Weekly Weekday and Weekend What-To-Do (03.23-27.16)

Smal Business Spotlight: Mini Doughnut Factory

The breakfast of champions! Indulge in cereal topped doughnuts at Mini Doughnut Factory and fuel your week in Tampa. Click HERE to visit their Facebook page for more photos that will make you hungry. You can also place your mini doughnut order over the phone: (813) 254-5374. Mini Doughnut Factory, 2109 South Dale Mabry Highway. 

Wednesday, March 23

Columbus Ships Pinta and Nina at Tampa Convention Center (All Week)
The ‘Nina’ was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools.  Archaeology magazine called the ship “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.”  In 2005, the ‘Pinta’, also a caravel, was launched in Brazil and was the first ship to site land in the New World.    Historians consider the caravel the Space Shuttle of the fifteenth century. Both ships tour together as a new and enhanced ‘sailing museum’ for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the ‘caravel’, a Portuguese ship used by Columbus   and many early explorers to discover the world. Before him, the Old World and the New remained separate and distinct continents and ever since their fates have been bound together for better or for worse. The ships will be in Tampa through March 29. Ships are open daily from 9am-6pm. $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for students (ages 5-16), children 4 and under are free. The ships are docked at Tampa Convention Center, 33 South Franklin Street. 

Murder for Two at Straz Center
Everyone is a suspect in Murder for Two a hilarious musical murder mystery with a twist: one actor investigates the crime, the other plays all of the suspects and they both play the piano! A zany blend of classic musical comedy and madcap mystery, this 90-minute whodunit is a highly theatrical duet loaded with killer laughs. The New York Times calls MURDER FOR TWO “an ingenious miniature musical in the form of a snazzy vaudevillian double act.” Click HERE for tickets and showtimes. Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place. 

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Straz Center (Wednesday-Saturday)
2013 Tony Award winner for Best Play! "riotous … the show’s a ton of fun even if you can’t tell your Seagull from your Uncle Vanya” – New York Post. Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, and the family crisis peaks just in time for the big party. Click HERE for tickets and details. Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place. 

Nightwish at Ritz Ybor
Nightwish, Sonata Arctica and Delain perform at The Ritz Wednesday night. Doors open at 7pm. $41+ fees. Ritz Ybor, 1503 East 7th Avenue. 

Inherit the Wind at Stageworks Theatre (Wednesday-Sunday)
One of the great American dramas of the 20th century, Inherit the Wind is as rousing and relevant today as it was in 1955. Two great lawyers face off in a small-town courtroom with the eyes of an entire nation upon them. The accused? A high school teacher. His crime? Teaching evolution. Loosely based on the real-life Scopes Monkey Trial, Inherit the Wind is an edge-of-your-seat legal drama and a riveting look at the age-old conflict between science and faith. Performances through Sunday, March 27. Click HERE for tickets and performance schedule. Stageworks Theatre, 1120 East Kennedy Boulevard. 

Island Night with Impulse at Skipper's Smokehouse
For the last fifteen years, Impulse has captivated the hearts of music lovers crossing culture, race and age. The band’s unique style of zouk, calypso, reggae, soca and meringue offer the perfect blend of island sounds for a romantic moment, leisurely hours or jump up. 8pm. FREE. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. 

Thursday, March 24

Latin Nights at Straz Center
Maestro's proudly presents its Latin Nights series, an evening of food and dancing. Meet new friends, experience Latin-inspired tapas and drink specials and dance to the thrilling rhythms of a live salsa band and DJ. Dance guidance provided by Simone Amaral of Simone Salsa dance studios. 9pm. $15 per person. Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place. 

Shakespeare in the Park at Waterworks Park: Much Ado About Nothing (Thursday and Saturday) 
Tampa Shakespeare Festival is dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare to Tampa communities in a fun and accessible way. They strive to create productions that are fast paced and enjoyable for the whole family. Tampa Shakespeare Festival’s productions are performed outdoors with minimal technical support in beautiful Waterworks Park. This Thursday and Sunday see Much Ado About Nothing. Performance begins at 6pm on Thursday, 2pm on Sunday. Waterworks Park, 1710 North Highland Avenue. 

