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Weekend calendar

Cool ways to spend your time off.

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published August 25, 2006

FESTIVALS & FAMILY

U.S. National Dragon Boat Racing Championships Today.-Sun.

Opening ceremonies, 6-9 p.m. today, racing, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m and 7-8:30 p.m. Sat. and 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. Cotanchobee Park, 601 Ice Palace Drive, and Garrison Channel in Channelside area, downtown Tampa. (813) 471-1548, www.tampadbnationals.com. Free for spectators.

IceFest Sat.

Celebration of the Lightning's upcoming hockey season, with player and coach appearances, entertainment, kid's games, auction and ticket sales. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 301-6500 or www.tampabaylightning.com. Free admission.

Fourth Friday at Grand Central Today

Grand Central District of St. Petersburg hosts monthly event for the family (pets included). August theme is "Dog Days of Summer," with Over the Hedge (2006), animated film. Also music by family-friendly bands, free popcorn. Begins 5 p.m.; film starts at sundown, Central Avenue and 26th Street. Free. (727) 328-7086, www.grandcentraldistrict.org.

Summer Fireworks at Channelside Today

At 9 p.m., short fireworks launched from a barge in Garrison Channel can be viewed from all around the Channelside area, downtown Tampa. (813) 223-4250. Free.

Lowry Park Zoo Sat.-Sun.

Free Ride Weekends, rides free Saturdays and Sundays only, through August 27. 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. Regular admission applies, $14.95, $10.50 ages 3-11; ages 2 and younger free. (813) 935-8552.

MUSIC

Rollins Band and X Today

With the Riverboat Gamblers. 8 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $28. (727) 896-2276.

Anthony Gomes Today

8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $13. (813) 977-6474.

Metal Masters Today

With Attica, Cause of Exile, Euphony and others. 8:30 p.m. Bourbon Street Concert Club, 4331 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. $10. (727) 843-0686.

Mary J. Blige Sat.

8 p.m. Ford Amphitheatre, Interstate 4 at U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $45.50-$65.50. (813) 740-2446.

Buju Banton Sat.

7 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $29.99 advance, $35 day of show. (727) 896-2276.

2 Live Crew Sat.

9 p.m. Key Club, 12142 U.S. 19 N, Hudson. $10, $20 VIP at door. (727) 819-8939.

311 Sun.

With the Wailers and Pepper. 7:30 p.m. Ford Amphitheatre, Interstate 4 at U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $35. (813) 740-2446.

James Gang Sun.

7 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $57-$102. (727) 791-7400.

Chamber Concert Sun.

With David Burgess, guitar. 2 p.m., Marly Room at Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. $15, $8 students 22 and younger. (727) 896-2667 ext. 210.

CRAFTS, HOBBIES

Down the Street Bead Show Today-Sun.

Vendors with vintage glass beads, Austrian crystal, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, gem stone beads, findings, finished jewelry, artist-made beads and more; also classes (extra fee; register online). Noon-6 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Florida State Fairgrounds, U.S. 301 off Interstate 4, Tampa. $5, ages 12 and younger free. (813) 621-7821.

DANCES/BENEFITS

Seaside Swing Sat.

1940s-themed swing dance, with music by the Ten O'Clock 18-member big Band; fundraiser for new Central Florida World War II Museum. With swing dance revue, World War II display, re-enactors in military uniforms and silent auction. 1940s civilian or military fashion attire suggested. Doors 7:30 p.m., swing dance lesson, 8-9 p.m. and dance, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $40. (813) 504-3826, www.cfloridaww2museum.org.

Beach Boogie 2006 Today-Sun.

Tampa Bay Beach Boppers annual dance weekend at Sirata Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach with dances and workshops. Open dancing 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. today, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sat. and 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. $45 inclusive, $25 per day today-Sat. (if space is available). 5300 Gulf Blvd. (727) 725-9588, (813) 765-3726 or www.tampabaybeachboppers.com.

FILM SERIES

Summer Classic Movie Series Sun.

Silent film The Black Pirate (1926), starring Douglas Fairbanks, and musical accompaniment by Rosa Rio on theater organ. Audience invited to come in costume inspired by movie and take part in parade. Members of Central Florida Theatre Organ Society perform before film. 3 p.m. Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St. $10, $8 seniors, students and military. (813) 274-8981; www.tampatheatre.org.

THEATER OPENINGS

Bernadett's Bravo Today-Sun.

Powerstories Theatre. 8 p.m. today-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Catherine Hickman Theatre, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport. $15. (813) 831-3118.

Psycho Beach Party Today through Sept. 17

Gypsy Productions. 8 p.m. today-Sat., 1:30 p.m. Sun. Suncoast Theatre, 3400 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. $18. (727) 456-0500 or www.gypsyproductions.org.

KID'S STUFF

Smithsonian for Kids Sat.

Final day. Florida International Museum event for ages 5-12, with tour of "Jeweled Objects of Desire" from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and kid's crafts. 10 a.m.-noon at museum, 244 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Included in admission, $10, $8 seniors, $6 students; ages 6 and younger free. (727) 341-7900.

Dali Family Fun Sat.

Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg tour suitable for families with children ages 6-12, 9:45 a.m.; followed by "Dilly Dally with Dali," crafts and games, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 1000 Third St. S. Admission: $14, $12 seniors, $9 ages 10 to 18, $4 ages 5-9. Ages 4 and younger free. (727) 823-3767.

[Last modified August 24, 2006, 08:25:06]