Things to Do

Thursday, December 3

Hippy Hippy Shake Shake your groove thing, Gulfport – head to the hula hoop class on the water and burn up to 450 calories per hour. Fun Fact: Apparently the ancient Greeks and Egyptians hula hooped. Replace your HIIT workout with hula hoops, honor the ancients, and get outside. Sounds like a win all the way ’round. Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 6:30 p.m. $10. SD

Kitty Comedy This improv workshop allows cats and humans to work together to explore the wonderful world of “Yes, and…” acting. Of course it’s improv; after all, cats are notoriously bad at memorizing lines. Class size limited to 10 humans. No word on how many cats they’ll allow. Sunshine Kitty Catfe, 1669 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 6:30 p.m. $25. fb.com/sunshinekittycatfe SD MR

Friday, December 4

COVID-Safe Nativity Are you ready to meet Jesus? Now’s your chance at the 10th annual Drive-Through Nativity. A cast of humans and animals re-enacts the story leading up to Jesus’ birth. Drive through the scenes from the comfort and safety of your car. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4444 5th Ave. N., St. Pete. Fri. & Sat., 6-8:30 p.m. 727-321-1335, stlukesumc.com. SD DF

Saturday, December 5

The Art of the Matter If you love art, no doubt you’ve wondered how artists get from a blank canvas or lump of clay to painting or vessel. For two days in Gulfport, you’ll have your chance to peel back the layers of the creative process, meet artists and see first-hand how they get from an empty slate to a finished piece. The artists on the ArtJones home studio tour exhibit their finished products in Gulfport, along the Gulf Coast, and throughout the country – but they find their muse in Gulfport. Once a year, they open their studio space for two days in December. Come meet them, see how they work, and experience the process of art. Various locations throughout Gulfport. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. artjonesstudiotour.com. SD MR

Waterfront Grand Slam If there’s anything better than flour, milk, eggs and butter mixed together and heated on a griddle, topped with butter and maple syrup, well, we’d love to hear about it. But until we do, you’ll find us at the Lions Club pancake breakfast this Saturday. In addition to all-you-can-eat (note that it’s not all-you-should-eat) they’ll dish up scrambled eggs, sausage links, coffee, tea and OJ. Kids 12 and younger eat for half-price. The clubhouse fronts Boca Ciega Bay, so grab a platter of cakes and feast on the patio waterside. Seating is pandemic-style: 50% capacity. Bring a toy to donate to the Gulfport Police Department’s Christmas program for families who could use a little extra help this year. To-go meals available. Lions Club Gulfport, 4630 Tifton Dr. S., Gulfport. 8-11 a.m. 727-366-6341. $8. SD MR

Monday, December 7

Light The Tree – Virtually You may have heard things are a little different this year, but Santa Claus is still coming to town! The City of Gulfport’s annual tradition of lighting the tree in Clymer Park will be a socially distanced affair. Instead of gathering in the park, Santa asks residents to wave to him from their homes and businesses as he parades from the park, down Beach Boulevard, across Shore, up 58th Street, west along Gulfport Boulevard, east to 49th Street and back through the waterfront to park. Mon. 6 p.m. Televised from December 7 through 23 at 8 p.m. on Spectrum Cable channel 640. Parade route at fb.com/mygulfport. 727-893-1068. SD

Gulfport’s Got Talent If you don’t believe us, just head to the Village Courtyard Tuesday Night for their open mic. Comedians and musicians take turns making you laugh and help you enjoy the music. It’s a PG show, so you can bring the little ones without worrying they’ll drop an F-bomb at school. Village Courtyard, 2908 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. 7-10 p.m. SD MR DF V