Things To Do and Know in Brandon and Beyond (Mid-February Report)

Midway into February and it’s time to look ahead to what’s happening and worthy of note in the Greater Brandon community.

The weekend gets under way with an indoor percussion tournament at Newsome High School and a memorial bonfire for Brooke Ann Coats, who a year ago tonight, Feb. 18, died after a bull-riding accident at the Crosstown Rodeo Arena.

Keep in mind, too, that the Brandon wrestlers are in Lakeland to compete for a 23rd state title. As of this morning, nine Brandon wrestlers had advanced to the second, and final, day of competition.

As always, we invite you to help us grow this list of community events by submitting your own "must-do's" in the comment box below.

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FEB. 18
Memorial Bullring Bonfire For Brooke Ann Coats

• Feb. 18 marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Brooke Ann Coats, whose life and passion for the ring have been memorialized many times since that night's fatal bull-riding accident at the Crosstown Rodeo Arena on U.S. 301, just north of the Crosstown Expressway. A bonfire from 6 to midnight will be lit in the memory of Coats, who died at age 16 and was a student at Riverview High.

FEB. 18
Indoor Percussion Competition

• Newsome High School, at the adjacent Randall Middle School, will host about 20 drum-line units from schools throughout Florida for an Indoor Percussion Competition on Feb. 18, starting at 2 p.m. More than 750 performers and spectators are expected to attend. Unites will be judged on their visual presentation and musical performance, with awards presented to the top-three finishers in each class. The competition is open to the public. The cost is $12 for admission, parking is free. Concessions will be available. For infomration, e-mail newsomebandnews@gmail.com.

FEB. 19
5th Annual Mad Hatter's Tea 

• The annual fundraiser of the Rotary Club of Brandon South returns to Cross Creek Ranch bed and breakfast and event facility in Dover. Silent and live auction; afternoon tea. Live music and a Tea Hat Parade. Tickets: $25. (Last year's coverage at Brandon Patch.)

FEB. 20
Tadpoles for Tatum

• Fundraiser for Tatum Woodworth, 4, who has been diagnosed with an inoperable and aggressive brain tumor. A portion from the 4-9 p.m. fundraiser proceeds will benefit the Brandon girl's family with its expenses to care for Tatum. Raffle, with prizes. Cash donations welcome. Visit www.Friends4Tatumn.com to learn more. For fundraiser details, call Tadpoles at 813-662-3764.

FEB. 20
Watercolor and Pen

• Artist Frank Bolock will demonstrate how to make watercolor paintings in a loose, fluid style using watercolor combined with pen. This is part of the monthly Brandon League of Fine Arts meet and greet, which includes live art demonstrations the third Monday of the month. The meeting is at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association at 619 Vonderburg Drive. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

FEB. 20-23
Auditions: Plant City Entertainment

• Auditions for "The Red Velvet Cake War," a "funny, southern-fried comedy," are set for 7-10 p.m. at the Plant City Entertainment theatre, at 101 North Thomas St. in Plant City. Auditions are Feb. 20 and 21, with callbacks Feb. 23. Show dates are May 11-13 and 17-19. Kelley Gustafson directs, with Kay Secord her assistant director. Cast needed: four men, eight women, late 20's to 80's. The fast-paced romp is based in Sweetgum, Texas, with things spinning "hilariously out of control when the neighbor's pet devours everything edible, a one-eyed suitor shows up to declare his love and a jaw-dropping, high-stakes wager is made on who bakes the best red-velvet cake."

FEB. 21
Community Affairs Dinner

• The Community Roundtable has invited several members of Brandon's pioneering families to speak at the group's annual Community Affairs Dinner. Scheduled to speak are Mike Brandon, John Brandon's great-grandson; Helen Mulrennan Young; Judy Darsey of the King family; Claire Bryan Simmons; Dick Stowers, a lifelong resident and founder of Stowers Funeral Home (which now is under different management); and Paul Dinnis, founder of The Brandon News. This year's Alice B. Tompkins Community Service Award honoree will be named as well as the non-profit organization of the year. Also to be announced, this year's recipient of the Maureen Krzanowski Memorial Scholarshp. The event is at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, and Brandon Patch will be there to cover the night's festivities. Call: 813-661-4350. (See, Brandon To Celebrate Pioneers at Community Roundtable Dinner.)

FEB. 24
Flamenco Performance

• Eddy Lugo & Somos: Falmanco Bohemios is an authentic Tablao experience featuring flamenco baile (dance) and flamenco cante (song), true flamenco palos (forms) that gypsies would perform for each other using traditional percussion instruments and guitars. Featuring Peter Suarez (baile, hand percussion, palmas and cante), Chris Walker (cante, guitar, palmas, hand percussion and baile), Melinda Lugo (cante, baile and palmas) and Eddy Lugo (guitar and cante). Free to those with a Hawk Card ID from Hillsborough Community College. All others, $7. Dale Mabry Student Services Auditorium. Concert starts at 8 p.m.

FEB. 24
The Trey Curry House at A Kid's Place

• The Trey Curry Foundation has pledged a $400,000 donation to A Kid's Place in Brandon, leading to the naming of the fifth home at the residential care facility for children in need of emergency housing. The Trey Curry Foundation, represented by Trey's sister, Mary Beth; brother, Colton; and parents, Terry and Clif, will be on hand at 3:30 p.m. to celebrate the donation that makes the Trey Curry Foundation the fifth naming sponsor among the five houses at A Kid's Place on Lithia Pinecrest Road in Brandon.

