In concert this week
Shooter Jennings Tues. (4/25): He's the son of Waylon Jennings and singer-songwriter Jessi Colter (I'm Not Lisa). And oh yeah, his godfather was Johnny Cash. Shooter Jennings has built on his roots by cranking out metal-tinged country rock that marries Guns N' Roses with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Catch him at 8 p.m. at the State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $10 advance, $12 day of show. (727) 895-3045.
In the Raw Wed. (4/26): The season finale of the singer-songwriter series features Joran with Ivan Pena, Tina, Dean, Rebekah Pulley, Will Quinlan and more. 8 p.m. The Bank, 1919 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $3. (727) 898-4488.
Chick Corea with the USF Jazz Surge Sat. (4/22) and Mon. (4/24): 7:30 p.m. Sat. at Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 822-3590. And 8 p.m. Mon. at USF Theater 1, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa; (813) 974-2323. Tickets to either show are $20, $16 for seniors, $10 students. For more information, go to centerforjazzcomp.arts.usf.edu.
Smooth Jazz Fest Fri.-Sat. (4/21-22): Featuring Chaka Khan, Mindi Abair, Euge Groove, Steve Oliver and Joyce Cooling. 4 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday, Coachman Park, Clearwater. $10-$35. (727) 568-0941.
B.B. King Wed. (4/26): 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $49-$55. (727) 791-7400.
Other stuff
Verbal Science and Chopper will perform their new single Watchu Ridin On at Floyd's at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Friday night (4/21) - well, technically, early Saturday morning. Verbal Science is a New York native who came to Tampa to record his first album with Hot4Eva Records, produced by DJ Short-E. Chopper is the winner of MTV's first Making the Band. He collaborated on Whatchu Ridin On, and they will perform at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. to kick off a Florida tour.
Mystic River author (and Pinellas County resident) Dennis Lehane's first play, Coronado, comes to American Stage starting Tuesday (4/25). The play is set in a bar in rural America and follows a young couple, a psychiatric patient, a father and his son searching for a missing woman. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. April 28, 3 and 8 p.m. April 29 and 3 p.m. April 30; American Stage, 211 Third St. S, St. Petersburg; $25. Call (727) 823-7529.
Baseball and hot dogs go together so well, why not puppy dogs? Man's best friend is invited to Bark at the Ballpark on Sunday (4/23) to catch the Clearwater Threshers minor-league game against the Lakeland Tigers. There will be a flying disc demonstration and a meet and greet with the " disc" dogs. Plus, a dog/owner look-alike contest, silent auction and " Frosty Paws" frozen dog treats. Gates open 11:35 a.m., activities begin at noon and game starts 1:05 p.m. Bright House Networks Field, 601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater. $3-$8 for humans; $3 per dog benefits humane society. (727) 467-4457.
Since Saturday (4/22) is Earth Day, it's a good time to get outside and enjoy our surroundings. At Saturday's MarineQuest, a free family-friendly open house at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, there will be interactive, educational activities for adults and children on Florida manatees and coral reefs; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 100 Eighth Ave. SE, St. Petersburg. At the Weedon Island Preserve there will be a guided canoe trip (ages 6 and older), 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, $10 a person or $20 per canoe (maximum three people); canoes and equipment provided at the center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Registration required at (727) 453-6500.
