Weekend Top 10: WOW! New Theater, Art, Early Oktoberfest, and Scones! Don’t Miss a Beat – Make Your Plan Today
Some amazing openings are happening this weekend. Whether you’re into theater, art, music, festivals, comedy, or learning something new – Registry Tampa Bay has your best events right here. You know what to do…give us a ‘click,’ then like and subscribe for great, concise content every day of the week. Thursday Final Week: Bakersfield Mist The Off Central, St. Pete Maude, a fifty-something unemployed bartender living in a trailer park, has bought a painting for a few bucks from a thrift store. Despite almost trashing it, she’s now convinced it’s a lost masterpiece by Jackson Pollock worth millions. But when world-class art expert Lionel Percy flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he has no idea what he is about to discover. Inspired by true events, this hilarious and thought-provoking comedy-drama asks vital questions about what makes art and people truly authentic. Now through Sunday, September 14th Find tickets, performance schedules, and more information HERE. Friday Annual Arts Festival New Tampa Performing Arts Center, Tampa It’s a weekend packed with FREE activities for the entire family in celebration of the arts. Help kick off the upcoming 2025-26 season at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center with fun activities and performances by Tampa Bay artists across music, theater, dance, comedy, and more. Kid-friendly activities include a free screening of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, arts and crafts, food trucks, and The Florida Orchestra’s instrument petting zoo, where kids can explore and play musical instruments. Plus, join us for backstage tours throughout the festival to discover how our state-of-the-art facility brings productions to life. Each day is filled with performances from all genres, so be prepared to be very entertained. Friday, September 12th through Sunday, September 14th Find schedules, and more information HERE. Opening: Ada and the Engine – Presented by Powerstories Theatre Stageworks Theatre, Tampa I love a historical period piece that reveals true contributions of women, previously hidden from history. This is such a story. At the dawn of the British Industrial Revolution, Ada Byron Lovelace, a fiery young inventor and the daughter of the flamboyant poet Lord Byron, discovers the boundless creative potential of “analytical engines.” With her friend and soulmate Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, Ada dreams of a new world where art and technology converge. In Ada and the Engine, written by Lauren Gunderson, Ada envisions a future where these “analytic engines” transform society, blending art and information in ways she might not live to see. This music-laced story of love, friendship, and visionary dreams is a poignant pre-tech intellectual romance… like Bridgerton meets Steve Jobs. Opens Friday, September 12th through Sunday September 21st Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Oktoberfest Weekend Mastry’s Brewing Co., St. Pete Beach Dust off your Lederhosen and Dirndl, get ready to lift those steins and just wait and see what we are planning this year. Don’t have your own Lederhosen? Pre order your very own Mastry’s Oktoberfest Lederhosen style shirt. (Available through the link below). Don’t miss the fun-filled weekend full of beer specials, games, music, good eats from The Kitchen and some awesome Oktoberfest style entertainment. Friday, September 12th tough Sunday, September 14th Find more information HERE. Saturday Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival Tarpon Springs Waterfront I never need much persuasion to take a mini daytrip up north to the beautiful Sponge Docks at Tarpon Springs. The waterfront, the amazing Greek food, the shops – and this weekend, another weekend long arts and crafts festival. More than 90 of the nation’s top artists and crafters with Made in the USA creations. From jewelry to ceramics to plants to photography to paintings and homemade soap – something to please everyone. It’s a perfect weekend activity. Saturday & Sunday, September 13th & 14th Find more information HERE. Opening Reception: Fresh A.I.R. – Artist in Residency Show Morean Center for Clay, St. Pete In conjunction with Second Saturday ArtWalk, The Morean Center for Clay opens an exciting new show. Introducing 2025’s fresh-picked Artists in Residency (A.I.R.s) at the Morean Center for Clay! Lily Denhoff, Dani Lewis, and Kayla Noble will be sharing their talents with the studio for the upcoming year and have some gorgeous artwork for you to discover. The Morean Center for Clay provides opportunities for artists in the early stages of their careers through the Artist in Residence (A.I.R.) program, where artists work and teach at the MCC in exchange for studio space and resources to help them develop their art practice. Opens Saturday, September 13th 5pm – 9pm Find more information HERE. Amadeus Live with The Florida Orchestra The Mahaffey, DTSP Experience the multi-Academy Award® winning 1984 motion picture Amadeus on a vast HD screen while Mozart’s most celebrated works are performed live in-sync by The Florida Orchestra, featuring The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. A sumptuous period epic, Amadeus is a triumphant celebration of the greatest genius the world has ever known: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Rated PG. Presented with English subtitles. Nicholas Hersh conducts. Saturday & Sunday, September 13th & 14th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Sunday Scones Workshop Armature Works, Tampa Having just returned from the UK, I feel compelled to share what I think will be a unique and delicious way to spend your Sunday, Fun-day morning. Join in for a cozy, hands-on 2-hour class where we’ll transform sourdough discard into something truly irresistible: flaky, buttery scones bursting with smoked gouda and fresh green onion — or keep it classic with a vanilla variation. This class is perfect for both sourdough beginners and seasoned home bakers looking to get creative with their discard. Come ready to mix, learn, and enjoy a warm bite of something magical. Sunday, September 14th @11am Find more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** This will be a very special event in a lovely and unique venue. If you’ve
Weekend Top 10: Cars of the Future and VERY Fast Boats Are Here This Weekend, So Start Your Engines!!
