Top Tampa Bay area events for the week of May 22-28

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

Cuban Sandwich Festival: Enjoy music, cultural entertainment, salsa lessons, vendors and a sampling of some of the best Cuban sandwiches by area chefs. Also, see an attempt at creating a world record-setting 280-foot-long Cuban sandwich to feed more than 700 local people experiencing homelessness. No cover. Noon-6 p.m. Sunday (May 28). Centennial Park, 1800 E Eighth Ave., Tampa.

Sunset Music Festival: The electronic music event features a cross-section of genres, from house and techno to trance and bass. For tickets, go to smftampa.com. $159.95. 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday-Sunday (May 27-28). Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.

Tampa Bay Rays: This week, the Rays face the Los Angeles Dodgers, and there are a few promotions.

  • Friday (May 26) is Devil Rays Day, and the Tampa Bay Rays will wear throwback Devil Rays uniforms. All fans get a Rays reverse bucket hat while supplies last. $10-$350. 6:40 p.m.

  • On Sunday (May 28), all fans 14 and younger get a free Tyler Glasnow bracelet while supplies last. $10-$383. 11:35 a.m.

Games take place at Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-825-3137.

Chicks in the Office: The Barstool Sports podcast turns into a live show with special guests, trivia, prizes and drinks. $39-$69. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (May 24). Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. 813-274-8981.

Christopher Paolini: The bestselling fantasy author celebrates the launch of his new novel, “Fractal Noise.” $28.99, which includes a copy of the book, at oxfordexchange.com/pages/calendar. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (May 23). Oxford Exchange, 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-253-0222.

Shrimpfinity: This art exhibit includes shrimp sculptures, projections of animated shrimp dancing and a larger-than-life shrimp cocktail. Remains on display through May 29. $22-$27, free for children 4 and younger. 5-10:30 p.m. Monday (May 22 and 29), noon-7:30 p.m. Thursday (May 25), noon-10:30 p.m. Friday (May 26), 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday (May 27), 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday (May 28). Fairgrounds St. Pete, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg.

Women Want Everything: Rod Grant’s locally made comedy about four clueless misfits who set out on a journey to discover what women want makes its red-carpet world premiere. $21.40. 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday (May 27). Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 508-816-8968.

Casserole: This comedy centers around a dinner thrown by a chef to be featured in a cookbook. $45 (dinner and show). Reservations required. 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday (May 25), 4 p.m. Friday (May 26), 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday (May 27), 4 p.m. Sunday (May 28). Early Bird Dinner Theater, 13355 49th St. N, Clearwater. 727-446 5898.

Jobsite Theater’s Alice: This original cabaret, which includes puppets, celebrates the work of Lewis Carroll (”Alice in Wonderland,” “Through the Looking Glass”). $24.50 and up. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (May 25-27), 4 p.m. Sunday (May 28). David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

A Night at the Oscars: The Florida Orchestra presents music from the silver screen with themes from more than a dozen Academy Award-winning films, including “Jaws,” “Out of Africa,” “E.T.” and “Titanic.” Note: This concert is presented without video. $50 and up. 8 p.m. Saturday (May 27). David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa. 727-892-3331.

Tip “T.I.” Harris: The rapper whose achievements include several Grammy awards performs his standup routine. $50-$65. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (May 27-28). Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. 813-864-4000.

Christie Lenee: The singer-songwriter whose sound has been described as “ranging from transcendental folk-pop to virtuosic instrumentals” performs. $25-$55. 7-8:30 p.m. Friday (May 26). Catherine A Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport. 727-893-1070.

Coin Show: The Pasco Coin Club will show, buy, sell and appraise coins, currency, bullion, stamps, jewelry and more. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (May 27). Elks Lodge 2520, 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. 727-534-7597.

Wawa Summer Fun Days: Families can roam the gardens and listen to the singing tower for free the last Thursday and Friday of the month through September. Free. Registration required. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Friday (May 25-26). Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales. 863-676-1408.

Big John Exhibit: Check out Big John, the largest triceratops ever unearthed, in this immersive new exhibit. Included with admission. Go to bigjohndino.com for reserved timed tickets. $18, $2 off for military/first responders/educators/seniors, 1 and younger free. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Opens Friday (May 26). 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Glazer Children’s Museum, 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. 813-443-3861.

Sophie B. Hawkins: The singer-songwriter who had a top 10 hit with “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” performs at 7 p.m. Saturday (May 27). $40 and up. MUSIC4LIFE Living Arts Center, 1204 Rogers St., Clearwater.