It’s a weekend chock-full of some very popular annual events here in Tampa Bay – from Grand Prix racing, to Strawberries, to Art. The weather has been perfect, so mark your calendars, make your plans, gather up your favorite people, or venture out on your own – just have a great weekend!

Thursday and Beyond

Tampa Bay Adjacent – The Strawberry Festival   **Bonus Event
Berry Fest Place, Plant City

Each spring, the Florida Strawberry Festival® rolls out the red carpet to welcome visitors from throughout the Sunshine State and the world. Guests come from near and far to enjoy exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts. The fabric of American life is woven into the Festival through social events, contests, youth developmental programs, top-name entertainment, and parades with glorious floats and high-stepping marching bands. The Florida Strawberry Festival represents a time in American history when fairs and festivals brought communities together through celebrations of their harvests.
Speaking of top-name entertainment, the one and only Willie Nelson will be performing this weekend!
March 2nd through March 12th Tickets, schedules, and more information here.

Friday

The Muse Awards – Hosted by The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance
Morean Center for Clay, St. Pete

MUSE celebrates the diversity of all the arts and culture in St. Petersburg and pays tribute to the remarkable talent and variety that can be discovered around every corner of the ‘Burg. SPAA celebrates the following awards during MUSE every year:
Arts Ambassador Award: Katie Diets of Florida CraftArt
Literary Arts Award: Maggie Duffy, arts writer for the Tampa Bay Times
Patrons of the Arts Award: Belinda Dumont
Performing Arts Award: Alexander Jones of Project Alchemy (dance)
Art & Technology Award: Mikhail Mansion
Visual Arts Award: Catherine Woods
Paul Wilborn hosts, there will be special programs, art on display and a few surprises – along with delectable bites and lots of dancing.
March 4th @7pm Tickets and more information here.

 

Friday & Saturday

 

Shasta Velvet at “Club Dirty” – A Dirty John’s Special Event
The Studio @620, St. Pete

The Dirty John’s Crew (The hilarious Jon Huls & Jay Hoff, et.al.), are transforming The Studio@620 into “Club Dirty” for a special live performance! Don’t miss Shasta Velvet (Ryan Hill) in concert at the next Dirty John’s show. You know their reputation from past events, so come prepared for anything! One thing is certain, these shows are fun and fabulous, so get your tickets now before they sell out!
March 3^rd & 4^th @8pm Tickets and more information here.

 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert with the Florida Orchestra
Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa

The Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series returns to The Straz Center with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert, the fifth film in the Harry Potter series. On Friday, March 3, 2023, Ron Spigelman will conduct The Florida Orchestra in performing the magical score live from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen.
March 3^rd & 4^th Tickets, performance times, and more information here.

 

Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival, Hosted by American Stage
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

Be the first to experience new plays by the country’s leading playwrights. For the first time American Stage is partnering with the James Museum in Downtown St. Petersburg to bring the theatre’s new play festival to a new home. The Festival will include five readings of new plays currently in development, conversations and forums with working artists, and a keynote address from an established playwright. As a part of American Stage’s and the James Museum’s commitment to diverse voices each year at least one playwright featured in the festival will be an indigenous artist. American Stage has created a program that gives playwrights and their work an opportunity to be seen, and possibly even produced.
March 3^rd, 10am-9pm 4^th, 10am-9pm and 5^th 10am-6pm Tickets, play information, and performance schedules here.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Downtown, St. Pete

If you live in the area, you’re familiar with the buzz of Indy cars zipping around the streets of downtown. I honestly love the sound. The Firestone Grand Prix is back, the partitions are up, and race fans are eager to witness one of Tampa Bays premiere events. It’s 100 laps, 180 miles over a winding 1.8 mile course that includes a portion of the runway at Albert Whitted Airport. It’s a heart pounding, adrenaline filled 3 days with many scheduled events in addition to the racing. Get into it.
March 3rd – March 5th Tickets, schedules and more information here.

 

Saturday

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
George Steinbrenner Field, Tampa

“Play ball !!” – the words all baseball fans wait to hear when Spring rolls around. Remember when Florida hosted ONLY Spring Training games? Now, for the past quarter century, we are lucky enough to have our own MLB franchise right here in our own back yard. It’s a privilege only 31 other US cities have, so start supporting the Rays for the 2023 season with a fun jaunt to the junior house that Ruth built.
March 4^th @1:05pm Tickets and more information here.

23^rd Annual English Tea
Palm Harbor Museum, Palm Harbor

Scone and some Earl Grey, anyone? When you have a child who lives in London, you report on “Teas” – because they are lovely. This is one of Palm Harbor Historical Society’s most popular annual events. You’ll  be served a wide selection of delectable sweet and savory treats, along with a variety of delicious teas. The Palm Harbor Museum back patio gives an outdoor charm in a landscaped garden setting. Two gifts will be awarded for the “Most Beautiful” and “Most Original” lady’s hats. A variety of silent auction items in the gazebo also will be on display—including beautifully filled gift baskets. The museum will be open for guests during the event. ​This is a very popular annual tradition, so reserve today.
March 4th – Two seatings @11:30am & 2:30pm Tickets and more information here.

21^st Annual Historic
Hyde Park Home Tour Multiple Locations, Tampa

Neighborhood tours throughout Tampa Bay have become so popular over the years, and Hyde Park, in South Tampa, is a charming, and historic mainstay on that list. This year’s tour offers a walk through some of the most beloved homes and gardens in the Hyde park Neighborhood – along with samplings of delicious catered food from local restaurants along the way.
March 4^th Tickets, tour route, and more information here.

The Muse Awards – Hosted by The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance
Morean Center for Clay, St. Pete

MUSE celebrates the diversity of all the arts and culture in St. Petersburg and pays tribute to the remarkable talent and variety that can be discovered around every corner of the ‘Burg. SPAA celebrates the following awards during MUSE every year:
Arts Ambassador Award: Katie Diets of Florida CraftArt
Literary Arts Award: Maggie Duffy, arts writer for the Tampa Bay Times
Patrons of the Arts Award: Belinda Dumont
Performing Arts Award: Alexander Jones of Project Alchemy (dance)
Art & Technology Award: Mikhail Mansion
Visual Arts Award: Catherine Woods
March 4th @

Saturday & Sunday

53^rd Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
Julian B. Lane Park, Tampa

For half a century, artists and art lovers from all parts of the country have come to the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, where the country’s most accomplished artists and rising stars show their work and vie for cash awards in excess of $90,000. The 2023 Festival will showcase works to include ceramic, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood. This event will also feature the works of local young artists and a weekend full of live entertainment. It’s a don’t miss event. Plan to spend the whole day.
March 4^th @9am-6pm & 5^th  @10am-5pm Comprehensive show information here.

 

Sunday

Charlotte’s Web Encore Performance
Coastal Creative, St. Pete

Family Funday Sunday! This musical adaptation by Katie Combs is presented by Bay Area Performing Arts & Casting. Based on E.B. White’s best-selling children’s paperback book of all time, Charlotte’s Web tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with an extraordinary barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of a trip to the butcher, Charlotte is determined to save him. This beautiful, knowing play about friendship, sacrifice, compassion, and bravery will weave its way into your heart and leave your audiences totally enchanted.
March 5^th @2pm Tickets and more information here.

Have and stay safe out there!
Cindy

Send your events to cstovall5@gmail.com