This week in St. Pete arts and performance

If hanging out with Joe Biden isn’t your idea of a good time (the former Vice President has a speaking gig at the Mahaffey Theater Monday night), there are numerous homegrown happenings this week to give you the St. Pete community spirit. Or something like it.

On Wednesday (June 6), the Downtown Neighborhood Association is throwing what they like to call a Porch Party. That’s a Southern colloquialism for a gathering – preferably with adult beverages – and it takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at TheStudio@620, which doesn’t have any sort of porch at all.

The event is a pre-opening reception for St. Pete’s 2018 Community Art Show, which “officially” opens, with an official reception, Saturday from 5 to 9.

Tickets for the Wednesday social event, which include two drink tickets and access to various nibbly food, are $20 ($15 for DNA members).

Saturday’s reception is free. Artists represented are Adam Adkins, Christopher Alfonso, Angela Alvarez,  Andie Anders, Jerry Bacik, Lisa Bagley, Coralette Damme, Katie Deits, Jeannine Dunlap, Susan Patricia Golden, Susan Harbison, James Hartzell, Patton Hunter, Michael Jay, Alan Johnson, Dale Lappe, Mary Khosh, Dale Lappe, Vincent Mancuso, Jessica Pepper, Polly Perkins, Deborah S. Primosch, Betsy Schott, Don Silvestri, Gina Tracy and Jeff Wilcox. The exhibit will remain through June 16.

Saturday’s opening corresponds with the Second Saturday ArtWalk, put on monthly by the Waterfront Arts District, Central Arts District, EDGE District, Grand Central District, and the Warehouse Arts District.

Forty artists’ studios and galleries, including TheStudio@620, open their doors from 5-9 p.m. to give visitors a glimpse of the available more – and in some instances, a glimpse at the creative process.

It’s all free, including the trolleys that circulate up, down and across downtown streets and between the various galleries and studios.

There’s parking at 1st Ave N and 1st Ave S from 15th St. to 30th St., the Clay Center of St. Petersburg, MGA Studios and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum.

View and/or download the map here.

Also on tap this week, a cross-section of things wonderful, wild and weird for your consideration … Harry Connick Jr. and his smokin’ New Orleans band play Ruth Eckerd Hall Tuesday and Wednesday … Daredevil illusionist David Blaine brings his big ol’ magic show to the Mahaffey Wednesday at 8 p.m. … Celebrate all things Greek (yes, especially the food) at Opa! Palooza, all day Friday through Sunday along the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs … More than 200 tattoo artists converge on the St. Pete Coliseum Friday through Sunday, for the Ink Mania Tattoo & Arts Expo. Also inked-in: live tattooing, vendors, food trucks, art wall, bike show, dance battle, musical performances, entertainment, contests and more.