RECURRING EVENTS
Tuesdays & 4th Saturday • 9am-3pm, Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market, Beach Blvd. below 28th Ave. S. gulfporttuesdayfreshmarket.com
Fridays • 5-9pm, First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Gulfport. A juried event featuring emerging and professional artists. First Friday of every month.
Saturdays • 9am-2pm, St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market, First Ave. SE and First St., Al Lang Stadium parking lot near the marina. Celebrating community, food, and creativity. October through May.
1st Saturday • 8am Beach Cleanup, Archibald Park,15100 Gulf Blvd. Mad. Beach.
2nd Saturday • 8:30am, Beach Cleanup. TI Waffle House, 11185 Gulf Blvd.
• 5-9pm, St. Pete Artwalk. Artists and gallery owners from 40 studios and galleries in five arts districts show off their latest works. Take the trolley, drive or park and walk. stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk
3rd Saturday NEW • 5-9pm, Indie Faire, Beach Blvd., Gulfport. Outdoor, socially distanced event in Gulfport features local art, handmade crafts, jewelry and pottery to locally sourced botanicals.
4th Saturday NEW • Gulfport 4th Saturday Fresh Market 9am-2pm • Pinellas Arts Walk 4-8pm, Pinellas Arts Village Walk, 5600-5800 Park Blvd. (north side), Pinellas Park. Pinellas Park Art Society, Donnelly COVE, Complete Sweet Shoppe, Pompei Factory, Studios @5663, Painting with a Twist, Bottles Pub, and Swartz Gallery.
Sundays • 9am-1pm Indian Shores Sunday Morning Market, Indian Shores Municipal Center, 19305 Gulf Blvd. Local vendors offer everything from gourmet foods to fine art. (November-April). TheBeachMarkets.com. Library Book Sale every third Sunday.
• 10am-2pm, Corey Sunday Market, Corey Ave. (74th Ave), St. Pete Beach. Almost a hundred vendors with an emphasis on local fresh, hydroponic and organic veggies, gourmet take-out treats, locally made crafts and live music. (9-1 June – Sept.)
Every other Sunday • 9am-noon, Organic Farming at Eco-Village, 302 15th St. N, St. Pete. Volunteer in a community garden that provides access to fresh organic produce, opportunities for physical activity, connection with nature.
ON-GOING EVENTS
Through January 23 – Pieced and Patterned: American Quilts c1830-1930
$0-$20, Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. The exhibit pays homage to the quintessentially American art form of quilting and to the historic role of women who were phenomenally talented needleworkers. 727-896-2667 mfastpete.org
Through January 23 – Astrid Reischwitz: The Fabric of Memory
$10 adults, Noon-5pm/7pm Fridays, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 400 N Ashley Dr., Cube 200, Tampa. Astrid Reischwitz, by combining old and new photographs, embroidery, napkins, wallpaper, cloth, and other materials found at Spin clubs in small, rural village in northern Germany, revives a personal memory and the far-reaching effects they had on her life, as well as those of her ancestors. 813-221-2222 fmopa.org
EVENTS CALENDAR
Wednesday, December 1 – The Dali Dozen 2021
$25 members/$30, 6:30-9:30pm, Dali Museum, 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg. Twelve up-and-coming local artists will be featured, highlighting the talents of local artists and artisans in celebration of the vibrant Tampa Bay area art scene. Members will also be able to shop during the event and meet and mingle with the artists. 727-823-3767 thedali.org
Thursday, December 2-Sunday, December 12 – Sister Mothers of Gulfport
World Premiere
$35, times vary by date, Studio Grand Central, 2260 First Ave. S (entrance on 23rd Street), St. Petersburg. Written by award-winning St. Petersburg playwright William Leavengood, Sister Mothers of Gulfport was sparked by a story related to Leavengood years ago that an enclave of “retired prostitutes” lived in the humble hamlet of Gulfport. The playwright says the production is about “an unusual family unit trying to break that cycle of abuse with the current generation. It is focused particularly on the struggles of women in American society, who must negotiate sexism, patriarchy and the complications of pregnancy in addition to overcoming all the other challenges every human must face.” Directed by Tina Bell. studiograndcentral.com
Sunday, December 5 – Robby’s Pancake Breakfast
$5, 8am-Noon, Treasure Island Community Center, 1 Park Place and 106th Avenue. Robby’s on Gulf Blvd in Treasure Island, where Middle Grounds Grill now sits, was famous for its breakfasts, particularly pancakes. As a fund raiser for the Gulf Beaches Rotary, the owners of Middle Grounds Grill, who grew up flipping pancakes at Robby’s, bring back the tradition. There’s sausage, coffee, juice, and adult libations. The Red Sled is there to be filled with food or unwrapped toys for foster kids.
