February 2020 Events

February 1 - 29 BUSCH GARDENS REAL MUSIC REAL MASTERS Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s longest running concert series returns! This amazing concert series brings unique acts to Stanleyville Theater, including firstrate tribute acts, acrobatic performances and chart-topping artists from the greatest musical eras. Grab a seat in the climatecontrolled Stanleyville Theater and see these memorable acts live at Busch Gardens. www.buschgardens.com February 1 - 29 UNIVERSAL ORLANDO’S MARDI GRAS 2020 It’s unforgettable springtime fun for everyone. Enjoy our 25th anniversary Mardi Gras celebration with nightly parades with outrageous street performers, colorful costumes and countless beads flying through the air. Catch some of the biggest names in music live in concert on select nights. Plus you’ll enjoy authentic New Orleans bands each night and mouthwatering Cajun food available for purchase. It’s 25 Years of Party, only at Universal Studios Florida. www.universalorlando.com February 1 - 24 2020 EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT Catch captivating performances everywhere you turn at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The event features visiting artists, an array of foodie delights and opportunities for guests to embrace their own inner artists. Immerse yourself in a world of color, culture and creativity when the Festival of the Arts returns this February! www.disneyworld.disney.go.com February 1 - 16 BRICK HISTORY Featuring key figures from Mozart to Martin Luther King and recent history from mobile phones to the moon landings, history comes to life in LEGO® bricks during “Brick History,” a new exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center. The exhibit features 28 meticulously crafted models, each depicting a person, moment or discovery that altered world history. www.tampabayhistorycenter.org February 1 - 2 ELMO’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT SEAWORLD Join Elmo and his furry friends as they celebrate Elmo’s Birthday! Enjoy an interactive DJ dance party, a coloring station, a scavenger hunt, and photo opportunities. Don’t miss this weeklong party for Elmo in select locations around the all-new Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld! www.seaworld.com February 1 A GALA EVENING WITH BERNADETTE PETERS The multiple award-winning Broadway, film and TV star joins the Florida Orchestra at the Mahaffey Theater for heartfelt renditions of songs by Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein and more. Michael Francis conducts. A great concert for a great cause: your Florida Orchestra. www.floridaorchestra.org February 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16 SESAME STREET SAFARI OF FUN KIDS’ WEEKENDS AT BUSCH GARDENS Ahoy mateys! Join your favorite Sesame Street crew decked out in pirate gear Saturdays and Sundays February 1 through 16 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. New this year, families can meet Aloysius Snuffleupagus, affectionately known as Snuffy, during the first ever Snuffy Weekend. Young lads and lasses are invited to join in the celebration each weekend, featuring: Pirate character dance parties with your favorite Sesame Street friends, themed story times, a treasure scavenger hunt with beads, exclusive photo opportunities and special pirate crafts and more! www.buschgardens.com February 