Compiled by Kathy L. Collins, Arts and Entertainment Editor

If you are looking for something fun to do over the weekend, let this be your guide finding fun, creative and exciting things to do in the area. The Greater Brandon area and Tampa Bay have tons of activities going on every weekend. Get out and enjoy all that this area has to offer.

 

Center Place and the Greater Brandon Arts Council present Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, Barbara Bailey Hutchison in concert on Friday, February 11 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. Hutchison will entertain and charm the Adult/General Audience. For more information, please call 685-8888 or visit www.centerplacebrandon.org. Center Place is located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon.

The Pottery Patch presents “Paint ‘Til Ya Faint” on Friday, February 11.This is a family and friends night. Reservations are encouraged, so please call 643-0014. The Pottery Patch is located at 2551 SR 60 in Valrico.

The Florida State Fair is in full swing now through February 21. Come out and see the state’s best in agriculture and equestrian industries. You can also enjoy lots of shows, music, rides, food and shopping. The Florida State Fair is located at 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. in Tampa. For more information on ticket prices, ride tickets and event tickets, please call 621-7821.

The Valrico Cork & Olive is holding “Make Me Blush” weekend now through Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14. Come into Cork & Olive located at 3468 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico and shop for your sweetie and write them a Valentine. Cork & Olive will then call them to come in pick up their gift and read their Valentine. If they blush, then get a box of Red Hot candies! For more information, please call 661-8999.

What has been dubbed as “The Best Musical of the Decade” by Time magazine is taking Tampa by storm. Billy Elliott the Musical is on stage at The Straz Center in Tampa now through February 20. The musical was winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 2009. It is a joyous celebration of one young boy’s triumph against the odds. Follow Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers his dream to dance. Shows are Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 5 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, February 6 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The Straz Center is located at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place in Tampa. Call 229-STAR (7827) or visit www.tbpac.org for more information and to buy tickets.

On Saturday, February 12, the Tampa Bay History Center will celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with $5 admission to the History Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the Confederate Militia of Ft. Brooke will appear on the banks of the Hillsborough Bay. Local re-enactors will set up camp in Cotanchobee Park just steps from the History Center. For more information, please call 228-0097 or visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.

The Glazer Children’s Museum presents “Little Sweethearts Dance” on Sunday, February 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. All attendees will receive an 8.5” x 11” keepsake photo. There will be a light buffet and refreshments along with a ballroom dancing demonstration. All sweethearts will have the opportunity to practice their newly learned dance steps. Reservations are suggested as space is limited. Call 443-fun1 (3861) to reserve your spot. Tickets are $15 for adult members; $19 for non-members; $13 for children members; $15 for non-members; and children 5 and under are free.

Email kcollins@ospreyobserver.com with any upcoming arts and entertainment events you would like to include in this weekly column.

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