Visual Arts
Openings
Lemon Studios and Gallery, 1601 N. Marion St., Tampa (813-251-4192). This is Tampa's newest alternative gallery and artist-run studio space. Four local artists (Ryan Berg, Linda Chumley, Mandy Greer and Chuck McGee) renovated the 600-square-foot space to provide themselves a place to work and display their art. The gallery is hosting an Open House and art sale 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 27-29. Stop by to see some of the excellent works, and be sure to congratulate Mandy Greer and Ryan Berg for being selected for Tampa Museum of Art's underCURRENT/overVIEW 5. Call for hours.
Ongoing
531 Central Fine Arts, 531 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-822-2787). The gallery is showcasing the oil paintings of Dan Godzieba and Kay Sutherland, along with pieces by Jean Lou Carel, Catherine Maize, Jacques Ousson and Antuan Rodriguez. The group exhibit continues through Aug. 8. 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.
Artists Unlimited, in the Channelside District, 223 N. 12th St., Tampa (813-229-5958). The gallery's eighth annual national open juried exhibition, judged by Bernice Steinbaum, presents an array of new artists from all over the country. Steinbaum's 33 selections represent an expansive view of process and product in art. The exhibition runs through July 27. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Caoba Fine Art Gallery, 7531 W. Waters Ave., Tampa (813-886-4187). Of the Waters and the Skies exhibits the work of owner-director Victor Melendez, abstract artist Gerardo Aristud and sculptor Carlos A. Camargo. The exhibit is the first for the new gallery, and continues through Aug. 8. Call for hours.
Clayton Galleries, 4105 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa (813-831-3753). Hot Summer Show II, a group show featuring 19 gallery artists, runs through Aug. 11. Artists include Peter Brown, Jeanne Cameron, Robin Cody, Lynn Davison, Cassandra James and Susan Klein. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Covivant Gallery, 4906 N. Florida Ave., Tampa (813-232-3283). Black Out, a showcase of Bay area artists presented by Szilage Gallery, features Ryan Arcieri, David Greg Harth, Thomas Raymond Hipschen, Polly Holt, Jon Karl Holm and SKI. The exhibition continues through July 29. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and by appointment.
Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center, 176 Fifth Ave., Safety Harbor (727-723-8638). Independence, Freedom and Justice For All, an exhibit of freedom-themed art, continues through Aug. 17. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment.
Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin (727-298-3322). The gallery has three new exhibits: Bear's Paw Quilts, Star Search and The Quilts of Mildred Dort. Bear's Paw Quilts features creations with strong design, color and innovation while paying homage to the traditional craftsmanship of quiltmaking. Star Search: 2001 Challenge of the Quilter's Crossing features works by 25 members of Quilter's Crossing utilizing the Star block assigned to them. And the Quilts of Mildred Dort showcases the pieces of highly respected quilt artist Mildred Dort, demonstrating her versatile design. The exhibitions continue through Aug. 26. 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.
Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave., downtown St. Pete (727-821-7391). Clay Rocks is an exhibition surveying new works by some of Florida's best ceramic artists, including several locals. The show continues through Aug. 24. 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 carries beautiful works by Kinkade, and 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 new 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 Boulevard, Suite 100, Tampa (813-974-3503). Visual/Verbal is an exhibit featuring word and image works by artists that include 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, Tampa (813-253-7674). Recent works by HCC's art department faculty members are on display through Aug. 5. The wide range of media includes items by Chad Bryan, Suzanne Camp Crosby, Susan Gott, Stephen Holm and Carolyn Kossar. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Image Brewery, 112 N. Mulrennan Road, Valrico (813-685-7600). After more than a year, Image Brewery is finally exhibiting once again, celebrating its reopening with an installation of Rucci's sculptural artifacts, illustrative text, reconstructive drawings and color photos documenting the recent excavation of a concrete road barrier in Tampa. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment.
MacArthur Galleries, 100 E. Madison St. (corner of Ashley Street), Tampa (813-221-5343). Figurative Dialog features drawings and oils by Edgar Sanchez Cumbas and Michael Madzo. Cumbas' work is also currently on display in the Tampa Museum of Art's underCURRENT/overVIEW 5. The exhibit continues through Thursday, Aug. 9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Mad Fish Gallery, 6116 Central Ave., Tampa (813-234-9300). This contemporary gallery features Keywest 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, 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 and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
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 from the art sold 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). Anything Goes is an exhibit of member artists' work in all variety of media, which runs through July 28. The Center's featured member-artist for the month of July is acrylic painter Phillip Lodato. The Center is free and open to the public. Hours are noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 5-8 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).
