Beach Drive: The Weekender 2/27-3/1


Another week (and another month) in the books! We can’t wait to decompress with some awesome events in the heart of St. Pete. Check out this week’s highlights below!

THURSDAY 2/27

Fine Art after 5PM: reduced admission to The Dali Museum, MFA & Imagine Museum

Fine art can be pricey. Thursdays after 5PM, visit the Dali for just $10, the Imagine Museum for $5, and the MFA for $10. Have a glass of wine and stroll the museums for the perfect Happy Hour.

More Dali Museum information can be found here.

Museum of Fine Arts information can be found here.

Imagine Museum information can be found here.

Royal Palm Market

Enjoy live music, food, shopping and craft cocktails every Thursday at 6PM under the royal palms of St. Pete! This weekly night market is located right next to Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails and features local artists, boutiques, handmade goods, leather goods, wood burning, clothing & accessories, specialty dog treat vendors, soaps, candles and so much more! Bring the whole family including your pets to this free, weekly event.

Geri-X Thursdays at the Ale and the Witch

Check out the Ale and the Witch for a night of live music by Geri-X each Thursday in February! From 8PM to 10PM, enjoy the original songs of local singer-songwriter Geri-X as she performs an anthology of her work over the month’s course. Geri was also the first musician to perform at the Ale and the Witch almost ten years ago! Find out more about her here.

Surrealism Film Night at the Dali

In conjunction with Midnight in Paris: Surrealism at the Crossroads, 1929, join The Dalí for a double feature of Surrealism’s first films. Germaine Dulac’s The Seashell and the Clergyman and Salvador Dalí’s and Luis Buñuel’s An Andalusian Dog will be shown back to back for a double dose of surrealism. Cost: Free (Parking is free for members, as available; $5 parking for nonmembers after 5pm.) Location: The Raymond James Community Room & the Will Raymund Theater. This event happens from 6PM to 7:30PM.

St. Petersburg Jazz Festival 2020 (Day Two)

The 2020 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, scheduled February 26 – March 1 and celebrates great talent with Florida connections. The festival is presented by nonprofit EMIT. The festival opens Wednesday, 2/26 with Brazilian jazz group O Som Do Jazz with guest flutist, Jose Valentino Ruiz and Brazilian percussionist Rafael Pereira. On Thursday, 2/27 see the amazing jazz/funk fusion group The Conglomerate from Orlando. Friday, 2/28 is virtuoso steel pan artist Leon Foster Thomas with Tal Cohen and his group. Saturday, 2/29 features vocalist Alexis Cole and the 18-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra. The final concert on Sunday, 3/1 is a tribute to the innovative trumpeter and composer Booker Little, led by Jason Charos and jazz musicians from Miami. See www.stpetejazzfest.com or www.mypalladium.org for more.

FRIDAY 2/28

Friday Night Clay at Morean Center for Clay

Spend your Friday evening playing in clay at the Morean Center for Clay! Be prepared to get dirty for two hours from 7-9PM. of wheel throwing and hand building. Bring a towel, your favorite beverage, and a group of friends or a date for a fun get-together. You’ll get to select your favorite piece at the end of the night and they will bisque and glaze it for you to bring home. Purchase your tickets for $25 online today.

Friday Nights at the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club

It’s not just for the older generation anymore! Join the fun at the world’s largest shuffleboard club to see why this pastime has regained its popularity in the Sunshine City. Free every Friday night from 7PM-11PM, locals and visitors alike flock to this private recreational club. If you’re not sure how to play, have no fear as volunteers are on hand to give you a lesson or two. Bring your own snacks and beverages – local craft beers tend to be a popular choice. There’s often live music or a DJ on-site to keep you shufflin’. Children are welcome and so are well behaved dogs.

