Visual Arts
Openings
Covivant Gallery, 4906 N. Florida Ave., Tampa (813-232-3283). Black Out, a showcase of Bay area artists, features Ryan Arcieri, David Greg Harth, Thomas Raymond Hipschen, Polly Holt, Jon Karl Holm and Ski. The opening reception is at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 7, and the exhibition runs through July 29. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and by appointment.
Gulfport Gallery Walk, in the Gulfport Art Village, South of 28th Avenue on Beach Boulevard South, Gulfport (727-321-0830). The village's monthly Gallery Walk takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 6. Wine and dine at one of Gulfport's restaurants or pubs, then check out the latest paintings, pottery, sculptures, glass, antiques and more during extended hours at over a dozen galleries. Soul Mates, David Domingo and Tawny & Scott supply the tunes, and Dan Bricker from the St. Petersburg Astronomy Club gives you a view of the night sky through his handmade telescopes.
Hyde Park Fine Arts, 937 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-258-8883). Influx, a group painting exhibition, showcases four emerging artists: Kathryn Jill Johnson, Roxie Veasey, Joanna Coke and Hector Del Campo. All of the artists received their formal training from USF's fine arts program within the past five years. The opening reception is 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 6. and the show continues through Aug.11. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Painted Fish Gallery, 350 Main St., Dunedin (727-736-0934). The Painted Fish hosts its Summer Open House from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 7. 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).
Ongoing
531 Central Fine Arts, 531 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-822-2787). The gallery is showcasing the oil paintings of Kay Sutherland, along with pieces by Jean Lou Carel, Catherine Maize, Jacques Ousson, Antuan Rodriguez and Dan Godzieba. 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.
Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Pete (727-822-7872). The opening reception for the Art Center's summer exhibitions is at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 12, but the shows open to all on Saturday, July 7, and runs through Aug. 7. 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, 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. 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.
Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center, 176 Fifth Ave., Safety Harbor (727-723-8638). Independence, Freedom and Justice For All, an exhibition of freedom-themed art, continues through Aug. 17. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment.
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.
Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin (727-298-3322). The Florida Experience: The Interactive Exhibition for Children and Adults continues through Sept. 14. Hours are 9 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.
Gallery Enormous, 540 Central Ave., St. Petersburg (727-551-9865). The gallery's first show, Enormous Talent: A Taste of Things to Come, features works by those artists who will be represented by the gallery throughout its first year. The debut show continues through July 13, and artists include Theo Wujcik and Frank Strunk III. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment.
Graphicstudio, 3702 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 100, Tampa (813-974-3503). Nudes, a collection of works by 14 artists, including Robert Mapplethorpe, Philip Pearlstein, Jim Dine, Judy Chicago and Joel Peter Witkin, runs through September. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Grossman Gallery, 1111 Swann Ave., Tampa (813-258-4441). This Hyde Park gallery is a fun (i.e., no intimidation or elitism) place to see art, with the first show including works by 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.
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. The exhibition continues through Aug. 5. 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 (the safest place for unsafe art) 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, who was recently accepted into the Tampa Museum of Art's upcoming underCURRENT/overVIEW 5. Works of collage on paper by Michael Madzo, who lends texture to his images by tearing his montages apart and sewing them back together, are also included. The show continues through Aug. 9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Snooty Judy's Gallery for the Open Mind, 514 Skinner Blvd., Dunedin (727-734-9835). Visions, Games & Fantasies continues through July 10. This show features the mixed-media works of Boo Ehrsam, as well as the Dreamcastings of Nancy and Steve Eggert. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. See the gallery at www.openmindart.com.
St. Pete Beach Art Institute, 3300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-367-3818). Makin' Art, featuring the works of Nancy Wallace Gable, continues through July 6. The artist's works run the gamut, from collages to still lifes to abstracts. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Visit www.suntanartcenter.com.
