Weekend Top 10: Hootie Hits Town, Cool Art is Back, Plus a Jobsite Mini Review, Registry Spotlight Event, and MORE!
Big name concerts, Cool Art, a rodeo, anime art – even french fry and ice cream festivals! There are so many unique choices this weekend, so let Registry Tampa Bay help you curate the perfect weekend. Also, check out the mini review for Jobsite’s latest production. **Mini Review** Puffs – or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic Presented by Jobsite Theatre Jaeb Theatre at the Straz Center, Tampa Picture it. We return to a certain school for would-be wizards in England. You know, the one that produced a certain lightning bolt scarred phenom named Harry. Turns out (who knew), there are lots of other students there too, and like most schools, there are groups and clicks to deal with. This school of Magic is no exception – except these groups are assigned by some shenanigans with a magic hat and an enchanted computer. We meet the Braves, the Smarts, The Snakes….and the title characters, the Puffs – a group representing the school’s lowest expectations. They are the uncool, the unmagical, and the unaccomplished – or are they? Puffs by Matt Cox takes us on their journey through seven (age 11-18) years of school, growth, friendship, and hilarious antics. I can report, without hesitation or hyperbole, that I laughed through the entire show. This is indeed one of the tightest and best ensemble performances I have had the pleasure to see. The timing of this large cast through some pretty complex blocking, lighting, and sound cues, was flawless. The characters are as endearing as they are funny. If I had to pick some favorite performances, which is pretty difficult considering how wonderful everyone was, it would be Troy Brooks as Oliver – a totally lovable nerd and math genius who comes of age at the school. You see, feel, and laugh through his evolution because of his spot on portrayal. I also really enjoyed the performance of Ben Sutherland as Cedric, leader of the Puffs. You can feel his dedication to the group and his passion for success. Sutherland’s suave and enthusiastic delivery was just the right tone for the role. It’s just a bonus that he appears in several scenes shirtless. Of course, Matthew McGee as the Narrator is always a comic delight. He is especially adept at improv audience interactions that add even more laughs to the show. Set design of the school interior by Chris Giuffré and Sklar Jay, was all pro and provided the perfect backdrop for all the many antics that occur. Stage managing is often one of the most difficult and unsung roles in any production, but the job done by Jaryn McCann in precisely orchestrating two hours of pretty complex timing and cues, is to be roundly applauded. Big kudos to the entire behind the scenes crew – costumes, lighting and sound were all top tier. Puffs is simply a pure delight and a wonderful distraction in complex times. The word is out, and tickets are going fast, so don’t sleep on this one friends. Order your tickets today per the link below. Puffs runs about 2 1/2 hours total with intermission, so plan accordingly. Puffs runs now through Sunday, August 3rd Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Thursday New Exhibit: Tales of Winter the Dolphin Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater The Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers the ‘Tales of Winter the Dolphin’ exhibit, a new immersive experience that celebrates Winter’s inspiring journey. Visitors can explore Winter memorabilia, movie props, and her real prosthetic tails, learning about her rescue, rehabilitation, and legacy. This exhibit honors Winter’s enduring spirit and her role in inspiring ocean advocacy and conservation efforts. Now through September 30th Find tickets, show schedules, and more information HERE. Opening: LAB Laughs – An Evening of Comedic Shorts Lab Theatre Project, Tampa We all could use aa good laugh, yes? Well look no further than the opening of this hilarious comedic event. LAB Laughs is an annual comedic short festival. Each year they filter through submissions from around the world to find two hours worth of humor and fun to share with its audiences. All original shorts, never produced, giving mirth a new home bringing new laughter to life in Tampa. Thursday, July 17th through Sunday, August 3rd Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Opening Reception: International Photography Competition 2025 Tampa Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa If you love incredible art photography, then don’t miss heading over to FMoPA for the Opening Reception of the 2025 International Photography Competition exhibition. This juried group exhibition features winning works from FMoPA’s 2025 International Photography Competition, selected from over 2,500 global submissions. This stunning exhibit will be on view until August 24, 2025. Thursday, July 17th @5:30pm – 7pm (exhibit runs through August 24th) Find exhibit tickets and more information HERE. Friday Tampa Bay Rodeo and Family Festival Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Dover Yee Haw! Pack up the fam and get ready for some bucking bronco reality at the fairgrounds this weekend! The best cowboys and cowgirls in the Southeast are saddling up at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds for a FULL RODEO, featuring 2 action-packed days of bull riding, bronco busting, barrel racing, calf roping, team roping and bull dogging. The fun starts before you enter the arena as the Family Festival kicks up the excitement with LIVE MUSIC, tasty food, and exciting activities for the whole family. It’s Florida’s Hottest Show on Dirt so grab your friends and family and come on down for a night of dust, adrenaline and unforgettable memories! Friday & Saturday, July 18th & 19th Find tickets, performance schedules, and more information HERE. French Fry Festival 3 Daughters Brewing, St. Pete Here’s a mouthwatering way to enjoy your Friday night. Some of our favorite local food trucks will be on-site at 3 Daughters, serving their delicious take on everyone’s favorite form of potato – the french fry! There will also be live
Weekend Top 10: Jaws 50th Anniversary @ SharkCon! Two #Registry Spotlights, Great Summer Festivals, and MORE!
Sharks, would-be wizards, and fun summer festivals are the order of the weekend – along with music legends, entertaining new theater, and Second Saturday fun and art. Make your plan now – here’s no time to waste! **Registry Spotlight Event** We’re starting right off with the spotlight event because it’s going to be a true summer treat – and you can’t have too many smiles, can you? Jobsite Theater shines in the #RegistrySpotlight this week! New Theater Thursday PUFFS – Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic Jaeb Theater @The Straz Center – Jobsite Theater, Tampa This one is going to fun kids, so don’t miss a chance to feel good, be entertained, and have a good laugh. So many of our local favorites (like Matthew McGee and Colleen Cherry), will take the stage for a look at the antics of some of the students less ‘burdened’ by talent who attended a certain wizarding school with a certain phenom with the initials HP. Overlooked and underestimated, the Puffs are a perky, well-meaning, loyal group of outsiders with a thing for badgers “who are so lovable and relatable, you’ll leave the theater wishing they were in the stories all along” (Hollywood Life). Their “hilariously heartfelt!” (Metro) and epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a hero can be. Watch for the “mini” review next week! Now through Sunday, August 3rd Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday Summer Carnival Safety Harbor City Park, Safety Harbor Nothing says summer, like a good old-fashioned carnival. Enjoy July Parks and Recreation Month with games, inflatables, prizes, friends and family. Games and inflatables start at $.50/ticket. Find ticket packages HERE. Gather the family and head over to beautiful Safety Harbor City Park in one of the most charming communities in Pinellas County. Friday, July 11th @12pm – 3pm Find more information HERE. Witch Hunt – Presented by Power Stories Theatre Stageworks Theatre, Tampa This eerie period production returns the audience to the occult and mysterious times following the Salem witch hunts and trials. Ten years after Abigail Williams, instigator of the witch trials, disappeared from Salem, she turns up at the tavern of her fellow ex-witch-hunter, Mercy Lewis. About to leave the colonies forever, it’s her last chance to understand the madness that overtook them. But with war threatening northern New England yet again, Mercy and her fellow townspeople are in no mood for Abigail’s doubts, which suggest complicity with the devil. And just when everything is most dangerously tense—the devil himself shows up. Friday, July 11th through Sunday, July 20th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Parallel Lives by Erica Sutherlin The Studio @620, DTSP Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a free evening of theater with this series of short plays written by our very own Erica Sutherlin. Developed in partnership with Florida Humanities through a series of interviews with members of our local community, these original short plays spotlight pairs of individuals who share a common thread—whether it’s a profession, passion, or personal journey—but who have