RSVP Tampa

Rolling with the punch lines

By SHANNON BREEN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 10, 2003

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

Five years of probation and mandated alcohol rehabilitation haven't ended comedian Paula Poundstone's career.

In fact, her bitter strife may have helped.

Poundstone's very public and troubling times have been the birthplace of self-deprecating material for her successful stand-up comedy tour.

Poundstone, 42, a stand-up comedian for about 25 years, has devoted large chunks of her act to arrest-related material: from alcoholism to incompetent lawyers.

She recently regained custody of her three adopted children who, in 2001, were taken away after Poundstone was accused of driving drunk with them in the car.

Poundstone performs at the Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant at 8 and 10:30 tonight and Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20-$25. Call 864-4000.

TODAY.

VINCENT: Leonard Nimoy left the blue blood and pointy ears to the vulcans as he ventured out to write a play about Vincent Van Gogh. F. Reed Brown stars in a solo performance of Vincent, blending images of the artist's life and work. Nimoy's one-man show is based on letters written by Van Gogh to his brother in the late 1800s. Through Jan. 19. 8 p.m. today and Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; $15.50. Call 229-7827.

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MURDER: Peter has come to a lonely old house to finish a play -- a thriller featuring characters such as a butler and a maid. Fred Carmichael's play runs through Feb. 1. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; Carrollwood Playhouse, 4333 Gunn Highway; $10-$12. Call 265-4000.

MARCIA BALL with DELTA MOON: Texas pianist Marcia Ball keeps her fans happy with a zesty blend of New Orleans boogie woogie and old-school soul ballads. 8 p.m. at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road; $15. Call 971-0666.

MURDER BY MISADVENTURE: Edward Taylor's play depicts Harold Kent and Paul Riggs, a successful murder mystery writing team. Now Harold wants to break off and do some writing on his own, but Paul will do whatever it takes to keep the team together. In the process, someone gets murdered. Through Jan. 19. 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; St. Petersburg Little Theatre, 4025 31st St. S; $7-$13. Call (727) 866-1973.

RICHARD NADER'S ORIGINAL NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY REUNION: Experience the golden era of the 1960s with Ronnie Spector (Baby I Love You, Be My Baby), Joey Dee and the Starlighters (Peppermint Twist, Mashed Potatoes), Shirley Alston Reeves (original lead singer for the Shirelles, as in Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow), Larry Chance and the Earls (Remember Then), The Duprees (Have You Heard, My Own True Love, and You Belong to Me), and Tommy & the Saints. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall; $35-$45. Call (727) 791-7400.

BEETHOVEN AND RACHMANINOFF: The Florida Orchestra presents "Beethoven and Rachmaninoff," with conductor Peter Oundjian and Alon Goldstein on piano. 8 p.m. today, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Also 8 p.m. Saturday, Mahaffey Theater at Bayfront Center, St. Petersburg. And 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $20-$42. Call 286-2403.

11 -- SATURDAY.

THE ONE AND ONLY ... ME! After her 8-year-old began responding to self affirmation CDs, Sheree Slone created an interactive CD for children: The One and Only ... Me!. Slone, the subject of a City Times story in July, will be on hand with stories, music and games for children at 2 p.m.; Borders Books, 909 N Dale Mabry Highway; free. Call 874-5722.

HOCKEY: NEW JERSEY DEVILS AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. 7:30 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum; $8-$155. Call 288-2658.

12 -- SUNDAY.

AUDITIONS: The Carrollwood Players hold auditions for the musical Once Upon A Mattress on Sunday and Monday at 7 p.m. at the Carrollwood Playhouse, 4333 Gunn Highway. Call 265-4000.

14 -- TUESDAY.

HARRY BELAFONTE: In October, Harry Belafonte gained exposure for something other than the Beetlejuice soundtrack when, during a radio interview, he denounced Colin Powell as a "house slave." See if he will go on another rant or just stick to calypso tunes like Day-O and Shake, Senora. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall; $40-$50. Call (727) 791-7400.

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GOLDEN EAGLES AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS. 7 p.m.; USF Sun Dome; $15. Call 974-6889.

15 -- WEDNESDAY.

DAVE ALVIN and the GUILTY MEN: Alvin made a name for himself with the Blasters after a short stint guitaring for legendary roots punk band X. For years now, Alvin has been churning out blistering roots rock of his own. His Guilty Men help Alvin sing his songs of blue-collar woes and wildness. 8 p.m.; Skipper's Smokehouse; $20. Call 971-0666.

NEXT WEEKEND:

• DAVE MATTHEWS COVER BAND: Jan. 17, Jannus Landing.
• CABARET: Jan. 17-18, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• SUPERBOWL OF MONSTER TRUCK RACING: Jan. 18, Raymond James Stadium.
• DOO WOP CONCERT: Jan. 19, USF Sun Dome.
• RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS: Jan. 19, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• DAVID CROSBY AND JUDY COLLINS: Jan. 22, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
• JOHNNY MATHIS: Jan. 23-24, Ruth Eckerd Hall.

COMING UP:

• PROOF: Jan. 28, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
• STYX: Jan. 29, St. Pete Times Forum.
• AIMEE MANN: Jan. 31, Tampa Theatre.
• KENNY CHESNEY: Feb. 1, St. Pete Times Forum.
• JA RULE: Feb. 6, USF Sun Dome.
• PAPA ROACH: Feb. 8, Jannus Landing.
• BELA FLECK AND THE FLECKTONES: Feb. 13, Tampa Theatre.
• CHER: Feb. 16, St. Pete Times Forum.
• JON STEWART: March 1, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
• PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND: March 9, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
• AL GREEN: April 7, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

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