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Get Out: Weekend Events Preview March 30 - April 1

Get your Italian on in Ybor City, catch the Storm and Lightning downtown, plus Easter events start.

Where/when: 1818 E 9th Ave, today, 9 a.m.

Why go: The Ybor City Museum Society's featured exhibit, Ybor City Architecture: Our Stories, celebrates the dynamic stories and transformation of Ybor City's iconic buildings, unique casitas and signature architectural elements. 

Cost: $4

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Where/when: 401 W Kennedy Blvd, today, 10 a.m.

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Why go: Henry Plant furnished the Tampa Bay Hotel with treasures from around the world. This exhibit explores the deliberate presence of Japanese art in a Gilded Age resort as part of a larger discourse on a cultural, artistic, and aesthetic style that influenced 19th century Western artists and culture. The foundation of this exhibit will draw from Mr. Plant’s collection of Meiji era floor vases, ceramics and furniture that were part of the Tampa Bay Hotel. Works will also be on loan from private collections, Grolier Club, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Morikami Museum and Polk Museum of Art.

Cost: $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $7 for students and $5 for children 4 - 12 years

 

Where/when: 120 W Gasparilla Plz, today, 4 p.m.

Why go: The Tampa Museum of Art presents free admission on Fridays from 4pm to 8pm.

Cost: FREE 

 

Where/when: 600 N Ashley Dr, today, 4 to 6 p.m.

Why go: When weather permits, the Tampa Downtown Partnership provides this cart full of recreation items -- kickballs, Frisbees, games, Hula Hoops, and blankets -- that park visitors can borrow free of charge.

Cost: FREE

 

Where/When: Italian Club, 1731 E 7th Ave, Ybor City, today, 5 p.m.

Why go: Come join us in the Cantina for happy hour with great drink prices and a terrific buffet for $10 set up by Wayl of a Time Catering.  Follow the link for this week's menu:https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1pCgs6YOurraFVG1-6xDYJDn-_gDGMKKDQLWMOInG0lU

Price: $10 for buffet, $5 10 and under

 

Where/when: 600 N Ashley Dr, today, 7 p.m.

Why go: Enjoy some of the top jazz, folk, rock, country and rockabilly musicians at this concert series, now in its 25th year.

Here's the lineup:

  • March 30: Jazz with the Alan Thomas Group, plus Denise Moore and Then Some
  • April 13: Acoustic folk with Kirsten and Jasmine, and rockabilly with the Cadillac Bombers
  • April 20: Folk rock with Donnie Rogers, and pop rock with Woody and the Nutcrackers
  • April 27: Alternative country with the Sunset Bridge Band, and country rock with the Glenn Cummings Band

Cost: FREE

 

Where/when: 1010 N W C Macinnes Pl, today, 7:30 p.m.

Why go: The Straz Center presents this "high-style, knee-slapping romp through the age of glamorous, jet-setting air travel" as an architect and bachelor juggles relationships with three flight attendants -- until their airline schedules change just as a friend of his decides to pay a visit.

Cost: $31.50 and up

 

Where/when: 1120 E Kennedy Blvd, today, 8 p.m.

Why go: This play about tolerance, justice and quiet heroism in a Southern town is based upon Harper Lee's 1961 Pulitzer prizewinning book.

Cost: $24.50 and up

 

Where/when: 8029 N Nebraska Ave, , today, 8 p.m.

Why go: The Gorilla Theatre presents the regional premiere of the off-Broadway hit “The Whipping Man,” written by USF performing arts graduate Matthew Lopez. Here’s a description from the theater company:

“It is Passover, 1865. Confederate officer Caleb DeLeon returns to Richmond from the war to find his family home in ruins, his family gone and two freed former slaves who have stayed. Simon and John care for Caleb, who is badly wounded. As the three men wait for the family’s return, they wrestle with the bonds of their faith and their shared past as master and slave. Long-buried family secrets are dug up along the way and new secrets are exposed. Slavery and war, they discover, warp even good men’s souls.” 

The production occurs at the historic Springs Theatre, known primarily as a recording studio.

Cost: $25; $20 for students and seniors ($10 student rush tickets 30 minutes before curtain)

 

Where/when: 1120 E Kennedy Blvd, today, 8 p.m.

Why go: This play about tolerance, justice and quiet heroism in a Southern town is based upon Harper Lee's 1961 Pulitzer prizewinning book.