Fall is on the way, so that means even more incredible events are starting back up in Tampa Bay. Be a part of it! Mark your calendars with the best of the best right here from Registry Tampa Bay. Thursday **Special Spotlight Event** Pinellas County Commission Budget Meeting re: Funding for Creative Pinellas 333 Chestnut St., Clearwater Calling ALL Lovers of the Arts: If you have any connection to the arts community in Tampa Bay/Pinellas County, then you know how critical Creative Pinellas, THE county arts agency, has been to our cultural life and also to the life of our thriving tourism industry. Through advocacy, grants, venue and event support, highly anticipated exhibitions, education, and innovative programming, Creative Pinellas has become the heartbeat of all that is culturally meaningful here. So many area artists have built their careers through Creative Pinellas funding, support, and initiatives. So many tourists (and their money), have come to our area specifically to see arts offerings in which Creative Pinellas has had a direct hand. Now, critical funding from the County Commission is in danger of being cut and TONIGHT you have an opportunity to have your voices be heard. Full disclosure – I have been a part of the Creative Pinellas family for eight years as a gallery host and program coordinator, and I can tell you firsthand, there is no more important, yet unsung, organization in our community. Now, Creative Pinellas needs our support. Please consider coming to tonight’s meeting. Thursday, September 4th @6pm Find more information HERE. Friday Hoods Up Week Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, Pinellas Park Here at Registry Tampa Bay, we never miss an opportunity to feature events where the automobile is the star. Hoods Up Week is back at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, and it’s a must for any and all car enthusiasts. Best of all, this special event is included with museum admission. Get a glimpse under the hoods during this popular exhibit and see the 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder engines that power some of the most innovative cars in automotive history. Check out some unique offerings like rear-mounted, air-cooled, rotary, and sleeve-valve engines, as well as cars powered by electricity and hydrogen. Look into the future of the automobile industry right here! Friday, September 5th through Friday, September 12th Find tickets, times, and more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** The excitement of this Grand Prix and a full weekend of heart-stopping events has the Monster Energy St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix shines in the #RegistrySpotlight! The 5th Annual Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat P1 Grand Prix Downtown St. Petersburg Waterfront This big event promises exhilarating powerboat and jet ski racing all weekend, so get down to the downtown waterfront area and Pier District to catch all the action. This is the final race of the Monster Energy P1 Offshore Triple Crown and P1 AquaX National Championship series, so you definitely don’t want to miss it! – Admission is free to the public for the entire weekend. Race fans wanting a premium spot to watch the races can purchase VIP tickets to an elevated VIP Viewing experience at the end of the St. Pete Pier directly across from the Start/Finish Line. Guests will enjoy complimentary food and beverages and a LIVE stream of all the racing action. Friday, September 5th through Sunday, September 7th Find schedules and more information HERE. Brian Maguire: La Grande Illusion Artist Conversation & Opening Reception USF Art Museum, Tampa La Grande Illusion is a major exhibition of works by internationally acclaimed artist, Brian Maguire. The exhibition spans two decades of work that spotlights the artist’s lifelong quest to draw attention to global injustices, war, and human rights. One of Ireland’s leading cultural figures, Maguire has turned the practice and tradition of painting into acts of visual testimony. Maguire’s paintings are global in scope and are derived from projects undertaken between 2007 and 2024 in Mexico, the Mediterranean, Syria, Sudan, the United States, and the Amazon. Friday, September 5th @6pm – 9pm Find more information HERE. Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Busch Gardens, Tampa You know Fall is around the corner when the ghouls come out to play. Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream® returns in full force, taking over the entire park with haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows and more. Unspeakable horror lives in every dark corner, including on Busch Gardens’ pulse-pounding thrill rides. Howl-O-Scream is bringing fear to the next level and once you’re in there’s nothing to fear but everything. Opens Friday, September 5th through November 2nd Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. Opening: Tell Me On a Sunday freeFall Theatre, St. Pete freeFall Theatre brings audiences this underrated musical comedy from the award-winning composer of The Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard. Tell Me On a Sunday follows a young English girl who has recently landed in New York. Brimming with optimism, she sets out to seek success, companionship and, of course, love. But as she weaves her way through the maze of the city and her own anxieties, frustrations, and heartaches, she begins to wonder whether—in fact—she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places. The show contains some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most-treasured songs, including Tell Me On a Sunday, “Come Back with the Same Look in Your Eyes and Unexpected Song. Friday, September 5th through Sunday, October 5th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Saturday For a Good Cause: 10 Anniversary Golden Glamour Gala Stay In Step Brain & Spinal Cord Recovery Center The Hilton, Tampa This unforgettable black-tie evening marks the 10th anniversary of Stay In Step’s mission to support the recovery of veterans and civilians with spinal cord and brain injuries. Your generous donation helps fund long-term rehabilitation, innovative therapies, and unwavering support for those rebuilding their lives. Whether you’re giving in honor of a loved one or simply believe in the power of resilience, your support makes a lasting impact. Thank you for
Weekend Top 10: The Geckos Are Back!! Festivals, Openings, and a Tabernacle of Oddities Await… Happy Labor Day!
