With great excitement and joy, The Straz Center announces the spectacular new vision for its evolution as it becomes a destination on the downtown Riverwalk, and, hopefully, an international destination for the growing set of cultural tourists. For more information about the Straz Center located in Tampa, visit www.strazcenter.org or call 813-222-1000.
freeFall Theatre announces a brand new season of plays and musicals. Since freeFall opened its doors four years ago, Artistic Director Eric Davis has chosen a unifying theme for each season. This 2015-2016 season explores the human memory. For a list of freeFall’s exciting new offerings for the 2015-2016 season titled “As I Remember It”, visit www.freefalltheatre.com or call 727-498-5205. freeFall Theatre is located at 6099 Central Ave in St Petersburg.
The Florida Orchestra Guild of St. Petersburg will present the 48th Golden Baton Award dinner on Tuesday, April 7, at The Club at Treasure Island from 6 -9pm. Since 1965, the Golden Baton Award has been given by the Guild to individuals who have made significant contributions in leadership to benefit The Florida Orchestra and the arts community. This year’s recipient is St. Petersburg philanthropist and entrepreneur Bill Edwards. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Florida Orchestra. For more info, contact Mozelle Bell, 727-522-8459 or mozelle2@juno.com.
On Friday, April 10, don’t miss a FREE “Artist Talk” with John Brekke from 5:30-7pm ! Join in on the fun at the Chihuly Colleciton and meet John Brekke, participating artist in Italian Traditions, current temporary exhibition on view through April 19. John Brekke has shown internationally and his work is included in a number of permanent collections including Smithsonian American Art Museum – Renwick Gallery, Corning Museum of Glass and Museum of Art & Design. More info www.moreanartscenter.org.
Mark your calendars for ART HEALS presented by Suncoast Center, Inc., a powerful exhibit featuring artwork created by survivors of sexual violence, in partnership with several of St. Pete’s artists and arts organizations. This event will take place on Saturday, April 11 from 6-10pm at The Studio@620, located at 620 1st Ave South in St. Petersburg. More info, 727-327-7656, ext 5227.
Individuals, families, school groups, scout troops, and organizations are invited to participate in the “Faerie House and Gnome Home Competition” and share it with us during our Springfest Garden Art & Faerie Festival on Saturday, April 11 & Sunday, April 12, by building creative dwellings to be put on display during the festival. The “Faerie House and Gnome Home Competition” is an exhibit of whimsical habitats crafted for the faeries and gnomes. For more information regarding Gulfport Springfest, visit and “like” the event on Facebook/Gulfport Springfest or call 727-322-5217.
Don’t miss the 35th Annual Statewide Opera Competition for College Students & Young Professionals sponsored by St. Petersburg Opera Guild, Inc. and St. Petersburg Opera Company! This competition will take place Saturday, April 11, from 10am to 4pm at Opera Central, located at 2145 1st Ave South in St. Petersburg. Info, 727-366-2476 or email ursulaeggers@yahoo.com.
The legendary Smokey Robinson returns to The Mahaffey Theater, located at 400 1st St. South in St. Petersburg on Sunday, April 12. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, a National Medal of Arts winner and Kennedy Center honoree, Smokey Robinson has been one of the most beloved and respected members of the international music community for more than 50 years. For info and tickets, visit www.themahaffey.com, or call 727-893-7832.
Join theMorean Glass Studio & Hot Shop for a fun-filled night of glow-in-the-dark fun on Friday, April 17 from 7-10pm! Live glass blowing demonstrations,DJ, food & beverages, live glass blowing in the dark, and all kinds of glow in the dark accessories for all attendees. Night Blow will take place at the Morean Glass Studio & Hot Shop, located directly behind the main Morean Arts Center building at 719 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. More info, call 727-822-7872 ext. 2110 or visit www.moreanartscenter.org.
