Digest

Diversions: Coming attractions

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times Staff Writer
Published August 27, 2007

THROUGH SEPT. 28

Through the Painter's Eye, an exhibit of work by members of the West Pasco Art Guild, will be at the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. closed holidays weekdays through Sept. 28. Many of the paintings are for sale. Call Pasco Arts Center at (727) 845-7322.

TODAY

Nature Coast Festival Music Inc. invites singers to join the choir (no audition necessary) to present Christmas programs in Pasco and Hernando counties on Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 2. Rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 and continue at 7 p.m. every Monday through Nov. 19 (except Labor Day) at the Nativity Lutheran Church on U.S. 19 in Weeki Wachee, just north of State Road 50 (west side of the highway). For information about car pooling, call Jackie Kerschbaum at 863-5646 between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

AUG. 31-SEPT. 23

The comedy-farce 'Greater Tuna,' starring Matthew McGee and Candler Budd, will be presented in matinee and evening shows at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

AUG. 31-OCT. 6

'Theresa Villani: Sculptural Abstractions' will be at the Pasco Art Council's art center, 5744 Moog Road, Holiday. A reception with the artist is from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Free.

SEPT. 4

Female singers of all ages may apply to be in the Thursday Musicale, an all-female, nonsectarian chorus, at its first rehearsal at 9:15 a.m. at the Living Word Church, 5151 Rowan Road, New Port Richey. Applicants must be able to read music and to attend rehearsals from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and perform with the chorus the first Thursday of each month October through April. Members wear pastel gowns for concerts. For information, call chorus president Edna Kotal at (727) 847-5920.

SEPT. 6

Auditions for the Avenue Players Theatre production of Tom Stoppard's farce, The Real Inspector Hound, will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art auditorium on the St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs campus on Klosterman Road, a half-mile west of U.S. 19. Roles are for five men ages 20 through 50 and three women ages 20 through 60. Cold readings, no accents. Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays. Performances are Dec. 12-16. Director is Diana Forgione. There will also be preview auditions for the company's March show, Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters, an Italian commedia dell'arte. Call or e-mail for alternate audition by appointment to (727) 372-7651 or dianavethtr@aol.com

SEPT. 21-22

Shady Hills Family Center will hold its 12th annual Septemberfest and Concert in the Park with Wiley Fox from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 21 and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 22. There will be a Trash and Treasures sale, food concessions, a chili cook-off, classic car show and games. County social service agencies will have information booths with advisers. Businesses and agencies that want to participate should call Tammy Castillo at (727) 868-1966.

OCT. 4

Thursday Musicale, a non-sectarian women's chorus, will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a concert featuring trumpeters Henry Fletcher and the Rev. Tom Hall at 2 p.m. at the Living Word Church, 5151 Rowan Road, New Port Richey. Free, but donations will be accepted for the scholarship fund.

OCT. 5-NOV. 7

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic 'South Pacific' will be presented in matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

OCT. 12-NOV. 10

Vahak Sarkis: Sculpture will be at the Pasco Arts Council's art center, 5744 Moog Road, Holiday. A reception with the artist is from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Free.

OCT. 13

Singer-impressionist Mark Ralston will headline the dinner show at Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. Dinner is at 6 p.m., show at 7:30. Premium seating, $28; general seating, $26. Visit or call the box office at the lodge building between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; call (727) 868-2994, ext. 14.

OCT. 20 - 21

The San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival will be held Oct. 20-21 in downtown San Antonio. The event includes a snake show ($5 adults, $3 children), gopher races, entertainment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21, barbecue and other food, arts, crafts, reptile show, foot races, Western wear contest and the Miss Rattlesnake Pageant. Admission and parking are free.

NOV. 1

Thursday Musicale, a nonsectarian women's chorus, will feature singer-composer-actor Paul Gibson at its concert at 2 p.m. at Living Word church, 5151 Rowan Road, New Port Richey. Free, but a donation will be accepted for the scholarship fund.

NOV. 10

Trumpeter Charly Raymond and the Apple Blossoms will do a tribute to Harry James and the Andrews Sisters at Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. Dinner at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Premium seating, $28; general seating, $26. Visit or call the box office at the lodge building between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; call (727) 868-2994, ext. 14.

NOV. 17

East Pasco Habitat for Humanity will hold the "1950s Rock 'N Roll Review" fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Dade City Business Center off U.S. 301, Dade City (look for the water tower) east of downtown. The evening features the classic rock/doo wop group Second Wind from Plant City, dinner, jitterbug contests and an auction. Tickets are $75 for one, $600 for a table for eight. Call Karen at (352) 567-1444.