Some weird things are happening this Labor Day weekend, and you can make sure you’re a part of the fun. Enjoy new art, theater, home improvement, fun festivals, and our own version of a famous dog show! These events and many more are waiting for you – RIGHT HERE! Thursday Final Weekend – Talent Within: The Dalí Staff Art Show Dalí Museum, DTSP Like many of those who live and work in our community, The Dalí staff are inspired by the Museum’s world-class collection. Many staff members are practicing, talented artists reflecting a diversity of approaches, techniques and mediums, including drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, pottery, printmaking, crocheting, sculpture and more. Don’t miss the chance to see their work this weekend. This special presentation is held in the Museum’s Raymond James Community Room and is free for all guests. Now through September 2nd Find tickets and more information HERE. Opening: The Picture of Dorian Gray TheatreFor, Clearwater TheatreFor brings us a much lauded classic this go-around – a timely, yet timeless tale of the consequences faced by a spoiled, wealthy, handsome young man. Based on the philosophical fiction and gothic horror novel by Oscar Wilde, this play revolves around a portrait of a young man of questionable character. Dorian Gray ages and visually records his varied immoral experiences while he remains young and beautiful. Controversial at the time, the story “ages” very well. This is a great chance to enjoy a classic at a good ticket price. Opens Thursday, August 28th and runs through Sunday, September 14th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. 3rd Annual Webbsminster Dog Show Green Bench Brewery, St. Pete Get ready to witness the most paw-some event of the year! Join friends and neighbors in the beer garden for the 3rdAnnual Webbsminster Dog Show hosted by Mike Tony & Jayda Abello. A portion of sales during this event will benefit local rescue, Runaways Animal Rescue! Tails will wag and champions will strut their stuff in FIVE categories this year:Pint-Sized, Large & In Charge, Senior Strut, and Best Dressed Prizes for BEST IN SHOW and PEOPLE’S CHOICE will also be awarded. If you love man’s (and women’s) best friend, we’ll see you Thursday! Thursday, August 28th @7pm Find more information HERE. Friday Florida’s Largest Home Show Florida State Fair, Tampa Florida’s Largest Home Show is a large trade show that showcases the latest in home improvement and design, featuring a wide array of products and services from reputable vendors. It’s a major event for homeowners and remodeling enthusiasts looking to transform their spaces, discover new trends, and connect with industry professionals. The show is known for its diverse offerings, including live demos, expert advice, and interactive exhibits. Friday, August 29th through Sunday, August 31st Find tickets and more information HERE. Opening Reception: Reclamando – Our Untold Stories The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, Largo Unfolding as a living timeline, Reclamando Our Untold Stories connects deeply personal memories with broader historical events. Each work of art is a timestamp—marking moments of resilience, resistance, celebration, and healing. This innovative curation emerges from Mi Gente Mi Pueblo’s transformative “Reclamando” workshop series, where participants from multiple generations came together to remember, reclaim, and reimagine their histories. Through bold visual storytelling, visitors will experience a chronological journey that transforms individual stories into a shared narrative of love, strength, and authenticity—a testament to Mi Gente Mi Pueblo’s commitment to uplifting voices that deserve to be heard and histories that demand to be remembered. **Also opening – Sacred Pilgrimage: Gaudi and Galban Exhibit Opens on Thursday, August 28th w/ opening reception on Friday, August 29th @6pm – 8pm Exhibit runs through November 2nd Find more information HERE. Saturday **Registry Spotlight Event** This is such a well-loved and epically fun event each year, that GeckoFest shines in this week’s #RegistrySpotlight. If you’ve never been, this weekend is your chance to experience the charm of Gulfport. GeckoFest: 25 Years & Still Weird! Beach Blvd., Gulfport Gulfport is the cute and quirky mecca of the weird. The 24th Annual salute to the town’s mascot, the gecko, takes place this weekend and you definitely don’t want to miss it! This uniquely vibrant street event celebrates the end of summer with all the eccentricity you can handle. Beach Boulevard becomes a festival to remember, honoring Gulfport’s unofficial mascot, the gecko. The celebration boasts a different creative theme each year, with attendees encouraged to embrace the theme and arrive in costume. The event features live music on multiple stages, a vast marketplace with unique arts, crafts, gifts, and delicious food and drinks, street theater with roving magicians, stilt walkers, acrobats, jugglers, costumed characters, and more. There’s also a wacky walking parade and Gecko Skateboard Races. Parking and admission to Geckofest is complimentary and the event is pet and family friendly. Saturday, August 30th @10am – 8pm Find More information HERE. Night Market at 3 Daughters 3 Daughters Brewing, St. Pete The 3 Daughters Night Market will feature some of your favorite local vendors, artists, makers and more, plus tons of great food trucks and pop-up chefs. They will also have live music from The Family Funk Band, games, and of course, all the cold beer you could ever want. Join in on Saturday from 6-11 pm as the Brewery helps give local businesses and makers a boost. The event is free and open to all ages. There is also free parking in the grass lot behind the brewery property. Saturday, August 30th @6pm Find more information HERE. Tabernacle of Oddities Cuban Club, Ybor City Tampa’s weirdest weekend returns for two full days of beautiful strangeness inside the haunted halls of the Cuban Club. Step into the shadows and explore over 100 hand-picked purveyors of the bizarre—from vintage oddities and antiques to bones, wet specimens, dark art, and witchy wares. This years’ experience includes: Tattoo Artists & Piercers On-Site, Taxidermy, Bones, Wet Specimens & Macabre
Weekend Top 10: Cupcakes, Wearable Art, and Rays on the Runway! It’s a BIG Weekend in Tampa Bay
