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Tropical Breeze photo by Sue Suby This painting by Robert L. Lewis, one of the original Highwaymen, is among those featured in the exhibition currently at the Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History. It was among more than  40 paintings collected in a five-month period by the late Channing Delaplane.

Johnny Daniels, one of the original Florida Highwaymen, painted this scene from and Old Florida cypress swamp. This and more than 40 other Highwaymen paintings from a private collection are the centerpiece of a new exhibit at the Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History through March

 
An East Lake resident’s move to Costa Rica has given the Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History the opportunity to feature a unique collection of more than 40 Florida Highwaymen paintings never before publicly displayed.

Ruth Delaplane said the collection was acquired in a relatively short time during the last months of her late husband Channing’s life.

“It was a spontaneous event, a happy passion inspired by Channing’s affection for Bean Backus and Jim Fitch’s documentary,” Channing wrote in an email to the museum in October. The documentary, “Highwaymen: Florida’s Outsider Artists,” was released in 2000. Fitch wrote several magazine articles in the 1990s about the native Florida African-American artists and gave them the name “Highwaymen” because they often sold paintings from the trunks of cars parked along Florida roads in the late 1950s and 1960s.

Estimates vary, but tens of thousands of quickly produced paintings were sold over a 40 year period by a core group of about 25 artists and their descendants. Most originally were sold for less than $50, often for only $10 or $20, but began to routinely sell for thousands of dollars as they were discovered in the 1990s. Newspaper and magazine articles, books and video documentaries propelled the art into the public consciousness. Although produced quickly and inexpensively, the landscape art captures an Old Florida that rapidly is disappearing.

The Safety Harbor Museum is hosting an exhibition of Highwaymen paintings for the ninth consecutive year. Surviving members of the original group of artists and descendants will be at the museum for demonstrations and to meet the public periodically throughout the show, which runs through March 31. Delaplane’s collection is on indefinite loan to the museum and is the centerpiece of this year’s exhibit.

“Restricted by illness and often in great pain, Channing’s intense interest in the work of the Highwaymen, shared by the whole family, livened the last months of  his life and brought him much joy,” Delaplane wrote to the museum. “He selected the first canvas, Robert Lewis’ North Florida Autumn, at the Safety Harbor museum exhibit in February, 2003; his final choice, a Roy McLendon, Jr. commission, arrived three days after his death on July 1, 2003.

Tropical Breeze photos by Sue Suby A Highwaymen painting of a Florida orange grove such as this one, left, by W. C. “Willie” Reagan from the Delaplane Collection carries a special poignancy with the knowledge that many of the Highwaymen artists used their talent to help escape from lives as laborers in Florida’s groves and fields.
Harold Newton’s painting of a Florida beach scene.

“In less than five months more than forty paintings, each loving selected, filled our walls. They were purchased from the artists at exhibits and at their studios, from art galleries, from personal collections and from E-Bay.“

Delaplane also explained that the five-month burst of collecting was not simply a passing whim. Her husband’s connections to the Highwaymen artists go back to their origins in the Fort Pierce area during the 1950s. The artist who is considered the “first” Highwayman is Alfred Hair, who was a student of artist A.E. “Bean” Backus. Hair shared his knowledge and techniques with a small group who were primarily workers in the fields and groves around Fort Pierce.

“Channing entered the citrus business and settled in Fort Pierce after World War II,” Delaplane explained. “He and Bean soon formed an enduring friendship. In 1955 he (Channing) married “Cookie,” a talented portrait artist, encouraging her to study landscapes with Bean. The marriage, unlike the friendship, did not endure and in 1964 he moved to Winter Haven to take a position with General Foods. In 1967 we met and married, spending our honeymoon in Jamaica at Bean’s Port Antonio cottage.

“In 1970 we asked Bean to paint two canvases. We kept one and my sister and her husband purchased the other.”Delaplane selected the Safety Harbor Museum as repository for the collection to share the creativity of the Highwaymen with the public and help preserve their vision of a rapidly disappearing Florida.

The museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; 11-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and teens, and children under 7 are admitted free. It is located at 329 Bayshore Blvd. S., Safety Harbor. Call 727-726-1668.

photo for Tropical Breeze courtesy of Heritage Village The Earthlings entertain at the Log Cabin during the 2006 Pinellas Folk Festival and will be back for more in 2008.

Join the fun and celebrate a rich tapestry of music and traditional crafts at the Pinellas Folk Festival 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Heritage Village. Admission is free but donations are welcome and help support future events.

Tap your feet to traditional bluegrass, country, folk and gospel tunes played by talented musicians from the Tampa Bay area, including Fackeldy and Webber, Charlie Jirousek, Frank Thomas, Southwind, Brendan Nolan, the Pleasant Family Old Time String Band, Judy Barrett, Ron and Jen James, Banjos Unlimited, Emily Harris, Steve Wallace, Mike Pinheiro, Simple Gifts, Harvey Maslowe, Mustang Sally and the Earthlings. Special appearance by Hank Mattson, “cowboy poet.” Bring your own instrument to join in or just listen to the day-long folk and bluegrass jam circles. A selection of featured performers’ recordings will be on sale at the event.

At noon the award winning “Levendia” dance troupe from St. Nicholas Church in Tarpon Springs will take to the stage and present traditional Greek dance. Family fun continues with “fleece to shawl” activities, a fiber arts show, old time games and antique cars on display.  Enjoy the sounds and smells of the Village blacksmith and the smokehouse while visiting the more than 25 historic structures that dot the pine and palmetto landscape.

Follow the signs to event parking on 119th Street between Ulmerton and Walsingham roads and enjoy free shuttle service to the event. Heritage Village is a 21-acre living history museum located at Pinewood Cultural Park, 11909 125th St. N., Largo.

Contact Heritage Village at 727-582-2123 or visit the Heritage Village website at www.pinellascounty.org/Heritage.

December 1

Guilfoil Ballet Theater: "The Nutcracker," 7:30 p.m., Palladium Theater, 253 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. Call 727-822-3590.

Kelly Clarkson, 7:30 p.m., "My December" tour, marking the release of the Grammy Award-winner's third recording. Special guest Jon McLaughlin. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., Ferguson Hall, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

December 1-2

12th Annual Holiday Show & Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., works by gallery artists available. St. Petersburg Clay Company, 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. Call 727-896-CLAY (2529).

December 1-31

"John Moran's Florida: One State, Many Worlds," landscape and wildlife images by the Gainesville photographer. Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs. Hours: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Wed.; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. Call 727-453-6800.

"Photos by Sue Cepeda-Burkhard," exhibition of original, nature-oriented photographs taken in both Florida and Holland, MI. Safety Harbor Library, 101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor. Call 727-724-1525.

December 2

Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra Fall Concert, 11 a.m., performance by students of the Patel Conservatory. Ferguson Hall, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

Pinellas Youth Symphony Holiday Concert, 2 p.m., Palladium Theater, 253 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. Call 727-822-3590.

Joe Bonamassa, 7:30 p.m., fusion of "big rock" and swampy blues. Ferguson Hall, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

December 2-7

Art Show and Sale, annual Christmas Invitational Show and Sale. Elliott Gallery, Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Hours 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Call 727-864-7979.

December 2-January 30

"Holiday Show," featuring original art, pottery and handmade gift items. Studio 1212, 1405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed.; noon-4 p.m. Sat. or by appointment. Call 727-446-4566.

December 3

Tony Orlando's Christmas Concert, 1:30 and 8 p.m., a Ruth Eckerd Hall On the Road production. Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19 N., Hudson. Call 727-863-7949 or 1-888-655-7469.

The Capitol Steps, 7:40 p.m., political comedy presented by the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. Call 727-892-5798.

