Looking for something to do? Here's a super calendar, ranging from "Holy Cross Sucks!' to "Jesus Christ Superstar.'
By RSVP
Published January 9, 2004
Is Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus really the "Greatest Show on Earth" as it claims to be?
Greater than the ancient Dama festival in West Africa?
Greater than a performance of the sacred Dai-dai Kagura Shinto dance in Japan?
Greater than Italy's annual La Ciaspolada, a race completed on snowshoes?
Let's leave you as the judge for the 134th edition of the circus, which opened Wednesday and runs through Sunday at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Ringmaster Kevin Venardos leads the circus, which features three rings filled with acts and animals from around the world.
Some of the performances:
"The Prince of Laughter," comedian David Larible mixes comedy with illusions.
Danette appears as the first featured female vocalist in Ringling Bros. history.
Crazy Wilson whirls around on a motorcycle on a high wire.
Sylvia Zerbini hangs from her heels above the arena floor and leads a team of horses.
Elephants perform with trainer Troy Metzler in all three rings.
Times are 7:30 p.m. today; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets cost $13.75 to $29.75.
Call 301-6500.
TODAY - 9
"A GIRL'S GUIDE TO CHAOS': Before Sex and the City's Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda, there were Cynthia, Rita and Cleo in A Girl's Guide to Chaos. The trio was the 1980s creation of Cynthia Heimel, a humorist whose books include Get Your Tongue Out of My Mouth, I'm Kissing You Goodbye and When Your Phone Doesn't Ring, It'll Be Me. The Jobsite Theater will perform Heimel's play through Jan. 25. 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa; $15.50. Call 229-7827.
"HOLY CROSS SUCKS!': Rob Nash's solo performance in Holy Cross Sucks! takes three heroes, Johnny (the punk), George (the loser), and Ben (the homosexual) through all four years of a semifictitious Houston Jesuit high school called Holy Cross High. Last performed in Austin in December 2000, Holy Cross Sucks! is a tour de force by writer/actor Nash. 8 p.m. today and Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa; $15.50. Call 229-7827.
FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: Jahja Ling conducts violinist William Preucil, among others, for Mendelssohn's violin concerto, Rossini's Overture to Semiramide and Elgar's Symphony No. 2. 8 p.m. today, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; and 8 p.m. Saturday, Mahaffey Theater at Bayfront Center, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg; $21-$45. Call 286-2403 or go to www.floridaorchestra.org
"NOISES OFF': Michael Frayn is perhaps best known for his 1982 play Noises Off, a frenetic behind-the-scenes look at an English theatrical troupe putting on a typical English farce. The Carrollwood Players present Noises Off, which enjoyed a four-year run in London's West End. Through Jan. 31. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays; Carrollwood Playhouse at Plantation Plaza, 4333 Gunn Highway, Tampa; $10-$12. Call 265-4000.
SONNY LANDRETH: Louisiana-based guitarist, songwriter and singer Sonny Landreth is a musician's musician. The blues slide guitar music found on his two Zoo Entertainment releases, Outward Bound and South of I-10, is distinctive and might be unlike anything else ever heard. 8 p.m. Cuban Club, 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City; $15. Call 248-2954.
"JUDY AND LIZA, TOGETHER AGAIN': Sure, Judy Garland is no longer alive and her daughter, Liza Minnelli, is no longer at her best, but the mother/daughter collaboration is remembered in Judy and Liza, Together Again, starring Suzanne Goulet as Minnelli and Rebecca Young as Garland. 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; Royalty Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater; $20. Call (727) 441-8868.
10 SATURDAY
MARCIA BALL: Louisiana-bred musician Marcia Ball is expected to raise the Skipperdome and rattle the walls with her infectious brand of southern boogie, roadhouse blues and heartfelt ballads. 8 p.m.; Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa; $20. Call 971-0666.
YO-YO MA: From Bach to tango, cellist Yo-Yo Ma has shown the world that he can play the full spectrum of musical idioms. Yo-Yo Ma formed the Silk Road Project to promote the cultural, artistic and intellectual traditions along the ancient Silk Road trade route, which extended from easternmost Asia to Europe. 8 p.m. Saturday and Monday; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $39-$56. Call (727) 791-7400.
GERARD EDERY ENSEMBLE: Gerard Edery and his ensemble perform a concert that blends classical, flamenco, jazz and folk techniques in ancient to modern hymns, ballads and flamenco pieces. 8 p.m.; Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg; $15. Call (727) 347-6136.
11 SUNDAY
RED GRAMMER: With a powerful tenor voice, Red Grammer sings children's songs about caring, community and conflict resolution. 2 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; $6.50-$10.50. Call 229-7827.
BILL COSBY: Thoughts of pudding pops will get you in the right frame of mind for comedic legend Bill Cosby. Whether it be through concert appearances or recordings, television or films, commercials or education, Cosby's humor - never resorting to gimmickry or lowbrow humor - has a point of reference for the trappings and traditions of the great American humorists, such as Groucho Marx, W.C. Fields and Will Rogers. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $39-$49. Call (727) 791-7400.
13 TUESDAY
"JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR': The first masterpiece from the writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is as relevant and timeless as ever. This production features the recognizable score, including I Don't Know How To Love Him, Hosanna, Everything's Alright, What's the Buzz and the awe-inspiring Superstar. Through Jan. 18. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa; $30.50-$66.50. Call 229-7827.
CANADIAN BRASS: Toronto quintet Canadian Brass has a penchant for decadent Baroque music mixed with a sense of humor, making their live performances a wonderful cocktail of expert musicianship and laughs. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $30-$35. Call (727) 791-7400.
15 THURSDAY
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. TRIBUTE: Honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a program hosted by Fred Johnson that includes community youth groups and special guests. King's words will be recited at the event with music, storytelling and dance that celebrates the leader and man of faith. 7 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; free, pick up vouchers at the center ticket office before the event. Call 229-7827 or go to www.tbpac.org FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: The orchestra, along with associate conductor Susan Haig and Tidha Vongkoth, will perform works by Ketelby, Delius, Respighi, Berlioz and others in Exotic Destinations. 11 a.m.; Mahaffey Theater at Bayfront Center, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg; $17-28. Call 286-2403 or go to www.floridaorchestra.org.FLICKS
NEW IN THEATERS:
Big Fish The Company The Cooler Chasing Liberty My Baby's Daddy COMING SOON:
The Barbarian Invasions (Jan. 16)
Along Came Polly (Jan. 16)
Teacher's Pet (Jan. 16)
Torque (Jan. 16)
NEXT WEEKEND GEORGE STRAIT: Jan. 16, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.
DRIFTERS: Jan. 16, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.
