WWE Royal Rumble: One of the WWE’s biggest pay-per-view events of the year will be at Tropicana Field, headlined by the 30-man and 30-woman Royal Rumble matches, with the winners of both receiving a championship match opportunity at WrestleMania 40. Rumor has it Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson might even make an appearance. $125 and up. 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 27). Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-825-3137.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Invasion: The legendary Jose Gasparilla sails into the Tampa Convention Center basin along with a flotilla of hundreds of vessels. After the ship docks at 1 p.m., the captain will meet Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to make his final demand for the key to the city. Free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 27). Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St. 813-251-3378.
Tampa Bay Rodeo’s Bull Bash and Country Music Festival: Some of the best bull riders in the region compete for a title and cash prizes, while country music legend John Michael Montgomery (Friday) and rising star Priscilla Block (Saturday) headline musically. Come early for food, beer and mechanical bull rides. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the Bull Bash begins at 7:30. The headlining artists take the stage nightly at about 8:15. $39. 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Jan. 26-27). Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, Brandon. 813-737-3247.
Some of the best bull riders in the region compete for the title and cash prizes at the Hillsborough County Fairground in Brandon. [ CLIFF MCBRIDE | Times (1998) ]
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band: Three-time Billboard Music Award nominees bring their “front-porch blues” to St. Petersburg. 21 and older only. $18. 7 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 24). Floridian Social Club, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-322-4600.
Puddles Pity Party: The 7-foot sad clown, who has nearly 900,000 YouTube followers and whose voice has been compared to Tom Jones and Freddie Mercury, performs. $34.50-$69.50. 8 p.m. Friday (Jan. 26). Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
Black Love Classics Series: The third annual classic film series takes on a “faith, food and family” theme. Among this week’s events:
Block Party: The event kicks off with a block party with music, Black-owned food trucks, vendors, giveaways and more. Free. 1-3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 28).
“Soul Food” (R, 115 minutes): In this 1997 film, a Black family struggles to stay close. $10, $7 members. 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 28).
Both events take place at Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
“American Idol” finalist Clay Aiken, left, congratulates winner Ruben Studdard during the season finale on May 21, 2003. The two reunite Sunday at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. [ VINCE BUCCI | Getty Images North America ]
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Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken: Known for their standout performances on the second season of Fox’s “American Idol” in 2003, the two reunite for “Twenty: The Tour.” $59.50-$74.50. 7 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 28). Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo. 727-587-6793.
Tiesto: The Grammy-winning, platinum-certified electronic dance music artist performs. $40 and up. 11 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 28). Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813- 627-7625.
Streetcar Live: Gasparilla Music Fest is a partner in the ongoing series of live music on the TECO Streetcar in downtown Tampa. With a capacity of just 74, the historic streetcar provides an intimate musical experience during a free ride. Free. 6-8 p.m. Friday (Jan. 26). Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa. 813-242-4660.
Shipwrecked: A music and pirate heritage experience with live music on multiple stages, live art, heritage exhibits, food trucks, performers and vendors. Ends at 1 a.m. both days. $30-$100. 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Jan. 26-27). Cuban Club, 2010 N. Avenida Republica de Cuba, Tampa. 813-248-2954.
Kumquat Festival: The annual festival celebrating the tangy fruit includes a kumquat growers market, craft/farmers market, giveaways, kids corral, quilt show and car/truck show. Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 27). Meridian Avenue and Seventh Street, downtown Dade City. 352-567-3769.
One Slight Hitch: It’s Courtney’s wedding day and everything is perfect … until the doorbell rings. Find out what happens in this hilarious comedy. Lunch/dinner and show $50. Reservations required. $50. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 25), 4-8 p.m. Friday (Jan. 26), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 27), 4-8 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 28). Early Bird Dinner Theatre, 13355 49th St. N., Clearwater. 727-446-5898.
ArtPHL Evening: An elegant evening of demonstrations from local artists, a silent auction, complimentary wine, cocktails, appetizers and live music from Voices of Jazz. 21 and older only. $25-$35. 7-9 p.m. Friday (Jan. 26). Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave. 727-784-3332.
Josette Green shares historic information at a stop along the 5-mile Black History Bike Tour in St. Petersburg. [ Katee Morales ]
St. Petersburg Black History Bike Tour: Join local historian Josette Green for a 5-mile bicycle tour highlighting sites of historical significance to St. Petersburg’s Black residents. Helmets required. Free (registration required). 9 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 27). Wellness Center, 2198 15th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-503-4736.
Scenes on the Green: Bring blankets and low-lying chairs to enjoy a free movie under the stars. Live music starts at 6 p.m., and 2023′s “The Little Mermaid” begins at 7. Free. 6 p.m. Friday (Jan. 26). Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater. 727-562-4800.
Spotlight Tampa Bay: A panel including thought leaders and Tampa Bay Times journalists explores how Florida’s public schools are doing and where they are headed. $20, $10 students. 6 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 30). Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. 727-892-2264.
Al Di Meola: The Grammy-winning guitarist brings his band to Clearwater. $50-$80. 8 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 27). Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
Russell Peters: The comedian brings his “Act Your Age World Tour” to town. $100 and up. 6 and 9 p.m. Monday (Jan. 29). Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.
The Black Crowes have announced a tour in support of their upcoming album, Happiness Bastards.The nearly three-dozen-date trek starts with a Nashville show in early April and is currently scheduled to wrap up on June 9 with a festival appearance in Spain.The Black Crowes will release Happiness Bastards, their 10th LP, on March 15; the album marks the band's first record of new music in 15 years. Their last album, Before the Frost ... Until the Freeze, featured new music by the band […]
California got a little bit more of Lana Del Rey this weekend, with her making an unannounced appearance at Stagecoach following two weekends of headlining Coachella. Paul Cauthen welcomed the Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd songstress to the stage for a stirring rendition of “Unchained […]
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/N452Y6FF2T6M777VH64GIPAEFQ.jpg "\"American Idol\" finalist Clay Aiken, left, congratulates winner Ruben Studdard during the season finale on May 21, 2003. The two reunite Sunday at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MM5ST76AWFAT3CHHZIYIWENSUM.JPG "Planning your weekend?")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7W3F574PKZHDTNYKU6BFMXEPKI.jpg "Josette Green shares historic information at a stop along the 5-mile Black History Bike Tour in St. Petersburg.")
