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Top things to do in Tampa Bay for Oct. 2

 
Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream has a new "interactive" haunted house called Zombie Containment Unit 15, in which guests "shoot" the zombies a la a first-person-player video game
Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream has a new "interactive" haunted house called Zombie Containment Unit 15, in which guests "shoot" the zombies a la a first-person-player video game
Published Oct. 1, 2014

Howl-O-Scream: Busch Gardens' Halloween celebration features haunted houses, scare zones, roller coasters in the dark and spooky live shows. This year brings "Dead Fall," a new haunt in which ghosts of memories reach into the present. For a peek at the event, watch our video at tbtim.es/halloween. Open 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Busch Gardens, 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa. $45-$65. (813) 987-5600.

Rock the Park: Held the first Thursday of every month, local bands play outdoors along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. This month features performances by Luxury Mane, Hydrophonics and Shawn Kyle at 6:30 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. Free. (813) 817-6731.

Evenings With the Maestro: Tears of a Clown: Preview to Pagliacci: St. Petersburg Opera artistic director Mark Sforzini leads a program to enhance understanding opera and preview shows in the opera's season at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Gallery of Clearwater, 5990 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater. $20, $15 seniors/students. (727) 530-3304.

Blessing of the Animals: All pets large and small (or their photos) can get a blessing in celebration of the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi at this ceremony. It's at 6 p.m. at Franciscan Center, 3010 N Perry Ave., Tampa. Free. (813) 229-2695.

Singing for their Supper: Enjoy dinner as four contest finalists "Sing for their Supper" in an attempt to gain exposure in the area music scene and to benefit the Humane Society of Pinellas. It's at 6 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $100. (727) 791-7400.

KIDS AND FAMILY

Music and Movies in the Park: Musical talents from Florida entertain before a classic movie screening. This week features Brazilian music by Rio Bossa followed by Dead Poets Society. Bring a picnic and enjoy the water view. The music starts at 6 p.m., and the films start at dark at North Straub Park, Fifth Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive, St. Petersburg. Free. (727) 463-4612.

TO WATCH

SERIES PREMIERE Gracepoint, 9 p.m., Fox This is a remake of the popular British drama Broadchurch, about a young boy who's found dead, and when we say "remake" we mean the "exact same show."

MORE TO EXPLORE

Watch this week's Play Tampa Bay video at tampabay.com/things-to-do.

COMING UP

Shaquille O'Neal's All Star Comedy Jam: The basketball star and well-known comedy nerd won't be performing, but he'll bring his favorites on Saturday to the USF Sun Dome, including Oscar-winner Mo'Nique, In Living Color cast member Tommy Davidson and Gary Owen. $39-$85. (813) 974-3004.

Replay Amusement Museum: This new arcade with more than 100 vintage pinball and video game machines opens this weekend in Tarpon Springs with unlimited play included in admission: $13, $7 ages 6-12, 5 and younger free at 119 E Tarpon Ave.

Rise Against: Over at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, 2012's Next Big Thing headliner performs in the courtyard Sunday. $32.50-$35. (727) 565-0550.