1 MONSTER JAM Don’t miss Monster Jam this January at Raymond James Stadium. You can see the massive trucks up close, meet your favorite drivers and crews, get autographs, take pictures and enjoy other family-friendly activities. It’s an unforgettable part of the Monster Jam experience where special connections are made and lifelong fans are born. This is Monster Jam. www.monsterjam.com February 4 - 14 BE WINTER’S VALENTINE Visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium through February 14th for Be Winter’s Valentine! Bring a Valentine’s Day card for Winter or any of the CMA’s resident, rescued animals and kids 12 and under will receive $9.99 admission. There are also special Valentine’s dive presentations at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., a giant Valentine’s Day card you can sign, photo opportunities with “Be Winter’s Valentine” photo frame theme and Valentine’s themed enrichment for the CMA’s resident rescued animals www.seewinter.com February 4 TODDLER TUESDAYS AT ZOO TAMPA In honor of Manatee Awareness Month, this month’s Toddler Tuesday will be all about manatees. Join us as we read “Kobee Manatee: Heading Home to Florida” by Robert Scott Thayer and “A Manatee Morning” by Jim Arnosky. After the readings, stick around for an exclusive animal mingle. www.zootampa.org February 4 CHILDREN’S BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FREE TUESDAY The Glazer Children’s Museum proudly presents a Free Admission Tuesday program held on the first Tuesday of every month, between 12-7pm. Join us and great partners like WEDU PBS for free, family fun. www.glazermuseum.org February 4, 6, 8, 13, 15, 25, 27 & 29 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING HOME GAMES The Tampa Bay Lightning have become one of the NHL’s must-see franchises. Without a doubt, the Lightning are one of the best experiences in sports, and a visit to Amalie Arena makes it easy to see why. This January make plans to come out and “Be the Thunder” as the Bolts take on the Vegas Golden Knights, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Islanders, the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Calgary Flames. www.nhl.com/lightning February 5 CIRQUE DIABOLO AT THE TAMPA THEATRE Tampa Theatre and SRO Promotions are proud to announce Cirque Diabolo, appearing LIVE on Tampa Theatre’s historic stage at 7:30pm Wednesday, Feb. 5. With an array of the best performers from around the world, Cirque Diabolo presents a new generation of Cirque-style show. The electrifying and mesmerizing Cirque Diabolo will be performing incredible feats of strength and beauty on stage, as well as breathtaking aerial performances. www.tampatheatre.org February 5 THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA PERFORMS AT THE MFA Join the Museum of Fine Arts as The Florida Orchestra gives a special, intimate performance of Darius Milhaud’s Creation du Monde and Igor Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, inspired by the exhibition. Concert will be conducted by TFO Associate Conductor Daniel Black, and narrated by local actor Becca McCoy. www.mfastpete.org February 6 - 17 FLORIDA STATE FAIR Experience 12 days of thrill rides, amazing agricultural exhibits with over 5,000 animals and fantastic fair food. Don’t February 2020 Events 42 • February 2020 Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper www.gulfcoastfamily.org

