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Top things to do in Tampa Bay for Friday, April 12

 
In this 2014 photo, a large crowd views the sand sculptures during Pier 60’s Sugar Sand Festival in Clearwater Beach. The annual gathering returns Friday, running through April 28. [LUKE JOHNSON | Times]
In this 2014 photo, a large crowd views the sand sculptures during Pier 60’s Sugar Sand Festival in Clearwater Beach. The annual gathering returns Friday, running through April 28. [LUKE JOHNSON | Times]
Published April 11, 2019

Tampa Bay Blues Festival: The music-fueled celebration continues with a lineup driven by folks like Jonny Lang, Samantha Fish and Curtis Salgado. Runs through Sunday, but catch the after-show at 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N, with Mike Welch and J.P. Soars. $50 and up Friday, $115 and up for the weekend. Noon. Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Drive NE, St. Petersburg. tampabaybluesfest.com.

The Big Bounce America: Billed as the world's largest, this mother of all bounce houses brings a new 900-foot-long obstacle course and a 25-foot-tall space-themed race slide to Carrollwood Country Park. Reservations are recommended, as some bounce sessions, broken down by age group, will sell out. Runs through Sunday. $15-$28. 9 a.m. (toddlers and younger children), 1 p.m. (bigger kids) and 5 p.m. (adults only). 4680 W Village Drive, Tampa. thebigbounceamerica.com.

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: The annual event highlighting sculptures made out of sand inside a 21,000-square-foot tent expands to 17 days. Runs through April 28. $10 adults, $8 children 4-10, free for 3 and younger. $8 for seniors, military, police, firefighters and teachers with proper identification. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 10 Pier 60 Drive, Clearwater Beach. (727) 871-8060. sugarsandfestival.com.

Abstract Expressionism: A Social Revolution, Selections from the Haskell Collection: This new exhibit, opened Thursday, showcases the genre's definitive artists, including works by first- and second-generation Abstract Expressionist painters Willem de Kooning, Hans Hofmann and Helen Frankenthaler. Later artists are featured as well. Runs through Aug. 11. $15, $7.50 seniors, military and Florida educators, $5 students, free for college students and 6 and younger. Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W Gasparilla Plaza. (813) 274-8380. tampamuseum.org.

Tampa Bay Lightning: The Bolts' series against the Columbus Blue Jackets continues Friday (and Sunday). Ticket prices vary. 7 p.m. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 301-6500. tampabaylightning.com. TV: Fox Sports Sun; radio: 970-AM.

The Florida Orchestra: In an all-too-rare confluence of events, a female conductor (Gemma New) leads a piece composed by a woman (Anna Clyne's The Seamstress), featuring a female soloist (the orchestra's own Sarah Shellman on violin). Robert Schumann's Manfred Overture and Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 1 round out the bill. $18 and up, free for kids and teens in advance. 8 p.m. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa. (727) 892-3337. floridaorchestra.org.

Egypt Shrine Circus and Carnival: Now in its 54th year, an old-fashioned carnival with 18 rides — among them a Ferris wheel and carousel — as well as clowns and shows from circus leader Dapper Dan. Show times vary. Runs through Sunday. 3:30 p.m. Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall, 4800 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. egyptshrinecircus.com.

Roadside Attractions: Arist April Seelbach's solo exhibit at Mize Gallery combines "personal road trip nostalgia" and "groovy enthusiasm." 6 p.m. 689 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 251-8529.

The Bouncing Souls: The punk rock band takes the stage with the Bronx, the Casualties and Crazy and the Brains. $26.50 and up. 6 p.m. The Orpheum, 1915 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. (813) 248-9500. theorpheum.com.

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The Estate Show #2: The second installment of the alt-comedy Estate Show, hosted by Matt Walker and Lauren Bone. Comedians Kyle Neely, Matt Carter and Melissa Nicholas accompany live music and an improvised sketch. Expect beer and wine available for purchase. $10. 8 p.m. Paper Crane, 910B Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. bitter-and-productions.square.site.

Florida Folk Scene Showcase: John Allen James fills Cage Brewing with soulful Americana, backed by the Stillhouse Shakers and Penn Johnson, during the kid-friendly concert. Free. 9 p.m. 2001 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 201-4278.

Discord Theory: An indie-punk rock band are featured throughout the night of local music, as are Viewers Like You and Mr. Handsome. No cover. 7 p.m. Hooch and Hive, 1001 W Cass St., Tampa. (813) 251-1234.

Night Market Under the Lights: Head to Dunedin for an amalgam of arts and craft vendors, beer, live music and eats. Hosted the second Friday every month. 6 p.m. HOB Brewing Company, 931 Huntley Ave. (727) 216-6318.

Five Eight: This four-piece rock outfits perform alongside Pinky Doodle Poodle and Lassyu. 10 p.m. The Bends, 919 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 202-8931.

SunLit Festival: The fifth annual event presents various events in St. Petersburg. Runs through April 17. $35. 7 p.m. Chihuly Museum, 720 Central Ave. sunlitfestival.org.

To Watch

American Masters: Joseph Pulitzer, 9 p.m., PBS: A new documentary that reveals the man behind the award. A media mogul with a cantankerous editorial voice and two best-selling newspapers, Pulitzer was an outspoken champion of a free press.

More to Explore

Find date night ideas and things to do with kids at tampabay.com/thingstodo.