Looking for something to do? Here's a super calendar, ranging from enigmatic blue men to a flustered bat boy.
By Times Staff Writer
Published November 7, 2003
In August, local audiences had their first chance to meet Blue Man Group, a cross between a rock band, a theater group and performance artists.
Many missed out. The Blue Man Group: The Complex Rock Tour sold out shortly after tickets went on sale.
Three months later, the tour returns for two shows at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's 2,500-seat Carol Morsani Hall.
Once again, both shows are sold out.
But wait. A spokeswoman for the center said the show will likely book future performances in Tampa. No dates have been announced yet.
Blue Man Group was created in the early 1990s by three friends in their late 20s, who covered their heads with blue paint and staged theater skits on the sidewalks of Manhattan. From there, they started performing off-Broadway.
Their Tampa shows are built around music from their second CD, The Complex. The bald and blue characters take the audience through a multisensory experience that combines theater, percussion-oriented music, art, science and vaudeville.
In addition to performing songs from their new CD, they play covers such as Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit and Donna Summer's I Feel Love.
For those with tickets, the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information, call 229-7827 or go to www.blueman.com
7 TODAY
BROOKS AND DUNN: Like them or not, you've heard their lyrics: "Cadillac blackjack baby meet me out back . . . Oh, get down, turn around, go to town. Boot scootin' boogie." Country rockers Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn will sing Boot Scootin' Boogie and others when the duo returns to Tampa for a concert rescheduled from July. The show is at 7 p.m.; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa; $38-$48. Call 301-6500.
"BAT BOY, THE MUSICAL': You've seen Bat Boy's face splashed on tabloids across America. Now, the University of South Florida's theater group brings his fictional story to the stage. Inspired by articles from the tabloid Weekly World News, the original production of Bat Boy, The Musical ran off-Broadway for about a year. 8 p.m. today and Saturday, and Wednesday through Nov. 15. Wednesday through Nov. 15; 3 p.m. Sunday; Theater 1 at the University of South Florida, Tampa; $5-$10. Call 974-2323.
ABBA MANIA: A 10-piece Canadian show group, Abba Mania, will perform Abba's greatest hits with full costumes, costume changes and concert lighting. 8 p.m.; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. $10.50-$28. Call (727) 791-7400.
1950s THEME NIGHT: Grab your bowling shirts, poodle skirts, leather jackets and saddle shoes and run down to Centro Asturiano, 1913 N Nebraska Ave. at 8 p.m. today for a 1950s theme night. The evening will feature jumpin' and rockin' live music by the Midnight Ramblers, tons of dancing, a hula hoop contest, a full bar, prize giveaways and more. Quickie dance lessons will be given from 8 to 9 p.m., with live music beginning at 9; $10, includes dance lesson and parking. Call 274-4950.
SLAYER: Intense death/thrash metal quartet Slayer will perform with Hatebreed, Arch Enemy and E Town Concrete. 7 p.m.; Masquerade, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City; $28.50. Call 287-8844.
CENTRE GALLERY: "Avant et Apres," an exhibition of student artwork from USF's Summer Paris Program 2003, will be on display through Nov. 14. An opening reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the USF's Marshall Center, Room 102, Tampa; free. Call 974-5464.
FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: Guest conductor Jahja Ling leads the Florida Orchestra in the Scheherazade And More! performance. Works include Ravel's Concerto for Piano in G Major and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. 8 p.m. today; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa; Also at 8 p.m. Saturday; Mahaffey Theater at Bayfront Center, St. Petersburg; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $21-$45. Call 286-2403 or go to www.floridaorchestra.org
BIG SKY: Gainesville group Big Sky promotes its latest CD, This Monstrosity, at 8 p.m.; Twilight, 1507 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City; $8. Call 247-4225.
MARC MARON: Host of VH1's new game show Nevermind the Buzzcocks, comedian Marc Maron riffs on everything from corporate domination of the planet to why the Cooking Channel is the only pure television. 8 and 10:30 p.m. today and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday; Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant, Centro Ybor; $14-$16. Call 864-4000.
