Happy Easter!

While the Christians all celebrate the return of Zombie Jesus (what else do you call someone who rises from the dead?) by skipping work on Friday, most of us are left sort of blah. Easter isn’t really a holiday for people like me. I’m a Buddhist, so I’m not into the whole religious side of it. I don’t have kids so I can’t get into the cutsey Easter Bunny and Basket stuff. I can’t even really get excited about the whole Pagan Fertility Background of the holiday. All the decorated eggs are just reminding me that my own aren’t getting any younger.

So, again, Happy Easter!

If you’re in a similar state you’ll appreciate this weeks list of NON-EASTER things you can do this weekend. No bunnies. No eggs. And nobody getting whipped while chained to a cross.

Unless you’re into that sort of thing.

Read on for the full list of thing to do in Tampa Bay this weekend.

All Weekend

Sunscreen Film Festival

This film festival features comedy (like tonight’s un-romantic romance “Screw Cupid”), drama (the documentary “FEMA City” that follow the lives of people displaced by Hurricane Charley), and action (a shot for shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Arc that has been a cult fave for years). Tickets are around $10 each, and daily passes are available. Check out the website for more information on the films.

Bay Area Renissance Festival

$16.95. 10am-6pm Sat & Sun at the MOSI grounds in Tampa. This weekend is pet weekend with vendors and costume contests for pets. This is along with the other usual Ren Fair events like the Rat Catcher and Jousting and Nerds dissing each other for not wearing proper period costumes. Buy one, get one free tickets available to those who give blood or bring 4 cans of food for Tampa Bay Harvest.

Drama Geek Heaven

Hamlet at The American Stage, Urinetown at the Carrollwood Playhouse and Spamalot at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Theater nerds haven’t been this excited since they were cast as the understudy for Nathan Detroit in the High School production of Guys and Dolls! There are 3 great shows currently running in the Tampa Bay area. On the serious side is American Stage’s production of Hamlet, which has been having rave reviews and sold out shows. Those looking for something lighter can choose between the dark comedy/musical Urinetown or the goofy fun of Spamalot. Click on the play title for showtimes and ticket prices.

Friday 3/21

The Vagina Monologues

$15 (benefits The Spring of Tampa Bay). 7pm at the Unitarian Universalist Dome, 11400 Morris Bridge Road in Tampa. This Special performance of the groundbreaking play is part of the V-Day celebration to stop violence against women. Don’t let the title scare you away, the play is actually funny and touching, not scary or shocking. The money raised will help support The Spring of Tampa Bay, which helps fight domestic violence and offers support of victims.

Art After Dark at the Tampa Museum of Art

$10. 8pm at the Tampa Museum of Art (2306 N. Howard Ave., Tampa). Come out to meet and mingle with other young professionals at the Art After Dark party at the Tampa Museum of Art’s interim location. This event is always very popular and features live music and great food.

Cult Movie Friday: The Crippled Master

$7. 10:30pm at the Beach Theater (315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach). This kung-fu cult flick features a guy with no legs and another with no arms beating people up. I’ll let this youtube clip do the talking.

Saturday 3/22

Bark at the Park

Free. 8:30-noon at Al Lopez Park (4900 N Himes Ave., Tampa). Fundraiser and walkathon for people and dogs. Pet Expo Follows. Raises money for the Humane Society of Tampa.

Spring Eco Fest

Free. 11am-3pm at McGough Nature Park (11901 146th St. N., Largo). Come learn about how to be more eco-friendly through lectures, exhibits, and a free tree giveaway.

Free Admission to the Florida International Museum

Free. 10am-5pm at the Florida International Museum (224 2nd Ave N., St. Pete). Rare opportunity to come see this great museum for free. Current exhibit is Vatican Splendors, but the best part is the collection of mementos from former President John F. Kennedy including his private letters and family photos.

Springsteen Concert in Hi-Def

$10. 8pm at the Beach Theater (315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach). This rare Springsteen Concert will be shown as part of the fundraiser to renovate the historic Beach Theater. The concert film is in hi definition with picture and sound so great you’ll think you were there. You can also enter to win a Sirius satellite radio.

Kimya Dawson (from the Juno Soundtrack) in Concert

$10. 8pm at The Cuban Club (2010 Avenida Republic de Cuba, Ybor City). Kimya Dawson was probably best known as a member of The Moldy Peaches. But Moldy Peaches was really only known to indie music lovers who had attained Seth Cohen status. But thanks to the success of the movie Juno she is now one of the best selling artists in the country.The Juno Soundtrack is filled with her sweet, childish, and deep songs that bring to life all the angst you never grew out of in a funny way. I’m so in love with all of her songs at this moment and I can’t believe she’s coming here!

Sunday 3/22

Women’s Self Defense Class

$15. 6pm at XFC Training Facility (10509 N. Nebrska Ave., Tampa). Space Limited. Reserve at VdayTampa2008@live.com. Part of V-Day, a celebration to end violence against women. Learn how to fight off standing and on the ground attacks. Empower yourself!

New Movies and DVDs

In Theaters: Drillbit Taylor features Owen Wilson as a bodyguard hired by a bunch of teenage kids. It’s great to see Owen back again after his suicide attempt (which happened after the film was shot) but I wish that it was in something that didn’t seem like it was pieced together from parts of rejected Will Farrell comedies. Shutter is another remake of a Japanese horror film, this one involving cameras. Does anyone still care?

On DVD: Enchanted is a Disney movie that actually doesn’t end up being cloying or sugary. A cartoon princess (Amy Adams) ends up in the real world and facing real problems. It even left bitter old me with a smile on my face. Battlestar Galactica’s 3rd Season also comes out this week. This was one of the best seasons yet of the epic sci-fi series as it moves the series forward with shocking deaths, more shocking returns, and strong storytelling. If you have never seen Battlestar before you can catch up with this set and be ready for the final season of this series. I Am Legend was okay in theaters, but with the alternate ending on DVD it becomes great. Don’t watch this one with the lights off. It is scary. Atonement is one of the only movies I’ve ever walked out of, because I couldn’t stand any of the characters. But it was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, so what do I know?

You can send me pictures from these events that I might put on the site. Also, if you know of any good events email me at melissa.becker@gmail.com