West Coast Players will present “Always a Bridesmaid” by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten from Friday, April 17 until Sunday, May 3. Friday & Saturday performances are at 8pm, and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Tickets are $19. To book your tickets or for more info, call 727-437-2363, email boxoffice@wcplayers.com or visit the website www.wcplayers.org. West Coast Players Theatre is located at 21905 US 19 North in Clearwater.
Celebrate ARTpool’s 7th Anniversary on Saturday, April 18! And don’t forget to shop their vintage collection 24/7 at www.marinawilliams.etsy.com! Over 300+ items can be shopped from your couch and they ship worldwide!
Mark your calendars for SPIFFS Annual International Ball on Saturday, April 18 from 6-11pm at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, located at 5500 Shore Blvd South. Tickets are $4 each and for more info, please call 727-552-1896.
Top Local Chef 2015, Tampa Bay’s hottest competition, connecting the area’s foodies with the best restaurateurs and private chefs in the region, will be taking place on Sunday, April 26 from 5 to 7pm. The competition will be held at the Gulfport Casino & Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. So., in Gulfport. General admission and VIP passes available online www.toplocalchef.com and for more info, contact events@localshops1.com or 727-637-5586.
The latest addition to the vibrant and mysterious world of illustrator Pale Horse will be revealed on Tuesday, May 5th at NOVA 535, 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. N. in St. Petersburg, during a one-night only exhibit entitled“Pale Horse Lucha: The Art of Lucha Libre”. Featuring eight large-scale art panels and hand-sewn, custom designed wrestling masks on display, Pale Horse is extending his work to another canvas full-sized, professional wrestling ring to create a one-of-a-kind, multi-sensory, art exhibition and performance piece. For more info, visit www.palehorselucha.com.
Be sure to check out some of the fantastic upcoming events being held by the St. Petersburg Preservation, including the ever-popular Movies in the Park, which return each Thursday evening in May. Also, don’t miss SPP’s Special Walking Tours, as well as a Historic Boat Tour, which will take place in April. For specific dates and details, please visit www.stpetepreservation.org.
Mark your calendars for the gala of the year, Bella Voce, on Saturday, May 9, with VIP Entrance at 5:30pm and the Grand Entrance at 7pm. Held in the lavishly decorated Opera Central, located at 2145 First Ave. South in St. Petersburg, which will be transformed to represent an ancient Chinese palace. Tickets & info, call 727-823-2040 or visit, www.stpeteopera.org.
The committee producing Gulfport’s 7thAnnual Gecko Ball announced a call to artists for creation of larger-than-life geckos to be auctioned during the event on August 29. The live auction of artist-created geckos has become a much-anticipated Gecko Ball tradition. Seven artists will be chosen to create geckos for the Ball this year.Selected artists must complete their geckos no later than June 15th.Contact Daniel Hodge at 727-366-4086 or email dan@igc.org.
St. Petersburg City Theatre is asking for your support on Give Day Tampa Bay 2015 on May 5! Give Day Tampa Bay is a community-wide, online giving day hosted by The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay & Florida NEXT.
“This charitable giving day will help City Theatre raise much-needed unrestricted dollars and celebrate the good work of all Tampa Bay nonprofits. For 24 hours, midnight to midnight, Tuesday, May 5, donors can make gifts online to St. Petersburg City Theatre. They will be eligible for incentives, bonuses and additional prizes throughout the day so your gift would be greatly appreciated.” The inaugural Give Day Tampa Bay (2014) raised almost $1.1 million in 24 hours. With help from supporters this year will be more successful. Samuels Realty & Investments has pledged to match the first $1,000 donated to St. Petersburg City Theatre on Give Day Tampa Bay! ONLINE at www.GiveDayTampaBay.org St. Petersburg City Theatre is the oldest, continuously operating community theatre in the state of Florida. Since 1925, City Theatre has been committed to kept theatre and theatre arts education alive and in the community. Offering arts education year-round through The Academy at City Theatre ( ages 4 – 17), City Theatre’s Mainstage Season Sponsor is Raymond James Financial.