Interested in the NFL? How about NYT Best sellers and authors? Maybe you’d like to see a totally unique fashion show or go to the concert of a huge star. Whatever you’re thinking, Registry Tampa Bay has you covered – every weekend, right here. Check out what’s in store! Saturday 14th Annual Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest Morean Center for Clay, St. Pete It’s one of the most delicious and anticipated events of the year! This Saturday the old train station will be filled with delectable cupcakes for you to enjoy and judge. This decadent fundraiser features a variety of submissions categorized by youth/teen, novice, professional and specialty (gluten-free or sugar-free). Sample a dozen different tasty treasures and vote on your favorite flavor. Pre-registered attendees will receive a 12-count box to fill with the mini-cupcakes of their choice and will vote for their favorite flavor to win the People’s Choice award. Saturday, August 23rd @12pm – 3pm Find tickets, schedule, and more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** Treat yourself and see all the great art goings on at the Studio @5663 and the Arts Village. Flamingo Fest will support the wonderful community programming provided by John Gascot and friends by way of Diversity Arts – a vital non-profit. Flamingo fest & 5663 shine in the #RegistrySpotlight Flamingo Fest Studios @5663, Pinellas Park Escape the summer heat for an afternoon of fun n’ fast creative projects with local artists and makers.Make & Takes include:-Flamingo & Monstera Magnets with Laser Studio @ 5663-Pink-foiled Flamingo Earrings with John Gascot-Flamingo Ornaments with Urban Dog Studio-Happy Flamingo Seashore (Bob Ross style) with Tricia Lynn-Flamingo Mini Floral Arrangement with I Jai Florals-Upcycled Flamingo-themed Craft with Emily Stehle Benefitting Diversity Arts 501c3 – an incredible arts non-profit that organizes and holds creative arts events for all. Saturday, August 23rd @1pm – 5pm Find more information HERE. Comic Book Night at The Clearwater Threshers BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater It’s always a great time when you take friends and fam out to see our favorite Florida State League baseball team! But this Saturday, you also get comics and fireworks! All superheroes and supervillains, come on out to BayCare Ballpark for Comic Book Night! Enjoy a game with some of your favorite comic book characters and stay after the game for a spectacular fireworks display to end a night of family fun! Saturday, August 23rd @5:30pm Find tickets and more information HERE. For a Good Cause: Rays on the Runway Power Design, Inc., St. Pete Enjoy an inspiring night of fashion, food, cocktails, live music, and heartfelt moments — all in support of granting dreams to over 170 local children battling life-threatening illnesses. Childre’s Dream Fund kids will walk the runway with their favorite Rays players in one of the most touching and important fundraisers of the year. Don’t mis this event celebrating courage, hope, and of course – style. Saturday, August 23rd @6:30pm – 11pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Wearable Art 19: Blurred Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin The Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC) is excited to present the 19th annual wearable ART fashion show, Blurred. This event celebrates the unique fusion of art, fashion, and community. It invites local artists and designers to break the boundaries of traditional fashion and explore the intersection of fine art and wearable design. This year’s show will feature extraordinary pieces that dissolve the lines between fashion and art, reflecting the theme “Blurred”. These pieces will be a testament to the creative energy that thrives in Dunedin and the innovative spirit that defines the town’s artistic community. Saturday, August 23rd @5:45pm – 10pm Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills Raymond James Stadium, Tampa The NFL Season will soon be here, and our Bucs will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the franchise. The final home pre-season game is this week and, with hopes for the Rays post-season dwindling, our anticipation grows for the pewter and red to lift our spirits and our hopes for another championship to come to Tampa Bay. In addition, The Bills are the featured team on this season’s HBO Max series, Hard Knocks, so make sure you catch the episode after the game. Go Bucs! Saturday, August 23rd @7:30pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Gecko Ball: 25 Years and Still Weird The Maria Center, Gulfport Gulfport’s quirkiest costume party is back! Celebrate 25 years of Gecko fun with live music, dancing, art auctions, food trucks (or BYO feast), adult drinks by donation, and the crowning of the Gecko Queen! Every guest gets a free Gecko World tee featuring art by Ray Domingo.Tickets: $35 each or $400 for a reserved table of 10. Available at the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, Gulfport Corner Store & Beach Bazaar. Costumes encouraged—bring back an old favorite or go totally new! Saturday, August 23rd @6pm – 10pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Sunday Summer Classics – Casablanca The Historic Tampa Theater, Tampa There’s nothing like seeing a favorite classic on the big screen, and there are not many films that are more classic than Casablanca. Travel back in time to WWII era Morocco for one of cinema’s greatest love stories. And speaking of classic, there really is no better place to see this gem than our very own Tampa Theater. Now THIS is the way to spend a Sunday. This screening is held in the Historic Duncan Auditorium. This space utilizes open seating for this event, seat selection is not required. Sunday, August 24th @3pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Monday Tomlinson’s Wake – Launch Event with Randy Wayne White NOVA 535, St. Pete Tombolo Books welcomes back NYT bestselling and award-winning Florida author Randy Wayne White to launch the latest installment in his Doc Ford series, Tomlinson’s Wake. From New York Times bestselling author Randy Wayne White, the latest thriller following Doc Ford and his perilous journey into Mesoamerica
Weekend Top 10: Return to the 60s This Weekend With Warhol & a VW Car Show. Plus, the Bard, FitFest & MORE!
