We have a problem, folks. Everything this week is happening Saturday. Or, at least, too much great stuff for one person to possibly absorb all of it. Itäó»s an increasingly common problem around these parts, and it never gets less heartbreaking. Oh well, do your best, I suppose.
STOMP! äóñ Saturday, February 25th
One of the enduring modern classics of Broadway, STOMP! is . . . well, you probably know this, but STOMP! is a crew of very talented musicians/dancers banging intensely on trash cans and mailboxes and everything else in sight. It’s also one of the longest-running and most beloved shows on Broadway.
8pm, $35-$100
Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater
Red Velvet by Lolita Chakrabarti äóñ Saturday, February 25th
Described as äóìimportant and exhilaratingäó by no less an authority than Kenneth Branagh, this play tells the story of Ira Aldridge, the first black actor to play Othello on the London Stage. For those interested in delving deeper, there will be a pair of pre-show lectures on March 19th and March 26th.
8 p.m. Opening Night, Various times through March 26th, $25-52
Free Fall Theatre, 6099 Central Avenue
The Old äóÖ97s – Thursday, March 2nd
I grew up worshiping the twangy, rangy Old äóÖ97s as hometown Texas heroes äóñ but I will never forgive Rhett Miller for getting rid of his glasses. That was at least fifteen years ago at this point (he got Lasik, the Judas), but as a nearsighted gnome myself, it still feels like a bit of a betrayal. Oh well, I guess being able to relate to all you seeing folks worked out career-wise, and I canäó»t complain about the chance to cry my heart out to äóìBarrier Reefäó again.
7 p.m., $19
State Theatre, 687 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg
Helios Jazz Orchestra at St. Pete Jazz Fest, Saturday February 25th
St. Peteäó»s miniature jazz festival continues, this time with a big group fronted by singers Whitney James and Fred Johnson. James is a lauded up-and-comer, and Johnson has shared stages with the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and BB King, so this show will put you in touch with the titans of the field. Also, I canäó»t resist pointing out a strange convergence äóñ Johnsonäó»s AllMusic entry was written by none other than leftfield banjo improviser Eugene Chadbourne.
7:30 p.m., $10-15
Hough Hall at The Palladium, 253 5th Ave North
Oscar-Nominated Short Films äóñ Friday February 24th through Monday February 27th
The Tampa Theatre presents programs of short Oscar nominees all weekend, with live action, documentary, and animated shorts grouped into three shows. Worth crossing the bridge for.
Various Times, $11
Tampa Theatre, 711 North Franklin Street, Tampa
