Daily Loaf

The air is getting crisp, the leaves as starting to fall, and everywhere you go, the smell of autumn is in the air…oh, no? Wait, we live in Florida, so our sad excuse for a pre-winter season won’t be here for a few months, but that’s not stopping the [5]art folks from debuting a fantastic new fall collection of exhibits, including Fresno G25, which features original works – paintings ranging from abstract to graphic, organic sculpture, wall art and more — by a dozen resident artists of Gallery 25 in California. Next up is a, um, revealing exhibit by Keith Thomas called Haven’t I Seen You Online? It includes large-scale paintings and drawings that explore his “life as a gay boy in the sprawling suburbs of Tampa,” and was inspired by the wide world of internet sex and dating sites. The final exhibit is a one-night-only affair in honor of the opening reception, and includes works by April Childers, whose small-scale sculptures have graced previous [5]art exhibits; photo art by Rion Sabean, and more. DJ Oblivion puts dancers in a trance at the reception, catered by Cigar City Brewing – providing a welcome break from the humdrum of house wines with a selection of microbrews, including Jai Alai IPA and Maduro Oatmeal Brown Ale. Pictured: a work from Keith Thomas’ Haven’t I Seen You Online? exhibit) Opening reception, Fri., Aug. 28, 7-10 p.m., Fresno G25 and Haven’t I Seen You Online? on display through Sept. 18, West Tampa Center for the Arts, 1906 N. Armenia Ave., #211, Tampa, free, 813-245-1034, five-art.com. – Franki Weddington

It’s the final rendition of S’REAL Fridays at the Dalí. This arty twist to the beginning of the weekend includes  jazz by MOD in the cafe (described as a “world-techno-acoustic-electro-jazz hybrid mash-up”), screenings of unusual silent films, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and, of course, access to the country’s largest collection of Salvador Dalí works — but you’ll have to bring your own funny moustache. Fri., Aug. 28, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Salvador Dalí  Museum, 1000 Third St. S., St. Petersburg, $8.50, salvadordalimuseum.org.

Bask provides the art and DJ Mega provides the tunes at the opening of Lucky You: A Mixtape Art Show. The artist’s “abstractions seek to inspire rather than preach by liberating the mind from monopolizing directives disseminated from the masses,” and connects the Communist propaganda prevalent in his early childhood in Czechoslovakia to the overwhelming barrage of advertisements that bombard our society today. Opening reception Fri., Aug. 28, 7 p.m., Reax Space, 1911 N. 19th St., Ybor City, knownasbask.com.

If you’re looking for a place to avoid Ronda Storms (or maybe run into Charlie Crist), I’d put my money on Gypsy Productions’ new show, Questa – which promises to offer poignant insight on sexuality, spirituality, love and loss. After Paul, the victim of an attempted gay bashing, kills (perhaps accidentally) his attacker, he’s overcome with guilt. He seeks redemption and solace by secretly following his victim’s mother, hoping to ease her pain. Through Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sun., Club Nautico, 4900 66th St., St. Petersburg, $20, nauticostpete.com. – Franki Weddington

The 2009 Global Lens Film Series continues with a screening of the Ecuadorian drama My Time Will Come.  The film, a dark tale of a morgue physician who is better equipped emotionally to deal with the dead than the living, should also serve as a visually compelling introduction to Ecuador’s capital city of Quito. My Time is directed by Víctor Arregui, who made some waves at 2003 film fests with his debut film Outside, and screens only once at the Tampa Pitcher Show. Sun., Aug., 30, 2 p.m., Tampa Pitcher Show, 14416 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, $5, free for GIFF members, gasparillafilmfestival.com. — Joe Bardi

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