Top 15 Tampa Bay area events for the week of April 4-10

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

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: The Sugar Sand Festival, a celebration of Clearwater Beach’s sugar sand and sunsets, will bring more than 14 sand sculptors to Clearwater Beach to create a walk-through “Sandimals: An Animal Adventure”-themed art exhibit housed in a 21,000-square-foot structure. Free activities include a children’s play area, street performers, artisans, fireworks, sand-sculpting classes, demonstrations and the master sand-sculpting competition. Free; $12, 3 and younger free (walk-through). 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. 727-403-0517.

American Stage in the Park: After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, American Stage returns to the outdoor park stage for a presentation of the musical Footloose, based on the 1984 film. $21-$53. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Demens Landing, 100 First Ave. SE, St. Petersburg. 727-823-7529.

Postponed to April 14 due to weather: Longest Table: Choose the menu of the restaurant you want to dine from and take a seat at a giant outdoor table stretching from the Vinoy to the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg on Bayshore Drive. Benefits WUSF Public Media. Price depends on choice of menu. 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, 255 Beach Drive NE. 800-661-0823.

Tampa Bay Blues Festival: The kickoff party for the Tampa Bay Blues Festival features blues guitarist Ronnie Earl. He is a four-time Blues Music Award Winner for “Guitar Player of the Year,” has released more than 20 albums, and was described by BB King as “one of the most serious guitarists you can find today.” $40. 7 p.m. Thursday. Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590. The festival continues with three days of blues music by headliners including: JJ Grey and Mofro, Samantha Fish, Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Mindi Abair and Jason Ricci (Friday); Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Eric Gales, Danielle Nicole and Sugar Ray and the Bluetones (Saturday); and Larkin Poe, Ronnie Baker Brooks, The Nick Moss Band, The Bruce Katz Band and Backtrack Blues Band (Sunday). $50-$60 each day, $140 three-day. 12:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1-10 p.m. Sunday. Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.

Florida Extravaganza: Billed as “the South’s largest toy show,” this family-friendly event showcases more than 150 tables of toys, comics, die-casts, slot carts, artists and retro gaming, from Hot Wheels and Star Wars to Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Kids 11 and younger get a free Hot Wheels car. $8, 11 and younger free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. 651-895-5842.

Little Shop of Horrors: Combine a sadistic singing dentist with a people-eating plant for a twisted love story and a dark-comedy sing-along. $32.50. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

Pinellas Pepper Fest: Vendors will sell sauces, salsas, rubs, spicy food, plants, peppers, food products, gadgets and kitchenware. There also will be contests for favorite hot sauce, jalapeno eating and more. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. England Brothers Bandshell Park, 5010 81st Ave. N, Pinellas Park. 727-322-5217.

Kristin Chenoweth: A night of songs and stories by the Emmy- and Tony Award-winning star of film, stage, television and voice-overs. $45-$100. 8 p.m. Saturday. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-791-7400.

TASTE at The Straz: Take a seat on the Riverwalk to enjoy live music on multiple stages as you feast on food, craft brews and cocktails from area restaurants at this epicurean event. $90, $165 VIP. 7 p.m. Saturday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

Justin Bieber: The Grammy Award-winning singer whose hits include Stay and What Do You Mean? performs. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-301-6500.

Kenny G: The Grammy Award-winning saxophonist who ties elements of R&B, pop and Latin to jazz performs. $69.50-$124.50. 8 p.m. Friday. Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 727-791-7400.

Florida Orchestra Pops Series: The orchestra presents Broadway Pops, a collection of pieces exploring Broadway past and present. $18-$55. 8 p.m. Friday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. Also at 8 p.m. Saturday at Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-892-3337.

Jamey Johnson: Johnson, one of the few people in the history of country music to win two Song of the Year Awards from both the CMA and ACMs, performs. $40 and up. 8 p.m. Thursday. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.

Family Favorites Series: Tampa Theatre’s Family Favorites series celebrates kid-friendly classic movies brought back to the big screen. This portion features the 101-minute PG-rated sports comedy Sandlot. $10-$13, $8-$11 ages 2-12, $7-$10 members. 3 p.m. Sunday. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. 813-274-8286.

Easter: The following are a few of the larger Easter events offered this week:

  • Aqua Easter: Enjoy games, DJ music, inflatables and lots of Easter eggs hidden in the pool. Free. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. The Long Center, 1501 N Belcher Road, Clearwater. 727-562-4905.

  • Egg Day Celebration: An egg hunt and learning activities to answer avian and reptile egg-related questions and discover what they turn into. Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater. 727-793-2976.

  • Easter of Hope: A free family outreach event with fellowship, games, prizes, free haircuts, free clothes, free food baskets, a bike giveaway and more. Free. 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Lighthouse Freedom Center, 7211 S 78th St., Riverview. 813-677-5220.

  • Easter Egg Hunt at the Sanctuary: Ages 12 and younger can bring a basket to hunt for eggs (11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. only April 16) at this celebration with activities, educational experiences and photos with the Easter Bunny. $15, $10 ages 3-10, $10, 2 and younger free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, 4600 Alt. U.S. 19, Palm Harbor. 727-943-5897.