2,001 events

By Times staff

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 28, 2000

There are at least that many festivities and performances planned in 2001, or so it seems - from Super Bowl XXXV and Gasparilla Fest to a blues festival and the world premiere of a new opera.

With so much crammed into January -- starting with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and wrapping up with Super Bowl XXXV and all its connected festivities, including the annual Gasparilla blowout -- it may be hard to think past the first month of 2001.

But that's only the start of this, the busiest time of the year in Tampa Bay for entertainment of all kinds. For families, February offers the fun and glittery amusements of the Florida State Fair, followed by March's Florida Strawberry Festival, and then St. Petersburg's Festival of States.

On stage, Broadway diva Dame Edna will tread the boards at Ruth Eckerd Hall, and then Fosse moves in to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. In March, opera lovers near and far will descend on Tampa for the world premiere of Anton Coppolla's new opera, Sacco & Vanzetti. Like your theater outdoors? American Stage will be in the park for Love's Labours Lost.

Musicians from Aaron Carter to B.B. King, Tony Bennett to Pat Benatar, are booked in area venues. The Tampa Bay Blues Festival will fill Vinoy Park in late March with the sounds of Los Lobos, Jonny Lang, Jeff Healy and much more.

For art lovers, there is the International Miniature Show and Art Festival Beth-El in January, the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in March, the Mainsail Arts Festival in April and many more besides.

Head spinning yet? Check out the next few pages for scores of ideas to fill your free time for the next few months and beyond. And as many events as we've listed here, you'll find more each week in Weekend. Stay tuned.

Jan. 1

Salute to Vienna, 2 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall. $35-$55.

Outback Bowl, Ohio State vs. South Carolina. 11 a.m. Raymond James Stadium. $45. Sold out.

Jan. 2

Phantom of the Opera, 7:30 p.m. TBPAC. Through Jan. 13. $17-$70.

Duran Duran, 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Also Jan. 3. $35.75-$39.75.

Jan. 3

The Tamburitzans, 7:30 p.m. Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center. $11-$17.

Jan. 4

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 7:30 p.m. Ice Palace. Through Jan. 7.Also Jan. 10-15, Times Arena at Bayfront Center. $11.75-$28.

Tango Pasion, 8 p.m. Van Wezel. $30-$40.

Jan. 5

Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and More, Florida Orchestra. 8 p.m. TBPAC. Also 8 p.m. Jan. 6, Mahaffey Theater, and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $20-$38.

Some Like It Hot, the musical, Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Through Feb. 11. $25.95-$35.95 adults, $14.95-$19.95 children. (727) 863-7949 or (888) 655-7469.

Jan. 6

Kenny Rogers, 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall. $49-$55.

Jansen Dance Project, 2 and 8 p.m. USF Theatre 1. $10-$15.

Jan. 7

Little Moon Theater, Eckerd Theater Company, 1 and 3 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall. $8.25.

Jan. 8

American Music Awards, 8 p.m. WFTS-Ch. 28. Host Britney Spears.

Ken Burns' 10-part Jazz begins, 9 p.m. WEDU-Ch. 3. Concludes Jan. 31.

Jan. 9

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Van Wezel. $40-$50. Sold out.

CD releases: Groove Collective, It's All in Your Mind; Gil Scott-Heron, It's Your World; Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, The Great Summit: The Master Takes.

Jan. 10

Temptation Island premieres, TIME, WTVT-Ch. 13.

Jan. 11

Pranksters in Music, Florida Orchestra Coffee Series, 11 a.m. Mahaffey Theater. $17-$26.

Jan. 12

David Parker and the Bang Group, 8 p.m. TBPAC. Also Jan. 13-14. $10-$15.50.

Bill Conti's Salute to the Oscars, Florida Orchestra Pops Concert, 8 p.m. TBPAC. Also 8 p.m. Jan. 13, Mahaffey Theater, and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $20-$38.

Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Co., 8 p.m. Mahaffey Theater. $8-$12.

