Easter Fun & A Really Tall Ride Highlight This Holiday Weekend In Tampa Bay

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN TAMPA BAY

The events and descriptions below were compiled by Tampa Bay Times entertainment and events reporter Sharon Wynne. Click Here to check out all of the weekend events courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times.

NEW ATTRACTION

Tigris: Florida’s tallest launch coaster opens at Busch Gardens Friday, further enhancing the Tampa theme park as Florida’s coaster king with the most of any theme park in Florida.

EASTER

  • The oh-so-Florida tradition, an Underwater Egg Hunt: Hundreds of eggs are hidden at the bottom of the pool at Largo’s Southwest Recreation Complex. It’s for kids ages 5 and older and includes an open swim available outside the hunt area for the entire event. $5. Noon Friday. 13120 Vonn Road, Largo. (727) 587-6720. Find more Easter egg hunts and events on Page 11.
  • Hand-blown glass eggs will be hidden along Central Avenue between Fifth Street and 16th Street Sunday courtesy of Morean Arts Center.
  • Florida Aquarium will have a Scuba diving bunny.

Find these and loads more at http://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/

COMEDY

  • Ken Jeong: The scene stealer from Hangover and Community brings his standup act to Ruth Eckerd hall on Saturday $38.75 to $125. 8 p.m. Saturday 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. Rutheckerdhall.com.
  • Tommy Davidson: The In Living Color alum has three Showtime specials and is known for his impressions of Sammy Davis Jr. and more. 8 p.m. today, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. $20. (813) 864-4000. Improvtampa.com.

CONCERTS

  • Santana: Carlos Santana marks the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, where Santana’s incendiary performance of Soul Sacrifice turned them into superstars. Al Lang Stadium, 230 First Ave. S in St. Petersburg.
  • Dennis DeYoung: The Music of STYX and Night Ranger: This live concert with six-piece band showcases all the STYX greatest hits, spanning the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. $49-$103.75. (727) 791-7400.
  • Collective Soul: Just another ’90s nostalgia band? This show is almost sold out Friday. Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St.
  • Whitesnake: Now that he’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the influential Deep Purple, David Coverdale is free to let loose again with the other band that made him a superstar: Whitesnake. Straddling the line between hard rock and hair metal. Tuesday at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

FAMILY FUN

  • For its second weekend, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is holding its first Pro-Am Sand Sculpting Tournament from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and a Family Sand Sculpting Tournament at 2 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Both are free to watch from the beach and free to enter.
  • Email info@sugarsandfestival.com to register for the Pro-Am. Show up around 1:45 p.m. to compete in the family contest. If you want to see the professional sculptures in the tent, it’s $10 for adults, $8 for ages 4-10 and free for age 3 and younger. Buy tickets in advance online and you get a separate “fast lane-entrance.” 10 a.m. daily through April 28. Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach. sugarsandfestival.com.

EARTH DAY

Although Monday is officially Earth Day, first declared in 1970 as a “national teach-in on the environment,” this weekend is filled with ways to learn or just embrace Florida’s natural environment. Island Earth Days at Honeymoon Island State Park will feature nature exhibits, guided trail walks and live birds on display starting at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. $8 per carload. 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin. Find more Earth Day events on tampabay.com/things-to-do

ART

Mainsail Art Festival

One of the most prestigious art events in the area returns to St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park this weekend, bringing more than 250 artists from across the nation. In 2018, the prestigious festival was named one of the “100 Best Fine Art Shows in the Nation” by Sunshine Artist magazine. The show always draws a number of national artists, but many local artists are participating in just about every category.

The festival also includes children’s activities in a Create Art Tent featuring Great Explorations on Saturday.

Because parking can be drama, there are free shuttles with wheelchair lifts that run the entirety of the festival with pickups every 10 to 15 minutes

STAGE

  • Mamma Mia! Pets in the Park Night: For one evening only, pets are welcome to join you at the American Stage in the Park production of Mamma Mia! And for Pets in the Park Night, both you and your pet can dress as your favorite character from the show or don an ABBA-inspired outfit for a chance to win a prize. Dogs free with ticketed owner. $20-$50. 8 p.m. Sunday. 100 First Ave. SE, St. Petersburg. The show runs through May 12. (727) 823-7529. Americanstage.org.
  • St. Petersburg Shakespeare Festival The free production returns to Williams Park today-April 28 with the comedy Much Ado About Nothing. It’s the tale of Hero and Claudio, young lovers who secretly decide to set up their friends Beatrice and Benedick, who have a witty banter. The plan works, but not without complications. It is Shakespeare, after all, so jealousy, plotting and backstabbing ensue. Free. 8 p.m. every day through April 28. 350 Second Ave. N. stpeteshakesfest.org.

4/20

Saturday is April 20 or 4/20 to stoners who have declared this a national holiday

  • The Bong Show is a comedy show with 5 comics doing their best pot-related material. The show is silly, but “we are serious about legalizing marijuana” starting at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday at DeBine Brewing Company- 993 Florida Ave. Palm Harbor.
  • Beach cleanup: Medical marijuana patients join once a month across the state to clean up the beaches and slay the stigma that comes with cannabis starting at noon Saturday at Dunedin Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin, FL.
  • 420 Festival: The "No Smoke is a Joke" celebration with hip-hop, rap and comedy with Caribbean munchies cuisine at Blue Note Bar 1510 N Nebraska Ave. in Tampa starting at noon Saturday.

FOOD

  • Beer and Burger Throw Down: Wash down burger samples from area restaurants with a selection of craft beers while enjoying live music and outdoor games. There is even a play zone for kids at the Beer and Burger Throw Down. You decide the “Best Brew” and “Most Creative Craft,” and a panel of judges crowns the “Best Burger in Pinellas.” Benefits the Safety Harbor Chamber and Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth fund.
  • Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival  You don’t need a plane ticket to experience the Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival’s 14th annual tropical bash, featuring food, island jams (think DJs and steel pan artists), a parade and two music-fueled after-parties in Tampa: one at Bounce Boy, 5008 E 10th Ave., and a second at Jerk Hut, 1241 E Fowler Ave. $20, $10 ages 5-10, 4 and younger free. 1 p.m. Saturday. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. (813) 445-9010. tampabaycaribbeancarnival.com.
  • ‘Thrones’ single malts hit Datz: Datz debuted 'Oban and Talisker', the first two Scotch whiskies in Diageo’s limited-edition collection of eight single malts, on Sunday. Why? To celebrate the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere, of course. Poured on a first-come, first-served basis, each bottle is created at a different distillery and inspired by a major Thrones house (with the exception of Oban, inspired by the Night’s Watch). The next Scotch rolls out on the next episode’s air date, so plan accordingly. Datz will keep the order of these bottle releases under wraps until the day of, but it is expected to flow with the plot. 2616 S MacDill Ave., Tampa. (813) 831-7000. Datztampa.com.

THIS WEEK IN DRESS-UP

Playcon: 11:00am. Highland Recreation Complex and Family Aquatic Center 400 Highland Ave. NE Largo, FL

The second annual celebration of gaming, comics and nerd culture includes gaming competitions, free play, a costume contest, cosplay guests and vendors selling toys, collectibles, artwork, apparel, comic books and games.

Admission: $7-$10, 11 and younger free.


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