St. Petersburg Jazz Festival 2020 (Day Three)

The 2020 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, scheduled February 26 – March 1 and celebrates great talent with Florida connections. The festival is presented by nonprofit EMIT. The festival opens Wednesday, 2/26 with Brazilian jazz group O Som Do Jazz with guest flutist, Jose Valentino Ruiz and Brazilian percussionist Rafael Pereira. On Thursday, 2/27 see the amazing jazz/funk fusion group The Conglomerate from Orlando. Friday, 2/28 is virtuoso steel pan artist Leon Foster Thomas with Tal Cohen and his group. Saturday, 2/29 features vocalist Alexis Cole and the 18-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra. The final concert on Sunday, 3/1 is a tribute to the innovative trumpeter and composer Booker Little, led by Jason Charos and jazz musicians from Miami. See www.stpetejazzfest.com or www.mypalladium.org for more.

Annual MUSE Awards at the MFA

The Annual MUSE Awards celebrates artistic inspiration by recognizing the breadth and beauty of art and culture in the vibrant city of St. Pete. This benefit pays tribute to those that contribute to inspire and guide St. Pete to its standing as an international arts destination. The event is happening at the Museum of Fine Arts and begins at 7PM. Visit the event website for more information.

SATURDAY 2/29

Saturday Morning Market

The Saturday Morning Market is the largest weekly fresh market in the Southeast US, serving around 10,000 customers a week. The market includes 130 vendors, offering everything from fresh produce to homemade soaps to ready-to-eat food from 15 different cultures. The free-to-enter market runs from 9AM to 2PM every Saturday at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Pete.

St. Pete Walking Mural Tour

Hear the inside stories of the making of more than 30 murals found in the Central Arts District in downtown St. Petersburg. The four-block tour begins at Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., each Saturday morning at 10AM and concludes at 11:30AM. Call 727-821-7391 or email gallery@FloridaCraftsmen.net to book a tour, which costs $19 for adults and $11 for children. A portion of the proceeds from the tours will be used to fund future murals.

Poolside Yoga and Brunch

If there weren’t enough yoga options for you already, here’s another: poolside yoga at the Hollander Hotel at 8:30 followed by brunch. Salute the sun with Allison Moonbeam Archer then cool off in the Hollander Hotel Downtown St Petersburg’s beautiful pool. All levels are welcome for this slow flow class and mats will be provided as needed. $5 Body Electric monthly and annual members; $10 pre-registered; $15 at the door.

Drag Brunch

Head to the Iberian Rooster’s SubCentral for a morning of food and entertainment! This weekly event starts at 11AM. Drag queens Adriana Sparkle, Nicole T. Lane, and Juno Vibranz bring the fun while you bring your appetite. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

St. Petersburg Jazz Festival 2020 (Day Four)

The 2020 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, scheduled February 26 – March 1 and celebrates great talent with Florida connections. The festival is presented by nonprofit EMIT. The festival opens Wednesday, 2/26 with Brazilian jazz group O Som Do Jazz with guest flutist, Jose Valentino Ruiz and Brazilian percussionist Rafael Pereira. On Thursday, 2/27 see the amazing jazz/funk fusion group The Conglomerate from Orlando. Friday, 2/28 is virtuoso steel pan artist Leon Foster Thomas with Tal Cohen and his group. Saturday, 2/29 features vocalist Alexis Cole and the 18-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra. The final concert on Sunday, 3/1 is a tribute to the innovative trumpeter and composer Booker Little, led by Jason Charos and jazz musicians from Miami. See www.stpetejazzfest.com or www.mypalladium.org for more.

Leap Year Party at the Ale and the Witch

Spend Leap year at The Ale and The Witch! The afternoon features Tonight’s The Night, a Neil Young tribute band. Tonight’s The Night will be performing all of Neil’s acoustic and electric classics from 3:30PM to 6:30PM.

The Semi-Annual Curated Art Yard Sale at the MFA

From 8AM to 12PM, check out the Museum of Fine Arts for an art yard sale! This semi-annual event features the works of local artists, with prices ranging from $5 to $100. Find out more here.

