SPL EVENTS July/August

Rise and Shine for Annual Sunrise Sale

Set your alarms early to get those deep discounts that only happen once a year during the annual Sunrise Sale Thursday, July 18, in downtown St. Pete. Hosted by the Downtown Business Association (DBA) of St. Petersburg, up to 50 shops will open their doors starting at 6:43 am for St. Pete’s Largest Pajama Party, offering sales, deals, and discounts. Look for the yellow flags and balloons at shops along Beach Drive in the downtown core, along Central Avenue through the EDGE District and along the Fourth Street corridor north to 22nd Avenue. Hurry, best sales disappear by 10 am.

Shoppers are invited to gather at the 400 block of Beach Drive at 6:43 am for the official kickoff. Wear your pajamas and you may be treated to extra discounts and prizes. Updated maps can be found closer to the event date at stpetedowntownbiz.com. Check the Facebook page leading up to the event for highlights at facebook. com/DBAstpete

WEDU-PBS media personality (featured on the May/June cover of St. Pete Life) Dalia Colón discusses her new book, The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook, along with Michelle Stark, assistant editor for the Life & Culture team at the Tampa Bay Times, at 7 pm Weds. July 17 at Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Avenue S. Join Colón as she takes you on a delectable journey through the many ways that vegetarian and vegan foods are woven into Florida’s history and culture.

Admission is $5; tickets and the cookbook are available at Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Avenue S., St. Petersburg.

The 35th Annual PAVA Cool Art Show by the Professional Association of Visual Artists will take place July 20-21 at the historic (and air-conditioned) St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 4th Avenue N. The popular juried show will feature nearly 70 Florida artisans showcasing a diverse range of visual and functional art, including paintings, woodwork, ceramics, photography, metalwork, glass art, fiber art, digital art, mixed media and jewelry. A children’s art area will entertain kids of all ages. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm Sunday. Show admission and parking are free.

Ultimate Summer Jazz Jam to benefit the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation will heat up the Factory St. Pete, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S., from 5:30 to 9:30 pm Friday, July 19. Featured performers include Belinda Womack, Bryan Hughes, Allison Nash, Jeremy Carter, James Suggs, Alegandro Arenas, Mark Moultrip and many others; hosted by Mark Feinman. Young Lions Reunion Jam begins at 9:30 pm. Admission is free. On August 23 at 7 pm, Jazz & The World concert at the Palladium Theater will present Diego Figueiredo, Tito Puente Jr., Fred Johnson, Jose Valentino, Ona K and La Lucha. Buy tickets at clearwaterjazz.com/ cjhmusicseries.html

Morean Arts Center will hold its 13th Annual Great St. Pete Cupcake Competition on Saturday, August 24, at the Morean Center for Clay, 420 22nd St. S. Entries will be accepted until August 9; judging is based on originality, taste/texture, and artistic flair across categories including youth/teen, novice, professional, and specialty (vegan/gluten-free).

The public is invited to come taste the entries on August 24 by purchasing a 12-count box for $20. For more information, visit moreanartscenter.org/cupcakes.