Cost: $24.50 and up

 

Where/when: 2832 S Macdill Ave, today, 10 p.m.

Why go: Byblos Cafe & Bar presents two-for-one drinks for the first hour of its weekly Late Night Lounge Fridays.

Cost: FREE admission; drinks individually priced

 

Where/when: 401 Channelside Dr, Saturday, 6 a.m.

Why go: Proceeds of this race benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Lightning Foundation.

Awards will be given to the top three males and females in 13 age groups. All particpants receive a commemorative T-shirt, one ticket to either the Tampa Bay Lightning game on April 2 or the Tampa Bay Storm game on April 13, admission to pre- and post-race parties, a goodie bag, food and beverages. 

Additional giveaways include autographed Tampa Bay Lightning items and tickets to upcoming events and concerts at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. On-site activities include Jazzercize, a massage table, and games.

Discounted online registration ends March 28 at 11:59pm.

On-site registration opens at 6am. The 5K begins at 7am. The five-mile run starts at 7:30am, and the one-mile fun run begins at 8:30am.

Cost: $25 in advance for all races; $30 on race day

 

Where/when: 410 N Franklin St, Saturday, 8 a.m.

Why go: Enjoy the amateur and professional Cigar City Brewing Criterium fast-moving bicycle races as you cheer on others or get active at a variety of events in this festival.

Here's a schedule:

  • 8am to 10am: UnitedHealthcare Fit Kids Duathlon
  • 10am to 7pm: Amateur Criterium bicycle races
  • 10am to 6pm: Sports, health and wellness expo
  • 10am to 6pm: Bike Polo and Roller Derby demos
  • 12:30pm to 1pm: Tampa Bay Times Family Fun Ride/Cycling Parade led by Mayor Bob Buckhorn
  • 5:45pm to 6:30pm: tbt* Beer Dash (3K running race)
  • 7:25pm: Professional Criterium race begins
  • 9pm: Podium awards for cyclists

Cost: FREE admission to festival; $15 entry for Beer Dash; $50 entry for duathlon

 

Where/when: 333 S Franklin St, Saturday, 8:30 a.m.

Why go: This event offers 20 different medical seminars given by recognized, specialist physicians, who will answer personal health questions in simple terms in a relaxed and comfortable environment, organizers say. The event also includes exhibits, fitness classes, chair massages and health screenings.

Cost: FREE

 

Where/when: 3607 N Armenia Ave, Saturday, 9 a.m.

Why go: The Humane Society presents this huge pet-adoption event for prosective pet owners to find their "match" that "has fur, whiskers and a wet nose."

Cost: free entry; adoption costs apply

 

Where/when: 407 W Violet St, Saturday 9 a.m.

Why go: Everyone is welcome to lend a hand at the garden each week. Please sign in once you arrive so organizers know you stopped by.

Cost: FREE 

 

Where/when: 5202 N 12th St, Saturday, 9 a.m.

Why go: The Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association invites cookie lovers of all ages to make some sweet cookie art today. Cookies and decorations provided; just bring your talent. Keep the cookies you decorate.

There will be a hot-dog lunch at noon for all cookie artists, as well as prizes and surprises.

Cost: FREE 

 

Where/when: 4801 E Fowler Ave, Saturday 9 a.m.

Why go: $5 Day allows guests access to MOSI exhibit
galleries, including The Amazing You exhibition, Kids In Charge!, a 3-D film in The Coleman Science Works Theatre and more than 450 exhibits. March 31 is also the day of MOSI’s "Celebrate Life! DEA: Drug Awareness" event which is free and open to the public. Admission to $5 Day also includes entrance to the IMAX Dome Theatre Film Flying Monster.

MOSI’s $5 Day will be a day full of live music performed by local bands, a DEA drug dog demonstration and activities suitable for all ages. Allowing ample room for kids to dance and play, Celebrate Life! will take place outdoors, under MOSI’s IMAX Dome Theatre, near the adjacent playground to Kids in Charge! Tampa Bay area exhibitors will be representing numerous resources in the community, providing valuable information and educational literature about drugs and crime.

Participants will also have the opportunity to explore Target America – Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause exhibition for free.

Cost: $5

 

Where/when: 11315 N 46th St, Saturday, 10 a.m.

Why go: Step back in time and enjoy the magic, juggling, storytelling, music, food, drinks, crafts, games, and performances of another age in this replica of a 16th-century village.

