Daily Loaf

X Bash is the ninth annual clothing-optional event that features indie artists, musicians and performers who showcase their talents while they showcase their, um, goods. But what would a naked party be without a foam pit, hot tub, sauna and fire eater? X Bash has that, too. What began as an adventurous young woman’s birthday party has become a much-anticipated networking event for the local arts community — but with more booze and less clothing than your run-of-the-mill mixer. Featured musicians include David “Scary” Perry, Dreddy John, Global Decay, DJ Kaos and more, along with spoken word performances and visual arts displays. Visit xzanthia.com for more info and event schedule. (Pictured: Foam pit revelers at X Bash 2008, courtesy xzanthia.com) July 17-19, The River Boat Club, 6901 Caliente Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, $15 per day, $40 weekend pass in advance; $25 per day, $60 weekend pass at the gates.

Begun last year as an experiment, the Craft Beer Expo has quickly shouldered its way into the hearts and mouths of beer fans across the Bay area. Sure, it’s a benefit for the endangered Gamble Mansion State Park down in Ellenton, but that’s just a side note to the huge line-up of brews poured at the event by more than 25 breweries. Unlike most donate-and-sip charity tastings around town, the Expo also takes the time to educate via a slew of beery seminars that are best enjoyed before you fill your tasting cup 30 or 40 times. Learn the ins-and-outs of beer and food pairing, beer judging, and tips for home brewing. Then, taste away. But remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. July 18, 2-7 p.m., Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg, $30 (tasting)/$50 (tasting and seminars), 727-892-5798, mahaffeytheater.com. —Brian Ries

If your idea of a special day includes big hair and a big dress, the Evolution of Drag is for you. More than 25 dressed-up, down ‘n’ dirty divas take over GaYbor to dance, sing, and swing their way through this fundraiser to send the local queen bee of drag, Daphne Ferraro, to the National Entertainer of the Year Pageant in Louisville, KY. Expect cameos from cross-dressing characters like Cher, Marilyn Monroe, Dionne Warwick, Wynona Judd and many others, who take audiences on a trip through the “Evolution of Drag,” complete with a Big Ole Gay finale. The lovely ladies’ creative stage names may be the highlight of the evening — they range from the demure April Fresh to feisty Chi Chi La Lique and the naughty nun-ishness of Divinity Everlasting. (Pictured: Daphne Ferraro, the creator and star of Evolution of Drag) Sun., July 19, 4 p.m., Honey Pot, 1507 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, $10 in advance/$12 at the door, myspace.com/evolutionofdrag. —Franki Weddington

More naughty and nice weekend events, like the Tampa Bay Bridal Show and Elvis Fest, after the break:

For those who don’t have the budget for a professional wedding planner (or for the self-admitted Bridezilla who can’t relinquish control of the details), the Tampa Bay Bridal Show is one-stop shopping for the big day. Browse all the goods and services you could want or need (and, perhaps more importantly, those you want to avoid), from the bridal shower all the way through the ceremony and honeymoon. This collection of more than 100 local vendors helps overwhelmed brides-to-be choose everything, including flowers, cake, decorations, music, reception venues and, of course, the all-important dress. If you need help determining whether beaded piping is for the dress or the cake, this event is perfect to get busy brides organized. Sun., July 19, noon-4 p.m., St. Pete Time Forum, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa, $2 admission, tampabayexpos.com. —Franki Weddington

The Elvis fan club of Tampa Bay presents the Elvis Fest and Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, a competition to send one lucky impersonator to the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest finals in Memphis for annual Elvis Week in August. Winners are chosen on criteria like talent, appearance, performance, stage presence, and overall King-ishness. Call the Elvis hotline at 813-977-6011 for tickets. (I didn’t make up that last bit; there really is an Elvis hotline. The King lives on!) Proceeds benefit the Children’s Home of Tampa. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat., July 18, University Area Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa, $11-$30.

No, it’s not the latest “home video” from a barely-legal starlet: Once Upon A Mattress is a musical re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale, The Princess and the Pea. When Princess Winnifred of the Marsh (Fred to her friends) learns that she will compete for Prince Dauntless’ affections, she swims across the moat in her excitement to meet him — arriving a wet, muddy, exuberant mess. As Fred prepares for every imaginable test Queen Aggravaine could throw at her (including lifting impossibly heavy loads, wrestling, singing and drinking herself into oblivion), she wins Dauntless’ heart and the Queen’s utter loathing. When the Queen devises an impossible “sensitivity” test to see if Fred can feel a pea under 20 mattresses, the Prince loses all hope of wedded bliss. But with a little help from King Sextimus the Silent, Fred proves that, in matters of the mattress, her fairy tale can have a happy ending. July 17-19, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, $23, 727-791-7400, rutheckerdhall.com. —Franki Weddington

The 21st Annual Cool Art Show isn’t just a run-of-the-mill description of the exhibit; Cool is a refreshing retreat from the summer sun. While these summer art shindigs are usually held in the hastily-tented heat of a blacktop parking lot, the Professional Association of Visual Artists does us a solid by holding the event in the air-conditioned haven of the Coliseum, where you can also beat the heat with a selection of wine and beer. PAVA is a by-the-artists-for-the-artists group that spreads the good word about our hardworking local artisans, and displays their work in the public arena. This juried, members-only fine art and craft show spotlights 80 artists, who work in a wide range of media: painting, sculpture, metal and woodwork, glass, pottery, jewelry and more. July 18-19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun., The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, free, 727-892-5202, coolartshow.com. —Franki Weddington

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