Daily Loaf

It’s hard enough to wrangle a hip group of artists/musicians/designers/models together at the same place and time, but it’s even harder to convince anyone to come see the spectacle. The visionaries at Square One do just that with scenester-crowded, can’t-miss-‘em shindigs — like Saturday’s eco-themed Magnum Opus — that draw party people in droves. More than 75 visual artists display their work (among them CL faves like Bluelucy, Kat Wilson, KLAAREN and Robert Wegmann), Jeremy Gloff hosts his album release party, and dance and fashion shows by Bella Danza, Enigma Dance Kru, Kinetic Dance Group and Wear To The Tear Fashion mean that there’s always something shiny and new to look at onstage. The cherry on top is that this nightlong shindig is completely gratis. Sat., Nov. 14, 7-10 p.m. , The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, free, squareoneflorida.com. – Franki Weddington

What goes together better than wine and blues? The holy union (which drew more than 30,000 folks downtown last year) gets its due this weekend at Dunedin Wines the Blues, when the Suncoast Blues Society heats things up at Dunedin’s Second Friday Art and Wine Walk and a blues jam takes the stage to accompany the arts and crafts, food and wine vendors. The real party gets started on Saturday, with an all-day jazz and blues jam-session that welcomes Grammy-nom John Lee Hooker, Jr., The Steve Arvey Horn Band, Kathy Jo and The Bluzification Band to the stage. Visit dunedinwinestheblues.info for more info. Nov. 13-14, 5:30-10:30 p.m. Fri., 5-11 p.m. Sat., Downtown Dunedin, free. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re already worn out on Halloween, check out our picks for non-ghoul-related weekend events. (But if you’re still looking for something to do for Halloween, check out our comprehensive listings here)

At Star Wars: In Concert, you can hear all six of John Williams’ epic soundtracks played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, narrated live by Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO in all six films. Specially edited footage, projected on a three-story tall, high-def LED superscreen, adds to the spectacle. A collection of costumes, props, artifacts, production artwork and behind-the-scenes videos from the Lucasfilm Archives — many that have never before left Skywalker Ranch — accompany the tour. Visit StarWarsInConcert.com for more info. Sun., Nov. 1, 4 p.m., St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, $32. 25-$72. 25, stpetetimesforum.com.

See director Bruce McDonald’s Pontypool, the latest installment in the International Cinema Series, if you like weird Canadians and French subtitles. Shock jock Grant Mazzy discovers a strange phenomena during his daily broadcast, and begins to suspect that his own words may be causing the virus infestation causing Pontypool’s townspeople to become eerily violent. Visit eckerd.edu/ic for more info. Fri., Oct. 30, 7 p.m., Eckerd College Miller Auditorium. St. Petersburg, free.

After the break: Pig Roast Gone Sassy, In the Heights, Stride for Strays, Tampa Bay Steel Orchestra and more Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Who could deny themselves the opportunity to see a daschund dressed up as a weenie and help combat pet overpopulation? Next Saturday, Animal Coalition of Tampa is hosting Stride for Strays, its ninth annual walkathon to raise money for their non-profit spay/neuter clinic, hoping to end pet overpopulation in Tampa Bay.

Before the mile-long walk to the park, participants collect donations. Then, furry friends compete in a pet Halloween costume contest. For the humans in attendance, there are prizes for money raised, face painting and shoulder massages. If you want to add to the family, there are on-site adoption services from the Hillsborough County Animal Services’ Mobile Adoption Clinic. Fox 13’s Cynthia Smoot is the master of ceremonies. Sat. Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-noon, Al Lopez Park, 4602 N. Himes Ave, Tampa, strideforstrays.com – Rebecca Wainright

When you’re trying to stay within a budget, you have to weigh your entertainment options. Is it worth the money? Can I afford to bring a date, or go with a group of people?

None of that is a concern tonight. Read the rest of this entry »