It’s a weekend of traditions and long running annual events like Mainsail, American Stage in the Park, The Sugar Sand Festival, The Bay Area Renaissance Festival, and more. Be a part of Tampa Bay History this weekend and let Registry Tampa Bay be your guide.
Theater Thursday
Into the Woods – American Stage in the Park
Demon’s Landing, DTSP
Lucky for all of us that, even with huge state and county budget cuts to the arts, American Stage in the Park has found a way to survive! And staging a production of Into the Woods is sure to be a huge crowd pleaser, so get your tickets now! The Sondheim score, the convergence of multiple much loved fairy tales, and the ambiance of Demon’s landing is sure to make this “Park” one of the most popular ones to date. Don’t miss it!
Now through Sunday, April 26th
Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE.
**Registry Mini Review**
The Shark is Broken by Ian Shaw & Joseph Nixon Presented by Jobsite Theater
Straz Center, Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa
In the category of theater you can really ‘sink your teeth into,’ I give you The Shark is Broken, co-written by Ian Shaw, son of the late Robert Shaw, the shark hunter Quint himself, and one of the three principal characters portrayed in this must-see Jobsite production. Leads (as in the photo L-R) Christopher Marshall as the surprisingly calm and diplomatic Roy Scheider, aka Chief Brody, Cody Farkas as the up and coming yet temperamental Richard Dreyfuss, aka shark scientist Hooper, and Paul Portenza as the seasoned, hard drinking yet pretentious Robert Shaw, aka Quint, fill the 90 uninterrupted minutes with hilarious, perfectly timed, and flawlessly portrayed ensemble performances. Farkas even sounds like Richard Dreyfuss. I don’t know how many awards Portenza will win for his portrayal of Shaw/Quint – but it should be all of them.
The co-playwright Shaw would certainly be in a position to know the inside scoop on how these three very different co-stars interacted during the filming of the 1975 blockbuster Jaws, based on the best-selling Peter Benchley novel. The plot centers on the interactions (and coping skills) of the three stars as they endure protracted delays in filming – often staying cooped up on Quint’s tiny boat, the Orca – recreated expertly by set designer, Chris Giuffrè. The delays were caused, not just by the obvious problems filming on the open water, as Spielberg insisted, but by the seemingly endless technical difficulties keeping Bruce, the mechanical great white shark and arguably, true star of the film, functioning and afloat. In fairness, it was, after all, the 70s. Tempers flare, nerves are danced on, Shaw’s sobriety is all but non-existent, and some of the best laugh lines in any play I’ve seen are delivered. Through these fraught yet hilarious trials, the audience gets a rare glimpse into who these stars really are, and ultimately, how they triumph personally and professionally in the end.
Production was tight. Jeremy Douglass always delivers – the sound keeps us on the water, as well as on set – the show even opens with the classic da-dum, da-dum, da-dum that we have equated with impending doom for over 50 years. Yet, you just know you’re in for a good time. Katrina Stevenson succeeds in dressing the leads in a way that makes them immediately recognizable as the stars we are so familiar with in the film. Director, David Jenkins pulls this production together so expertly, that those 90 minutes speed by, and you leave still chuckling at one of the best offerings of the season. Hook yourself some tickets today. Seats are filling up faster than that poor little Orca after Bruce gets done with it.
Now through Sunday, April 5th
Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE.
Friday
Pier 60 Sugar Sand festival
Pier 60, Clearwater Beach
The 2026 Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival invites you to experience a dynamic showcase of teamwork, triumph, and tradition. This year’s Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit will highlight the unifying power of sports and the spirit that inspires generations. In addition to the main exhibit, guests will step into a special immersive tribute honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Semi quincentennial, brought to life through stunning sand art and cutting-edge projection mapping. Join us as we celebrate the champions, the dreamers, and the defining stories that shape our nation, all carved in sugar sand on Clearwater Beach.
Opens Friday, March 27th through April 12th
Find more information HERE.
