Seize the day

By KATHLEEN LANG

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 19, 2000

Things to do

Today's the last day of events remembering Africans who were forced to leave their homes and take the long voyage to America and other countries. The Juneteenth Middle Passage Candlelight Vigil begins at 7 p.m. at Straub Park, Fifth Avenue NE and Beach Drive, downtown St. Petersburg. Includes singing of spirituals and freedom songs. Refreshments will be served after the vigil. Free. Call (727) 821-3833.

For a dose of British contemporary jazz guitar, check out Acoustic Alchemy's performance at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center at 8 tonight at 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. The duo began in the mid-1980s, providing in-flight music on trans-Atlantic trips on Virgin Airlines before branching into a more Latin-influenced New Age sound. Founding member Nick Webb died in 1998 of pancreatic cancer. Webb's partner Greg Carmichael continues with a backup band of keyboards, percussion, bass and drums. Tickets are $20. Call (813) 229-7827 or (800) 955-1045.

Warm up your vocal cords for a night of fun, fellowship and song at Harmony Harbor Chorus Guest Night at 7:30 tonight at Dunedin Community Center, Michigan Boulevard and Pinehurst. Open to all who want to sing with Harmony Harbor Chorus of Sweet Adelines International. Free. Call (727) 938-7464.

Share your favorite cartoon characters with your kids at the exhibition Summer Animation Art Show Celebration, a collection of hand-inked, hand-painted limited edition cels, sericels and original production cels of Disney, Warner Bros. and Hanna Barbera characters from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday through June 29 at Syd Entel Galleries, 247 Main St., Safety Harbor. Free. Call (727) 725-1808.

Things to view

Tonight, watch A&E's Investigative Reports reveal The Mysterious Dr. Swango. Swango, who is due to be released in early July after serving 31/2 years for fraud, is thought to be one of the most prolific serial killers of modern time. 10 p.m.

Oprah Winfrey "opens your heart and eyes to the souls of children" when she hosts the Fox Family Channel special About Us: The Dignity of Children. The award-winning documentary captures children in moments of revelation about what they dream, fear, hope, how they view adults and what hurts them. 8 p.m.

-- Kathleen Lang can be reached at lang@sptimes.com.