According to his book, Glorious Days and Nights: A Jazz Memoir, Herb Snitzer began his “40-year odyssey” of immortalizing jazz legends in a lower Manhattan jazz club in 1958, when he was just out of photography school. The photographer, influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson, went on to capture icons like Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk and others — images published in major magazines and included in the collections of museums and presidential libraries.
Snitzer relocated to St. Petersburg in 1992, and has since lent his works to local exhibitions and given talks on his storied career. He steps up his local contribution by opening a new public space, The Herb Snitzer Fine Art Gallery, in west central St. Petersburg (near Tyrone Mall and freeFall Theatre). Celebrate the landmark venue and peruse a selection of Snitzer’s famous images and recent collages — and perhaps even meet the legendary photographer — at an opening reception today from 1 to 7 p.m. 7214 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-692-7646, herbsnitzer.com.
AirFest, the high-flying, zippy-tricky jet fest had to take a year off due to budget cuts, but it’s back after two days with fly-bys of all types of aircraft and a performance by the Air Force Thunderbirds. Also, tour aircraft grounded for display. 8208 Hangar Loop Drive, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa. Free. 813-828-7469. macdill.af.mil/airfest.
Attend a super-fun fest that celebrates the ties that bind the central Tampa Heights communities with proceeds going to the businesses and employees affected by the fire at Domani’s Bistro & Lounge and A Modern Line on Feb. 18. The Heights Unites Benefit Bonanza can be enjoyed from 4 to 11 p.m., this Saturday, March 22, at Florida Avenue Brewing Co. The event boasts an impressive roster of local bands and artists — Florida Night Heat, Matt Hires, Empire Cinema, Grey Market, Genghis Flan, Mike Handley, Nicole Equerme — plus food trucks, local vendors and more. Today 4-11 p.m., 4101 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. Tickets are $15 and available online and at Microgroove, Health Mutt, Sherry’s YesterDaze and The Hub. facebook.com/TheHeightsCollective.
Get your nom nom on and stroll Tampa’s historic district while celebrating Cuban Sandwich Month as decreed by Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
This weekend’s 3rd Annual National Cuban Sandwich Festival, in Ybor City, has been extended to two days after the 2013 event drew record-breaking crowds in the wake of publicity that Tampa beat out Miami as having the best Cuban in the nation. The fest offers competitions, visual art, vendors and live musical entertainment, combining to offer a signature Tampa cultural experience. Visiting from Cuba, the lively ensemble Sol y Son performs, ABC Action News’ Lissette Campos-Perez and Tony Morejon emcee. City Councilwoman Yvonne Yolie Capin will present a resolution naming Cuban Sandwich as Historical Sandwich of Tampa, and VIP judges include more TV news personalities — Linda Hurtado, Laura Harris, Bill Logan, San Shaffer and John Thomas. March 22-23. Hours on Saturday are 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, at venues throughout Ybor City. Free admission. Schedule, locations and more details at cubansandwichfestival.com.
New Seeds Festival, the Southeast’s Women’s Performing Arts Festival showcases dynamic, avant garde work across all genres: music, dance, spoken word, theatre and comedy. This year’s lineup features Julie Black. Her debut release, Call Me Angel for Blues was named one of the Top 5 Contemporary Blues Albums of the Year. The fest is also featuring Kentucky performer, Mitzi Sinnott. Sinnott was voted Best Actress at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and recipient of the Kentucky Foundation for Women Arts Meets Activism Grant. $20/$14 students. Fridays, Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Through March 30. Bob Smith Black Box Theatre, 727 W. Cass St., Tampa. 983-0837. tampaprep.org.
They look like those crazy mimes you see in big city subway stations, but the white-painted YouTube sensations known as The Voca People are one helluva an a capella group, and they’re stopping in Tampa during their second American tour. They’re eight vocal gymnasts who have no use for a backing band, blending physical comedy and performing more than 70 a cappella and beat box versions of tunes by a wide range of pop, rock and classical artists. The Voca People’s show is an interactive theatrical experience that challenges the audience to enjoy music with no instruments and no sound effects — and they perform a killer rendition of “Long Train Running” by the Doobie Brothers. Tonight at 8 p.m., Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall, Tampa. $35-$50. strazcenter.org.
This year’s big Chasco Fiesta, New Port Richey's annual Native American-themed event, combines traditional favorites, powwows, memorabilia and car shows and a host of competitions and other events, rides, games and other amusements in an effort to raise funds for local nonprofits. Street parade is Sat., March 22, at 1 p.m. Beatles Tribute in the park Saturday night, Styx tribute on Sunday. Sims Park. Much more live music throughout the week. Sims Park, 5443 Main St., New Port Richey. chascofiesta.com.
QUAID presents a solo exhibition of new work, Gaiety Girls, by Neil Bender tonight at Tempus Projects. The site-specific “immersive installation” displays collaged drawings and cut-paper pieces. Opening reception to be held on Sat., March 22 from 7-10 p.m. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be offered. The exhibition will run through April 13. Free. Reception begins at 7 p.m with after party at Mermaid. QUAID, 4636 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 321-412-8790. facebook.com/quaidattempus.
Cricket, WMNF’s 88.5 FM’s radio show host, of the Saturday morning Bluegrass Show, emcees the 4th Annual Bluegrass Festival, featuring four live musical acts: Skyway Bluegrass, The Cotton Eyed Does, Mountain Memories and Gator Grass. Food and beverages will be available for sale. No coolers. Bring your lawn chair and relax or take a walk on the beach. Music is sponsored by Plumlee Gulf Beach Realty and the festival is co-sponsored with the City of Indian Rocks Beach. Proceeds will benefit the Beach Art Center of Indian Rocks. A $5 donation is suggested. Sat., March 22, 2:30 p.m. Kolb Park, 16th Avenue, Indian Rocks Beach. 727-596-4331. BeachArtCenter.org.
Winter in the Blood, a film produced in association with Tampa's Kitefliers Studios, is showing at the Gasparilla International Film Festival today at 6:10 p.m. at Muvico Ybor. Click here for Facebook Event Page.
Plan ahead for this event: This Thursday, Creative Pinellas will serve a banquet to help local artists. Attendees can dine on hors d’oeuvres by Chef Scott Bebell of Guppy's on the Beach Seafood Grill & Bar while exploring and supporting projects by local artists and performers. Artists in attendance will include Robin Borland and Chad Mize. 6:30 p.m., Thurs., March 27, at the Beach Art Center, 1515 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 727-596-4331, beachartcenter.org.