The Skeleton Twins, the much publicized dramedy starring two of showbiz’s funniest darlings, Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, opens nationwide this weekend. The SNL vets portray estranged, fraternal twins who cheat death on the same day and find their way back to each other’s good graces. Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell and Joanna Gleason co-star. While some critics have denounced the film’s by-numbers sibling drama formula, most have praised the insightful script by Mark Heyman (Black Swan, The Wrestler) and director Craig Johnson (True Adolescents, Aquarium), along with Wiig and Hader’s empathetic performances. Opens Friday at local theaters, including the majestic Tampa Theatre.
The University of South Florida’s Contemporary Art Museum consistently intrigues and challenges us while presenting a stylish exhibition event. The esteemed USF facility opens its new season and next show, Making Sense, with a reception on Sept. 26, 7-9 p.m. Meet the artists, mingle with other art lovers and enjoy food, drink, music and works by Rochelle Feinstein, Deborah Grant, Iva Gueorguieva (whose 2014 work "Ghost of Water" is pictured above) and Dona Nelson — all artists are reputed for their contemporary painting through a variety of approaches. Feinstein interprets figures of speech and everyday social codes; Grant incorporates historical narratives and imagined experiences and accounts of art history; Gueorguieva creates large-scale compositions with maximum impact, and Nelson creates two-sided paintings that viewers encounter as free-standing forms. Curated by Institute for Research and Art Director Margaret Miller and Megan Voeller, USFCAM’s associate curator of education and CL’s very own award-winning visual art critic. Free admission and open Mondays-Saturdays through Dec. 12, The museum is at 3821 USF Holley Drive, Tampa. ira.usf.edu.
Wordsmith/word geeks, knock back some 99-proof poetry at Yellow Jacket Press’ 7th Annual Florida Poets Happy Hour, serving up some of the best poetry and poets in Florida. The event will include 2-for-1 readings featuring: Heather Sellers, winner of the 10th Annual Florida Poets Contest and runner-up Melissa Fair; Aliesa Zoecklein, winner of the 4th Annual Peter Meinke Prize and runner-up Wendy Buffington; and local poets Robert Annis and Brogan Sullivan. The event also kicks off a year of celebrations marking YJP’s 10th anniversary and benefits the publication of the press. With a suggested donation of just $5, YJP’s raffle of literary odds and ends is sure to put any poetry lover in high spirits. Fri., Sept. 26, 7-9 p.m., San Carlos Tavern, 6416 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, yellowjacketpress.org. (Text by Meredith Myers)
USF's Contemporary Art Museum is not the only museum you can enjoy for free this weekend, thanks to Smithsonian Day Live!. The Museum of Fine Arts, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay History Center and several more esteemed institutions are offering free (or deeply discounted) admission on Saturday. Visit the event's website for free tickets.
See artfully painted automobiles when Carmada pulls up to St. Pete's Bayfront. The event takes place Sat. Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Plaza (betw. the Dali and the Mahaffey), St. Petersburg. For up-to-the-minute details, visit Carmada's Facebook page at facebook.com/carmadaFL.
If you're in Ybor, attend the Heart 2 Heart rock benefit at Crowbar, where Thx Mgmt Presents & The Purple Heart Memorial Committee, Veterans Memorial Park, 3602 U.S. 301 N, Tampa are hosting a fundraising event to benefit the Purple Heart Memorial on Saturday at 7 p.m. and will feature a night of eclectic bands and impressive prize drawings. Onstage will be DubbTenn (pictured) w/special guests Badda Skat, MeteorEYES and Hail Dale, The goal is to make this memorial a reality. $10 minimum door donation; donations can also be made to veteransparkHC.org/purpleheart.html.
In St. Pete, much is going on live music-wise. One of the more exciting and different options, Hyperbolic Chamber Music:1: Works for Cello at the Venture Compound. Read Leilani Polk's feature for details about the adventurous concert series. Also, Zulu Wave is celebrating their CD release at Attic Records.
In the mood for an international encounter but can't afford a plane trip? Head to the Florida State Fairgrounds for a little bit of India to celebrate the annual Hindu festival of Navratri Sept. 26-27, 8 p.m. and Oct. 3-4, 8 p.m. Admission is $15 per day, $10 for seniors and students with ID and free for Gujarati Samaj members. Parking is $6 a car or $12 per RV or bus. Visit gujaratisamaj.org for more information on Indian cultural events in the Bay area.
Shake, shimmy and twist the night away for a great cause at Tempus Projects' End of Summer Dance Party Saturday night. Gabe Echazabal DJs Tempus Projects’ mini-fundraiser dance party 9 p.m. to midnight. The high-spirited shindig promises old school fun; no phones and cameras (so folks can shake it without fear of photo taggage). $5. tempus-projects.com.
If that weren't enough dance for you, The History House offers a compelling cultural examination of life growing up Latin, offering a multimedia showcase of flamenco and contemporary forms. Shows and discussions take place Friday and Saturday at HCC-Ybor.
Honorable mentions
Black on Black Rhyme Tampa, the latest incarnation of an ongoing spoken word tradition founded locally/regionally by Walter “Wally B” Jennings , James “J-Bizzle” Hillsman, and L.I.F.E., can be enjoyed 8 p.m. on Sunday at Alez Haitian Cuisine, 1428 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa — Best of the Bay winner of Best Place to Get Authentic Haitian Cuisine.
Take the kids to Lowry Park Zoo for Zoo Boo Shriek Peek, Sept. 26-27, 7-11 p.m. The discounted preview weekend offers the seasonal attraction's haunted houses and trails, displays and lights.This year’s theme for Zoo Boo is London Frightmare. Admission is $12 during Shriek Peek Weekend. lowryparkzoo.com.
Alleviate that back-to-work/school feeling Sunday night with some laughs. "Comedian, tall guy and life aficionado" Devin Seibold (pictured) takes the mic at Side Splitters. The 6-foot-6 former middle school teacher goes on 7-8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10-$12. sidesplitterscomedy.com.
It's time again for the always fun and convivial Pub Bike Ride. The ride this Sunday leaves Yeoman's Road at 6 p.m. and heads off to stops around Davis Islands and UT area.
Celebrate Oktoberfest: One of the area's most authentic seasonal German festivals gets its oom pah pah beginning this weekend and continuing Fridays-Sundays through mid-October.
