Downtown After Hours

Friday, February 23, 2018

Thursday, February 15

Sykes Hall of Fame Business Speaker Series
Begins 5:30pm
University of Tampa – Vaughn Center
This installment of the speaker series will feature John Gainor and Nick Friedman. They will share their personal experiences with several hundred students and provide an opportunity for these students to gain firsthand insight into the realities, challenges, and perseverance that is required to become a highly notable leader in the business community. Sykes Hall of Fame Business Speaker Series

3rd Thursdays
Begins 6pm
Grand Central at Kennedy
Enjoy some gourmet food truck fun paired with Independent short flicks and live music! Pour House and City Dog Cantina provide micro brews and tasty cocktails. 10-15 gourmet food trucks will offer everything from burgers to vegetarian bites. 3rd Thursdays

Open Rehearsal – The Marriage of Figaro
Begins 6:30pm
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Opera aficionados and neophytes alike will enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek into a rehearsal, observing the director and artists working on scenes from the upcoming opera production. Opera Tampa League member Bob Simon will provide a short, informative overview of the opera before the rehearsal to enhance the enjoyment of the evening. Open Rehearsal – The Marriage of Figaro

The Vault of Love
Begins 7pm
The Vault
Enjoy an evening of romance featuring live entertainment, crafted cocktails, and scintillating food. Throughout the night, live musicians, dancers, and performance artists from around the world will create an exciting atmosphere of nonstop entertainment. Explore the elegantly decorated food stations for tapas style servings prepared by world renowned Chef Gui Alinat. Top of the special evening with the indulgent dessert buffet, featuring luxurious interpretations of all things chocolate. The Vault of Love

Disney’s The Aristocats Kids
Shows Thursday through Sunday
Patel Conservatory
Everybody wants to be a cat in this stage adaptation of the animated classic motion picture. Featuring a jazzy, upbeat score, this show is a non-stop thrill ride of feline fun, complete with unbelievable twists and turns performed by students in grades 2-4. Disney’s The Aristocats Kids

Forever Plaid
Begins 7:30pm
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
When four young singers are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one final gig in this goofy, 1950’s nostalgia trip. This deliciously fun revue is chock-full of classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies! Forever Plaid

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings
Begins 7:30pm
Amalie Arena
The Tampa Bay Lightning host the visiting Detroit Red Wings. The Bolts will be looking for a win over the division rival, so find some tickets, cheer on your team, and Be the Thunder! Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings

Spring Dance Concert
Begins 8pm
University of Tampa – Falk Theatre
This popular event features student dancers and choreography by dance faculty and guest artists. Dance styles include tap, jazz, modern and hip hop throughout this celebration of the art of dance. This event is free and open to the public. Spring Dance Concert

Complexions Contemporary Ballet From Bach to Bowie
Begins 8pm
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Complexions Contemporary Ballet brings its latest jaw-dropping program including Star Dust, the glam, “utterly transfixing” tribute to David Bowie. Combining technical precision, power and passion, this show transcends tradition in a mix of styles ranging from ballet to hip-hop. Complexions Contemporary Ballet From Bach to Bowie

Friday, February 16

Do the Local Motion “AFTER” Tour of the Tampa Theatre
Begins at Noon
Begins at Poe Plaza
Lace up your shoes for a lunchtime walk downtown. This tour will reveal the beautiful restoration of Tampa Theatre, Downtown Tampa’s film mecca. Do the Local Motion

Movies @ the Library
Begins 3pm
John F. Germany Public Library
Head to the Library for a free showing of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. In this film, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. Movies @ the Library

Cultural Encounter
Begins 5pm
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
University of Tampa professor and author, John Capouya will discuss his novel, Florida Soul: From Ray Charles to KC and the Sunshine Band. The book draws on extensive interviews with surviving Floridian musicians to honor the achievements of Soul’s golden age. The event will include a reading from the novel, discussion and a tour of “Our Living Past.” Cultural Encounter

Art Meets Jazz
Begins 6pm
The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
This event features live jazz music from Johnny Magnussun, art exhibition by local Tampa artists, a full buffet, and full bar. Johnny Magnussun is a saxophone musician from Orlando who has opened for high profile acts like Kenny G. Art Meets Jazz Night

Forever Plaid
Begins 7:30pm
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
When four young singers are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one final gig in this goofy, 1950’s nostalgia trip. This deliciously fun revue is chock-full of classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies! Forever Plaid

brownsville song (b-side for Tray)
Begins 8pm
Stageworks Theatre
Set in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, this show is a powerful tale of resilience in the face of tragedy and a poignant story for our time. Moving fluidly between past and present, this bold new play tells the story of Tray, a spirited African-American 18-year-old and his family, who must hold on to hope when Tray’s life is cut short. brownsville song (b-side for Tray)