Regular entertainment includes live armored jousting, acrobatics, dance from Demzarah Gypsies, comedy such as Christophe the Insultor, the New Minstrel Revue, and "live mermaids and monsters" at the Mythical Monster Museum.

Theme weekends (listed below) add additional entertainment and competitions. Most include either a free beer or wine tasting and a renewal of vows at 11am (check in at the gate if you're interested).

Each theme weekend also has a related pub crawl for an additional fee.

Pets are permitted at the festival with a $10 admission fee and registration form. Discount tickets ($3 off regular admission price) are available at MOSI and participating Walgreens and Circle K stores.

NOTE: March 23 is "Festival Friday," an educational day for students and chaperones to visit the festival. The festival is open to the public that day, however.

Here are the theme weekends:

March 31 and April 1: "German Invasion: Halfway to Oktoberfest" (includes a royal archery tournament, a German market, a best-beard competition, a bratwurst-eating competition, an alpine-yodeling competition, and a battle-cry competition)

Cost: $18.95 at the gate for adults; $14.95 at the gate for seniors; $10.95 at the gate for children ages 5 to 12

 

Where/when: 801 Old Water St, Saturday, 10 a.m.

Why go: Spies of all ages are welcome on this mission. Start with an investigative scavenger hunt through the museum's galleries, then "receive codes and clues as you hop on and off the TECO streetcar line through Channelside and Ybor City in search of history, mystery, and storied landmarks."

Return to the museum to create a scrapbook of your adventure or debrief in the exhibit, "Spies, Traitors and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America."

Fee includes admission to the museum for the day and streetcar fare. GPS devices optional but welcome.

Cost: $18 for adult non-members ($15 for members); $12 for children non-members ($10 for members)

 

Where/when: 410 N Franklin St, Saturday, 10 a.m.

Why go: Men and women ages 10 to 60+ are invited to participate in these sprint-style bicycle races over a short kilometer course lapped repeatedly.

Organizers say the races' speed and intensity "makes for an adrenaline-filled ride" for spectators and particpants alike.

Racers compete for cash prizes and medals. Online registration ends March 28 at 5pm.

Cost: $20 to $55 per race for adults; $10 per race for children ages 10 to 18

 

Where/when: E 8th Ave & N 18th St, Ybor City, Saturday, 10 a.m.

Why go: The Italian Club of Tampa presents "Festa Italiana" this weekend. Today, enjoy family activities such as the Bocce Ball Invitational Tournament, the "Italian Idol" singing competition, a homemade wine competition and tasting, and a variety of Italian food.

Free admission; food and drink individually priced. Parking is available at the Centro Ybor garage for $5.

Festa Italiana benefits the Italian Club's restoration fund.

Cost: FREE admission; food and drink individually priced 

 

Where/when: 1218 E Kay St, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.

Why go: Hunt for 15,000 eggs and compete for $10,000 in prizes at this event, which also includes live musical entertainment, a bounce house, an obstacle course, a bird show, and appearances by tigers, snakes and an alligator.

Other special guests include Mayor Bob Buckhorn and former ballplayer Darryl Strawberry.

Cost: FREE

 

Where/when: 606 E Harrison St, Saturday, 3 p.m.

Why go: The Tampa Historical Society presents this presentation with living-history actors in period clothing telling stories of the pioneer wives, slaves, socialites, sweethearts and cigar workers -- voices of early Tampa -- in Oaklawn Cemetery.

Cost: $5 suggested donation

 

Where/when: 401 Channelside Dr, Saturday, 7 p.m.

Why go: Enter "patch" at checkout for a discount.

Cost: $25 and up

 

Where/when: 727 W Cass St, Tampa Preparatory School, black box theater, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Why go: Enjoy music, spoken word, poetry, dance, comedy, and theater over four nights. Here's a lineup: 

Sign of Da Times - Performance Signing
Cait Capaldi - Beatbox Belly Dance Improv
Angel Perez - Slam Poetry
Resonance Project - World Music
Tampa Bay Ballet - Dance
Robin Savage - Comedy
Artist Block and John Clark - Music
Yulia Arakelyan - Dance
Long Island Mary - Comedy
Israa Khan - Music
Jacksonville Dance - Dance
Martine Locke - Music

Cost: $15 at the door; $25 for a two-day pass; $7 for students with ID

 

Where/when: 1010 N W C Macinnes Pl, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Why go: The Straz Center presents this "high-style, knee-slapping romp through the age of glamorous, jet-setting air travel" as an architect and bachelor juggles relationships with three flight attendants -- until their airline schedules change just as a friend of his decides to pay a visit.