experienced that thread in completely different ways. This project blends documentary storytelling with theatrical interpretation to uncover the connective tissue between seemingly separate lives. Friday & Saturday, July 11th & 12th @8pm on Saturday & 2pm on Sunday Find RSVP and more information HERE. Saturday Tapon Springs Arts & Crafts Festival Sponge Docks, Tarpon Springs Come out and visit the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Art & Craft Festival! This show lines the docks of the historic Greek town in beautiful Tarpon Springs, where you’ll find thousands of creative creations from local and visiting fine artists and crafters. One-of-a-kind restaurants, bakeries, boutiques and shops will ensure a full day of discovery and creativity for visitors of all ages during this free, weekend-long event. Saturday & Sunday, July 12th & 13th Find schedules and more information HERE. Family Fun Days Palm Harbor Museum, Palm Harbor The Third 2025 Intergenerational Family Fun Day is brought to you by Pinellas Community Foundation and Faith Mission Grant. It will be a summer fun and Back-to-School Day. (Don’t worry, you still have another month!) full of fun activities, like arts and crafts, activities, games, and refreshments indoors and out to celebrate nature, earth, and our environment. The historic Hartley House indoor exhibits and historic Citrus Grove House, as well as outdoor native landscape exhibit with signage are open for your enjoyment, including the newest exhibit, Marriage and Mayhem in the Sunshine State. Saturday, July 12th @11am -3pm Find more information HERE. Artbeat St. Pete – Artists Talks for the Florida Artists Group Exhibition Eckerd College, St. Pete Check out this free, public artist talk program during ATPEAT ST. PETE – the 75th Annual FLAG Exhibition & Symposium. This year’s events take place at the Helmar and Enole Nielsen Center for Visual Arts at Eckerd College (4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711). For five FLAG artists will lead brief discussions, offering insight into their artwork on display: Visit www.floridaartistsgroup.org to learn more about the artists and see examples of their artwork. Saturday, July 12th @11:30pm – 1pm Find more information HERE. SharkCon 2025 – Featuring Jaws 50th Anniversary Panel Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa Presented by National Geographic for SHARKFEST, this year’s event is extra special as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Spielberg classic, Jaws. You’ll have the opportunity to meet cast members and have photo opps with them. Now in its 11th year, SharkCon is a shark, ocean, and watersports expo for all ages. There will be speakers from your favorite shark tv programming, and stars from your favorite shark movies. There are over 30 shark exhibits and activities from Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Mote Marine Aquarium, SeaWorld, Sea Life, Gatorland, and other partners. Explore over 150 booths of shark/ocean themed merchandise. You can try scuba for free, ride shark
Weekend Top 10: So Many July 4th Celebrations! Find Some of the Best of the Best Right HERE!
This WT10 is all about America! It’s our 249th birthday and there are so many varied and interesting ways to celebrate. Here are some of the most exciting events from all around the Bay area curated just for you. #RegistrySpotlight will return next week. July 4th Celebrations Thursday Madeira Beach Independence Day Celebration Madeira Beach Recreation Center, Madeira Beach Get a jump on the partying by attending this celebration a day BEFORE the 4th. Celebrate America’s birthday with an evening of fun, food, and fireworks at the Madeira Beach Recreation Complex. There will be: Live Music, Food Trucks, Fireworks Show, and more! This free, family-friendly event features great entertainment and a fireworks finale you won’t want to miss. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs—just no pets or personal fireworks, please. Free Parking |Free Entry Thursday July 3rd @6pm – 9pm Find more information HERE. Friday City of Gulfport 4th of July Community Parade & Picnic Tomlinson Park, Gulfport As many of you know, extensive storm damage still exists along Boca Ciega Bay. Sadly, the evening fireworks are cancelled. In light of these unforeseen circumstances, the City will instead host a 4th of July Community Parade and Picnic at Tomlinson Park (1820 55th Street South) on Friday, July 4th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Community Parade will begin promptly at 10:00 AM at Tomlinson Park. We encourage guests to arrive early to secure a viewing spot and enjoy a festive morning celebrating community spirit. Friday, July 4th @10am – 2pm Find more information HERE. The Fourth: Celebrating 5 Years of ExPIERience The St. Pete Pier, DTSP Not only is it a huge 4th party, it’s also the opening of a July-long 5th birthday celebration. Celebrate 5 years of the St. Pete Pier with a full month of weekend events this July. Think fireworks, fitness fests, a massive drone show, local artists, live music on multiple stages, and over 50 ice cream vendors. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this is one party you won’t want to miss. Join in for the 4th annual The Fourth Independence Day Celebration at St. Pete Pier. This event is filled with fun activities for all, including a Craft Beer Garden, Uncle Sam’s Market, Family Fun Zone, Food Trucks & Vendors, Live Music by the 13th US Army Band, roaming entertainers, and so much more! The Fourth of July fireworks show sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg is scheduled for 9 pm and will be visible from the entire Downtown waterfront. Friday, July 4th @4pm Find more information HERE. Safety Harbor 4th of July Parade Main Street, Safety Harbor If you’d like to start the celebration a bit earlier in the day, try the very charming and artsy city of Safety Harbor to enjoy a parade down Main Street! The American Legion Auxiliary will host a patriotic parade down Main Street on the morning of July 4th. Wear your red, white, and blue and be ready for a good time. Friday, July 4th @10am-12pm Find more information HERE. Catch the Spirit & Celebrate America Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Tampa Back for its second year and bigger than ever, this high-energy family festival kicks off at 1:00 pm for an afternoon packed full of fantastic food, exciting activities, lively contests, an antique car show featuring more than 100 cars, and loads of live entertainment. An all-new, breathtaking, patriotic drone show takes place at sunset, lighting up the sky in a dazzling tribute to America. Then, stick around for the after party as Tampa favorite Ridge Country rocks the stage, keeping the celebration going into the night. Catch the lineup of interactive fun, from Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker competition to the pet parade, costume contest and watermelon-eating challenges. Meet the horses and officers of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Mounted posse. The kids will have a blast petting and feeding farm animals and in the Kids’ Zone while adults unwind with a refreshing beverage at one of the beer tents. Savor mouthwatering eats from a wide variety of local food trucks, explore unique crafts, and connect with community groups – there’s something for everyone.! Sounds like an incredible all-day celebration! Friday, July 4th @1pm – 11pm Find more information HERE. Clearwater Celebrates America Coachman Park, Clearwater Watch fireworks over Clearwater Harbor at this annual Independence Day celebration at Coachman Park. Starting at 5 p.m., enjoy local vendors and food trucks, family-friendly activities, live music and buskers throughout Coachman Park. There will be a free patriotic performance by the Coachman Pops Orchestra. A fireworks display will grace the night’s sky at 9:15 p.m. A silent disco party will be held in The BayCare Sound from 6 to 11 p.m. *A reminder for those traveling around downtown Clearwater or the beach, the Memorial Causeway Bridge will close at 9 p.m. Friday, July 4th @5pm – 9:45pm Find more information HERE. 4th of July Celebration @Busch Gardens Busch Gardens, Tampa Here’s something special for the 4th. Enjoy dazzling entertainment, world-class thrill rides and some of the best fireworks in Tampa for Independence Day Weekend! Join in at the Festival Field for an unforgettable Fourth of July Celebration, complete with a dazzling fireworks show that will feature a perfectly choreographed arrangement of music and lights. This one-of-a-kind spectacle will top off the night with a patriotic grand finale and a true celebration of the red, white and blue that you will not want to miss. The celebration continues ALL weekend Long! Friday through Sunday, July 4th – 7th Find tickets, park schedules, and more information HERE. Star Spangled Sparkman Sparkman Wharf, Tampa Celebrate Independence Day Sparkman-style at Star Spangled Sparkman, a waterfront tradition bursting with energy, entertainment, and unbeatable views. Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, face painting, and festive food and drink specials from your favorite spots at the Wharf. It all kicks off with the ceremonial Blessing of the Fleet, then a splash into the high-energy Water
Weekend Top 10: Squid Game in St. Pete?? Plus, Ultimate Pride Weekend Events & the Registry Spotlight – All Right Here!
