Games, concert sock it to fun seekers

By KELLY STEFANI

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 12, 2000

Celebrate good times with the Tampa Bay Mutiny and KC and the Sunshine Band.

Come out and cheer Tampa Bay's soccer team on to victory against the Columbus Crew. The game starts at 7 p.m. Saturday in Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.

Stick around after the game for a musical blast from the past. KC and the Sunshine Band take over the field for an hourlong greatest hits flashback.

Tickets prices range from $12-$21. Game ticket includes admission to postgame concert.

Call (813) 289-6811.

Trees and their dwellers

Enjoy a day with nature and learn more about birds and forests at Sunken Gardens, 1825 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg.

First, discover how to arrange trees to evoke the mood and appearance of woodland scenes, including young or old forests, dense growth or wind battered trees, woods on a seacoast or scattered groves. Pat Bradley, local bonsai enthusiast and owner of C and C Nursery, demonstrates the technique of Forest Bonsai at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Have you ever wanted to get a closer look at a bird of prey or a bat? You can do just that at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. Penny Boehme, Licensed Florida Wildlife Rehabilitationist, will talk about the myths and facts surrounding these birds and personally introduce you to an evening bat, red-shouldered hawk, barn owl, screech owl, kestrel and crow. All these animals are used for educational purposes only because they are permanently injured and therefore cannot be released.

Admission to these lectures is free with paid admission to Sunken Gardens: $4 adults, $3 seniors (55 and over), $1 children (3-12), children 2 and under free. Sunken Gardens is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Call (727) 551-3100.

Jazz in 'the village'

The Friday Night Jazz series begins at 6 p.m. tonight in Old Hyde Park Village, just south of downtown Tampa at Swann and Dakota avenues.

This month's series features The Chabo Brothers Duo, Allon Sams and the No Requests Duo. All three ensembles play simultaneously at various locations in the village.

The "Friday Night Jazz" series is held the second Friday of every month through October.

Admission is free.

Call (813) 251-3500.

Spruce up your garden

If you've been hunting for a hard-to-find plant, you'll probably find it at May Festival 2000 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton. Besides unusual plants and flowers, you'll also find nature-inspired fine arts, garden art vendors, lectures, food, mixed entertainment and plenty of children's activities. Take a moment to check out this years "Special Classy Trashy" Sale.

Admission and parking is free, but a $1 donation for adult admission is appreciated. Catch a free trolley ride to the front gate. Proceeds benefit the Palma Sola Botanical Park Foundation. To get there: take exit #42 (SR 64 or Manatee Ave.) off I-275, then west, turns into 75th St., go north to 17th Ave. NW.

Call (941) 746-8939.Horses take to the air

Jump to it

Horse jumping comes to the Florida State Fair Grounds.

More than 200 horses and riders from across the state will compete in the Central Florida Hunter/Jumper Associations Hunter/Jumper Show beginning at 9 a.m. today and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Florida State Fair Grounds, U.S. 301 off I-4, Tampa.

Horses and riders compete for style and performance or speed and jump faults in three categories: Professionals, Amateur (18 and over) and Juniors (under 18).

Admission is free to spectators.

Call (813) 684-2930.

Be a clown -- for a day

Make this a weekend for family activities beginning with the Clowning For Kids -- Our Full O'Fun Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Largo Cultural Center and Park, 105 Central Park Drive (at the corner of E Bay and Missouri), Largo.

Enjoy non-stop clown antics, magic shows, face painting, professional story telling, hands on animal shows, stage shows, arts and crafts, games and more.

Children can climb on police cars, fire trucks and ambulances or shake a local sports personalities hand.

Stage performances include the Huggabug Club and Shana Banana.

Admission and parking are free. Food items and some activities require tickets. Tickets are $.50 each.

Call (727) 544-4433.

Head south to experience Louisiana

If nothing in the bay area strikes your fancy this weekend, jump into your car and head to Fort Lauderdale for the eighth annual Cajun/Zydeco Crawfish Festival.

This festival combines three stages of authentic Cajun, Zydeco and acoustic music, workshops, history, and culture with live crawfish and hot n' spicy Cajun/Creole food.

Many of Louisiana's finest Cajun and Zydeco bands will be performing at the festival. Headliners include Geno Delafose, Roy and Chubby Carrier, Balfa Toujours, Lil Malcolm, Rockin Dopsie, Leroy Thomas, JoJo Reed, Little Brian and the Zydeco Bone Shakers.

Children can enjoy entertainment by Louisiana H.O.T., accordion-maker Junior Martin, games, rides and hands-on crafts.

Dancing is a big part of this festival. Three large wooden dance floors constructed under a 100-foot by 200-foot tent showcases many national performers and dancers. If you want to learn a few steps, free beginning and advanced Cajun and Zydeco waltz, two-step and jitterbug lessons will be taught during band intermissions.

Everything takes place from 5 to 11 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Fort Lauderdale Stadium Festival Grounds (exit the turnpike at Commercial Boulevard, head east three miles to NW 15th Avenue, turn left).

Admission is $14 daily, $25 two days and $35 three days (adults), children 12 and under free. Parking is free.

Call (954) 761-5934.