Seize The Day

By KATHLEEN LANG

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 4, 2000

Selby Gardens kicks off its 25th year and celebrates Independence Day with a sparkling bash from 5:30 to 10 p.m. today at the gardens, 811 S Palm Ave., Sarasota. Admission is $25 for adults, $20 gardens members or volunteers, $5 for ages 4 to 12. Enjoy a view of Sarasota's municipal fireworks and music by the Sarasota Concert Band. Food provided for a small fee. Call (941) 366-5731.

Spend the afternoon with art, poetry, song and the Americana Arts Festival Winners from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Beaux Arts Gallery, 2635 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. The gala features art, poetry and song competition. Free. Call (727) 328-0702.

Saddle up to watch 35 professional bull riders from throughout the Southeast compete for $5,000 at the annual Bullriding Blowout at 7 tonight at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, U.S. 41, just south of Brooksville. Admission is $12 at the gate, $6 for children ages 5 to 12, free for children 4 and younger. Call (352) 754-4433.

Tune in to WUSF-FM 89.7 at 11 tonight to hear Satchmo: The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, a two-hour special celebration of the life and music of the legendary jazz trumpeter whose birthday is celebrated today (although Armstrong was actually born on Aug. 4, 1900). Also today on WUSF for those who can't get out to see the fireworks, listen to Broad Stripes and Bright Stars, Karl Haas' tribute to the Fourth of July with significant American music at 9 p.m. on Adventures in Good Music. Call (813) 974-4890 or (800) 741-9090.

If death metal's more your style than the usual patriotic activities, bring your earplugs to the Brass Mug for a concert by Disgorge, Deeds of Flesh, Cephalic Carnage, Mortal Decay and Swamp Gas at 9:30 p.m. today at 1441 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa. Tickets are $6 for age 21 and older, $5 for those younger than 21. Call (813) 972-8152.

Things to view...

Feel the wind in your sails when WUSF broadcasts the Greatest American Fourth of July, featuring a large flotilla of tall ships, warships, submarines and other watercraft from around the world anchored in New York Harbor. The three-hour special begins at 9 a.m. Or have A Capitol Fourth when the annual concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol unfolds on WEDU-Ch. 3. Ray Charles, Audra McDonald and James Galway perform. Pianist David Benoit will offer a tribute to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. 8 p.m. Boston continues its traditional observance tonight on Pops Goes the Fourth! Includes Sousa's The Stars and Stripes Forever and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. 7:30 p.m.

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