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Looking for something to do? Here's a super calendar, ranging from fireworks to winetasting.

By Times Staff Writer
Published July 2, 2004

FIREWORKS: Get some snap, flash and pop

Get a fresh dose of patriotism during a Fourth of July celebration in the Channel District featuring Tampa's largest fireworks display.

Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. Sunday from a barge in Garrison Channel. Viewers can see them from Fort Brooke-Cotanchobee Park, the Tampa Marriott Waterside, Explore A Shore at the Florida Aquarium and from aboard the SS American Victory and StarShip dinner cruise.

Channelside will have a pre-fireworks party from 5 to 9 p.m. with live entertainment, a moonwalk, face painters, jugglers and food.

The Florida Aquarium will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Explore A Shore will extend hours until 10 p.m., with reduced pricing after 7 p.m. The TECO Line Streetcar will run from noon until 10:30 p.m.

The StarShip will have cruises all day, beginning with an all-you-can-eat brunch cruise from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. for $51.30 per person. A harbor cruise will go from 4 to 5 p.m. The cost is $4 per person, and no food will be provided. The fireworks dinner cruise will sail from 7:30 to 10 p.m. For $89.82, enjoy a three-course meal and watch the fireworks from deck. All cruises board 30 minutes before launch time. Call 223-7999 for details.

For information about seeing the fireworks from the American Victory, call 288-8766.

MIKE EPPS: An Indiana native who has climbed his way through the standup comedy ranks, Mike Epps moved to Los Angeles after his successful performance at the 1999 Laffapalooza fest in Atlanta. During his performance at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Epps caught the attention of Ice Cube, which led to him being cast a co-starring role in Next Friday. Epps also appeared opposite Ice Cube in All About the Benjamins and will soon reprise his role as Day-Day in Friday After Next, the third installment of the Friday series. 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant, Centro Ybor; $27. Call 864-4000.

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN FAMILY PARTY: Organized by the Ybor City Fresh Market and the Ybor City Museum Society, this free event features a cookout, watermelon-eating contest, patriotic crafts, sidewalk chalk art and entertainment. Guests can also sign a banner thanking troops. The Ybor City Museum State Park across from the park is opening its garden to the public for picnicking. The event will coincide with the Ybor City Fresh Market at Centennial Park. Vendors' wares include fresh produce and bread, honey, specialty jellies, salsa, prepared foods, plants, flowers, jewelry, imported goods and arts and crafts. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Centennial Park, at 19th Street and Eighth Avenue in Ybor City. Call 241-2442.

DUNEDIN'S HOMETOWN USA CELEBRATION: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., with music and fireworks at Knology Park, 311 Douglas Ave., Dunedin; free.

BRANDON BLAST: The Brandon Blast includes live music, a flyover by a MacDill-based KC-135 refueling tanker, a raffle to benefit the MacDill Education Endowment Fund, amateur barbecue contests and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Military families with military ID will receive free food, rides and prize packages. 11:30 a.m.; parking lot of Westfield Shoppingtown Brandon; free.

SINBAD: Like fellow comics Kevin James and Rosie O'Donnell, Sinbad got his big break on Star Search. The Michigan native eventually landed a role in TV's A Different World and starred in mediocre films, such as Houseguest and First Kid. His name is from the literary legend symbolizing strength, adventure and optimism - maybe a little deep for a comedian who tells "your mama" jokes. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $34-$60. Call (727) 791-7400.

LA LEY: After releasing the 1989 single Desiertos, the Chilean pop/rock ensemble La Ley emerged with its first full-length record, Doble Opuesto, and soon became a local rock sensation. But amid the success came dire news when the band's founder and guitarist, Andres Bobe, died after a car accident in 1994. The group pressed on with guitarist Pedro Frugone, releasing Invisible in 1995 and Vertigo three years later. The Grammy-winning MTV Unplugged with La Le >y became the group's first top-selling album throughout Latin America. Based on that success, WEA and Universal released compilations in 2002, followed by a new studio album, Libertad, in 2003. 8 p.m.; Masquerade, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City; $20. Call 247-2518.

BRANDON PARADE: Sponsored by the Presidents' Roundtable of Brandon, the Brandon parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of Parsons Avenue and Lumsden Road. Floats will head north on Parsons to Robertson Street, then west on Robertson to the Publix shopping center. This year's theme is "Celebrate America 2004: Military Salute." Veterans will march in full military regalia, and several floats, such as the Elks', will have a military theme. Call 681-4018.

HONEYMOON ISLAND BEACH BASH: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin. $5 per car.

ST. PETERSBURG FIREWORKS: 9 p.m., visible from the downtown waterfront. Activities throughout the day in downtown waterfront parks and at the Pier; free.

LARGO FIREWORKS: 9:30 p.m., Largo Central Park, with activities in the park beginning at 4 p.m.; free.

SAFETY HARBOR CELEBRATION: Entertainment 6 to 9 p.m., fireworks 9 p.m., Marina Park, downtown waterfront; free.

"DR. NO': James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to Jamaica to investigate the murder of a fellow operative in 1962's Dr. No., which will be presented as part of the Tampa Theatre's Summer Classic Film Series. With the help of CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jack Lord) and Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), Agent 007 searches for the headquarters of Dr. No, a fanatical scientist who is implementing an evil plan of world domination. 3 p.m.; Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., downtown Tampa; $7. Call 274-8982.

GREAT WHITE: Heavy metal band Great White took some time off after making worldwide headlines for using pyrotechnics during a concert which sparked a fire in a Rhode Island nightclub on Feb. 20, 2003, killing 96 people including the band's guitarist Ty Longley. Now the band, which was part of a fertile southern California hard rock scene in the late 1980s, is touring again. Its best-known for its song, Once Bitten, Twice Shy, was nominated for a Grammy Award for best hard rock performance in 1990. 7 p.m.; Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg; $15. Call 287-8844.

WINE & THE CITY: Sip, swirl and schmooze at Ybor City's Big City Tavern for Wine & the City, a Tampa Bay Uncorked winetasting event. There will a selection of Australian wines and appetizers. 7 to 9 p.m.; Big City Tavern, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor; $15, advance only. Call 355-6153 or go to http://tampabayuncorked.org

YELLOWMAN: Jamaica's first dancehall superstar, Yellowman ushered in a new era in reggae music following Bob Marley's death. His early 1980s success helped establish dancehall as the wave of the future. He also epitomized dancehall's penchant for lyrics containing casual violence, sexism, homophobia and rudeness. 8 p.m.; Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg; $15. Call 287-8844.

HYPOXIA ZONE: Tampa playwright Kim Hanna's comedy Hypoxia Zone follows three friends who enjoy a relaxing weekend on an island off the Florida coast. Through July 28. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 4 p.m. Sundays; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Shimberg Theater, Tampa; $16.50-$22.50. Call 229-7827.

America's Heart and Soul (today)

Valentin (today)

King Arthur (Thursday)

COMING SOON:

Baadasssss! (July 9)

The Clearing (July 9)

Anchorman (July 9)

Sleepover (July 9)