Friday, December 17-Thursday, December 22 – 10th Anniversary of Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center
$8 child/$12 adult/$10 senior, 12973 Village Blvd., John’s Pass, Madeira Beach. The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center, formerly known as the Alligator Attraction, will mark its 10th anniversary. The event culminates with a 30th birthday celebration for its African spurred tortoise, Rudolph, the center’s first rescue. Initially consisting of a single room, the center now encompasses almost 10,000 square feet and has switched its focus to embrace education and conservation. Some 90% of the 250 animals at the Center are rescues, surrenders, or orphaned wildlife, most of whom cannot be safely returned to the wild. 727-329-8751 www.kissagator.com
Sunday, December 19 – Antonio Rey Flamenco
$35, 4pm, Centro Asturiano de Tampa Theatre, 1913 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Rey is regarded as among the one or two premier flamenco guitar virtuosos performing today. His natural charisma and charm combine with his dazzling speed, effortless flamenco vocabulary and soulful composition to make an unforgettable musical experience. His only Florida West Coast performance this year. www.soloarteproductions.com
Friday, January 7-Sunday, January 9 – 21st Century Voices: New Play Festival 2022
$75 all-event pass, single tickets available, American Stage, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. The festival will bring unheard works of playwrights to St. Petersburg, providing a first look at scripts in development over two weekends. Panels and workshops will be held in conjunction with the readings. 727-823-7529 americanstage.org
Saturday, January 15-Sunday, January 16 – Treasure Island Sport Kite Competition and Festival
Free, Treasure Island Beach behind Thunderbird Beach Resort, 10700 Gulf Blvd. This 25th annual event will showcase dual-line and multi-line sport kite flying competitions. Kite Ballet routines and one-on-one Hot Tricks competitions will take place throughout the weekend. The festival includes kite flying of all types and ground displays. Quad-line and dual-line lessons will be available for free. To register for the kite competitions, contact sponsor Windworks, 727-320-9463.
Friday, January 21 – Marshall Tucker Band
$28.75-$82.75, 7:30pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater. Multi-platinum Marshall Tucker Band will celebrate its 50th anniversary tour with special guests Firefall (“Just Remember I Love You”) and Tarpon Springs native Bertie Higgins (“Key Largo”). 727-791-7400 rutheckerdhall.com
Monday, February 21-March 4 – Hands-on Weedon Adult Archaeology Camps
$495/week, 8:30am-4:30pm, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg. Participants in the two weeklong camps work with professional archaeologists to investigate the early people who inhabited the Weedon Island area. Learn about their lifestyle and beliefs through field and lab work, lectures, and tours. Each camp limited to eight participants. Organized by Alliance For Weedon Island Research and Education, Inc. Registration deadline is January 31. 813-205-9847 www.awiare.org
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Through Sunday, January 2 – Enchant Christmas
$20-$25, Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. This whimsical and heartful Christmas light maze and village returns with art installations and an ice skating trail. In addition to a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Christmas Market will offer home decor, jewelry, gourmet foods enchantchristmas.com
Saturday, December 4 – 11th Tierra Verde Tree Lighting
Donation of unwrapped child / youth toy or monetary gift, 4-8pm, parking lot of Downtown Tierra Verde, 1120 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg. Donations benefit the Lealman Fire District’s toy drive for needy kids.
