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Top things to do in Tampa Bay for march 9

 
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 14:  (L-R) Recording artists Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson of music group Earth, Wind & Fire perform onstage during the 2016 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Irving Azoff at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 14, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.  (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 14: (L-R) Recording artists Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson of music group Earth, Wind & Fire perform onstage during the 2016 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Irving Azoff at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 14, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Published March 9, 2018

Florida Strawberry Festival and Concerts: Earth, Wind & Fire: One of the world's top selling musical groups of all time known for their signature sound and for setting the standard for music of all genres headline at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. Noon, Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N Lemon St., Plant City. $10, $5 ages 6 to 12, 5 and younger free. Concert tickets are extra. (813) 752-9194.

Valspar Championship: Championship Pro-Am: Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth add star power to this year's PGA tournament. For the fans there's an expanded food truck rally, the Grapes and Grains spirits emporium and new this year is a collection of tiny homes set up behind the 18th green that's free to explore. 6 a.m., Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, 36750 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. $39 and up; 15 and younger free. (727) 942-5566.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg: The 14th edition of this annual opening race for the Verizon IndyCar series takes place in the streets of downtown St. Petersburg on the 1.8-mile long waterfront course with 14 turns. Other activities include the Speed Zone, IndyCar Series Fan Village, beer gardens, driver autograph sessions, interactive games and exhibits. 7:30 a.m., Race Track Area, Albert Whitted Airport to First Street SE, St. Petersburg. $20-$100 single day. Toll-free 1-877-725-8849.

Adventure Island Opening Day: Tampa's popular waterpark brings the "Tropical Wildlife" back for another season when Adventure Island re-opens the water slides and wave pool for another season. Remains open through Oct. 14. 10 a.m., Adventure Island, 10001 McKinley Drive, Tampa. $59.99, 2 and younger free. (888) 800-5447.

Volta: The bendy people of Cirque du Soleil bring the Grand Chapiteau to Tampa to tell the tale of the freedom of choice and blazing your own trail in this new traveling show. Through March 18. 4:30 and 8 p.m., Greyhound Track, 8300 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Starting at $37. Toll-free 1-877-924-7783.

St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: Why wait to celebrate St. Patrick's Day when you can celebrate 10 days early on this pub crawl with food and drink specials at up to 14 participating pubs and bars including James Joyce Irish Pub and Hamburger Mary's. Check-in at 5 p.m. Check-in food service ends at 7 p.m. 5 p.m., Tampa Bay Brewing Co., 1600 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. $20. (813) 247-1422.

Chasco Fiesta: Located adjacent to the park on Bank Street, this year's nine-day festival carnival has a midway with a special area for younger children offering them more minimally frightening rides. It's Joy FM Family Night with a free concert by Over Flow Worship at 6 p.m. 5 p.m., Sims Park, 5547 Main St., New Port Richey. Free to attend. Wristband for carnival rides additional. (727) 842-6055.

Buildings Alive!: Ybor City Architecture Hop: Behind the scenes tours of six buildings using only trolleys and foot power. Buildings include the San Souchi, Casa Oliva, P. Spoto, Lozano and Sons Cigar Factory, Florida Brewery and the Columbia Bank. 5 p.m., Ybor City Museum State Park , 1818 E Ninth Ave., Ybor City. $45. (813) 247-1434.

Music and Art Festival: The Tampa Bay Pride Band brings us a collection of artists and performing artists who celebrate "pride and diversity" through music and art. 5:30 p.m., Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus Performing Arts Building, 1304 E 11th Ave., Tampa. $10 advance, $15 at the door. (813) 922-5449.

Margaret Cho: The comedy icon is now clean, sober and on her Fresh Off the Bloat tour that has been drawing raves around the world for its brutal honesty and caustic wit as she mines the material of sexual politics. 8 and 10:30 p.m., Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. $25. (813) 864-4000.

Nick DiPaolo: The "comic's comic" is a favorite on Comedy Central roasts. 8 and 10:15 p.m., Side Splitters Comedy Club, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. $20-$25. (813) 960-1197.

The Color Purple: The Tony Award-winning musical is based on Alice Walker's epic tale that follows an African American woman living in the south. 8 p.m., Carol Morsani Hall at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. $26 and up. (813) 229-7827.

Jim Breuer: Following his stint on Saturday Night Live, where his "Goat Boy" character became a fan favorite, he starred alongside Dave Chapelle in the cult comedy, Half Baked. T 8 p.m., Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. $28 and $35. (727) 791-7400.

Marjorie Prime: Opening Night Gala: In the age of artificial intelligence, a young stranger arrives to help 86-year-old Marjorie uncover the intricacies of her past, raising questions about the limits of technology and the notion that memory is a human invention. Through April 1. $59. 8 p.m., American Stage Theatre Company at Raymond James Theater, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. $39-$49; free for people under 20 years old, reservation required. (727) 823-7529.

Hippie Sabotage: Electronic dance music brother duo Kevin and Jeff Saurer are on their Path of Righteousness Tour open to all ages. They were No. 1 on Billboard's Next Big Sound Chart and have performed with Ellie Goulding and Tove Lo. 9 p.m., Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $19.50 and up. (727) 565-0550.

Baauer Graves: An electronic dance music artist will perform after the release of his first album Tombstone. 10 p.m., Ritz Ybor, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. $9.75-$15. (813) 690-0938.

KIDS AND FAMILY

The Big Bounce America: The entire family, even adults, can enjoy 20,000-square-feet of bouncing fun with slides and inflatable attractions. Organizers say this is "the world's largest bounce house." Also, a Bounce Village with a Ninja Run, Monster Ball Pit, Lil' Bouncer and yard games. 1 p.m., Keystone Recreation Center, 17928 Gunn Highway, Odessa. $9-$25 (varies by day and time). Toll-free 1-888-718-4253.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Find events for kids at tampabay.com/things-to-do.