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. To check out all of the weekend events courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times, click here.
SPORTS
- Golf: The traveling golf experience known as Stadium Links returns to Tampa. The event transforms the Raymond James field into a temporary course. Golfers tee off from spots around the stadium at nine holes on the playing field. Scores are determined by driving accuracy. $74 and up for a limited time, two golfers minimum. Tee times from 7-9 p.m. Saturday. 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway. Registration and more information at stadiumlinks.com/locations/tampa
- Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays host the Minnesota Twins for a four-game series, including Friday (7:10), Saturday (1:10 p.m.) and Sunday (1:10). Saturday’s promotion is a free Tommy Pham bobblehead. $20 and up. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. (888) 326-7297. mpv.tickets.com. TV: Fox Sports Sun; radio: 620-AM, 95.3-FM.
COMEDY
- Deon Cole: This weekend in Ybor City, it’s Conan commentator and Angie Tribeca actor Deon Cole, who also has a very funny part as Charlie on Black-ish. He performs at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Improv, 1600 E Eighth Ave. $25 and up.
- Kevin Farley, the brother of Chris Farley, is performing at 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday; 6, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday; and 7 p.m. Sunday at Side Splitters, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway. $10 and up. (813) 960-1197. sidesplitterscomedy.com.
- Cledus T. Judd: The Straz gets a dose of Southern culture courtesy of radio personality and country-fried songsmith Cledus T. Judd, who returns to Tampa on his new tour with YouTube sensation “Southern Momma” Darren Knight. Red Squirrel and Gary Cargal open. $25 and up. 8 p.m. Friday.
- Also of note, next week, ‘90s icon Pauly Shore is scheduled to perform at the Improv at 8 p.m. Wednesday, and don’t be surprised if he gets a little deeper about his comic dad Sammy Shore, who died earlier this month.
STAGE
- Evolution of Drag: At nearly 6-foot-6-inches tall, fans notice when Daphne Ferraro enters a room and takes center stage. Affectionately referred to as the “tallest drag queen in captivity,” she is bringing along her friends for a show Saturday called The Evolution of Drag: Drag Through the Decades. She will be joined by Tampa Bay favorites Kenya Black, Robyn Demournay, Jocelyn Summers, Jaeda Fuentes, Chi Chi LaLique, Kathryn Nevets and more. With a mix of comedy, dance productions, a history lesson and dazzling drag costuming, the show takes audiences through the decades and through the eyes of a drag queen. $30, $45 VIP. 8 p.m. Saturday. The Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 822-3590. mypalladium.org.
- Housewife Countess and Friends: No Housewife from The Real Housewives of New York City was more talked about last year than the former Countess, Luann de Lesseps. She got arrested. She checked into rehab — twice. Between getting sued by her children and leaving her own poo in a hotel bed, the gal hit some lows. But her fans rallied around, and she came out fairly unscathed. Despite the issues she was dealing with, Luann put together a cabaret act that has strong sales across the country, and that is the happy ending her fans wished for. Her husky voice on Money Can’t Buy You Class made her a viral musical sensation. In between the songs are stories and anecdotes. She will be joined by an eclectic group of New York’s most sought after nightlife stars, “both legendary and ascendant.” $35-$150. 8 p.m. Friday. Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. athecap.com.
CONCERTS
- Blackbear: Blackbear’s new album Anonymous doesn’t sound much like Justin Bieber’s Boyfriend, which is probably by design. The 28-year-old producer, singer and songwriter co-wrote that smash hit, leading to collaborations with Nick Jonas, G-Eazy and Linkin Park, and a slot opening arena shows for Fall Out Boy. But these days Blackbear now firmly identifies as alt-R&B, moaning out moody singles like Do Re Mi and IDFC. With Memorial Day behind us, this might be the perfect comedown as we ease into June. Gashi and Harry Hudson open. $32.50 and up. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 565-0550. jannuslive.com.
- Dio Returns: So we’re really doing this hologram thing now, huh? Seven months after “Roy Orbison” became the first hologram to stage a headlining concert in Tampa Bay, we get another in Dio Returns, featuring the holographic likeness of legendary metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who died in 2010. Interesting thing about this one, though, is that the show actually features several Dio bandmates performing behind him, including guitarist Craig Goldy, drummer Simon Wright, bassist Scott Warren, bassist Bjorn Englen and vocalists Tim “Ripper” Owens and Oni Logan. There’s even a real rock vet opening the show in Love/Hate, featuring former Ratt and L.A. Guns vocalist Jizzy Pearl. The Dio hologram has been around a few years, so this is likely to be one of the better hologram shows you’ll see. Devil horns up, everyone! $49.50 and up. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 822-3590. Mypalladium.org.
- Mark Farner: Get to downtown Clearwater for this month’s Blast Friday block party, featuring a free show by the Grand Funk Railroad frontman. You won’t get the bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher or the competent drum work of Don Brewer, but you will get Farner roaring hits like We’re An American Band and Some Kind of Wonderful. Best of all, it’s free Stormbringer opens. Free, $29 for reserved seating. 5:30 p.m. Friday. Downtown Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. rutheckerdhall.com.
- ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic started out, he was just a dude with an accordion stomping out Another One Rides the Bus with his drummer Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz. Now that Queen’s gone thermonuclear in the wake of Bohemian Rhapsody, it stands to reason Yankovic should go bigger, too. Nearly 40 years after Weird Al’s breakthrough parody song, he’s embarking on a huge tour backed by a full symphony, and the first date is in Clearwater. Will an orchestra make much of a difference on tracks like Fat, Smells Like Nirvana or White and Nerdy? No idea, but it’ll definitely sound epic on Amish Paradise. $49 and up. 8 p.m. Wednesday. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. rutheckerdhall.com.
SHOPPING
Tax Free Holiday: Hurricane season is upon us. The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs Friday through June 6. Eligible items include reusable ice packs, portable, self-powered light sources, batteries, coolers, radios, items to help you fortify the house and generators. Find more information at floridarevenue.com/disasterprep.
BEER
- Clearwater Craft Beer Fest: Billed as a “block party like no other,” Clearwater Craft Beer Fest, now in its third year, features food trucks and local restaurants, art demonstrations, live music, a children’s area and interactive games downtown. That’s on top of a solid selection of brews from Dunedin House of Beer. Free. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday. 500-600 Cleveland St. clearwaterdowntownpartnership.com.
- Drink For A Cause: The inaugural Grand Central District Beer Day is another sudsy soiree to check out this weekend. Five breweries that call St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District home — Right Around the Corner, Avid Brew Company, Pinellas Ale Works, left, If I Brewed the World and 3 Daughters Brewing — have joined forces to create and release the Grand Central (Fruited) Wheat collaboration beer. For every pint sold at each of their tasting rooms, $1 goes to Pet Pal Animal Shelter. Noon-8 p.m. Saturday. Locations vary.
MOVIES
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Tampa Theatre gives the community a break from the heat by featuring Mr. Smith Goes to Washington as part of its Summer Classics series. Released in 1939, the political comedy-drama is about “the egalitarian power of the American political system and the eventual triumph of good.” A short discussion and audience Q&A with retired University of South Florida film professor Harriet Deer follows. $10, $7 members. 3 p.m. Sunday. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. (813) 274-8286. tampatheatre.org.
- Saving Private Ryan: To commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, don’t miss a screening of Saving Private Ryan. Director Steven Spielberg’s 1998 movie, which won a Golden Globe, stars Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns and Tom Sizemore. Also showing at AMC Woodlands Square 20 in Oldsmar. $13.40 (price may vary by theater). 3 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Wednesday. Regal Cinemas Park Place Stadium 16, 7200 U.S. 19 N, Pinellas Park. (727) 525-7777.
SUMMER THEME PARKS GUIDE
As the summer vacation season approaches, the Tampa Bay Times once again put together this year’s theme park guide of what’s new at Disney World, Busch Gardens, Universal, SeaWorld and Legoland. One expert estimates this is the biggest spending year we’ve seen in decades, totaling multi-billions for a new Star Wars land, an addition to the Harry Potter world and a new coaster at Busch Gardens.
Click Here for the full guide.
Prices: Speaking of theme parks, have you looked at those prices? One-day admission can reach $159 at Disney World and $84.99 at Busch Gardens. Universal admission starts at $115. (For comparison, it cost $26 to go to Disney and $17.95 to go to Busch Gardens in 1987) Experts say it is one of the few industries that has customers willing to overlook constant price hikes. I talked to the experts: How much are people willing to spend at theme parks? The answer: More every year and here’s why...
NEW THEME PARK ATTRACTIONS
Busch Gardens: Has a new coaster, Tigris, that just opened last month and free beer all year as well as a new pin trading program. There’s also a really good sale right now on half off tickets $49 thru Sunday, good through June and $65 for a Fun Card. Plus, Busch Gardens stays open for extra hours of rides and animal attractions during Summer Nights. Fireworks cap off the night every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Runs through Aug. 11. Included with admission. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa. (813) 884-44386.
Walt Disney World: New Star Wars land opens in Aug. 29 but be on the lookout on the wires this weekend because an identical park is opening at Disneyland on Friday, and what happens there will affect how they run Hollywood Studios. Disney is spending $1 billion at each park!
Universal: A new Harry Potter ride opens June 13 at Universal Orlando Resort. They spent $300-$400 million on this.
SeaWorld Orlando: New Sesame Street-themed land that’ is a life-size recreation of the show, Mr. Hooper’s store, etc.
Legoland Florida opened a new themed land for the park’s The Lego Movie World, which opened March 27. You can ride Emmet’s triple-deck couch!
Local attractions: New jellyfish touch tank at Florida Aquarium, the mermaids are back at Weeki Wachee, summer of making at Glazer Children’s museum, etc.