Dave Koz "At The Movies," A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2007, 8 p.m., performing hits from his two holiday albums and latest release. Also featuring Wayman Tisdale, bass, and Jonathan Butler, singer/songwriter and guitarist. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 3-21

"Sculp-o-Mania," a new show of works by Candace Knapp's sculpture group, including Abitz, Audra, Avalotis, Bell, Bigelow, Ellena, Gomez, Goren, Grimes, Haggard, Knapp and Oken. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Fri., Dec. 7. Old Hyde Park Art Center, 705 Swann Ave., Tampa. Hours: noon-3 p.m. Sun.-Fri. Call 813-251-3780 or 813-654-3616.

December 4

"Louis Prima, That's My Dad!," 1 p.m., featuring Lena Prima, the only daughter of legendary entertainer Louis Prima and singer Gia Maione. Adults at Leisure Series. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 5

Guilders Museum Store Annual Holiday Sale, noon-7 p.m., discounted items in advance of the Dec. 16 relocation of the Tampa Museum of Art, sponsored by the museum's Friends of the Arts. Guilders Museum Store, 600 N. Ashley St., Tampa. Call 813-274-8534.

Holiday Open House, 3-5 p.m., a sale of unique hand-created ornaments by artists in the museum's collection, art class instructors and volunteers. Gulf Coast Museum of Art, 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo. Call 727-518-6833.

Tony Bennett, 8 p.m., the legend returns. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 6

Art For Lunch, noon-1 p.m., first Thursday monthly. A free brown bag lunch lecture featuring an artist and discussion of current exhibitions. Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. Call 813-274-8130.

"Bobby Tess and the Dixie Chaps," 6:30-9 p.m., presented by the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society. Coconut's Comedy Club, 2950 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., Clearwater. Call 727-724-3379.

"Scarlet Ribbons" Holiday Gala, 6:30 p.m., The Leading Ladies of Ruth Eckerd Hall present a black tie optional event to benefit arts education programs, featuring a catered dinner by Parties by Design, live entertainment with comedian Tim Wilkins and dancing to the music of the Flash Back Band. Live and silent auctions. Heye Room, Ruth Eckerd Hall. Reservations required. Call 727-292-3819.

"A Festival of Lessons and Carols," 7:30 p.m., featuring the Eckerd Concert Choir and Eckerd Ringers, including members of the New German Symphony Orchestra. Wireman Chapel, Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Call 727-864-7979.

December 6-9

Youth Theater Company "Guys and Dolls Jr.," 7 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sat. and Sun., the Broadway classic presented by students of the Patel Conservatory. TECO Theatre, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

December 6-16

"Greater Tuna," 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun., comedy by Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams. Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole St., Clearwater. Reservations required. Call 727-446-1360.

December 6-23

"The Big Bang!," a holiday musical-comedy reprise, featuring Matthew McGee and Candler Budd. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs.; 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. in the 29th and final season in the current building. American Stage, 211 Third St. S., St. Petersburg. Call 727-823-PLAY (7529).

December 6-30

Radio City Christmas Spectacular, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs and Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; 1 p.m. Fri. and Sun.; 2 p.m. Wed., Thurs. and Sat., return of the high-kicking Rockettes in a dazzling holiday production. Morsani Hall, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

December 7

"Jazz in the Present Tense," 7:30 p.m., Thomas Carabasi Jazz Quintet, part of Rick Gee's Jazz Jamm series. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. Call 727-892-5798.

December 7-8

"Run for Your Wife," 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; 4 p.m. Sat., a farce by Ray Cooney. The Fall Studio Theatre performance presented by the UT Speech, Theatre and Dance department. Reeves Theater, Vaughn Center, University of Tampa, 428 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Call 813-253-6212.

December 7, 9

"A Jingle Bell Pops," Florida Orchestra Super Pops Concert with Richard Kaufman as conductor, with Christmas carols, yuletide tunes, a festive sing-a-long and more. 8 p.m. Fri. at Morsani Hall, TBPAC; 2 p.m. (for Clearwater subscribers) and 8 p.m. (for St. Petersburg subscribers) Sun. at the Mahaffey Theater. Call 813-286-2403 or 1-800-662-7286.