Summer is underway and there is so much variety to enjoy this weekend – new art, theater, a huge boat show, great concerts, a cool Squid Game event, and the peak of Pride. Find it all right here with Registry Tampa Bay. Thursday Splash: A Cool Summer Art Show Syd Entel Galleries, Safety Harbor “Splash” invites art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a refreshing world of water inspired creations, celebrating the beauty and serenity of aquatic life. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Florida summer, the exhibition features and array of talented artists. Come discover artworks evoking the playful splashes of ocean waves, the calmness of flowing rivers, and sparkling light dancing on water surfaces. “Splash,” features a stunning collection of works from talented 2-D artists including Star, Alexys Henry, Margaret Juul, Lisa Schuster and Brett Varney, as well as exceptional glass artists such as Satava and Taylor Backes, among others. Now through August 30th Find more information HERE. Friday Tampa Bay Boat Show Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa AHOY MATES! Chart your course the Florida State Fairgrounds this weekend and check out the largest boat show in Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay Boat Show is a grand event showcasing area boat dealers/manufacturers, the latest in boating and fishing supplies. This show offers a great way to see and compare all available makes and models in one location. Pontoons, Cruisers, Center Consoles, Jet Skis, exhibits and more. Plus, you don’t want to miss the Florida Fishing School Seminars Series each day. Take part in a series of presentations by the area’s top fishing guides and local experts…great tips, secrets, and fun! Learn how to catch the big one! There is something for Boaters of all ages waiting for you. After you have found your dreamboat explore the many exhibits of the clothing, sunglasses, boating and docking accessories and so much more. The event is open to the public, and admission is free so bring the family and make a day of it. You could be on the water before the weekend is over. Friday through Sunday, June 27th – 20th Find tickets and more information HERE. For a Good Cause: Our Wicked Truth: An Oz Adaptation – Presented by ProjectFREE Catherine Hickman Theater, Gulfport RisingStarz Theater is proud to present this year’s production: Our Wicked Truth: An Oz Inspired Adaptation. It will be telling a story of the land of Oz in a time before the wizard, with a Gulfport twist! RisingStarz is thrilled to be welcoming in their new theater director Myles Thoroughgood! Music will be done by our creative director Audrey Short. RisingStarz Theater is a branch of ProjectFREE that features a full cast of actors with diverse abilities and in it it’s 9th season with this original retelling. Friday through Sunday, June 27th – 29th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Saturday The Art Brunch Foodie Labs, St. Pete Join in this Saturday at Apululu and Bagel Babe inside Foodie Labs, for a unique brunch experience where food, art, and storytelling come together to nourish the soul. This first gathering features the official presentation of the book “Taimi Carrero: The Miracle Girl”—written by Taimi’s husband and a collective of authors inspired by the true story of Chef Taimi—a woman whose journey through adversity led her to discover purpose, healing, and joy through her passion in the kitchen. This is a FREE event and space is limited! Saturday, June 28th @8:30am – 12:30pm Find RSVP and more information HERE. The Glass Trials: A Family Friendly Squid Game Experience Imagine Museum, St. Pete Based on the viral Netflix series, The Glass Trials brings fun and competition to Imagine Museum. Binge the series on June 27 – then test your skills at The Glass Trials. Upon arrival, guests draw a marble to determine ticket price. Each player receives a numbered bib and punch card. Survive all six challenges with no eliminations to enter the Grand Prize Drawing. Didn’t make it? You’re still eligible for the Participation Award Drawing. Random “player eliminations” will be announced throughout the day for added fun. There will also be themed treats and lots more to enjoy. Reserve your spot for free—your actual admission price ($0–$5) will be revealed when you draw your marble at the door. Saturday & Sunday, June 28th & 29th Find tickets and more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event(s)** Here’s a shout out to all the great Pride events happening this weekend! Shining in the #RegistrySpotlight are our highlights for celebrating one of the largest Pride celebrations in the Southeast! Enjoy the grand finale of Pride month with one or all of these fun events! **PRIDE Weekend Events** Dirty John’s Dirty Disco The Studio @620, St. Pete St. Pete’s most unapologetically unfiltered comedy troupe is back at The Studio@620 with a brand-new show: Dirty John’s Dirty Disco! This sketch and musical performance extravaganza is bringing the glitter, the groove, and a whole lot of in-your-face irreverence. Join their disco fairies as they carry you through your journey! Expect outrageous characters, daring punchlines, and disco balls with jokes just as loud as the outfits. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a first-time troublemaker, one thing’s for sure—Dirty John’s isn’t here to play nice, they’re here to play funky. Thursday through Saturday, June 28th – 28th Find tickets and more information HERE. St. Pete Pride Friday Night Concert Featuring Durand Bernarr Jannus LIVE!, DTSP Friday, June 27th @6pm Find tickets and more information HERE. St. Pete Pride Parade Day 2025 DTSP, Straub Park, DTSP It’s time, once again, for St Pete Pride’s signature event – one that will bring hundreds of thousands of marchers, attendees, and supporters to the beautiful downtown waterfront to celebrate diversity, equality and fairness while having a helluva time. As one of the largest Pride Festival in the Southeast, this iconic event unites members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies
Weekend Top 10: Welcome Summer with the Best Events This Weekend! Who Shines in the Registry Spotlight?
Whether it’s a huge retro pool party, some Tampa Fringe awesomeness, a Juneteenth celebration, or some iconic concerts, the coolest weekend events on hot summer days are right here on Registry Tampa Bay. Enjoy! Thursday 5th Annual Juneteenth Festival Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Raymond James Stadium comes alive this weekend with a huge celebration of Juneteenth. Join in for a family-friendly, educational, and empowering experience for the whole Tampa Bay community. Enjoy entertaining live DJs, artistic dance performances, musical guests, KidZone, and so much more. All of this entertainment was wrapped up by retail vendors, community resource booths, and a variety of food vendors. Thursday, June 16th through Saturday, June 21st Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. Ending This Weekend – Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins TheatreFor, Clearwater This is a one-actor play based on the life of Texas political writer Molly Ivins. Per Wikipedia, Ivans was an American newspaper columnist, author, and political commentator, known for her humorous and insightful writing, which often used satire and wit to critique political figures and policies. In the tradition of ANN – the great one-woman show based on the life of Texas Governer, Ann Richards, Red Hot Patriot is sure to tickle the funny bone and give us some sorely needed humor as we view of the political world as Ivers saw it. Now through Sunday, June 22nd Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday **Registry Spotlight Event** It’s important to showcase the vital work that’s been going on at St. Pete Youth Farm for the past 6 years. Take some time, attend the celebration, and see how community and teamwork can make so many lives better! St Pete Youth Farm’s 6th Anniversary Celebration St. Pete Youth Farm, St. Pete The St. Pete Youth Farm has come to mean so very much to our community. Thanks to the ceaseless dedication of Carla Bristol, her team, and all the incredible Youth Ambassadors, it’s a place to find education, friendship, collaboration, and, of course, lots of delicious vegetables! Here’s a great opportunity to both learn and celebrate all that has been accomplished in these 6 years. The Youth Farm will be welcoming everyone to join us for an evening of games, music, performances, food, and more in space that was made possible thanks to the amazing Youth Ambassadors over the years and the community. #TogetherWeGrow Friday, June 20th @6pm – 9pm Find more information HERE. Tampa Fringe 2025: The Common Ground Tampa Fringe Theater, Tampa It’s the World premiere of this new theater piece for Tampa Fringe. Set in a suburban coffee shop, The Common Ground follows a young woman grappling with an earth-shattering loss as she struggles to rebuild her life and find a path toward a fulfilling future. Through quiet moments of grief and connection, The Common Ground explores the strength it takes to move forward — one step, one cup of coffee at a time. Friday through Sunday, June 