RSVP

Looking for something to do? Here's a super calendar, ranging from fossils to blue oysters.

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 7, 2003

TODAY -- 7

CHRISTIAN CONCERT AND CHIK CHAT: Tampa Bay Baptist Conference Center, 15601 Lake Magdalene Blvd., Tampa, hosts a concert and Chik Chat with contemporary Christian music artist Jeni Varnadeau. Concert is today at 7 p.m. (cost is $7). The Chik Chat is a one-day girls conference, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday (cost is $42 and includes admission to today's concert and lunch on Saturday). Call 225-7231 or visit www.funforthefamily.com.

FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: With James Connors on cello and Thomas Wilkins conducting, The Florida Orchestra presents Liszt's Les Preludes, Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto No. 1 and Brahms' Symphony No. 2. 8 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall; $24.50-$46.50. Call 229-7827.

BEARLY SPRING: If there was no Teddy Roosevelt, there would be no 10th annual Bearthday Bash, a teddy bear convention benefitting the Spring of Tampa Bay. Auction begins at 7:30 p.m. today; show and sale 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; Doubletree Airport Hotel, 4500 W Cypress St, Tampa; $5. Call 985-0483.

"AIN'T MISBEHAVIN': The comic and musical soul of 1930s Harlem lives on in the rollicking, finger-snapping revue Ain't Misbehavin'. 8 p.m. today; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg; $24-$44. Call 287-8844.

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: There are only two days remaining to catch Plant City's annual festival usually pulls in nearly a million people. The 11-day event, which began Feb. 27, features country music, pig racing and thousands upon thousands of servings of strawberries and cream. Through Sunday. From 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily; Festival grounds, 2209 W Oak St., Plant City; $8. Call 754-2190.

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: COLORADO AVALANCHE AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. 7:30 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa; $8-$150. Call 288-2658.

MAJOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING: HOUSTON ASTROS AT TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS. 1:05 p.m.; Progress Energy Park, 230 First St. S, St. Petersburg; $8.50-$14.50. Call 287-8844.

8 -- SATURDAY.

FOSSILFEST: The Tampa Bay Fossil Club presents its 16th annual FossilFest 2003, in which giant shark's teeth, bones of mammoths and saber tooth cats take over the Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; $3, children 12 and younger get in free. Call 909-9358.

BLUE OYSTER CULT: Long Island's Blue Oyster Cult was an early pioneer of heavy metal presented with trappings of mysticism, and produced the novelty anthem, Godzilla. 8 p.m. March 8; Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg; $16.50. Call 287-8844.

LARRY GARNER: Whether it's a fast beat on Jook Joint Woman or the Cajun chanky-ank of We Gonna Play Some Blues, Garner has a feel for the deep South blues beat. 8 p.m.; Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa; $8-$10. Call 971-0666.

SAHARA HOTNIGHTS WITH WASHDOWN AND IKARA COLT: Sweden-based all-girl rock band whose albums include On Top Of Your World and Jennie Bomb. 7 p.m.; Orpheum, Tampa; $10. Call 248-9500.

MAJOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING: NEW YORK YANKEES VS. PITTSBURGH PIRATES. 1:15 p.m.; Legends Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa; $11-$17. Call 287-8844.

ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE: BUFFALO DESTROYERS AT TAMPA BAY STORM. 8 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa; $10-$100. Call 301-6600.

9 -- SUNDAY.

PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND: Jazz musicians, who range in age from 29 to 88, turn back the clock to an era when Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton ruled New Orleans. 7 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; $17.50-$29.50. Call 229-7827.

THE ZARZUELA: MIGRATION OF AN ART FORM. This lecture by scholar Dr. Kenya Dworkin y Mendez traces the evolution of the zarzuela (Spanish light opera) from its roots in Spain to Cuban theaters. The Cuban Club, 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Tampa; $5. To RSVP, call 247-1434.

RICKEY SMILEY: Established as a clean comic, Smiley brings more than 12 years of experience to the stage. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday; Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant, Centro Ybor, Tampa; $22. Call 864-4000. NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: BUFFALO SABRES AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. 5 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa; $8-$150. Call 288-2658.

11 -- TUESDAY.

FOREVER TANGO: Stylish, sexy entertainment, Forever Tango is the latest in a string of dance and music pieces that have put Argentina on the international stage. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; $30-$48. Call 229-7827.

STEVE KIMOCK: The Steve Kimock Band offers a unique hybrid of original instrumental music that challenges the listener with emotive and intelligent compositions. 8 p.m.; Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa; $15-$18. Call 977-6474. STEVE LAWRENCE & EYDIE GORME: The "first couple" of American pop music bring their stylish mix of contemporary hits to the stage on their final tour. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $49-$100. Call 287-8844.

MAJOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING: NEW YORK YANKEES VS. DETROIT TIGERS. 1:15 p.m.; Legends Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa; $11-$17. Call 287-8844.

12 -- WEDNESDAY.

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: LOS ANGELES KINGS AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. 7 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa; $8-$150. Call 288-2658.

13 -- THURSDAY.

WRITING/EDITING WORKSHOP: Author and editor Robert Fulton presents a workshop on writing tips from his book But...You Know What I Mean. Bring a pencil and eraser. 7:30 p.m.; Barnes & Noble, 11802 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; free. Call 962-6446.

MAJOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING: BOSTON RED SOX VS. NEW YORK YANKEES. 7:15 p.m.; Legends Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa; $11-$17. Call 287-8844.

NEXT WEEKEND:

JIM BREUER: March 14-16; Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant; $22-$24. Call 864-4000.

TIM McGRAW: March 14; 7:30 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum; $39.75-$59.75. Call 301-6500.

BON JOVI WITH THE GOO GOO DOLLS: March 15; 7:30 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum; $39.50-$64.50. Call 301-6500.

AIR SUPPLY: March 15; 8 p.m.; Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg; $25-$99. Call (727) 896-1244.

SALIVA: March 16; 4 With Stereomud, Hed, Systematic and Breaking Benjamin. 4 p.m.; The Masquerade, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City; $20. Call 247-2518.

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE: March 19; 8 p.m.; Twilight, 1507 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City; $16. Call 247-4225 or visit www.etix.com.

COMING UP:

COUNTING CROWS: March 27; USF Sun Dome, Tampa.

INSANE CLOWN POSSEWITH 2 LIVE CREW: March 28; Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg.

TAMPA BAY BLUES FESTIVAL: April 4-6; Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg.

PAUL ANKA: April 5; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER: April 6; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

AL GREEN: April 7; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

PEARL JAM: April 13; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.

WILLIE NELSON: April 16-17, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

ELLEN DEGENERES: April 21, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

MANDY PATINKIN: April 26; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.