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5 things to do under $5 for Feb. 19-25

 
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop will be at a free cookout at Elder Ford of Tampa Monday to help collect new or gently used sporting goods for Replay Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop will be at a free cookout at Elder Ford of Tampa Monday to help collect new or gently used sporting goods for Replay Tampa Bay.
Published Feb. 17, 2015

1 Chinese New Year: The Chinese New Year already kicked off with lots of fireworks at midnight Wednesday, but there are two events this weekend to embrace the Year of the Sheep. Bring the kids to Largo Central Park on Saturday to try your hand at traditional Chinese crafts and activities while you enjoy food samples and colorful Asian performances. It's free, though some activities are additional at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For adults, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will have brightly colored Chinese Lion and Dragon Dancers and percussionists parading through the casino at 6:25 p.m. today, 7:25 p.m. Friday and 8:25 p.m. Saturday. It's free to watch at the casino at 5223 N Orient Road, Tampa.

2Spring Dance Concert: The University of Tampa's popular spring dance concert returns with free shows today through Sunday, with students performing to choreography by UT faculty and guest artists in classical ballet, modern, Latin, hip-hop, West African and tap. One highlight is a re-creation with drummers of Yankadi and Makru dances of the Susus people from Guinea. There will also be a hip-hop piece choreographed by Dreama Davidson, creative director for VYB Dance Company and lead actor in Katonga at Busch Gardens. Free. Falk Theatre, 428 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. (813) 257-3745. 8 p.m. today-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.

4 Meet Ben Bishop: The Tampa Bay Lightning's No. 1 goalie Ben Bishop (No. 30) will sign one item for fans attending a free cookout at Elder Ford of Tampa, 9560 N Florida Ave., Tampa, from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday. Organizers are encouraging attendees to bring new or gently used sporting goods to be donated to Replay Tampa Bay, a nonprofit that helps kids in need obtain sports equipment.

3 DC Comics Artists Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner: The all-time power couple of the comic book world give a free public presentation in conjunction with Selby Gallery's exhibit "The Great American Graphic Novel." The couple are both writers on a variety of projects, including Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre and Batwing, but they really became a bona fide comic book power couple with the surprise success of their first ongoing series for DC Comics, Harley Quinn, the Batman villainess and Joker's girlfriend. One of the few female-led successes, it has been a hit for its humor. The duo will talk about their work and give the inside scoop on their profession. Light refreshments will be served. Free. Selby Gallery at the Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. (941) 359-7563. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Friday.

5 Goldilocks and the Three Bears: For this $5 show on Saturday, the Florida Orchestra is partnering with Freefall Theatre to tell the story with actors and a string quartet. In the process, kids will learn about the many different sizes of stringed instruments and how their unique sounds can tell a story. There will also be a musical "petting zoo" of instruments 45 minutes before the concert. The shows are at 10 and 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Freefall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Note that the 11:45 a.m. session is "sensory friendly" and geared toward children with autism, with special attention to the lighting and sound. Also, playtime may be limited so as to reduce noise and activity levels. The orchestra will do this again Feb. 28 at Tampa's Friday Morning Musicale, 809 W Horatio St., Tampa, also at 10 and 11:45 a.m., though there won't be a sensory friendly show. (727) 892-3337.

Sharon Kennedy Wynne, Times staff writer