Out of this World at the Mahaffey

All systems are go for a voyage to distant galaxies with stellar music from Star Trek, E.T., Holst’s The Planets, Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey and more. Conducted by Sarah Hicks and performed by the Florida Orchestra. This event appears as part of The ST. PETERSBURG CELEBRATION of the ARTS. For more about the celebration visit artsofstpete.org. The performance starts at 8PM. Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased here.

Skyway 10K Expo Day

From 10AM to 6PM, check out the Skyway 10K’s yearly Race Expo! This will be held at Lot 7 in the parking lot of Tropicana Field in beautiful Downtown St. Petersburg and is open to the public. There will be live music, vendors, and a day filled with fun! Bring your family and friends to this community-wide event to celebrate the Skyway 10K and support military families. This is the ONLY opportunity for race participants to pick up their race packets (unless mailing option was selected). You MUST bring their photo I.D. AND bib number in order to receive their packet and bib. Race participants MUST have their bib number PRIOR to picking up their packet. Participants can look up bib numbers on the event website.

SUNDAY 3/1

Yoga at The Dali

Come with your yoga mat and get ready to be inspired! Join Lucky Cat Yoga at 10:30 AM every Sunday at The Dali Museum for yoga. Classes are held in the Raymond James Community Room or outside in the Avant-garden, both with incredible views of the waterfront. The cost to participate is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased at the Member’s desk.

Mimosas & Masterpieces: Brunch at the Dali

Raise a glass to an artistic take on Sunday Fundays at Café Gala with Mimosas & Masterpieces! Enjoy a Catalan-inspired brunch, visit the galleries, stroll the grounds, contemplate the Avant-garden, browse the Museum Store and soak in all the brilliance of the world-famous Dali Museum. Enjoy this inspired brunch between 11AM to 4PM. Visit the Facebook event page here.

St. Petersburg Jazz Festival 2020 (Last Day)

The 2020 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, scheduled February 26 – March 1 and celebrates great talent with Florida connections. The festival is presented by nonprofit EMIT. The festival opens Wednesday, 2/26 with Brazilian jazz group O Som Do Jazz with guest flutist, Jose Valentino Ruiz and Brazilian percussionist Rafael Pereira. On Thursday, 2/27 see the amazing jazz/funk fusion group The Conglomerate from Orlando. Friday, 2/28 is virtuoso steel pan artist Leon Foster Thomas with Tal Cohen and his group. Saturday, 2/29 features vocalist Alexis Cole and the 18-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra. The final concert on Sunday, 3/1 is a tribute to the innovative trumpeter and composer Booker Little, led by Jason Charos and jazz musicians from Miami. See www.stpetejazzfest.com or www.mypalladium.org for more.

Poetry at the James Museum

Kick off Women’s History Month with poetry by Silvia Curbelo, Eleanor Eichenbaum, Sam Obeid, Gloria Muñoz, and Helen Wallace. In concert with the closing of the exhibition “Spirit Lines: Helen Hardin Etchings”, prominent poets from the Tampa Bay area will share work that explores identity and space through time. Space is limited; reservations recommended. Included with admission; free for members. The reading begins at 2PM.

All Reet St. Pete in North Straub Park

St. Petersburg’s North Straub Park was the birthplace of The Cat’s Meow’s first community focused event over three years ago! This celebration includes, yoga, dancing, and much more. To get warmed up, ther will be free yoga and free acro-yoga lessons to start, and then DJ’ed music from the finest Florida DJs all the way until 5:00PM, where we’ll have one more yoga session to rejuvenate the end of the day. For the full schedule, visit here.

Celtic Woman at the Mahaffey

Since its debut 15 years ago, global musical sensation Celtic Woman’s concerts continue to capture the hearts of an audience that spans the globe. Both an accomplished recording ensemble and a world-class performing collective, Celtic Woman celebrates Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage, while continuing its remarkable legacy of introducing some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians onto the world stage. The concert begins at 7PM. Tickets here.