December 8

Saturday Spotlight Tour, 11 a.m., second Saturday monthly. Docent-led tour of "Latino Art from the Permanent Collection." Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. Call 813-274-8130.

"Take A Walk on The Art Side," 5:30-9 p.m., monthly art walk sponsored by the St. Petersburg Downtown Arts Association (DAA) at participating DAA member galleries in downtown St. Petersburg. Call 727-821-6767.

"Second Saturday Sketch Show," 7 p.m., original sketch comedy featuring Laura Dent, James Clark, Lenny Germinario, Joe Kirane, M. Lee Gibbons and Joe Pauly; presented by Yellow Snow Productions. Coconuts Comedy Club, 2950 Gulf to Bay blvd., Clearwater. Reservations required. Call 813-818-0991.

"The Chocolate Nutcracker," 7:30 p.m., presented by Life Force Cultural Arts Academy. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. Call 727-892-5798.

December 8-9

"George Balanchine's The Nutcracker," 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun., presented by the Miami City Ballet with full orchestra and more than 100 dancers, including local students. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 8-9, 14-16

"A Christmas Carol," 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Charles Dickens' classic adapted for the stage by John J. Conlon. St. Petersburg Little Theater, 4025 - 31st St. S., St. Petersburg. Call 727-866-1973.

December 9

"Society Christmas Concert," 2-5 p.m., with John Lamb and the Original All Stars, presented by the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society. East Bay Country Club, 702 Country Club Dr., Largo. Reservations recommended. Call 727-596-7142.

December 10

Jennifer O'Connor, 7:30 p.m., Club Jaeb series, a fresh take on personal experience. Jaeb Theater, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

December 11

Sha Na Na Rockin' Christmas, 1 p.m., unique '50s rock 'n roll and traditional holiday songs. Adults at Leisure Series. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

Peter White Christmas, 8 p.m., the smooth jazz guitarist with Rick Braun and Mindi Abair, performing holiday hits. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 11-16

"The Ten Tenors," 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; 2 p.m. Thurs., Sat. and Sun.; 8 p.m Sat., Australia's most debonair musical export. A Broadway Across America production. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. Call 727-892-5798.

December 12

An Evening with Jethro Tull, 7 p.m., the rock icon in concert. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 12-16

"The Real Inspector Hound," 7 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun., a spoof of an Agatha Christie melodrama by Tom Stoppard. Presented by Avenue Players Theatre. Leepa Rattner Museum of Art, St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 Klosterman Rd., Tarpon Springs. Call 727-712-LRMA (5762).

"Defending the Caveman," 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sat.; 4 p.m. Sun., Rob Becker's insightful play exploring fundamental differences between men and women. Jaeb Theater, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

December 13

Lunch with Artist John Costin, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., showcasing the artist's printmaking processes and techniques as well as involvement with the Audubon Society. Gulf Coast Museum of Art, 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo. Reservations required. Call 727-518-6833.

December 14

"Jest" a Little Winter Fun, 7:30 p.m., featuring Arioso String Quartet and Hoffman Institute students in the style of the Renaissance in 16th century England. Evening at the Murray Series, Murray Studio Theater, Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

Anita Baker, 8 p.m., the Grammy Award-winning, sophisticated soul singer in concert. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

Art After Dark with Starbucks, 8-11 p.m., third Friday monthly. Featuring live music, performances and entertainment, food, drinks and more. Tampa Museum of Art, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. Call 813-274-8130.

December 14-15

"A Christmas Cannoli: Or, A Tale of Two Families," 8 p.m., the bay area's longest running original Christmas comedy production, a twist on Charles Dickens. Presented by Yellow Snow Productions. The Masque Community Theatre, 8825 56th St. N., Temple Terrace. Call 813-980-3321.