forget the fun games, shopping, cultural exhibits and FREE entertainment also at the fair! Parking is free! See you at the Fair! www.floridastatefair.com February 7 BILLY JOEL IN CONCERT Legendary musician Billy Joel will return to Tampa, Florida to perform at AMALIE Arena on Friday, February 7, 2020. Billy Joel is one of the biggest concert draws in the world and continues this achievement with an impressive run of sold-out consecutive stadium shows and concert arenas. Having sold 150 million records over the past quarter century, scoring 33 consecutive Top 40 hits, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in history. The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth best-selling recording artist of all time and the third best-selling solo artist. www.amaliearena.com February 7 - 29 SEVEN SEAS FOOD FESTIVAL AT SEAWORLD Get your taste buds ready, because SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival is back! Savor over 180 mouthwatering options – from international cuisines to domestic and imported craft beers to unique wines. Sample from more culinary markets than ever before – including Caribbean offerings and delectable sweets. And to top it all off, SeaWorld is bringing their most diverse lineup of live performances ever to the stage – featuring rock, country, Latin, Christian, and more! www.seaworld.com February 8 RAYMOND JAMES POPS PRESENTS MUSIC OF BOND...JAMES BOND Be stirred, not shaken, by more than 50 years of music for the world’s most famous spy. Michael Francis conducts. Performances will be held at the Mahaffey Theater and at Ruth Eckerd Hall. www.floridaorchestra.org planet. Drawing from lessons he learned while exploring Europe, Central America, Asia and the Middle East, Steves outlines how by traveling thoughtfully people can make their trip an investment in a better world and take home the greatest souvenir: a broader perspective. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A. www.tampatheatre.org February 13 - 16 PATEL CONSERVATORY PRESENTS THE JUNGLE BOOK, KIDS! Banished by the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan, a human boy named Mowgli and his friends, Bagheera and Baloo must rally their fellow animal friends into battle to restore peace throughout the jungle. Specially adapted from the classic Disney animated film and performed by students ages 7-10, Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS! features a host of colorful characters and all your favorite songs from the movie. www.strazcenter.org February 13 MASTERS OF ILLUSION The hit CW television series and America’s largest touring magic show, Masters of Illusion, returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall. This 21st century magic show is unlike anything you have seen before - filled with modern illusions and arts of deception, performed live on stage. Audiences will be held at the edge of their seats by the jaw-dropping grand illusions, and laugh out loud at the hysterical comedy magic as performers from around the world combine fantasy, fervor and flair with magic created in front of their very eyes. www.rutheckerdhall.com February 14 ANDREA BOCELLI IN CONCERT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY The world’s most beloved tenor delivers this special Valentine’s Day concert after his sold-out 2018 performance at Amalie Arena. Andrea Bocelli, hailed as one of the most romantic voices of our time, performs an evening of soaring arias, crossover hits and music from his No. 1 Billboard album Si perfectly designed to celebrate the day of love. www.amaliearena.com February 8, 15, 22, 29 DILLYDALLY WITH DALI Children can discover the creative world of Dali through games, puzzles and arts + crafts activities which educate and encourage family interaction. Dillydally with Dali takes place under the direction of the museum’s Family Programs Coordinator in the 1st floor Education Classroom. www.thedali.org February 9 ROCKET LAUNCH: ULA ATLAS V SOLAR ORBITER Solar Orbiter is an international cooperative mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA and will soon study the sun. The mission seeks to answer questions like how the sun is able to create and control its heliosphere, the surrounding bubble of magnetic fields. Solar Orbiter will orbit the sun, nearing as close as 26 million miles away from the star. After launch, it will take 3 years to reach this elliptical orbit around the sun. The spacecraft has been developed by Airbus Defence and Space. www.kennedyspacecenter.com February 10 AN EVENING WITH RICK STEVES AT THE TAMPA THEATRE In a lively and fun presentation, Rick Steves will discuss travel with a goal of good stewardship and a responsibility to be an ambassador to, and for, the entire February 15 - 29 PAW PATROL: ADVENTURE PLAY AT GCM Celebrate the month of February with the all new exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum, PAW Patrol: Adventure Play. The heroic PAW Patrol pups need your help in Adventure Bay! You and your family will join Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Everest, Rocky, Zuma, and Tracker as you explore your unique abilities, overcome challenges, and help friends. No job is too big, no pup is too small! www.glazermuseum.org February 15, 16, 22, 23 & 29 BAY AREA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Queen Katherine Parr and her royal court invite one and all to this 16th Century European village featuring 12 stages of exciting entertainment. Over 80 artisans fill the Festival marketplace to display and sell their handcrafted wares for a truly unique shopping experience. Patrons can interact with hundreds of memorable characters roaming the village streets as well as view live armored jousting throughout the day. Come celebrate the Renaissance Festival’s newest season by visiting the Festival grounds in Tampa, FL. Huzzah! www.bayarearenfest.com February 15 THE BEACH BOYS - 12 SIDES OF SUMMER The unforgettable harmonies and classic sound of The Beach Boys will bring “Good Vibrations” back to Ruth Eckerd Hall after their sold-out performances in 2018 and 2019. Every ticket purchased includes a digital download of Mike Love’s new album, 12 Sides of Summer. Performing a career spanning range of material from their early surf rock classics to masterpieces like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows”, to later hits including “Kokomo”. www.rutheckerdhall.com www.gulfcoastfamily.org To advertise, call 727-612-0783 February 2020 • 43

