One of the best-attended events of its kind in the Bay area, the now-annual Going Green Tampa Bay Expo collaborates with the Community Sustainability Conference to offer seminars on alternative energy, green building practices and sustainable development, farming and transportation, water conservation, green jobs, biofuel production, composting, and enough bio-friendly topics to make you green in the face. Actor/eco-hero Ed Begley, Jr. discusses eco-conscious living, and hundreds of vendors and exhibits are on hand to help you on your merry way to saving the world. Visit sustainablefloridaconference.org for full schedule of events. Fri.-Sat., Oct. 9-10, USF Marshall Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, free.
The Crafty Hag (aka the lovely and talented Coralette Damme) is at it again, this time at Art-Oberfest, bringing the handicraft-hungry of Tampa Bay some nourishment with a fall arts festival of work by local craftspeople -- including everything from watercolors and acrylic paintings to block and screen prints, fiber arts, hand poured candles, printed clothing, original jewelry, plush creations, hand-sewn tote bags, aprons and more. Proceeds benefit the Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association's Crime Watch, so you can do some Christmas shopping for a good cause! Visit craftheroes.com for more info. Sun., Oct. 11, 12-5 p.m., St. Anthony's Park, 1200 Ninth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, free.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just thinking about dipping your toe in the art pool, mark the USF College of Arts’ 11th [image-1]annual Graphicstudio Benefit Sale on your to-do list. Works by well-known artists including Ed Ruscha, Robert Mapplethorpe, William Wegman, James Rosenquist and many more will be on sale, representing a wide range of media and subject matter. The fine art prints will be available at a discount ranging from 10 to 60 percent off the regular price, and the event itself is free, making this an irresistible opportunity to get great works of art on the cheap. Not only will you take home a fantastic new piece to put on the wall, all sales benefit artists’ residencies, continuing research and educational programming at Graphicstudio. (Pictured: Printmaking a Graphicstudio) Fri., Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. sale, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. reception and sale, USF Tampa Campus, 3702 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa, 813-974-5871, ira.usf.edu/gs. – Anthony Salveggi
South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers host Bicycle Bash by the Bay, which is expected to draw thousands of biking enthusiasts (of which sunny, bike-able St. Pete has no shortage). Expect a plethora of nifty events and giveaways, including a performance by singer/cyclist Rachel VanSlyke, a helmet giveaway, a bike rodeo, Flatland bike performances, swap meet and more. Four prominent locals are recognized at the events for their support of cycling, including Joe Maddon, Linda Saul-Sena, Rick Baker and Mark Sharpe. Don't worry: even with such high attendance, parking should be a breeze -- it's the bike racks that'll be a tight squeeze. Visit bicyclebash.com for more info. Sun., Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr., St. Petersburg.
Celebrate owner/artist/photographer/cool gal Marina Williams' birthday at Aquamarina Octoball, another one of her famous art parties. Tonight's theme is blue -- wear blue, see all-blue art, a blue vintage fashion show, and blue men -- and you'll be anything but blue by the end of the evening. Visit artpoolrules.com for more info. Sat., Oct. 10, 6 p.m.-12 a.m., ARTpool, 919 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
It's the stuff of a geek's wet dreams: LEGOs and Star Wars, combined in LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary. If we could just get Megan Fox in there somehow, every dude (and a lotta ladies) in Tampa Bay would be knockin' down the door. Expect to see costumed characters (including Storm Troopers) along with LEGO giveaways, at this book release. Sat., Oct. 10, 2 p.m., Books-A-Million, 839 Brandon Town Center Mall, Brandon.
The Spanish Lyric Theatre presents Anything Goes, the Cole Porter musical about an evangelist-turned-nightclub singer, which takes the stage for one night only, and includes classic numbers like "Delovely," "You're the Top" and, of course, "Anything Goes." Visit tbpac.org for more info. Sat., Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, $30-$35.
[image-2]The Florida Orchestra kicks off its 2009-2010 season with a masterworks concert of fiery Latin sounds – Rhythms on Fire. TFO is joined by two internationally-recognized mega-talents for the program: Cuban native classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco, who’s been composing, recording and performing for more than three decades; and bandoneón master Daniel Binelli (pictured), an Argentine musician, seasoned composer and experienced arranger specializing in all styles of tango. He’s also the torchbearer of the music of Astor Piazzolla, with whom he has collaborated. Among the compositions featured include Piazzolla’s tango-tastic Double Concerto for Guitar and Bandoneón, Manuel de Falla’s flamenco-flavored El Amor Brujo (Love Bewitched), Arturo Marquez’s playful Danzón No. 2 and Silvestre Revueltas’ haunting La Noche de los Mayas (The Night of the Mayas). Guest mezzo-soprano Jennifer Hines also adds her vox to the mix and Stefan Sanderling conducts. Fri., Oct. 9, 8 p.m., Carol Morsani Hall at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa; Sat., Oct. 10, 8 p.m., Progress Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg; and Sun., Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater, $20-$67, floridaorchestra.org. – Leilani Polk
A trip to England to see authentic reenactments of Shakespeare's most popular works might not be in the budget (but who knows? hold onto that lotto ticket.) Fortunately for those of us who are more comfortable with the TV set than of the jet set crowd, you don't need a private plane to catch All's Well That Ends Well, the Bard’s tragi-comedy about the cunning Helena and her ne’er do well hubby, Bertram. It’s broadcast live from the UK's historic National Theatre to theaters around the world. No silver spoon necessary to enjoy this classic --just the silver screen. Oct. 10-11, 7 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater, $20, rutheckerdhall.com. – Franki Weddington
Oktoberfest Brewhaha is a family-friendly celebration of the fall season includes acrobats, clay artists throwing down art on the wheel, live entertainment by Moving Arts of Tampa Bay, a caramel apple bar and German-inspired eats like pretzels, brats, and, of course, a variety of brews. Visitors also have access to Mug Shots, a collection of handcrafted mugs and steins perfect for filling with suds. Visit stpeteclay.com for more info. Sat., Oct. 10, 12-7 p.m., St. Petersburg Clay Company, 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, free.
