T H I N G S T O D O . . .

Seize the day

By KATHLEEN LANG

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 10, 2000

Party for a good cause at the Fame AIDS Benefit, a cabaret-style show tonight beginning about 11 p.m. (after the conclusion of Fame -- The Musical), at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. The benefit show features cast members from the musical and auction of show memorabilia. Proceeds go to the Tampa AIDS Network. Tickets are $15. Call (813) 229-7827 or (800) 955-1045.

Focus on improving your photography skills and brainstorm new ideas for shots when Janell Bailey and Kevin Peters give tips at the Your Best Shot Photography meeting at 7 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble, 2501 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg. Bring photos to share with the group. Your Best Shot Photography meets the second Wednesday of each month. New members welcome. Call (727) 384-5200.

Learn how to entice birds and butterflies into your back yard when master gardeners from the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service continue their series of plant clinics at 10 a.m. today at Westgate Branch Library, 7606 Paula Drive in Town 'N Country. Call (813) 554-5031. .

The godfathers of ska, The Skatalites, play at 8 p.m. today at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. Formed in 1963, they backed up Bob Marley, broke up in '65, re-formed, got nominated for Grammys and a place in the Reggae Hall of Fame, and continue to play fun ska. Tickets are $13. Call (813) 977-6474.

Early riser alert: Do you need a metal clothing rack? A few dress forms? Maybe a giant plastic conch shell? All kinds of department store cast-offs can be had at the annual Burdines display and prop sale Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Burdines Visual Warehouse, 4020 Gandy Blvd., Tampa (next to the Burdines Furniture Gallery). The line has been known to form as early as 3 a.m., since the best stuff goes fast.

T H I N G S T O V I E W . . .

Spend some time with the Peanuts' gang when CBS celebrates the era of Charles Schulz on Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! Whoopi Goldberg hosts the birthday celebration, which Schulz didn't live to see completed. 8 p.m.

Celebrate another classic when Turner Classic Movies airs a seven-film tribute to Fred Astaire on his birthday. The dancer, who died in 1987, was born 101 years ago today. The series begins with Flying Down to Rio (1933). 6 a.m.

-- Compiled by Times staff writer Kathleen Lang. She can be reached at lang@sptimes.com.