Happy Back to School! Celebrate the (eventual) return of Fall with another fun-filled weekend in Tampa Bay – a return to the 60s , Shakespeare, Fitness, comic art, a birthday party for Warhol and so much more! There’s something for everyone here, so mark your calendars! Theater Thursday The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] Jobsite Theatre, The Straz Center, Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa Having shrunk Shakespeare’s wit and wisdom into manageable morsels of madness, Jobsite returns to tear around the stage in doublets and Chuck Taylor’s on a riotous romp through all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays plus the sonnets all in an hour and a half. In this cult hit, the full works of the Bard have been edited into just 90 minutes. All 16 comedies are distilled into one short sketch and the historical plays are performed as a football game. The complete works of William Shakespeare in one evening? Ambitious? Foolhardy? Insane? Absolutely! Now, through Sunday, August 24th Find tickets. performance times, and more information HERE. Friday Monster Jam Amalie Arena, Tampa Get ready for non-stop excitement as Tampa roars to life with gravity-defying stunts, heart-pounding races, and plenty of big air! The world’s best drivers tear up on the dirt as they battle for the Event Championship in four competitions: Racing, Skills, Donuts, and everyone’s favorite, Freestyle, where Monster Jam trucks defy the laws of physics and do the impossible. Fans will be right in the middle of the action, helping to crown the Event Champion as they get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts, and saves. Friday – Sunday, August 15th – 17th Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. Warhol Birthday & Pop Art Party FloridaRAMA. St. Pete Join in the fun for a Warhol Birthday & Pop Art Party! Celebrate Warhol’s famed Factory and enjoy a night of Andy, Marilyn & Elvis impersonators, interactive screen tests and photo opportunities. View Warhol and Pop inspired works by local artists , groove to a curated Warhol’s Factory soundtrack and enjoy special performances by “Elvis.” Dress in your best 70’s attire for a fun night celebrating Pop Art! Friday, August 15th @7pm – 11pm Find tickets more information HERE. Our Wildest Dreams Opening Reception The Nielson Center for Visual Arts, St. Pete Dreams are more than just our subconscious thoughts or our daily admirations. Dreams are incarnations of our truest selves; various layers of consciousness that, as they are peeled back, bring us closer to our spiritual origins. Dreams show us our deepest desires and our greatest fears all while being the subconscious drivers of our creativity. Whether we are asleep or awake, our dreams dictate our choices and bring us closer to our truest, most innocent selves. This August, The Lof is introducing its debut show – “Our Wildest Dreams” – a series of art installation dreamscapes that carry the viewer through settings of beautiful fantasy and unsettling nightmares. Discover the core beliefs that drive creative thinking, and become consumed by an environment that captures the spiritual origin of art. Friday, August 15th @6pm – 9pm Find more information HERE. Saturday FitFest Tampa Bay Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa Welcome to FitFest, formerly known as the Tampa Bay Strength And Fitness Expo, now re-imagined and expanded to become the largest sports festival and fitness expo in Florida. FitFest is the pinnacle event where athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and industry professionals converge to celebrate the power of physicality, strength, and endurance. With a rich history of showcasing top-tier talent, hosting world-class competitions, and featuring industry-leading exhibitors, our event has become a beacon for those seeking unparalleled inspiration and cutting-edge innovations. Join us as we unite an entire community in a collective pursuit of fitness excellence at FitFest, where passion, camaraderie, and boundless possibilities await. Saturday& Sunday, August 16th & 17th Find, schedules, and more information HERE. Afternoon at the Manor: Victorian Tea Party Jekyll Hyde Park Manor, Tampa I’m heading across the pond in a few weeks, so high tea is on my mind. You are cordially invited to Afternoon at the Manor, a most distinguished affair where the clinking of fine china and the flutter of lace gloves fill the air with refined anticipation. This elevated Victorian high tea promises an afternoon of elegant indulgence, where society’s finest gather beneath chandeliers to sip and socialize in true Regency fashion. Prepare to be delighted with a sumptuous selection of teas, delicate finger sandwiches, decadent pastries, and other exquisitely prepared delicacies—each course served with the grace and grandeur one would expect of a lady or gentleman of standing. Guests are encouraged to arrive in their finest Regency or Victorian-inspired attire. Saturday, August 16th – Seatings start @10am Find more information HERE. 8th Annual Bulls Block Party 1920 Ybor & Along 7th Ave, Ybor City Support your USF Bulls with a great party, as the college football season is about to start. USF’s Greater Tampa Alumni Chapter’s biggest event of the year is back! Join us as we take over Ybor with USF pride, exclusive perks and unforgettable energy. Festivities kickoff at 2 p.m. at 1920 Ybor with free drink samples, food, live entertainment and special remarks from USF Football Coach Alex Golesh. The after-party continues down 7th Avenue with exclusive drink deals and Bulls-themed fun at over a dozen participating venues. Saturday, August 16th @2pm – 4pm Find more details HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** This just looks cool, and as I am a child of the 60s, anything hippie themed appeals. Also, as long-time friends of RTB know, we have long been about the cars – the point being, you can never see enough VW buses! Slap on some tye dye and enjoy! Hippie Fest Sponge Docks, Tarpon Springs Travel back to the era of peace, love, and rock ‘n’ roll at the Tarpon Springs Hippie Fest! This vibrant celebration brings a blast from
Weekend Top 10: Improv, Football, & Whiskey for the Grown-Ups – Legos & Gaming for the Kids – Find it All HERE!
