|
Get Away: Hot Ticket
By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 4, 2002
Opening of arts center highlights PhilFest
Now in its seventh year, Tampa's PhilFest always has celebrated Philippine history, literature, music, art, dance, costumes and food. This year, there's more to cheer about: the completion of the Philippine Cultural Foundation's $1.6-million Bayanihan (community) Arts Center, which will be open for tours and an art exhibit during the festival.
The event has steadily grown in popularity; last year, more than 12,000 visited, organizers say.
This year, a Philippine youth dance company from Australia will be visiting, as will the bamboo instrumental band Angklung and other Filipino dance troupes and performers from around the nation. A highlight is the festival parade, much like parades that are held in small Filipino towns during May.
PhilFest will be 4 to 11 p.m. Friday,, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the festival grounds on Nine Eagles Road, just off Race Track Road (3/4 of a mile north of Tampa Bay Downs), in Tampa. Tickets are $5 advance, $6 at gate. Call Bayanihan Arts Center, (813) 925-1232.
Odessa rodeo will round 'em up
The 13th annual Odessa Rodeo and Festival will have thousands of rodeo fans -- and just people looking for a good time -- pouring into Starkey Ranch this weekend. The star attractions of the event, which raises money for area charities, are the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeo performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. But there's much more going on at the ranch, including a carnival, country-western entertainment -- including the Gordon Brothers Band nightly -- kiddie rodeos and lots of food, including Pit Boss barbecue. Festival hours: 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday. The ranch is at Gunn Highway and State Road 54, Odessa (Pasco County). Admission to the festival is free; rodeo tickets for every show but Saturday evening are: $10 adult advance, $12 at gate; $8 children advance, $10 at gate. Saturday evening show, $15 all seats. Kids under 12 free at Saturday afternoon show (limit 4 per paying adult). Parking is $5 per car. Call (727) 869-6677 for information, or check www.sanctum.com/rodeo.
Sing the blues with a Sungoddess
Eighty-one years ago, as Florida's boom days were in full swing, St. Petersburg's boosters came up with the Festival of States to lure visitors to the city's sunny shores. Since then, the festival has grown to include tradition (parades, Sungoddesses) and additions, including the Sam Robinson Tampa Bay Blues Festival, which draws music fans from around the nation and beyond.
This year, expect to see more of the Sungoddess royalty presiding over events, as organizers boost their profile (and the ticket price for Friday's Coronation Ball) to raise more money for minority scholarships.
After three days of blues this weekend, the music continues at the Pinellas County Schools' All County MusicFest, 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Bayfront Center, $6.
Tuesday, the Harvey's 5K run starts at 6:15 p.m. at North Straub Park/Bayshore Drive. Next is the Illuminated Night Parade and Fireworks, which last year drew more than 50,000. The parade steps off at 8 p.m., and fireworks are at 9:15. That event is free, though bleacher seats for the parade are $6.
The Strike Up the Band field show is scheduled for April 11 at Florida Power Park. The show, which costs $10 for adults and $5 for children under 18, will feature middle and high school bands, college and alumni bands, the Florida Divisional Band of the Salvation Army, the U.S. Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corp and the 500-member Second Time Arounders Band.
The Trade Winds Island Resort Festival Parade, (televised live by Bay News 9), is at 10 a.m. April 13, followed by the Florida Power SunFest, noon-8 p.m., in Vinoy Park, including live music, car show, basketball tournament, NASA exhibit and crafts.
Back to Weekend
© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111
|