20th through June 22nd Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Stop Freaking Out: The Denis Phillips Method to Dealing with Weather and Life Tampa Fringe Theater, Tampa Here’s another great event from Tampa Fringe – Denis Phillips is arguably one of the most trusted meteorologists in Tampa Bay. He keeps his cool in the most fraught weather situations and avoids the sensationalism and fear inducing programming that can make a bad situation worse. In this Tampa Fringe presentation, Phillips provides us with seven rules to help guide us through the tropical weather that impacts the area every year. Here’s how to apply these rules to your everyday life, like the band Talking Heads advised us, “as we get older and Stop Freaking Out (or Making Sense)”. Friday, June 20th @10:30pm – 11:30pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Saturday Watermelon Weekend Keel Farms, Plant City Time for a day trip to our northern neighbors to experience an abundance of the ultimate summer treat. Join in on the farm for a weekend full of family friendly fun, local vendors, farm-fresh wine & ciders & all things watermelon! Here are some of the activities you and the whole family can enjoy. Kid Zones | Bounce Houses | Water Slides l Petting Zoo | Flower U-Pick | Watermelon Eating Contests l Local vendors | Seasonal Wine & Cider Releases Saturday & Sunday, June 21st & 22nd @10am – 3pm Find more information HERE. Maze: An Art Salon Talk FloridaRAMA, St. Pete Celebrating Pride: Join in at the MAZE exhibit and its meaning with seven of the participating artists. They will speak on their specific piece for the MAZE exhibit, as well as their life as an LGBTQ+ artist. Here is a list of the participating artists: EM FREEMANRHYS MEATYARDARTIST JONESANDREA PAWLISZSCOTT WAYNEMARC BRECHWALDTYLER GILLESPIE Saturday, June 21st @7pm – 9pm Find more information HERE. Sunday St. Pete Vintage Bash The Hollander, DTSP Here’s a fresh idea, even though it’s straight out of the past. Get on your best retro glam and head on over to the Hollander for some poolside fun! Here’s some of what you can expect, so join in for a great Sunday Funday afternoon! Motorcycle Raffle by Ronin VintageRad Vintage Motorcycle ShowHot Vintage CarsVintage Swimwear Contest (1950’s)Music by: The Hot Rod Hornets Tampa Bay’s Best Rockabilly BandSpinning oldies resident Dj Inner Sanctuary & Mr. Stoner Sunday, June 22nd @1pm – 5:30pm Find more information HERE. Family Funk Sunday The Blueberry Patch Gulfport Relive the hippiedom of the 60s with a visit to the tie-dyed and funky Blueberry Patch. If you’ve never been, you really should experience it at least once. Help welcome The Family Funk to the Patch this Sunday for the Patch’s monthly Band night. Come on out and Get Your Funk On! Featuring members of Ajeva and rotating guest musicians, this St. Pete-based band plays a special blend of Funk, Soul, and Rock, so we will see
Weekend Top 10: Outside the Box Dad’s Day Ideas! Fat Ham Mini Review, Fringe, and MORE!
It’s time to celebrate Dad, so Registry Tampa Bay has some eclectic ideas for you to show him the best time ever! Also – Tampa Fringe opens, freeFall has a cool season finale, and the Morean opens a new exhibit. All the best of this weekend is right HERE! Thursday Tampa International Fringe Festival Kress Contemporary & The Commodore, Ybor City It’s time, once again for the all-encompassing Ybor entertainment extravaganza that is Fringe! This year features 32 shows, ranging from theatre to dance, sideshow to kids shows. (Speaking of kids shows, for 2025 Kids Fringe on Saturday is now FREE!) Shuttles are available between venues where you can choose from live music, readings, performances, seminars, demos over the coming week. The schedule is chock full of content – entertaining, informational, and outside the box offerings. Make plans to attend on multiple days and have a blaxt! Now through Sunday, June 22nd Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. **Mini Review** Fat Ham American Stage, DTSP For this weekend and through the next, you have the opportunity to enjoy another first-rate production at American Stage. Fat Ham, written by James ljames, is a contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This re-telling of the centuries old classic embodies the Bard’s themes of family love, drama, and betrayal, but it also updates the dynamic in ways that honor current social constructs represented by Pride, Juneteenth, true crime, and more. James has also successfully turned a pretty dark drama into a hilarious yet poignant comedy. I laughed through most of the one hour and 45-minute run time that absolutely flew by. (No intermission) The ensemble cast gives a clinic on comic timing and chemistry. The interactions and choreographed movement (choreography credit to PAD, Helen R. Murray) are spot on, seamless, and add greatly to the fun of it all. We see all the angst and growth of ‘Juicy,’ the Hamlet counterpart, thoughtfully yet comically played by Deimoni Brewington – no small feat. A standout performance for me was delivered by Jefferson A. Russell who played both ‘Pap’ the father’s ghost, and ‘Rev’ the uncle who very quickly turned stepdad after Pap’s untimely and suspicious demise. He was all the things – loud, boisterous, treacherous, oversexed, cruel, and completely hysterical. Props, though, to the entire cast – Janelle Richardson as ‘Tedra,’ the dance-happy mom/queen with divided loyalties, Andresia Moseley as the colorful and stylish ‘Aunt Rabby,’ Mykail Cooley as the street-smart, yet loyal ‘Larry,’ Jai Shanae as the intense and semi-defiant ‘Opal,’ and Julien Barini-Brown as the stalwart, yet secretive ‘Tio.’ Loved them all. I wanted also to give props to the entire creative team, specifically lighting and set design – two components that help make everything else work. Lighting design by Hailey LaRoe is effective in transitioning the audience from reality to a world of inner thought and fantasy. Scenic design by Jonathan Dahm brilliantly shows us all of the ways a pesky, demanding ghost can make an entrance. And while we’re on the creative team, costume designer Wendell C. Carmichael – well, you know what you did. So good. Even Props by Meyah Fortier and sound by Tosin Olufolabi were carefully thought out and totally worked. Director, Raymond O. Caldwell has brought Tampa Bay audiences an oh so admirable iteration of a very successful Broadway play. Get your tickets for Fat Ham today. Time is running out! Runs through Sunday, June 22nd Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday Opening – The House of Future Memory freeFall Theatre, St. Pete freeFall’s all-new interactive production, The House of Future Memory, opens this weekend. Based on Shakespeare’s “Seven Ages of Man” monologue from As You Like It, this surprising and innovative performance will bring together the talents and imagination of the actors with the dreams, fears and desires of the audience to create a unique evening of storytelling and theatre that can only happen once. freeFall’s 2024/2025 Season Finale is reminiscent of the classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” books from the 80’s. Be sure to get your tickets today! Opens Friday, June 13th and runs through Sunday, July 13th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Saturday Opening Reception – Passages: Janet Gentlewind Folsom The Morean Arts Center, St. Pete Passages is an exhibition honoring the extraordinary life and work of Janet Gentlewind Folsom, a beloved artist, mother, wife and friend. A member of the Morean for 30 years, Janet’s vibrant portraits and still-life paintings were a highlight in annual members exhibitions. Her painting won Best of Show in the Morean’s 2015 All Florida Juried Exhibition, and the Morean displayed a solo show of her work in 2018. Enjoy the opening reception and catch up with friends and neighbors who support the arts community. Saturday, June14th through Saturday, June 5th Find more information HERE. Father’s Day Ideas 2025 Father’s Day BOGO Admission The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Enjoy a free day for Dad at the always fascinating Florida Aquarium. It’s a perfect family day viewing and enjoying the myriads of sea life on display at one of the largest public aquariums in the Southeast. The colors, critters, and wide-eyed wonder of both children and grown-ups will make for a memorable day celebrating Dad. Sunday, June 15th @9am – 5pm Find more information HERE. FATHER’S DAY AXE-TREME FUN Hatchet Hangout, St. Pete & Clearwater Locations Thinking outside the box for Father’s Day? Axe throwing is always a fun idea to celebrate with family and friends. Hilarity is sure to ensue, and everyone will definitely have a great time. Bring your dad, grandpa, uncles and all father figures for an axe-tastic time filled with axe-throwing, fun friendly competition, and unforgettable moments. Sunday, June 15th @11am – 12am Find reservations and more information HERE. Father’s Day Public Skate Special AdventHealth Center Ice, Wesley Chapel Dad will love a chance to do a little ice skating in Florida! Get free
Weekend Top 10: Billie Holiday, Evan Longoria, and Bob Devin Jones Make For a “Delicious” Weekend!