It’s already “Back to School” week here in Tampa Bay, and we have some great events for this last weekend of summer vacay. There is some very grown-up fun too, so check out the list and mark your calendars today! Thursday New Exhibition: In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870–1940 Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870–1940 explores the reinterpretation of American landscape painting. Presenting works by a diverse group of more than 75 artists, the exhibition traces not only the development of Impressionism in the United States but also the emergence of a uniquely American style. In a New Light explores the ways in which local artists interpreted America’s rural, maritime and urban spaces and portrayed daily life using the Impressionist devices of capturing the moment with brisk brushstrokes, a vibrant palette and atmospheric effects. Opens Thursday, August 7th and runs through November 30th Find tickets and more information HERE. The 9th Annual Countdown Improv Festival Varied Locations, Tampa The Countdown Improv Festival, based in Tampa, Florida, is the world’s only improv festival entirely devoted to trio, duo, and solo improv comedy. The best improv festivals are true community events; the Countdown Improv Festival creates a sense of community among all who attend. Come join in and fall in love with improv festivals all over again. Shows will take place across two separate locations: the HCC Ybor Performing Arts Building (1411 E. 11th Ave.) and The Commodore (811 E. 7th Ave.). Thursday, August 7th through Sunday, August 10th Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. Friday National Gaming Expo Florida State Fair, Tampa The National Gaming Expo brings together thousands of attendees from across the gaming universe—from tabletop RPGs and board games to mobile, console, and VR experiences—plus cosplay, anime, esports, and lifestyle brands. Whether you’re an indie creator, a game studio, or an established brand, we’ve designed this event to spotlight innovators like you, helping connect with a highly engaged and diverse audience. Friday, August 8th @11am – 6pm Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee St. Petersburg City Theatre, St. Pete Get ready for the return of your favorite juvenile genius misfits as they vie for the Putnam County Spelling Bee championship! Having seen this show many times (my baby played Leaf Coneybear in an Atlanta production), I can tell you, it’s hilarious!! And for extra good measure, the St. Petersburg Library will be on site August 8 to share resources to help the community read, spell and explore their interests. As I always say, support Community Theater!! Opens Friday, August 8th through Sunday, August 10th Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. You Can’t Take It With You The Carrollwood Players Theatre, Tampa The family of Martin Vanderhof lives “just around the corner from Columbia University — but don’t go looking for it.” Grandpa, as Martin is more commonly known, is the paterfamilias of a large and extended family of charming eccentrics. His granddaughter, Alice, is an attractive and loving girl who is still embarrassed by her family’s idiosyncrasies. When Alice falls for her boss, Tony, a handsome scion of Wall Street, she fears that their two families – so unlike in manner, politics and finances – will never come together. But why be obsessed with money? After all, you can’t take it with you… Opens Friday, August 8th through Saturday, August 23rd Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Wings & Whiskey After Dark (21+ event) Top Shelf Sports Lounge, Tampa An unforgettable night of elevated flavor and rare pours awaits. This 21+ event is an upscale whiskey experience featuring a curated 5-course tasting menu paired with expertly crafted specialty cocktails and a very exclusive tasting of Eagle Rare 17 Year, a bourbon few ever get the chance to try. This immersive evening is designed for whiskey lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and those with a taste for the finer things. Live music will set the tone for a night of sophistication, indulgence, and unforgettable company. Tickets Include: First 40 customers who purchase a ticket receive a once-in-a-lifetime tasting of Eagle Rare 17 Year! ️ 5-course tasting menu, 5 Handcrafted whiskey cocktails or rocks pours Live music. This is not your average whiskey night-it’s Wings & Whiskey After Dark in Downtown Tampa, Florida at Top Shelf Sports Lounge. Limited seats available. Dress to impress and prepare for an extraordinary evening. Friday, August 8th @8pm – 11pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Saturday **Registry Spotlight Event** As a ‘Back to School’ nod, Registry Tampa Bay shines a spotlight on this fun 2-day homage to Legos. What a perfect way to end summer vacation! 3rd Annual Brick Fan Expo – A LEGO Fan Event Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa Join thousands of LEGO fans at the Florida State Fairgrounds for the 3rd Annual Brick Fan Event – A LEGO Fan Experience in Tampa!See amazing displays such as LEGO Masters Season 2 winner Mark Erickson’s impressive DUNE MOC, fantasy inspired builds and more, Meet special guests such as LEGO Masters Champion Corey Samuels and special characters, have fun in our STEM and Interactive zones, and more! Saturday & Sunday, August 9th & 10th @10am – 4pm Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. New Exhibit: Nina Samuels and Charles Morrison: Earth and Ocean Exhibition Morean Center for Clay, St. Pete Second Saturday ArtWalk is always a feast for the senses and a fun way to spend a Saturday evening. Jump on the trolley and visit participating venues, many of whom are having opening receptions. One such venue is the Morean Center for Clay. The opening reception for a beautiful new exhibit featuring two fine artists – Charles Morrison who seeks to illuminate connection to our ancestors through sculpture and pottery – and Nina Samuels, who describes her work as follows: “Nature has always been at the center of my work. I often use
Clearwater Free Clinic: The Power of Providing Compassionate Care For All
Weekend Top 10: It’s Foodie Heaven in Tampa Bay This Weekend! Find the Best Festivals HERE!