February 20 - 23 DISNEY PRINCESS HALF MARATHON WEEKEND Enjoy a Royal Race Weekend! It’s an enchanting occasion for princesses and princes of all ages, featuring events for all skill levels, coveted regal medals and Disney entertainment! Meet some of your favorite Disney Princesses, pose for photos and make your way to the finish that ends happily ever after! www.rundisney.com February 22 TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER’S LIVING HISTORY SATURDAYS Get face-to-face with Florida history during Living History Saturdays! Each month, a living historian will tell stories, show artifacts and give a short presentation on a different

Florida-related theme. Discover what life at sea was like for an 18th century privateer, listen to a young couple navigating changing social attitudes during the 1960s, or hear about the home front in 1940s Tampa during WWII. Free with admission. www.tampabayhistorycenter.org February 22 MINECRAFT MANIA AT MOSI You’ve dug dirt, punched a tree, slayed a zombie or twenty . . . now it’s time to put those skills to the test in MOSI’s Minecraft Mania! Play on custom-designed individual and multiplayer worlds and scenarios found only at MOSI. Each week will feature a new adventure where you will learn useful tips and tricks that will guide you on becoming a Minecraft Designer, Adventurer, and even Master. www.mosi.org February 24 IL VOLO: THE BEST OF 10 YEARS The acclaimed, powerhouse Italian pop trio Il Volo returns to the United States as part of a world tour in celebration of their 10- year anniversary and their new album 10 Years – The Best Of. The new album pays homage to the career of three unique voices that have crossed national borders, sold millions of records and climbed rankings worldwide. www.strazcenter.org February 27 - March 8 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City rivals any state fair in the country with its agricultural displays, livestock shows, arts and crafts, local food, headline music concerts and huge carnival midway. The entertainment line-up, year after year, is extraordinary. You will not want to miss this truly Florida tradition! www.flstrawberryfestival.com

a consummate performer, sensational storyteller and knock-out musician. Candid, familiar, funny and fresh, Tesh creates the feeling that he’s performing just for you. An audience favorite around the world, Tesh delivers a delightful evening of songs you love and stories you’ll remember forever. www.strazcenter.org February 29 BUSCH GARDENS FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL In 2020, a world of taste awaits at the sixth annual Food & Wine Festival. The festival features new and exciting dishes, plus some of the biggest acts in musical entertainment will take the stage every weekend on Festival Field. Food and beverage is

February 28 JOHN TESH: SONGS & STORIES FROM THE GRAND PIANO An evening with entertainment golden boy John Tesh is not just a concert; it’s an event. From his years on Entertainment Tonight, Tesh became a household name, evolving from a beloved personality into

Feb 15 - May 25

The heroic PAW Patrol pups need your help in Adventure Bay! Join Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Everest, Rocky, Zuma, and Tracker as you explore your unique abilities, overcome challenges, and help friends. No job is too big, no pup is too small!

not included with park admission and is available for an extra fee. www.buschgardens.com February 29 LEAP WITH THE FISHES AT THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM 2020 is a Leap year – which means an extra day to celebrate 25 years of The Florida Aquarium – and we’re gonna party all night long with a lineup of fun activities! Join us for Leap with the Fishes – on Saturday, February 29th. During this exclusive 21+ sleepover, our guests will see the Aquarium in a new light, in the dark. www.flaquarium.org

February 29 THE RUSSIAN NATIONAL BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS SLEEPING BEAUTY Relive the timeless fairytale LIVE on stage performed by one of the top touring ballet companies in the world. Sleeping Beauty, replete with a king and queen, fairies both good and evil, a beautiful princess and dream prince, magical stage effects, and courtly splendor is choreographed to the music of Tchaikovsky. www.rutheckerdhall.com February 29 GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Every year, downtown Tampa transforms into one giant outdoor museum when hundreds of artists gather for the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of Arts. Imagine some of the world’s preeminent artists, hand-selected from over 1,000 submissions, all in one place. From pottery and photography to glass, digital mediums, paintings, mixed media, wood and water colors, it’s an imaginarium of the senses. The 45th annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is certain to inspire. www.gasparillaarts.com February 29 DINOS ALIVE! AT ZOO TAMPA Explore the zoo and discover species not seen for thousands of years! With life-size animatronic dinosaurs plus fun activities, like fossil digs, the whole family will surely have a DINO-mite time. www.zootampa.org

AT THE TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER

A walk through history in LEGO ® bricks

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Featuring key figures from Mozart to Martin Luther King Jr., and events like the Boston Tea Party and the Moon Landing, see pivotal moments in world history come to life in LEGO ® bricks.

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Have an Event? Email submissions to events@gulfcoastfamily.org for consideration or visit our online calendar at gulfcoastfamily.org.

©2019 The LEGO ® Group. Brick History is not sponsored, endorsed or otherwise supported by the LEGO Group. 801 Water Street • 813.228.0097 Tampa Riverwalk tampabayhistorycenter.org

SAVE Up To $5 on Tickets! Offer code can be used toward purchase of up to eight (8) Reserved Seat Tickets. Limit one (1) offer code per transaction. No double discounts. Must be redeemed at time of ticket purchase. Tickets are subject to availability. Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Excludes premium seats. Tickets at market pricing. Redeem offer at venue box office or ticketmaster.com. Use offer code: SXFEB • Expires: 2/14/20

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