Leading with art openings, live theater, and Evan Longoria’s retirement, this weekend has so much entertainment and fun! Check out an Asian market or Caribbean festival – or how about an exotic car show or great concerts? Registry Tampa Bay has it all right here! New Theater Thursday A Delicious Evening of Mad Panic The Studio @620, DTSP If you’ve been waiting with bated breath for the next production involving Bob Devin Jones, well wait no more! Return to the Studio @620 to enjoy an evening of original creative narratives and plays from local artists. Presented by The Blacksmiths and directed by Bob Devin Jones, these are narratives of resilience, gratitude, & thanksgiving courtesy of wonderful local writers and presenters. You’re in for a delicious evening. Thursday – Saturday, June 5th – 7th @7:30pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Shucked Straz Center for the Performing Arts Quite literally the ‘corniest’ live show out there, Shucked will have you laughing out loud. Shucked is the Tony Award®–winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls “flat out hilarious!” Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), a score by the Grammy® Award–winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”) and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater. Now through Sunday, June 8th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday 99 Bottles Juror’s Reception Florida CraftArt Gallery, DTSP 99 Bottles is an exhibition that takes a fresh look at one of the most familiar and functional forms—the bottle. While bottles are designed to carry liquids, they also carry layered meanings: symbols of celebration, preservation, indulgence, healing, or even memory. This exhibition invites artists to explore the bottle not just as a vessel, but as a powerful metaphor, reimagined through the lens of contemporary fine craft. Florida CraftArt is honored to host guest juror Rachel Rearick, Executive Director of Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, at the Juror’s Reception for 99 Bottles Friday, June 6th @5:30pm – 8:30pm Find more information HERE. A Mid’Slumber’ Night’s Dream St. Petersburg City Theatre, St. Pete A Shakespeare Classic comedy comes to our own St. Petersburg City Theatre for 2 days only! Support local theater and don’t miss it! Friday & Saturday, June 6th & 7th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** The Legend and music of Billie Holiday are beautifully presented in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill – starting this weekend at Stageworks. It’s sure to be a lovely and memorable theater experience, and so it shines in the #RegistrySpotlight! Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill Stageworks Theatre, Tampa Based on the legendary Billie Holiday, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is a play with music that will make you feel like you’re front and center witnessing the jazz legend herself perform while sharing anecdotes about her life. The play takes place in March of 1959 at a rundown bar in South Philidelphia, Emerson’s Bar & Grill, where Holiday performs her well known jazz songs, charming the audience with her natural joy for music and life. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill will both warm and break your heart, leaving you humming Billie Holiday’s classic tunes for the rest of the week. Immerse yourself in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill and sit at a cabaret table for 2 or 4 people. (Cabaret seating limited) Friday, June 6th – Sunday, June 29th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Opening Reception: MAZE – a beautiful & complex journey FloridaRAMA, St. Pete Here’s a wonderful new Chad Mize show featuring many of your favorite local artists. The exhibit theme is centered around Pride and here’s the description: A 𝗠𝗔𝗭𝗘 represents life’s journey, with its twists, turns, and dead ends. It can symbolize hope and opportunity, as it has multiple potential starting paths and endpoints. This exhibit will explore a timeline 𝗠𝗔𝗭𝗘 of monumental moments in LGBTQ+ history. Opens Friday, June 6th – Reception @6pm – 9pm Find RSVP and more information HERE. MEGA Asian Night Market & Car Show The OCC Road House, Clearwater Join in the fun at the MEGA Asian Night Market & Car Show at OCC Road House for an unforgettable experience featuring 50 diverse food vendors and exciting entertainment. Enjoy a vibrant cultural celebration with delicious Asian cuisine, stunning car displays, and live performances that promise fun for all ages. Don’t miss this fantastic event for food lovers, car enthusiasts, and families looking for a lively night out. Friday, June 6th @5pm – 11pm Find more information HERE. Saturday FREE Event – Gulfport Pride Festival 2025 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport The Pride celebration each year in Gulfport has become one of the most anticipated Pride events in our community. It’s an all-day family-friendly festival that celebrates and promotes equality while raising funds for local nonprofits. Gulfport Pride has proudly donated proceeds to charitable organizations since its inception. In addition to 130+ local makers and small businesses, many businesses along Beach and Shore boulevards are planning live music, “fun-raisers,” and more fun and games. There’s even a local business décor contest! Plus 2 main stages and of course, a marching band. Don’t miss the after-party immediately following at Alphabet Soup Bottle Club on 49th St. S. Saturday, June 7th @10am – 8pm Find more information HERE. Visible: Seen and Heard Studios at 5663, Pinellas Park Artists Wendy Bruce, Lori Vinesett, Beth Belaschky, and Katie Pavone hope to uplift audiences as their exhibition, Visible: Seen and Heard, demonstrates how they found, and are sharing, their authentic voices as they encourage others to find theirs. If you haven’t already, check out the Pinellas Art Village and the Studios at 5663. It’s eclectic and full of the work of very talented people. You’ll have
Weekend Top 10: Oddities, Pops in the Park, Asian Culture, Fat Ham & More FREE Stuff – Find it All Right Here!
