NOVEMBER 10 THURSDAY

CRAWLING WITH CARS If you're curious about how car manufacturers are dealing with the global oil crisis, or you're simply a fan of anything with four wheels and an engine, hundreds of vehicles invade the Tampa Convention Center this weekend as part of the 2006-Model Tampa Bay International Auto Show. This indoor exhibition features exotic vehicles, classic muscle cars and tricked-out trucks as well as displays of next year's models — like the Honda FIT, a fuel-efficient hatchback that gets an average of 41.5 miles per gallon — and a preview of 2007 models, including Saturn's 2007 Sky roadster, a hot little European-designed two-seater with 18-inch wheels and a price tag of $25,000 or less. Also scheduled are appearances by guests ranging from Tampa Bay Buccaneer Michael Clayton to SpongeBob SquarePants, and free test drives at Volvo's Ride & Drive. For more info, visit ww.motortrendautoshows.com or call 813-276-6906. Noon-10 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., Nov. 11-13. $8 adults/$4 seniors, students and military with valid I.D./$4 ages 7-12 (free admission for children 6 and younger). 333 S. Franklin St., downtown Tampa.

CAMPUS COMEDIES The Eckerd College Theatre Department presents Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, a musical comedy based on the book by John R. Powers about eight friends growing up in the 1950s Catholic school system. Recounted via a former student visiting his grade school years later in search of his first true love, the play encapsulates both the amusing aspects of youthful growing pains and the taxing times of adolescence; directed and choreographed by Scott Cooper. 8 p.m. Thu. and Sat., 8:30 p.m. Fri., and 3 p.m. Sun., through Nov. 13. $10. Bininger Theatre, Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-864-8279. ALSO: The USF College of Visual & Performing Arts opens Lysistrate, the third and concluding play of Aristophanes' War and Peace series. This Greek comedy with a fantasy burlesque twist tells the story of the desperate measures taken by the women of Athens (led by Lysistrate) to force an end to a war spanning 21 years; guest faculty member Bob Gonzalez directs. 8 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 3 and 8 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 10-20. $12 general/$6 students and seniors. USF College of Visual and Performing Arts Theater II, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-974-2323.

NOVEMBER 11 FRIDAY

LIFE OF THE GALA Initiated in 1999 by a group of architects and artists who were frustrated that they couldn't get their work displayed in local galleries, the Gala Corina has developed into a much-talked-about art event by showcasing a diverse range of Bay area talent at locations that deviate from the traditional gallery setting. This year's Gala Corina takes place in a Channelside district warehouse, and the exhibition theme, Nueva Vida, is an acknowledgment of the many new organizers, artists and sponsors. Opening night festivities include: spoken word with Pedro Jarquin and Friends; theatrical performances by Jobsite Theater; live music by Palamino, Chained to Waves and Tribal Style; and a "4-D Movie & Fashion Show" showcasing designs by Bonny Lau, Claresse Little and many others. For more information, visit www.galacorina.org. The opening takes place tonight from 5:15 p.m. to midnight ($2 suggested donation); regular viewing hours are 10:30-3:30 p.m. Sun., 6:30-9:30 p.m. Mon.-Wed. and Fri., 5-9 p.m. Thu., and 5-11 p.m. Sat., Nov. 12-19. The Seaboard Square Warehouse, 120 S. 11th St., Tampa.

OUTBURSTS BY MAHER Bill Maher is the angry everyman, a political humorist known for a straightforward approach to issues ranging from drug legalization to government regulation of corporations. He's unflinchingly honest to the point of being brutally blunt and if he's got something to say, you better believe he's gonna damn well say it. In fact, his remarks about 9/11 were so scathing that advertisers pulled out of his Politically Incorrect time slot and ABC refused to renew his contract. Not that it hurt his career; shortly after, he was nabbed by HBO and now hosts the far less inhibited Real Time with Bill Maher, a political, current-event and satire-based weekly television talk show with several different guests each week serving as part of a political panel. He brings his stand-up routine to the Bay area tonight; you can hear him rail against various issues at Ruth Eckerd Hall. 8 p.m. $32.50-$50. 1111 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-791-7400, www.rutheckerdhall.com.

NOVEMBER 12 SATURDAY

BLUESIN' IT UP Every year, thousands of Bay area oenophiles, blues enthusiasts and other fun-loving folks flock to the charming, village-like setting of downtown Dunedin to enjoy a popular yearly event that began as a means to stir up business during the September sales slump. Now held in November , the 14th Annual Dunedin Wines the Blues festival features tastings of more than 50 wine vintages and beers, a selection of food samples from local restaurants, an arts and crafts fair, and live music by a smattering of blues artists, like John Allen and the Cotton Gin Blues Band, Charlie Vegas and the New Blues Combo, and the Billy Norris Project. Pets and coolers are prohibited. For more information, call 727-733-3197. 5-11 p.m. Free admission. Pioneer Park, corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue, downtown Dunedin.

NOVEMBER 13 SUNDAY

THE HEAT IS ON Formed in 1978 in keyboardist/vocalist Ed Volker's garage, the Radiators are the result of an inspired five-hour jam session by members of two Big Easy bands, who enjoyed playing together so much that they regrouped. More than two decades later, the Radiators have become renowned for dynamic, rhythm-intensive shows with plenty of improvised jamming, although it's not uncommon to hear blues, R&B, jazz, country soul, Zydeco, swing and even gospel filtering through their original New Orleans music, affectionately known as "Fish Head" music by their fans because it's "funkier than a fish head" as Volker once said. The Radiators are still touring, and you can see them perform at Skipper's Smokehouse this evening; Elliott Cohn & The Cosmic Sweat Society opens. 7 p.m. $15 advance/$20 day of. 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, 813-971-0666.

NOVEMBER 14 MONDAY

JETSON-PROPELLED Earlier in the semester, Art Institute of Tampa instructor Christine Rossi gave her interior design students some challenging assignments, telling them to "embrace new forms and ideas as a tribute to the 'Jetsonian' style." Those in Presentation Board Techniques were to design either a futuristic residence or restaurant, while Furniture Design and Construction I students had to create a seating line of the future with a single- and multi-user piece. The resulting designs and models are on display at the Art Institute of Tampa Gallery in A Tribute to The Jetsons: Retro-Futuristic Style. Highlights include the fluid "Flight Collection 2005" by Keriann Arnold and Elaine I. Camacho's "Violet Rosie" line, which is apparently inspired by the apron of the cartoon family's domestic robot, Rosie. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri., and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.; the creations are featured through Dec. 10. Parkside Building at Tampa Bay Park, 4401 N. Himes Ave., Tampa, 813-873-2112, www.aita.artinstitutes.edu.

This article appears in Nov 9-15, 2005.