Cost: $31.50 and up

 

Where/when: 1010 N W C Macinnes Pl, Saturday, 8 p.m.

Why go: Combine the classic tunes of Frank Sinatra with the thrilling choreography of Twyla Tharp and you get "Come Fly Away," a story told through 14 dancers about four couples falling in and out of love. Tunes include "Fly Me to the Moon," "New York, New York," and "Witchcraft."

Cost: $38.50 and up

 

Where/when: 910 Skipper Rd, Saturday, 8 p.m.

Why go: From Skipper's website: "Halcyon writes and performs well-received original songs that sacked up favorably to any national act, rife with excellent musicianship and enviably close harmonies, delivered via energetic and engaging live performances, documented on seven CD releases. The duo has built a devoted fan base through regular touring across the US particularly the Southeast, playing the Main Stage for many a Pride event including festivals in Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Denver and York, England. Deb Hunseder and Steph Callahan met in 1989 and had their first gig two weeks later. From the first note, they knew their entwined harmonies created something very special and unique. the duo has opened for many acts including John Mayer, india.irie, Joan Osborne, Tabitha's Secret (since morphed into Matchbox 20 and back-in-the-day they opened for Halcyon), Sister Hazel (ditto), Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joan Baez, Wynonna Judd, Melissa Ferrick and the late, great Koko Taylor. halcyonmusic.com

Raised in North Carolina and hailing from Asheville, it’s only fitting that Nikki Talley's music is as eclectic as the state that boasts the mountains and the sea. Trying to pin down Nikki’s style, critics and reviewers alike have compared her to an early Liz Phair and Gillian Welch, but to leave the comparisons there would be doing a disservice to her fiery stage performance, hauntingly seductive and raw gritty lyrics, lifted by a voice that harkens back to the Appalachian roots from which she was born, and shores up on the edges of contemporary southern rock, country, blues, and jazz that has her audiences stomping and clapping for more. Nikki’s energy is as big as her voice and has taken her over all over the Southeast, playing such prestigious festivals as Magnolia Fest in Live Oak, FL to the Shakori Hills Festival in Pittsboro, NC. She’s had the pleasure of opening for such national acts as Edwin McCain and Susan Tedeschi.nikkitalley.com"

Cost: $12

 

Where/when: 1313 E 8th Ave, Saturday 8 p.m.

Why go: New World Brewery and WMNF (88.5) FM present this concert full of animal tunes, both originals and cover songs. Scheduled to perform are Sons of Hippies (fiery psychedelic rock), Johnny Cakes & The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypso (reggae/ska/calypso), Rebekah Pulley & Rob Pastore (honey-voiced chanteuse & upright bassist extraordinaire), Ricky Wilcox & The Moonsnakes (high-octane power pop), Sunset Bridge (alt-country/folk-rock), Talk To Mark Featuring Scott Elliott (versatile rockers joined by WMNF's popular programmer), Tribal Style (roots rock reggae), Acme Jazz Garage (jazz/blues/funk), rayzilla’s PBS (world/experimental) and The Happiness Machine(shimmering folk-pop).

Cost: $8 advance, $10 at the door

 

Where/when: 8029 N Nebraska Ave, , Saturday, 8 p.m.

Why go: The Gorilla Theatre presents the regional premiere of the off-Broadway hit “The Whipping Man,” written by USF performing arts graduate Matthew Lopez. Here’s a description from the theater company:

“It is Passover, 1865. Confederate officer Caleb DeLeon returns to Richmond from the war to find his family home in ruins, his family gone and two freed former slaves who have stayed. Simon and John care for Caleb, who is badly wounded. As the three men wait for the family’s return, they wrestle with the bonds of their faith and their shared past as master and slave. Long-buried family secrets are dug up along the way and new secrets are exposed. Slavery and war, they discover, warp even good men’s souls.” 

The production occurs at the historic Springs Theatre, known primarily as a recording studio.

Cost: $25; $20 for students and seniors ($10 student rush tickets 30 minutes before curtain)

 

Where/when: 11315 N 46th St, Sunday, 10 a.m.

Why go: Step back in time and enjoy the magic, juggling, storytelling, music, food, drinks, crafts, games, and performances of another age in this replica of a 16th-century village.