It’s another super weekend curated just for you – culture, fun festivals, new theater, great music, comedy and lots of free events. Take a trolley ride to tour St. Pete’s murals or go to the Pride kick-off party. No one is ever bored on a Tampa Bay weekend! New Theater Thursday Fat Ham American Stage, DTSP Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” gets a modern, comedic makeover, complete with a new setting at a backyard barbecue. Hamlet is now Juicy, who’s dealing with the aftermath of his dad’s untimely death. But here’s the twist: Juicy’s not buying the official story of how his old man met his end. Cue the drama, the intrigue, and the quest for truth. He’s not alone in this whirlwind of emotions. His mom, Tedra, is torn between her loyalty to her late husband and her newfound thing with his brother, Rev. Then there’s Opal, our Ophelia, who’s not your typical damsel in distress—she’s a force to be reckoned with. With dynamic characters, thought-provoking themes, and gripping storytelling, “Fat Ham” is more than just a retelling—it’s a whole new experience that’ll leave you seeing “Hamlet” in a new light. Now through Sunday, June 22nd Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday Cut & Paste Opening Reception Gulfport Public Arts Center, Gulfport Join in for the opening reception of Cut & Paste, a group showcase celebrating the art of collage and assemblage,featuring a diverse range of artistic perspectives and techniques. See why Gulfport so often plays host to fascinating and eclectic cultural endeavors. I promise you’ll never be bored! Friday, May 30th @5:30pm – 7pm Find more information HERE. Saturday World Oddities Expo The Historic Coliseum, St. Pete The World Oddities Expo is a traveling oddities festival- a peculiar paradise where weird thrives! This is an all-inclusive artisan and small business-fueled mega-convention. They feature artists, vendors, performers, educators, and guest speakers to create a macabre and magical experience for all! Shop the Coliseum showroom floor packed with peculiar pleasures and treasures from artists and small businesses. You’ll find everything in the Lost Curio Marketplace from taxidermy to insects, macabre art, jewelry, home decor, and more. You’ll just have to see it to believe it! Saturday, May 31st @11am – 7pm Find more information HERE. FREE Event – Station 12 Studio Acting Showcase Green Light Cinema, St. Pete Our very own movie star, Eugenie Bondurant and the talented teachers of Station 12 Studio are presenting an improv and acting showcase of their students this Saturday for your entertainment pleasure. It’s the culmination of months of work for the students of Station 12 Studio at their home at Green Light Cinema. Check out all the amazing talent and meet the stars of the future! Saturday, May 31st @12pm Find more information HERE. FREE Event- HAPPI Asian Festival Albert Whitted Park, DTSP You know how I love cultural festivals! St. Petersburg’s waterfront is set to come alive on May 31st as the city hosts the highly anticipated HAAPI Festival at Albert Whitted Park. Running from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with free entry, this vibrant celebration—short for “Honoring Asian American & Pacific Islanders”—promises an unforgettable day of food, music, art, and cultural unity. Attendees can look forward to a full entertainment lineup, including live music by Flo-Raw Music and performances by local bands and DJs. Cultural showcases will include traditional lion and dragon dances, a karate demonstration, robot dance performances, and Asian folk dancing. Meanwhile, younger guests can enjoy new kid-friendly activities, from arts and crafts to interactive games. There will be lots of great food and gorgeous views to savor. Saturday, May 31st @3pm – 10pm Find more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** We’re shining the spotlight on The Florida Orchestra for bringing the fabulous Pops in the Park to Tampa. It’s a very special concert with a tradition that’s sure to last for many years. Congratulations! FREE Event- The Florida Orchestra: Pops in the Park River Tower Park, Tampa For many years TFO has presented Pops in the Park at Vinoy Park every October. Now it’s time for Tampa to have their own FREE concert to welcome Summer. Bring a blanket and a picnic to send off the season with a free musical party in the park, featuring family-friendly music, film scores, classic favorites such as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and a patriotic finale. Food trucks and Munchies Kettle Corn will be onsite. Resident Conductor Chelsea Gallo conducts. Saturday, May 31st @7:30pm Find more information HERE. Green Book of Tampa Bay’s Legacy Unveiled Artist Show The Studio @620 You’re invited to attend the opening of this important show. Art has always been a powerful tool for storytelling, activism, and cultural preservation. This exhibition not only celebrates Black artistic excellence but also encourages intentional support for Black creatives and businesses—aligning with Green Book of Tampa Bay’s mission to promote economic equity and cultural appreciation in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. ** Also make sure you come by for the Inside the Studio OPEN HOUSE at the Studio @620 earlier in the afternoon at 1pm as well. This is a FREE event.** Saturday, May 31st @6pm – 9pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Sunday SHINE Mural Tour on Board Star Trolley Starts at Bayboro Brewing, St. Pete Ride in style as you tour all the incredible murals that adorn the building in the Sunshine City. Aboard the open-air trolley, you’ll traverse the city’s streets, now vibrant canvases featuring many murals by top local, national, and international artists. Expert guides, deeply connected to the street art scene, will share the stories and inspirations behind these striking artworks. Learn how SHINE, produced by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance since 2015, has revitalized areas, spurred dialogue, and united the community through art. Starts Sunday, June 1st @10am – 12pm Find tickets and more information HERE. FREE Event – St. Pete Pride Kick-Off Block Party Grand Central
Weekend Top 10: From Mahler to WWE and Dalí to Star Wars – There’s Truly Something for EVERYONE This Memorial Day Weekend!
As we pay tribute to our heroes this long holiday weekend, make plans to see iconic art, go to a family fest, hear great music, see local live theater, dress up like your favorite Star Wars character, catch pro-wrestling’s best, and much more. Registry Tampa Bay shows you the way to your best possible weekend. Thursday Opening This Week – Explore the Vaults | First Gifts, 1962–1966 Museum of Fine Arts, DTSP As the 6oth Anniversary celebration continues, this eighth iteration of the Explore the Vaults series features gifts from the museum’s formative years. These objects—offered by community members to the fledgling institution—provided the foundation for the current collection. Because many early gifts to the museum, especially paintings, are already on view, this exhibition mainly emphasizes works on paper. These include an etching by Rembrandt van Rijn, as well as Japanese woodblock prints, contemporaneous pieces by modern artists, and works that celebrate St. Petersburg’s art and history. Combined with selected paintings, sculpture, and decorative art, these first gifts provide a sense of what the collection looked like in the mid-1960s. Enhancing these artworks are letters, photographs, and related ephemera that offer insight into how these collectors became donors. Together, these provide a unique and rich context for the shaping of the collection and illuminate its importance to the St. Petersburg community. Now through November 23rd Find tickets, hours, and more information HERE. Ongoing – Cooler by Craig Houk Lab Theatre Project, Tampa Time to once again support community theater. Check out Cooler, presented by, and now running at Lab Theatre Project. Here’s the promo: Three-time Oscar winner, Jack Dunn, returns to Connecticut after being gone for nearly four years in McGrath, Alaska. His closest friend, Wade Henry, also an award-winning actor, has something Jack wants. After a long evening of drinking and poker with their pals, Jack and Wade, both eager to cement their legacies, face off one last time. Or so it seems. Now through Sunday, June 1st Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday Mama Mia! New Tampa Performing Arts Center, Tampa ABBA’s hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show. ansen Dance Project invites you on a trip to Kalokairi, Greece! The Collective Soles Youth Ensemble hits the stage for one of Tampa’s largest musical extravaganzas. Don’t miss it! Friday & Saturday, May 23rd & 24th Find tickets, and more information HERE. Saturday **Registry Spotlight Event** It’s a big deal when some of our favorite artists get invited to create murals at the Dalí Museum. Be in on the unveiling this weekend! New Murals in St. Pete shine in the Registry Spotlight this week. Opening – Outside In: New Murals Inspired by Dalí Dalí Museum, DTSP In celebration of the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival’s 10-year anniversary, Outside In: New Murals Inspired by Dalí brings the vibrant world of street art into the The Dalí Museum. This unique exhibition invites both current and past SHINE artists to create dynamic murals within the Museum’s gallery, inspired by the surreal genius of Salvador Dalí, his collection and the iconic architecture of the Museum itself. See murals by various artists from around the world, including Tes One, Chad Mize, Palehorse, BASK, Miss Crit, and more – each of whom brings their own unique interpretation of Dalí’s surrealist legacy. Saturday, May 24th through October 26th, 2025 Find tickets, hours, and more information HERE. DFAC Star Wars Armor Party Open House Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin Experience the creativity and craftsmanship of Bay Area Star Wars cosplay groups as they showcase:– Armor kit building– 3D printing– Costuming and prop work– Character creativity– And so much more! Don’t miss the chance to connect with fellow Star Wars enthusiasts and explore the magic of cosplay artistry! This event is free and open to the public. Saturday, May 24th @10am – 2pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival Sponge Docks, Tarpon Springs Tarpon Springs is known as the ‘Sponge Capital of the World’ and also as ‘Greektown’. It has the highest percentage of Greek Americans in the US. This means lots of authentic Greek Restaurants, Greek Orthodox Churches and shrines, and of course Greek art and culture. This weekend the always anticipated Craft Fair returns with multiple artisan vendors, plenty of delicious food, and lots to see and do. The event is FREE and is pet friendly. Saturday & Sunday, May 24th & 25th @10am Find more information HERE. Day of Play Family Festival FloridaRAMA, St. Pete Here’s another great family event presented by FloridaRAMA – The venue that’s described as “COOLER THAN A MUSEUM, SMARTER THAN A THEME PARK, WEIRDER THAN A CARNIVAL.” If you haven’t visited yet, here’s a perfect opportunity! Get ready for a day filled with family fun including art, crafts, games, food, music, and multiple market vendors. The event is presented in collaboration with Sunshine City With Kids. Saturday, May 24th @10am -2pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Don Quixote Presented by International Ballet of Florida The Mahaffey, DTSP International Ballet of Florida proudly presents an exquisite original production of Don Quixote. Set to the virtuoso score of Ludwig Minkus, witness an array of incredible guest artists including multi-winning gold medalist Stanislav Olshanskyi Principal Dancer of Miami City Ballet (former Principal Dancer of National Ballet of Ukraine) and Prima Ballerina of Miami City Ballet Dawn Atkins in their signature roles of Kitri and Basilio. Denys Nedak, international Guest Artist, Principal Dancer of Atlanta Ballet, People’s Artist of the Ukraine
Weekend Top 10: Free Stuff, Good Causes, Italian Delights, a Broadway Star, and ‘The Shape of Us’ Opening! All Right HERE!