December 14-16

"De/Reconstructing Mata Hari," 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 4 p.m. Sun., choreographer and dancer Nejila Y. Yatkin's latest multimedia dance solo work. Expanding Horizons Series. TECO Theater, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

December 15

Outdoor Art Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., presented by the Creative Artists Guild, Inc. of Dunedin. Pioneer Park (corner of Main St. and Douglas Ave.), Dunedin. Call 727-585-6640.

Holiday Open House, 5-9 p.m., featuring jewelry, painting, glass, sculpture, mixed media, pottery, books and more by local artists. Artists' Way Cooperative Gallery, 1403 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Call 727-738-8010 or 727-446-1708.

The Music of Led Zeppelin: A Rock Symphony, 8 p.m., performed with orchestra and rock band. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 16

"Diva On The Verge," 1:15 p.m., the Pinellas Opera League presents "Opera in Dunedin," featuring Julia Migenes giving an irreverant singing and anecdotal look at opera from behind the scenes. Also showing "Une Education Manquee" by Emmanual Chabrier. Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Rd., Dunedin. Call 727-784-9512.

"Gypsy," 2 and 7 p.m., a classic American musical. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 17

December 18

Free Artist Critique, 10-11:30 a.m., artists invited to bring paintings for a free critique, third Tuesday monthly. Studio 1212, 1405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Call 727-446-4566.

December 19

December 20

Florida Orchestra Coffee Concert, 11 a.m., "Classically American." Mahaffey Theater. Pre-concert talk one hour before performance. Call 813-286-2403 or 1-800-662-7286.

"Bobby Tess and the Dixie Chaps," 6:30-9 p.m., presented by the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society. Coconut's Comedy Club, 2950 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., Clearwater. Call 727-724-3379.

December 21

The Roches: "With a Holiday Twist," 7:30 p.m., blending church choir music, traditional Irish folk and contemporary folk, rock, country and pop. Ferguson Hall, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

Jim Brickman's Holiday Homecoming Concert, 8 p.m., the award-winning pianist with special guest Lonestar's Richie McDonald. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 21-22

"The Great Russian Nutcracker," 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; 3 p.m. Sat., presented by the Moscow Ballet in its 15th anniversary U.S. tour. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. Call 727-892-5798.

December 22

"A Christmas Carol," 2 and 7 p.m., the Nebraska Theatre Caravan's production returns for an encore performance of Charles Dickens' Christmas classic. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

Ellington Christmas, 7:30 p.m., Palladium Theater, 253 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. Call 727-822-3590.

December 23

"A Christmas Carol," 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. , Charles Dickens' classic presented by Producers, Inc. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. Call 727-892-5798.

December 24

December 25

December 26

December 27

December 28

December 28, 30

Elixir of Love -- St. Petersburg Opera, 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m. Sun., Palladium Theater, 253 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. Call 727-822-3590.

December 29

"Doodlebops LIVE!," noon, a live concert for kids and parents by the candy-colored trio from the hit TV series, "Playhouse Disney." Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 29-30

"Holiday Wonders," 7:30 p.m., traditional Chinese drummers, music and dance. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. Call 727-892-5798.

December 30

ZZ Top, 8 p.m, the Texas trio with longest running major rock band with original personnel intact, as are their beards. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

December 31

"Swing into the New Year," 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m., featuring swing music and dancing, plus an art exhibit by City of Imagination. Presented by Swing Time! Free swing dance lessons, 8-9 p.m. Also features champagne toast, party favors, refreshments. Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. Reservations required. Call 813-274-4950.

"Salute to Vienna," 8 p.m., the annual New Year's Eve tradition inspired by Vienna's world-famous New Year's concert. Viennese Maestro Martin Kerschbaum conducting; vocalists Patricia Nessy and Michael Zabanoff, soprano and tenor; dancers from Györ-Hungarian National Ballet and International Ballroom Dance Champions. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

Jeff Dunham, 9 p.m., a master of ventriloquism. Morsani Hall, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

January 2-6

"Cats," 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Thurs., Sat. and Sun.; 7 p.m. Sun. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award-winning musical that became one of the longest running shows in Broadway history. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

January 3-20

"Eleemosynary," 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 4 p.m. Sun., a play be Lee Blessing exploring the painful bonds between mothers and daughters. Jobsite Theater Play Series. Shimberg Playhouse, TBPAC. Call 813-229-STAR (7827).

