Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: The 17-day Sand Sculpture Festival on Clearwater Beach features free entertainment for all ages, including a children's play area, street performers, artisans, live entertainment, fireworks, sand carving classes, demonstrations, a sand carving master contest, and more. Activities will be held. Stroll through his 21,000 square foot tent filled with art created by world-class sand sculptors. $14, children 3 and under free. Monday to Thursday (April 1 to 4) 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Saturday (April 5 to 6) 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday (April 7) 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lasts until April 14th. Pier 60, 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. 727-871-8060.
Madonna: The original pop superstar brings his Celebration Tour to Amalie Arena. This is the second time Madonna has played in Tampa in her more than 40-year career. The Material Girls will be joined by special guest drag queen Bob, aka Caldwell Tidykew. From $70 to $560. Thursday (April 4) 8:30 p.m. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-301-6500.
Tampa Pro: The 30th annual world-class skateboarding competition will be held in the Pro Street, Pro Vert, and Concrete Jam categories. Vert qualifying for women (2 p.m.) and men (4 p.m.) will be held on Thursday, with the top nine advancing. Thursday nights feature skating trivia (8 p.m.) and a skating-themed comedy show (10 p.m.). Friday will feature the Team Manager and Industry VIP competitions (10 a.m.), as well as the Vert finals for women (5 p.m.) and men (7 p.m.). Friday nights feature art shows (8 p.m.) and live music (10 p.m.). On Saturday, the live webcast begins at noon, with Street Qualifiers (noon) and Best Trick Contest (5 p.m.). Saturday night features Concrete Jam (5:30pm and 6:30pm), live music (8pm) and an afterparty (11pm). Sunday's live webcast begins at noon and includes Street Semi-Finals (noon), Street Finals (3 p.m.), and Afterparty (8 p.m.). Although spectators are welcome, this contest is only open to professional skateboarders who have (or have had) a professional model sign board from an internationally recognized brand. Over $10. Thursday (April 4th) 9am-11pm, Friday (April 5th) 10am-10pm, Saturday (April 6th) noon-11pm, Sunday (April 7th) Noon to 8 p.m. Tampa Skate Park, 4215 E. Columbus Drive. 813-621-6793.
Dunedin Highland Games and Festival: Watch Highland dancers and athletes from around the world and enjoy music, dance, food and drink imported directly to Dunedin from Bonnie Scotland. Friday (April 5) will feature live music by the Byrne Brothers at Pioneer Park (5 p.m.) and a family tartan procession from Main Street to Pioneer Park (6:30 p.m.). Masu. On Saturday (April 6th), the Scottish Piping, Drum and Pipe Band Competition, Highland Dancing Competition, Scottish Heavyweight Track and Field Competition will be held, and there will be stalls selling Scottish and Celtic crafts, clothing and more. I will. $20-25, children 12 and under are free. Friday (April 5) from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday (April 6) from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dunedin Community Centre, 1920 Pinehurst Road. 727-812-4530.
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Spookara: Celebrities, horror movie props, dark and mysterious vendors, live entertainment, VIP exclusive merchandise and more await horror fans. $35-$50, children 10 and under are free. Friday (April 5th) from 2pm to 9pm, Saturday (April 6th) from 10am to 7pm, and Sunday (April 7th) from 11am to 6pm. . Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Center, 4800 US 301 N., Tampa. 813-621-7821.
Kevin James: Owls Don't Walk: The comedian, who began his career as a stand-up comedian in Long Island's comedy scene and eventually created his own television comedy, “The King of Queens,” will perform. From $105 to $175. Sunday (April 7) 8pm. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.
Alabama: A Grammy Award-winning country music band will perform. Diamond Rio begins. $49.50 – $149.50. Friday (April 5th) 7pm. BayCare Sound (formerly Sound at Coachman Park), 301 Drew St., Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
Red Bull dance your style: Contestants engage in one-on-one dance battles and improvise to unpredictable tunes ranging from mainstream hits to classics. In the preliminaries, 16 of the region's top dancers will compete for a spot in the national finals to be held in Atlanta. The event is co-hosted by Venezuelan showman and MTV “Becoming a Pop Star” winner Sammy Hawk and Light Feet dancer K-SOLE. Free (register your ticket on Eventbrite). Saturday (April 6th) from 7pm to 11pm. Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa. 813-250-3725.
