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All together now . . .

Looking for something to do? Here's a super calendar, ranging from a wild parade to a small-town tuba player.

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 11, 2005

Twenty-five years after forming Duran Duran, the five original members (Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor) are back on tour together.

Taking its name from a character in the psychedelic sci-fi film Barbarella, Duran Duran has the same musical chemistry and signature style today that propelled it to the top of the charts in the early '80s. Fusing pop music, art and fashion, Duran Duran has sold more than 70-million records.

The quintet from Birmingham, England, used MTV and music videos incorporating a number of cinematic styles to showcase themselves as jet-setting elite (Rio) or worldly adventurers (Hungry Like the Wolf).

While early videos such as Girls on Film and The Chauffeur sparked controversy in England over their sexual content, Duran Duran's best-known clips were often based on hit contemporary movies. Hungry Like the Wolf uncannily recalled Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The group's clever videos helped boost its popularity. Between 1982 and 1984, Duran Duran rocketed from underground British postpunk sensations to teen idols.

By the late '80s, the group's lineup had fragmented, and the remaining members had trouble landing hit singles. However, the group, then a trio instead of quintet, pulled off a short-lived comeback in the early '90s. Since then, the quintet has reunited and released the albums Astronaut and The Singles 1986-1995 late last year.

See them perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa. Tickets cost $76.75, $66.75 and $46.75. For information, call 301-2500.

GO-GO's: One of the most popular all-female bands to emerge from the punk and new wave explosion of the late '70s and early '80s, the Go-Go's released hit singles such as We Got the Beat, Our Lips Are Sealed, Vacation and Head Over Heels. They're now on a national tour . 8 p.m.; Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 896-1244.

"APPRENTICE' CASTING CALL: Want to work for a monkey-haired billionaire? Casting teams from NBC's The Apprentice will be in town for their nationwide casting call for another team of competitors. 9 a.m. to noon; WFLA-Ch. 8, 200 S Parker St., Tampa; free.

PERSONALS: Presented by M.A.D. Theatre of Tampa, the musical comedy Personals is about the ups and downs of dating and the never-ending quest for love. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 27. Viva la Frida Cafe y Galeria, 5901 N Florida Ave., Tampa; $12-$15. Call 884-6500 or go to www.madtheatre.com

ART EXHIBIT: Local artists Igor Gorban, Eric Montoya, Helena Rubinstein and Sandra Yagi feature their works in the exhibit "New Talent" on display through April 23. Opening reception is 7 to 9 p.m. today. Brad Cooper Gallery, 1712 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City; free. Call 248-6098 or go to www.bradcoopergallery.com

RIVERDANCE: Dancers stomp their feet lightning fast to Irish music. 8 p.m. today and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $37-$65. Call (727) 791-7400.

SANT'YAGO KNIGHT PARADE: A glittery, wilder version of the Gasparilla parade hits Ybor City. About 200,000 people are expected to converge in the area of Seventh Avenue for the Krewe of Sant'Yago Knight Parade, featuring more than 100 units. This year, the parade follows a new route, beginning at Florida Avenue and Whiting Street in downtown Tampa and ending at Seventh Avenue and 21st Street in Ybor City. Parade begins at 6:30 p.m.; free. Call 248-3088.

"THE MIKADO': Following their 1999 engagement of The Pirates of Penzance, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players return with a production of The Mikado, a satire about human nature and political hypocrisy. 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, Tampa; $24.50-$75. Call 229-7827.

"MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN': Small-town tuba player Longfellow Deeds (Gary Cooper) inherits $20-million in Frank Capra's 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. As a naive nouveau riche, Deeds is transplanted to the fast-paced city full of snobs and corrupt lawyers. Jean Arthur and George Bancroft also star in the film being shown as part of the Tampa Theatre's Winter Classic Series. 3 p.m.; Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., downtown Tampa; $6-$7. Call 274-8982.

BILL COSBY: Whether it be through concerts, TV, films, commercials or education, comedic legend Bill Cosby never has to resort to gimmickry or lowbrow humor to hold his place as a great American humorist. 3 and 7 p.m.; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $45-$55. Call 287-8844.

GRAMMY AWARDS: 8 p.m.; TV broadcast on WTSP-Ch. 10.

FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: As part of the Romantic Masterworks Concert Series, conductor Stefan Sanderling leads flutist Demarre McGill and the Florida Orchestra for "Beethoven's Eroica." 7:30 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa; $22.50-$50.50. Call 286-1170.

NEVILLE BROTHERS: Throughout their careers as solo performers and members of the group that bore their family name, the Neville Brothers proudly carried the torch of their native New Orleans' rich rhythm and blues legacy. 7:30 p.m.; Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa; Call 287-8844.

CHIPPENDALES: Don't have a date for Valentine's Day? Here's an alternative: Watch scantily clad men in bow ties flex their muscles. 7:30 p.m.; Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ballroom, Tampa; $25. Call 627-7625 or 287-8844.

WILCO: American alt-country band Wilco released its debut album A.M. in 1995 followed by Being There, Summer Teeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Wilco has transcended its college and public radio base while playing its way into rock station playlists nationwide with the 2004 release A Ghost Is Born. 7:30 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa; $25. Call 229-7827.

BOSTON POPS: Named the Boston Pops in 1900, this most-recorded orchestra in the world also boasts one of the most extensive orchestral libraries, including countless arrangements of popular, film and Broadway music. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $70-$125. Call (727) 791-7400.

LES BALLETS TROCKADERO: The all-male troupe proves it is possible to combine ballet and comedy without mocking the art form. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $30-$40. Call (727) 791-7400.

"THE BOYS NEXT DOOR': In a communal residence in a New England city, four mentally handicapped men live under the supervision of an earnest, but increasingly "burned out," young social worker. The Jobsite Theater presents The Boys Next Door. Through March 6 . 8 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Feb. 18 and 19; 4 p.m. Feb. 20; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa; $16.50-$21.50. Call 229-7827.

"FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIRE DE LUNE': Hat Trick Theatre presents Terrence McNally's play, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, a story of two damaged lovers trying to make their romantic connection work. Through March 6. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays; Silver Meteor Gallery, 2213 E Sixth Ave., Ybor City; $9-$14. www.hattricktheatre.org

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