The Tampa Bay International Auto Show will have hundreds of 2010's eye-popping exotic cars, such as the Lamborghini above, pre-production models, interactive ride and drives, alternative fuel vehicles and more. It runs from noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. Cost is $9, $4 seniors/military/ages 7-12, 6 and younger free.
FRIDAY
Do you believe in Masik?
The Dali Museum hosts Masik, an improvisational jazz trio from Gainesville who experiment with autovisual digital performance to push the limits of their craft. (Dali would probably approve.) See the show at 8 p.m. Friday at the Dali Museum, 1000 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Price: $10, $8 seniors/students.
SATURDAY
Feed the bird brains
Can't tell a hooter from a pecker? Join the Clearwater Audubon Society for Big Birds for Beginners on Saturday. There will be a short lecture on bird watching, then a hike to try to find woodpeckers, raptors, songbirds, water birds and more on 3 miles of shell and sand trails. It starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Nature Center at Honeymoon Island State Park, One Causeway Blvd. (at the West end of Dunedin Causeway), Dunedin. $8 per carload. (727) 596-8822.
Learn how to eat smarter
This is not a diet discussion. Explore the world of farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system for a healthier, sustainable alternative in the movie Fresh. An open discussion and Q&A session follows the event, which starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, 6942 W Comanche Ave., Tampa. $5; 5 and younger free. (813) 887-4066. sweetwater-organic.org.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
It's a day at the beach
The Family Fun Fest is a weekend of family activities, including live music by area bands, arts and crafts, contests, inflatables, rock climbing, slides, clowns, face painting, food, and more on the beach just south of Pier 60. It benefits the Tampa Bay Harvest and starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Pier 60, 10 Pier 60 Drive, Clearwater Beach. Free (food and drink charges separate). (727) 394-1012. familyfunfest.net.
Folk art hits BayWalk
The Downtown Crafts Festival will bring local and national crafters to BayWalk to show off their unique gift items, including folk art, pottery, handmade jewelry, paintings, personalized gifts, handmade clothing, scented body products and more. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 151 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg.
Saturday, Wednesday
Get your opera fix
No need to get out the tux. You can see the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD on Saturday and Wednesday at local movie theaters. At 1 p.m. Saturday, the MET series features Verdi's Aida with Violeta Urmana in the title role at Woodland Square 20 in Oldsmar, Citrus Stadium 20 in Tampa and Grove 16 in Wesley Chapel and the Regency 20 in Brandon. At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, catch Puccini's Tosca with Karita Mattila at Woodland Square 20 in Oldsmar, Citrus Stadium 20 in Tampa, Grove 16 in Wesley Chapel and the Brandon Regency 20. fathomevents.com.
SUNDAY
Creatures of the deep
Florida Aquarium will transform into a haunted mansion at Guppyween from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, with trick-or-treat stations throughout the exhibits, kids' activities, spooky creatures, tasty treats and more. It costs $2 for kids in costume ($12 for anyone 12 and older) at 701 Channelside Drive Tampa. flaquarium.org.
No divas, just princesses
It's all tiaras and tutus at the Princess Tea Party on Sunday. Dress as your favorite Disney Princess for tea, delicate finger foods, pink chocolate covered strawberries and more. There will also be a display of Disney's new Precious Collection jewelry for girls. It runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Seedlings, 1530 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Price: $25 per child and one parent. (813) 251-5111.
MONDAY
Foam outfits will suffice
Club Skye will host one of its most popular annual parties, the Exotic Erotic Ball, on Monday. Skip the clubwear; the dress code here is more like leather, latex and handcuffs. Tickets are $15-$20 at skye1509.com. The club is at 1509 E Eighth Ave. in Ybor City.
5 under $5
Free Sunset Cinema, the traveling outdoor movie show from the Tampa Theatre, will on Saturday feature that lovable green grump Shrek in HD on a 40-foot inflatable screen at Edward Medard Park, 5737 Turkey Creek Road in Plant City. Pack a picnic and plant yourself when the gates open at 5 p.m. The movie starts at 7 p.m.
FreeMake Halloween healthier and more Earth-friendly at Green Halloween at Old Hyde Park Village. The festivities feature organic apple bobbing, a class on making your own Halloween bag using old magazines, a best "green costume" contest and a place to donate old Halloween costumes to children at Alpha House of Tampa. It runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday at 1622 Snow Ave. in South Tampa. For more Halloween events this weekend, see Page 46.
Free Circus McGurkis, the free peace festival and "people's fair" sponsored by the Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers), returns with art, crafts, musicians, dancers, storytellers, community action groups, kids activities and food from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Lake Vista Park, 1401 62nd Ave. S in St. Petersburg. circusmcgurkis.org.
FreeTake advantage of the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry's mega-telescopes at SkyWatch, a free night of stargazing Saturday. It's open from 7 to 11 p.m., but the best viewing is later as the sky darkens. 4801 E Fowler Ave. mosi.org.
$5Spoken-word fans are invited to AMP@620, a revamped open mike night with host Brian Duncan and St. Petersburg poet laureate Peter Meinke. AMP, which stands for art, music and poetry, is a platform for local artists to enjoy like-minded interaction in an informal environment. It starts at 8 p.m. Monday at the Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S in St. Petersburg.
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