12 The Kathy Griffin performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall will probably be sold out by the time this prints, but you never know who's gonna be hanging around with an extra ticket, so a trip to Clearwater might not be such a bad idea, after all. 8 p.m., 727-791-7400.
13 The much-anticipated art, music and fashion extravaganza, Dirty but Sophisticated III, hosts its latest event featuring unique, independent talent at Czar Bar. 8 p.m., Ybor City.
14 Legendary anime and game illustrator Yoshitaka Amano (Vampire Hunter D, Final Fantasy) is the guest of honor at the two-day Metrocon: Amano's World anime convention. Noon, Tampa Convention Center.
15 Bring your well-socialized, leashed doggie to Yappy Hour, a happy hour networking event for the dog-loving community and their pets. 4-7 p.m., New World Brewery.
16 Creative Loafing hosts Political Party: Speaking of Iraq. The latest in our series of live talk shows expands on the conversation begun in this week's cover story. 7 p.m., Shimberg Playhouse-Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
17 Yes, we know that Nick Lachey may not be the most exciting performer for those of us out of high school, but dang, the dude is hot! Oh, and he can sing, too. 7:30 p.m., Carol Morsani Hall-TBPAC.
18 As part of its Presidential Events Series, Eckerd College welcomes activist, writer and Sisterhood Is Powerful editor Robin Morgan, who discusses "Women, The Elections, And Fighting Words." 7:30 p.m., Fox Hall.
Oct. 19, String Cheese Incident, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, www.tbpac.org.
Oct. 20, Revolution and Renewal exhibit, Ybor City Museum, www.ybormuseum.org.
Oct. 21, 2006 St. Pete Air Fest, Albert Whitted Airport, www.albertwhittedairfest.com.
This article appears in Oct 11-17, 2006.