Parents may have flashbacks when kids audition for Godspell, Jr. The Carrollwood Theater by Young People will host auditions for the junior version of the 1970s musical at 10 a.m. Saturday. The animated play with a score by Stephen Schwartz is based on the Gospel according to Matthew and features classic songs including Day By Day, By My Side and All Good Gifts. The Carrollwood Players are looking for 10 males and females age 10 through 18 of all sizes and vocal ranges to sing song styles including gospel, jazz and folk-rock. Those auditioning should prepare 16 bars of gospel or theatrical music, performed a cappella or with CD or taped accompaniment. Performance dates are April 30, May 7 and May 14.
Auditions for Godspell, Jr. are at the Carrollwood Playhouse, 4333 Gunn Highway. Call 265-4000.
Oak Haven river rides
Need an escape from the office? Oak Haven River Retreat, 12143 Riverhills Drive, will offer guided canoe and kayak trips down the Hillsborough River Saturday and Jan. 24. The sunset nature and wildlife tours offer guests a chance to view tall cypress trees, oak hammocks, osprey, river otter and other wildlife along the 20 miles of riverfront land at the Hillsborough River Wilderness Park.
The two-hour sunset tours start at 4 p.m. Cost is $20 per person, which includes the canoe and kayak rental. Reservations are required. Visit oakhavenriverretreat.com or call 988-4580.
Singing Tots
For the budding crooner in your brood: Singing Tots will present demonstration classes today to showcase a 10-week program, Music Together. Developed by the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, N.J., Music Together is a music and movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and parents. The program focuses on music and movement as a form of expression and development. Tots and parents of all musical abilities will meet once a week for 45-minute sessions to sing, dance and explore tonal patterns and musical instruments.
The free demonstration classes are at 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Club Tampa Palms, 16402 Tampa Palms Blvd. The 10-week sessions begin Monday. Visit singingtots.com or call 810-8319.
Community concert
Dance fans might want to check out Saturday's Collective Soles Concert 2004, presented by the Jansen Dance Project. The music and film event will feature dance artists from Jansen Dance, Soulful Arts Dance Academy, Georgio's American Dance Center in Orlando and American Top Dance Orchestra in New York. Musical performers will be John Tarsi and Bob Macar with members of South Town Fever. A tap dance film by film historian Bob DeFlores will be shown.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. at the University of South Florida, Theatre 1, 4202 E Fowler Ave. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $8 for USF students. Children 3 and younger are free. Call 789-6033.
Wanted: New Tampa actors
The New Tampa Players, the resident theater group for the New Tampa Cultural Center, is holding auditions for the comedy The Curious Savage, directed by Richard Coppinger. The story concerns a stepmother who has hidden the family's wealth, and the comedic lengths the rest of the family employs to try and get it back. Performance dates are March 11 to 14. Auditions are at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Hunter's Green Country Club. They will consist of cold readings from the script. The company is casting five women in their 20s to 40s, one woman 50 to 60, and five men in their 20s through 50s. For more information, please call the New Tampa Players hotline at 813-386-6NTP.
- Send entertainment news to Stephanie Hayes at North of Tampa, 14358-B N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618. Phone: 269-5303. Fax: 269-5310. E-mail: shayes@sptimes
