Are you ready for some football? No? Well, ready or not, here it comes. There’s baseball, this weekend, too, plus theater, art, history and a bunch of great freebies for families — including a movie at the airport.
1. Bucs Home Opener
The Bucs kick off their 2019 season (the NFL’s 100th) with a special guest: Tim McGraw — country hottie, senior division — in a pre-game concert that’s free with your ticket to the game vs. the 49ers. Let’s hope the Bucs live like they’re dyin’ — which they sort of are, but fans gotta keep the faith. (Or the Faith, in Tim’s case.) Sunday, 2 p.m. (concert) & 4:25 (game), Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, buccaneers.com.
2. Rays vs. Jays
Come on, everybody! The Rays are teetering on the edge of playoff greatness and just have to keep playing (and winning) like they have been in order to make it all the way. You can help: Go to one or more of the games this weekend against the Toronto Blue Jays and cheer them on. (Bonus: On Saturday you get Rays pajama bottoms!) Thurs.-Sun., Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, raysbaseball.com.
3. Beaches, Benches and Boycotts: The Civil Rights Movement in Tampa Bay
The Florida Holocaust Museum sheds light on the shameful history of racial segregation in Tampa Bay during the Jim Crow era and the courageous response by Civil Rights activists. Opening reception Sat., 7-9 p.m., open through 3/1. flholocaustmuseum.org.
4. That Art Festival
A free festival with a focus on participation as much as consumption, this kid- and dog-friendly event will feature more than 50 local artists, including such familiar names as Derek Donnelly and John Gascot, plus a Collaboration Wall (come ready to paint), a live chalk artist, a stilt walker, DJ Don Pablo and a children’s Creative Corner (the first 100 kids get to paint and take home their own mini-canvas). Sat., Noon-6 p.m., Jannus Live, 200 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg, @ThatArtFestival.
5. Free First Friday Concert
After all the local visual art in That Art Festival, stick around Jannus Live for local art of the musical variety — a free mashup of excellent bands Ella Jet & Future Soul, Steve Connelly & The Lesser Gods and The New Rulers. Fri. 8 p.m.-Midnight, Jannus Live, @jannuslive.
6. Planes: Fire & Rescue at TIA
A free screening of the Disney/Pixar animated film from 2013, brought to you by the inspired airCINEMA partnership of Tampa Theatre and Tampa International Airport. airCINEMA screenings take place in the new TIA Event Space between Airsides E and F on level 3. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Sat., 6 p.m. (doors open at 5). tampatheatre.org.
7. The Florida Björkestra Goes Over the Rainbow
Speaking of inspired pairings, the pop genii of the Bjorkestra are now putting their spin on… movie music! With the help of the always-welcome Matthew McGee, they’ll do their own inimitable interpretations of tunes from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins. Fri., 8 p.m., Side Door at the Palladium, St. Petersburg, mypalladium.org.
8. Mary Poppins at theatre eXceptional
Speaking of that infamous airborne nanny, the wondrous theatre eXceptional troupe — dedicated to showcasing the talents of performers with disabilities — is presenting Ms. Poppins’s namesake musical this weekend at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., bluebutterflyproductions.org.
9. HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis
Now doesn’t that combo sound like comedy mayhem in the making? Of the good kind, of course, especially since the parties involved are improv champ Colin Mochrie (of Whose Line Is It Anyway? fame) and Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci. But wait, Colin’s not the one getting hypnotized. You are, if you dare. Fri., 8 p.m., Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, themahaffey.com.
10. Meteor Shower at Jobsite
Love Steve Martin? Love Jobsite Theater? Love anything starring inspired comediennes who always use their middle initials? (Talkin’ about you, Jonelle M. Meyer and Amy E. Gray.) Then this possibly extra-terrestrial love quadrangle is for you! Fri.-Sun., Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz, through 9/29, jobsitetheater.org.
