Someone seems to have gotten my memo about events crowding into Saturday, because this weekäó»s plethora of arts events, including great music and uniquely Pinellas visual art, are handily spread out. The really ambitious among you might even be able to see them all äóñ just donäó»t hurt yourself.
Diorama ‘Zine Show – Saturday, Oct. 7
Sure, we get the big shows äóñ but this is the sort of quirky local event that helps make Pinellas a tight-knit and thriving community. Artists have taken on an unusual task for this event, working to translate the uniqueness of ‘zine culture äóñ those tradeable, hand-xeroxed little pamphlets that have seen such a resurgence in recent years äóñ and translate it into diorama form. Youäó»ll see plenty of glue-streaked cardboard, as well as plenty of regular old ‘zines for sale, and some local music to top it all off.
And whatever you do, donäó»t forget äóñ itäó»s pronounced zeen.
7 p.m., free
Black Crow Coffee Co., 722 Second St. N., St. Pete
SZA äóñ Sunday, Oct. 8th
Okay, this is a cruel one. SZA is one of the hottest adventurous R&B singers out there, with appearances on tracks from megastars like Maroon 5 and Lorde, and her recent album earned huge accolades. So you might jump at the chance to see her in a modest venue like the Orpheum äóñ but you better jump with a bundle of cash in hand. Tickets originally priced at $25 are now going for upwards of $125 on sites like StubHubæ(and no, letäó»s not wade into the murky ethical waters of reselling. It makes my head hurt).
If youäó»re willing to shell out for tickets, then this is definitely worth crossing the bridge.
7 p.m., SOLD OUT, but check secondary markets
The Orpheum, 1915 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa
The Florida Orchestra, Carmina Burana äóñ Saturday and Sunday
This is the orchestraäó»s season opener, and theyäó»ve rightly chosen a crowd pleaser. Carl Orffäó»s 1936 epic cantata is based on a medieval poetry collection of the same title, but its direct melodicism and rhythmic force makes it seem modern even today. Its tense, instantly recognizable opening section, O Fortuna, has appeared in films from Excalibur to Jackass (weäó»re sorry, Carl).
This weekendäó»s performances include one Saturday night at the Mahaffey in St. Petersburg and one Sunday night at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.
8 p.m., $15-$45
Shine Mural Festival Opening Weekend
Directed by local street art breakout Tes One and curated by inimitable pop illustrator Chris Parks, the Shine Mural Festival continues its push to make St. Pete’s Central Avenue into a kind of mini-Wynwood. This yearäó»s new worksæwill include local talent, as well as wall-painters from Miami and as far away as Australia, putting together fresh works over the course of the next week. Weäó»re particularly intrigued to see what we get from the Brooklyn-based skate-pop duo Yok and Sheryo, and Tampaäó»s Jujmo, who has been on a steady grind for the last few years.
Festival events include an opening reveal on the morning of Saturday the 7th, the Tour de Shine works-in-progress bike tour Oct.8-9, and the Grand Finale coming on Oct. 14.
Various times and prices, but checking out the murals is free äóñ just use this handy map.
On and around Central Ave., St. Pete
Yes äóñ Wednesday, Oct. 11
The Atlanticäó»s recent requiem for prog rockæreferred to it, with some justification, as an evolutionary dead-end in popular music, without enough hooks and tunes to justify the work that goes into crafting its arcane structures. That made prog’s tenure at the top of the charts brief äóñ but Iäó»ll stand with those who still think itäó»s worthwhile to seek out the borderline-unhinged cosmic mania of something like 1973äó»s Tales from Topographic Oceans. Yes and their cohorts opened a door that not everyone wanted to go through, but that, thankfully, never quite closed.
Note: Due to legal disputes, this is one of two touring Yes lineups. It features Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman, giving it the balance of the bandäó»s early creative core and, arguably, making it closer to the äóìrealäó band.
8 p.m., $74 – $130
Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 North McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater
Honorable Mentions:
Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival äóñ All WeekæFeaturing nearly two dozen films running through next Sunday. One notable standout is an omnibus presentation from artist Kalup Linzy on Thursday, Oct. 12. Schedule, tickets, and info here.
Produceräó»s Beat Battle äóñ Saturday, Oct. 7æWith a head-to-head format that seems modeled on old-school DJ battles, this should be a great chance to survey the local hip hop scene. 9 p.m., Fubar Downtown, 658 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. More info here.
St. Pete Indie Market Fall Kickoff äóñ Saturday, Oct. 7thæOne of the best ways to spend a cool-breeze Saturday in Pinellas, this edition of the ever-growing market will feature 100-plus vendors offering original art and antiques as well as handcrafted home goods. 11 a.m., Green Bench Brewing Company, 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg. More info here.
