Top things to do in Tampa Bay for the week of Nov. 12-18

Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading: The festival's 26th year brings authors including Ace Atkins, (The Sinners), above, Jeff Klinkenberg (Son of Real Florida: Stories From My Life) and Lisa Unger (Under My Skin) to USF St. Pete on Saturday. Free. festivalofreading.com.

Sanding Ovations Sand Sculpting Competition and Festival: Master sand sculptors from around the world transform 150 tons of sand into art arrive on Treasure Island Wednesday, where they'll create through Sunday. You can meet the sculptors on Wednesday at the Bilmar Beach Resort ($10 advance, $15 at the door). mytreasureisland.org.

St. Pete Beach BikeFest: Hop on your chopper and motor down to the TradeWinds Island Resort Wednesday-Sunday, for an expo, vendors, Roadkill Scavenger Bike Ride and free nightly concerts including Sister Hazel, Travis Tritt and Puddle of Mudd. Parking available for motorcycles only ($10). stpetebeachbikefest.com.

date night

Music: Hip hop superstar Travis Scott hits up Tampa's Amalie Arena on Monday ($26.20-$76.20), while country legend Vince Gill performs at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall ($53.25-$103.25). If you were planning to see pop icon Christina Aguilera at St. Pete's Mahaffey Theater on Tuesday, sorry, the show is sold out. But you could catch rapper Tech N9ne, fresh off his NPR Tiny Desk Concert, at the Ritz Ybor on Tuesday ($32-$50). Thursday, Indie hero Iron and Wine plays an intimate show at Tampa Theatre ($39.50-$72.50). Also Thursday, American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee performs at Clearwater's Capitol Theatre, where Sunday, multiple Grammy Award-winning British singer Petula Clark will play ($39-$69).

Suncoast Jazz Festival: Bands playing in a variety of jazz styles take to venues between the Sheraton Sand Key and Marriott Sand Key in Clearwater Thursday-Sunday ($25-$135). suncoastjazzfestival.com.

Comedy: Controversial comic Andrew Dice Clay, aka the "Dice Man's" takes the Capitol Theatre on Wednesday ($59.50-$85; rutheckerdhall.com). Saturday, popular comedian Cedric the Entertainer headlines the Comedy Get Down Tour Saturday at Tampa's MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre ($25-$125; (813) 740-2446) .

kids and family

Super American Circus: Comic daredevil Bello Nock bring a new age, one ring circus with edgier acts including a Human Cannonball Shot to the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa ($20, $8 child). floridastatefair.com.

more to explore

Find more romantic events for date night at tampabay.com/thingstodo.