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The Navigator

Birthday gifts? Beatle art, funny clips will do

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published April 7, 2006

Sure, because you asked, today is my birthday.

Oh, you didn't ask?

Sorry, it's just that the voices in my head usually aren't so inquisitive.

But at least the birthday query is a nice respite from the usual stuff the demons - oops, I mean my little friends - tell me.

For example: "Hey, I'll bet you could make a shrine to Ronda Storms using nothing but phyllo dough and Krazy Glue."

Don't try this at home, kids. It's a bad idea. I'm still peeling baklava off my bum.

So even though it's my birthday (yep, 63 years young), I'm sending a present to you, dear reader: It's 2-for-1 day!

Yes, we're spotlighting two cool events to check out this weekend. Feel privileged?

You should. Some weeks are so thin I'm challenged to find even one event to pimp here.

All I ask is that you remember my generosity in the summer when I advise that the International Mime Convention is rocking the Doubletree.

I can see it now:

"Hey, that mime is trapped in a box!"

"Yeah, so?"

"No, seriously, he's trapped in an actual box. Somebody grab the duct tape before he gets out."

All right, I'm running out of room to navigate you to one event, much less two. So here's the scoop:

Today through Sunday, the "Imagine" exhibit, showcasing John Lennon's art, will be on display at Old Hyde Park Village.

The exhibit presents more than 100 pieces of art by the late, great Beatle, whose talent was not limited to being one of the greatest rock musicians of all time. You'll find the display at 800 S Village Circle, next to Pottery Barn.

"Imagine" is presented by Yoko Ono, and I plan to swing by this weekend to check it out. But please don't let either fact dissuade you from attending, especially because the event (a $2 donation is suggested) benefits the Spring of Tampa Bay domestic violence shelter.

Full disclosure time: I have worked for the Spring as a volunteer and, at one time, on its staff.

But again, please don't let that dissuade you from attending.

Finally, here's a cool deal at Tampa Theatre that you could enjoy Sunday evening after checking out the art.

But if you want to make time to pop in at the Hub in between, trust me, I understand. Just one of those famously potent cocktails might be enough to prepare you for the Found Footage Festival, which cranks up at 7 p.m.

The festival is a live comedy event where a couple of hosts present funny clips from videotapes found in thrift stores, garage sales and trash bins throughout the country.

No less a comedy authority than The Onion has praised the traveling festival. I checked out the Web site (you can get there from tampatheatre.org) and it's funny stuff. It's the price of a regular film screening, so check it out.

And that's all I need for my birthday, so please, no other gifts.

But if someone has some nail polish remover I could borrow, it would be much appreciated. Because that Ronda shrine really was a debacle.

And now every time I sit down, something smells like spanakopita..

Rick Gershman can be reached at rgershman@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3431. His Times blog, The Ill Literate, is at www.sptimes.com/blogs/tampaarts.

[Last modified April 6, 2006, 14:34:52]