If your mouth is watering and your taste buds are tingling, there’s a good reason! The best multi-cultural cuisine food fests are coming this weekend – and so are Monet & Van Gogh. Of course there’s much more, so don’t miss a minute! Thursday Clue: The Musical Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater Step into a world of mystery, music, and mayhem with Clue: The Musical! This interactive whodunit features all of your favorite characters – Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, and more – as they try to solve a murder with countless possible outcomes. This electrifying performance is brought to life by the talented young performers of the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts at Ruth Eckerd Hall. With catchy songs, clever dialogue, surprise endings, and LOTS of audience participation it is sure to be a fun-filled night! Now through Saturday, August 2nd @7pm Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE. Friday Tampa Bay Comic & Pop Culture Convention Tampa Convention Center, Tampa Escape everyday life events, and step foot into your favorite fandom world, with celebrities from your favorite TV shows, movies, and video games. TBCC brings your favorite shows and games to life. Connect with fans, celebrities, authors, artists, and more during this 3-day escape from reality. Your adventures starts by purchasing a single or multi-day ticket, Friday through Sunday, August 1st through 3rd Find more information HERE. **Registry Spotlight Event** This is one of those once in a great while experiences – a visual wonderland, Don’t miss this opportunity to see an art spectacle that you won’t forget, and that shines in the #RegistrySpotlight this week. Opening: Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet The Straz Center, Tampa Ready for a literal “surreal” experience? Step into the stunningly beautiful worlds imagined by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet take you into these masters’ works with magnificent digital projections that immerse viewers in the unmistakable artistry of Post Impressionist and Impressionist painters. An original score is a soundtrack to your journey through hundreds of Van Gogh’s and Monet’s masterworks. Friday, August 1st through Friday, August 22nd Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE. Bolts Brew Fest Amalie Arena, Tampa Not just a beer festival! Your favorite hockey team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, has local & international brews, ciders, seltzers, canned cocktails, wine, spirits, non-alcoholic options and so much more at Bolts Brew Fest. Step foot into AMALIE Arena to be greeted by a sea of breweries located throughout the arena concourse and event floor as you sample your way around hundreds of beer options from more than 50 local, national, and international brands. Plus games, photo opportunities, and other fun surprises! There will be lots of entertainment stations and activities. Can’t wait for hockey to return! Friday, August 1st @ 6pm – 10pm (VIP, Plus, & GA start times vary) Find tickets and more information HERE. For a Good Cause: A Taste to Remember Tampa River Center, Tampa Join Voo Doo Chef Foundation for an unforgettable culinary experience. Indulge in a variety of dishes that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to savor delicious flavors in a beautiful setting by the river. Mark your calendars, come hungry and let’s raise some money for scholarships! So many of your favorite restaurants are participating, so eat your heart out for a very good cause. Friday, August 1st @ 6pm – 10pm Find more information HERE. 10th Annual Gecko Art Show Catherine Hickman Theatre, Gulfport Kick off Gecko World in true Gulfport style! Enjoy an eclectic exhibit from nine local artists celebrating this year’s theme: “25 Years & Still Weird!” Art will be on display through August 22. Enjoy a cash bar & small bites – Come mingle, sip, and celebrate Gulfport’s creative spirit. Let’s get weird, Gulfport! All are welcome. the event is FREE. Friday, August 1st @6pm – 8pm Find more information HERE. Saturday Summer Vibes – Asian Street Food Festival England Brothers Park, Pinellas Park Whether you’re coming for the food, the culture, or the vibes — this is the summer festival you don’t want to miss. Tag your foodie crew, bring the whole family, and come celebrate. This is Florida’s biggest celebration of Asian street food, culture, and community, so you really don’t want to miss it! Here are some the planned activities for the day: 75+ vendors serving everything from pho, boba, dumplings, Korean BBQ, and more!Dragon performance to kick off the festivities with energy and luck ~ Live fire show lighting up the night ~ Giant lantern display creating a magical atmosphere ~ Live music, DJs, and cultural dance performances all weekend ~Pho eating contest ~ Giant water slide and kid-friendly activities to cool down and have fun ~ Red envelope giveaways ~ Stilt walkers, food challenges, raffles, and exclusive pop-up shops Plus: beautiful photo ops, delicious desserts, and non-stop summer vibes! Saturday & Sunday, August 2nd & 3rd Find more information HERE. Food From the Soul Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa Perhaps no cuisine is prepared with as much love as soul food. This fun-filled day includes excellent entertainment and ethnic cuisine from people of color around the world. (African Black Descent, African American Black Descent, Caribbean, Asian, Hispanic/Latin, and Native American), caterers, food trucks, start-ups, and restaurants worldwide. Come out and support each ethnic cuisine from people of color including: caterers, food trucks, start-ups, and restaurants battle it out as the best in their category. It’s going to be a delicious day! Saturday, August 2nd @10am – 4pm Find more information HERE. For a Good Cause: Chicken Wings Cook-Off (and Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway) Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg Get ready for the ultimate family festival packed with vendors, food trucks, bounce houses, live entertainment, and fun for all ages. The event continues to grow each year, making a meaningful impact on families in need.
Weekend Top 10: Celebrate 727 Day in Style! Drones, Psychics, Anime, Snuffleupagus, and MORE!
