Rock star of the food world and salt-and-pepper sex symbol Anthony Bourdain appears live in the sizzling flesh Friday to share his travel stories and silver-tongued smart-assery – and answer some questions from his fans. The globe-trekiking star of the Travel channel’s Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations has one of the most enviable gigs: Each week he visits big-city bistros, rustic rural outposts and far-flung mud huts to discover traditional and bizarre dishes, all the while serving up tasty turns of phrase with self-deprecating humor. He’s also the author of bestseller Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and recently penned Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook, which includes ample servings of Bourdain’s savory sass. Autographed copies will be available for at the event, courtesy of Inkwood Books. 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 12, at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg. $40-$125. For information, call 727-892-5798 or visit mahaffeytheater.com.
The Bricks of Ybor City and Kick Start My Art roll out a big art party in celebration of the Skatepark of Tampa's 18th annual Tampa Am Contest. Not Playing With A Full Deck features works created on broken and recycled skateboards by more than 40 local and national artists (pictured here is a broken skate deck art piece by local artist Michelle Saywer.) Artists are creating ingenious designs with the skateboard remains – like R.J. Runas skull and crossbones made from a deck and broken guitar. If you haven't visited the Bricks yet, it opened last July and is the brainchild of Skate Park of Tampa owner Brian Schaefer. Its menu offers drinks and light fare as well as a signature list of PB & J toppers. Kick Start My Art curates this event, and like the group's previous events, Gifts for Glitter and Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, Not Playing With a Full Deck is free to attend and features food and drink specials, as well as a DJ. 9 p.m. Fri., Nov. 19, at The Bricks of Ybor, 1327 E. Seventh Ave. Free. Call 813-247-1785 for more info or go to thebricksybor.com.—Brad Tilbe