Incredible Duck Race: The Kiwanis Club of Tampa plans to race 10,000 rubber ducks down the Hillsboro River in front of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. His three ducks that cross the finish line first win the prize. Family-friendly games, food and entertainment lead up to the big race. Benefits the Kiwanis Foundation of Tampa's children's programs and philanthropy. The race is free (spectators), $5 per duck. Saturday (April 6th) 10am to 1pm. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.
Stranger Things! Parody musical: Let's go back to 1983 in Hawkins, Indiana. Times were simpler, hair was bigger, and unsupervised children were abducted by extradimensional creatures. A live musical riff from the popular Netflix series. The lobby will feature his 80's arcade and his VIP bean bag seating. Over $37. The event lasts until April 21st. Wednesday to Friday (April 3rd to 5th) 7pm, Saturday (April 6th) 2pm and 7pm, Sunday (April 7th) 1pm and 5pm. David A. Straz Jr. Performing Arts Center, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.
Spring Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show: The Tampa Bay Mineral Science Club will host its fourth annual event featuring vendors of minerals, crystals, specimens, cabochons, fossils, beads, finds, jewelry and more. There's also a children's section with activities such as sluice gates, treasure hunts, games and a microscope to see rocks up close. $10, $8 for seniors/military, free for ages 10 and under. Saturday (April 6th) 10am to 6pm, Sunday (April 7th) 10am to 5pm. Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center, 4800 US 301 N., Tampa. 813-684-2039.
Family favorite series: Tampa Theater's Family Favorites Series presents “The Iron Giant” (PG, 86 minutes). The 1999 film tells the story of a boy who befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agency is trying to destroy. $10, $8 for ages 3-12, $7 for members, free for ages 2 and under. Sunday (April 7th) 3pm. Tampa Theater, 711 N. Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
Free Family Day: The Morean Arts Center will transform the Chihuly Collection Garden into a festival space for art activities, free food, music, and crafts. free. Saturday (April 6th) 10am-2pm. Chihuly Collection Garden, 720 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-822-7872.
Blueberry Festival: This pet- and family-friendly event features blueberry picking, over 100 food and craft stalls, bounce houses, live music, a kids zone, camel rides, a petting zoo, and a wide selection of wine, beer, and cider. Masu. free. Saturday to Sunday (April 6th to 7th) 10am to 3pm. Kiel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. 813-752-9100.
Tampa Bay Empanada Festival: The second annual National Empanada Day celebration will feature food from Stuft Gourmet Foods, Nonna's Artisan Kitchen, Top Nada, Empanada King, Pabellion Food Trailer and more. No cover. Saturday (April 6) from noon to 7 p.m. Perry Harvey Sr. Park, 1201 N. Orange St., Tampa.
Gregorian calendar: In 1999, eight classically trained British vocalists released their first album, Masters of Chant, which won multiple Gold and Platinum awards in Europe and Asia. From $40 to $80. Saturday (April 6th) 8pm. Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theater, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
Theater company du jour: Enjoy an original, family-friendly show with games, improvised skits, and actor choices inspired by live audiences. $10 to $15. Friday (April 5) 7:30 p.m. Carol and Frank Morsani Arts Center, 21030 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. 352-442-3369.
Michael Rapaport: The actor and comedian, who currently appears on Hulu's “Life & Beth,” performs a stand-up routine. From $37 to $47. Friday (April 5th) 7:30pm, Saturday (April 6th) 6:30pm and 9pm. Funny Bone (formerly Improv Tampa), 1600 E. Eighth Ave. Tampa.
Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival: of The Festival of Food event will be held from Tuesday (April 9th) through April 13th at various local venues including Water Street Tampa, Hyde Park Village, and Downtown Tampa. It will feature a “Grand His Tasting” event with live music, interactive sponsored experiences, cooking demonstrations, tastings from dozens of local restaurants, and a Chef's Showdown competition featuring celebrity chef Robert His Irvine. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive. Over $75. tampabaywff.com.