Grateful Dead Nite with Uncle John's Band at Skipper's Smokehouse
Uncle John’s Band was formed in 1989 in Clearwater Florida from a combination of talented musicians who love to play the music of the Grateful Dead. The purpose of Uncle John’s Band is to recreate the atmosphere and musical adventure of a live Dead show. Over the past many years, Uncle John’s Band has performed hundreds of shows full of musical energy and pleasure for all those who have attended. 8pm. FREE. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. 

Friday, March 25

Tampa Bay Rowdies Season Kickoff at The Mahaffey Theater
Tampa Bay's NASL soccer squad The Rowdies celebrate the new season and their new alternate kits this Friday at The Mahaffey Theater. The event will feature libations, food courtesy of Ruth's Chris and a chance to meet with Tampa Bay Rowdies stars! Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the general public, with the program begining at 8:00 p.m. Parking at the Mahaffey Theater is $10. The event itself is FREE and open to the public. RSVP to RSVP@rowdiessoccer.com. Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st Street South in St. Petersburg. 

Betty Fox Band with Matt Schofield Band at Skipper's Smokehouse
With an extensive background in gospel and a lifelong passion for soul music, Betty Fox has come a long way from her southern roots to headlining festivals and captivating thousands with her raw swagger and unwavering talent. Now the 2015 representative of the Suncoast Blues Society, an International Blues Challenge Finalist, and 2 time winner of Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay, she is truly proving herself a force to be reckoned with. Concert begins at 8pm. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. 

Intronaut at The Orpheum
Intronaut and North perform at The Orpheum Friday night. Doors open at 7pm. $13+ fees. The Orpheum, 1915 East 7th Avenue.  

Rewind at Tampa Theatre – Repo Man

I put it to you that Repo Man is a coming-of-age story in which the main character makes almost no decisions. Otto’s (Emilio Estevez at his youthful peak) life is a series of comic-horrific things that happen to him, inflicted on him by a supporting cast of (brilliant) cartoonish dopes. From Bud, his repo man mentor, to his dazed, burnout parents; from his ridiculous punk lunatic friends to the freaky scientist in the glowing Malibu—it’s a ludicrous tableau of what not to become. But growing up happens to you whether you want it to or not… ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated? Screening at 10pm. Tickets are $7 online. Tampa Theatre, 711 North Franklin Street. 

Shakespeare in the Park at Waterworks Park: Richard III (Friday and Sunday) 
Tampa Shakespeare Festival is dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare to Tampa communities in a fun and accessible way. They strive to create productions that are fast paced and enjoyable for the whole family. Tampa Shakespeare Festival’s productions are performed outdoors with minimal technical support in beautiful Waterworks Park. This Thursday and Sunday see Richard III. Performance begins at 6pm on Thursday, 2pm on Sunday. Waterworks Park, 1710 North Highland Avenue. 

Saturday, March 26

$4 Bloody Marys and Mimosas at Square 1 Burgers (Saturday and Sunday)
Turn up your weekend brunch game with $4 Bloody Mary's, Mimosas & Poinsettias all day, every Saturday and Sunday at SQ1. Tell your friends, raise a glass and #‎FindYourAwesome?! Square 1 Burgers, 3701 Henderson Boulevard. 

Breakthrough for Brain Tumors – 5k Run and Walk
BT5K Tampa Bay is part of the American Brain Tumor Association’s (ABTA) signature Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K series. Currently, more than 700,000 people in the U.S. are living with a brain tumor diagnosis. Your support allows the ABTA to fund desperately needed brain tumor research, patient programs and support services. Click HERE for full details and to register for the event. Begins at 8am on Saturday. Al Lopez Park, 4810 North Himes Avenue. 

15th Annual Bolt Run at Amalie Arena 
The Lightning Foundation is proud to announce that the 15th Annual Florida Hospital Bolt Run presented by Dasani will take place on Saturday at Amalie Arena. This year’s event will consist of a 5k, 5 Mile, and 1 Mile Family Fun Run, spanning the entire morning and features pre-and post-race parties on Ford Thunder Alley at Amalie Arena. Packet pick up/registration at 5:30-7am the day of the race. 5 mile run begins at 7:15am, 5k run at 7:30am, 1 mile run at 8:45am. Click HERE for more information. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive. 