January 4, 5, 7

"Gunther Herbig," a Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert. Gunther Herbig, conductor. 8 p.m. Fri. Morsani Hall, TBPAC; 8 p.m. Sat. at the Mahaffey; 8 p.m. Mon. at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 813-286-2403 or 1-800-662-7286.

January 5-February 17

Kiaralinda's "Wacky Wired People's Party," featuring wacky wire figurative garden sculpture by The Whimsy Twins, Kiaralinda and Todd Ramquist of Safety Harbor. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Sat., Jan. 5. Clay and Paper and The Painted Fish Gallery, 350 Main St., Dunedin. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Call 727-736-0934 or 727-734-5060.

January 8

"Blast!," 8 p.m., Tony Award-winning Broadway production featuring 35 brass, percussion and visual performers in a unique explosion of music and theatre. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

January 9

Mickey Rooney: "Let's Put On A Show!," 1 p.m., with his wife of 25 years, Jan (Chamberlain) Rooney in Mickey's 85th Anniversary Tour. Adults at Leisure Series. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

Chris Botti, 8 p.m., the Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and recording artist. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

January 10-20

"Thoroughly Modern Millie," 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun., musical by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan. Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole St., Clearwater. Reservations required. Call 727-446-1360.

January 11

"The Theatrical Side of Music," 7:30 p.m., Maria Zouves, a Greek-American soprano, performs great theatrical music, accompanied by Constantine Grame. Evening at the Murray Series, Murray Studio Theater, Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

January 11-13

"Cirque de la Symphonie," Florida Orchestra Super Pops Concert with Richard Kaufman as conductor; showcasing many of the best cirque artists in the world. 8 p.m. Fri. at Morsani Hall, TBPAC; 8 p.m. Sat. at the Mahaffey Theater; 7:30 p.m. Sun. at the Mahaffey Theater. Call 813-286-2403 or 1-800-662-7286.

January 11-February 17

Les Slesnick: Private Spaces--The Dunedin Project, new series chronicling the lives and homes of small-town America by award-winning photographer Les Slesnick. Third town in the series and first in Florida. Also featuring: "James Perry Walker: The Preacher and His Congregation," 55 photographs dating from 1976 to 1994; and, "Photo-Synthesis: DFAC Photographers," works by DFAC faculty and students. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.; 1-4 p.m. Sun. Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. Call 727-298-DFAC (3322).

January 11-March 16

Images of Native Americans Exhibit, paintings by Herman Trappman and Elizabeth Neily and pottery by Marty Haythorn, Strum Gallery. Also featuring, "Queen of Hearts" exhibit through Mar. 31 in the Benoist Gallery; and, "Links to the Next Generation" exhibit in the Neighborhood Gallery through Feb. 28. St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 1-5:30 p.m. Sun. Call 727-894-1052.

January 12-13

"The Art of Decoration," two-day demonstration workshop with artists David and Tracy Gamble on low-fire pottery decoration techniques. St. Petersburg Clay Company, 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. Registration required. Call 727-896-CLAY (2529).

January 13

Neil Sedaka, 2 p.m., the singer/songwriter from Brooklyn returns to perform Top Ten hits from his 50-year career. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

January 14

"Bowfire," 8 p.m., the "Cirque du Soleil of the violin," North America's top string masters showcase diverse styles. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.

January 15

"The Wonderful Wizard of Song," 1 p.m., a multi-media journey through the life and melodies of American songwriter Harold Arlen with his son, jazz saxophonist Sam Arlen. Adults at Leisure Series. Ruth Eckerd Hall. Call 727-791-7400.