THRU AUG 20 IMAGINED EAST: DECORATIVE ARTS AND THE IMPERIAL GAZE
Explore the roots of Orientalism, its appeal and significance as a decorative style, and the cultural impact of this movement. This exhibit features original artifacts from the Tampa Bay Hotel as well as loans from public and private collectors. Objects on display include sculptures, pottery, paintings, prints, furniture and more. 10am-5pm Henry B Plant Museum. 813-254-1891 PlantMuseum.com
THRU OCT 8 TAKING PICTURES: WOMEN OF INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
The result of a year long collaboration between gallerist Julie Saul and independent curator Carly Ries, this exhibition brings together photographs from the Collection of Peter J Cohen, a photographic archive spanning the analog era from the 1890s through the 1990s. Tampa Museum of Art. 813-274-8130 TampaMuseum.org
THRU OCT 15 ETCHED FEATHERS
Birds have mesmerized and inspired artists for centuries. Etched Feathers examines the works, and artistic processes, of John Costin and other bird artists and devotees, whose creations capture the essence of winged beauty. Tampa Bay History Center. 813-228-0097 TampaBayHistoryCenter.org
THRU JAN 8 REFRAMING HAITIAN ART
Rarely seen by the public, this collection includes over 75 artworks from Haiti's most prominent painters that presents an overview of the major developments in Haitian painting from the 1960s-80s. Tampa Museum of Art. 813-274-8130 TampaMuseum.org
JUN 9-25 THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL
There's a new tenant at Armadillo Acres - and she's wreaking havoc all over Florida's most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband - the storms begin to brew. Opens June 9th with performances every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the 25th. Stageworks Theatre. 813-374-2416 StageworksTheatre.org
JUN 18 FATHER'S DAY CRUISE
Give Dad a break from the grill this Father's Day with a spectacular cruise on the water! The entire family will enjoy a lavish meal prepared by Yacht StarShip's Executive Chef, while experiencing the best views of Clearwater and Tampa Bay. To make the day even more special, dad's drinks are on us! Brunch and Dinner Cruises available. Yacht Starship. 813-223-7999 YachtStarship.com
JUN 18 JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION
A lively community celebration of this "Freedom Day" holiday. with free museum admission, art-making activities, live music and performances, family portraits, amazing food trucks, and more. 10am-5pm. Tampa Museum of Art. 813-274-8130 TampaMuseum.org
JUN 22-25 PIPPIN
This award-winning classic features an infectiously unforgettable score and a myriad of players. This updated circus-inspired version of Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world. The Straz Center for Performing Arts. 813-229-7827 StrazCenter.org
JUL 4 JULY 4TH FIREWORKS CRUISE
Celebrate the stars and stripes on the water and dance on the top deck with a spectacular fireworks finale. Yacht Starship. 813-223-7999 YachtStarship.com
JUL 4 STAR SPANGLED SPARKMAN
Celebrate at the ultimate Retro Summer Party with the best views of the City of Tampa fireworks show! Enjoy live family entertainment and view of the annual boat parade. 4-9pm with Fireworks at 9pm. Sparkman Wharf. 813-618-5844 SparkmanWharf.com
JUL 4 TAMPA'S BOOM BY THE BAY 2023
Tampa is going BIG for this year's Fourth of July celebration with SIX fireworks displays along the downtown Tampa riverfront with family-friendly activities and events at each location. There will also be a new Friends of the Riverwalk July 4th Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet from 5-7pm along the Tampa Riverwalk! TampasDowntown.com
JUL 4 JULY 4TH FIREWORKS CRUISE
Celebrate the stars and stripes on the water and dance on the top deck with a spectacular fireworks finale. Yacht Starship. 813-223-7999 YachtStarship.com
JUL 4 BOAT PARADE AND BLESSING OF THE FLEET IN TAMPA
The Friends of the Riverwalk will celebrate July 4th with an inaugural July 4th Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet. The parade route will be similar to the holiday light boat parade, plus three blessing stations. (The Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition that began years ago but is still practiced in many fishing and boating communities around the world to ensure a safe and bountiful season.) The parade begins in the Convention Center basin, travels to the Heights, and ends at Sparkman Wharf. 5-7pm. Tampa Riverwalk. TheTampaRiverwalk.com
JUL 14-16 METROCON - ANNUAL CONVENTION
