Digest

Diversions: Coming attractions

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 29, 2007

THROUGH TODAY

Progress Energy Art Gallery is holding its first children's art exhibit, Art Is 4 Kids 2, at the gallery, 6231 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. The exhibit will remain on display from noon to 8 p.m. through Saturday.

THROUGH OCT. 6

'Theresa Villani: Sculptural Abstractions' will be at the Pasco Art Council's art center, 5744 Moog Road, Holiday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. Free.

"Newspapers and the Shaping of American Memory" will be the exhibit at Pasco-Hernando Community College's fine art gallery in the Alric C.T. Pottberg Library on the New Port Richey campus, 10230 Ridge Road through Oct. 8. Inquire at the library main desk about viewing hours. Library hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call (727) 816-3229.

TODAY AND SUNDAY

'New Port Richey Founders Day' celebration will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Sims Park off Main Street by the Pithlachascotee River in New Port Richey. The event includes a man-powered fire truck pull, rock climbing wall, pumpkin painting and other kids activities, antique engines and other historic displays, Miss Daisy boat tours, the Eco-Expo and plant sale, food and beverage vendors, a carnival midway, a car show, historic movies at West Pasco Historical Society and live entertainment. Events are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Donations to "Operation Shoebox" will be accepted during the festival.

TODAY

The 3rd annual "Paws in the Park" dog event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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.

TODAY

Flemenco dancer Paquita Dawson and her dance troupe will perform Flamenco Ole! at 3 p.m. at New Port Richey Public Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. Free.

SUNDAY

Soprano Suzanne La Croix will perform opera arias, German art songs, Brahms, Schubert and a few little-known Broadway tunes at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Brooksville Women's Club, 131 S. Main, Brooksville. Ms. La Croix sang with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and was featured in the Detroit Art Museum's "Brunch with Bach" series. Accompanist is Joni Travis Whitehead. Admission is $10. Call (352) 584-7712. Proceeds will go to Nature Coast Botanical Gardens and Gulf Coast Conservancy.

SUNDAY

"A Touch of Italy" dinner and show will be presented at Colonial Hills Civic Center, 3852 Prime Place, New Port Richey, on Sunday by All Star Promotions. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., show at 3 p.m., buffet dinner at 4 p.m., followed by more entertainment. Performers include doo wop singer Tommy Russo and balladeer Johnny M. Dinner and show, $15. Reservations required by Thursday. Call (727) 375-5512.

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 Hale 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

Centennial Opera Group continues its series "Viva Guiseppe," the life and operas of Verdi, at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Centennial Library, 5740 Moog Rd., Holiday. The video lecture will examine Acts 1, 2 and 3 of Rigoletto, followed by a video performance of portions of the opera by the Vienna State Opera, featuring the late Luciano Pavarotti. Free.

OCT. 5-NOV. 17

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, Oct. 5-Nov. 17. 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. 5-7; 12-14

The Forum at Stage West Community Playhouse will present the comedy-drama Steel Magnolias at 8 p.m. Oct. 5, 6, 12 and 13 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 and 14. The theater is at 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Tickets are $10. Box office is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and one hour before each show. Call (352) 683-5113.

OCT. 5-26

Progress Energy Art Gallery will hold a reception for photographers Paula Showen and Karren Doll Tolliver to mark the opening of their exhibit, "If the Masters Had Cameras" from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 at the gallery, 6231 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. The exhibit, a series of photos made in the style of classical artists, will be at the gallery until Oct. 26. Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Free.

Oct. 6-Nov. 28

West Pasco Quilters Guild will present "Celebrate the Quilt!" quilt and quilting exhibit Oct. 6 through Nov. 28 at Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, 101 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt. 19), Tarpon Spring. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. A special quilt demonstration day will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 10, when members show how to quilt, applique, piece fabric and answer questions about quilt storage, hanging and care.

OCT. 6

Siempre Flamenco will be presented at 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs. It stars Celia and Paco Fonta. Tickets are $22 for non-members, $20 for center members and students. Call 942-5605.

OCT. 6

Land O' Lakes High School drama department will present The Steadfast Tin Soldier at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 in the school's mini-theater at 20325 Gator Lane, Land O' Lakes. The play is based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen, but re-written by Herman Ammann to have a happy ending. The play stars Tyler Teegardin and Bianca Anderson-Rosa. Free.

OCT. 11-NOV. 13

"Faces of Caring," contemporary images of working nurses, will be the exhibit at Pasco-Hernando Community College's fine art gallery in the Alric C.T. Pottberg Library on the New Port Richey campus, 10230 Ridge Road. A gallery reception will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 11. Inquire at the library main desk about viewing hours. Library hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call (727) 816-3229.