Tampa Pride and Parade Festival
The 2016 Tampa Pride Street Festival will be centered around historic Centennial Park. The park itself will host the traditional Saturday Morning Market complete with arts and crafts for everyone. Just south of the park and in the areas surrounding will be the main vendor area complete with an entertainment stage and wet-zoned vendor areas with three beer tents. The Parade will go from 1-3:30pm down 7th Avenue in Ybor. The festival will run from 10am-5pm. Click HERE for more information. 

Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire at Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheater
The iconic bands Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire bring their tour to Tampa this Saturday. Begins at 7:30pm. Click HERE for tickets. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheater, 4802 US Highway 301 North. 

NRBQ with Acme Jazz Garage at Skipper's Smokehouse
Often called “the world’s greatest bar band,” NRBQ are that rare group that’s eclectic, stylistically innovative, and creatively ambitious while also sounding thoroughly unpretentious and accessible. At its best, NRBQ’s music casually mixes up barrelhouse R&B, British Invasion pop, fourth-gear rockabilly, exploratory free jazz, and dozens of other flavors while giving it all a stomp-down rhythm that makes fans want to dance. Show begins at 8pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. 

Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
Prepare for a true Led Zeppelin experience with Zoso. Doors open at 7pm. $20+ fees. Ritz Ybor, 1503 East 7th Avenue.

Chino y Nacho at Busch Gardens
Chino Y Nacho are a Venezuelan Latin-urban duo with a romantic, tropical style whose debut album was released in 2008. In 2010, their chart-topping hit “Mi Niña Bonita” propelled them to international stardom. The duo is comprised of Chino (born Jesús Alberto Miranda Pérez on November 15, 1984, in Caracas, Venezuela) and Nacho (born Miguel Ignacio Mendoza on August 22, 1983, in Lecherías, Anzoátegui, Venezuela). Show begins at 6pm. Click HERE for tickets. Busch Gardens, 10165 North McKinley Drive. 
 

Sunday, March 27

Maestro's Restaurant Easter Brunch at Straz Center
Featuring breakfast stations, chef-attended omelet station, chef-attended carving station, bountiful salad bar, hot buffet and beautiful dessert display. Mimosa or champagne included in the price. The Easter Bunny will drop in with goodies for the children. Click HERE for reservations, and HERE for a full menu. Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place. 

Tampa Easter Brunch Buffet Cruise with Yacht Starship
This Easter hop aboard Yacht StarShip for a family-friendly brunch cruise with an elegant touch! Dine on an assortment of breakfast and lunch items while taking in the sights of Tampa Bay’s beautiful waterfront. Your cruise includes the buffet, a reserved table, DJ entertainment and a special appearance by Peter Cottontail for family pictures! Boards at 10:30am, depart 11am and return at 1pm. Second trip boards at 2pm. $49.95 for adults, $29.95 for children. Yacht Starship, 603 Channelside Drive. 

Family Favorites Classics Series at Tampa Theatre – The Last Unicorn

“The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone…" until the day she discovers she may be the last of her kind left in the world. Beautifully voiced by Mia Farrow, the unicorn leaves her forest to search out the truth and save her fellow unicorns if she can. Along the way she is joined in her quest by the bumbling magician Schmendrick (Alan Arkin) and the heart-worn Molly Grue (Tammy Grimes). Together they must confront the terrifying King Haggard (Christopher Lee), his monstrous Red Bull, and traps of both love and mortality in this beloved fantasy adventure. Screening at 3pm. $10 online. Tampa Theatre, 711 North Franklin Street.

Third Eye Blind at Busch Gardens
Since 1997, Third Eye Blind has recorded four best-selling albums influenced by classic pop rock traditions. Following their chart-topping debut single, “Semi-Charmed Life”, several successful singles spawned from their self-titled album, including “How’s it Going to Be” and “Jumper”. Show begins at 6pm. Click HERE for tickets. Busch Gardens, 10165 North McKinley Drive. 

The Ultimate Joe Cocker and Santana Experience at Skipper's Smokehouse
The members of Mad Dogs – The Joe Cocker Experience have performed with dozens of regional, national and international acts, covering every genre of music. This is what gives Mad Dogs the rhythms and grooves they project. Mad Dogs doesn’t simply play a bunch of Joe Cocker songs. They recreate Joe Cocker Live In Concert. Begins at 5pm. $7 in advance, $10 at the door. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. 

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