The Florida Orchestra – Romeo and Juliet & West Side Story
Begins 8pm
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Take your seats to see the masterful musicians of The Florida Orchestra bring Romeo & Juliet and West Side Story to life. Michael Francis will conduct as the orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture – Fantasy and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. The Florida Orchestra

Coming to America (1988)
10:30pm to 12:30am
Tampa Theatre
Prince Akeem is the spoiled heir to the throne of Zamunda, sworn by his father to marry a woman he has never met. But desiring instead a wife of his own choosing, he recruits the help of one of his subjects, steals off to America, and tries to make his own life in a different land of different opportunities. Starring Eddie Murphy, James Earl Jones, and Arsenio Hall. Coming to America (1988)

Saturday, February 17

Ride Tampa’s Greatest Love Stories
Begins 9am
Bizou Brasserie
Take your valentine on a tour through the time of the city’s greatest romances and most romantic date spots. Start off with complementary coffee shots, drink specials, and pastries, then hop on your bike for a behind-the-scenes tour of the famous Columbia Restaurant in Historic Ybor City. Ride Tampa’s Greatest Love Stories

Art Spot
11am to 2pm
Tampa Museum of Art
Let your imagination run free as the Museum’s art facilitators introduce exhibition-specific methods of art making filled with fun and creativity for you and yours. Art Spot

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Begins at Noon
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
A great day of beer sipping, bourbon tasting, music, cigars, and barbecue. Use a sampling glass to enjoy an all-you-care-to-taste sampling of beer and bourbon. Some of the best barbecue vendors in the area will be on-site if you get hungry, and there will be seminars in the tasting theater and live music all day! Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Blind Date With A Book
Begins 2pm
John F. Germany Public Library
Calling romance lovers! Find a fresh take on your favorite romance genre by checking out a blind date with a book. Connect with readers and enjoy tea and light refreshments. Blind Date With A Book

Forever Plaid
Shows at 2pm and 7:30pm
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
When four young singers are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one final gig in this goofy, 1950’s nostalgia trip. This deliciously fun revue is chock-full of classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies! Forever Plaid

brownsville song (b-side for Tray)
Shows at 3pm and 8pm
Stageworks Theatre
Set in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, this show is a powerful tale of resilience in the face of tragedy and a poignant story for our time. Moving fluidly between past and present, this bold new play tells the story of Tray, a spirited African-American 18-year-old and his family, who must hold on to hope when Tray’s life is cut short. brownsville song (b-side for Tray)

Nalani and Josh – Live & Local
5:45pm to 7:45pm
Straz Centr for the Performing Arts
Local musicians Nalani and Josh will perform before The Phantom of the Opera. Take in a nice show from some local musicians before seeing the classic stage performance. Nalani and Josh – Live & Local

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils
Begins 7pm
Amalie Arena
The Tampa Bay Lightning host the visiting New Jersey Devils to cap a two game home-stand. Get your seats, cheer on your team, and Be the Thunder! Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils

The Tempest
Begins 8pm
Jobsite Theater
On a distant island, a woman waits. Robbed of her position, power and wealth, her enemies have left her in isolation. But this is no ordinary woman nor an ordinary island. She is a magician, able to control the very elements and bend nature to her will. When the vessel carrying those who wronged her appears in the distance, she creates a vast magical storm to bring them to her, and the ship’s passengers find themselves in a place where nothing is as it seems. The Tempest

Iliza Shlesinger Live
Begins 8pm
Tampa Theatre
Iliza Shlesinger, the only female and youngest comedian to hold the title of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, will take Downtown Tampa’s most historic stage for a standup comedy performance. Iliza Shlesinger Live

Hater’s Roast, The Shady Tour
Begins 8pm
Straz Center at the Performing Arts
For the second year in a row, Murray & Peter proudly present a must-see comedy spectacular with contestants who have appeared on the popular VH1 show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. Hater’s Roast, The Shady Tour

Sunday, February 18

Tea for Tots
Begins 2pm
Oxford Exchange
Join Oxford Exchange for a read along of a popular children’s book. Tea and some light food options will be available for parents and little ones. Tea for Tots

DIY Bath Bombs
Begins 2pm
John F. Germany Public Library
Time for some do-it-yourself crafts! Make your very own bath bombs from scratch at the library. All supplies will be provided, so just bring your creativity and you’ll be ready to go! DIY Bath Bombs