It’s a weekend of art, theater, movies in the park, car & motorcycle shows, an Italian celebration, a big museum anniversary, and some great causes for you to support. Let Registry Tampa Bay curate your calendar and show you the very best of Tampa Bay! Thursday and Beyond Wonder: Art + Healing Symposium Ringling Museum, Sarasota Here’s a great opportunity for a day (or two) trip to our southern neighbors and the amazing Ringling Museum. Wonder is alive in museums as a powerful undercurrent of artistic expression, discovery, and meaningful connection. The 2025 Wonder Symposium will dive deep into wonder as the connective tissue between the arts and healing. We will explore the potential of the arts to inspire wonder, which in turn, promotes healing. Through thought-provoking presentations and inspiring activities and experiences, this symposium will explore the arts as agents of wonder and the role that wonder can play in emotional, mental, and physical healing. The event includes lectures, a Carnival of Wonder and Ringling WONDERground. Now through Saturday, May 16th Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. For a Good Cause: Word Play: A Competitive Crossword Gala Banquet Masters, Clearwater I have attended this event on several occasions, and I can tell you that it’s a truly fun evening for a very good cause. Voices of Hope for Aphasia will host its third annual Word Play event. Word Play is a fun-filled night of word-game competitions, dinner, and opportunities to support Voices of Hope for Aphasia, with a special tribute to Tampa Bay’s own puzzle master, the late Merl Reagle, the nationally known and syndicated crossword puzzle constructor. Thursday, May 15th @6:30pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Venus in Fur by David Ives – Presented by Dead Canary Theatre Company The Studio @620, DTSP David Ives’ mesmerizing play explores themes of submission, domination, and power with a fast-paced, mutable language he is known for. Reality and pretend become blurred lines in Venus in Fur, and the question of “who’s on top” always has a different answer. Thomas Novachek, a director/playwright, has suffered through a long day of abysmal auditions for his adaptation of the German sadomasochistic novel Venus in Furs, until Vanda, a crass and pushy actress, stumbles into his audition room. While Vanda shares the lead character’s name, she lacks her sophistication. However, when Thomas agrees to let Vanda read for the role, she displays a surprising understanding of the material. Working through the script with Thomas playing the masochistic male lead, the roleplay becomes intense, erotic, and less like acting. *Broadway actor and St. Petersburg native, Rachel Prather stars. Opens Thursday, May 15th and runs through Sunday, May 25th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday The Shape of Us – Opening Reception The Gallery @Creative Pinellas. Largo This is truly an important show! (I got a sneak peek). So, join in for the opening reception of The Shape of Us, an inspiring exhibition curated by Freddie Hughes that brings together six talented Pinellas County artists. Experience a dynamic collection of work that explores how identity, environment, and the shared narratives shape us. Meet the artists, (like Zulu Painter), immerse yourself in vibrant art, and enjoy a fun evening of creativity with music, small bites, and cash bars. This event is free and open to the public. Admission is FREE. Friday, May 16th @6pm – 8pm Find more information HERE. For a Good Cause: Parc Center for Disabilities’ Saddle Up & Support Friday Night Party & Weekend Golf Tournament The James Museum, DTSP & Bardmoor Country Club, Seminole Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of celebration, camaraderie, and community support. The festivities begin on Friday, May 16, 2025, at The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, featuring a “Western Theme.” So dust off your boots and Saddle Up for a night of fun! On Saturday, May 17, 2025, join us at Bardmoor Country Club for a fantastic day of golf, all in support of Parc’s mission to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities. Party – Friday, May 16th @6:30pm – 10pm Golf Tourney – Saturday, May 17th @1pm Find tickets and more information HERE. OCC Invitational Bike Show OCC Roadhouse & Museum, Clearwater Calling all bikers, builders and custom ride enthusiasts — get ready for the 3rd Annual 2025 OCC Invitational Bike Show at OCC Road House & Museum! From May 16–18, rev up for an action-packed weekend with live music, vendors, top-tier custom builders and the FREE Public Ride-In Bike Show. Whether you’re showing off your ride or just soaking in the scene, this high-octane event is one you won’t want to miss! Fridy, May 16th through Sunday, May 18th Find event schedules and more information HERE. As You Like It by William Shakespeare Carrollwood Community Players Theatre, Tampa A Shakespeare classic and A CWP Black Box Classical Comedy, As You Like It is a pastoral comedy with major themes of love, gender, sexuality, and injustice. The play follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. You can never get too much of the Bard, so check out Carrollwood Community Players and support local theater. Opens Friday, May 16th and runs through Sunday, May 25th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Saturday St. Pete Italian Fest Vinoy Park, St. Pete Come to Vinoy Park this Saturday and experience all things Italian. There will be great food, a full slate of live music and even a cool car show featuring vintage and unique vehicles. There will also be a park full of vendors, a VIP tent, and much more. What a delicious way to spend a Saturday on the beautiful St. Pete waterfront exploring the culture of Italy. Saturday, May 17th @10am – 5pm Find tickets and more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** Not only is this
Weekend Top 10: Outside the Box Ideas for Mom, Plus Tropical Heatwave and the Registry Spotlight
If you want unique ideas to show Mom some love, look no further than Registry Tampa Bay! Shuffleboard, skating, outdoor concerts, great live theater, museums, even axe throwing and a safari brunch! Think outside the box with us and have a great weekend. Theater Thursday Opening: The Butterfly’s Evil Spell Presented by Jobsite Straz Center, Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa Devised in Jobsite’s captivating style as expressed in Shockheaded Peter, Gorey Stories, and Jobsite’s Alice, this imaginative English-language adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s first play (El Maleficio de la Mariposa) fuses live music, visual art, puppetry, theater magic, and aerial arts into a thrilling theatrical experience. García Lorca’s mystically poetic world of beetles, fireflies, and other magical creatures is disrupted when a hypnotic, wounded butterfly enters their dewdrop paradise. A young beetle is cast under a love spell, but a hungry scorpion is sure to shake things up in this timeless tale of beauty and desire. Now through Sunday, June 1st Find tickets, performance schedules, and more information HERE. Kinky Boots Eight O’Clock Theatre @Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo Kinky Boots is the big-hearted musical extravaganza that won six Tonys including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre album and London’s Olivier Award for Best Musical. Based on a true story, Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized… and discover that when you change your mind, you can change your whole world. Joyous and uplifting, Kinky Boots will have you dancing in the aisles and discovering why, sometimes, the best way to fit in… is to stand out! Now through Sunday, May 11th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Amaze – Direct from London’s West End Straz Center, Jaeb Theater, Tampa Amaze is a revolutionary experience in the world of illusion. With Jamie Allan’s signature blend of state-of-the-art technology and timeless conjuring techniques, Amaze does more than just showcase magic, it places it directly into the hands of the audience – inviting attendees to not only witness but also partake in the wonder. Known the world over as an innovator of magic and groundbreaking hi-tech magician, Allan has sold millions of dollars in tickets worldwide and smashed box office records. What a great Mother’s Day outing! Now through Sunday, May 11th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Songs For a New World Presented by Think Tank Theatre JCC on the Cohn Campus, Tampa These are the stories and characters of today, the Songs for a New World. The first musical from Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make. With a small, powerhouse multi-ethnic cast and a driving, exquisitely crafted score that runs the gamut of today’s popular music, Songs for a New World is a great way to bring the young and the young at heart together in a shared