The days are scorching, but the events in Tampa Bay this weekend are icy cool! Registry found concerts, theater, Mega Cosplay, an epic drone show and more on 727 day, and much more fun curated especially for you. Get out there and have a blast! Friday METROCON – The Largest Anime Event in Florida Tampa Convention Center, Tampa From high-adrenaline sword fights and fire breathing to interactive theatrical events and sketch comedy, there’s always something amazing to watch at METROCON! We’re focused on creating and sharing theme-park-style experiences and shows – immersion and entertainment are in our DNA, and it’s motivated us to create a unique convention experience unlike any other. Starting with the very first Anime Human Chess Match in 2004, METROCON has been bringing high-quality cosplay entertainment to the convention scene for over twenty years, and we’re teaming up with new groups from all over the country to join the roster of our in-house productions. This is just a small example of all the activities planned – meet & greets, competions, gaming, and so much more. Don’t miss it! Friday, July 25th through Sunday, July 27th Find tickets, events schedules, and more information HERE. Sesame Street Safari 15th Birthday Bash Busch Gardens, Tampa The Sesame Street Safari Of Fun area will be adorned with colorful garland, bright balloons, fabulous birthday presents and more fun décor. Everyone can dance, groove and sing along at the Furry Friends Birthday Dance Party, enjoy a birthday-themed storytime and get one-of-a kind photos with everyone’s furry friends! Everyone’s invited to celebrate 15 years of furry fun this summer at Sesame Street Safari of Fun! Watch for a special appearance by our friend, Snuffleupagus. Friday, July 25th @12pm – 5pm Find tickets, event listings, and more information HERE. Legally Blonde Jr. The Musical The Mahaffey, DTSP Enjoy the culmination of this summer’s theater camp held at the Mahaffey by the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. These young actors have worked very hard and are ready to entertain you! Bend and Snap! Step into the fabulous, pink-filled world of Elle Woods with Legally Blonde JR., a musical adaptation of the Broadway hit and beloved movie. Bursting with dynamic songs, witty humor, and a heartwarming story, this version is tailored perfectly for young performers, offering the same vibrant energy and empowering message that has charmed audiences worldwide. Friday & Saturday, July 25th & 26th Find tickets, performance schedule, and more information HERE. For a Good Cause: Christmas in July Dog Bar, St. Pete Safe Paws Rescue is hosting this faux holiday fundraiser to help find good, safe homes for our canine friends that are truly in need of new homes. There will be raffles, photo opps, and lots of fun to be had with all our friends and neighbors at Dog Bar. Join in for this festive Christmas in July “Pawty.” You’ll have a great time no matter how many legs you have! Friday, July 25th @6:30pm – 9:30pm Find more information about Safe Paws Rescue HERE. Sunday (727 Day) 727 Day Community Run & Walk Craft Cafe, DTSP Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, all abilities are welcome! Choose your adventure: 2 Miles – Run 1 mile out take a breather, then return 1 mile. Perfect for beginners or those who prefer a shorter distance. 7.27 Kilometers – Embrace the scenic route along the iconic St. Pete Pier. Ideal for those seeking a bit more challenge and breathtaking views. 7.27 Miles – Ready to push your limits? Conquer the pier and explore beautiful St. Pete with this longer, rewarding option. Enjoy discounted coffee and breakfast from Craft Kafe, plus a $10 gift card to St. Pete Running Company. Hoka will be present to demo their latest kicks too. Lace up and let’s run the city together! See you on 727 Day! Sunday, July 27th @7:27am Find more information HERE. Open House Series: Polyester, Please & The Roy Lacroix Variety Show The Beach Theatre, St. Pete Beach We talked about the grand re-opening last week, and this week we get to enjoy this cool retro music show at the Historic Beach Theatre. Remember bell bottoms and shag haircuts, princess phones and getting up to turn the channel on the TV? The Beach Theatre brings the 70s VIBE to life in “Polyester, Please” A Musical Roadtrip through the 1970s. The venue offers two unique ways to bring the retro vibe to you: The Roy LaCroix Variety Show – be part of the Studio audience in a 70s-style variety show. Polyester Please – Dance tunes to get your groove on 70s style Sunday, July 27th @12pm – 2pm Find tickets and more information HERE. Voices From Beyond w/ Psychic Medium, Victor Peruta The Catherine Hickman Theater, Gulfport Ok, you know you’re fascinated by psychic readings. We just can’t help it! Here is your chance to see into your past, present, and future by attending this cool event in – where else? – Funky Gulport, of course. Join Victor Paruto for an extraordinary one-man show with world-renowned Psychic Medium Victor Paruta — a deeply healing and often joyful journey into the world of spirit communication, psychic insight, and personal transformation. Sunday, July 27th @5pm – 5:30pm Find tickets and more information HERE. 727 Day on the Pier – Epic Drone Show The Pier, DTSP As part of the 5th Anniversary Celebration, and in recognition of “727” Day, The Pier is hosting festivities that are sure to amaze and delight. Experience a breathtaking spectacle as over 1,000 synchronized drones light up the night sky to tell the incredible story of the City of St. Petersburg. Watch in awe as aerial animations recreate historic icons like the Million Dollar Pier and the Inverted Pyramid, leading up to the modern-day St. Pete Pier. This unforgettable show also celebrates the Pier’s 5-year anniversary, culminating in a dazzling birthday candle moment complete with pyrotechnic effects—all performed by drones. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind tribute to the past,
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