For his touring show Katt Williams: Growth Spurt, the comic gets candid about his crazy past year. He says, “If I can discuss the government shutdown, I can certainly discuss my own.” If you haven't seen Williams' act on TV, he sets himself apart from the stand-up pack with a hilariously manic energy and knack for description. Think coke-addled Robin Williams filtered through Richard Pryor and George Carlin. The comedian born Micah Sierra Williams in 1973 is played Money Mike in Friday After Next, a stint on MTV improv show Wild ‘n Out and the voice for “A Pimp Named Slickback” in The Boondocks. See him live tonight at 8 p.m. USF Sun Dome, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa. sundomearena.com.Another popular comedian visits Tampa Bay tonight. Suzanne Westenhoefer brings her brand of off-the-cuff and relatable humor to St. Pete’s Palladium Theater Saturday, March 15, 7:30 p.m., as part of her “Falling Down Funny” tour. Read Tiffany Razzano's interview with Westenhoefer here.
This weekend offers a bumper crop of festivals both outdoors and indoors, including the 6th Annual Chalk Walk, Bay Area Renaissance Festival and theFlorida Antiquarian Book Fair. This afternoon's Chalk Walk events include performances by the Brandon Ballet andTed Wray, along with visits by Busch Gardens critters and trainers. The Bay Area Renaissance Festival celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a Celtic Village offering Irish apparel plus highland games, kilt contests, beer tastings, Irish dancers and more. For more St. Paddy's Day/weekend fun, click here.
Feel like dancing tonight but hate those crowded clubs and all that thump-thump-thump music? Tracy Midulla Reller at Tempus Projects art gallery has decided to reclaim Saturday night for the cool kids by hosting her own old-school Nitty Gritty Dance Party to raise funds for her new space. DJ Brian Oblivion, a groovy local DJ with eclectic, retro and exotic selections, will get the crowd moving. No cell phones and cameras will be permitted in the main gallery. Revelers can use and check (secure) their devices in the "cell phone lounge" and outside. Also, it bid Ms. Ridulla Reller a happy birthday — the party is a belated celebration of sorts. Tonight, 9 p.m.-midnight. Cover is $5 with funds going to the gallery. 4636 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. tempus-projects.com.
If you're south of the Skyway Bridge, you can always count on a great selection of cultural arts events taking place at the Asolo, Florida Studio Theatre and the Ringling. Also tonight is the Fuzión Dance Artists' 6th annual Dance Couture: Art Meets Dance concert. The performance by Sarasota’s highly skilled contemporary dance company includes works by a group of iconcept designers from Art Center Sarasota, who will create original costumes for the production in partnership with Goodwill Manasota. March 13-15, 7:30 p.m. March 16, 2 p.m. $18-$36. Jane B. Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-359-0099. See Fuzión's promotional video below: