THE BEAT OF LIFE: The Pines Conference Center will host an interactive presentation by drummaker Linda Hushen at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the center, 7029 Cedar Lane, east of Brooksville. The afternoon will feature music, chanting and storytelling. From 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Hushen will be the featured leader at the Pines Community Drumming Circle. Bring a chair and drum. Call 544-5669 or 796-4457.
JAZZ VESPERS: The Unitarian Universalist Church in the Pines will present its seventh annual Jazz Vespers, a tribute to the music of Miles Davis, at 11 a.m. Sunday at the church on Cedar Lane, east of Brooksville off State Road 50. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Call 666-4867.
CHICAGO GOES SOUTH: The work of Chicago artist "Rory" is on display at 4:30 p.m. Fridays and by appointment at New Millennia Studio's DanceGallery, 316 S Broad St., Brooksville. The exhibit features original paintings, drawings and sketches, as well as posters and prints of the artist's work. Call 592-0184 or go to DanceGallery@msn.com
CITY GALLERY: Paintings, quilts, photography, ceramics and poetry are on display during business hours at the Brooksville City Hall Art Gallery, 201 Howell Ave. Admission is free. Call 544-5040.
WORKS OF LIGHT: The work of Spring Hill Art League artist of the month Helen Smith will be on display during business hours today at the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, 10005 Cortez Blvd. in Spring Hill. Smith paints in acrylic and often paints lighthouses, children, pets and landscapes. The exhibit is free. For information, call 596-4000.
ART AMONG THE STACKS: The paintings of Joseph Bagnuolo will be on display 9:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. today and Saturday at the West Hernando/S.T. Foggia Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., near Weeki Wachee. Bagnuolo's display features watercolor paintings with subjects including landscapes, animals and flowers. Call 540-6391.
QUICK TRIPS
KILLER SHOW: The musical Chicago plays through Feb. 22 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Feb. 5, 12 and 19; 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 3 p.m. Sundays. Doors open two hours before each show for buffet and full cash bar. Dinner and show, $38.50; show only, $27.45; ages 12 and younger, $20.95 and $15.95, all plus tax and tip. Call 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere, 1-888-655-7469.
BIG BAWDY BURLESQUE: Big Bawdy Burlesque opens today and continues through Feb. 15 at the Angel Cabaret Theatre, 5201 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays and 1:30 p.m. some Wednesdays and Saturdays. Doors open two hours earlier for buffet and cash wine and beer bar. Dinner and show, $35.50; show only, $21.95, plus tax and tip, reservations required. Call (727) 847-0019.
FORTRESS OF FREEDOM: "Fort Mose, Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom," an exhibit about the excavation of America's first legally sanctioned black community, continues through March 23 at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square in Inverness. Fort Mose was a sanctuary and a community for African-born slaves who escaped from their owners in the Carolinas. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Call (352) 341-6436.
SHOWING THEIR STUFF: The West Pasco Art Guild's annual Members Water Media Show continues through Feb. 6 at the gallery, 6206 Jefferson St., New Port Richey. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Admission is free.
LOOK AHEAD
ALL DOLLED UP: The Brooksville Woman's Club will have its second annual Dolls, Miniature Houses and Bear Show and Sales from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 6 and 7 at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 S Broad St., Brooksville. Admission is $4 for adults; $3 children younger than 12. Proceeds benefit the club's building refurbishment fund. Call 796-6026 or 796-4814.
RED TRIBUTE: Tom Mullica will portray legendary comedian Red Skelton in tribute performances on Feb. 7, 8, 9 and 10 at Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Evening performances are at 8 p.m.; matinee performances at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under. Call 683-5113.
A WADDLE AWAY: Suncoast Basset Rescue's annual Sweetheart Waddle will be Feb. 7 and 8 at Florida Classic Park in Brooksville. The event includes a sweetheart parade, pancake breakfast and auction. For schedule and further information, visit www.suncoastbassetrescue.org Parking is $3. SOMEBODY CARES: Somebody Cares will sponsor a Valentine's Day Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Jerome Brown Community Center in Brooksville. The event will feature arcade games, crafts and gifts for mothers and children. Admission is free. Call 799-7709 or 544-5498.
LOVE THAT JAZZ: The Spring Hill Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary will have a Jazz Night from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church parish hall, 13485 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The Hernando Jazz Society will provide music for dancing and listening. Snacks and beverages will be available. Tickets cost $7. Call 688-1685 or 666-7744.
VALENTINE FASHIONS: The Brooksville Garden Club will have its annual fashion show, with fashions by Bon Worth of Spring Hill, at noon Feb. 14 at the Brooksville Golf and Country Club, 23446 Links Drive, Brooksville. Tickets are $20. Call 796-6026 or 796-1978.
CURTAIN CALLS
Stage West Community Playhouse will have auditions for I Hate Hamlet at 1 p.m. Saturday at the theater, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Three men and three women of varying ages are needed. Actors will read from the script. Contact Saul Leibner at 666-0099 for information.
The Hernando Symphony Orchestra will have its annual Young Artists Competition on Saturday at Chocachatti Elementary School. Audition times will begin at 9 a.m. Musicians from ninth grade through age 25 should prepare a vocal or instrumental solo to perform. Winners will perform with the orchestra April 18, 20 and 24. For information, go to www.hernandosymphony.com To schedule an audition time, call conductor Wayne Raymond at 688-0427.
