Movies at Sunscreen, a museum milestone, a singer/songwriter superstar, a cabaret double whammy, craft artistry, music from Jaws, a tear-jerker by Puccini, and — as SunLit comes to a close, books, books and more books!
1) Rosanne Cash. “After reckoning with her father’s legacy on recent records,” said Pitchfork of Cash’s latest album, She Remembers Everything, “the singer offers a vivid, complex portrait of life and the compromises and love that shape adulthood.” Which sounds pretty much like what she’s been doing her entire career, which is why we love her. That, and her outspokenness about issues like gun control and sexual harassment in the music business; she’s never been afraid to speak the truth. 4/26, 8 p.m., Capitol Theatre.
2) Sunscreen Film Festival. The 14th annual filmfest continues with a packed schedule of screenings, networking events and workshops. Of special note are the two films screening on Sunday at AMC Sundial: Botero (3:15 p.m.), a much-heralded documentary about the Colombian artist Fernando Botero (his son, Juan Carlos Botero, will be in attendance), and The Garden Left Behind (6 p.m.). Winner of the 2019 Audience Award at the South By Southwest film festival, Garden traces the relationship between Tina, a young trans woman, and Eliana, her grandmother, as they navigate Tina’s transition and struggle to build a life for themselves as undocumented immigrants in New York City. Featuring Michael Madsen, Ed Asner and Carlie Guevara. The Brazilian writer/director, Flavio Alves, will be in attendance at the screening. sunscreenfilmfestival.com.
3) Matthew McGee and Whitney James Do NYC. A powerhouse pair joins forces in a cabaret paying homage to the Big Apple, with songs like “New York State of Mind,” “How About You?” and, of course, “New York, New York.” If you’ve enjoyed their singing in shows at freeFall and the Palladium, among other venues, this pairing at American Stage promises to be doubly fun, with Alejandro Arenas on bass and Mark Feinman on drums (of La Lucha), with Simon Lasky on piano and Cathy Lopez on saxophone. 4/27, 8 p.m., American Stage Mainstage, $30 general admission.
4) Rob Sanders Stonewall Book Performance and Reading. A readers’ theater presentation of Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution, the very first picture book to tell the story of the explosive events that helped launch the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement 50 years ago this year. Studio @620’s Bob Devin Jones directs an ensemble cast, followed by a Q&A with author Rob Sanders and a books signing presented by Tombolo Books. 4/27, 6-8 p.m., Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, free. A SunLit Festival event.
5) James Museum One-Year Anniversary Celebration. A weekend of tours, activities, and talks to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the opening of the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg, including a dance performance Apr. 28 at 1 p.m. by five-time world champion Native American hoop dancer Tony Duncan, who has appeared everywhere from The Tonight Show to the White House. Other offerings include an artist talk by contemporary Western pop art pioneer Billy Schenck; a discussion with Allen and Patty Eckman, known for their handmade cast paper sculptures; and special docents’ tours focusing on Western art and Native American Jewelry. All events included with admission and free for members, but seating is limited for the talks and the dance performance so reservations are required. 4/27-28, thejamesmuseum.org/
6) Florida Orchestra’s Raymond James Pops Series: The Music of John Williams. Star Wars. Jaws. Harry Potter. Schindler’s List. ET. Sound familiar? Daniel Black conducts works by the master of indelible movie music. 4/27, 2 & 8 p.m., Mahaffey.
7) The Antiquarian Book Fair. The bibliophile’s dream weekend, with rare tomes and vintage finds offered by vendors from all over. 4/26-28,The Coliseum, $6-$10, keepstpetelit.org.
8) La Bohème. Opera Tampa presents Giacomo Puccini’s heartbreakingly beautiful opera about starving artists in Paris — the inspiration for RENT. 4/26-28, Straz.
9) Florida CraftArt Members’ Show. A juried exhibition of original handcrafted works by Florida CraftArt members, including home accents, furniture, jewelry, wearable art, ceramics, gifts and more. Opening meet-the-artists reception, 4/26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Exhibition continues through 6/1. 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, floridacraftart.org.
10) Kids Lit! Poetry in the Gardens. A free SunLit Festival event for children and families, featuring poetry stations, storytime, readings by the dynamic Heard ’Em Say Teen Poetry troupe and poet Sara Ries, and a stage where even the littlest poets will have a chance to perform their work. 4/27, Noon-2 p.m., Legacy Gardens @ The Carter G. Woodson Museum, 2240 9th Ave. S., St. Petersburg.
