Decisions, decisions.
This Friday is jam-packed with stuff, though thereäó»s plenty to fill out the rest of the week, too. And while the rest of the country savors the imminent spring, Floridians are faced with the ominous advance of pre-summer swelter.
Luckily, thereäó»s Localtopia on Saturday äóñ an unmissable chance to appreciate the outdoors at its best, and see the full spectrum of Pinellas culture on display while youäó»re at it.
Friday, Feb 3æäóñ Opening Reception – The Art of Daniel Ryan
Dan Ryan is a unique artist in the Tampa Bay scene, an unapologetic prankster who specializes, by and large, in placing housecats in surreal settings and lampooning the absurdities of American culture and politics. Heäó»s got no pretensions to äóÖfine art,äó» yet manages to be smarter than 99% of aspiring gallery-hangers, all while making a good chunk of his living from oddball commissioned portraits of peopleäó»s pets. Heäó»s an inspiring figure for anyone who wants to navigate a full-time art career in Tampa Bay.
Oh, and his work is really, really entertaining and thought provoking, and this opening party is sure to be lit.
9 p.m., Free
More Info Here
The Bends, 919 1st Ave North, St. Petersburg
Feb 3æäóñ The Music of David Bowie äóñ Florida Orchestra Rock Tribute
Iäó»ll be blunt äóñ I find orchestral adaptations of rock music more miss than hit. But this is one likely exception, in part because much of Bowieäó»s music is so lush and sweeping that itäó»s practically orchestral already. Plus, this is a chance for belated catharsis following Bowieäó»s early death, and headlining singer Tony Vincent is a lifelong Bowie devoteeæwho has likely helped shape a fitting tribute. The lineup of songs will include äóìSpace Oddity,äó äóìChanges,äó äóìUnder Pressure,äó and many more.
8 p.m., Tickets $35-65
Tickets and Info Here
Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st Street South, St. Petersburg
Friday, Feb 3æäóñ Arlo Guthrie at Palladium Theatre
He was arguably the 1960s version of a one-hit-wonder, but Arlo Guthrie is still more of an honest, funny, empathetic and intuitive performer and writer than many of the musicians who earn multi-album runs in the limelight today. His engaged, opinionated music äóñ traced in the footsteps of his dad, Woody äóñ has a renewed relevance today, and Iäó»d guess youäó»ll get an earful of opinion alongside the backcountry fingerpicking.
7:30 pm, tickets $42-72
Palladium Theatre, 253 5th Ave North, St. Petersburg
Info and Tickets Here
Saturday, Feb 4æäóñ Localtopia
Pinellas Countyäó»s best festival (yep, I said it) returns for its fourth year, having overcome plenty of challenges. The offerings this year will be expansive, if not outright intimidating äóñ live music all day,æ row of food trucks and local breweries, and vendors and community groups clustered into äóìvillagesäó themed around health, family, and the arts. There look to be over 100 hawkers of handmade soaps, vintage apparel, records, olives, and just about everything else. This is a huge opportunity to both explore and directly support your community äóñ do it.
10am-5pm
Free äóñ but you should REALLY make a donation of $5-15 at one of the donation kiosks around the event.
Williams Park and surroundings, Downtown St. Pete
More Info Here
Monday, Feb 6æäóñ äóìJoe Turneräó»s Come and Goneäó Forum
This is a roundtable discussion of the August Wilson play currently being produced by American Stage. It will include both members of the American Stage artistic team, and an impressive lineup of community leaders, including Carter G. Woodson Museum Chair Terri Lipsey Scott. Thereäó»s sure to be plenty of insight, both into Wilsonäó»s work and the larger issues of discrimination and diversity it grapples with.
7 p.m., $5
American Stage, 163 3rd Street North, St. Petersburg
More Info Here
Honorable Mentions
Saturday, Feb 4æäóñ Black History Month Day at Emerald City Comics, highlighting the rise of heroes of color from Black Panther on down.æ Info Here
Tuesday, Feb 7æäóñ A Band Called Death documentary at Muvico St. Pete. Get ready for the legendary proto-punk bandäó»s real-life appearance at The Local 662 on February 10th. Info Here
Wednesday, Feb 8æäóñ Billy Mays 3 Impersonal Verses Book Release Party at Black Crow Coffee. One of Pinellasäó» most determined and prolific fringe musicians has stretched his palette to include poetry. Info Here
