John F. Germany, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa (813-273-3652). Join a book discussion of William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, copies of which are available at the Library. The discussion takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Call for library hours.
Lutz, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Road, Lutz (813-264-3800). Join a book discussion of Anita Diamant's The Red Tent, copies of which are available at the library. The discussion takes place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11.
New Tampa, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa (813-903-2280). Join a book discussion of Homer Hickam's Rocket Boys, copies of which are available at the library. In 1957, 14-year-old Hickam decides that building rockets is the way out of his small, coal-mining town. This is the true story of how he did, and went on to be a NASA engineer. This book is the basis for the movie, October Sky. The book discussion takes place at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10.
Ruskin, One Dickman Drive S.E., Ruskin (813-671-7638). Join a book discussion of Jane Shapiro's The Dangerous Husband. The discussion takes place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. Call for hours.
Seminole Heights, 4711 Central Ave., Tampa (813-273-3669). Join a book discussion of Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time, copies of which are available at the Library. The discussion takes place at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.
Open Mic
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 7:30 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.
Boudreaux's, 27964 U.S. 19, Clearwater (727-726-9030). This New Orleans-style restaurant holds a Blues Jam every Wednesday at 8 p.m., with featured performers playing a set before mixing in all comers. On Dec. 12, the featured act is The Blue Team.
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.
Computer Port Cafe, 432 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater Beach (727-441-2667). Every Friday and Saturday night the cafe plays host to an open mic from 7 to 11 p.m. for musicians, comedians, poets, etc. Hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and until 3 a.m. on weekends.
Cool Tunes Coffee Bar, 2551 Drew St., Clearwater (727-799-3788). Open mic takes place every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Open mics are free. Local acts play Fridays, check Soundboard or call for schedule. Hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Frankie & Johnny's, 10206 N. 30th St., Tampa (813-866-0340). An open jam, hosted by Mike, takes place every Wednesday from 9 p.m. until the last singer has sung.
Hollywood Java Coffee House & Bar, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa (813-348-1415). This new hangout is at Bay Street at the International Plaza. Hollywood Java features Open Mic Nite every Wednesday night from 8 to 11 p.m., welcoming musicians, poets and comedians. Two mics, a P.A. and a guitar amp are provided. Sign-up begins at 7 p.m. Hours are 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday.
Insomnia Coffee House Gallery, 32884 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor (727-789-3771). Words Awake!, a spoken word open mic, takes place at 8 p.m. every Thursday. 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). An open mic for all musicians takes place from 9:30 p.m. to 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.
Java Jane's, 2908 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport (727-328-2050). This coffee spot hosts live folk and acoustic music every Friday and Saturday and holds an open mic from 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday. Hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 3-10 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
