Mardi Gras, Mean Girls & More This 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. To check out all of the weekend events courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times, click here.

Mean Girls the Musical: Tina Fey’s sharp, witty movie still has immense cultural influence. And now the Tony-winning Broadway hit is here at the Straz Center through Sunday. And it’s a family affair. Fey’s husband, Jeff Richmond, composed the music for Mean Girls, the Broadway musical adaptation of the movie.

We talked to Richmond, who also worked on Fey’s 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and was music director for Saturday Night Live, about why this story worked as a musical and how they had to update the story to match the rise of social media and cellphones as a tool for bullies. You can read it here.

The show runs through Sunday. $51 and up at Morsani Hall at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. (800) 955-1045. Strazcenter.org.

Localtopia: If you ever felt a penchant for shopping local, Localtopia in St. Petersburg’s Williams Park is a perfect opportunity. You can support local businesses and shop among some 250 vendors. There will be craft beer, live music, and games to keep things lively. Tampa Bay Times journalists (INCLUDING ME!) will also be on hand to meet readers and represent one of the only locally-owned newspapers in the country. The park’s surrounding streets will be shut down, and a bike valet will be available in the park. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 330 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. keepsaintpetersburglocal.org.

CONCERTS

Dermot Kennedy: This Irish singer-songwriter went from busker to Spotify sensation with his 2019 viral hit Outnumbered. He may or may not turn out to be the next Ed Sheeran, but at 28, he’s on a roll, having played every major festival. His show Friday is sold out at Ritz Ybor

Heights Unites Music & Arts Festival: Can’t wait for the Gasparilla Music Festival in March? Tide yourself over with this celebration of community in one of Tampa’s hippest ’hoods, Seminole Heights. Out-of-towners Spam Allstars, Jacuzzi Boys, the Woolly Bushmen and You Blew It!’s Tanner Jones will perform, but there are also a slew of quality Tampa Bay locals, too, including the Hummingbirds, BC, Kristopher James, Little Sheba, and the Shamans, Will Quinlan, Joshua Reilly, Rahim Samad, Sun Signs, and Vetnough. Plus, there’s Brew Bus beer on hand. $20 and up, kids younger than 12 free. 2 p.m. Saturday. Brew Bus Brewing, 4101 N Florida Ave., Tampa. Brewbususa.com.

Florida Orchestra: Beethoven’s Violin Concerto: The Florida Orchestra continues its two-year Beethoven celebration. After guest conductor Christoph Konig leads the way through the Coriolan Overture, renowned violinist Simone Lamsma leads the way on Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, a piece she’s performed around the world. Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra closes the show. $18 and up. 8 p.m. Friday at the Straz Center, 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. (727) 892-3337. floridaorchestra.org.

Judy Collins: Known for her interpretation of traditional and contemporary folk standards (Send in the Clowns, Both Sides Now) and her poetic compositions, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter performs Sunday at the Capitol Theatre. $33.50 and up. Atthecap.com.

COMEDY 

Gabriel Iglesias: The popular comedian and actor brings his world tour, Beyond the Fluffy, to Tampa. Sold out. 8 p.m. Friday. Yuengling Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave. (813) 974-3004. Yuenglingcenter.com.

Tom Papa: A veteran standup and good friend of Jerry Seinfeld, Papa may be best known as a host, with shows that have included The Marriage Ref and the Food Network’s Baked. $25 and up. 8 p.m. Friday. Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. Atthecap.com.

Michael Rapaport: Rapaport’s an actor, director, and dyed-in-the-wool Knicks fan. A standup? Not so much, but as anyone who’s heard him on the radio or podcasts knows, he’s a dynamic raconteur with a million stories to tell. $25 and up. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Improv, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. (813) 864-4000. improvtampa.com.

Jim Norton: Speaking of streetwise New York raconteurs, they rarely come rawer than Comedy Cellar and SiriusXM veteran Norton, a bestselling author and actor who recently played Don Rickles in The Irishman. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Side Splitters, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.

Brian Posehn: The comedy legend packs his love of nerd culture, heavy metal, and more into his performances, and he likes offbeat locations such as Saturday’s show as The Attic nightclub in Ybor City. $23 and up. 9 p.m. Saturday. The Attic, 1510 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. (828) 773-9481. Theatticyborcity.com.

DANCING WITH THE STARS

Fan-favorite professional dancers from ABC’s Dancing With the Stars will cha cha, foxtrot, and waltz their way across the stage at Ruth Eckerd Hall this weekend. But the tour also features special guest star Kate Flannery, who most famously played Meredith Palmer on The Office. She fared pretty well on the show and can only have improved with all this practice. $38.75-$98.75; packages available. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. rutheckerdhall.com.