Studio Encanto, 209 First St. N., St. Petersburg (727-821-2959). A two-man show featuring the works of Dragoslav Milic and Andrej Kroslak continues through July 12. Milic's bold works range from florals to landscapes to portraits, while Kroslak shows off his Lady Bug floral series. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Studio Seven Lamps & Antiques, 3062 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport (727-321-0830). Studio Seven features a collection of vintage time pieces from the '20s to '60s, restored by Frank Baptie. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Syd Entel Galleries, 247 Main St., Safety Harbor (727-725-1808). Cows in the City- Moo-velous, featuring the works of James Rizzi, continues through July 5. Have you seen or read about the Cows on Parade in Zurich and Chicago? Well, same idea. In fact, Rizzi's five three-dimensional silkscreen prints are inspired by his designs of the large, fiberglass cows. The images are whimsical, bright, colorful and a complete treat to look at. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
TECO Public Art Gallery, 2623 Jetton Ave., Tampa (813-251-3688). TECO exhibits the paintings and sculptures of Ronald Jaco throughout the month of July. The exhibit consists of 20 acrylic paintings and bold, 3-Dimensional sculptures of familiar subjects with subtle artistic interpretations. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Unsupervised, featuring works on paper by Hugo S. Porcaro Jr., hangs at The Globe Coffee Lounge through July 7. Part of the Globe's Art Shots series, this show features Porcaro's easy, fun works on paper, along with a series of darker works. This makes for an interesting mix of acrylics on paper portraying everything from flowers, cakes and coffee, to meditations on attracting violence to broken relationships. The Globe's at 532 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Call 727-898-5282.
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 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.
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). Pinellas County High School Survey, an annual student art exhibit, is on view Sunday, July 8-Aug. 6. Betye and Alison Saar: Conjure Women of the Arts, a video examining the personal and artistic relationship between artist and daughter, runs through July 8. 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. 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.
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.
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.
Sunken Gardens, 1825 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-551-3100). East Meets West, a festival of Japanese and exotic fruits, offers fruit tasting, a fruit garden, Asian food vendors and presentations on Bonsai and Ikebana. The festival takes place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15. Admission costs $6 for adults, $2 children 3 to 11. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to 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 latest museum, the first 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. 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.)
Blown Through Life Sideways, an award-winning play by Claudia Shears, opens with the Southeastern premiere at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Shimberg Playhouse. Shears' play runs Friday, July 6-July 22, with showtimes at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices range from $10-$15.50. The Playhouse is located at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-229-7827).
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 Thursday, July 5-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 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $24.50 to $29.50.
The Love Machine, Sandra Bernhard's new show, is a comic homage to rock and roll. With a five-piece band, Bernhard intersperses her satirical monologues with original and cover performances. The Love Machine follows up her acclaimed one-woman show, I'm Still Here...Damn It! The show takes place at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Ferguson Hall (813-229-7827). Tickets range from $25.50-$55.50.
Comedy
Brewmaster's Steak House, 401 Second St., Indian Rocks Beach (727-515-8059). Comedian G. David Howard entertains the bar crowd at one of the latest alternative venues for stand-up comedy, at 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Cover varies.
Coconuts Comedy Club, at Howard Johnson, 6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-360-JOKE). Uncle Dow Thomas performs his unique blend of comedy and guitar/banjo music at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 5-Sunday, July 8. 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). Spanky Brown, a versatile young comedian, draws from his experiences as a preacher's son, his stint in the Army, being married and working as an advertising executive. He performs at 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 6 and 7. Admission costs $5. Show times are at 9:30 p.m. Cover varies (two-drink minimum). Reservations suggested.
Side Splitters, 12938 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-960-1197). Ken Whitener, The Master Hypnotist, spellbinds audiences and doubles them over with laughter. He's appearing through July 15. Regular admission ranges from $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). Wacky Weaver performs his high-energy, full-hour, foot-stomping, side-splitting show at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 6 and 7.
Libraries and Literary
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). Tim Dorsey reads and signs his newest comic mystery, Orange Crush, at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 12. Dorsey, a former Tampa Tribune reporter, skewers Florida politics with his darkly hilarious perspective. 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.