musical experience. Opens Thursday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 18th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday St. Pete Tacos & Tequila festival Vinoy Park, DTSP Waterfront The 4th Annual St. Pete Tacos & Tequila Festival returns to Vinoy Park on May 9-10, 2025, bringing a waterfront celebration of food, drinks, and entertainment. Attendees can enjoy 100+ taco options from 25+ vendors, craft margaritas, palomas, and cocktails, lucha libre wrestling, live music, mariachi bands, mural artists, and more. The festival also features a taco-eating contest and the People’s Choice Taco Competition, making it a must-attend event for taco and tequila lovers! Friday & Saturday, May 9th & 10th Find tickets, times, events schedule, and more information HERE. Remembering The Skyway Tragedy w/ Author Bill DeYoung St. Pete City Theater, St. Pete Acclaimed writer Bill DeYoung will present insights from his book, Skyway, which recounts the events of that devastating day. We’re also honored to welcome Jerry Knight, a first responder who was on the scene in 1980, as he shares his firsthand experience and answers your questions.This event is a powerful opportunity to reflect on a pivotal moment in our community’s history and hear from those who lived it. All are welcome. Friday, May 9th @7pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Saturday **Registry Spotlight Event** Tropical Heatwave is one of our area’s most fun and unique concert events, and so it shines this week in the #RegistrySpotlight. Bring Mom! Tropical Heatwave Presented by WMNF The Cuban Club, Ybor City This multi-act, multi-stage, multi-genre evening of music takes place at one of the coolest venues in the Bay area. Pop from stage to stage at the Cuban Club and see top tier music acts that will keep you dancing all evening long. This is truly one of the premier music events of the year and supports our very own local radio station WMNF. Come on out, bring MOM for a special Mother’s Day treat and rock the night away! Saturday, May 10th @5pm – 1am Find tickets, band schedules, and more information HERE. *Don’t forget about Second Saturday ArtWalk. That’s a great evening out for Mom. 5pm – 9pm Sunday – Happy Mother’s Day! Dalí’s Birthday Celebration The Dalí Museum, DTSP Celebrate Dalí as you celebrate Mom with a very special day at the world-renowned museum. Here are some of the things you can expect: All-day gallery admission rate of $19.04, in honor of Dalí’s birth year (a 40% discount) Free gallery admission and Dalí Alive 360° admission for children ages 12 and under Complimentary commemorative treat (one per guest, as available) Family-friendly activities, including surreal games in the Avant-garden, Dalí-inspired photo booth and community
Weekend Top 10: Pick Sunflowers, Party on the River, and Celebrate Mom Early! Who Shines in the Registry Spotlight??
Registry Tampa Bay is bringing you yet another activity packed weekend! Enjoy a chalk festival, farm adventure, a Roaring 20s dance experience, a birthday in quirky Gulfport, and so much more. There is always a great selection right here, so mark your calendars! New Theater Thursday Kiss Me Kate by Cole Porter Francis Wilson Playhouse, Clearwater Enjoy a Cole Porter classic. Kiss Me Kate is a Tony award winner for best musical and a retelling of Shakespeare’s iconic play, The Taming of the Shrew. It’s a comic lark with backstage romances and shenanigans to create musical comedy heaven. You’ll hear all the classics you know, like Too Darn Hot, Brush Up Your Shakespeare, So in Love, and many more. Make sure you catch this final production of the amazing 95th season at FWP and support local theater. Thursday, May 1st through May 18th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday Sunflower Season Festival Sweetfields Farm, Brooksville Time for a little road trip north for the beauty and fun waiting for you at the Sunflower Festival at Sweetfields Farm. Take a FUN hayride around the farm, visit the farm animals and check out our crop fields with Veggie and Flower U-PICK (when available). Have fun in the play area, Explore the tree house and fun farm activities. Hold on to your hats as you race peddle tractors and take aim with the veggie launcher. Find your creative side in the Spring Craft activity area. Treat yourself with some DELICIOUS TREATS from the food vendors, our HARVEST BARN market and the beautiful “U-Pick” garden areas. There is SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE of all ages! Opens Friday, May 2nd and runs through May 26th Find tickets, hours, and more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** There are so many great events rolled into one here, spanning the entire length of Riverwalk. Riverfest Shines in the #RegistrySpotlight for its all-encompassing 2-day agenda that’s sure to make all who attend smile. Tampa Riverfest Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Park, and Other Locales, Tampa Riverfest is a public, two-day, FREE event that is held the first weekend in May each year. The festival spans the entire length of the Riverwalk including several parks and features family-friendly activities and events showcasing Tampa’s cultural institutions, local musicians and restaurants. The festival includes Taste of Riverwalk on Friday night and Taco Fest on Saturday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. There is also a full concert series of regional and local bands on the main stage in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and a balloon glow at sunset on both nights. Other activities include a wiener dog derby, a lantern parade, yoga, a water ski show and a paddle invasion. Friday & Saturday, May 2nd & 3rd Find times, event schedules, and more information HERE. Brenda McMahon Gallery Celebrates 6th Birthday Plus Gulfport Night Market Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport Enjoy a Spring Friday evening on Boca Ciega Bay with the bustling Gulfport First Friday night market. There are so many great artists, crafters, and other vendors to make it a perfect weekend opener. Then, make sure you stop by Brenda McMahon Gallery and celebrate their 6th birthday with complimentary cake and champagne. There’s nothing like a stroll on Beach Blvd. S in the charming city of Gulfport. Friday, May 2nd @6pm – 9pm Find more information HERE. Saturday 3rd Tampa Bay Chalk Festival The Deuces (22nd St. S), St. Pete The sidewalks of 22nd street between 7th Avenue South and 9th Avenue South on the historic Deuces will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colorful squares as professionals, beginners, and everyone in between are going to create beautiful sidewalk art before your eyes. 25 community artists will create beautiful sidewalk art with the theme “OUR WATERY FUTURES”! Plus, there will be a panel of environmental experts at the ArtsXchange @12pm who will have a discussion on ways we can fight climate change and other environmental challenges. There will also be kid’s activities and live music. Enjoy! Saturday, May 3rd @9am – 4pm Find more information HERE. For a Good Cause: Derby at the Pier The Pier, DTSP Dress to impress in your finest Derby attire and join us to #partywithapurpose at the biggest Derby themed event in Tampa Bay! We’re back for another year at the beautiful Spa Beach Park on the St. Pete Pier that provides a serene, picture-perfect waterfront venue with views of the DTSP city skyline and the beautiful bay. Proceed benefit good causes like CASA, Academy Prep, and the Children’s Dream Foundation. Saturday, May 3rd @3pm – 9pm Find event schedule, and more information HERE. La Septima Society – Tampa City Ballet’s Immersive Performance & 1920s After Party Tampa Bay History Center, Ybor City Experience this innovative experience. The Tampa City Ballet invites you to experience 1920s Ybor City with a captivating production, followed by an after-party featuring curated hors d’oeuvres and cocktails by the Columbia Café, along with an evening of live music and entertainment. This is a production and party you do not want to miss! VIP experience is available. Saturday, May 3rd @7:30pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Sunday – (May the 4th Be with You) Mamapalooza FloridaRAMA, St. Pete What a great way to celebrate Mom (a little early). Celebrate Moms and the people who love them on Sunday, May 4 at a free family festival hosted by the Museum of Motherhood — then make it a full day of discovery at FloridaRAMA, with the Super Saver Ticket for only $20.00. Enjoy music, dancing, activities, wellness pop-ups, raffles and more. The package includes general admission to FloridaRAMA, a Flower Power Hunt and a 3D Flower Puzzle! Both the memories and the flowers will last forever. Sunday, May 4th @11am – 4pm Find tickets and more information HERE. For Cinco de Mayo: 2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest Coachman Park, Clearwater Celebrate Cinco de