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5 things to do under $5 May 5-11: Watch Mercury cross the sun, Streetcar Live concert

 
IN SPACE - JANUARY 14:  The planet Mercury is shown from a distance of approximately 17,000 miles, taken by NASA's Messenger spacecraft January 14, 2008 at the spacecraft's closest approach to planet. The image shows features as small as six miles in width.  Similar to previously mapped portions of Mercury, this hemisphere appears heavily cratered. On the upper right is the giant Caloris basin, including its western portions never before seen by spacecraft. Formed by the impact of a large asteroid or comet, Caloris is one of the largest, and perhaps one of the youngest basins in the solar system.  (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)
IN SPACE - JANUARY 14: The planet Mercury is shown from a distance of approximately 17,000 miles, taken by NASA's Messenger spacecraft January 14, 2008 at the spacecraft's closest approach to planet. The image shows features as small as six miles in width. Similar to previously mapped portions of Mercury, this hemisphere appears heavily cratered. On the upper right is the giant Caloris basin, including its western portions never before seen by spacecraft. Formed by the impact of a large asteroid or comet, Caloris is one of the largest, and perhaps one of the youngest basins in the solar system. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)
Published May 4, 2016

1Mercury Transit: Monday brings a daytime attraction for astronomy fans when Mercury, right, passes across the face of the sun. It's a fairly uncommon sight, with the last one happening 10 years ago and the next one visible in the United States in 2019. If nothing else, to see a tiny planet silhouetted like a tiny, intense sunspot gives a striking view of the size of the sun. But this is not something you can just go outside and look at. You need a solar telescope to protect your eyes. The St. Petersburg College Planetarium is setting up telescopes 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday to safely watch with special filters. The observatory is best accessed from 69th Street at Fifth Avenue N. Free. St. Petersburg College, 6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 341-4320.

2Streetcar Live: The last concert this season aboard the TECO Line Streetcar will be Saturday with the New Orleans-inspired Brown Bag Brass Band. The monthly rolling concerts have featured bands selected by the Gasparilla Music Festival, playing 5-7 p.m. for passengers. Streetcar fare is $2.50 one way, $5 all day. See tecolinestreetcar.org for a schedule, or catch the trolley at Centennial Park, 1800 E Eighth Ave., Tampa.

3First Friday at the Plant Museum: It's free Friday night to explore the Victorian railroad resort museum while also enjoying live music on the veranda, activities and a tastings table. In conjunction with the "Dogs in Art" exhibit, the museum has invited the Humane Society of Tampa Bay to have adoptable dogs on site. The Matt Weihmuller Jazz Trio play 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. (813) 254-1891.

4Splash Bash: To open the summer swim season, Dunedin's Highlander Pool will have a pool party Saturday with a free lunch, games, races and music 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at 1937 Ed Eckert Drive, Dunedin. (727) 298-3266.

5Corvettes on the Circle: Corvette fans will find more than 150 models of the American classic on display Saturday in Sarasota's St. Armands Circle. It's free 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. (941) 993-4201.