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Plan your weekend Oct. 7-9: Oktoberfest, Cirque De La Symphonie, Florida Sporstman Expo

 
Luis Santana/tbt*
Luis Santana/tbt*
Published Oct. 7, 2016

Plan your weekend

German invasion

Oktoberfest Tampa: Get out your best dirndls and lederhosen, there are more than a dozen Oktoberfest celebrations across Tampa Bay this month. But at Curtis Hixon Park this weekend, it's all about the competition at the celebration featuring grain-sack tossing, stein-hoisting, keg-stacking, tug-o-war, the best moustache contest and other competitions. The beer servers break into song, and so does the crowd as they drink huge mugs of beer to wash down the sauerbraten. It runs 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. $8 to $20. oktoberfesttampa.com.

Orchestra

Cirque De La Symphonie: The Florida Orchestra's first pops concert of the season features quite a twist with Cirque de la Symphonie with gymnasts, jugglers and aerialists working their athletic magic to classical favorites and movie soundtracks. The half-dozen acrobats boast stints on Broadway, Circus Circus in Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil, the Grammy Awards and the Academy Awards. As the acrobats perform, guest conductor Michael Krajewski will lead the orchestra through music from The Godfather and The Witches of Eastwick, work by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky and more. Shows start at 8 p.m. Friday at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa; 2 and 8 p.m. at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg; and 7:30 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. $15-$45. (727) 892-3337. floridaorchestra.org.

Cast a net

Florida Sportsman Expo: For the 24th year, Florida Sportsman magazine will bring in a range of outdoor supplies and seminars this weekend at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Some of the popular features include a "Be a Diver" pool so you can try out scuba diving (Bring your own swim suits, but dressing rooms, towels and all the diving equipment are provided). For kids there's an archery tournament and a free kids' Fishing Derby. There will be hands-on instruction on properly rigging baits and lures and outdoor sports personalities and guides. Tickets at the Florida State Fairgrounds box office are $8 for adults, free for kids 12 and younger. Some classes cost $39.95-$49.95. The show runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. (863) 512-5190. For a discount coupon see floridasportsman.com/expo.

Go outside

Open Streets St. Pete: Modeled after "ciclovia" (Spanish for bike path) events around the world, Open Streets shuts down parts of the city to cars for an afternoon. For four hours on Sunday, the streets between Mirror Lake Park and Williams Park in St. Petersburg will be closed to cars to allow the public to freely bike, stroll or skateboard. Over in Williams Park, an Indie FamFest will be set up, a free family festival with pet blessings, pet costume contest, photo booth, food trucks, vendors, live music, hoop and dance performances, cultural activities and bike valet parking. The FamFest opens at noon and streets close at 1 p.m.

Spoken word

Henry Rollins: Legendary punk singer Henry Rollins will trade his raspy howl for a spoken word performance at Clearwater's Capitol Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday. Expect a timely commentary on the current state of politics mixed with anecdotes on his latest L.A. experiences and his extensive world travels. $29.50-$49.50 at 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. (727) 791-7400.

Take the kids

Afternoon With an Astronaut: Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry is hosting astronaut Story Musgrave on Saturday, the spaceman who repaired the Hubble telescope and became the only astronaut to fly on all five space shuttles. Musgrave will share tales from his 53 days in space at noon and 3 p.m. before special showings of the IMAX film Hubble. Tickets are $15, or $10 for MOSI members. There is also a $15 add-on ticket for a meet and greet and light snacks that includes a keepsake photo. Seating is limited so get tickets at mosi.org. MOSI, 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 987-6000.

Take the dog

SPCA Pet Walk: The 3K walk along the waterfront Saturday is a fundraiser for SPCA, but really, it's the dogs dressed in super-cute costumes we'll be there to see. There's a free breakfast, an obstacle course for dogs, mobile pet groomers, vendor village, adoptable dogs on site and food trucks. Now in its 26th year, this is like a family reunion for pet lovers. The event benefits SPCA Tampa Bay. Bring the whole family from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The walk begins at 10 a.m. in Vinoy Park, 701 Bay Shore Drive NE, St. Petersburg. $25 registration at petwalk.org or (727) 586-3591, ext. 122.

Shopping

Shabby Chic Vintage Market and Artisan Day: All the florals, pastels and perfectly distressed vintage furniture your cottage decor-loving heart could dream of will be in one place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Shabby Chic Vintage Market and Artisan Day. Vendors include House to Home, which specializes in repainted furniture in the shabby chic style; vintage jeweler Sarafina and Beachy Wreaths by Annie Gray. You'll also find original art, artisanal goods, plants and cottage- and nautical-style decor at the Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd. Can't make it to Sunday's event? Don't fret, because the event will be held again next Sunday the 16th, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Safety Harbor, right on Main Street between Third and Fifth avenues. Visit facebook.com/shabbychicvintagemarketfl for information.

Art

Studio Waltz: See a dozen artists in their studios in north Pinellas County — Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Clearwater — Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the annual Studio Waltz. They represent a range of media including painting, ceramics, jewelry, textiles and furniture. More will be at outdoor locations painting murals and en plein air. It's spread out, but there are dining and sight-seeing options along the way. Free. Find a map and artist information at studiowaltz.com.