The three largest performing arts centers in the Tampa Bay area and American Stage all offer performances this weekend as part of their family series, designed to introduce children to theater.
The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center has two series for youngsters: Wee Folks for ages 3 to 5 and Kid Time for ages 5 to 11. This season's Wee Folks kicks off Saturday with performances of the puppet tale The Peacock's Gift at 10 a.m. and noon. The Kid Time series begins Nov. 16 with musical trio Ulali. Tickets for Wee Folks are $5.50, Kid Time are $6.50-$10.50. The center is at 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813 229-7827, toll-free 1-800-955-1045 or www.tbpac.org
Ruth Eckerd Hall has puppeteer Hobey Ford on tap this weekend, performing Turtle Island Tales in the new Murray Studio Theater. Shows are at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $5. (727) 791-7400.
At St. Petersburg's Mahaffey Theater, the Young Children's Series continues with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, above, a musical based on Mark Twain's classic. The show is at 3 p.m. Sunday in the theater at Bayfront Center, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. $6-$8. (727) 892-5767, (727) 892-5700.
American Stage presents Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at 10 a.m. Saturday and Nov. 15. $6. American Stage is at 211 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 823-7529.
A home show with wheels
Florida RV dealers roll out the 2004 models of motor homes, travel trailers, conversion vans and more plus hundreds of used vehicles at the fall trade show. Parts, accessories and supplies, of course, also will be on display.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds, U.S. 301 off Interstate 4, Tampa. Admission is $3, free under age 16; $1 admission discount per adult with canned food donation for Metropolitan Ministries.
Use U.S. 301 entrance only. (813) 684-7882.
Dream boats
Billed as the largest in-the-water sailboat show in the Southeast, the annual Sail Expo St. Petersburg opens today with more than 100 boats in the waters off Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg.
The park also will be filled with displays of sailboats and equipment. As usual, there will be 30-minute Discover Sailing excursions geared to beginners, plus seminars for novice and more experienced sailors.
The expo is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Vinoy Park and Marina, Bayshore Drive and Fifth Avenue NE, St. Petersburg. $10 today and Friday, $12 Saturday and Sunday at the gate. Kids admitted for $5. Toll-free 1-800-817-7245 or www.sailamerica.com
