We had an affection for the perky, smart and sweet gal-about-town Gina Moccio long before she joined Creative Loafing as marketing and events coordinator. Just barely out of college, the lit-culture maven founded the literary site Vessel Collective and a recurring storytelling hour known as Travelogues. For Moccio’s next installment of the series, The Travelogues — Stories of Exploration, BMX god and scribe Matt Coplon will share tales about Tampa — dubbed “Tampa as Adventure”— and media guru Randy Rosenthal will recount a trip to Israel with his father and daughter (“Finding Connection Amidst Contradictions in Israel”).
Attendees can also browse books from Old Tampa Book Company or indulge in goodies from La Segunda Bakery. Rosenthal will be on hand before and after his reading to share his project Frivolous Dry Goods and conduct a postcard swap. He’ll assist attendees in composing messages on vintage typewriters and provide cards and other nifty materials. 7-9 p.m., April 4, CL Space, 1911 N. 13th St., above Spaghetti Warehouse in Ybor City, $5, facebook.com/CLSpaceYbor.
The Tampa Bay art scene is mourning the loss of one its masters this week: Theo Wujcik, who was a regular at many Ybor bars, but the Castle was a favorite, people at the bar/nightclub say. The Castle's website claims that he most likely named the Tampa nightlife mainstay. According to the Castle, he and his friends used to call the space the “Castle building.” When it was time to name the club, he said “Don’t get all fancy. Just name it ‘the Castle.’” Tonight the Castle hosts Party for Theo a Theo Wujcik Memorial Party with 10 of Theo’s paintings on display, and DJs will spin his favorite tracks all night long. "Theo's spirit will live on inside the Castle walls," the club's website says. The event is 9 p.m. tonight at 2004 N 16th St, Tampa, 813-247-7547, castleybor.com; read Megan Voeller's remembrance piece on the artist here.
If Theo were still with us, he'd most likely be attending Jeffrey Agno Chin: Reflective Theory, a new art show at Tempus Projects, as part of its weekly art show series and it will be part of First Friday Seminole Heights, and runs through Sat., April 12. Tempus Projects is at 4636 N. Florida Ave., Tampa.
The unique and welcoming Safety Harbor Art and Music Center is under construction and its founders are presenting a the Safety Harbor Singer Songwriter Festival today through April 6 to raise funds for its completion. Free event tonight! Click here to read more.
Hey, all you drinkin' fools. Tonight is the April Fools Bar Crawl. Drink and party your way through seven Ybor bars for the April Fools Bar Crawl. The event kicks off at Gaspar’s Grotto before sweeping throughout the rest of Ybor. All participants will receive free shots and drink specials at each location, a swag bag and pizza from Cristino’s. $40. Starts at 6 p.m. Gaspar’s Grotto, 1805 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. 813-248-5900.
Want to catch the best and most fun bands on the scene today? Wolf-Face, Permanent Makeup, Empire Cinema, Cosm and Mallory Moyer play Planet Retro at 7 p..m. Adult beverages will be available for donations. This is not a BYOB event, the venue says. For more, click here.
Dun, dun ... DUN, dun ...2001: A Space Odyssey Improv Soundtrack features nine musicians performing music inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey at The Venture Compound to commemorate the film’s 46th anniversary. 9 p.m. $5. 2621 Fairfield Ave., St. Pete. venturecompound.com.
The Bay Area Renaissance Festival kicks off its final weekend and bids you to say Huzzah to the King at its Festival Friday, which includes the 2nd Annual Ladies’ Shopping Day, and events throughout the weekend include the Turkey Leg Eating Contest and more. Click here for a schedule.
The 6th Annual Palm Harbor Citrus Festival returns to charming, historic downtown Palm Harbor at Florida and Georgia avenues. Features carnival rides, a Dancing with the Stars challenge, beauty pageant, music by the Greg Billings Band and Black Honkeys and more. Through April 6. 727-784-4287.
The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival challenges you to forget everything you think you know about sand castles. The event features the Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit, an artistic walk-through display. The Festival will also include several free activities including a professional sand sculpting competition, sand sculpting clinics, speed sand demonstrations, a children’s play area, extended Sunsets at Pier 60 hours, and music. $4-$8, $15 unlimited 10 day pass. Through April 13. Pier 60, 10 Pier Drive, Clearwater. sugarsandfestival.com.
Tomorrow may be the Dunedin Highland Games but there will also be a Pipe Band March through Downtown Dunedin this evening. Wee the pipe bands who are traveling from as far away as Texas, New York and Georgia. Begins at 6 p.m.
The Sarasota Film Festival kicks off this evening. More than 100 filmmakers, a few celebs and a slew of industry pros will be in attendance for this year. Click sarasotafilmfestival.com for details.