Looking for something to do? Here's a super duper calendar, ranging from an American in Paris to a pageant winner in Florida.
By Times Staff Writer
Published June 18, 2004
Thanks to a string of multiplatinum albums and a high-profile marriage, Tim McGraw has a seat as one of today's most popular country music singers.
McGraw entered the music scene about a decade ago with a sound epitomizing the commercial country that dominated his era. A string of hit albums and eventual marriage to fellow superstar Faith Hill cemented his fame.
By the late 1990s, he was a favorite among country music fans and had attracted a large female following.
Born in Louisiana in 1967, McGraw grew up listening to a variety of music, including country, pop, rock and R&B.
His debut single, Welcome to the Club, was released in the early 1990s but failed to make the charts.
McGraw's fortunes changed with Indian Outlaw, the lead single from his 1994 sophomore album, Not a Moment Too Soon. The song was embraced by fans as light-hearted and old-fashioned but was criticized for what some regarded as patronizing to Native Americans.
Despite some radio stations' refusal to air the song, it reached country's Top Ten and crossed into pop's Top 20.
All of the publicity helped to send McGraw's next single, Don't Take the Girl, to the top of the country charts. His 1995 album, All I Want, immediately consolidated his stardom with the No. 1 hit I Like It, I Love It.
In 1996, McGraw toured with Hill, his opening act. After the tour ended, McGraw and Hill married in October, drawing attention from mainstream media.
McGraw's next album, 1997's Everywhere, become another success, selling 4-million copies. The lead single was a McGraw-Hill duet, It's Your Love.
His 2002 self-titled album produced Top Ten hits with Red Rag Top and She's My Kind of Rain. It also featured a cover of Elton John's Tiny Dancer.
McGraw performs today at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa. Tickets cost $38 to $58. Call 301-6600.
TODAY
GOOD OR EVIL: TAMPA BAY UNCORKED. The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's young professionals group, the Producers, is hosting an evening of wine, culture and theater. The evening begins with wine tasting and appetizers, followed by a private showing of Jobsite Theater's Mineola Twins, a play about twin sisters who share similar faces but opposite views. After the show, audience members can meet the cast. 6:30 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa; $30. Call 229-7827 or go to www.tampabayuncorked.org
SUMMER NIGHTS: Busch Gardens transforms into a night club during Summer Nights, which kicks off today. Summer Nights features roller coaster riding in the dark and live entertainment, including Taganai, a Cirque du Soleil-style show; and Burn the Floor, a dance performance. 5 to 10:30 p.m. daily through Aug. 1; Busch Gardens, Tampa. Call 1-888-800-5447 or go to www.buschgardens.com
KIDFLIX: Known as KidFlix, the second annual Florida International Children's Film Festival continues through Sunday at different Tampa venues, including Muvico Centro Ybor 20, North Plaza Centro Ybor and Kid City Children's Museum of Tampa. Some of the film categories are animation, features, shorts, experimental/non-narrative, television series and special presentations, documentaries and youth-produced films. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 17 and younger, and includes all films and children's workshops. For a complete film schedule, call 935-8441, ext. 227, or go to www.kidflixflorida.com
19 SATURDAY
YBOR CITY FRESH MARKET: Each weekend, the Ybor City Fresh Market offers fresh produce, baked goods, fresh bread, prepared foods and handmade arts and crafts. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; Centennial Park, Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor City. Call 241-2442.
20 SUNDAY
"AN AMERICAN IN PARIS': Vicente Minnelli's 1951 film An American In Paris stars Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) as a struggling American painter in Paris who is discovered by an influential heiress. Jerry falls for Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron), a young French girl already engaged to a cabaret singer. The movie is part of the Tampa Theatre's Summer Classic Film Series. 3 p.m.; Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St.; $7. Call 274-8982.
FATHER'S DAY LUNCH BUFFET: In honor of Father's Day, the Museum of Science and Industry is offering dads free admission if accompanied by a paying child or adult. A lunch buffet - lasagna bolognese, Italian sausage, peppers, Caesar salad, rolls, desserts and beverages - will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost of the buffet is $9 adults and $6 children ages 2 to 12. Admission is extra. Call 987-6100.
22 TUESDAY
CHAIRS FOR CHAIRITY: The Outdoor Arts Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation are sponsoring a preview gathering for Chairs for Chairity, a display of chairs designed and built by Tampa Bay architects and artists. Beginning in July, the chairs will be on view at various Tampa Bay locations, including the Museum of Science and Industry, Ruth Eckerd Hall and downtown Tampa's John F. Germany Library. They will be auctioned off in January with proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The preview showing will include appetizers and cocktails. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Reeves Import Motorcars, 11333 N Florida Ave., Tampa; free. RSVP by Saturday. Call (727) 723-8620.
23 WEDNESDAY
ROCK & SOUL 2004 REVIEW: The Rock & Soul 2004 Review features Daryl Hall & John Oates, Michael McDonald and Average White Band. 6:30 p.m.; USF Sun Dome, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa; Tickets are $29.75-$49.75. Call 287-8844.
MISS FLORIDA PAGEANT: Shauna Pender has had a difficult year. After being crowned Miss Florida 2003, she was involved in serious car accident and now has a lawsuit pending against two shipping companies and the driver of a semitrailer truck that slammed into her car. She turns over her crown to the new reigning beauty at the Miss Florida Pageant. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through ceremony night on June 26; Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg; $15-$45. Call (727) 892-5767.
FLICKS
NEW IN THEATERS:
The Terminal Dodgeball A True Underdog Story Darkness Love Me If You Dare The Saddest Music in the World COMING SOON:
Fahrenheit 9/11 (June 25)
The Notebook (June 25)
Two Brothers (June 25)
White Chicks (June 25)
Carandiru (June 25)
Spider-Man 2 (June 30)
De-Lovely (June 30)
NEXT WEEKEND
GREASE: June 25, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.
DON HENLEY: June 26, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
ST. PETE PRIDE FESTIVAL: June 26, Central Avenue, between 24th and 26th streets, St. Petersburg.
LOOK AHEAD
SHANIA TWAIN: July 9, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.
KISS: July 31, Ford Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa.
CHICAGO THE MUSICAL: Aug. 1, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.
CAROLE KING: Aug. 3, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
GAVIN DeGRAW: Aug. 6, Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg.
HILARY DUFF: Aug. 12, USF Sun Dome, Tampa.
JOURNEY: Aug. 14, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
HEART: Aug. 29, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.
STING AND ANNIE LENNOX: Sept. 9, Ford Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa.
