North Tampa entertainment calendar

Today

Jazz in New Tampa: Violinist Lemay Olano James performs at 8 p.m. Fridays over dinner at Urban Culinary Cuisine, 10016 Cross Creek Blvd., New Tampa. He also plays at 7 on Thursday evenings. Call (813) 994-3800.

Entertainment at Kennedy's: Sing karaoke from 5 to 8 Friday nights at Kennedy's Bar and Grill, 10630 Plantation Bay Drive, Heritage Isle. The restaurant also hosts comedy, jazz and old-school R&B from 8:30 p.m. to midnight Fridays. Call (813) 406-4941.

Lots of laughs: Andy Kindler performs at 8 and 10 tonight and at 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday at Side Splitters Comedy Club, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway. At 7 p.m. Sunday, see finalists compete in an open mike comedy competition. Call (813) 960-1197 or visit side splitterscomedy.com.

Get your jam on: Jam bands Buffalo Strange and Burnin' Smyrnans play at 8 p.m. at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. $7 to $10. Call toll-free, 1-800-594-8499.

Saturday

Water ski shows: This week features "Patriot Day All-Stars." Enjoy watching the 2010 Southern regional champion water ski team perform for free each Saturday. Each show has a different theme. Free. 6 p.m., Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, 130 Burbank Road, Oldsmar. (813) 917-8354.

Simply the Best concert series: The opening concert in the series features Lisa Irion as Cher. Tickets are $20 to $38. Proceeds benefit WeCats Corp., a nonprofit cat rescue and public educational organization. 7 p.m., Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts, 30651 Wells Road. (813) 794-8772.

Rock show: The Legendary JCs play at 8 p.m. with 3rd Stone at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. $7 to $10. Call toll-free, 1-800-594-8499.

Sunday

Saxes Gone Wild: Renowned Tampa Bay tenor saxophonist Mike MacArthur hosts a show featuring several saxophonists, a house band and special guests at 6 p.m. at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. $10. Call toll-free, 1-800-594-8499.

Wednesday

Country rock: Tricia Parish plays at 8 p.m. at the Front Porch Grille, 5924 N Florida Ave. Call (813) 237-5511.

Ongoing events

Witness for the Prosecution: The Carrollwood Players perform Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 2 at the Carrollwood Playhouse, 4335 Gunn Highway. $14 to $16. Call (813) 265-4000.

Featured artist: Local mixed-media artist Lloyd Johnson is the featured artist for September at the Great Frame Up. His work is on display throughout the month at the gallery, 1646 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Call (813) 994-6700.

Artist of the month: The North Tampa Arts League's artist of the month for September is Anita Long. Her work is on display throughout the month at the New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd. Call (813) 273-3652.

Art at the CCC: See ethereal and spiritual art by local artists through Sept. 29 at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road. Call (813) 269-1310.

Art at the JCC: The artwork of the Westchase Artists Society is on display indefinitely at the Tampa Jewish Community Center, 13009 Community Campus Drive. Call (813) 254-9000.

Send information two weeks in advance to northtampa@sptimes.com; fax to (727) 869-6233; or call (813) 909-4617.