Daily Loaf

This weekend, The Frenzie Theatre Company offers Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead, an angsty adolescent show that asks what might happen to the Peanuts gang if they ever reached teenagerhood. When CB’s dog dies of rabies, it causes him to question the existence of an afterlife — but with a burnout for a best friend, a sister who’s gone goth, an ex in the loony bin, and a load of inebriated buddies — he has no one to turn to for enlightenment on his existential questions. When he meets an artsy new friend, the limits of teen turmoil reach maximum levels in this darkly optimistic exploration of drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity. The Frenzie – Life Theatre donates a portion of proceeds to the Ryan Keith Skipper Foundation, which promotes diversity in the community. Nov. 20-28, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 4 p.m. Sun., The Barn Theatre, 11349 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview, $15, $10 students and seniors, thefrenzie.com. – Franki Weddington

Last season, The Florida Orchestra performed the music of Pink Floyd with a full band and psychedelic lights. This season, conveniently close to the release of the re-masters and a resurgence of interest in the Fab Four, TFO pays tribute to The Beatles with Classical Mystery Tour. Actor/musicians from Broadway’s Beatlemania – Jim Owen on rhythm guitar and piano, Tony Kishman on bass and piano, Tom Teeley on lead guitar and Your browser may not support display of this image. Chris Camilleri on drums as John, Paul, George and Ringo, respectively – perform note perfect renditions of Beatles hits ranging from “Yesterday” (presented on acoustic guitar with a string quartet), to “A Day in the Life” (complete with live orchestral crescendo). The foursome also draws on solo Lennon and McCartney songs, and executes costume changes throughout the night to represent different eras in Beatles history. Nov. 27-29, 8 p.m. Fri., Carol Morsani Hall-Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, downtown Tampa, and 8 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, $20-$67 ($10 students), floridaorchestra.org. –Leilani Polk

Start your holiday shopping with a good conscience by grabbing some earth-friendly and fair trade swag from the second annual Spend Less, Give More Holiday Bazaar at the Franciscan Center. This unique marketplace offers jewelry, housewares, apparel, foods and coffees from Beads for Life, Women’s Bean Project, MayaWorks, The Enterprising Kitchen, Catholic Relief Services, Partners with Haiti, Handcrafting Justice, Art Aids Art, and more. Help others and save some green (and save yourself from those long lines at the mall) by purchasing some of these one-of-a-kind items that are like nothing else you’d find under the tree. (Pictured: Rudolph the Fair Trade Reindeer, Thai folk art from Handcrafting Justice) Sun., Nov. 29, 2-5 p.m. and Mon., Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Franciscan Center, 3010 Perry Ave., Tampa, 813-229-2695, franciscancentertampa.org. – Katie Machol

Nothing says holiday cheer like spending time with the author of In Cold Blood (about the brutal murder of an entire family) and Breakfast At Tiffany’s (about a high-class hooker). But sometimes, Christmas traditions are re-imagined — like in A Truman Capote Christmas, an autobiographical story of the author’s childhood in which he is sent from his comfortable, familiar home to live with the father he has never met. Along the way, Capote discovers the truth about his past, his father and Santa Claus. Not From Texas acoustic band accompanies the show. Nov. 23-30, 7:30 p.m. Sun.-Mon., 8 p.m. Weds. and Fri.-Sat., American Stage, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, “pay what you can” admission, americanstage.org. – Franki Weddington

The Retro-Rama Antiques Show is the perfect way to go green and find a one-of-a-kind gift for everyone on your list (nothing is more eco-conscious than buying vintage!); there’s everything from old home goodies to mid-century decor, vintage holiday ornaments, textiles and linens, fashion, jewelry, pin-up art, postcards, art, books, tin toys, dolls, kitchen smalls, movie posters, ceramics, glassware and more. Admission also includes three discussions: “Collecting Christmas,” on collecting vintage Christmas ornaments, trees and memorabilia; “Mechanical Tin Toys 1900 to 1960,” with a focus on Japanese toys and wind-ups; and “Collecting 1950s and ’60s Rock n’ Roll Memorabilia.” Visit hulahula.biz for more info. Sat., Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Gulfport Casino, Gulfport, $6.

Well, here’s a gift that can keep on giving in the digital age: The Youth Services Department of Palm Harbor Library is inviting Grandmas and Grandpas from throughout the Bay area to record themselves on DVD reading their favorite holiday stories. This special Stories Across the Miles program is scheduled throughout the day, during which couples and individuals will get 20 minutes to read the titles of their choice in a “Winter Wonderland” setting.  Bring your own book or choose one from the library’s collection and give your grandchildren a gift they’ll revisit for years to come. Sat., Nov. 28, Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor; Register at the Children’s Desk (space is limited). Call the Youth Services Department at (727) 784-3332, ext. 3018 for more info. – Anthony Salveggi

Or, check out our Holiday Events Guide, a comprehensive to-do list of holiday events, from seasonal shows to handcrafted holiday shopping to Santa’s stopping points around the Bay.

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