The best things to do this week in Tampa Bay (Mar. 27-Apr. 2)

USF Public Art Walking Tour

Learn about the history of USF’s public art program while looking at public art on the USF Tampa campus. The tour begins at Nancy Holt’s Solar Rotary, between the Communication & Information Sciences Building (CIS) and Russell M. Cooper Hall (CPR).
Wed., Mar. 27, 12-1 p.m.
Nancy Holt, Solar Rotary, 1995; Photo via the Facebook event page

See 29 years of University of Tampa prints at HCC Dale Mabry’s Gallery 221

It’s a collegiate collaboration. UT’s Francesca Bacci and Ry McCullough curated this Gallery 221 exhibition.
Opening reception Wed., Mar. 27, 5-8 p.m.
Photo via Instagram @gallery221hcc

Meet the author of Cast: Art and Objects at Imagine Museum in St. Pete

This award-winning book, about casting and its history features 800 photographs of glass art.
Thurs., Mar. 28, 5:30-8 p.m.
Photo via Instagram @cast.art.and.objects

Tour St. Pete’s newest Hot Shop, TD Glass

See Trish Duggan’s glass art collection. She founded St. Pete’s Imagine Museum, so she knows her glass. This event is part of the Glass Art Society conference, but anyone can attend. Purchase your ticket in advance by calling 310-809-1355. $35.
Thurs., Mar. 28, 7-9 p.m.
Photo via the Facebook event page

Two Flamingos Art Show at CL Space in Tampa

See artwork by Jasmine.paints, Kh.artwork, Silver, Junkyard, Frankie Gonzalez, Karen Schremmer, and Ashley Riviere. $10 cover.
Thurs., Mar. 28, 7-11 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Junkyard

Celebrate baseball’s opening day

At Tropicana Field, of course.
Thurs., Mar. 28, 4-7 p.m.
Photo via the Facebook event page

Celebrate the coming of Spring with beer and music at Dunedin Brewery

The 7th Annual Spring Beer Jam is here.
Thurs.-Sun., Mar. 28-31
Photo via Instagram @dunedinbrewery

Gulfport Grand Prix

Unlike its more popular cousin in St. Pete, Gulfport Grand Prix is a boat race. So head to the waterfront.
Fri.-Sun., Mar. 29-31
Photo via the Facebook event page

Glass Coast Gallery Hop in St. Pete

13 local galleries are participating in this Glass Art Society Conference event — 11 in St. Pete, 1 in Tampa, and 1 in Clearwater (click on the red link above to see the full list of participating galleries). It’s open to the public, but you might have to pay admission to some of the galleries. This is your chance to see as much glass art as humanly possible in a two-and-a-half-hour window. Good luck.
Fri., Mar. 29, 6-8:30 p.m.
Art by Hannah Gibson; Photo courtesy of the Morean Arts Center

EDGE District Gateway Marker Unveiling

St. Pete is getting some new public art right in the middle of the Glass Art Society Conference. The 10 sculptures, made of glass and steel by James Brenner, will mark the borders of St. Pete’s Edge District. Head to the SE corner of 16th St & Central Ave for the unveiling, followed by a reception and exhibition across the street at Leslie Curran gallery. This event is free and open to the public.
Fri., Mar. 29, 6-7:30 p.m.
Photo via Instagram @lesliecurrangallery

Drink champagne and eat chicken wings at CL Space in Tampa

God bless the genius that came up with this idea. One question though: Are we going to be able to taste the Champagne after eating a bunch of spicy chicken wings? Actually, never mind, we’ll just drink the Champagne first. Problem solved. OMG it’s only $35 for unlimited champagne and wings!
Fri., Mar. 29, 7-11 p.m.
Photo via the Facebook event page

It’s a double opening at the Dunedin Fine Art Center!

See some pottery from St. Pete’s Creative Clay artists in Extraordinary: Creative Clay at DFAC, and check out what DFAC students, members, and faculty made this year at #SMF.
Opening reception Fri., Mar. 29, 6-8 p.m.
Photo via the Facebook event page

Sneak into someone’s house and view their private art collection

Just kidding. You can take an official MFA field trip to Mark Anderson and Keith Bucklew’s home and view their art collection on the up and up.
Fri., Mar. 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Photo via the Facebook event page

Extra Butter at USF

Work from USF MFA students, class of 2019, will be on display. The artists are Pat Blocher, Christian Cortes, Christopher Evans, Muriel Holloway, James Mastroni, Laura Kim Meckling, Carola Miles, Eric Ondina, Jason Pinckard, Taylor O. Thomas, and Jake Troyli. Afterwards, head next door to ArtHouse for open studios and music.
Opening reception Fri., Mar. 29, 7-9 p.m. Open studios at ArtHouse 8:30-11 p.m.
Photo via the Facebook event page

Free Comedy Night at Caddy’s on Central

Fri., Mar. 29, 10 p.m.
Photo via the Facebook event page

Tampa Pride Parade

Along 7th Ave. in Ybor
Sat., Mar. 30, 12-3 p.m.
Photo via the Facebook event page

Sustainable Glass Blowing Demo

At St. Pete’s new Eco-boutique, Truffula. This Glass Art Society conference event is free and open to the public.
Sat., Mar. 30, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Photo by Jennifer Ring

Take that special someone out for drinks, dessert, and dancing at The Fenway in Dunedin

This historic hotel is the perfect location for a romantic evening out. And they’ll actually teach you some ballroom dancing. It sounds a little old fashioned, but it’s perfect for a 1920s hotel. $50. Disclaimer: This slideshow was prepared by a hopeless romantic.
Sun., Mar. 31, 6-8:30 p.m.
Photo via Instagram @_chytea_

International Cuban Sandwich Festival

The Cuban sandwiches are taking over Ybor’s Centennial Park again this year. You can purchase samples from over 20 Cuban sandwich vendors.
Sun., Mar. 31, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Photo via Kramtronik [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

Blow your own glass egg at the Morean

Starting Apr. 1
Photo via the Facebook event page