Fort Dade Mountain Man Rendezvous, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Withlacoochee River Park, 1244 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City. Also Jan. 13-14. $2.

Freedom Never Dies: The Legacy of Harry T. Moore, about the first assassinated civil rights leader, in Mims, airs at 9 p.m., WEDU-Ch. 3.

Jan. 13

Bernadette Peters, 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall. $45.50-$49.50.

Keb' Mo', 8 p.m. Tampa Theatre. $25.

Florida Manatee Festival, downtown Crystal River. Also Jan. 14.

Tales for the Very Young, 10 a.m. and noon. TBPAC. $5.50.

Jan. 14

International Miniature Art Show, Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa, Belleair. Through Jan. 28.

Orion Weiss, pianist, 8 p.m. Van Wezel. $18.

The Great Gatsby, starring Mira Sorvino, makes its debut. 8 p.m. A&E cable network.

Jan. 15

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute, 7:30 p.m. TBPAC. Free.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Parade, 1:15 p.m. Downtown St. Petersburg. Free.

George Winston, 8 p.m. Mahaffey Theater. $20-$35.

Carmen, London City Opera, 8 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall. $29-$40. Also Jan. 12, 2 and 8 p.m. Van Wezel Hall, Sarasota. $40-$44.

100 Centre Street, A&E's first weekly drama series, makes its debut at 9 p.m.

Jan. 16

Salute to the Music of Frank Sinatra, Nelson Riddle Orchestra with Harry Connick Sr., 1 and 5 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall. $11.

CD releases: Jello Biafra, three CD set, spoken word, Become the Media; Causey Way, Causey Vs. Everything; Silkk the Shocker, My World My Way.

Jan. 17

Florida RV SuperShow, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Florida State Fairgrounds. Also Jan. 18-21. $7.

Jan. 18

Beethoven's Powerful Eroica, Nicholas McGegan, guest conductor. Florida Orchestra, 8 p.m. TBPAC. Also 8 p.m. Jan. 20, Mahaffey Theater, and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Elvis -- the Concert, 8 p.m. Van Wezel. $40-$45. Also Jan. 20. Ruth Eckerd Hall. $37.50-$45.50.

Penderecki String Quartet, 7:30 p.m. Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center. $11-$13.

Dancing with the Wheel ... Aborigine Indian Event, 7:30 p.m. USF Theatre 2. Continues through Jan. 27. $10-$15.

Jan. 19

Dream Team of Rock 'n' Roll, 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall. $30-$40.

Jubilant Sykes, 8 p.m. Mahaffey Theater. $27-$33.

Black Heritage Festival, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Also Jan. 20-21. Downtown Tampa. $1.

Florida Gulf Beaches Marathon Super Sports Show, 3-8 p.m. Also Jan. 20-21. Harborview Center. Free.

Jan. 20

NFL Experience, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Also Jan. 21 and Jan. 25-28. Raymond James Stadium parking lot. $10-$15.

Charlie Daniels Angelus Jam XI, noon-8 p.m. Also Jan. 21. Coachman Park, downtown Clearwater. $15 each day.

Professional Bull Riding Bud Light Cup Series, 8 p.m. Ice Palace. $10-$100.

Art Festival Beth-El, Temple Beth-El, St. Petersburg. Through Jan. 22. (727) 347-6136.

Donald Byrd/the Group, 8 p.m. TBPAC. $24.50-$34.50.

Tribute to Harry James, 8 p.m. Coliseum. $12.

Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival dancers and musicians, 2 p.m. Pasco-Hernando Community College Performing Arts Center, New Port Richey. $10-$14. (727) 816-3241.

Jan. 21

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, 2 p.m. TBPAC. $5.50-$10.50.

Gipsy Kings, 7:30 p.m. TBPAC. $36.75-$49.75.

Florida Gulf Beaches Marathon, 6 a.m. Start and finish in Clearwater.

