CLEARWATER - Chocolate Sunday is coming on Sunday, May 26th to the Sea Dog Brewery in Clearwater.
“We outgrew Ruth Eckerd Hall last year,” said Steve Fiske founder and producer of Chocolate Sunday. “This year’s festival will once again, attract chocoholics from all over the local Tampa Bay area. Last year over 1,700 chocolate lovers attended.”
This year the North Pinellas Regional Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the event.
TREASURE ISLAND - Bands on the Sand 5 in Treasure Island this year is jam-packed with all-stars from the Tampa Bay music scene, including Saturday night headliners Cope and the Black Honkeys on Sunday evening.
The popular Memorial Day weekend beach concert, now in its fifth year, is set this year for Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 on the beach behind the Bilmar Beach Resort.
Music, food and drink flows at noon each day until 9 p.m.
“The powerhouse combination of so many headliner-quality acts, a ‘let the good times roll’ audience, and the laid-back atmosphere of our gulf front community, make Bands on the Sand the only place to be on Memorial Day weekend,” said Cathy Hayduke, Treasure Island’s Parks and Recreation director.
CLEARWATER - Bright House Networks presents Clearwater’s Blast Friday in the Cleveland Street District with a performance by The Fixx on the Tampa Bay Times Cleveland Street Stage directly in front of the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater on Friday, May 31.
This FREE street festival will feature a variety of vendors, as well as food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. The street fair begins at 5:30 p.m. with entertainment outside until 10 p.m.
TARPON SPRINGS - On Friday, May 31, 7:30 p.m., the public is invited to attend For Xenitia: Journey Songs of the Greek Diaspora at Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, 101 S. Pinellas Ave.
The program enhances the Smithsonian exhibition Journey Stories, which explores the powerful tales of how residents of Tarpon Springs and their ancestors came to America and to the place they now call home.
The May 31 programs features outstanding musicians and vocalists who will perform songs about immigration, its difficulties, and the havoc it creates in the lives of those who leave and those left behind.
PINELLAS PARK - The seventh annual Pepper Fest Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, June 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave. N.
Admission is $2; children 12 and under are free.
Hot and spicy foods will be available to sample and to purchase. Hot sauces, pepper plants, barbecue sauce, salsas, spices and more will be on sale.
There also will be live entertainment, an amateur hot sauce and salsa competition, a pepper-eating contest and more.
TARPON SPRINGS - Tarpon Springs Cultural Treasures Program presents a series of workshops in Greek bouzouki for youth and adults with Leonidas Zafiris and Elias Poulos at the Safford House, 23 Parkin Court, Tarpon Springs.
Originally from Greece, Leonidas Zafiris is an outstanding professional bouzouki musician and teacher who is re-locating to the Tarpon Springs area. Prior to working in Toronto for the last several years, Zafiris played bouzouki for many of the top vocalists in Greece for more than 25 years. Born in Argos, Greece, Elias Poulos is known as a fine singer, but he also plays bouzouki. His repertoire includes the latest hits from Greece as well as well-known dimotika, rembetika, nisiotika, and songs from throughout Greece. Both Zafiris and Poulos currently perform in the band Ellada.
Art exhibit reception
INDIAN SHORES – The Town of Indian Shores plans a free reception for its new art gallery exhibit “Summer Nights” on Thursday, May 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of Municipal Center, 19305 Gulf Blvd. For more information, call 474-7777. The art gallery is produced in partnership with Sara Mullins LLC and features a collection of works done in various media by local artists.
Behind the Gates
“Behind the Gates,” by Wendy Graf, presented by Jobsite Theater, May 1-26, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Call 813-229-7827 or visit www.jobsitetheater.org. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Sunday, 4 p.m. Tickets are $28.
Blast Off exhibit Blast Off, Sept. 7 through Aug. 17, 2013, at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. One of four exhibits designed to present an array of work gathered to reflect a broad, though singular theme, in Blast Off: The Final Frontier, the David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum casts its gaze to the stars with a trip to outer-space for the entire family. An exhibit of work from DFAC Summer Camp artists shares the same name, but occupies its own space in the Kokolakis Family Youth Gallery. DFAC galleries are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery admission is free. DLM Children’s Art Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for DFAC members and children 2 and younger. Call 298-3322 or visit www.dfac.org.
Free concert at Sunset Beach
TARPON SPRINGS – A free concert featuring the De Lei’ed Parrots is planned Thursday, May 23, 7 p.m., at Sunset Beach. For more information, call 942-5628.
