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Top things to do in Tampa Bay: Jan. 20-26

Gasparilla Pirate Fest and Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades lead this week’s bill of worthwhile events.
 
The crowd lining Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa celebrates during the annual Gasparilla Parade of Pirates in 2019.
The crowd lining Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa celebrates during the annual Gasparilla Parade of Pirates in 2019. [ Times (2019) ]
Published Jan. 20, 2020

Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest: This annual celebration’s invasion invites you to dress in pirate garb and watch Jose Gaspar and his marauding buccaneers sail into Tampa to steal the key to the city from Mayor Jane Castor. Then catch beads and more than 50 krewes as they bring 140 units, 103 floats and five marching bands during the Parade of Pirates. Free. 9 a.m. Saturday. Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards. gasparillapiratefest.com.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A trio of parades observe the birthday of the influential civil rights leader on Monday. First up is the procession in downtown Brooksville, where marching units representing local organizations kick off at 10 a.m. from Hernando High School, 700 Bell Ave. Then the 34th annual Dream Big Parade proceeds down First Avenue S in St. Petersburg with seven marching bands, cheer squads, music-bumping vans and dance troupes at 11 a.m. Finally, the Tampa parade, now in its 31st year, features marching units, drumlines and floats at noon starting from Cuscaden Park, 2900 N 15th St.

The Lakewood High School Marching Spartans perform in St. Petersburg in 2019 as part of the MLK Dream Big Parade.
The Lakewood High School Marching Spartans perform in St. Petersburg in 2019 as part of the MLK Dream Big Parade. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Tampa Bay Times (2019) ]

MUSIC

Michael Bolton: The multiple Grammy-winning singer and songwriter returns. $70 and up. 8 p.m. Friday. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. (813) 387–9838. seminolehardrocktampa.com.

Michael Bolton is pictured in a scene from his Netflix comedy special "Michael Bolton's Big Sexy Valentine's Day Special."
Michael Bolton is pictured in a scene from his Netflix comedy special "Michael Bolton's Big Sexy Valentine's Day Special." [ BRANDON HICKMAN | Netflix ]

Kris Kristofferson: We hope you snagged a ticket to see the country music legend and actor take the stage. Robert Earl Keen opens. Sold out. 7 p.m. Sunday. Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. rutheckerdhall.com.

Todd Snider: WMNF brings one of its favorites, this alternate-folk and countrified blues artist, to town. $20. 8 p.m. Friday. Centro Asturiano, 1913 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. (813) 238-8001.

Will Hoge: The Grammy-nominated singer tours in support of his album My American Dream, which Rolling Stone named among the best albums of 2018. $40 and up. 8 p.m. Thursday. The Attic, 1510 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. (828) 773-9481. theatticyborcity.com.

The Kingston Trio: These folk icons come back to Ruth Eckerd Hall for the first time in 15 years to play their best-loved songs. $18 and up. 1 p.m. Monday. 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. rutheckerdhall.com.

Shena Samone: The Tampa-based artist showcases her voice, as well as other local hip-hop and R&B performers. $12 and up. 7 p.m. Sunday. The Orpheum, 1915 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. (813) 248-9500. theorpheum.com.

Engelbert Humperdinck: The Grammy nominee and Golden Globe winner, whose career spans more than 50 years, performs. $69 and up. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre.

The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston: Belinda Davids’ tribute show to the legendary singer promises backing vocalists, a live band and choreographed dancers. $32.50 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S. (727) 892-5767. themahaffey.com.

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DATE NIGHT

Steve Martin and Martin Short: The celebrated comics stop by with their Now You See Them, Soon You Won’t! tour. $151.25 and up. 8 p.m. Friday. Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Ira Glass: The host of public radio’s This American Life uses audio clips, music and video to share lessons from his life and career in storytelling. $25 and up. 8 p.m. Saturday. Mahaffey Theater.

Ira Glass will appear at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Jan. 25.
Ira Glass will appear at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Jan. 25. [ Courtesy of Sandy Honig ]

Star Wars Live in Concert: The Florida Orchestra performs John Williams’ Oscar-winning score while Return of the Jedi plays on the big screen. $52.75 and up. 8 p.m. Saturday. Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Iliza Shlesinger: With five Netflix specials and another on the way, it’s clear the Last Comic Standing winner isn’t short on material. $35 and up. 8 p.m. Friday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. (813) 229-7827. strazcenter.org.

Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank: The new exhibition offering a virtual reality component opens, telling the story of Anne Frank in a modern way. $9, free for members. 7 p.m. Saturday. Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 Fifth St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 820-0100. flholocaustmuseum.org.

Gaysparilla: After the Gasparilla invasion and parade, the Honey Pot keeps the merriment going with DJ tunes, a pirate-themed show by Amy DeMilo and cast and drink specials. Free, $5 after 9:30 p.m. 9 p.m. Saturday. 1507 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. (813) 247-4663.

Curator’s Talk: Sarah Howard, curator of public art and social practice, leads a gallery tour and discussion of two exhibitions: Anastasia Samoylova’s FloodZone, a photographic series reflecting the impact of sea level rise in South Florida, and Hope Ginsburg’s Sponge Exchange, video and sculpture installations that examine how the health of marine invertebrates affects the environment and economy. Free, $5 parking. 6 p.m. Thursday. USF Contemporary Art Museum, 3821 USF Holly Drive, Tampa. (813) 974-4164. usfcam.usf.edu.

KIDS AND FAMILY

Kumquat Festival: The 23rd annual oh-so-Florida celebration of a tiny citrus fruit showcases a farmers market, arts and crafts, a car show, live entertainment and children’s activities, plus the main draw: kumquat pies and other products. Free, food and drink additional. 9 a.m. Saturday. Historic Downtown Dade City, 14112 Eighth St. (352) 567-3769. dadecitychamber.org.

Kumquat pies and other products will drive the Kumquat Festival on Jan. 25 in Dade City.
Kumquat pies and other products will drive the Kumquat Festival on Jan. 25 in Dade City. [ Times (2002) ]

Kenneth City Carnival: The family-friendly event features midway rides, fair food and games. Runs through Sunday. Free, rides additional. 5 p.m. Thursday. Kmart parking lot, 4501 66th St. N, Kenneth City. Toll-free 1-866-666-3247. dreamlandamusements.com.

Pizza and a Movie: This film screening pairs Downton Abbey, based on the popular PBS series about a family preparing for a royal visit, with slices of pizza, desserts and soft drinks. $7. 5 p.m. Thursday. St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1239 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center. (813) 634-1252.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Find other things to do at tampabay.com/things-to-do.