It’s a great week for weirdness in Tampa Bay, from surrealist painters to edgy theatre to even-more-surrealist rock icons. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe to let your mind go along for the ride.
We promise.
Thursday, March 31st–Gasp! The Gasparilla Fringe Festival
Tampa Bayäó»s only festival of experimental live performance (though St. Pete is cued to get its own soon), Gasp! This year promises spoken word poetry, monologues, music, and dance. Definitely worth crossing the bridge.
$25, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W Gasparilla Plaza
Saturday, April 1st äóñ Dali & Beyond Film Series: Frida (2002)
You might not expect Salma Hayek to be at the center of a respected film about one of the most eccentric and rebellious artists of modern times, but this one was received warmly. It tells the story of the devastating accident that left Kahlo in pain for life, and chronicles both her many loves and her artistic journey. Directed by Julie Taymor, who also helmed 2007äó»s Across the Universe.
FREE, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
The Dali Museum
Saturday, April 1st äóñ Polyenso
Polyensoäó»s melodic oomph and experimental flourish land them somewhere in the neighborhood between Radiohead and Yeasayer. Theyäó»re also a major force behind Paper Crane, one of the most interesting new spaces to open in St. Pete in a while äóñ the former warehouse has already featured consistently excellent indie rock, and promises a continuing stage for both musicians and artists. This show celebrates the one-year anniversary of Polyensoäó»s Pure in the Plastic.
$10, 8 p.m.
Paper Crane, 910 5th Avenue North, St. Pete
Sunday, April 2nd äóñ Sheryl Oring, Greetings From Tampa Bay
This interactive performance invites Tampa residents to share stories about the area live. Theyäó»ll be typed up and, later, integrated into a sculpture that will live at Tampa International Airport. So if you want your place in history, hereäó»s the chance. Also see our writeup of Oring and her work.
FREE, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, 255 Beach Drive Northeast
Tuesday, April 4th äóñ The Flaming Lips
If you love Art with a capital A, itäó»s hard not to be awed by the accomplishments of the Flaming Lips. Their music is fantastic, sure, taking the best parts of Pink Floyd and tightening them up into infectious and moving psych-rock-pop. But their unabashed creativity, from their bananas stage shows to a love of subversive costumery, is just as precious.
$40, 8 p.m.
Jannus Live, 200 1st Ave North, St. Petersburg
Honorable Mentions
Saturday and Sunday, April 1st and 2nd äóñ Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Arts and Crafts Show. Downtown Tarpon Springs. More Info Here.
Sunday, April 2nd äóñ Tampa Bay Jewish Food Festival. We donäó»t normally list any of Tampa Bayäó»s plethora of food events here, but letäó»s be blunt äóñ when you put a stack of pastrami in front of me, Iäó»m going to call it art. FREE, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 1685 Belcher Rd. S., Clearwater. More Info Here.
