RSVP Tampa

Champions take to the ice

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

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 14, 2003

Four champion pairs skaters will highlight the Smuckers Stars on Ice show today at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze along with Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, all Olympic Gold medalists, will be joined on the ice by U.S. pairs skaters Jenni Meno and Todd Sand and Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman.

Also performing is newlywed and father-to-be Scott Hamilton. Although he retired from the show two years ago, he is making 15 appearances during the 61-city tour.

Other performers include Alexei Yagudin, Katarina Witt, Todd Eldridge and Kurt Browning. Two-time U.S. National Dance Champions Renee Roca and Gorsha Sur will also skate.

Tickets cost from $37 to $85. Call 301-6926.

TODAY.

ASHANTI: R&B newcomer Ashanti, whose singles include Foolish and Happy, scored eight trophies at December's Billboard Music Awards. Ashanti, 22, recently made an acting appearance on UPN's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 7:30 p.m.; Florida State Fairgrounds, Entertainment Hall; $10, plus fair admission. Call 621-7821.

RICK ROCKWELL: Darva Conger and Rick Rockwell and their child How to Marry a Multimillionaire may be blamed for today's spawn of evil: Reality TV. However, Rockwell did discover that exploiting oneself on national TV translates into comedic material. 8 and 10:30 p.m. today; 8 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant, Centro Ybor, Ybor City; $12-$16. Call 864-4000.

VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE: Local bands The Semis, Cocktail Honeys, Crippled Masters and The Beauvilles performs love songs such as Love Gun by Kiss. Dress up like a cupid, and get in free. 9 p.m.; The Orpheum, 1902 Republica de Cuba Ave., Ybor City; $5. Call 248-9500.

15 -- SATURDAY.

SANT'YAGO KNIGHT PARADE: For the first time in 30 years, the 2003 Sant'Yago Knight Parade will begin in Ybor City and end in downtown Tampa. With an earlier start time of 6 p.m., the 110-unit parade is expected to finish in Ybor City by 8 p.m., with the first units reaching downtown between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The parade is expected to end in downtown by 9 p.m. The route begins at 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue in Ybor City. The new direction takes the parade west down Seventh Avenue to Nuccio Parkway; south on Nuccio Parkway to Nebraska Avenue; south on Nebraska to Twiggs Street; west on Twiggs Street to Morgan Street; south on Morgan Street to Kennedy Boulevard; east on Kennedy Boulevard, winding down at Kennedy Boulevard and Nebraska Avenue. Call 248-3088 for more information.

NEW IMAX FILM: Coral Reef Adventure, MOSI-IMAX Dome Theatre's new film, is a kaleidoscopic realm of tiny life-forms living hundreds of feet below the surface in peaceful partnerships. An octopus hides in plain sight among the corals, perfectly camouflaged, while a lionfish waves its feathery, but poisonous, spines. You get the drift. 12:15, 3 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday; 12:15 and 3 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 3 p.m. Monday. For more movie times and admission prices, call 987-6100. MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa.

HENRY ROLLINS: Previously fronting the band Black Flag, Henry Rollins has since been performing spoken-word tours, recording albums with the Rollins Band and writing books. He even had a stint as an MTV veejay. 8 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; $22. Call 229-7827.

DENYCE GRAVES: Sorry, Celine Dion. One of the most sought-after divas, Denyce Graves, takes the stage at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Carol Morsani Hall in Tampa. The mezzo-soprano's repertoire includes classical, jazz, Broadway and American spirituals. 8 p.m.; $24.50-59.50. Call 229-7827.

ANTIQUES: Are those dusty items residing in the garage really valuable? Find out from an antique appraiser. Evaluations are $5 per item, limited to four items per family. 10:30 a.m.; University of Tampa, Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Call 258-7302.

'JUST SO STORIES': How did elephants acquire trunks or leopards get spots? A new musical, inspired by Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, helps with those inquisitions. Part of the Wee Folk Series for ages 3 to 5. Noon to 10 a.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; $5.50. Call 229-7827.

CHOCOLATE CHALLENGE: Why read a book or throw the ole pigskin around with your children when there exists a world of chocolate? Participants can satisfy sweet tooths by making chocolate-covered strawberries, all the while listening to so-called experts explain health benefits of the cocoa treat. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m; Kid City, 7550 N Boulevard, Tampa; free admission for Kids City members; $4.75 for general public. Call 935-8441.

17 -- MONDAY.

'FREE ALLIGATORS': Sylvia Reed's dramedy Free Alligators is about a young woman who develops a bond with a one-armed local legend. This is Reed's second full-length play; she also penned Full Moon Rabbit Dance. 7 p.m.; Gorilla Theatre, 4419 N Hubert Ave., Tampa; $20-$25. Call 879-2914.

18 -- TUESDAY.

'THE FULL MONTY': Based on the 1997 Academy Award-nominated film, The Full Monty is the raucous story of six unemployed steelworkers who go to great lengths to make some cash and help out a friend in trouble. Through Feb. 23. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. Call 229-7827 for show times and ticket information.

JACKIE MASON: Known as the fast talking boss to Steve Martin's naive gas station attendant in The Jerk, Mason quit his synagogue at age 25 to become a comedian. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $32-$37. Call (727) 791-7400.

20 -- THURSDAY.

SUSAN TEDESCHI: Four years after her debut album, blues singer Susan Tedeschi cements her reputation as a guitarist and songstress with her new CD Wait For Me. Slide guitarist Tony Furtado opens. 8 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; $25-$35. Call 229-7827.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK: Puzzling as it may be, Humperdinck is a lady magnet. He returns to sing classics such as Release Me, The Way it Used to Be, and Quando, Quando, Quando. 8 p.m.; Thursday; 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $35.50-$38.50. Call (727) 791-7400.

NEXT WEEKEND:

• OLD HYDE PARK VILLAGE ART FESTIVAL: Feb. 22; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 251-3500.
• LESS THAN JAKE: Feb. 22; 7 p.m.; Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg; $14. Call (727) 896-1244.
• FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Feb. 27-March 9, Plant City; $8. Call 754-2190.

COMING UP:

• JON STEWART: March 1, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.
• BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT: March 6, Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant, Ybor City.
• YANNI: March 6, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.
• LYNYRD SKYNYRD: March 6, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
• BON JOVI WITH GOO GOO DOLLS: March 15; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.
• PAUL ANKA: April 5, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
• AL GREEN: April 7, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.
• WILLIE NELSON: April 16-17, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
• ELLEN DEGENERES: April 21, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
• INDIA.ARIE: May 17, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.

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