The band specializes in parrot head music. Those attending should bring a lawn chair. No pets or alcohol allowed.
A shuttle bus will be available from the high school parking lot. The event is sponsored by the Tarpon Springs Recreation Division, Sun Toyota and the Friends of Music on the Beach.
John & Jen
“John & Jen,” by Tom Greenwald and Andrew Lippa, May 3-26, at freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Call 498-5205 or visit www.freefalltheatre.com. Performances are Thursday, 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets are $37 for adults and $34 for students, seniors and military members. There is a $7 surcharge for premium seating.
Pippin
“Pippin,” by Stephen Schwartz and Roger Hirson, May 9-26, at Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole St., Clearwater. Call 446-1360 or visit www.franciswilsonplayhouse.org. Performances are generally Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets for nonmusicals are $21 for adults, $11 for students. Tickets for musicals are $26 for adults, $13 for students.
The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee
“The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee,” by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn, American Stage Theatre’s 28th annual American Stage in the Park, April 27 through May 26, with previews April 25-26.
The production will be staged at Demens Landing Park, on the corner of First Avenue North and Bayshore Boulevard Southeast in downtown St. Petersburg.
For ticket information and performance times, call 823-PLAY (7529) or visit www.americanstage.org.
Ain't Retirement Grand
“Ain't Retirement Grand,” by Gil Perlroth, May 24-26, at West Coast Players Theatre, 21905 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater. Tickets are $20. Performances are Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. Call 437-2363 or visit www.wcplayers.org.
The lighthearted show pokes fun at retirement in Florida. The songs and patter cover the full range of topics that concern the over-55s: wills, doctors, pets, early-bird specials and "getting up off the couch occasionally." The show stars Mike Arnold, Bob Hines, Susan Taylor and Nancy Wright. Daniel Harris directs.
Behind the Gates
“Behind the Gates,” by Wendy Graf, presented by Jobsite Theater, May 1-26, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Call 813-229-7827 or visit www.jobsitetheater.org. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Sunday, 4 p.m. Tickets are $28.
Blast Off exhibit Blast Off, Sept. 7 through Aug. 17, 2013, at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. One of four exhibits designed to present an array of work gathered to reflect a broad, though singular theme, in Blast Off: The Final Frontier, the David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum casts its gaze to the stars with a trip to outer-space for the entire family. An exhibit of work from DFAC Summer Camp artists shares the same name, but occupies its own space in the Kokolakis Family Youth Gallery. DFAC galleries are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery admission is free. DLM Children’s Art Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for DFAC members and children 2 and younger. Call 298-3322 or visit www.dfac.org.
John & Jen
“John & Jen,” by Tom Greenwald and Andrew Lippa, May 3-26, at freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Call 498-5205 or visit www.freefalltheatre.com. Performances are Thursday, 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets are $37 for adults and $34 for students, seniors and military members. There is a $7 surcharge for premium seating.
Pippin
“Pippin,” by Stephen Schwartz and Roger Hirson, May 9-26, at Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole St., Clearwater. Call 446-1360 or visit www.franciswilsonplayhouse.org. Performances are generally Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets for nonmusicals are $21 for adults, $11 for students. Tickets for musicals are $26 for adults, $13 for students.
Sunset Music Series
Sunset Music Series, every Friday in May, 7 to 9 p.m., at Weaver Park.
Watch the sunset over St. Joseph Sound while listening to live music presented by well-known local artists in the beautiful outdoor setting of Weaver Park. For more information, please call 812-4530. Free.
The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee
“The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee,” by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn, American Stage Theatre’s 28th annual American Stage in the Park, April 27 through May 26, with previews April 25-26.
The production will be staged at Demens Landing Park, on the corner of First Avenue North and Bayshore Boulevard Southeast in downtown St. Petersburg.
For ticket information and performance times, call 823-PLAY (7529) or visit www.americanstage.org.
Ain't Retirement Grand
“Ain't Retirement Grand,” by Gil Perlroth, May 24-26, at West Coast Players Theatre, 21905 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater. Tickets are $20. Performances are Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. Call 437-2363 or visit www.wcplayers.org.
The lighthearted show pokes fun at retirement in Florida. The songs and patter cover the full range of topics that concern the over-55s: wills, doctors, pets, early-bird specials and "getting up off the couch occasionally." The show stars Mike Arnold, Bob Hines, Susan Taylor and Nancy Wright. Daniel Harris directs.