Regular entertainment includes live armored jousting, acrobatics, dance from Demzarah Gypsies, comedy such as Christophe the Insultor, the New Minstrel Revue, and "live mermaids and monsters" at the Mythical Monster Museum.

Theme weekends (listed below) add additional entertainment and competitions. Most include either a free beer or wine tasting and a renewal of vows at 11am (check in at the gate if you're interested).

Each theme weekend also has a related pub crawl for an additional fee.

Pets are permitted at the festival with a $10 admission fee and registration form. Discount tickets ($3 off regular admission price) are available at MOSI and participating Walgreens and Circle K stores.

NOTE: March 23 is "Festival Friday," an educational day for students and chaperones to visit the festival. The festival is open to the public that day, however.

Here are the theme weekends:

March 31 and April 1: "German Invasion: Halfway to Oktoberfest" (includes a royal archery tournament, a German market, a best-beard competition, a bratwurst-eating competition, an alpine-yodeling competition, and a battle-cry competition)

Cost: $18.95 at the gate for adults; $14.95 at the gate for seniors; $10.95 at the gate for children ages 5 to 12

 

Where/when: E 8th Ave & N 19th St, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Why go: The Italian Club of Tampa celebrates its heritage and brings a taste of Italy to Ybor City with this annual festival featuring a procession and walking parade from the club at 1731 E. 7th Ave. to Centennial Park.

Enjoy cuisine from more than 30 restaurants and caterers, as well as cooking demonstrations, live musical entertainment incuding the "Italian Idol" singing competition, a Grape Stomping presentation, and a Kidz Zone featuring costumed characters, children's activities, amusement rides, magic shows, face painting and more.

The festival benefits the Italian Club's restoration fund. Parking is available in the Centro Ybor parking garage for $5.

NOTE: If you're taking the TECO Streetcar to the festival, the last eastern stop today will be the Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union Station at 8th Avenue and 16th Street until the festival ends at 6:30pm.

Cost: $5 admission; food and drink extra

 

Where/when: 1731 E 7th Ave, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Why go: Because its annual Festa Italiana coincides with Palm Sunday, the Italian Club of Tampa hosts a Catholic Palm Sunday Liturgy in its historic building proceeding the "Festa Sunday" parade to Centennial Park.

Cost: FREE

 

Where/when: 5800 N Central Ave, Sunday, 11:30 a.m.

Why go: Come and tour a selection of historic bungalows, meet your neighbors, and help benefit the neighborhood. The Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association says this event is the main fund-raiser for money spent to improve parks, clean up waterways, support local charities and even maintain its Web site.

Start the self-guided tour at the garden center. The tour also is bicycle-friendly. Purchase tickets in advance at  or at the Web site under "Buy Tickets" below. Tickets will be sold at the garden center the day of the tour only.

Cost: $11 advance, $15 day of tour

 

Where/when: 110 W Gasparilla Plz, Sunday, 1 p.m.

Why go: It's no joke! The Glazer Children's Museum presents a bunch of fun and funny programs for April Fool's Day:

  • 1pm to 4pm: Serendipitous Pranks and Crafts
  • 2pm: "Oops, I spilled my drink" -- Create a fake drink spill in the World Kitchen using melted chocolate while listening to a funny short story.
  • 2:30pm: Storytime with "April Foolishness" by Teresa Bateman near the 2nd Floor airplane.
  • 3pm: Jester's Hat -- Visit the Art Lab to learn about the king of all jokesters, the Jester, and create his signature hat.
  • 4pm: When Pigs Fly -- This activity in the Sports Corner teaches about gravity and density.

Cost: Free for museum members; for non-members, $15 for adults, $12.50 for military and seniors, $9.50 for children over 1

 

Where/when: 1010 N W C Macinnes Pl, Sunday, 4 p.m.

Why go: The Straz Center presents this "high-style, knee-slapping romp through the age of glamorous, jet-setting air travel" as an architect and bachelor juggles relationships with three flight attendants -- until their airline schedules change just as a friend of his decides to pay a visit.

Cost: $31.50 and up

 

Where/when: 910 Skipper Rd, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Why go: Skipper’s Smokehouse presents a night of standouts from its regular "Showcase Night" series: the Gothic Americana sounds of the Bloody Jug Band, the alt-Americana of the Crackerbilly Band, and the indie-Americana of Troy Youngblood.

Cost: $7 advance, $10 at the door

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