Daily Loaf

It’s a smorgasbord smash-up of the summer’s hottest trends: bright colors, shrinking hemlines, spiky heels (and hair) and…um, coffee filters. It’s the second annual TRA’shion Fashion and Art Show at the coolest new art space in town, ARTpool — and every scrap of style in the show is recycled from the stuff the rest of us usually toss out. Expect to see everything from food and candy (meticulously arranged Skittles made up a particularly stunning – and colorful – frock in last year’s show) to bubble wrap, newspaper, wrappers, plastic bags, and everything else that makes up the contents of your recycle bin—don’t be surprised if some creative soul throws the actual recycle bin in for good measure. More than 30 Florida fashionistas send their stylish reinterpretations down the runway, and not only can you can buy the items in the show (and more of their fierce fashion forays), but 100 percent of the proceeds go right to the designer. A collection of “recycled art works” and video art projections ensure that there’ll be enough visual stimuli to keep the party goin’ all night long. (Picture and recycled designs by Kaeli Ellis) 6 p.m.-midnight, Sat., July 11, ARTpool, 919 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg, $20, $15 students, free for children younger than 10, artpoolrules.com. — Franki Weddington

At the Lucky13 Birthday Bash, “adolescence begins” for Dunedin Brewery after 13 fine years of suds. Enjoy Yappy Hour with your pup on the patio, meet the brew master, hear some rock ‘n’ roll by the Heavy Pets, and celebrate the release of DB’s latest creation: the Bohemian Pilsner — light in color and body, heavy on fresh floral flavors, and perfect for summer. Visit dunedinbrewery.com for more info. 5 p.m. Fri., July 10, Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, free.

RENT, ComiCon, Paul Potts and more after the break:

My first experience with the La Bohème-inspired musical, RENT, was when my sister’s chorus performed “Seasons of Love” for a school concert. Even as a lover of musicals (even really, really cheesy ones) I wasn’t blown away by the show’s signature song—it’s absolutely dripping with sugary-sweet, maudlin emotion. And that’s why it’s so hard for me to admit how much I adore the show now. Everyone can find a favorite sing-a-long number (mine is Mimi’s badass rock ballad “Out Tonight”) and a character with whom they can identify. Even though characters are artsy, preternaturally pretentious youngsters making their fame in NYC, they manage to be relatable, even likeable, through their triumphs and losses—which, even for a musical, are numerous. From Angel, the cross-dressing drummer, to Maureen, the lesbian performance artist, to Roger, the HIV-positive punk rocker [see my interview with Adam Pascal here. Pascal played Roger in the original Broadway cast and film, and returns for current touring production] to Mark, the confused filmmaker who documents the whole drama, each character struggles with the concept of self-identity. The show speaks to all the issues that are (apparently) important to the modern generation—selling out to pay the rent, sexuality, all those pesky “–isms” (race, sex, etc.), and ultimately the meaning and attainment of art and love in a world that doesn’t care about your creative process. (Pictured left to right: Anthony Rapp as Mark Cohen and Adam Pascal as Roger Davis onstage in RENT) July 7-12, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun., Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Plc., Tampa, $38.50-$72.50, 813-229-7827, tbpac.org.—Franki Weddington

At the Tampa Comic Book and Toy Convention, superfans can meet comic book artists like industry superstar Chris Claremont of X-Men, Joe Rubinstein of X-Men, Wolverine and Superman fame, Batman’s Dick Giordano, and many more. Old and new comics, toys, DVDs, trading cards, Star Wars collectibles, and costumed super heroes round out the event. Visit tampacomiccon.com for more info. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., July 12, Minnreg Building, 6340 126th Ave. N., Largo, $5 adults, free for kids 12 and younger, 727-322-9329.

At the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project, volunteers head to Upham Beach to clean up the coast in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Surfrider Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans and shores. Celebrate your Good Samaritan status with surf-inspired appetizers, wine and bubbly — courtesy of the folks at Barefoot Wines — at the Cha Cha Coconuts after party, which also features a concert by Mason Jennings. Volunteers meet at 69th Ave. and Beach Plaza at Upham Beach for the clean-up. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. beach clean up, 6-8 p.m. after party Sat., July 11, Cha Cha Coconuts, 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, free.

Paul Potts, the everyman of opera who went from managing a cell phone store to becoming the beloved champion of Britain’s Got Talent, performs this weekend. Neal Boyd and Giorgia open for the talented tenor. 7 p.m. Sun., July 12, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater, $39-$58, rutheckerdhall.com.

After being censored by TBPAC, Ruth Eckerd Hall, and several other local theaters, The Penis Diatribes (It’s Harder Than You Think Being a Dick), hits the stage. Michael Matteo conceived the work after reading the acclaimed Vagina Monologues and wondering why a similar play hadn’t been written from the male perspective. His own testosterone-filled response follows a man on New Year’s Eve as he reflects on his many failed relationships and comes to the realization that all his shortcomings are tied to his penis. As he begins a dialogue with his member, he discovers the organ controls his entire life. This comedy begs the question, “How much say does a penis have in a man’s decision-making process?” 11:30 p.m. Sat. July 11, Carrollwood Playhouse, 4333 Gunn Hwy., Tampa, $15, 813-265-4000. – Shawn Alff

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