Florida's largest anime convention, METROCON, visits Tampa Bay for another exhilarating year of exciting stage shows, unique vendors, exciting panelists, and interactive events throughout the weekend, including the world-famous Anime Human Chess Match. Tampa Convention Center. 813-229-7827 Fri-Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 9am-3pm. MetroConventions.com
JUL 28-30 TAMPA BAY COMIC CON
Florida's premiere family-friendly comic book convention brings comic books, magazines, toys, games, anime, manga, cosplay, artwork and more. Along with the roster of guest creators and celebrities. Tampa Convention Center. 813-274-8511 TampaBayComicConvention.com
JUL 12 - AUG 6 LIZZIE-THE MUSICAL
Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the 1892 ax murders of her stepmother and father, but creepy legends and schoolyard rhymes insist on her guilt. In LIZZIE: THE MUSICAL, young Miss Borden's tale is related by four ferocious women fronting a six-piece rock band playing songs with snarling attitude and gleeful gallows humor. The Straz Center for Performing Arts. 813-229-7827 StrazCenter.org
JUL 20-23 THE LITTLE MERMAID, JR
Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends as she leaves her world behind to explore the world above. Performed by students ages 8-12, this Disney classic is sure to make a splash with audiences young and old. The Straz Center for Performing Arts. 813-229-7827 StrazCenter.org
AUG 5-6 TAMPA HOME & GARDEN SHOW
Everything for in and around your home. Kitchens, baths, gardens, pools & spas, security, windows & so much more! Tampa Convention Center. 10am-5pm. 877-730-7469 TampaHomeShow.com
AUG 17-27 TWILIGHT-LOS ANGELES, 1992
The acquittal of police officers accused of beating Rodney King set off five days of rioting, an outpouring of rage Los Angeles hadn't seen since the 1965 Watts riots. Playwright Anna Deavere Smith's stunning one-woman play, TWILIGHT: Los Angeles, 1992, recounts that time from 27 different perspectives. Jobsite's Andresia Moseley takes on the challenge of portraying 27 characters to capture what BroadwayWorld called the "cacophony of voices at the city's heart" following the King trial's verdict. The Straz Center for Performing Arts. 813-229-7827 StrazCenter.org
SEP 13 - OCT 8 ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
Before winning an Oscar® as a writer of Shakespeare in Love, Tom Stoppard delivered a comic retelling involving the Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon - he dove into Hamlet retelling it from the point of view of two bumbling support players. The entire world is a stage, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern play their part as the unwitting pawns in history's greatest tragedy. This is the story of what "really" happens behind the scenes as events pass them by. The Straz Center for Performing Arts. 813-229-7827 StrazCenter.org
SEP 15-17 90'S CON
A celebration of all the nostalgic moments of the beloved 90s era. Fans of the decade are treated to a star-studded event, with over 50 celebrities including Melissa Joan Hart, the Lawrence brothers, the cast of Family Matters, a few members of NSYNC and Backstreet Boys and more. Attendees have a chance to meet their favorite stars, enjoy show reunions and panels, and take pictures with the iconic "Back to the Future" car, a Slime machine, a replica of the famed Nickelodeon orange couch and a Spice Girls costume exhibit. Tampa Convention Center. 813-274-8511 Thats4Entertainment.com
OCT 3 - NOV 26 THE CHOIR OF MAN
The best pub lock-in you've ever been to. Featuring pop, classic rock, folk, Broadway and pub tunes, with something for everyone. A multi-talented cast combines hair-raising harmonies, foot-stomping singalongs, world-class tap dance and homage to that gathering place we all love so much: your local pub. The Straz Center for Performing Arts. 813-229-7827 StrazCenter.org
OCT 15 - OCT 13, 2021 FLORIDA IN THE 1920S
Bootleggers flooded Florida with illegal booze, flappers danced to jazz, and workers erected the first elaborate Art Deco buildings in Florida in the 1920s. At the same time, Mediterranean fruit flies attacked citrus groves and the state's brutal convict-leasing program ensnared thousands. Visit the Tampa Bay History Center's upcoming exhibition Florida in the 1920s to learn about these happenings and others that catapulted Florida into the modern era. Tampa Bay History Center. 813-228-0097 TampaBayHistoryCenter.org
OCT 20-27 9TH ANNUAL TAMPA TATTOO ARTS CONVENTION
Featuring artists from Ink Master, vendors, seminars, entertainment, contests and more! Tampa Convention Center. Fri 2pm-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-8pm. VillainArts.com
