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American Stage Sets New Attendance Record With Season’s Last Show

American Stage Theatre Company ended its most successful season on a high note as its final show of the 2005-06 season, the hit comedy/drama “Dinner With Friends,” became the highest attended mainstage production in the theatre’s nearly 30 years of existence.

Selling 4,329 tickets, “Dinner With Friends” unseated American Stage’s previous top attended production, “Anna In The Tropics,” which sold 4,272 tickets in the 2004-2005 season.

“It has been an incredible season at American Stage,” said Todd Olson, the theatre’s producing artistic director. “Not only is ‘Dinner With Friends’ our highest attended production ever, four other mainstage productions from the same season are also in our list of the top ten highest attended productions.”

The other productions from American Stage’s 2005-2006 season in the top ten all time attendance list are “The Big Bang” (#5), “Dial ‘M’ For Murder” (#6), “6 Dance Lessons In 6 Weeks” (#8) and “The Drawer Boy” (#10). Jacob Marley’s “Christmas Carol” (#11) just missed being in the top ten.

American Stage’s new season opened September 6 with the Tampa Bay area premiere of Richard Greenberg’s recent Broadway hit, “Three Days Of Rain.”

Running through October 1, “Three Days Of Rain” tells the story of three young adults — sister, brother, long-time friend —  brought together for the reading of a will, during which they unwittingly replay their parents' tangled relationships. The themes of love, friendship, ambition and betrayal expand exponentially in Act Two, when the same actors play youthful versions of their parents — business partners with a history that no one could ever have known.

American Stage is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. Its 142-seat capacity Mainstage theater is located at 211 Third St. S., St. Petersburg. This year it will celebrate the 22nd anniversary of its springtime American Stage in the Park on the waterfront. Call 727-823-PLAY (7529).

Pen Women Announce Local Writing And Art Contest

The Clearwater Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc., invites women writers and artists to enter the branch’s 2006 contest. Last year’s writing contest attracted almost 500 entries from more than 150 women from the Tampa Bay area. Cash prizes and certificates were awarded.

“This year we wanted to include a contest for artists, as well,” said branch president Anne Anderson. “The League consists of professional women writers, artists, and composers, so this is appropriate to our purposes.”

In 1897, before women could vote in national elections, a group of women journalists, authors, and illustrators banded together in Washington, D.C., to promote their professions.  Led by journalists Marion Longfellow O’Donoghue, Washington Post social editor Anna Sanborn Hamilton, and Margaret Sullivan Burke, the first woman admitted to the Congressional Press Gallery, the women founded the League of American Pen Women.

More than a hundred years later, the league has evolved into the National League of American Pen Women and includes artists, writers and composers from across the country working in many fields. The Clearwater branch encompasses all of Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Official rules and an entry form are available by mailing a business-sized self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Clearwater NLAPW, PO Box 934, Safety Harbor, FL 34695-0934 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The deadline for entries is Saturday, Sept. 30.

Tropical Breeze photos by Sue Suby

 The lens was turned on photographer Colleen Walsh in August when a reception was held at The Tech Café for her photography exhibition. Clockwise from top left, Walsh; patrons of the café with owner Robin Hirschberg at right; Walsh with Peggy Gerson, who had just made a purchase; and, Walsh displays samples of her work for sale on Safety Harbor’s Main Street. Walsh has been a professional free-lance photographer for more than seven years. Originally from Nashville, TN, she currently lives in Tampa, creating images locally, as well as traveling nationally and internationally to photograph her subjects. Her company is Colleen Walsh Photography, Inc.

Arts Classes & Workshops

Acting Seminar, 2 p.m. Tues.; 7 p.m. Thurs., introduction to acting. Tarpon Springs Community Center, 400 S. Walton Ave., Tarpon Springs. On-going sessions. Call for registration, class dates. Call 727-942-5628.

Adult Ballet, 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Craig Park Recreation Center, Tarpon Springs. Four-week classes ongoing. Call for next session. Sponsored by Tarpon Springs Recreation Department. Call 727-942-5628.

Adult/Senior Tap, 10:15-11 a.m. Thursdays, six-week tap class sessions with Kenley Stewart. Also, 11-11:30 a.m., pre-ballet/creative movement for ages 2-3 and 11:30 a.m.-noon and noon-12:30 p.m., for ages 4-6. Cypress Forest Rec. Ctr., 650 Pine Ave. N., Oldsmar. Registration required. Call 813-749-1260.

Art Workshops at Craig Park, Tarpon Springs. Beginning through advanced levels in various media. Classes ongoing. Call for next session. Sponsored by Tarpon Springs Recreation Department. Call 727-942-5628.

Art Classes at The Packinghouse Gallery, classes in silk painting, beginning acrylic and oil painting, beginning photography for digital and film users, basic photography lighting, beading, card making, basic and advanced drawing and paper making. Instructors include: Toni Young, Bill Underwood, Cassandra Gordon-Harris, James Swallow, Jay Marino and Kevin Peters. Classes ongoing. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. The Packinghouse Gallery, 10900 Oakhurst Rd., Largo. Call 727-596-7822.

Ceramics Clay class, 6:30 p.m. Wed. at the Tarpon Springs Community Center, 400 S. Walton Ave., Tarpon Springs. On-going eight week sessions. Call for registration, class dates. Call 727-942-5628.