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 and 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). Attention to Details is an exhibit featuring pottery by Jan Richardson, sconces by Karen Kozak and wood carvings by Jim Good. The exhibit continues through Aug. 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Studio Gallery on Azeele, 3707 Azeele St., Tampa (813-875-5160). Metaphor in Abstraction, an exhibit of 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.
Susan Benjamin Glass Etc., 247 Main St., Safety Harbor (727-725-1808). Pate de Verre Vessels, glasswork by Keith and Deanna Clayton, are pieces cast using an ancient glass technique, which translated from the French title means paste of glass. The couple's pieces have been collected across the country. Their show, which is free and open to the public, runs through Aug. 2. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Syd Entel Galleries, 247 Main St., Safety Harbor (727-725-1808). Women in the Arts is a collection of well-known artists from across the country, including Jean Richardson, Rodo Boulanger, Dawn Marie, Lori-Ann Latremoille, Patricia Nix, Marsha Hamel and Clearwater's own Sally Evans. The exhibit continues through Aug. 2. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
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). Enjoy A Splash of Hot Jazz, the latest installment in the Aquarium's Splash music series, featuring the Tom Jemmot Band, Steve Matthews Duo and Ladyfingers. The concert takes place 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 27, and admission is $5. 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 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 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.
Gulf Coast Museum of Art, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo (727-518-6833). Pinellas County High School Survey, an annual student art exhibit, is on view through Aug. 6. John Henry: Wandering Spirit, continues through Aug. 27, offering 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.
Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-254-1891). Simple Pleasures: America's Love of Pond Yachts continues through Dec. 23. 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.
Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Pete (727-896-2667). Beyond Adornment: Beads from Around the World 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.
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 Theater 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.
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 Gallery of Photographic Arts, in Old Hyde Park Village, 746 S. Village Circle, Tampa (813-251-1800). Tampa's first museum devoted solely to the art of photography holds over its Masters of Black and White exhibit, due to popular demand, through July 29. 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). Nota bene: The Museum is offering $1 admission to all Florida residents for the month of July. UnderCURRENT/overVIEW 5, an exhibition of work by regional artists, features 15 artists who've achieved a certain level of expertise and recognition, offering a wide range of innovative forms of expression, media and artistic concerns. The exhibit runs through Sept. 16. Arte Contemporanea di vetri (Contemporary Art in Glass) continues through October. James Rosenquist: The Florida Years, 1976-2001, also continues 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.
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.)
Bear in the Big Blue House Live!, a 90-minute Broadway musical, is based on the Emmy Award-winning television show by the same name, created by Jim Henson Television. The musical is produced by the same company that produces Sesame Street Live!, and is intended for the same child audience. Performances take place at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, July 27; 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28; and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29. Tickets cost $13, $18 and $24, and TBPAC's at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-222-1057).
Briefs '01, presented by Stageworks, features performances of five original short plays, four by Florida playwrights and one by a Chicago playwright. Casts include Shanen Armstrong, Ginger King, Linda Favjan, Isabel Natero, Jennifer Neumann and Cher Tanner. Tickets cost $12, $10 for seniors and $7 for students. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at HCC's Performing Arts Hall, 15th Street and Palm Avenue, Ybor City (813-251-8984).
Day 2 Day, an original play, is the product of the Prodigy Theater Camp. The camp's 32 children, who are between the ages of 10 and 15, wrote about their lives in daily journals, and these experiences were in turn compiled by artist David Audet and are reflected in the play. Actor Jorge Acosta directs the play with choreography by Kim Dilts, Debra Loran and John Parks. Performances are 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 28; 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29; and 6 p.m. Monday, July 30. These performances are free and open to the public.
Falsettos, a pop-rock opera, traces the journey of a family preparing their son's bar mitzvah, while the child deals with his parents' divorce and his father's relationship with a man living with AIDS. The musical runs through Aug. 5 at American Stage, 211 Third St. S., St. Petersburg (727-823-7529). Single tickets cost $20-$28. Call for show times.
Forever Plaid, a hit Broadway musical set in the 1950s, is the story of a quartet of teenage singing hopefuls called The Four Plaids. The show runs through Aug. 12 in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Jaeb Theater, 1010 MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-229-7827). Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $24.50 to $29.50.
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, presented by the City Players, is a sassy and whimsical version of the musical, featuring a cast of more than 75 adult performers and a full orchestra. The show takes place at Ruth Eckerd Hall at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 29. Tickets cost $12. REH's at 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater (727-791-7400).