SuperWalk, 1 p.m. Friendship Trail Bridge. (813) 835-5252.

Golden Globe Awards, 8 p.m. WFLA-Ch. 8.

Jan. 22

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, 8 p.m. Van Wezel. $26-$30.

Jan. 23

Rhythm & Brass, 2 p.m. Van Wezel. $18.

Vienna Mozart Orchestra, 8 p.m. Van Wezel. $31-$41. Also Jan. 24, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $30-$40.

NFL Player's Huddle Party, 6:30 p.m. MacDill Air Force Base Hangar 3. $500.

CD releases: Cannonball Adderly, Jazz Workshop Revisited; the Donnas, The Donnas Turn 21; the Gossip, That's Not What I Heard; Nas, The Lost Tapes; Dolly Parton, Little Sparrow.

Jan. 24

NFL Players Super Shootout, 8 a.m. MacDill Air Force Base Bay Palms Golf Complex. $18.

Florida's Beach Sand Sculpture Spectacular, unveiling 4:30-6 p.m. Sand Key Park. On display daily through Jan. 28.

The Comedy of Errors, 8 p.m. Van Wezel. $27.

Jan. 25

Super Pier Fest, noon-10 p.m. Also Jan. 26-28. The Pier, downtown St. Petersburg. Free.

Bud Bowl Ybor City, 6-10 p.m. Also Jan. 26-28. Free.

World Boxing League Showcase, 7 p.m. Coliseum. $25-$50.

Music Bowl 2001, 7 and 10 p.m. Tampa Theatre. $35-$50.

Jan. 26

B.B. King, 8 p.m. TBPAC. $29.75-$59.75.

Super Bowl Web Cast Party, 8 p.m. Tampa Museum of Art. $30-$55.

Super Funk Fest with Parliament/Funkadelic, Barkays, Brick, Zap band and Slave, 7:30 p.m. USF Sun Dome. $25-$50.

United Way/Heisman Super Celebration, charity casino night, 7 p.m. Coliseum. $100.

Jan. 27

Gasparilla Pirate Fest, downtown Tampa. Street festival 10 a.m.-11 p.m., pirate invasion 11:30 a.m., parade 1:45 p.m., fireworks 10 p.m. Free.

Styx and REO Speedwagon, 7 p.m. USF Sun Dome. $29.50-$42.50.

Kings of Comedy Tour, 8 p.m. Ice Palace. $.

Kumquat Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Downtown Dade City. Free.

Jan. 28

SUPER BOWL XXXV, 6 p.m. kickoff. Raymond James Stadium. Sold out.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest, downtown Tampa. Street festival 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Game broadcast, Curtis Hixon Park, 5-10 p.m. Free.

Abraham Bloemaert (1566-1651) and His Time opens, Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Through April 8.

The Defining Moment: Victorian Narrative Paintings from the Forbes Magazine Collection opens, Tampa Museum of Art. Through April 22.

Jan. 29

Glenn Miller Orchestra, 2 p.m. Van Wezel. $18.

Jerry Vale and Al Martino, 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall. $27.75-$32.75.

Jan. 30

The King Stag, 7 p.m. TBPAC. $24.50-$34.50.

The Scarlet Pimpernel, 7:30 p.m. TBPAC. Also Jan. 31-Feb. 4. $22.50-$64.50.

Deepak Chopra, 7 p.m. Mahaffey Theater. $30-$35.

CD releases: John Anderson, Nobody's Got It All; Jeff Beck, You Had It Coming; Frank Black & the Catholics, Dog in the Sand; Gladys Knight, At Last; Le Tigre, From the Desk of Mr. Lady; JT, Money Blood, Sweat and Years; and Duncan Sheik, Phantom Moon.

Feb. 1

Reverend Horton Heat with Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-fonics, State Theatre, St. Petersburg. $15.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $29.75.

Feb. 2

Willie Nelson, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $29.75-$34.75.