Children’s Creative Dance Movement, 10:45 or 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, for children ages 2-5 at Craig Park Recreation Center, Tarpon Springs. Beginning Jazz for children also available 4:30 p.m. Fridays. Classes ongoing. Call for next session. Sponsored by Tarpon Springs Recreation Department. Call 727-942-5628.

Dance Classes, 4:30 p.m. Fridays beginning jazz; 5 p.m. Mondays beginning tap; Thursdays beginning ballet at Craig Park Recreation Center, Tarpon Springs. For children ages 6 and up. Classes ongoing. Call for next session. Sponsored by Tarpon Springs Recreation Department. Call 727-942-5628.

Dance Classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop and modern for ages 18 mons. to seniors at American Dance Academy, Forest Lakes Shopping Center, 3705 Tampa Rd., Ste. 3, Oldsmar. Call 813-855-2555.

Encore Theatre, drama and musical theatre school with Greta Aldene. 4217 Bay to Bay Blvd., South Tampa. Call 813-839-0861.

Guitar Lessons with Molten Mike, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thurs., acoustic or electric guitar lessons with the legendary local blues guitarist. Registration required. Oldsmar Senior Center, 127 State St. W., Oldsmar. Call 813-749-1260.

Gulfport Casino Swing Night, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. second Friday monthly at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. Hosted by Sam and Swing Time. Free dance lessons 8-9 p.m. Call 727-893-1070.

Greek Folk Dance Classes, 4 p.m. Thurs., monthly class series at Tarpon Springs Community Center, 400 S. Walton Ave., Tarpon Springs. Registration required. Call 727-942-5628.

Hip Hop Dance for children, 4:30 p.m. Fridays at Craig Park Recreation Center, Tarpon Springs. Four-week classes ongoing. Call for next session. Sponsored by Tarpon Springs Recreation Department. Call 727-942-5628.

Jazz, Ballet and Tap Dance Classes, various age ranges, various days and times, Dunedin Community Center, 1141 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. Call 727-298-3286.

Line Dancing at the Gulfport Casino, 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. Dance lessons by Dancelovers. Call 727-893-1070.

Oil Painting classes, 9-11:30 a.m. Thursdays at Craig Park, Tarpon Springs. Beginning through advanced levels. Classes ongoing. Call for next session. Sponsored by Tarpon Springs Recreation Department. Call 727-942-5628.

Old Hyde Park Art Center Classes, all media with Dee Lobo (1-3:30 p.m. Mon.), watercolor with Genie Shannon (10 a.m.-noon Wed.), sculpture with Candace Knapp (9:30 a.m.-noon Thurs.) and monthly life drawing class. Registration required. Call 813-251-8201.

Opal Theatre Group: 7:30-9 p.m. Thurs. Opal Teens for ages 12-18, performance of “Any Body for Tea,” 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 19; 6-7:30 p.m. Thurs. Opal Juniors for ages 7-12, performance of “Twice Upon A Time” 7 p.m. Fri., Nov. 17. Opal Adults, 7:30-9 p.m. Tues. Registration required. Cypress Forest Rec. Ctr., 650 Pine Ave. N., Oldsmar. Call 813-749-1253.

Open Mic Nite, 6-10 p.m., every Wed. on the outdoor deck “out back” at The Whistle Stop Grill, 915 Main St., Safety Harbor. Call 727-726-1956.

Players of Safety Harbor Youth and Teen Drama Groups, 4:30 p.m. Tues., for ages 8-12; 4:30 p.m. Wed. for ages 12-17. Safety Harbor Library, 101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor. Call 727-724-1525.

Piano Classes, ages 18 and up, various days and times, Dunedin Community Center, 1141 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. Call 727-298-3290.

Smart Kids Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., for ages 6-13, paint, draw, sculpt and more, activities inspired by a current exhibition. Pre-registration required. Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. Call 813-274-8130.

Start with the Arts Pre-School Program, 10-10:45 p.m. Thurs., for 3-5 year old children include activities in visual arts, creative drama, dance/movement and music. Pre-registration required. Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. Call 813-274-7328.

Tampa Bay Beach Boppers “Thursday Night Dancing,” 6-9:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Italian-American Club, 200 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater. Call 813-698-1053 or 813-876-1103.

Toast of Tampa Show Chorus, rehearsals 7 p.m. every Tuesday. Currently seeking women of all ages to join the award-winning group. The Masque Community Theatre, 8825 56th St. N., Temple Terrace. Call 813-963-SING (7464).

Tuesday Dance Lessons and Dance at the Gulfport Casino, 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. Line dance lessons by Dancelovers. Call 727-893-1070.

U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dance Association, 7-10 p.m. last Monday monthly, Treasure Coast Chapter dance. Lessons by local ballroom instructors; dance showcase; dance hosts. Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. Call 727-893-1070.

Watercolor Classes, ages 18 and up, various days and times, Dunedin Community Center, 1141 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. Call 727-298-3290.

Watercolor and Experimental Water Media classes, taught by Studio 1212 artist Marie Cummings, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wed. at Clearwater Beach Recreation Complex, 69 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fri. at Morningside Recreation Center, 2400 Harn Blvd., Clearwater. Sponsored by City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department. Call 727-507-4065.

West Coast Swing Club of Tampa Bay, 7-10:30 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays with music by Bobby Caudill at Big JR’s, 3780 Tampa Rd. (at Forest Lakes Blvd.), Oldsmar. Call 727-804-6612.