If you love to eat, laugh, read, listen to music, and see great art (for free), this is the weekend for you in Tampa Bay! Honor and remember those who served and sacrificed with celebration and reflection.
Thursday
Third Annual St. Petersburg Press Literary Evening
The Palladium, St. Pete
St. Petersburg Press invites you to an evening of music, mingling, and manuscripts. Special guests will present their literary year in review from retail, publishing, writing, and journalism perspectives. Find out which of our finalists will win the Roy Peter Clark Award. The Roy Peter Clark Award – sponsored annually by the St. Petersburg Press – celebrates outstanding contributions to the St Petersburg story and is presented in recognition of the recipient’s outstanding contribution to the greater St. Petersburg literary community. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Tickets are free with a suggested donation to support local literacy efforts.
Limited VIP packages are available for $100 a ticket and include two drink tickets, 2 St. Pete Press books signed by the author, a St. Pete Press t-shirt, and priority seating.
Thursday, May 23rd @6pm – 8:30pm
Find VIP tickets and more information HERE.
Saturday
Uptown Music and Arts Festival
Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa
The UPTOWN Music & Arts Festival is a community-focused event highlighting the rich and diverse culture of the Tampa Bay area. This is a top-quality contemporary jazz and arts festival, with the goal of providing financial support to local non-profit community organizations that provide critical services to the underserved in the Tampa Bay area and music and arts education programs for youth. It’s 2 days of amazing music – multiple well-known artists will be performing and artists will have the opportunity to display and sell original art during the festival.
Saturday & Sunday, May 25th & 26th
Find tickets, event schedules, and more information HERE.
The Off Central Comedy Showcase
The Off Central, St. Pete
Tickle your funny bone and don’t miss the final installment of Off Central’s May Comedy Series – this weekend featuring Trish Keating, Rob Garguilo, Vien Phommachanh. Artistic director Ward Smith, a seasoned comedian himself, hosts this fun show. Can you think of a better way to spend some downtime than laughing? I can’t either.
Saturday, May 25th @8pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Sunday
13th Annual Ford International Cuban Sandwich Festival
Centennial Park, Ybor City
Enjoy LIVE music and cultural entertainment and the BEST Cuban Sandwiches in the world; featuring contestants and chefs from all over the world competing for the grand PRIZE a GOLDEN TICKET to compete in the World Food Championships! We will be attempting to make a 350 Ft. Cuban Sandwich! Enjoy this FREE Family oriented cultural festival featuring Cultural, Business and Food vendors, LIVE CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT, VIP/ CELEBRITY JUDGES and the World’s BEST Cuban Sandwiches in the world.
Sunday, May 26th @12pm – 6pm
Find more information HERE.
**Registry Spotlight Event**
Gulfport is such a wonderful community, and they’ve scored quite the bigger than life personality, Kevin Flynn, to entertain us this weekend. Making us smile is a contender for a place in the #RegistrySpotlight.
Kevin Flynn: Fear of Heights
Catherine Hickman Theater, Gulfport
A funny and moving one-man show about an Irish-American kid’s phobias, family life, and the meaning of success. An award winning actor, writer, producer, host, and comedian, Flynn started out as a professional soccer player and made the transition to standup comedian by winning the prestigious Boston Comedy Riot. Since that time, Kevin has gone on to make numerous television and film appearances as a comedian and acKevin can be seen as The Wedding Coordinator in The Heartbreak Kid with Ben Stiller; in Me, Myself and Irene with Jim Carrey; in Osmosis Jones with Bill Murray; and as Charlotte’s Boyfriend in HBO’s Sex and the City. His character, Bram Walker, was voted one of the most popular boyfriends in the series. Kevin recently completed a role in the movie The World’s Greatest Beer Run with Russell Crowe and Zac Efron set for release in the next few months.
Sunday, May 26th @3pm – 4:30pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Especially for Memorial Day
Clearwater Honor Fest
Coachman Park, Clearwater
It’s a very special Memorial Day, honoring our fallen heroes with a day of family friendly activities. The schedule includes a kickoff luncheon, parade, ceremony, music festival, and more. It will be a fun, yet meaningful day of remembrance and community – all in beautiful Coachman Park.
Saturday, May 25th – All Day
Find tickets, event schedules, and more information HERE.
Salute to Veterans – Rays vs. Kansas City Royals
Tropicana Field, St. Pete
Don’t miss Salute to Veterans at Tropicana Field on Sunday, May 26 when the Rays take on the Kansas City Royals. Fans can purchase a special Salute to Veterans package that includes a limited-edition hat and a seat in the Lower Box. Please go to the redemption center before the 6th inning to pick up your hat.
The deadline to purchase tickets is Thursday, May 23 at 11:59 p.m.
Sunday, May 26th @1:40 pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Memorial Day Special
The James Museum, DTSP
This Memorial Day we are honoring those who serve our country with free admission to the museum for Veterans, Active Military, Gold Star and Blue Star Families. The James Museum’s art includes paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and artifacts by 20th and 21st century artists. The collection is robust in contemporary figurative Western paintings, created since 1980, that feature 19th century historical narratives. Another strong emphasis is on recent works by living Native American artists from the Southwest. The collection also includes early 20th century works by Western art pioneers who have influenced more recent generations of artists. Additionally, visitors will find a gallery featuring depictions of wildlife from around the world.
Monday, May 27th @10am – 5pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Chad Mize Mural Unveiling
Hollander Hotel Poolside, DTSP
Chad Mize is one of the area’s most prolific and talented visual & muti-media artists/muralist/commercial graphic designer. His work is easily recognizable in homes and public spaces all over the Tampa Bay area and beyond. The cozy and eclectic Hollander Hotel in DTSP has called upon Chad, once again, to create an exterior mural for them that will further brand St. Pete as an arts and mural capitol. This Memorial Day celebration will have our community gathered to celebrate the accomplishment, to meet with friends and neighbors, and to appreciate the arts.
Monday, May 27th @1pm – 5pm
Find More information HERE.
**Concert Corner**
Todd Rundgren
Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Saturday & Sunday, May 25th & 26th @8pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
The Florida Orchestra: Mahler Resurrection Symphony
Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Sunday, May 26th @7:30pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Have fun and stay safe out there!
Cindy
Don’t forget to send your events to: cstovall5@gmail.com