New Tampa, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa (813-903-2280). Join a book discussion on Amy Tan's Hundred Secret Sense, copies of which are available at the library. Groups must register in advance. The discussion takes place at 2 p.m. Monday, July 9.
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-one-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.
Rainbow Readers, a gay and lesbian book discussion group, meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 9, at the headquarters of Equality Florida, 3708 W. Swann Ave., Tampa (813-221-1423).
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.
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 every Thursday. 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.
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.
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.
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 slide and e-mail to [email protected].
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 12 a.m. 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 St. Pete 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.
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 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
Boyd Hill Nature Park, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg (727-893-7326). Common Scents: the Art and Science of Aromatherapy, a series of five sessions demonstrating the benefits of aromatherapy, offers topics ranging from personal hygiene, gardening, natural pest control and uses in the home, to benefits for the outdoor enthusiast. The first session takes place at 7 p.m. Monday, July 9, and the series continues through July 30. The cost is $5 per session. Discover the mysteries of the night as you search for nocturnal creatures on the park's Night Hike, at 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 9. The hike is free, but you must call to reserve your spot. Other guides offer night hikes, bird hikes, nature walks and wildflower walks for free.
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.
Inline Skating with the Tampa Bay Road Rollers Meet the group at 12th Street Park, on the corner of Cumberland Avenue and 12th Street. The adventure starts at 8 p.m. every Saturday at downtown Tampa's Inline Hockey Arena for an invigorating roll around downtown, Hyde Park, Bayshore Boulevard and Ybor City. If you can't skate 9 to 12 miles in an evening, you might want to wait until you can. There's no cost to join and the Rollers sponsor other events like the Full Moon Skate, Tuesdays on Bayshore and Jackson's Famous Thursday Night Skate. For more information, call 813-815-7120, check out the Web site at www.SkateTampa.com, or e-mail [email protected].
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 Walk-ons and leagues are also 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).
Tampa Bay Devil Rays, at Tropicana Field, One Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg (813-825-3250). Interleague play has allowed some intriguing match-ups, none more so than the Sunshine Series, Tampa's Devil Rays vs. the Florida Marlins. This is a battle of expansion teams for state supremacy. Game times are as follows: 7:15 p.m. Friday, July 6; 4:15 p.m. Saturday, July 7; and 1:15 p.m. Monday July 8. Tickets start at $4 and go up to $195.
Special Events
Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin (727-736-0606). The Dunedin Brewery, in celebration of American Beer Month, hosts an all-day party, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, July 7. Tours and tastings are offered. Handcrafted Dunedin beer, guest brews and root beer are on tap, and souvenirs are for sale. www.americanbeermonth.com.
Renaissance Vinoy Resort Tours, 501 Fifth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg (727-894-1000). Pamper yourself for a day and partake in a Vinoy history tour and luncheon. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday through Saturday, guides lead the tours and share stories of the rich and famous who once frequented the historic hotel. For $7 you'll receive a souvenir history book and tour. For $20 they'll throw in lunch in the hotels original dining room. Tours take place at the top of every hour from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ybor City Brewing Company Tour, 2205 N. 20th St., Ybor City (813-242-9222). Daily guided tours let you see beer being made right before your eyes. Then end the tour with a taste test and visit to the Hospitality Room. Continuous tours are given 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is $2.
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 handmade crafts. The park's at Eighth Avenue and 18th Street in Ybor City. Call 813-241-2442.
Ybor City Ghost Walk, an actor-guided tour of Tampa's Latin Quarter, takes place Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning at Centro Ybor. Get to know the Ybor of yore when actors, re-creating historical figures from Ybor's past, lead you through the streets and buildings of Ybor. Admission costs $10 for adults and $8 for ages 8-13. Walks take place Thursday through Sunday by appointment, and times are flexible. Self-guided tours-on-tape are also available in English, Spanish and German. Centro Ybor is at Seventh Avenue and 16th Street. Call 813-242-4600 for appointments.
