“I cannot woo in festival terms,” says Benedick in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. But I’ll bet even a curmudgeonly confirmed bachelor like Benny could get into a festive mood this weekend, because festivals abound.
Thru 3/3
St. Petersburg Jazz Festival. The 11th annual festival continues at the Palladium with Latin Grammy-winning flutist Nestor Torres and his quartet (3/1, 7:30 p.m.); vocalist Alexis Coles, who’s been compared to Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day, backed up by the 17-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra (3/2, 7:30 p.m.); and pianist Martin Bejerano and his trio (3/3, 7:30 p.m.). mypalladium.org
Thru 3/10
Florida Strawberry Festival. Plant City’s annual berry bacchanal began Thursday and continues through March 10. If you’re just reading this now, you probably missed Willie Nelson and Family (they went on at 3:30 today), but there’s still the award-winning country duo Brothers Osborne tonight, the Fanta Strawberry Soda Throwdown and Kool & the Gang tomorrow, the Dairy Costume Ball (!) on Sunday and lots, lots more. Fri., Noon-11 p.m.; weekends, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City, 813-752-9194, flstrawberryfestival.com.
3/2
St. Pete Seafood & Music Festival. Thanks to our friends at ILovetheBurg.com for alerting us to this one: “Florida-fresh seafood, live music, and waterfront views — what more could you ask for?” ’Nuf said. 4-10 p.m., Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr NE
3/2-3
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. The venerable celebration of visual art, now in its 49th year, welcomes 235+ artists to Curtis Hixon Park, including 15 emerging artists (often the most exciting aspect of the festival) who will be displaying their work in Kiley Garden. The art’s for sale but admission is free. 3/2, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; 3/3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
3/3
Two more festive occasions brought to our attention by the indispensable ILoveTheBurg boys:
Awakening Into the Sun Festival. A two-day festival celebrating health, wellness and spiritual connection. 3/3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Straub Park, 250 Bay Shore Dr NE, St. Petersburg.
Flamingo Festival at Sunken Gardens. It’s time to “flamingle” at the Sunken Gardens! In celebration of their young flock’s birthday, enjoy $1 off admission and enjoy kids’ activities, face painting, and live music. 3/3, Noon to 4 p.m., Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th St N
And finally, the next two artists aren’t part of a festival — they’re just performing in our area on the same night — but isn’t fun to imagine an event where they were sharing a bill? Or better yet, a dressing room?
P!nk. The international pop icon brings her Beautiful Trauma World Tour to Tampa. So don’t go asking, “What about us?” 3/3, 7:30 p.m., Amalie Arena.
Wayne Newton. Clearwater gets a touch of Vegas as “Mr. Entertainment” makes his Capitol Theatre debut. Danke Schoen, Wayne! 3/3, 7 p.m., Capitol.