FEB. 24-26 and MARCH 2-4
"The Wedding Singer"

• Starring as Robbie Hart, the rock star wannabe considered the best wedding singer in New Jersey, is community theater veteran Peter B. Sanders. The “best,” that is, until his bride leaves him at the altar and every wedding Hart subsequently sings at turns into a disaster. But, as the synopsis of "The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy," would have us believe, “life could turn around for Robbie, if he can pull of a dynamite performance and win over Julia, the girl of his dreams.” The show is under the direction of Tammy Modica, with the Florida Academy of Performing Arts (FAOPA), in residence at Music Showcase in Brandon. Shows are Feb. 24 and 25 at 8 p.m.; Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.;  March 2 and 3 at 8 p.m.; and March 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online. Cost is $12 for adults and $10 for youth, seniors and military. At the door, ticket prices rise to $15 for adults and $13 for youth, seniors and military. The James McCabe Theater is at 506 Fifth St. in Valrico, north of State Road 60 and Valrico Road.

FEB. 24 - MARCH 11
"My Fair Lady" in Lakeland

• "My Fair Lady" on stage at the Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 South Lake Ave., Lakeland. Show times are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Ticket prices: $20 for adults, $15 for students with ID and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Purchase tickets online at www.lakelandcommunitytheatre.com. Call: 863-607-PLAY (7529).

FEB. 24 - MARCH 11
"Bus Stop"

• "Bus Stop" by William Inge, directed by Charlie Strange and performed by Masque Community Theatre, is set "in the middle of a howling snowstorm, when a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner." Show times are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $14 for adults and $12 for students, seniors and military. Reserve by calling 813-983-1710. Purchase online at www.masquetheatre.net.

FEB. 25
Brandon High School Orchestra Celebrates 45 Years

• The Brandon High School Symphony Orchestra Sapphire 45th Anniversary Concert is set to begin 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Brandon High, which in 2014 celebrates 100 years, is at 1101 Victoria Street, in between Kings Avenue and Limona Road.

FEB. 25
Aliquity Chili Fest 2012

• Enter to see how your chili stacks up against the others of just come out to taste and vote. The Aliquity networking group's annual chili fest is scheduled this year for 1-3 p.m. at Bell Shoals Animal Hospital at 1401 Bell Shoals Road. Tasting cups cost $3, or two for $5. To register to participate, or for more information, vist: www.aliquity.com.

FEB. 25
"You Gotta Love It!" Arts Membership Drive

• The Greater Brandon Arts Council is hosting its Sixth Annual Membership Drive and Arty Party, at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association at 619 Vonderburg Drive. The event is from 7-10 p.m. and features music, dance, theatre, the visual arts, a silent auction and prizes. Food and drink "and charming people" are billed as well. Cost: $25 per person, includes the benefits of GBAC membership. Cost is $15 for non-members. Up-to-date GBAC members are admitted free.

FEB. 26
AUDITIONS FOR "GODSPELL"

• Masque Community Theatre is casting for an ensemble of 10 performers, ages 16-35. Bring a CD or sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. Come warmed up and prepared to sing a vocal selection that best shows off your range and dress comfortably to move. Show dates are April 13-29, at the Omar K. Lightfoot Center in Temple Terrace. For more audition information, call: 813-983-1710. Non-equity, no pay.

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THROUGH MARCH 1
Grant Application: H&R Block Dollars & Sense

• Free personal finance curriculum grants are available to teachers through the H&R Block Dollars & Sense program. "Provided free thrugh the grant process, the curriculum uses a game-like simulation to teach students how to budget, used debit and credit cards, save money, pay rent and avoid debt," according to a company release. The program since 2009 has reportedly awarded more than $2.5 million in curriculum grants and scholarships to high school students nationwide. More than 3,000 schools nationwide particpate. Grant applications for the free curriculum are being accepted through March 1. Visit www.hrblockdollarsandsense.com to fill out a five-minute application; 250 schools will be awarded the curriculum for the upcoming school year. (Let Brandon Patch know if you are one of them!)

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SATURDAY MORNINGS
Chair Yoga Classes

• Chair yoga classes are being offered Saturday mornings in the clubhouse at The Bridges Retirement Community. Open to the public, these classes are free of charge and taught by Gary Lenza, a certified yoga instructor, who noted in a news release that the classes are "great for seniors because they can experience the benefits of yoga without getting on the floor." With regular practice, he added, "yoga improves balance, strength and energy." The Mayo Clinic notes that yoga's potential benefits include stress reduction, increased fitness, management of chronic health conditions and weight loss. For information, call Janet Noah at 813-413-8900.

FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
Greater Brandon Arts Council

• The Greater Brandon Arts Council (GBAC) meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon, at 619 Vonderburg Drive. All members and interested people are welcome. The meeting starts at 9 a.m.

FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH
Network at the YMCA

• The Greater Brandon area is not shy of networking groups, with the addition as well of a new group in 2012. The inaugural session of a networking group at the Campo Family YMCA in Valrico was held this month. The group meets the first Thursday of every month, at the Campo Y at 3414 Culbreath Road. Call Kavita Marballi at 813-684-1371, ext. 212, or email: kmarvalli@tampaymca.org.

ONGING
Family Support Classes

• Free classes on a variety of topics are offered at the Brandon Family Support and Resource Center at 12777 Kingsway Rd. For information, call: 813-740-4634.

ONGOING
Classes in the Arts

• Free classes in the arts for children and adults are offered at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, which shares space with the Brandon Regional Library in the Sandy Rodriguez Center at 619 Vonderburg Dr. For information, visit Center Place online, pick up a schedule at the center or call: 813-685-8888