1.) Old school nostalgia: See history in the making when the Bay area's first ever video and arcade amusements museum opens in Tarpon Springs. The Replay Amusement Museum is one more addition to the town's charming downtown district.
2.) Go see some art: Tonight is Seminole Heights First Friday. Head to Central Tampa's favorite neighborhood for a last-chance look at Tempus Projects’ Dry, Workspace’s Boxed, Kirk Ke Wang space’s Machine in the Ghost, Hector Del Campo at Florida Avenue Ales and the opening receptionsof Brilliant Things and Night Moves by Ericka Richardson at Quaid (work pictured, right) — and more. Visit the event's Facebook page for updates. Also, you can venture north a little for After Dark and Other Works at USF's Centre Gallery.
3.) LOL. Big names in comedy are taking the mic Saturday night: Kevin James headlines Ruth Eckerd Hall and Mo'nique, Tommy Davidson lead the Shaquille O'Neal All-Star Comedy Jam. Read Laugh Tract for more live comedy shows.
4.) The big film fest. Speaking of Mo'nique, she's starring in the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival's opening night film, Blackbird. Click here for movie highlights.
5.) Rock out. The Plan B music fest returns to Ybor City. See Those Darlin's and more great bands at Ybor venues Saturday night.
6. Get star-struck. Two big celebs —heck, living legends — are in town Saturday night for appearances: trashtastic film director John Waters at Tampa Theatre for TIGLFF's 25th Anniversary and Star Trek alum George Takei at the Clearwater-St. Pete Visitors Bureau.
The exclusive, limited event Takei features a 90-minute moderated conversation and Q&A followed by a reception. The dialogue will touch on different aspects of his life in Hollywood, social media and, of course, Star Trek. John Waters TIGLFF 25th Anniversary Celebration and Mondo Trasho After Party offers both a speaking engagement and the Mondo Trasho After Party across the street from Tampa Theatre. DJ “Lounge Laura” Taylor will spin classic tiki, lounge and exotica tunes. Food and beer trucks will sell refreshments.
7. Get your oompah on. Attend the big Pinellas Park Oktoberfest and find out about more coming up this month by clicking here. For a more roving Oktoberfest party, get in on the Ybor Oktoberfest Pub Crawl 4 p.m. on Saturday. Sample beers at patio bars and pubs throughout Ybor City while celebrating Ybor’s German heritage.
8. History on wheels. History Bike Tampa will take you on a tour of Sulphur Springs. Click here for details.
9.) Go see a play. Theater productions are back in full force, though this past summer didn't see that much of a slowdown. Christen Petitt Hailey directs The Rocky Horror Show at Shimberg Playhouse with music by Aaron Lepley of Funny Bunny and November Foxtrot Whiskey fame. For something more low key, Improbable Athenaeum (pronounced “ath-en-eee-uhm”) will present a free, script-in-hand staging of Dorothy L. Sayers’ 1940 comedy Love All this Saturday at 2 p.m. at the new Seminole Heights Branch Library in Tampa. Take part in a timeless satirical romp when USF School of Theatre and Dance in Tampa presents Eugene Ionesco’s classic theater of the absurd piece, Rhinoceros. C. David Frankel directs, and the play stars Jennifer Fuller, P.J. Gentry, Paul Pullen, Carlos Garcia, Vanessa Watson and Christine Masone.
10.) Improvise some fun. On-the-spot maestros Hawk and Wayne are performing their monthly long-form improv act, This Is A Comedy Show at American Stage in downtown St. Pete Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m.
This article appears in Oct 2-8, 2014.