Feb. 2-4

Rachmaninoff's Passionate 2nd, Florida Orchestra masterworks series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

Feb. 3

Hank Williams Jr., Ice Palace, Tampa. $25.80-$29.80.

Feb. 3-March 4

Three new galleries open at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Largo, featuring selections from the museum's permanent collection.

Feb. 3

David Wells' Celebrity Softball Classic, Florida Power Park/Al Lang Field, 280 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 2 p.m.

Feb. 5

43rd annual Ebony Fashion Fair, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 8 p.m.

Feb. 6-11

Dame Edna, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $35-$50.

Feb. 7-10

Barney's Musical Castle comes to the Ice Palace in Tampa for seven shows. $10-$25.

Feb. 8-19

Florida State Fair, Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa. Entertainment includes Aaron Carter, Feb. 9; Pat Benatar, Feb. 10; and Jaci Velasquez, Feb. 11. More acts to be announced later.

Feb. 9

Hannibal (The Silence of the Lambs sequel) opens in area movie theaters.

Feb. 9-March 17

Solo exhibition by William Wegman of "fashion photography" featuring his famous Weimaraners, photographed in clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue. USF Contemporary Arts Museum, Tampa.

Feb. 9

Mark Morris Dance at Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. $34 to $40.

Feb. 9-12

Broadway Showstoppers, Florida Orchestra pops series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

Feb. 13

Diana Krall, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $29.50-$34.50.

Feb. 13-25

Les Miserables, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $22-$61.50.

Feb. 16

Target Stars on Ice, Ice Palace, Tampa. $36-$59.

Feb. 16-17

Man of La Mancha, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. $27.50-$47.50.

Feb. 16-18

Brahms' Lyrical 3rd, Florida Orchestra masterworks series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

Feb. 19

Anne Murray, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $42.75-$47.75.

Feb. 20

Feb. 21

43rd annual Grammy Awards, 8 p.m. WTSP-Ch. 10.

Feb. 22-23

Feb. 23-25

Amorous Adventures in Music, Florida Orchestra masterworks series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

Feb. 24

Joan Baez with Dave Carter and Tracy Grammar, Tampa Theatre, Tampa. $35

Feb. 24

Bobby Short and Friends, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $65 (6:30 p.m. show with dinner), $40 (10 p.m. show with cocktails).

Feb. 26

Weezer, USF Sun Dome, Tampa. $11.50.

Feb. 27-March 4

Fosse, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $$24.50-$66.50.

Feb. 27

Mardi Gras, downtown Dunedin.

March 1-April 1

Tampa Bay Devil Rays spring training. Florida Power Park/Al Lang Field, downtown St. Petersburg.

March 1-11

Florida Strawberry Festival, Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, Plant City. Concerts include: George Jones, March 1; Aaron Tippin, March 2; Ricky Van Shelton, March 3; Randy Travis, March 4; Charley Pride, March 5; Roy Clark, March 6; Neal McCoy, March 7; Loretta Lynn, March 8; Oak Ridge Boys, March 9; Lee Greenwood, March 10; and Alabama, March 11. All acts perform 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. All shows $5-$10 plus festival admission.

March 2

John LeCarre's The Tailor of Panama opens in area movie theaters.

March 2-3

Tony Bennett, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $50-$75.

March 3-4

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Ashley Drive, downtown Tampa. With 300 artists, the bay area's biggest and often the best. Web site http://www.gasparilla-arts.com/

March 4

Writers Guild of America awards announced.

March 4

Godspell, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. $27.50-$47.50.

March 9-11

St. Petersburg International Folk Fair (SPIFFS), Times Arena at Bayfront Center, St. Petersburg.

March 10

Directors Guild of America awards announced.

March 10-April 15

Bay Area Renaissance Festival, Largo Central Park, Largo.

March 11

Screen Actors Guild awards presented.

March 11

Broadway Nights, Florida Orchestra pops series. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

March 16

Warren Beatty's Town and Country opens in area movie theaters.