OCT. 12-NOV. 10

Vahak Sarkis: Sculpture will be at the Pasco Arts Council's art cent

er, 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. 13-14

New Century Opera Company will perform an encore of Der Ring des Nibelung, the first part of Richard Wagner's four-part cycle Das Rheingold, at 8 p.m. Oct. 13 and 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs. Reserved seating is $20; center members and students, $18. Call (727) 942-5605.

OCT. 18-NOV. 4

Richey Suncoast Theatre will present the dramatic thriller The Bad Seed on Oct. 18 and the following three weekends at the theater, 6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. Shows are at 8 p.m., except Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Box office is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and an hour before each show. Call (727) 842-6777.

OCT. 18-21

St. Timothy Catholic Church will hold its annual Fall Festival from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19, noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 20 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 21. The event includes carnival midway rides, live entertainment, games for all ages, food vendors and special dinners, and the "Heavenly Mile" run/walk for all fitness levels on Oct. 20 ($15 advance registration, $20 day of race). The church is at 17512 Lakeshore Rd., Lutz, just south of the Van Dyke Road. Call (813) 968-1077 or online at www.sainttims.org for tickets and information. Admission is free.

OCT. 18-27

Showcase Community Theatre will present High School Musical at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18, 19, 20, 25 and 26; at 2 p.m. on Oct. 21; and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. The show will be in the auditorium at 8431 Corporate Way (off Little Road, just south of the Massachusetts Avenue intersection), New Port Richey. Tickets are $15 ages 8 and older; $7 ages 7 and younger. Seating is limited. Call Brad Brady at (727) 647-4249 or Laurie Philpot at (813) 679-0051.

OCT. 19-20

Auditions for the drama A Few Good Men will be held by Stage West Community Playhouse at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 and 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at the theater, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Roles are for 17 men and 1 woman who can appear between the ages of 18 and 50, are physically fit and are willing to have a military haircut. Production dates are Jan. 10-17. Director is Andrea Gleason. Call (352) 686-4988.

OCT. 20 - 21

The San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival will be held Oct. 20 and 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.

OCT. 21

Richey Community Orchestra will present the big band concert, "Oktoberfest!", featuring singer/accordionist Rich Ricardi at 3 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, K of C Drive, Port Richey (go east off U.S. 19 one street south of Ridge Road). Tickets are $15. Call (727) 919-3866.

NOV. 1

Thursday Musicale, a non-sectarian 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. 1-18

Stage West Community Playhouse will present the musical Oliver! Nov. 1-4; 9-11 and 16-18 at the theater, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Shows are at 8 p.m., except Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18, reserved seating. Box office is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and an hour before each show. Call (352) 683-5113.

NOV. 8-11

The 6th annual Riverhawk Music Festival and Camping event will be held Nov. 8-11 at Sertoma Youth Ranch, 85 Myers Rd., southeast of Brooksville. Tickets are $15 to $50 a day. Youth ticket packages area available for ages 13-17. Ages 12 and younger admited free. Water/electric and primitive camping is available. Hot showers and restrooms are on the site. Music styles include Americana, bluegrass, "newgrass," zydeco, roots rock and others. Food and kids' activities throughout the festival. Call (863) 984-8445 or see www.riverhawkmusic.com for pre-event discounted tickets and information.

NOV. 9, 10, AND 11

Hudson Seafest 2007 will be held 5 to 11 p.m. Nov. 9; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Nov. 10; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 at Festival Grounds behind USA Fleamarket in Hudson. To enter, go west at the intersection of U.S. 19 and State Rd. 52 and follow the signs. The festival includes a carnival, live entertainment, Kidzone, arts and crafts, seafood and festival foods and beer. Admission is free. Parking is $3.

NOV. 10

Richey Community Orchestra will give a free concert at the Hudson Seafest at 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at the festival grounds behind the USA Fleamarket in Hudson.

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. 11

Sonny LaRosa's America's Youngest Jazz Band will perform at 4 p.m. Nov. 11 at First United Methodist Church, 13123 U.S. 19, Hudson. The band has 20 musicians ages 6 to 12. The program includes Satin Doll, Stardust and Bugle Call Rag. Tickets are $8 adults, $4 students and are available at the church office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays starting Oct. 27.

Send entertainment items for Diversions: Coming Attractions to Barbara L. Fredricksen, St. Petersburg Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey 34668 or e-mail to fredricksen@sptimes.com

[Last modified September 28, 2007, 23:14:34]