BARGAINS–January

by Adele Woodyard
3rd day of the New Year–by now the party’s over, you’ve made (and already broke?) your resolutions, and are facing the bills Santa left with all the gifts. Happy 2012! It’s beginning still brings welcome “freebies” when the wallet’s empty. At least in the Tampa Bay area, and what’s not Free is Cheap.
Arts and Entertainment
USF Contemporary Art Museum is FREE to visit, but you will need a $5 parking permit. Upcoming Mark Dion: Troubleshooting features Florida ecology in multi-media from Jan, 13-March 3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri.. 1-4 p.m. Sat. 3128 Holly Dr. Tampa; 813-974-2849. http://www.ira.usf.edu
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts upcoming exhibit: Tampa: A Town With A Past, features vintage photos from the Tampa Bay History Center archives with some contemporary .locations, from Jan. 19 through March 11. .10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues-Thurs. and Sat. , 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sun. $6, $4 students, members FREE. 200 N. Tampa St. 813-221-2222. http://www.fmopa.org

Polk Museum of Art is showing The Blues through Jan. 21, and Hunt Slonem: An Expressive Narture through March 24. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue. Thurs. and Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. 1-5 p.m. Sun. $5 adulkt, $4 seniors, kids and students FREE. 800 E. Palmetto St. Lakeland, 863-688-7743. http://www.polkmuseumofart.org

Tarpon Springs has several goodies on their agenda Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art celebrates their 10th anniversary with two Telling Stories exhibits: 10 Donors, 10 Works runs through Feb. 19, while the one featuring their print collection, Feb. 26-April 29. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues. Wed. Sat. , 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri. $5 admission, $4 seniors, kids and students FREE. Sundays 1-5 p.m.$5 donation requested, includes a 2 p.m. free docent-led tour. 600 Klosterman Rd. 727-712-5762.
There’s FREE movies at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Community Center, 400 S, Walton Ave. 727-942-5828.
There’s also no charge for exhibits at the Cultural Center, open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Fri. Tickets are purchased online for live performances such as The Return, a classic play that originated in Greece. The American premiere is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13 and 20; 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 and 22. $16, $14 (members and students). 101 S. Pinellas Ave.
Lunch and Learn: Manatees is the program at 11:30 a.m., Wed. Jan. 18 at the Heritage Museum. Award winning author Craig Pittman will speak on his book Manatee Insanity : Inside the War Over Florida’s Most Famous Endangered Species. $!2 admission includes lunch, soft drink and talk. 100 Beckham Lane, Craig Park; 727-937-0686. http://www.tarponarts.org
Farmer’s Markets offer more than fresh food, a visit is FREE, so go and have fun.

Here’s to Entertainment

by Adele Woodyard

Miss the Florida State Fair? You went to it and am now looking for more fun? Here’s some of the Arts and Entertainment available in the Central Florida area. Think Bookmark, for some go on for months.

Tampa:
The Renaissance Festival takes you back to the lords, ladies, and knights in armor days of the16th century. Medieval characters perform on stages, or a living chess board; joust on horseback, and wander through a marketplace selling everything from A (art, apparel) to F (food) to W (wood). Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13-14 through Mar. 27-28. $17.95 adult, $14.95 senior, $9.95 ages 6-12, 5 and under FREE. Discount tickets online. FREE Parking. School Day Friday, Mar. 19 MOSI grounds, 11315 46th St. N; 813-983-0111;
http://www.renaissancefest.com

The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is also the place to view Da Vinci—The Genius, an interactive exhibit that includes the Secrets of Mona Lisa. Best known as an artist, (Mona Lisa, The Last Supper) Da Vinci also created prototypes way ahead of his time (1452-1519). Among the displays that you can handle are replicas of over 70 machines he designed that include an automobile, bicycle, helicopter and glider. Although a pacifist, DeVinci still designed a tank, machine gun, missile and bullets. More peaceful inventions include a portable piano that could sound like a violin. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends, now through May 31. $25.95 ages 13 and up, $22.95 12 and under, $19.95 ages 60 and up, include Da Vinci exhibit, MOSI galleries and an IMAX film. 4801 E. Fowler Ave., 813-987-6000;
http://www.mosi.org

The Tampa Museum of Art opened its brand new building with A Celebration of Henri Matisse: Master of Line and Light on February 6. The exhibit featuring more than 170 works, mostly black and white prints, runs through April 18. Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Wed-Fri; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., weekends. $10 adult, $7.50 seniors, military, groups; $5 students, 6 and under FREE. 120 . Gasparilla Plaza. 813-274-8130.
http://www.tampamuseum.org

Six actors and a four-piece band celebrate Jesus Christ in Godspell at the Jaeb Theatre of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, now through May 16. The musical that first opened in 1971, has been updated several times since, but such best known songs as Day by Day and Beautiful City, remain. Opens 7:30 p.m. Thurs, Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Ticket prices start at $31.50. 1010 WC MacInnes Pl. N., 813-229-7827; 800-955-1045;
http://www.strazcenter.org

St. Petersburg
Florida International Museum is the site for Cut! Costume and the Cinema, a show of 40 period costumes made for recent movies. Take a close-up look now-through May 16, at the swashbuckling outfit Johhny Depp wore in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Ooh and Aah over the flowing gowns worn by Kate Winslet in Finding Neverland, Emmy Rossum in Phantom of the Opera. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat, noon-5 p.m Sun. $12 adult, $10 senior and military, $5 students over 6. Florida International Museum at St. Petersburg College, 244 Second Ave. N., 727-341-7900.
http://www.floridamuseum.org/

Orlando
Mardi Gras on Saturday evenings now through April 17 at. Universal Studios Florida. Mardi Gras floats, night parades, stilt walkers and hundreds of costumed characters add to a concert series and turn the theme park into a celebration that rivals New Orleans. Included in regular park admission: $79 adult, $68 ages 3-9, children 2 and under free. Theme park opens 9 a.m.; Parade times 8 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 6-Mar. 20, Apr. 17; 9 p.m. Saturdays, Mar. 27-Apr. 10. Regular parking $14, $3 6-10 p.m. (subject to change). 407-363-8000;
http://www.universalorlando.com

Like chocolate? Try a wide variety of these sweet goodies March 6-7 at the Orlando Science Center’s Festival of Chocolate. Along with the munchies, there’s an educational chocolate museum and a creative workshop for the kids.to make their own. Included in the Center ticket price: $17 adult, $16 senior (55+), $12 ages 3-11 Advance tickets to March 5. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 777 E. Princeton St. 407-351-3600;
http://festivalofchocolate.com

Sarasota
Opera your thing? The winter season is in full swing at the newly refurbished Sarasota Opera House, a former 1926 theatre. Hansel and Gretel, Giovanni d’Arco (Joan of Arc) and Pagliacia are currently scheduled on alternating dates through March. Prices vary depending on seating. 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Click for times and dates of opera of choice
http://www.sarasotaopera.org

Myakka City
See Walt Disney’s “Miracle of the White Stallions”? You can watch them perform the unbelievable “Airs above the Grand Mounted” leap at Hermanns’ Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria during their winter training session. These magnificent white horses, originally founded in the 16th century for the exclusive use of the Hapsburg Royal Family of Austria, are descendants of those saved from extinction by General George Patton during WWII. FREE, donation welcome. Open 3 p.m. Thur. and Fri., 10 a.m. Sat. Dress Rehearsals 3 p.m. April 29, 30; 10 a.m. May 1. 32755 Singletary Rd. 941-322-1501.
http://www.hlipizzans.com

For MORE “freebies” and “cheapies”, click on Bargains at http://www.vacationfunflorida.com home page..