Top 10 Tampa Bay area events for the week of Sept. 13-19

Kelly A. Stefani, Tampa Bay Times
·5 min read

Lightning Launch Weekend: The three-day party kicks off Friday with Bolts Brew Fest. The three-hour event will offer unlimited craft beer samplings from different local craft breweries, as well as oversized games, an appearance by ThunderBug, music and more. $50; $110 VIP. $35 designated driver at boltsbrewfest.com. 7 p.m. Friday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Saturday features two events. At 2 p.m., fans will have the chance to watch Lightning prospects take on the Nashville Predators. The Lightning are hosting this year’s Prospect Showcase and the game will be open and free to the public with interviews with Julien BriseBois and current Lightning players. Additional activities include photo ops with the Prince of Wales and Conn Smythe trophies. Free. 2 p.m. Saturday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. At 7 p.m., the Lightning will host a premiere for NHL Studios’ 2021 Stanley Cup Champions film, which follows the Lightning’s 2020-21 season. 7 p.m. Saturday. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. On Sunday, fans can bring their skates to Amalie Arena for a public skate on the Lightning’s home ice. There will be six 45-minute windows for fans to select from and will end at 4 p.m. Fans can sign up for the skate at tampabaylightning.com/lightninglaunchweekend. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-301-6500.

Pride on the River: Starting the festivities, Brianna Summers serves as host for a drag brunch at 1 p.m. at Anchor and Brine, 505 Water St., Tampa. $30, $50 with unlimited mimosas.The Diversity Boat Parade follows on the Hillsborough River. It kicks off at 3 in Garrison Channel between the Marriott Water Street and Harbour Island and heads to Armature Works. Boats are welcome to join the parade for a $90 registration fee. The parade culminates at the pier at Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave., where the Riverside Festival will be held from 4 to 8. Families are invited to enjoy a day of music, live performances, activities and fireworks. Festival and parade free; brunch $30-$50. 1-8 p.m. Saturday. Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa. 813-777-4832.

Hasan Minhaj: The King’s Jester: The actor, comedian and writer was the host and creator of the award-winning Netflix show Patriot Act. $42.50-$92.50. 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

Christopher Cross: The Grammy winner whose hits include Sailing and Ride Like the Wind performs. $28.75-$48.75. 8 p.m. Sunday. Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 727-791-7400.

Cancelled: AKC Meet the Breeds: This event gives dog lovers the chance to meet and play with a number of breeds while learning about responsible dog ownership and which breed fits their lifestyle. There will also be demonstrations of popular dog sports and an interactive area with games, photo ops and more. $19.50-$27.50. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St. 212-696-8253.

Sundown Crafts and Cocktails: Eat your fill of light bites by area restaurants and enjoy unlimited samples of more than 100 craft beers, ciders, wines, seltzers and cocktails. 4-8 p.m. Saturday. $65. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-300-2000.

The People Downstairs: The comedy by St. Petersburg playwright Natalie Symons, who developed this play at American Stage, finally gets its world premiere. Set in Buffalo, New York, funeral home custodian Miles aims to set up his middle-aged daughter Mabel, who spends her days writing letters to prison inmates. Wednesday preview (Sept. 15) is “pay what you can” at the door or $20 in advance. Runs through Oct. 3. Audience capacity will be limited. Masks are required before, during and after performances. $30-$54. 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday (official opening night), 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. American Stage Theatre Company at Raymond James Theater, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-823-7529.

Harvest Holler Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch: Stroll the field of this year’s corn maze and stick around to explore the pumpkin patch and enjoy corn hole, farm animals, a cow train and a hayride. The maze and pumpkin patch are open Fridays through Sundays through Nov. 14. $15, $12 seniors/ages 2-12, 1 and younger free. 4-8 p.m. Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Harvest Holler Corn Maze, 950 Tavares Road, Polk City. 352-895-8687.

Rasheeda Speaking: Artistic director Ward Smith describes the play as “an acidic depiction of race, power and friendship.” The workplace thriller examines the realities of so-called “post-racial” when two co-workers are driven apart by their boss. $35-$40. 8-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3-5 p.m. Sunday. Studio Grand Central, 2260 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-202-7019.

Shout: The Mod Musical: This romp through the jukebox hits of the ‘60s follows five characters through the trials and tribulations of love in women’s lib London. $38. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.