Daily Loaf

This busy hub of creative expression in downtown St. Pete offers a mind-boggling array of studio classes, with something for everyone from rank amateur to accomplished artisan. If you place the winning bid, you get your pick of any class in the medium of your choice, whether it be ceramics, photography, silk-screen, jewelry-making, painting — or, if you’re so inclined, courses called “Wet Felt Fundamentals” and “Hot Glass Pumpkin” (either of which would make a great band name).

Estimated value: $165 Suggested opening bid: $25

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The Morean Arts Center and The Studio@620 continue to bring current art and issues to the community — this time, with a month’s worth of advance screenings of Art21-Art in the Twenty-First Century, the national TV series with a focus on contemporary art. After the show, the host of WMNF’s “Art in Your Ear,” JoEllen Schilke, moderates a panel discussion on the episode’s themes. Visit art21.org or studio620.org for more info. (Pictured: Art:21 production still of artst Oliver Herring at work) Thursdays through Oct. 23, 7:30-9:30 p.m., The Studio@620,  620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, free.

If local craft brew floats your sudsy boat, then the ninth annual OktoBEERfest is your cup of tea. Or, well, beer. The line-up of events include the brewery’s Liter Release and Appreciation night, and a huge party that spills out onto the streets from Dunedin’s tasting room. “Notoriously German food” and live music by Bump accompany the constantly flowing beers. Visit dunedinbrewery.com for more info. Thurs.-Sun., Oct.1-4, Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. Read the rest of this entry »

Often recognized as Shakespeare’s bloodiest play, the Secret Theatre Company puts a new spin on the old ultraviolence with their production of Richard III. Quick to point out that this hybrid of theater and rock ‘n’ roll is “not to be confused with a rock musical” (we’re not talking Andrew Lloyd Webber here), the performance fuses a live show by local rock band Sobriety with “stylized period design and graphic deaths,” all in a smoky, sinister setting that’s sure to mold the mood for Richard’s epic rise to power. Witness Richard’s evolution from oily antihero to prey of gloom, self-doubt and paranoia after his coronation, gained through betrayal and foul play. The ever-popular State Theatre is an ideal venue to host the bevy of bands that open the show with original music and a score of six songs written just for Richard. (Pictured: Giles Davies in Richard III) Aug. 8, Sat., 8 p.m., State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, $20, $15 students, 727-895-3045, statetheatreconcerts.com. — Franki Weddington

There’s no doubt that Texas comedian Ron White gets filed under “redneck humor” in most folks’ minds, and with good reason. He shot to national attention as part of the four-person “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” a few years back, yukking it up alongside double-wide staples Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy. But White, who brings his Behavioral Problems Tour 2009 to Tampa Bay, was the least redneck of the quartet, opting instead for a more subversive brand of self-deprecating humor centered on his over-indulgences. Sure, you can focus on his “Tater Salad” persona, but we prefer the wickedly funny side that saunters onstage with a half-smoked cigar and a tumbler full of scotch. Not exactly a sophisticate but not quite ready to be consigned full-time to Branson, Mo. Consider this: He early on did a bit about a friend of his who was a homophobe. “Is that the most useless thing you can possibly be is afraid of gay people? We’re all gay. It’s just to what extent are you gay,” the joke began. And for those parents who loooooved Blue Collar Comedy on Comedy Central, just forget about taking your kids to see the in-concert White; he works blue. Real blue. Fri., Aug. 7, 7:30 pm, Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S. St. Petersburg. $44.75. 800-745-3000. www.mahaffeytheater.com. — Wayne Garcia

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Welcome to Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today we’re looking ahead to an arty fashion party in celebration of the Morean Arts Center’s current exhibit:

Let loose your inner style beast on Saturday, August 8 at  Wild Party, a fashion, makeup and hair-design extravaganza held in conjunction with Wild Spirits, the Morean Arts Center’s current, animal-themed exhibition of sculpture. Four St. Pete hair stylists create ferocious ‘dos while models wearing designer Rhonda Shear’s latest upscale lingerie roam the party. Belly up to the Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Bar and try on a pair of feathery false eyelashes (with purchase and assistance from a Neiman Marcus makeup artist). A live DJ, cash bar and hors d’oeuvres by Bon Appetit restaurant round out the offerings. (Pictured: Sahara Strut and Fall Getaway by Lenné Nicklaus-Ball, part of the Wild Spirits exhibit) Sat., Aug. 8, 8 p.m.-midnight, Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, $30 for Morean Arts Center and Salvador Dali Museum Zodiac Group members; $40 general admission in advance; $50 day of the event, 727-822-7872; To purchase tickets, call Alissa Hopkins at ext. 33., moreanartscenter.org — Megan Voeller