Forever Plaid
Shows at 2pm and 7:30pm
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
When four young singers are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one final gig in this goofy, 1950’s nostalgia trip. This deliciously fun revue is chock-full of classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies! Forever Plaid

Sixteen Candles (1984)
3pm to 4:30pm
Tampa Theatre
Samantha is having a pretty bad sixteenth birthday. Her parents forgot, too wrapped up in her sister’s wedding. A huge dork has a crush on her, and the boy she likes just found a really embarrassing note about her love life. But her humiliation will eventually lead her through an adventure of adolescent discovery and the relationships of a lifetime. Starring Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall. Sixteen Candles (1984)

brownsville song (b-side for Tray)
Begins 3pm
Stageworks Theatre
Set in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, this show is a powerful tale of resilience in the face of tragedy and a poignant story for our time. Moving fluidly between past and present, this bold new play tells the story of Tray, a spirited African-American 18-year-old and his family, who must hold on to hope when Tray’s life is cut short. brownsville song (b-side for Tray)

The Tempest
Begins 4pm
Jobsite Theater
On a distant island, a woman waits. Robbed of her position, power and wealth, her enemies have left her in isolation. But this is no ordinary woman nor an ordinary island. She is a magician, able to control the very elements and bend nature to her will. When the vessel carrying those who wronged her appears in the distance, she creates a vast magical storm to bring them to her, and the ship’s passengers find themselves in a place where nothing is as it seems. The Tempest

Yoga in the Park
Begins 5pm
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
In operation since 2010, Yoga in the Park is a free riverside yoga session led by an instructor from Yoga Downtown Tampa. Yoga in the Park

Jeremy McCarter
Begins 7pm
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Co-author with Lin-Manuel Miranda on the book Hamilton: The Revolution, Jeremy McCarter’s extensive writing on culture and politics cast him as a leading thinker and speaker for issues surrounding exciting topics in art and society. McCarter will share his personal account of what it was like to be friends with Miranda as Hamilton took shape and discuss the intriguing anecdotes of his latest publication, Young Radicals, a novel about Americans fighting for their ideals. Jeremy McCarter

Nightlife & Music

Beyond This Weekend - Upcoming Events

48th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts 
Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Accomplished artists and rising stars will vie for the Best of Show Award and additional prize money. Featured art will include works in a wide variety of mediums. The esteemed event will also feature the works of local young artists, a weekend full of live entertainment, and a children’s art activity area. Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

Activities on the Water

Yacht StarshipCaptain Larry’s Water TaxieBoats Tampa
Olde World Sailing LineUrban Kai PaddleboardingAmerican Victory Ship
FL Aquarium’s Wild Dolphin CruiseTampa Bay Fun Boat
Riverwalk Boating CompanyPirate Water TaxiKraken Cycle Boats

Arts & Culture Spotlight

Amalie Arena
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs  – February 26
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres – February 28
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers – March 3
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers – March 6
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers – March 8
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens – March 10
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Ottawa Senators – March 13
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins – March 17
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Edmonton Oilers – March 18
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs – March 20
Disney On Ice presents Reach For The Stars – March 23 to 25
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Arizona Coyotes – March 26
Demi Lovato & DJ Khaled – March 31
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators – April 1
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins – April 3
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres – April 6
Lorde – April 11
98ROCKFEST – April 20
Jeff Dunham – April 29
James Taylor – May 12
Justin Timberlake – May 15
Shania Twain – June 2
Maroon 5 – June 16
Daryl Hall & John Oates and Train – June 22
Sam Smith – July 13
The Smashing Pumpkins – July 25
Kevin Hart – August 4
Journey & Def Leppard – August 18
Game of Thrones – September 21
Joyce Meyer Ministries 2018 Women’s Conference – October 25 to 27
Elton John – November 28

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
Jean Pagliuso: Pultry, Raptors, Places of Ritual – Through March 16
Magnificent Hurt – January 26 to March 16
The Family Acid – January 26 to March 16
Photoshop for Beginners – Through February 26
Journey through Personal Creativity – February 25

Glazer Children’s Museum
Make it Monday – Weekly 
Toddler Tuesday – Weekly 
Worldly Wednesday – Weekly
Tinker and Tech Thursday – Weekly
Fun Fridays – Weekly
Candy Land – Through February 28
Positive Parenting Program: A Five-Part Series! – Through February 26
Grown Up Night (21+) – February 23
Science-tastic Day: Saccharin Science – February 24
Check the Museum’s website for a full list of weekday programming.