Skyway 10K (Off Beach)

Runners and walkers of all levels will have the opportunity to cross over the span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Pete, Florida. In this third annual Skyway 10K, the iconic bridge, covering three Florida counties, will serve as the breathtaking setting and 6.2-mile course for a once-in-a-lifetime race. With 100% of all proceeds benefiting the Armed Forces Families Foundation, the Skyway 10K will be a salute to the military families and a premiere bridge run for years to come. Take in the beauty of Tampa Bay, support our military and their families, and be a part of something historical! For more information and registration, visit here.

MUSEUMS

Beaches, Benches and Boycotts (LAST WEEKEND)

Beaches, Benches and Boycotts” is an original exhibition of The Florida Holocaust Museum. The focus of most Civil Rights history is written about places like Alabama and Mississippi, as if few challenges occurred elsewhere. Tampa Bay remained racially segregated at the dawn of the Civil Rights era and many local institutions and establishments held out on integration for several years after Brown vs. the Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under “Jim Crow” every aspect of African American life in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and their surrounding cities was segregated. Restricted covenants were in place that segregated residential neighborhoods. African American children had to attend segregated schools that were under-funded and often in disrepair. Blacks could only be cared for at “Black only” hospitals, and other public and private establishments like restaurants and beaches were often segregated – if blacks were allowed in at all. The Civil Rights Movement in Tampa Bay may have had characteristics similar to other areas of the South but its stories are its own. This exhibition will illuminate our region’s struggle with racial equality and shine a light on the local leaders who changed our cities. This exhibit runs through March 1st.

Midnight in Paris at the Dalí

When Salvador Dalí & Luis Buñuel’s film Un chien Andalou premiered in the City of Light, Paris was an avant-garde hothouse rife with artistic conflict and friendly rivalry. Midnight in Paris: Surrealism at the Crossroads, 1929 immerses visitors in this particularly rich and vital creative era by examining the works, friendships and clashes of Jean Arp, André Breton, Luis Buñuel, Alexander Calder, Giorgio de Chirico, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, Alberto Giacometti, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Francis Picabia, Man Ray, Yves Tanguy and others. This exhibit runs through April 5th.

The Life Story of Anne Frank at the FHM

“Let Me Be Myself” tells the story of Anne Frank in a modern way, addressing current day issues of identity, exclusion, and discrimination. Anne’s experiences connect deeply with today’s youth as they grow and learn that all actions and words matter. This exhibition will also feature a Virtual Reality (VR) component from Force Field VR and Oculus Studios that allows the visitor to travel back in time to Anne Frank’s hiding place, the “Secret Annex.”  Making use of large size pictures, the exhibition shows the story of Anne Frank from her birth in 1929 up to her death in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945. Each exhibition panel also contains images and texts about the world around Anne Frank: the rise of Hitler, the persecution of the Jews and the Second World War.

Art of the Stage: Picasso to Hockney at the MFA

The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg is the first museum in the country to host this exhibition culled from the McNay Art Museum’s prestigious Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts since it closed December 29, 2019 at the McNay in San Antonio, Texas. The traveling exhibition features a stunning variety of over 100 scene, costume, stage and program designs created by noted artists from the nineteenth century to the present day. The works of artists presented in the exhibition, such as Henri Mattise, Natalia Goncharova, Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, Robert Indiana, and Lesley Dill, innovated the productions of some of the world’s most famous opera and ballet productions. To truly bring the art of the stage to life, the MFA is collaborating with several local and national arts organizations to present live performances on a theater built inside the gallery, as well as performance spaces throughout the museum. The museum will be animated with performances of classical music, opera, dance, theater and poetry throughout the run of the exhibition, along with special lectures and film screenings.

About the author

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Gina Marks

Gina is a graduate of the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, with a love of all things writing and St. Pete-themed. Originally from Grand Rapids, MI, she moved with her family to Florida in 2009 and has been in love ever since. When she's not studying or working, she spends her time reading, writing, and working on her fashion blog, ellisfashionco.com.


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