1. Seattle-based indie garage rockers The Boss Martians (pictured) perform at the Emerald Bar in support of their July release, Pressure In The SODO. The Plastic Stars of Clearwater provide support. 9 p.m., 550 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, $3, 727-898-6054.
2. Is it a coincidence that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is presenting “Our Environmental Destiny” at USF tonight, the same night John McCain makes his acceptance speech? I think not. 7 p.m., Marshall Center Ballroom at USF, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, $10 general/$5 USF alumni and faculty/free for current students.
3. University of Tampa journalism prof and author John Capouya hosts a book launch reading and signing in honor of the release of his second effort, Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture. 7 p.m., Inkwood Books, 216 S. Armenia Ave., Tampa.
4. Gorilla Theatre opens its first production of the 2008-09 season: Tim Crouch's An Oak Tree, an experimental, two-character theater piece where one character is the "constant" while the other is played by a different actor each show, an actor who's neither seen nor read a word of the play until he or she is performing in it. 7 p.m., 4419 N. Hubert Ave. #D, Tampa, $20-$25 general/$15-$20 seniors and students ($10 student rush tickets available 30 minutes before the show), 813-879-2914.
5. Food Network chef Dave Lieberman offers tips on how to throw a chic, simple tapas party at home using authentic Spanish ingredients during “Great Tapas & Sangria,” an exclusive evening of food, drink and music at Ceviche in Tampa. Space is limited; to reserve your spot, call 312-988-2262. 7-9 p.m., Ceviche, 1502 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, free.
This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2008.