NOV. 22-DEC. 25

'A Show Palace Christmas' will be presented in matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1(888) 655-7469.

DEC. 3

'The Tony Orlando Christmas Concert' will be presented at Show Palace Dinner Theatre at 1:30 and 8 p.m. Dec. 3. Doors open two hours before each show for buffet and cash bar. The theater is at 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. VIP (front area and tables 40-44) dinner and show, $69.95; all others, $59.95, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

DEC. 8

Pianist-singer Martin Preston will perform a tribute to Liberace at the Aripeka Elks Lodge 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. Opening act is singer William Garon. Dinner at 6 p.m., show at 7:30. Premium seating, $28; general seating, $26. Visit or call the box office at the lodge building between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; call (727) 868-2994, ext. 14.

DEC. 12-16

Avenue Players Theatre will present Tom Stoppard's farce, The Real Inspector Hound, at 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 13 and 14 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art auditorium, 600 Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs (a half-mile west of U.S. 19). Tickets are $12 nonmembers, $10 museum members and students, open seating. Call (727) 712-5762.

2008

JAN. 4-FEB. 24

'The Full Monty,' a musical comedy, will be presented in matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1-888-655-7469.

JAN. 12

The Red Hot Jubilee Jam musical variety show will be at the Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. The show has tributes to Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball and New York City. Dinner at 6 p.m., show at 7:30. Premium seating, $28; general seating, $26. Visit or call the box office at the lodge building between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; call (727) 868-2994, ext. 14.

JAN. 28

The Village People (Y.M.C.A., Macho Man) will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cash bar and buffet. Dinner and show, premium seating (front tables) is $75.95; other tables, $65.95, both plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

FEB. 4

Singer-actor Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman, 1976-79) and comedian John Byner will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cash bar and buffet. Dinner and show, premium seating (front rows), $69.95; other seats, $54.95, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

FEB. 9

British comedian Jimmy Keys will do jokes and impersonations of Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and others at the Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. Dinner at 6 p.m., show at 7:30. Premium seating, $28; general seating, $26. Visit or call the box office at the lodge building between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; call (727) 868-2994, ext. 14.

FEB. 29-APRIL 13

'Kiss Me, Kate,' with music by Cole Porter and book by Bella and Samuel Spewack, will be presented in matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

MARCH 8

The Four Aces (not the original four, but the group with legal right to use the name) will sing at the Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. Dinner at 6 p.m., show at 7:30. Premium seating, $28; general seating, $26. Visit or call the box office at the lodge building between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; call (727) 868-2994, ext. 14.

MARCH 17

Emmy-nominated singer-producer Steve Tyrell will sing the songs of Frank Sinatra at 8 p.m. March 17 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cash bar and included buffet. VIP dinner and show (front rows and tables 40-44), $59.95; other tables, $49.95, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

MARCH 27-APRIL 6

The 2008 edition of the Chasco Fiesta will be from March 27 through April 6 in and around Sims Park in New Port Richey. The street parade will be March 27 and the Boat Parade on April 5. The centerpiece is the American Indian festival, which runs throughout the event. There will be live entertainment each night, with the big Chasco Country Concert on April 5.

APRIL 18-MAY 25

'Big, Bad, Bawdy Burlesque,' with music and lyrics by Joe Camper and sketches by Matthew McGee and Candler Budd, will be presented in matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

JUNE 6-JULY 27

'Forever Plaid,' the tale of four young men who are allowed to return from heaven to put on their 1950s musical show, will be presented in matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1-888-655-7469.

AUG. 1-SEPT. 21

'Smokey Joe's Cafe,' the music of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, will be presented in matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

OCT. 3-NOV. 22

'The Unsinkable Molly Brown,' a musical, will be presented matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1 (888) 655-7469.

SEPT. 29

A day for the dogs

The third annual "Paws in the Park" dog event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 29 in San Antonio City Park, 12202 Main St., San Antonio. The event includes pet contests (dogs dressed like princesses, people dressed like their dogs), adoptable pet parade, a special blessing of the pets, pet education, the latest in pet products and services and entertainment. All proceeds will benefit Spay Pasco, a program designed to assist dog and cat owners with spaying and neutering costs. The event is sponsored by San Antonio Animal Hospital. Free.

Send entertainment items for Diversions: Coming Attractions to Barbara L. Fredricksen, St. Petersburg Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34667 or e-mail to fredricksen@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 27, 2007, 08:42:01]