It's a big weekend for people of all tastes and lifestyles. Venture out and see something new. It can't hurt and you might survive an evening without some STD* spilling beer on your shoes. (*South Tampa Douche for you visitors and transplants).
Patton Oswalt is here! Comedy’s most eloquent complainer brings his whacked-out analogies to the Straz Center. Now a family man, the veteran comedian jokes about relatable but scary topics like the Birthday Clown from Hell and his daughter’s Tiananmen Square moment. Sat., Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m. Straz Center’s Morsani Hall, Tampa. $30-$50. strazcenter.org.
Don we know our cray apparel: Lina Teixera’s fabulous works will be once again featured Saturday night at Dunedin Fine Art Center’s Wearable Art 11 fashion show, which celebrates a decade plus with an exhibition of paintings “Robed in Fable,” by Steven Kenny and and runway presentations by Michael Ian Anzures and DemiGod, Stephanie Arner, Mark Byrne, Melissa Dolce, the Garden Fairies, Jeanne Halle, Julian Hartzog, Johnny Hunt, Shelby Pogue and Lina Teixeira. The event kicks off with a pre-party (music provided by DJ Muggles Malone) at 7 p.m. followed by the Runway Show at 8:30 p.m. and after-party (music provided by Luxury Mane) at 9:30 p.m. Wearable Art is Sat., Aug. 29, at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. $20, $40 or $75; dfac.org.
Electrifying dance: A Tampa eminent contemporary dance ensemble is back, is old enough to vote and celebrates the return of its founders. Choreographer and dancer Erin Cardinal, who relocated to California, will be back to perform in the Moving Current Fall Dance Concert, which kicks off the company's 18th season. The performances in the show offer storylines that relate to the everyday human condition. Artistic directors Shelley Bourgeois, Brian Fidalgo II and Cynthia Hennessy join guest choreographers, George Staib, Michael Foley, Andy and Dionne Noble (Noblemotion), Sara Sweet Rabidoux and Nathan Dryden in presenting their works. Michael Wall provides the music; dancers Marion Baldeon, Shelley Bourgeois, Brooke Bradley, Erin Cardinal, Katie Cole, Aly Coscia, Brian Fidalgo II, Carrie Handley, Travis Mesman, Kebra Philebaum, Kelly Rayl, Abraham Jarrell, Kristin O'Neal, Erica Lessner, Crystal Edwards, Maria Juan and Courtney Smith perform. 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday. University of South Florida Theatre 2, Tampa, $12-$16; tickets are available online through movingcurrent.com or by calling 813-237-0216.
Party Gulfport-style: Expect Mardi Gras-like shenanigans at this year's Gecko Ball, which writer and resident Gulfport expert Cathy Salustri says may be the only place you can see a Mardi Gras celebration more extreme than you'll see in New Orleans. At the event, Gulfport will crown its new Gecko Queen, and tapas from Ricky P's Orleans Bistro, a cash bar will add to the fun. The ball, held in the Gulfport Casino (5500 Shore Boulevard South, Gulfport), takes place Saturday night from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport; $35. geckofest.com.
Geri X Album Release with Shawn Kyle, Black Coast Royals: The Bay area’s mesmerizing mistress of alternative folk-rock sounds has been steadily working on a follow-up to last year’s White Light, and so far, the videos she’s posted previewing new material during her live sessions at Red Room Recorders have found her wounded vocal quality, knife-edged lyrical turns and love-worn subject matter intact. This date celebrates the LP’s completion with some high-quality support. Saturday night at New World Brewery, Ybor City. Text by Leilani Polk.
Spend a "Night in the Islands" Saturday night: Tarpon Springs presents its free and fun social-dining-dancing event with live Greek folk music in its historic Sponge Docks. Dance lessons by the Levendia Dance Troupe from 6 to 7 p.m. Performance afterward through 10 p.m. tarponarts.org.
Harbour Island Summer Fest The live music, drinking and food fest series offers kids interactive art and other activities, live painting and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Event page on Facebook.
Last chance to see two great plays: See Kari Goetz as a dog in Sylvia at Stageworks Theatre, and Betty Jean Parks as Flannery O'Connor in A Peculiar Crossroads: A Celebration of Flannery O'Connor, at Silver Meteor Gallery.
Tampa Theatre Summer Silent Movie: Every year Tampa Theatre presents a silent film with live Wurlitzer organ. This summer it's Phantom of the Opera, the 1925 silent gem starring Lon Chaney. Organist Dr. Steven Ball plays the theater's original 1926 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. $12. Sun., Au g. 30, 3 p.m. Tampa Theater, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa. tampatheatre.org.
South-side Pub Bike Ride: Hitch your bikes and drive over the Skyway to enjoy some different pedaling territory in central Florida, and some different brew too. The Cigar Brewing-sponsored ride starts at 6 p.m. at Motorworks Brewing and then heads to Moose Lodge 1223, Loaded Barrel and Darwin Brewing Company. Click here for event page.
