This week in Pinellas, we have free comic books, a couple of musical icons to choose from, glass blowing in the dark (!!!) and a literary commemoration for the ages.
Free Comic Book Day – Saturday, May 6th
Despite the continuing dominance of the box office by movies based on comic books, the market for the books themselves has had its ups and downs lately. Free Comic Book Day is the industryäó»s annual effort to invite in new readers äóñ and, really, whatäó»s better than a free comic book? St. Peteäó»s Daddy Kool Records participates for the first time ever, while Emerald City Comics, in Clearwater, is hosting a characteristically huge blowout. On top of free comics (three of them for every visitor!), EC is offering discounts all day (from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.), cosplayers will be along for fan photos, and a half-dozen comics artists will be on hands to chat and sign their work.
For superfans, hereäó»s a handy guide to the various titles you might be able to pick up this year. Amazingy, they include a reprint of the first segment of Alejandro Jodorowskyäó»s The Incal. Definitely get that one.
Herb Alpert äóñ Saturday, May 6th
Well, this oneäó»s a little mind-blowing. Herb Alpert is an icon and a pioneer, probably best known for his loungey soft jazz from the 1950s and ’60s. But he also managed to have huge hits during the disco era and co-found a major record label (He was the äóìAäó in äóìA&Mäó). Now, at 82 years young, heäó»s grabbed a Grammy nomination for his new album of pop covers. Heäó»s coming to Clearwater in a three-piece with vocals from his wife, Lani Hall, who has performed with Sergio Mendes and Brasil äó»66 äóñ another lounge-jazz landmark.
$45-75, 8 p.m.
Capitol Threatre, 405 Cleveland Street, Clearwater
Night Blow! Glow-In-the-Dark Glass Blowing Party äóñ Saturday, May 6th
Iäó»ll admit, the combination of loud music, alcohol, darkness, and molten hot glass conjures up all sorts of worst-case scenarios for me äóñ but Iäó»m sure the Morean has this well in hand. DJ Rich Ranck will provide the soundtrack to a series of glass demos, alongside food, drinks from Green Bench Brewing, and raffles for glass pieces. Glass has become maybe St. Peteäó»s signature art form, thanks to the conjunction of Duncan McLellan, the Chihuly Gallery, Zen Glass, and the Moreanäó»s own shop, and this seems like an incredibly fun (and tantalizingly just-almost-dangerous!) way to learn more about it.
$25 (and apparently likely to sell out!)
Morean Glass Studio, 714 1st Ave North, St. Petersburg
Victor Wooten äóñ Wednesday, May 10th
Named one of the top ten bass players of all time in a Rolling Stone readeräó»s poll, Victor Wooten is best known for his mind-bending work in Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Rolling Stone describes him as a spiritual successor to Jaco Pastorius, with furiously intricate fingerwork and an ear for angular melody. Heäó»ll be appearing here with his eponymous pop-fusion Trio, which also includes drummer Dennis Chambers and saxophonist Bob Franceschini.
$34.50-$59.50, 8 p.m.
Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland Street, Clearwater
Jack Kerouac Celebration at the Dali -Thursday, May 11th
Not much detail about what exactly this will involve, but weäó»d guess thereäó»ll be some readings, some food, and the chance to mix and mingle with fellow fans of the most revered writer to ever spend their twilight years in St. Pete.
6 p.m., FREE
The Dali Museum, One Dali Boulevard, St. Pete
