About nothing? Not exactly

By SHANNON BREEN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 15, 2002

Looking for something to do? Here's a super calendar, ranging from Jerry to jazz.

Jerry Seinfeld's national comedy tour is hardly a tour about nothing.

After devoting entire half-hour shows each week to soup Nazis, puffy shirts and the like, Seinfeld, 46, performs a different range of material, while still blending his trademark brand of observational humor.

Even though his TV pals Kramer, Elaine and George haven't found much sitcom success post-1998 (the year Seinfeld went off the air), Seinfeld ventured back to his stand-up comedy roots.

He has written a book.

He's also funding documentaries about himself. Seinfeld's Comedian, a behind-the-scenes documentary, follows the master in his domain both on and off the stage as he travels across the country for his national stand-up tour.

His "comedy concert" at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Carol Morsani Hall blends both clips from Comedian and his live stand-up comedy.

There are two shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $47.25 to $77.25. Call 229-7827.

TODAY.

FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ SERIES: Old Hyde Park Village hosts its first "Friday Night Jazz" concert of the 2002-2003 season. Sunnie Paxon performs near the fountain from 6 to 9 p.m. The concert series presented by Smooth Jazz 94.1 is held the third Friday of each month. Old Hyde Park Village, Swann and Dakota Avenues; free. Call 251-3500.

GATO BARBIERI: Argentine-born jazz saxophonist Gato Barbieri is on the road promoting his latest album The Shadow of the Cat. Throughout his career, Barbieri has explored much of the jazz landscape with albums touching on free jazz, avant garde, Latin and pop jazz. In addition, Barbieri received a Grammy for his score to Bernardo Bertolucci's film Last Tango in Paris. 8 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall; $36.25. Call 287-8844.

JOHN WITHERSPOON: "Don't go in the bathroom for about 35 to 45 minutes," is some of the bathroom humor spoken by John Witherspoon in 1995's comedy Friday. The comedian is also known to TV audiences as "Pops" from the WB's Wayans Brothers, now in syndication. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday; Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant, Centro Ybor; $22-$25. Call 864-4000.

DAMIAN MARLEY: Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, 24, youngest son of late reggae icon Bob Marley, will be in town performing songs from his many CDs including his newest Halfway Tree. The album gets its name from Kingston, Jamaica, the neighborhood where Damian grew up, which sits between the city's privileged and poor. 8 p.m.; Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg; $16.50. Call 287-8844.

HOCKEY: SAN JOSE SHARKS AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. 7:30 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum; $8-$155. Call 288-2658.

16 -- SATURDAY.

TONY HAWK: How many skateboarding kids have actually made a career out of their after-school hobby? Tony Hawk, Matt Hoffman, Dave Mirra, Carey Hart, Andy Macdonald, Bucky Lasek, Lincoln Ueda are some of the headlining professional skateboarders at Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huckjam Arena Tour 2002. Hawk, who started skateboarding professionally when he was 14, retired from competition in 1999 and will be unveiling a multimillion dollar customized ramp/track system, musical stage, and new audio and lighting systems at his Boom Boom Arena Tour. 7 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum; $23.25-$73.25. Call 287-8844.

ANTIQUE EVALUATION: Have you ever wondered the value of that family heirloom you received years ago. If so, check out the University of Tampa's Henry B. Plant Museum from 10 a.m. to noon; evaluation is $5 per item. Call 254-1891, Ext. 4.

TOWING & PUBLIC SAFETY JAMBOREE: Hitch up the wagon and come into town. The weekend provides a variety of competitions and training seminars at the Towing & Public Safety Jamboree. The Exhibition Pavilion features professional tow truck and wrecker operators demonstrating their skills and expertise in towing and safety awareness. There are also activities for kids and exhibits. Proceeds go to Toys for Tots. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to noon Sunday; Florida Expo Park (Florida State Fairgrounds); free with the donation of a new toy; $5 cash donations per person or $7 per family of five. Call 248-0721.

JIMMY THACKERY: With Tab Benoit and Whiskey Store. 8 p.m.; Skipper's Smokehouse; $15. Call 287-8844.

JEFF FOXWORTHY: BLUE COLLAR COMEDY TOUR. Jeff Foxworthy (comedian best known for detailing the foibles of the redneck with the catch phrase "You might be a redneck if...") heads up the cast at the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Bill Engvall, Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy. 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $37.75-$75. Call 287-8844. 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $37.75-$75. Call 287-8844.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: BOWLING GREEN FALCONS AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS. 7 p.m.; Raymond James Stadium; $20. Call 287-8844.

17 -- SUNDAY.

NAPPY ROOTS: Nappy Roots' own roots trace back to Western Kentucky University circa 1995. Comprised of the Kentucky-bred Skinny DeVille, B. Stille, Ron Clutch, and Big V. along with Oakland's R. Prophet and Milledgeville, Scales, the raw and untamed sextet was drawn together by a simple love of music. 8 p.m.; USF Special Events Center; $14.45. Call 287-8844.

FOOTBALL: CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS. 4:05 p.m.; Fox-Ch. 13.

19 -- TUESDAY.

HOCKEY: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. 7 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum; $8-$155. Call 288-2658.

21 -- THURSDAY.

GLENN TILBROOK: Glenn Tilbrook is most known for his work in Squeeze, with whom he has been singing, playing and writing songs for several years. Squeeze has recorded 13 albums to date and many singles. Tilbrook and Squeeze have become synonymous with a London-oriented style of pop song that bears comparison to the classic songs of Ray Davies and The Kinks. 8 p.m.; The Orpheum, 1902 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City; $15. Call 287-8844.

VLADIMIR FELTSMAN: A consummate pianist, Vladimir Feltsman boasts an impressive repertoire spanning Bach to noted 20th century composers. Instead of the romantic repertoire for which Russian pianists are known, Feltsman has devoted himself to baroque and classical works. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $25-$35. Call 287-8844.

HOCKEY: NEW YORK ISLANDERS AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. 7 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum; $8-$155. Call 288-2658.

NEXT WEEKEND:

• KENNY ROGERS: Nov. 22, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• JANE GOODALL'S WILD CHIMPANZEES: Nov. 22, MOSI-IMAX.
• CHRISTOPHER TITUS: Nov. 22, Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant.
• FOUR BITCHIN' BABES: Nov. 22, Mahaffey Theater.
• BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND: Nov. 24, St. Pete Times Forum.

UPCOMING:

• WYNONNA: Dec. 1, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS STROLL: Dec. 3-23, University of Tampa, Henry B. Plant Museum.
• A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Dec. 6-8, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
• LION KING: Dec. 13, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
• MEATLOAF: Dec. 27, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• DAMON WAYANS: Dec. 28, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• B.B. KING: Dec. 31, Mahaffey Theater.
• HARRY BELAFONTE: Jan. 14, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS: Jan. 19, Ruth Eckerd Hall.

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