;Thursday•29
;;Exposed: A 30-Artist Take-over It's hard not to have a soft spot for "guerrilla" activities in a town held down by too many wet blankets. It's scary, though, when developers are included in the equation, but that's Orlando for you, or more specifically it's par for downtown shapers Craig Ustler and Phil Rampy (who've teamed up to form CitySpace, a commercial real-estate company). The duo is turning over an unfinished space in their inventory for an art event described as a "unique, guerrilla-style exhibition," with no boundaries on the media requirements and lots of notable local artists. The three-day show sandwiches its reception in the middle, at 7 p.m. Friday. ;(7 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at 801 N. Orange Ave.; free; www.myspace.com/exposedexhibition)
;;;Brian Gunderson There's a reason we tend to hawk special events organized by the local chapter of AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts): Because graphic designers in these parts not only abound but add up to an explosive amount of talent. (Too bad more commercial entities don't make use of the creative resources, but the pervading philosophy seems to favor "fitting in" over "stepping out.") As part of the continuing education of the artists themselves, AIGA presents a talk with Brian Gunderson of the firm of Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco. Nationally and internationally respected, Gunderson has lent his style to the advertising campaigns of big players, including Oracle, Apple and Target, and in 2004 he was named by PRINT as one of the top 20 visual artists under the age of 30. Maybe he can offer some tips on how to crack this nut. Hear him wax professionally at the presentation that also serves as a benefit for the Gift for Teaching's Bright Kids Book Drive. (7 p.m. at Full Sail's Entertainment Business Center, Winter Park; $20, and bring a new or "gently used" book appropriate for students K-12; orlando.aiga.org)
;;The Procussions, X:144 and SPS, Mobella, DJ Luminous UCF's Elements Hip-Hop Organization continues to spread the creative word and annually celebrates March as Hip-Hop Month. The revelry wraps up this weekend with a lineup of underground hip-hop acts, mostly locals, plus the Procussions, from Colorado Springs, whose old-school-smooth, funky sound grew from influences like A Tribe Called Quest and Nas. Among the Orlando favorites and rising stars are DJs X:144 and SPS, funk-rock band Mobella and DJ Luminous, who can often be found behind the turntables at Tatáme. (9 p.m. at Back Booth; ages 18 and up; $8; 407-999-2570; www.backbooth.com)
;;;Friday•30
;Tom Jones He moves, he grooves, he makes less-than-ladies throw their underwear and hotel keys his way. That's been the response to Tom Jones' stage charisma for 40-plus years, and the powerhouse of an entertainer is still thrusting like there's no tomorrow. It appears that the sweaty Welsh-born singer is making another media-highlighted comeback with his recent tour, which is generating buzz for the June 5 DVD release of This Is Tom Jones, a compilation of his 1969-1971 ABC television show. The release captures Jones in his heyday, at age 28, when he hit the boob tube surrounded by musical luminaries of the time: The Who, Moody Blues, Janis Joplin, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker and Aretha Franklin. Jones may be getting on in years, but you won't hear it in his voice. And besides, his fans' reaction to his physicality is a spectacle in itself to behold. (7:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Live; all ages; $55-$75; 407-351-5483; www.hardrock.com)
;;;Saturday•31
;Mount Dora Southern Influences Folk/Craft/ ;Garden Festival If you know the get-it-done reputation of local folk artist Regina Smith, then it doesn't surprise you when you see the imprints of her style weaving their way into annual standbys. Now associated with the well-known Renningers' markets in Mount Dora, Smith has packed some punch into the institution's annual trinity — a craft festival, flower and garden show and folk art festival — all taking place on the same weekend. Needless to say, an abundance of homespun arts, crafts and greenery will tempt tastes of all varieties and likely overwhelm your senses. And no doubt the folk art festival will benefit from Smith's attention. So much stuff … so little time. ;(9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Renninger's Twin Markets, Mount Dora; free; 352-383-8393; www.renningers.com)
;;;Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival If you're headed west for the happenings in Mount Dora, you might as well make the trip a two-fer and catch the dragon boat races in Tavares. What started in Southern China 2,000 years ago is now cited as "one of the fastest growing water sports in the world." Twenty paddlers climb into the long, snaky crew rigs and dip their oars in unison as led by the "steers-person," who sets the pace by pounding a drum. Back on shore, there's a festival atmosphere with music, arts and crafts and food booths. Festivities start the day before, but the main event is Saturday. (9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Wooten Park, Tavares; 352-343-2531; free; www.cfdragonboat.org)
;;;World of Warcraft Sneak Preview This card game is huge right now, earning the nickname "World of Warcrack" because people get so addicted to it — the ranks of online players alone add up to 8 million strong. Available April 13 to the rest of the world, the new "Through the Dark Portal" cards will be set into play at this all-day competition. The entry fee buys two booster packs for "Heroes of Azeroth" and three for "Through the Dark Portal," as well as the right to play in four Swiss rounds ending with the awards presentation. Art promo cards, play mats and deck boxes are in the prize pool, with random drawings also making it possible to come home with a killing. (11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Waterfront Plaza at Festival Bay Mall; $25, spectators free; 352-404-9500; www.unityentertainment.net)
;;;Sunday•1
;Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Here's one for the kids: Before the concert, families tour the backstage and sticky-fingered youngsters are encouraged to touch musical instruments — an "instrument petting zoo" is the clever phrase used in the press release. After that, it's time to take a seat and listen to the Orlando Philharmonic and the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra perform together for "A Musician's Life: Side by Side," presented as part of the Darden Family Series. The added activities aren't likely to stop the fidgeting that accompanies listening to classical music, but the concept does promote user-friendly exposure to culture for sprouting minds, and it's affordable too. (pre- ;concert activities 2 p.m., concert 3 p.m. at Carr Performing Arts Centre; $8-$16; 407-770-0071; www.orlandophil.org)
;; Contributors: Susie Orr, Lindy T. Shepherd
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