How about some never-ending crawfish? Want to dive into the world of Noir? Maybe a circus full of art, music, and entertainment is more your speed. Want to look at or buy some art right out of an artist’s yard? Did you know trashcans can make music? Well, you can explore all that and much more this weekend! Click some links and make your plans.

Theater Thursday

 

Ongoing: Trust Me by Paul Fell
Lab TheaterProject, Tampa

Life is filled with choices. Some people don’t make the best ones. To the outside world, John Scanlon appears to be a successful businessman, a leader in his church, and happily married to Rene. This image means more to John than anything else in his life. But it is a façade behind which John carries out nefarious business activities. This front begins to unravel when John falls behind on his payments to a loan shark and Lou, a representative of the loan shark arrives at his home. Lou is here to offer John a way out of this financial morass. However, Lou’s also falling in love with Rene. Ultimately, they all must make a choice that their lives may depend on, who do they trust? This Production is Theatre Tampa Bay recommended.

Runs through Sunday, March 30th
Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE.

 

 

Ongoing: A Lighter Shade of Noir by Michael Cote
TheatreFor, Clearwater

I love the Noir genre, and this production offers up a range of short stories to appeal to your Bogart/Bacall sensibilities.  A Lighter Shade of Noir is an evening of 8 short plays celebrating the noir genre of theatre, some dark, some light, with characters ranging from classic hard-bitten detectives and femme fatales, to some of your favorite fairy tale characters in a darkly comic setting, to a few other surprise guests, these stylish pieces are sure to entertain. This weekend is your last chance to see it.

Runs through Sunday, March 23rd
Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE.

 

 

UniverSoul Circus
Raymond James Stadium Parking Lot, Tampa

UniverSoul Circus is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music. This show is fresh, funky, bold, fun, and challenges your imagination like no other circus. UniverSoul Circus embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of urban pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. Through performance, they reflect the cultural diversity of the world in which we live.

Opens Thursday, March 20 through Sunday, March 30th
Find tickets, performance schedules, and more information HERE.

 

Friday

 

Killer Author Club on Tour
Tombolo Books, St. Pete

If you’re like me, somewhere along the line, an obsession with true crime was born. Here’s a chance to see some prolific ‘killer’ authors come to local fave Tombolo Books to talk about the genre. On tour, the Killers will use a format similar to their bi-monthly Killer Authors Club podcast. In addition, they’ll be sharing their experiences as podcasters, interviewers, and bestselling authors juggling live shows and deadlines. When it comes to discussing their own work, the killers will focus on their latest and upcoming titles.

Friday, March 21st @7pm
Find more information HERE.

 

 

Mastry’s Bar 90th Birthday Party!
Mastry’s Bar, DTSP

When I moved to the ‘Burg in 1991 from Tampa (by way of NYC), Mastry’s was only one of a very few neighborhood bars downtown during an era when the rest of the sidewalks rolled up after 5pm. Some may call it a ‘dive bar,’ but it is one that has been much loved through the decades and still manages to attract both locals and visitors in the midst of all the new bars and full-service restaurants that have opened – over the last decade, in particular. The staying power of almost a century is certainly noteworthy, and so we pay tribute to Mastry’s – a true St. Pete treasure.

Friday, March 21st @7pm
Find more information HERE.

 

 

Saturday

 

32nd Annual Hyde Park Village Art Fair
Snow Avenue, Hyde Park Village, Tampa

Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this free event is not to be missed. Explore the work of over 100 talented exhibitors as you stroll through the stunning displays of life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, one-of-a-kind jewelry, photography, ceramics, and more. You’ll be amazed by the incredible talent and creativity on display, and the opportunity to chat with the artists themselves about their inspirations and techniques. The historic brick-lined streets of Hyde Park will be transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery. It’s become an annual arts staple, so don’t miss it!

Saturday, March 22nd @10am – 5pm
Find more information HERE.

 

 

Art in the Yard!
Throughout the City of Gulfport

Come to my neck of the woods this weekend for a truly unique art experience. When people ask me about Gulfport, I describe my eclectic neighborhood as a charming cross between Greenwich Village and Key West – and this arty experience is a perfect representation of that analogy. This bi-annual community art sale will transform the funky City into an open-air gallery, showcasing the talent and creativity of local artists in their own front yards. Gulfport Art in the Yard is a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience and purchase original artworks created by Gulfport’s very own artists.

Saturday, March 22nd @10am – 4pm
Find more information HERE.

 

 

5th Annual Crawfish Boil
Bayboro Brewing, St. Pete

Celebrate Bayboro Brewing’s 5th Anniversary Weekend with the ultimate Crawfish Boil! They’re serving all-you-can-eat crawfish, with 3-4 rounds of boil to keep you satisfied—so come hungry! The first drop kicks off at 3 PM, and each round will take about 45 minutes to an hour. But don’t worry, craft brews will keep you refreshed. There will be live music in the Biergarten to enjoy while you wait. It’s a yummy weekend celebration you won’t want to miss—get your tickets now and get ready to dig in!

Saturday, March 22nd @3pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.

 

 

Post-Weekend Tuesday & Wednesday

**Registry Spotlight Event**

This was a personally impactful show (see below). So, it’s out of a remembered sense of awe that I choose Stomp at Ruth Eckerd Hall to shine as this week’s #RegistrySpotlight event.

 

Stomp – Celebrating 30 Years
Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

I saw this musical when it first came out 30 years ago. I remember how mesmerized I was for the whole show by the sounds of innocuous everyday objects arranged to create incredible music and rhythms. I had never seen anything like it before – nor have I since. I highly recommend that you check out Stomp on its 3-decade anniversary. You’ll never forget it. I didn’t.

Tuesday & Wednesday, March 25th & 26th
Find tickets, performance schedules, and more information HERE.

 

 

**Concert Corner**

 

John Lovitz
Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Thursday, March 29th @7:30pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.

 

 

For a Good Cause: Bands on the Bay – We Rock for Kids Featuring The Black Honkeys
Safety Harbor Waterfront Park, Safety Harbor

Saturday, March 22nd @3pm – 10pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.

 

 

Blockbuster Broadway – The Florida Orchestra
Straz Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa

Sunday, March 23rd @2pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.

 

The Irish Tenors
Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Sunday, March 23rd @7pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.

 

 

Have a great Top 10 weekend!
Cindy

Don’t forget to send your events to: cstovall5@gmail.com