Top Tampa Bay area events for the week of Feb. 12-20
2024 Rays Fan Fest: The event will feature current major league players and coaches, home clubhouse tours, entertainment, food and e-waste drives, and more. Autograph passes are available in the MLB Ballpark app or at raysbaseball.com/fanfest. Free, but tickets are required. 1-5 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17). Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-825-3137.
Florida State Fair: Enjoy all the weird food items, prize animal shows, roaming entertainment, midway games, rides and more during this last week of the fair. There are also a few specials. Thursday (Feb. 15) is $3 Thursday, with $3 admission, select rides, games and food items after 3 p.m. On Friday (Feb. 16), it’s Family Day, and people 17 or younger will receive free admission to the fair until 6 p.m. with an admission-paying parent or guardian 21 or older with a valid ID. A parent or guardian can supervise up to four people 17 or younger. $7-$11 advanced. Prices increase at the gate. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N., Tampa. 813-621-7821.
Gasparilla Music Festival 2024: Enjoy more than 50 bands across five stages and food from some of the area’s top restaurants. This year’s musical lineup includes Young the Giant, Louis the Child, Big Gigantic, Lake Street Dive, Coin, Trevor Hall and Digable Planets. Proceeds from the nonprofit festival benefit youth music education in Hillsborough County. $50-$300, 12 and younger free. 4-11 p.m. Friday (Feb. 16), 1-11 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17), 1-9 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 18). Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N. Boulevard, Tampa. 813-708-8423.
Collard Green Festival: The festival geared toward general health and wellness through nutrition features a collard green cook-off, free collard greens, fitness and agricultural demonstrations, live music and a talk by author and self-appointed “soul food scholar” Adrian Miller. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17). Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, 2240 Ninth Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-323-1104.
Rod Stewart: The singer-songwriter, who has sold more than 250 million records and singles worldwide and whose hits include “Tonight’s the Night,” “You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)” and “Maggie May,” performs. $275-$450. 8 p.m. Friday (Feb. 16). Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.
Boyz II Men: The R&B superstars are coming to the Hard Rock Event Center on Valentine’s Day, bringing classics “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “Motownphilly” and more. $105 and up. 8 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 14). Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.
Deadmau5: The multiple Juno Award-winning and Grammy-nominated electronic music producer headlines a pool party. $30 and up. 11 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 18). Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.
Mardi Gras Festival: Mardi Gras comes to the farm, with live New Orleans-style jazz music, stilt walkers, jugglers, acrobats, hayrides, a petting zoo, themed food, pony rides and more. $20, 2 and younger free. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17), 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 18). Rapranger Family Farm, 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa. 813-922-2799.
Jazz by the Bay: Mardi Gras: Honoring New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, this 21-and-over event features live music, themed decor and an oceanic backdrop for a night of dancing. There will also be New Orleans-inspired bites and crafted cocktails. $55-$75. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17). Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage. 727-441-1790.
Whitney James’ Jazz Valentine: James sets the mood for love with a repertoire that includes timeless songs. Michael Clement, Alejandro Arenas, LaRue Nickelson and Dave Hamar will join her. $30-$55. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 14). Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590.
Black Love Classics Series: The third annual classic film series takes on a “Faith, Food and Family” theme. This portion features “This Is It: The Miracle of BBQ” (NR, 100 minutes). In the 2023 documentary, Tampa native Shelley “Butch” Anthony III tells the 40-year history of This Is It: Southern Kitchen and Bar-B-Q. Free. 3 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 18). Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
Gladys Knight: The seven-time Grammy winner, who has enjoyed No. 1 hits in pop, gospel, R&B and adult contemporary and been in films and television shows, performs. $53 and up. 8 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 14). Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-300-2000.
Moulin Rouge: This Straz Broadway series show offers all the excess, splendor and romance of Baz Luhrmann’s film remixed in a musical mashup that is the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. $60 and up. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday (Feb. 13-15), 8 p.m. Friday (Feb. 16), 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17), 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 18). David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.
Valentine’s Vows: Tampa Theatre president-CEO and internet-ordained minister the Rev. John Bell invites all married couples to renew their wedding vows. A ceremony to unite couples holding wedding licenses will also be held. A screening of the romantic, silent comedy “Girl Shy” follows. $14.50, $11.50 members. 7 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 14). Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
Collards After Dark: Black History Month: Adrian Miller discusses cocktails, coffee, soft drinks and wines preferred by past U.S. presidents. Includes a copy of his book, “The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas,” drink samples and appetizers. Tickets are only available at Tombolo Books (2153 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, tombolobooks.com) and include a signed copy of “The President’s Kitchen Cabinet.” $85-$150. 6-9 p.m. Friday (Feb. 16). Cuban Club, 2010 N. Avenida Republica de Cuba, Tampa. 813-248-2954.
Ronny Chieng: The stand-up comedian and actor, who has been in numerous movies and TV shows and will star in the upcoming Hulu series “Interior Chinatown,” brings his Love to Hate It tour to town. $39.50-$69.50. 7:30 p.m. Friday (Feb. 16). Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
Dancing With the Stars: Experience the athleticism and the artistry of the TV show’s famed ballroom live. Performers include Brandon Armstrong, Rylee Arnold, Alan Bersten, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater, Britt Stewart and special guest Julianne Hough. $38.75-$98.75. 8 p.m. Feb. 20. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
SACA Chinese New Year Celebration: Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans. It’s free admission from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17) with cultural exhibits, performances, lion dance, dragon dance, crafts, food and more. Water Works Park, 1710 N. Highland Ave., Tampa.