THOMAS KINKADE: Picasso or Van Gogh doesn't exactly come to mind when speaking about Thomas Kinkade (known widely as the Painter of Light). Still, his work has quite a following, especially from mall patrons. His name also appears on wallpaper borders, puzzles, screen savers, ornaments and books sold on the Home Shopping Network. Meet him in person during his "Twenty Years of Light Tour." 6 to 9 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Tampa, Two Tampa Center; tickets will be available at the door for $35. Call 249-5880.
8 SATURDAY
LIZ MANDVILLE GREESON: Hailing from Chicago, Liz Mandville Greeson spent the 1980s on the road with her band playing at various venues, from biker bars to casinos. In 1994, she played at the Chicago Blues Festival. She performs at 8 p.m. at Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa; $7-$10. Call 971-0666.
"HANSEL AND GRETEL': Who doesn't know about the tale of the little boy and girl who frolicked into the dark woods and found the house made out of sweets? Engelbert Humperdinck presents an operatic version of the classic fairy tale with the help of the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center's Children's Chorus and the Florida Ballet School. 7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday; Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg; $12-$18. Call 727 822-3590 or go to www.palladiumtheater.com
9 SUNDAY
KMFDM: KMFDM is an acronym for Kein Mehrheit Fur Die Mitleid (which in German means no pity for the majority). The group performs industrial rock. 8 p.m.; Masquerade, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City; $16. Call 247-2518.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS. 1 p.m.; TV broadcast WTVT-Ch. 13; Radio broadcast WQYK-99.5.
10 MONDAY
FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: The Florida Orchestra Chamber Players gather to perform an intimate concert of works by Morton Gould, Mark Sforzini, Irving Fine and Franz Schubert. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $22. Call (727) 791-7400.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD: We've heard them for decades: Free Bird, Sweet Home Alabama and Saturday Night Special - hits from the Southern-rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Current members include Johnny Van Zandt, Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Huey Thommasson (from the Outlaws), Rickey Medlocke (lead singer from Blackfoot), Dale Rossington, Carol Chase, Ean Evans and Michael Cartelone. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $42.75-$75. Call (727) 791-7400.
13 THURSDAY
"FULLY COMMITTED': Desperate diners resort to threats, bribes and begging for a reservation at a posh New York City restaurant in the comedy Fully Committed. John McGivern portrays more than 40 characters in a play reminiscent of a Seinfeld episode. Through March 14. Preview performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13-14; followed by regular performances at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15-16, 18-23, 25-26 and 28-30; and 2 p.m. Nov. 16, 22-23 and 29-30; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Jaeb Theater, Tampa; $27.50-$29.50. Call 229-7827.
PETER CETERA: As the lead singer and bassist of the legendary rock group Chicago, Peter Cetera wrote and sang hits such as If You Leave Me Now, Hard to Say I'm Sorry and Feeling Stronger Every Day. Performing live with a 48-piece orchestra, Cetera will also highlight hits from his solo career, including Glory of Love and Next Time I Fall, as well as songs from his Chicago days. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $39-$75. Call (727) 791-7400.
FLICKS
NEW IN THEATERS:
Elf
The Gospel of John
Love Actually
Girls Will Be Girls
Pieces of April
Sylvia
COMING SOON:
Master and Commander (Nov. 14)
The Far Side of the World (Nov. 14)
Looney Tunes Back in Action (Nov. 14)
The Holy Land (Nov. 14)
Mambo Italiano (Nov. 14)
NEXT WEEKEND
TAMPA AUTO SHOW: Nov. 13-16, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa.
LUIS MIGUEL: Nov. 14, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.
JERRY SEINFELD: Nov. 14, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
GREEK FESTIVAL: Nov. 14-16, Saint John Greek Orthodox Church, Tampa.
PORGY AND BESS: Nov. 15-16, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.
RICHARD'S RUN FOR A CURE: Nov. 15, Ybor City.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: Nov. 19, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.
STYX: Nov. 20, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
LOOK AHEAD
HARRY CONNICK JR.: Nov. 23, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.
MISS SAIGON: Nov. 25-30, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
AEROSMITH WITH KISS: Dec. 3, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.
MARTINA McBRIDE: Dec. 7, USF Sun Dome, Tampa.
ETTA JAMES: Dec. 9, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.
WAYNE NEWTON: Dec. 16, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: Dec. 21, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.
B.B. KING: Jan. 3, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
GEORGE WINSTON: Jan. 25, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.