March 16-18

World premiere of the opera Sacco & Vanzetti at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $19.50-$55.50.

March 17

Gordon Lightfoot, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $29.75.

March 18

Paul Anka, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Cleawater. $31.75-$35.75.

March 19

Carol Burnett, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $39-$50.

March 20-25

Cabaret, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $22.50-$64.50.

March 22-April 1

Chasco Fiesta, New Port Richey.

March 22-25

Awadagin Pratt plays Grieg, Florida Orchestra masterworks series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

March 24

Elaine Boosler, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $23.75-$27.75.

March 24-28

16th annual Winter Music Conference of electronic and dance music, Miami Beach.

March 25

Academy Awards are presented in Hollywood.

March 27-28

The Belle of Amherst, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. $27.50-$47.50.

March 28

George Carlin, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $32.50-$37.50.

March 29-April 1

An Evening with Marvin Hamlisch, Florida Orchestra pops series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

March 30-April 1

Tampa Bay Blues Festival in St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park with headliners Los Lobos, Jonny Lang and Jeff Healey. Three-day passes $50; daily tickets $20-$25.

March 30-April 8

80th annual Festival of States, downtown St. Petersburg.

April 1

Bobby Vinton, Ruth Eckerd Hall, $29.75-$32.75.

April 3

Tampa Bay Devil Rays season opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg.

April 6

Josie and the Pussycats opens in area movie theaters.

April 6-May 12

American Stage Shakespeare in the Park, Love's Labours Lost, Demen's Landing, downtown St. Petersburg. $7-$22.

April 6-8

Berlioz's Celestial Requiem, Florida Orchestra masterworks series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

April 7

Dunedin Highland Games and Festival, Highlander Park, Dunedin.

April 7-8

Tarpon Springs Arts and Crafts Festival, Craig Park. Local color adds to the atmosphere on the bayou's shady banks.

April 13

Bridget Jones' Diary opens in area movie theaters.

April 16-22

Florida Winefest and Auction, the Resort at Longboat Key Club, Sarasota.

April 19-22

Gershwin, Ellington, Vienna & More, Florida Orchestra pops series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

April 21-22

Mainsail Arts Festival, North Straub Park, St. Petersburg. Beautiful setting by the bay for a top quality show.

April 21

Dance Theatre of Harlem, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $18.50-$48.50.

April 22

Bern's Wine Festival, Bern's Steak House, Tampa.

April 27-29

Mahler's Song of the Night, Florida Orchestra masterworks series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

April 28-Sept. 9

Venus de Milo in 20 Century Art exhibit at the Salvador Dali Museum, St. Petersburg.

May 2-6

Arthur, A Live Adventure, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $16-$26.

May 4-6

The Best of Skitch Henderson, Florida Orchestra pops series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

May 8-13

The Civil War musical, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $19.50-$61.50.

May 11-13

Mozart at the Piano & More, Florida Orchestra masterworks series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

May 18-20

Maestros Haydn, Tchaikovsky & Strauss, Florida Orchestra masterworks series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

May 19

Tropical Heatwave, with Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, the Abbysinians, King Chango and more, Ybor City, Tampa. $25-$30.

May 19-20

An Evening of Verdi & Puccini, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $9.50-$45.50.

May 24-26

Radio Days, Florida Orchestra pops series. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

June 23

The Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $24.50-$49.50.

Oct. 18-21

Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Coachman Park, downtown Clearwater.

Oct. 26-28

John's Pass Seafood Festival, Madeira Beach.

Oct. 27

Guavaween, day-into-night street festival, Ybor City.

Nov. 1-4

Sailboat Expo, downtown St. Petersburg.

Nov. 3-4

Art Harvest, Highlander Park, Dunedin.

Nov. 9-11

Ribfest, downtown St. Petersburg.

Nov. 14-18

American Powerboat Association Offshore Championships, downtown St. Petersburg and in Tampa Bay.

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