Sunday, December 5 – Martina McBride: Joy of Christmas Tour
$49.50-$99.50, 7pm, Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. McBride’s latest Christmas album, “It’s the Holiday Season,” features her favorite Christmas standards, with the backing of a symphony orchestra. 727-300-2000 themahaffey.com
Tuesday, December 7-Sunday, December 12 – Cats
$36.50-up, Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Cats tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. 813-229-7827 strazcenter.org
Wednesday, December 8-Sunday, January 2 – Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
$32-$53, times vary by date. American Stage, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. The story of Scrooge is well known, but what about Marley? How did his haunting afterlife begin? In playwright Tom Mula’s version of the carol, Marley is escorted by a spritely creature along the pathway to redeeming his soul. 727-823-7529 boxoffice@americanstage.org
Friday, December 10-Sunday, December 12 – Twas a Girls Night Before Christmas: The Musical
$34.50-$49.50, Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. From the producers of Girls Night: The Musical comes Twas A Girls Night Before Christmas: The Musical. Five ladies gather for a night on the town to laugh, cry, gossip and just let their hair down during the craziest of times: the holidays! 813-229-7827 strazcenter.org
Fridays, December 10-Sundays, December 12 and 17-19 – SPBC Nutcracker
$15/$25/$100, 7pm/3pm Sundays, St. Petersburg Ballet Conservatory, 1500 58th St. S, Gulfport. 727-914-7257 stpeteballetconservatory.com
Saturday, December 11 – “An Old Florida Christmas”
Free, 11am-4pm, Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave. E (State Road 64), Bradenton. Experience an old-fashioned Florida holiday celebration at Manatee Village Historical Park. Buildings will be dressed in splendid Victorian and Florida pioneer inspired décor. Explore landmarks like the “Old Cabbage Head” locomotive, Junior Junction playground, museum exhibits, and the Whistle Stop Gift Shop. Vendors will sell various handmade goods, food, and offer free “make and take” seasonal crafts. Parking is free. 941-749-7165 www.manateevillage.org
Saturday, December 11 – Merry Beach Market
Free, 2-8pm, R.O.C. Park, 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach. Holiday shoppers can browse more than 50 local vendors while listening to live entertainment and enjoying food and beverage stands. The market is also a collection site for The Christmas Toy Shop to help make the holidays brighter for local children, as well as a good spot from which to view the start of the Madeira Beach lighted boat parade.
Sunday, December 12 – The Many Moods of Christmas
Free, 4pm, First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Musicians from First Presbyterian Church and the Pinellas County Center for the Arts will join with local vocalists and 10 liturgical dancers in a diverse program of choral and orchestral works. A free-will offering benefiting the St. Petersburg Free Clinic will be taken.
Wednesday, December 15 – Sarah Brightman
$53.75-$253.75, 8pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.
Sarah Brightman, accompanied by orchestra and choir, will perform renditions of holiday classics, personal favorites and her greatest hits. 727-791-7400 rutheckerdhall.com
Friday, December 17-Sunday, December 19 – Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker
$30-$137, times vary by date, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N W.C. Macinnes Place, Tampa. Principal dancers from American Ballet Theatre, Skylar Brandt and Herman Cornejo, will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier alongside NGB’s award-winning young dancers. This year’s Nutcracker also includes dancers from the Patel Conservatory’s Rockette-style Just for Kicks classes. 813-229-7827 strazcenter.org
Sunday, December 19 – Trans–Siberian Orchestra
$99-$970, 3:30/7:30pm, Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Multi-platinum progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra celebrates the 25th anniversary of the group’s landmark album, “Christmas Eve and Stories.” 813-301-2500 amaliearena.com
Thursday, December 30 – Holiday Magic starting Adam Trent
$28.75-$53.75, 7pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Produced by the same creative team behind The Illusionists brand, Trent’s production is an immersive entertainment extravaganza of magic, comedy, and music perfect for the entire family. 727-791-7400 rutheckerdhall.com
Saturday, December 31 – First Night St. Pete
$5/$12 Adult; $10/$20 Adult day of; under 5 free; 4pm until ??, throughout downtown St. Petersburg. Custom designed First Night St. Pete buttons allow entry into 12 different venues for an art-filled New Year’s Eve!. The night begins at 4pm with the First KIDS celebration at the St. Pete Pier, then join the Sea Creature Parade and procession at 7pm to march down the Pier trolley route, on to Bayshore and down to the much-anticipated bubble stomp! A Friends of First Night VIP package is $100. Advance tickets at www.FirstNightStPete.com.
Sunday, January 2 – The State Ballet of Ukraine presents Cinderella
$38.50-$68.50, 3pm, The Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s music, with Vladimir Vasiliev’s choreography, the full-scale production follows the beautiful maiden’s story as she seeks her handsome Prince Charming. Featuring graceful dancers, enchanting music, and beautiful costumes, this classic fairy tale is a treat the entire family will enjoy! 727-300-2000 themahaffey.com