The Minutes – Staged Reading by The Impromptu Players
Stageworks Theatre, Tampa
Friday, March 27th – Sunday, March 29th
Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE.
Saturday
Final Weekend: 2026 BAY AREA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Auton Road, Dade City
Now in its 48th year, the 2026 Ren Fest ends this weekend. So, if you haven’t been this year, gather friends and fam and journey forth in search of a huge turkey drumstick and the experience of living in days of yore. The final weekend has a lot of great events in store – artisan marketplace, medieval competitions, entertainment, games, rides, and so much more. Check out the website and get ready to have some truly “old fashioned” fun!
Saturday & Sunday, March 28th & 29th @10am – 6pm
Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE.
** Registry Spotlight Event**
Mainsail is arguably one of the biggest annual arts events in Tampa Bay and so it shines in this this week’s #RegistrySpotlight
Mainsail Art Festival
Vinoy Park, DTSP
It’s time, once again, to experience one of the premier art shows of the year right here in Vinoy Park. For over a half century, Mainsail has brough the best talent from around the area, state, and country to show their ware, compete in the judging and make all our homes more beautiful. Mainsail Art Festival is ranked one of the Top 14 Fine Art & Design Shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine, America’s premier art show and festival guide. There will also be a wonderful slate of live music and plenty of food and beverage available. It’s an annual “don’t miss” event!
This event is cashless for beverages and/or promotional merchandise.
Saturday & Sunday, March 28th & 29th
Find schedules, artists, and more information HERE.
2026 Flower Show & Greenfest
Tampa Garden Club, Tampa
Saturday, March 28th @9am – 4pm
Find more information HERE.
2nd Annual Do Good Day
Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill
This weekend, so much good shines so brightly in one place. Do Good Day is St. Pete’s premier nonprofit fair and the flagship, one-of-a-kind event, hosted by Do Good & Shine Brightly, where nonprofits shine by gathering to showcase their missions and connect with community volunteers in a unique, career-fair-style set up. See all the organizations that “do good” throughout our community all in one place!
Saturday, March 28th, @11am -2pm
Find more information HERE.
Sleeping Beauty
Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo
A sleeping princess, a spellbound Prince and more fairies than you can shake a stick at are all part of this quirky adaptation of the popular tale. The evil Queen of the Fairies exacts her revenge on the royal family by sending the beautiful Princess into an everlasting sleep. To the audiences delight, more than one spell is about to be broken by the kiss of a handsome Prince.
Saturday, March 28th @11am – 1pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
FuelFest
Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa
You know if it involves cars, Registry Tampa Bay is there! FUELFEST is a global event that blends the enthusiast’s passion for the automotive world with live music performances, racing and art giving an immersive music festival, race-day, and car show experience all at once! This Saturday, FuelFest comes to Tampa Bay for a full day racing, demos, entertainment, fan ride-alongs, special guest appearances, a parade, vendors, and much more! A not to be missed event for all car lovers!
Saturday, March 28th @1pm – 8pm
Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE.
Sunday
15th Annual Cuban Sandwich Festival
Centennial Park, Ybor City
Here’s a delicious way to spend a Sunday Funday. This exciting Free festival is the 14th Annual FORD Intl Cuban Sandwich Festival – Watch the competition for the best Cuban sandwich and meet Celebrity VIP Judges like: Award Winning Cuban American Actor: Roberto Escobar, and MORE! Enjoy LIVE music, dance performances, cultural entertainment, and the BEST Cuban Sandwiches in the world, featuring contestants and chefs from all over the world competing for the crown. Contestants enter their Cuban Sandwich to see who makes the BEST Cuban Sandwich in The World.
Sunday, March 29th @12pm – 6pm
Find more information HERE.
**Concert Corner**
The Beachboys Live in Concert
Seminole Hardrock Entertainment Center, Tampa
Thursday, March 26th @7:30pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Kevin Nealon, SNL Alum
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Friday & Saturday, March 27th & 28th @7pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Norbert Leo Butz
Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo
Saturday, March 28th @8pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Have a great Top 10 weekend, everyone!
Cindy