FESTIVALS and FAIRS

Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival:  The 14th annual two-day fest knows how to hook ’em by combining music with fresh seafood from local restaurants. The music menu this year includes Allen Stone, Doyle Bramhall II, Southern Avenue, Brandon Santini, Reverend Barry & the Funk, and Someday Honey. Sunday brings fan-favorite Tab Benoit, Victor Wainwright, Heather Gills, and the Betty Fox Band. Free, reserved seats available for $30-$125 at etix.com. Noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater.

Tampa Bay Jewish Food Festival: New York-style corned beef and pastrami and other Jewish food favorites drive this annual culinary celebration. Live music and a kids zone round out the highlights. Free, food, and drink additional. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Temple B’nai Israel, 1658 S Belcher Road, Clearwater. (727) 531-5829. tampabayjewishfoodfestival.com.

Art and Seafood on the Waterfront: Artists from around the world display and sell their works during the two-day festival featuring a talent show, live music, and seafood by top area restaurants and food trucks. Free, food, and drink additional. 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Safety Harbor Waterfront Park, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane. (727) 726-2890. safetyharborchamber.com.

Super Greek Festival: A three-day showcase of Greek culture full of food, beer and wine, DJ tunes, live music, dance performances, vendors, a kids zone, church tours, and a raffle. Free, food, and drink additional. 11 a.m. Friday-Sunday. St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church, 3600 76th St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 345-8235.

Golfest - Now in its 10th year, Golfest at Tampa Bay Downs claims to be Tampa Bay’s largest outdoor golf demo day and golf lifestyle expo. Try out the equipment and bring trade-ins. The Smash It, Pitch it, Sink it competition returns with competitors hitting four drives, four chips, and four putts. Eliminate your high score and win prizes in 10 age categories. The stage will have long drive expert Mike Ziegler, trick shot star Trevor Consavage as well as other speakers and entertainers. The $500 hole-in-one contest from 80 yards will also return. Children are free. Goody bags will be handed out to the first 500 paid admissions. $10 on Saturday, good for both days, and $5 on Sunday. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 11225 Race Track Road, Tampa. (813) 855-4401.

KIDS and FAMILY

Florida Game Con: Bring the family to enjoy a day of casual and competitive gaming, cosplay, anime, tabletop activities, vendors, and artists. Free. 2 p.m. Saturday. Yuengling Center.

Big Bounce America: This immersive, sneakers-off jumping festival for all ages continues, offering four themed inflatables: airSpace, the Giant, Sport Slam, and the “World’s Biggest Bounce House.” $17 and up. 2 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Ruskin Recreation Center, 901 Sixth St. SE. thebigbounceamerica.com.

4-H Strawberry U-Pick: A week before the Florida Strawberry Festival, you can have the pick of the crop and also help out local food banks. Grab a basket and pick your own strawberries for $1 a quart. Or volunteer and join area youth in picking for local food banks. You buy prepicked berries for $1.50 a quart. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Fancy Farms, 3524 Futch Loop, Plant City. (813) 744-5519.

History Comes Alive: Visit with reenactors portraying individuals buried at the Dunedin Cemetery who have contributed to the history of the area, including military personnel, pioneers, politicians, and inventors. Includes a children’s interactive contest. $5. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 2400 Keene Road, Dunedin. (727) 736-1176.

Gulfport’s Get Rescued: One of the most popular pet events, the 16th annual pet rescue street fair will have a pet supply drive, wiener dog race, training demonstrations, animal rescues, food, and entertainment. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Gulfport Beach Park, 5730 Shore Blvd.

Engineering Expo: Students in grades K-12 can meet local engineers and engineering student organizations at this event with hands-on exhibits and shows to encourage them to pursue fields in science and math. Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and. Saturday. Engineering building, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 974-2301. expo.eng.usf.edu.

THIS WEEK IN DRESS-UP

Dunedin Mardi Gras Parade and Festival: Technically Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) isn’t this weekend, it’s Tuesday Feb. 25, but Dunedn’s annual Mardi Gras parade, now in its 29th year, moves to the more work-week friendly day of Saturday this year. 

Costumes and Mardi Gras parades go together like peanut butter and jelly. People wear elaborate masks, have sparkly headdresses, some with feathers, or wear wigs in hues of pink and purple. At the very least you should wear Mardi Gras colors: purple, green and gold.--

The downtown Dunedin festival kicks off with musical performances at 1 p.m. and ends with a parade at 7 on Main Street in downtown Dunedin. Dunedinfestivals.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.


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