Daily Loaf

Tuesday, July 28: Put A Cork In It
Toasty Tuesday. Relax at this tasting of 10-15 different wines and appetizers while chatting with industry experts and dancing to live music. $15. 7-9 p.m., 28347 Paseo Dr., Tampa (407-654-2188)

Tuesday, July 28: Wings Gone Wild
Specialty Beer Tasting. Sample craft beers from the Cigar City Brewery, Dunedin Brewery and Yuengling. Among the tempting selections are Red Head Red Ale, Mad Piper’s IPA, Maduro, Jai Alai IPA and more. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 6 p.m., 3114 W. Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa (813-944-9792)

Tuesday, July 28: Datz Deli
Beer Club: Red, White and Brew. Seems like it’s been summer all year long, but we Floridians know that the dog days of summer are right around the corner. Be prepared by finding the perfect temperature-dousing brew at this beer class and tasting. Free. 6 p.m., 2616 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa (813-831-7000)

Wednesday, July 29: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping by for gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is eggplant parmesan, with farm eggplant, rustic tomato sauce and white truffle ricotta cheese. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

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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:

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It might be hot, hot, hot, but that’s no excuse to stay home and whine. Get out on the town and network/party/be charitable at the Party in the Penthouse benefit event. Held at the breathtakingly beautiful Crystal Palms Beach Resort, the event features catering by Bubba Gump Shrimp (we’re betting on shrimp gumbo, shrimp stew, shrimp kebobs, shrimp and grits, and a lot of Forrest Gump jokes) along with complimentary wine and beer. Don’t forget your business cards — this is a networking event, after all, and local business people will be out in droves. Proceeds from your partying benefit the Edwards Family Foundation, which gives away thousands of bikes, toys and food baskets to underprivileged local kids each Christmas. 5:30-8 p.m. Weds., June 24, Crystal Palms Beach Resort, 11605 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, $20, 727-360-0037, edwardsfamilyfoundation.com.

Celebrate the ultra-successful debut year of The RITZ Ybor at its One Year Anniversary Party. This funky (and free) event features Grayson Capps and the Stumpknockers onstage, kickin’ it in their Southern bluesy rock style. The “newest but oldest hot spot in Tampa Bay” promises another year of stellar events and star-studded performances. (Grayson Capps photo courtesy livemusicphotography.info) 6 p.m. Weds., June 24, The RITZ Ybor, 1503 7th Ave., Ybor City, free, 813-247-2555, theritzybor.com.