Visiting Mr. Green, a comedy by Jeff Baron, chronicles the relationship of two men; Mr. Green, a curmudgeonly elderly man firmly anchored in traditional Judaism, and Ross Gardiner, a young up-and-comer with more modern values. See Performance for a review. The play runs through Aug. 5. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $20-$28. The play takes place at American Stage, 211 Third St. S., St. Petersburg (727-823-7529).
Comedy
Coconuts Comedy Club, at Howard Johnson, 6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-360-JOKE). Leslie Norris performs Thursday, July 26, through July 29. Open mic night features Carl Faulkenberry on Wednesday, Aug. 1. 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). Steve Epstein performs Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28. Show times are at 9:30 p.m. Cover varies (two-drink minimum). Reservations suggested.
Drew Street Station Comedy Night, 1717 Drew St., Clearwater (727-441-3350). From 9 to 11 p.m. every Thursday, the Station lets up-and-coming comedians cut their comedy teeth on the club clientele. Each week, six comedians contribute to the all-you-can-stand smorgasbord of laughs. The evening, like every other at Drew Street, imposes no cover charge or drink minimum.
Improv Comedy Theater, at Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City (813-864-4000). Stand-up comedy's two funniest un-famous guys, Ron Morey and Darrell Joyce, are performing nightly through July 29. Morey has been on A&E's Evening at the Improv and Joyce has appeared on HBO's Young Comedians Special. On Wednesday, Aug. 1, Etta May begins a run of performances through Aug. 5. Etta May has appeared in Jeff Foxworthy's Greats of Country Comedy and was named 1999 Female Comic of the Year. Tickets cost between $8 and $14. All prices are advance purchase, and cost $2 more at the door. (Get a traffic ticket recently? Call about the Improv's Driving School. No kidding.)
Side Splitters, 12938 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-960-1197). Eddie Gossling, winner of the 1995 HBO Comic Relief IV award, performs Thursday, July 26. Tickets cost $8. Dom Irrera, recently nominated for Best Stand-up Comic of the Year, performs Friday, July 27, through July 29. Tickets cost $16 and $18. Show times are 8:30 p.m. weekdays; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Wacky Weaver's, located inside the Brandon Brew House, 779 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon. (813-661-5527). Daymon Sadler performs Friday and Saturday July 27 and 28. Show times are at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Admission is $10. Reservations are recommended.
Literary & Libraries
Barnes & Noble-Tampa, 213 N. Dale Mabry (813-871-2228). Author Carlton J. Buller discusses and signs his new book, Stolen Innocence: The Autobiography of a Lost Soul, at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26. Hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Borders-Tampa, 909 N. Dale Mabry (813-874-5722). Poet Diana Browning hosts an evening of Poetry on the Edge at 8 p.m. Friday, July 27. Hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
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.
Kid's Summer Programs, at darn near every library in the land, continue through August. Without a doubt, kids rule the stacks throughout summer. Keeping their young minds active thanks in part to reading programs, computer camps, game days and all sorts of other fun stuff designed to help kids retain what they learned the previous year. Call your local library for a summer schedule, or call John F. Germany Public Library (main branch) at 813-273-3652.
Peace Bookstores Inc., 14851 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-265-9433). Ongoing discussion groups at this metaphysical bookstore include: A Course In Miracles group at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, as well as 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, each week. A Course In Miracles In Spanish at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The Celestine Prophecy group meets at 7 p.m. Friday, and Joseph Campbell's Transformations Of Myth Through The Ages is discussed at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday. The Joseph Campbell discussion costs $5 per week; all others are free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (most groups meet after store hours).
Powerful Online Resources, for the technically challenged, takes place at many Tampa-area libraries each month. Ask your local branch about appointments to receive one-on-one training on the library's extensive electronic resources, as well as basic e-mail instruction. Call Tampa's main library, John F. Germany, for your nearest branch at 813-273-3652.
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.
Bitter Shot, at Joffrey's Coffee Shop, 1616 Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-248-5282). This spoken word and open mic night takes place at 9 p.m. every Wednesday, complete with background music. Admission is 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, formerly the George Orwell Resource Center, 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. Call 727-821-2673.
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 guitarist Paul Reynolds plays from 9 to 11:30 p.m. every Thursday. Open mics are free. Hours 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.
Cruzin' 66, at 66th Street and 50th Avenue in Pinellas Park (727-547-0230). Richie Vee and Dread, White & Blue host an 8 p.m. open blues jam every Sunday. Join in the jam, learn a few new tricks and maybe meet your new bandmates.