Henry B. Plant Museum
First Fridays – First Friday of the Month
Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition – Through March 4
Picnic in the Park – March 4
Give Day Tampa Bay – May 1
Blue Star Museums – May 27 to September 2

Jobsite Theater
Man in Snow – March 19 to April 1
1984 – April 27 to May 20
Dancing at Lughnasa – June 15 to July 8

The John F. Germany Public Library
Tai Chi with Bonnie Birdsall – Tuesdays
Walk-In Tech Help – Wednesdays
Toddler Time – Wednesdays
Crafternoon – Thursdays
Baby Sign – Thursdays
World Information Architecture Day 2018 – February 24
Come Write In: Character Studies – February 25
DIY Crafting: Book Folding – February 27

Patel Conservatory
St. Andrew’s Music Concert – March 8
Peter Pan, Jr. – April 26 to 29

Stageworks Theatre
The Speak! Tank: Spoken Word Sundays – First Sunday of every month
Christ Fellowship – Wednesdays
brownsville song (b-side for tray) – Through February 25
Staged Reading Fundraiser: Things My Mother Taught Me – March 2 and 3
Corey Van Valin – Redefining Magic – March 17
In the Time of the Butterflies – April 12 to 28
Blithe Spirit – June 1 to 16

Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Forever Plaid – Through March 11
Open Rehearsal – The Marriage of Figaro – Through February 25
The Phantom of the Opera – Through February 25
Camp-A-Palooza – February 24
Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds – February 26
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro – March 2 to 4
Dance Theatre of Harlem: Power on Pointe – March 3
The Color Purple – March 6 to March 11
Blame It On Bianca – March 7 to April 1
A Wild Life with Bertie Gregory, photographer and filmmaker – March 8
The United States Army Field Band – Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus – March 9
Lippo the Clown’s Small Family Circus – March 10
Tampa Bay Symphony “East Meets West” – March 11
Latin Nights – March 15
Discover Opera – Macbeth – March 18
Ana Gasteyer – March 18
Tiffany – March 18
The Bodyguard – March 20 to 25
The Edwards Twins – An Evening with The Stars – March 21
The Florida Orchestra – A Little Night Music – March 23
Anna & Elizabeth – March 26
Open Rehearsal – Verdi’s Macbeth – March 27 to April 5
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical – March 27 to April 5

Tampa Bay History Center
Old Glory – February to July 2018
Walk Tampa: Tampa Bay Black History Tour – February 24
My Doll and Me: Meoldy – February 24
City of Tampa Women’s History Month Celebration – March 6
AWP 2018 Author History Project: A Literary Study of Time in America – March 7
Walk Tampa: The Ybor City Story – March 10
Florida Conversations – March 14
Book Group – March 15
Duckwall Lecture – Swashbuckling Women Through the Ages – March 28
Civil War Roundtable – March 31
Walk Tampa: Tampa Bay Black History Tour – March 31

Tampa Museum of Art
The Classical World: Selections from the Permanent Collection – Ongoing
The Classical World in Focus: Animals in Ancient Art – Ongoing
Monday Meditation at the Museum – Mondays
Art on the House – Fridays
Art Spot – Saturdays
Made in Tampa: From the 1970s to Now – Through April 1
Claudia Ryan and Rob Tarbell: Skyway Curators’ Choice – Through April 1
Elisabeth Condon and Bruce Marsh: Skyway Audience Choice – Through April 1

Tampa Theatre
Backpack Full of Cash – February 26
Wayne’s World – March 1
Winefest 2017: Wine’s World – March 2
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live – April 5
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox – April 21

Outside is In - Public Space

First Wednesday, 11am to 2pm at Lykes Gaslight Square Park.
Rock the Park
First Thursday, 6:30pm to 9pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
– Free Weekly Community Fitness Classes at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park –
Powered by Athleta
U-JAM Fitness – Monday, 6pm to 7pm
Zumba in the Park  – Tuesday, 6pm to 7pm
Bamboozle Fit Club Boot Camp – Wednesday, 6pm to 7pm
Yoga in the Park – Sunday, 5pm to 6pm
– Free Seasonal Programs –
Do the Local Motion – First and third Friday, noon to 1pm (October to May). Walking tours take off from Poe Plaza, Jackson and Franklin streets.

Connect With Us!

Connect with us on social media to get the latest on downtown events!

 Downtown After Hours –  Downtown After Hours is a weekly arts and entertainment guide to help you plan your upcoming weekend. Published every Thursday, it provides information on outdoor events, museum exhibits, live performances, movies and more! Subscribe to receive this weekly newsletter.

 

Subscribe