Cindy Stovall
As Spring approaches, Tampa Bay continues to offer unlimited opportunities for memory making with friends, family, and loved ones. This weekend, we’ve curated another list of the best in festivals, the arts, entertainment, and family fun spanning from Ybor City to Dunedin. Mark your calendars and we’ll see you out there.
Thursday
True Stories – Love Stinks
Green Light Cinema, St. Pete
It’s back! True Stories, an open-mic style evening of themed story telling has returned to the delight of all of us who have, at one time or another, thrown our names into the f*^ck-it bucket and walked up on stage to tell our tales. Author and ultra-hostess, Lisa Kirchner has found a new home for True Stories at cool indie movie house, Green Light Cinema – a perfect fit. Love Stinks is the anti-Valentine theme for February, so bring your stories and a little bit of courage downtown for a very entertaining evening for grown-ups.
February 23rd @7pm Get tickets and more information here.
Chicago – Music & Lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb- Limited Engagement
Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
The six-time Grammy Award winning musical is celebrating its 25th anniversary in true Broadway style with a short run here in Tampa Bay. It’s classic Fosse (he and Ebb wrote the book), and all that that implies – you know, bowler derby hats, jazz hands…. greatness. If you’ve never seen it, here’s your chance. If you’ve seen it, you know you want to see it again, so here’s your chance. It’s a no lose situation.
Runs through February 26th Get Tickets and performance times here.
Friday
3-Day Event – St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival
North Straub Park, DTSP
Can you really ever get enough Florida seafood and great music to go along with your Bay views and vendor shopping? I think not. St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival starts on Friday @4pm and rocks through Sunday @6pm. Food is prepared fresh on site by your favorite restaurants and there are multiple local and regional bands lined up throughout the weekend to keep you fully festivaled – bands like The Black Honkeys, 22N, No Filter, and many more. Shop the arts, crafts, and fine product vendors between sets. You know what they say….if you seafood, eat it. Ba-dump bump.
February 24th – 26th Get more information, festival and music schedules here.
**Special Event – Friends of LRMA Opening Reception & Dance Performance –
The Palladium Series by Tom Kramer (and Herb Snitzer already on exhibit)
The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs 6-8pm
The recent passing of two St. Petersburg residents, who also happened to be iconic fine-art photographers, has left a void not only in our arts community, but in the lives of all of us who loved them. Both are honored with exhibits at the beautiful Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art.
Friday evening is the opening of The Palladium Series an exhibit honoring the life and work of Tom Kramer. Best known for his professional dance photography and a life long collaboration with his wife, choreographer, Paula Kramer, Tom’s uniquely exquisite eye for movement, emotion, and the shear power of the dance will remain unequaled.
The work of the late Herb Snitzer, globally lauded for some of the most well-known images of jazz era legends and the civil rights movement, has been on exhibit at Leepa since February 18th. It is a beautiful and fitting tribute to two great and dearly loved men. Please contact Leepa-Rattner with inquiries about the reception (RSVPs closed on 2/21). Even if you are unable to be at the opening, please make sure you get up to Tarpon Springs to see the history that was made right here in our midst. More information here.
Saturday
2-Day Event – Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic
Franklin Street, Tampa
Gasparilla is a many-faceted celebration, and this weekend is time for the Distance Classic, a hallmark run event in Tampa Bay for over 40 years. Fun fact – my brother, Bruce has run in every single one! There are multiple races – 5k, 15k, walks, half-marathons, even strollers get on their marks this Saturday and Sunday. Whether you’re a participant or an spectator, it’s sure to be great fun for the entire family.
February 25th & 26th Schedules, and more information here. (online registration is closed)
76th Annual Fiesta Day
7th Ave, Ybor City
The rich immigrant history of Ybor City has been celebrated every year for the past 76 years! Streets are closed so that you can comfortably stroll through the heart of Cigar City, enjoy shopping multiple vendors, eat some paella or a delicious cuban, hear live music, and honor the great heritage of one of the most historic areas of Tampa Bay.
February 25th @11am-6pm Get more information here.
Cirque Ma’Ceo
England Brothers Park, Pinellas Park
Per event page- “Where hoof-beats and heartbeats become one… Let the sound of thundering hooves transcend you back to the roots of festive gypsy life, in this contemporary high energy acrobatic stunt show. Step into an exclusive universe that takes you back in time. The world of Ma’Ceo showcases beautiful horses and human artists from across the globe. Mesmerizing acrobatic feats, aerial dancing, and exotic horses, come feast your senses on the beauty and mystery through the adventure of Cirque Ma’Ceo.”
Opens February 25th and runs through March 5th with multiple shows Fridays-Sundays
Tickets and more information here.
2-Day Event – 30th Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival
Main St., Dunedin
Spreading the festival love North to quaint & quirky Dunedin – One of the oldest towns on Florida’s west coast. Few waterfront communities have so much charm in addition to a thriving arts community. Over 100 artisans of many genres will be lining Main Street for your shopping pleasure. A day in Dunedin is always a delight. Discover it!
February 25th & 26th @10am-5pm Free admission Get more information here.
Pinellas African American Heritage Celebration
Pinewood Cultural Park, Largo
Showcasing Black history and culture, the goal of this one-day festival is to exhibit the diversity within Pinellas County. The festival highlights the many talents of the students within Pinellas County Schools, talented local artists, entrepreneurs, and restaurateurs. Your hosts are Pinewood residents, The Florida Botanical Gardens, Heritage Village, and Creative Pinellas – each venue will have their own special activities in addition to those taking place throughout the park. It’s really a beautiful event. I have been and highly recommend.
February 25th @10am-4pm Tickets and more information here.
5th Anniversary Celebration – Fire & Light
Imagine Museum, St. Pete
Five years goes by in a blink, and Imagine Museum is celebrating in style with an event that gives you an opportunity to mingle with international artists while enjoying delicious bites and live music. Featured is the work of Czech glass artists Jaroslava Brychtova and Stanislav Libensky – a married couple collaborating on their work for a half century. The Blue Eye of the Pyramid, featured here, was commissioned especially for Imagine right before Brychtova’s death in 2020 at the age of 96.
February 25th @6-8pm Tickets and more information here.
Monday
The Radio Theatre Project
The Studio @620, St. Pete
February’s Radio Theatre Project is crossing the pond for some British fun. “The Picnic”, written by Jane Lockyer Willis, highlights the relationship of an upper crust couple as they prepare for and attend an annual event that the woman finds insufferable. Romance blossoms in the air in another British import, “Heads in the Clouds”, written by Jane Walker. And animals speak the universal language of love in Julia Weinberg’s play, “What We Know”. It’s all love and fun in this Valentine edition of The Radio Theatre Project. RTP is a very special evening, and I’m a big fan. it out.
February 27th @7-9pm Tickets and more information here.
Have Fun and stay safe out there!
Cindy
Send your events to cstovall5@gmail.com
