We’ve got a darned delightful weekend ahead of us.
1. Father’s Day
There are all kinds of great deals for dads on Sunday, ranging from BOGO admissions at the Chihuly (trust us, that is a deal) to something called “Dad Bod Day” at Caddy’s on Central. (Find these and more options in the Tampa Bay Times’s comprehensive Father’s Day list.) But the best option of all for giving back to your dad is simple enough: Spend time with him.
2. Visual Magic, Goya and more at the Dalí
Three exhibitions open simultaneously on Saturday, all of them intriguing: Visual Magic, a look at some of the museum’s best-known paintings through the lens of Augmented Reality, a technological feat of which Dalí surely would have approved; Before Dali: Goyas — Visions & Inventions, a selection of powerful works by Dalí’s Spanish antecedent, the game-changing Goya, whose Los Caprichos suite of prints may haunt your dreams long after you see them; and Bronzes from the Vault, featuring Dalí sculptures from a series originally commissioned by gallery owner Isidro Clot and created 1969-79, the only sculptures Dalí ever worked on by hand. thedali.org.
3. Icons: LGBTQ+ Portraits at MIZE Gallery
This show is literally star-studded: 50 portraits of queer icons by 50 top local artists. Saumitra Chandratreya does Rachel Maddow, John Gascot does RuPaul, Jennifer Kosharek does Tracy Chapman, Andrea Pawlisz does Tom Ford, Zulu Painter does Prince, Chad Mize does (but of course) Keith Haring — the list goes on, and the reception promises to be a big ol’ Pride party, MIZE-style. Opening reception 6-10 p.m., Fri., 6/14. MIZE Gallery, 689 Dr. MLK Jr. St., St. Petersburg, FL.
4. Studio@620 15th Birthday
Where would we be without this lively, lovable, indispensable 15-year-old? The arts and community center that changed everything in downtown St. Pete, culturally speaking, celebrates its 15th birthday on Saturday with a free Quinceañera, complete with piñatas, poetry and, of course, cake. 6:20 p.m., Sat., 6/15. thestudioat620.org.
5. Tampa Bay Restaurant Week
It’s the 12th year for this tasty tradition from the folks at Creative Loafing. From now through Sun., June 23rd, participating restaurants are offering multiple-course prix fixe menus at exclusive pricing. For a full list of participating locations, menus, a map, and information on how diners can win cash and gift cards, go to tampabayrestaurantweek.com.
6. Dog Day at the Rays
Bring your pup to the Trop and see if you can recognize the team in its retro Devil Rays uniforms. And read up on the regulations first. Sat. 6/15, 7:10 p.m., mlb.com/rays.
7. American Kennel Club Dog Show
Speaking of canine shenanigans, more than 2,500 dogs representing more than 212 breeds will frolic about the Florida State Fair Grounds this weekend in the 2019 American Kennel Club Dog Show. (I’m rooting for the terriers.) 6/13-16, 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa, floridastatefair.com/events.
8. Lectores Reading Series with John Capouya and Ben Montgomery
Two of our best local authors read from their latest books as part of this invaluable twice-a-year series from the University of Tampa’s MFA in Creative Writing Program. Sat., 6/15, 7:30 p.m., Vaughn Center, ninth floor, UT campus, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. ut.edu/mfacw/lectores.
9. Catch It Before It Closes #1: Next Fall
A critical and popular success during its Off-Broadway and Broadway runs in 2009-10, Geoffrey Nauffts’s Tony-nominated play explores the relationship between two gay men, one devoutly religious, the other an atheist, and the consequences when an accident changes everything. Directed by Patrick Brafford. Gulfport Community Players at Catherine Hickman Theater, 26th & Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sat. & Sun. at 2 p.m. gulfportcommunityplayers.org.
10. Catch It Before It Closes #2: Stupid F**king Bird
Tampa Rep stages Aaron Posner’s cheerfully profane adaptation of Chekhov’s The Seagull. 5/31-6/16, tamparep.org.
