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.
The Art Monkey will celebrate its Grand Opening on Friday, February 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Art Monkey is located in Park Square in FishHawk Ranch at 16144 Churchview Dr. in Lithia. For information, please call 315-9803.
The Pottery Patch presents “Hoot! Hoot! Pottery, Paint and Wine Night” on Friday, February 18 at 7 p.m. Seating is limited, so call 643-0014 to reserve a seat. The Pottery Patch is located at 2551 SR 60 in Valrico.
The Tampa Museum of Art will host its monthly “Art After Dark” from 8 to 11 p.m. Come out and enjoy a cash bar, food from Sono Café, and entertainment while viewing the exhibits. The Tampa Museum of Art is located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza in Tampa. For more information, please call 274-8130 or visit www.tampamuseum.org.
The Florida State Fair is in full swing now through February 21. Come out and see the state’s best in agriculture and equestrian industries. You can also enjoy lots of shows, music, rides, food and shopping. The Florida State Fair is located at 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. in Tampa. For more information on ticket prices, ride tickets and event tickets, please call 621-7821.
What has been dubbed as “The Best Musical of the Decade” by Time magazine is taking Tampa by storm. Billy Elliott the Musical is on stage at The Straz Center in Tampa now through February 20. The musical was winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 2009. It is a joyous celebration of one young boy’s triumph against the odds. Follow Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers his dream to dance. Shows are Friday, February 18 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 19 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, February 20 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The Straz Center is located at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place in Tampa. Call 229-STAR (7827) or visit www.tbpac.org for more information and to buy tickets.
The Florida Orchestra presents Gershwin’s “Concerto For Piano in F” on Friday, February 18 at the Straz Center at 8p.m. Stewart Goodyear plays Gershwin’s high energy concerto in F along with “Sidereus” by Osvaldo Golijovan and Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8.” The Straz Center is located at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place in Tampa. For tickets, please visit www.floridaorchestra.org.
The Performing Arts Club of Sun City Center presents “Girls’ Nite Out.” Anyone who loves the music of the 60’s will love this show. You can hear hits such as “California Dreamin’” and “Yesterday.” The show will take place at The Rollins Theatre, 970 Cherry Hills Dr. in Sun City Center. Tickets are $10 and can be obtained at the SCC Atrium Ticket Kiosk or by calling 642-0606. The shows will be performed on Friday, February 18, and Saturday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. Additional shows are scheduled for February 24-26 and March 3-5.
Durant Theatre is returning to the 70’s with their presentation of the musical, “Disco Inferno. The musical is based on the book by Justin Steeple and features music from artists such as Elton John; Earth, Wind and Fire; and Donna Summer. The show opens on Friday, February 18 and runs on Saturday, February 19 with additional shows on February 25 and 26. Tickets are $9 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. For more information and to obtain tickets, please call Ed Mason at 757-9075 ext. 280 or email Edward.mason@sdhc.k12.fl.us. Durant High School is located at 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City, FL.
Plant City Entertainment presents “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” a two act, musical comedy rated PG based on the popular 1988 film of the same name. Performances are on Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m. Additional shows are scheduled for February 24-26. Doors open at 7 p.m. for evening performances and 1 p.m. for the Sunday matinee. All performances will take place at the Plant City Entertainment Theatre located at 101 N. Thomas Street in Plant City. Tickets are $10 for members or group advance sales; $12 for seniors and students through 12th grade; and $14 for general admission. For more information, please visit http://www.plantcityentertainment.com.
If you like history and taking photos, then check out the “Ybor Photo Safari” presented by the Tampa Bay History Center and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. You can explore Tampa’s National Historic Landmark District with Marcia Treiger of the Art Institute of Tampa. You can learn tips and techniques for taking great photographs. The tours will take place on Saturday, February 19 and additional tours are set for March 26 and April 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. Space is limited to 15 people, so call 221-2222 or visit www.fmopa.org.. The cost is $50 for members of the History Center and $60 for non-members.
Anyone who loves the arts should take a trip to the Southern Grace Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Southern Grace is located at 301 U.S. Hwy 41 South in Ruskin. Proceeds from the event are being donated to the SouthShore Arts Council to help fund development of the old Ruskin Fire Station into a center for the arts and to Athena House, a center for homeless female veterans.
On Saturday, February 19, the Straz Center will present “Tango Fire” at 7:30 p.m. This fast paced, high energy show traces the history of Tango from its origins in Buenos Aires, through the glamour of the 1920’s and to evolution to the world of contemporary ballroom dancing. The Straz Center is located at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place in Tampa. Call 229-STAR (7827) or visit www.tbpac.org for more information and to buy tickets.
Email kcollins@ospreyobserver.com with any upcoming arts and entertainment events you would like to include in this weekly column.
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