Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers and a big Bucs playoff game headline this weekend.
ROMEO & JULIET at Jobsite
Another of Jobsite Theater’s innovative Shakespeare productions finds the two star-crossed lovers experiencing their ill-fated union in the 1980s. This R&J is directed by Jobsite Artistic Director David Jenkins, and features an ‘80s-influenced original score by resident composer Jeremy Douglass. Darius Autry plays Romeo and Kayla Witoshynsky is Juliet. Eleven more top-notch actors round out the cast. Published in 1597, the play’s themes of social strife and division certainly resonate today. Jenkins has said he chose the ’80s to infuse nostalgia and hopefully mitigate some of the obvious political overtones. Sociopolitical message aside, this Romeo & Juliet is sure to be a crackling entertainment. By the way, the reason David Warner is on hiatus from writing this column is that he’s playing two parts in this production: Prince Escalus and Juliet’s nurse. Break a leg, good sir. Jan. 20-23 (and continuing for two subsequent weeks), The Jaeb Theater at The Straz Center, 1010 N. Macinnes Place, Tampa, strazcenter.org
BUCCANEERS VS. RAMS at Raymond James Stadium
In the first round of the playoffs last weekend, the Bucs dispatched the Philadelphia Eagles with relative ease. This Sunday looks to be a far tougher test, as the Los Angeles Rams come to Ray Jay. The L.A. team looked scary in annihilating the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. Still, the oddsmakers installed Tampa Bay as 3-point favorites. A lot depends on the health of two of the Bucs’ offensive linemen — center Ryan Jensen and All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs — both of whom sprained ankles against the Eagles. QB Tom Brady has proven adept at integrating relatively inexperienced wide receivers into the fold after the team lost Chris Godwin to injury and Antonio Brown to a meltdown. But the Rams’ defense, led by wrecking-ball tackle Aaron Donald, is particularly stout. The main key to the game will be how the Bucs’ defense performs against the Rams’ formidable offense. Sunday, Jan. 23, 3 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Ch. 8
TAMPA FRESH FOODS
Don’t shop for food here — it might be kinda chewy. That’s because Tampa Fresh Foods is not a grocery store, but a staggeringly complex artwork — all made of felt. It took two years for artist Lucy Sparrow to create the work, which includes 50,000 handmade items, from batteries to Cuban bread. Suffice to say, the shelves, freezers and bins (all made of felt) are fully stocked. All of the items are for sale, and visitors can build their own Cuban sandwich. Everything will be rung up at the front register — made of? You got it. Viewing the installation is free; open daily from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. through Feb. 20; Asher Residences at Water Street Tampa, 1050 Water Street, close to Amalie Arena.
ST. PETE POWER AND SAILBOAT SHOW
If you’re looking to scratch that maritime itch, are considering an upgrade, or just want to ogle all the beautiful vessels, the largest boast — I mean, boat — show on Florida’s Gulf Coast is the place to come. The 44th annual edition will showcase a vast selection of power boats and sailboats (both new and brokered) and include a 40,000-square-foot tent packed to the gills with gear. Jan. 20-23, starting at 10 a.m., Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, St. Petersburg, stpeteboatshow.com.
LION DANCE
Creative Clay, a St. Petersburg nonprofit that helps people with disabilities make art, will present members performing the Lion Dance under the direction of choreographers Helen Hansen French and Paula Kramer. The event celebrates Creative Clay’s partnership with Heart Artlink in Takamatsu, Japan, which has been a St. Petersburg sister city for 60 years. The dance is traditionally performed during a new year to bring luck and ward off evil spirits. (So we got that goin’ for us.) Artists from both organizations painted pieces of fabric to make the costume. Jan. 22, 2-3 p.m., on the St. Petersburg Museum of History lawn, creativeclay.org.
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS at the Cap
It’s a two-night stand for the legendary act that scored such ‘60s hits as “Just Once in My Life,” “Soul and Inspiration“ and, of course, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” Bobby Hatfield, the one with the astonishingly high tenor, passed on in 2003, and the surviving Brother, Bill Medley, continued as a solo act for several years. In 2016, Medley caught the show of singer Bucky Heard in Vegas. Duly impressed, he invited Heard to join him in reviving the Righteous Brothers. At 81, Medley’s graveled baritone is still a mighty instrument. Held in the 750-seat Capitol Theater in downtown Clearwater, the concerts promise to be at once grand and intimate. Fri.-Sat., Jan. 21-22, Bilheimer Capitol Theater, 405 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, rutheckerdhall.com
ASHLEY CHILDREN’S GASPARILLA PARADE
A week prior to the bacchanal known as the Gasparilla Parade comes a softer, gentler gathering. The alcohol-free Gasparilla Children’s Parade is considered to be the one of the largest children’s events in the country. The parade itself (3:30-6 p.m.) begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards in Tampa, moving north to Edison Avenue. It’ll feature pirates, floats, marching bands and more. And, of course, beads. The event also includes a Bicycle + Pedestrian Rodeo (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), the Gasparilla Air Invasion (noon-3:15 p.m.), an air show featuring aerobatic teams — which resumes at 6 p.m. for a twilight spectacular. The Piratechnic fireworks display finishes things off with a bang from 6:30-7 p.m. Sat., Jan. 22, Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa, childrens.gasparillapiratefest.com
MARTINIS + MATISSE
The Clearwater Free Clinic’s signature fundraising event will feature the donated work of six artists along with martinis and tasty delicacies from notable Tampa Bay chefs. An enticing mixture, right? The contributing artists are: The Pottery Boys (Keith Herbrand and Glenn Woods); Candy Schulthesis (mixed-media intuitive painter); Rick Whalen (expressionist painter); Kelly Nash (functional artist who paints on items like golf carts and blenders); and David Pead (woodworker). The event’s proceeds directly support the Clearwater Free Clinic’s programs. Sat., Jan. 22, 7-10 p.m., FrankCrum, 100 Missouri Ave. Clearwater, clearwaterfreeclinic.org.
A COUPLE OF TERRIFIC INDIES at Green Light Cinema
Two of 2021’s most critically lauded films play at the cozy, 50-seat Green Light Cinema in downtown St. Pete. Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast tells the story of a young boy coming of age amid the tumult of Northern Ireland in the 1960s. Branagh, who wrote and directed Belfast, has called it his “most personal film.” Drive My Car, from Japan, has found its way onto myriad 10-best lists. The film is about a theater actor who tragically loses his wife, then two years later accepts a job directing a play and is assigned a personal driver. Both movies are thought to be in line for Oscar consideration. Each film plays once each day, but note that this is not a double feature. Fri.-Sun. at various times, Green Light Cinema, 221 2nd Ave. No. St. Petersburg, greenlightstpete.com.
KAREN GOMYO PLAYS BRAHMS at The Mahaffey
Master violinist Gomyo will not only perform Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto, but also Claude Debussy’s La Mer and Gabriel Lena Frank’s Apu: Tone Poem for Orchestra, composed in 2017. All three pieces are considered terrific vehicles for violin, and are sure to showcase Gomyo’s remarkable artistry. She was born in Tokyo, raised in Montreal and studied at Juilliard in New York City. Gomyo has become a much-admired soloist who performs with orchestras around the world. She’ll be joined by the Florida Orchestra, conducted by Larry Rachleff. One hour before each Masterworks concerts, the soloist and conductor engage in pre-concert conversations with audience members, talking about the music and related topics. The chats are free to attend for ticketholders. Sat., Jan. 22, 8 p.m., The Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. So., St. Petersburg, themahaffey.com