Itäó»s one of those weeks when you canäó»t possibly do everything youäó»d like, as a huge free art fair goes head-to-head with a reggae festival and a handful of other canäó»t-miss events. Time for some tough decisions.
The Dali Experience, Saturday March 4th
Billed as äóìa surreal concert for the senses,äó the Dali Experience will combine orchestra, dance, and image to evoke the cultural milieu that inspired Salvador Dali. Selections include Raveläó»s La Valse and bits from Wagneräó»s Tristan and Isolde. Dancers from USF and projections of Dali paintings will add up to a feast for the entire mind.
Other performances will also be offered in Tampa on March 3rd and Clearwater on March 5th.
$15-$45
8 p.m.
Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st Street South, Saint Petersburg
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts äóñ March 4th and 5th
Though itäó»s sometimes an odd collision of craft fair and art festival, GFA is undeniably the Bayäó»s biggest and liveliest single collection of ambitiously beautiful things. Row upon row of booths will stretch across Curtis Hixon Park, packed full of paintings, sculptures, drawings, jewelry, and even clothes äóñ but all with a distinct creative edge. Also featured will be live music throughout the fest, and special side-exhibits like the Carmada art-car collection.
The very definition of äóìworth crossing the bridge.äó
FREE, daylight Saturday and Sunday
Curtis Hixon Park, Downtown Tampa
Wild Splash feat. Migos, Saturday March 4th
For a taste of what The Youths are up to these days, this marathon concert in the park is a good place to start. The biggest draw are Migos, whose chart-dominating take on southern rap is a little offbeat and insanely infectious. Theyäó»re joined by more established hip-hop and R&B players Fat Joe and Trey Songz, plus a handful of up and comers.
This show is officially sold out, but check secondary markets like StubHub, where tickets are going for around $50 each.
Noon-11 p.m.
Coachman Park, Clearwater
Dwight Yoakam, Sunday, March 5th
There are plenty of artists, from the Drive By Truckers to Lucinda Williams, who put a modern twist on country on the way to preserving the genreäó»s stripped-down roots. But itäó»s hard to think of an artist who has done more than Dwight Yoakam to carry on the unvarnished, melancholy tradition of George Jones, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard. Yoakamäó»s latest album is heavily bluegrass-influenced, but you can still expect to have a good old cry.
$40-70, 7 p.m.
Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL
Reggae Rise Up Fest, March 4th and 5th
Though it leans towards nouveau reggae rather than the rootsier variety, Reggae Rise Up is a chance to see legendary rockers Steel Pulse in what is sure to be a fun-loving setting. Also on my must-see list are Zion I and The Grouch and Eligh, reggae-influenced hip hop acts associated with the West Coast Living Legends crew.
Day Passes $55, Weekend $85
Gates Open Noon Saturday
Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Drive, St. Petersburg
