept. 2. at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Shimberg Playhouse, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-229-7827). Tickets are $15, $12 for students. www.jobsitetheater.org.

See Performance for review.

Comedy

Brewmasters, 401 E. Second St., Indian Rocks Beach (727-515-8059). G. David Howard performs every Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Cover varies and there's a two-beverage minimum.

Coconuts Comedy Club, at Howard Johnson, 6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-360-JOKE). The Labor Day Comedy Fest has Jay Hewlett performing Thursday, Aug. 30-Sept. 2. Open mic night takes place Wednesday, Sept. 5. Show times are at 9:30 p.m. Cover charge varies (two-drink minimum). Reservations are suggested.

Coconuts Comedy Club, at the Cinema Cafe, 24095 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater (727-797-JOKE). Mike McCarthy performs Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Show times is 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). Gabe Kaplan, from Welcome Back Kotter, performs through Sept. 2. Show times are 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $8-$22 depending on the night. 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.)

Open Mic

Beaux Arts Gallery and Folk Coffeehouse, 2635 Central Ave., St. Pete (727-328-0702). Beaux Arts celebrates its 54th annual Americana Art Festival on Sunday, Sept. 2. The festival consists of a number of original art, song and poetry contests. Admission and contest entry is free. 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 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A donation of $2 to $5 is suggested at the door, but coffee, tea and cake are free.

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.

Center of Radical Empowerment, 1615 16th St. S., St. Petersburg (727-821-2673). C.O.R.E. hosts an open mic from 8 to 11 p.m. every Monday. Music, poetry, spoken word, performance art … whatever floats your boat is OK by the progressive folks at C.O.R.E. Admission's free but donations are accepted.

Cool Tunes Coffee Bar, 2551 Drew St., Clearwater (727-799-3788). Open mic takes place from 9 to 11:30 p.m. every Wednesday, and guitarist Paul Reynolds plays from 9 to 11:30 p.m. every Thursday. Open mics are free. Hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Insomnia Coffee House Gallery, 32884 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor (727-789-3771). Musicians, poets, comedians, magicians and anyone else can perform at the 9 p.m. open mic events every Tuesday, hosted by Big Rick (sign-up starts at 8 p.m.). Hours are 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday and Monday.

James Joyce Irish Pub, 1704 1/2 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-247-1896). A singer-songwriter night for all musicians takes place 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.

Joffrey's-St. Petersburg, 5165 34th St. S., St. Petersburg (727-865-0605). Doris Owen Yates hosts an open mic for poetry and spoken word every Sunday at 3 p.m., and Kelly Green hosts a poetry open mic every Friday 7-10 p.m. Hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Seabreeze on Sunset Beach, 9546 Gulf Blvd. W., Treasure Island (727-360-1398). The Blues Jam, a jam night and open mic for blues-oriented singer/songwriters, takes place 8 p.m. to midnight every Wednesday.

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.

The Pharm, 941 Huntley Ave., Dunedin (727-735-9019). The Pharm's open mic takes place Wednesdays from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. A wide variety of talented musicians and performers grace the stage. www.pharmreport.com.

Triple Talent Showcase, in the Ybor Room at HCC, located at Eighth Avenue and Republica De Cuba in Ybor City (813-973-0528). Sanman's Pure Poets Society offers an 8 to 10 p.m. open mic event every Wednesday. Poets of all skill levels are welcome to share their works, but a $3 donation is requested prior to performing.

Yeoman's Road Pub, 236 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa (813-251-BRIT). 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, there's another open mic on Sunday from 7 p.m. until close. All events are free and subject to change when there's a band scheduled.

Sports & Nature

Boyd Hill Nature Park, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg (727-893-7326). Enjoy a stirring hour of poetry and prose in the natural beauty of Boyd Hill Nature Park. Both amateur and seasoned artists are encouraged to come listen and share their favorite nature-oriented works. The event, called Describing Nature, takes place 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1.

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.

IPW Hardcore Wrestling, Florida's most successful underground wrestling organization, returns to Frankie's Ybor at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, for another hardcore show, Seventh Avenue Slaughter. The headlining match is an IPW Heavyweight Title bout between Scoot Andrews and A.J. Styles. Other feature match-ups include: Havoc vs. Chaos, Naphtali vs. Jimmy Rave and the Shane Twins vs. Quickiemart. The event also airs at 2:30 a.m. that night on UPN-44. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Frankie's is at 1920 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-248-3337).

It's Our Nature Outings, environmentally and historically informative events, gets you back to nature with hikes, birdwatching, kayak adventures, full moon walks and more on a regular basis. Some events are weekly; some are scheduled; and a full list of activities can be had by calling 727-441-2599 or by checking out www.itsournature.com.

Laser Tag at the Ice Sports Forum Already a popular ice skating venue, the forum has opened a 3,300-square-foot, space-themed laser tag facility capable of handling up to 40 players at once. Competition levels vary from fun-seekers to experienced, all-out players, with walk-ons and leagues welcome. 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).

Osprey Bay Kayaks, 17910 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater (727-524-9670). Aside from a variety of classes, Osprey also offers regular outings, including Sunset and Full Moon Paddles, Weekday Get Aways (Clearwater Bay, Caladesi Island, etc.) and fishing trips. For a full schedule of events, costs and other information, call the above number or visit www.ospreybay.com/trips.htm.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, at Tropicana Field, One Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg (813-825-3250). The Rays take on Oakland Friday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Games times are 7:15 p.m. Friday, 4:15 p.m. Saturday and 1:15 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $4 and go up to $195.

Special Events

Promotional Concert For Starving Filmmakers, a fundraiser to benefit the independent producers of Starving, a locally shot feature-length film, takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31. The film's cast and crew are all from the Bay area, and the film is currently in its final stages before premiering in Tampa. The 6-band concert includes The Gita and Mindtrippin', and takes place at the Royalty Theatre. Admission costs $10, $15 for VIP. The Royalty Theatre is at 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater (727-441-8868). www.starvingthemovie.com.

Ybor City Fresh Market Inc., in Centennial Park, is up and running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Drop by for a free glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice and check out all the fresh foods and other nifty items the market has up for grabs. Local vendors offer everything from fruits and veggies to plants to hand-made crafts. The park's at Eighth Avenue and 18th Street in Ybor City. Call 813-241-2442.

Lectures and Discussions

Mystery Writing Tips, a discussion of homicide reporting, takes place at the monthly meeting of the Tampa Writers Alliance. Detective Julia Massucci of the Tampa Police Department shares her knowledge with the TWA's mystery writers and anyone else interested. The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at the John F. Germany Main Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa (813-273-3652).

This article appears in Aug 30 – Sep 5, 2001.