Gatorz Southern Rock Cafe, 509 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon (813-662-1557). Mike Childs hosts a Wednesday open jam at Gators, which begins at 10 p.m. Dillon G. helps Childs host the event, which is geared toward musicians but open to poets as well.
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). 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.
Joffrey's Coffee Shop, 5165 34th St. S., St. Petersburg (727-946-7622). Doris Yates hosts a poetry/spoken word open mic at 3 p.m. every Sunday. Sign in by 2:30 p.m. if you want to read. Also, Stazja (yeah, we can't pronounce it either) hosts a poetry slam the first Sunday of each month, with prizes for the winners. For info on the slam, call 727-449-0597 or e-mail stazja@aol.com.
Market on 7th, 1816 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-248-2356). If you miss Vince Longo's Wednesday Open Mic at Yeoman's Road, schlep on down to the market where Longo and John Meats host yet another, this one from 8 p.m. to midnight each Thursday. The event is mostly musical, but any appreciable talent is welcome.
Rockwell's Corner Pub, 10801 Starkey Road, Suite One, Largo (727-398-1055). The Blue Team hosts an 8 p.m. to midnight open mic every Thursday. Musicians are welcome to come on down and jam with the band during this highly improvisational evening of blues tunes.
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.
Tavern at Bayboro, on the USF campus, 121 Seventh Ave. S., St. Petersburg (727-821-1418). Hosted by Shana, this open mic takes place from 8 to 11:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Cool feature performers show up every week, musicians, poets and performance artists are welcome and visual artists are encouraged to bring out their works as well. Arrive early to reserve your spot.
The Pharm, 941 Huntley Ave., Dunedin (727-735-9019). The Pharm's growing Open Mic has moved from Mondays to Wednesdays from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Host Ben Bryant,a talented musician himself, keeps things moving, while a wide variety of performers grace the stage. www.pharmreport.com.
Triple Talent Showcase, at the HCC-Ybor campus courtyard, located at Eighth Avenue and Republica De Cuba in Ybor City (813-973-0528). Sanman's Pure Poets Society is back, offering 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.
Tycoon's, 526 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-826-6716). Keyboardist Kevin Wilder hosts an open jazz jam from 6 p.m. to midnight every Sunday. Players from around the Bay area join Wilder for this weekly improv session. Admission's free.
Y-Project, at Yeoman's Road Pub, 236 E. Davis Blvd., Davis Islands (813-251-BRIT). The Rev. Roy T. Justice leads this Sunday night event, featuring a collection of stage hoppers from the Tampa Bay open mic scene. The fun begins at 7 p.m. and continues till the group's damn good and ready to quit (or until they get tossed out).
Yeoman's Road Pub, 236 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa (813-251-BRIT). The open mic lineup 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
Boyd Hill Nature Park, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg (727-893-7326). Come see live bats from the Florida Bat Center and learn the truth about these nocturnal creatures. The presentation takes place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28. Snake and owl presentations are also on the evening's agenda, followed by an optional night hike. Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot.
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.
Butterfly Gardens, a presentation on targeting and attracting specific butterfly species, is part of the Tampa Audubon Society's Healthy Habitats seminar series. The registration cost for the seminar is $10. The presentation takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at the Audubon Resource Center at Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa (813-983-0258).
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.
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 Tampa Bay Lightning's practice facility has opened a 3,300-square-foot, space-themed laser tag facility able of handle 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 Full Moon Paddles, Weekday Get Aways (Clearwater Bay, Caladesi Island, etc.) and fishing trips. For a full schedule of events, costs and other information, visit www.ospreybay.com/trips.htm.
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
Big Boy's Toys and Cyber Show, two big events held under one big roof, features new technology for home and office, business-to-business technology, video games and more. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at Tropicana Field, One Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg (813-825-3250). Admission costs $5 and parking is free.
Jobsite Theater Fundraiser, the theater's first annual fundraiser, comes as the theater closes out its third season of cutting-edge projects at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The event takes place in the Center's Jaeb Courtyard with food and drinks, musical entertainment by Joe Popp and a special performance by the Jobsite Theater of all 37 of William Shakespeare's plays (abridged) in 90 minutes. Tickets for the event are $30, and all proceeds benefit the Jobsite Theater. The event begins at 7:30 Saturday, July 28, and TBPAC is at 1010 MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-229-7827).
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.
This article appears in Jul 26 – Aug 1, 2001.