Compiled by Kathy L. Collins, Arts and Entertainment Editor
If you are looking for something fun to do over the weekend, let this be your guide finding fun, creative and exciting things to do in the area. The Greater Brandon area and Tampa Bay have tons of activities going on every weekend. Get out and enjoy all that this area has to offer.
Hey mister, throw me some beads!! With Gasparilla season here, you can let your inner pirate out on Saturday, January 22, and take the family to the Children’s Gasparilla Parade. This is a 2 ½ hour, G rated, alcohol free, family event. The parade begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Blvd. and proceeds north along Bayshore and ends at Watrous and Orleans Ave. in Tampa. The fun and festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.gasparillaextravaganza.com/childrens_parade.html.
Ladies, on Saturday, January 22, gather up your friends and go to Sketch and Sip’s “Margaritas and Masterpieces for Darby.” You can create a beautiful masterpiece, enjoy food, libations and fun for $40. No talent or prior experience is necessary to have fun and help raise money for a good cause. You will be given step by step instructions by Sketch and Sip’s Patty Sisco. The event will be held at the Winthrop Barn Theatre located at 11349 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview. Pre-register at www.sketchandsip.com and receive a free raffle ticket.
Art lovers can also enjoy an evening of art at the Tampa Museum of Art’s “Art After Dark” on Friday, January 21 from 8 to 11 p.m. Members of the museum get in for free. Guests pay $10. Come out and enjoy Tampa’s beautiful art museum. Cash bar and Sono (Museum’s café) snacks will be available. The Tampa Museum of Art is located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza in Tampa. For more information call 274-8130 or visit www.tampamuseum.org.
If you love a fairy tale and Broadway shows, take the family to a performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on stage today through Sunday, January 23 at the Straz Center. Children and adults will love this acclaimed Broadway musical which features unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and fabulous numbers such as “Be Our Guest.” Shows are on Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call 229-STAR (8827) or visit www.tbpac.org. The Straz Center is located at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa.
Email kcollins@ospreyobserver.com with any upcoming arts and entertainment events you would like to include in this weekly column.
