WOO Fest 2013 in St. Petersburg

B.C. Woo was an artist that lived and painted in St. Petersburg Florida. Woo was more than just another artist he was a good friend who was always a positive motivator. One year ago Woo passed away in his studio while painting and today is the celebration of everything he did for so many different people especially the art community in Downtown St. Petersburg. The Woo Fest 2013 will take place at the www.sixhundredblock.com 600 Block off of Central Ave. in Downtown. There will be artist painting in the streets as well as a art show and LIVE MUSIC all day long. Also it is Small Business Saturday www.discoverdowntown.com so you will be able to visit the many unique shops and galleries. Woo may be gone but he will never be forgotten. So please come to Downtown St. Petersburg to celebrate the life of a great artist and man B.C. Woo, he would want you to keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

The Music of Pink Floyd

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone we should all be thankful of our families, friends and the fact we live in Tampa Bay. Today is a day for eating, watching football and relaxing but get ready for a great weekend of events and weather. Friday night at the Mahaffey Theatre in Downtown St. Petersburg www.themahaffey.com it is the Florida Orchestra's concert The Music of Pink Floyd. The Florida Orchestra www.floridaorchestra.org will join forces with a full rock band to re-create the hits of Pink Floyd. This concert will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the album Dark Side of the Moon. The Mahaffey is a great place to see a concert with great acoustics, a wonderful staff and a nice drink and snack selection. So go to the Mahaffey Theatre on Friday night for The Music of Pink Floyd and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Ferg's 21st Birthday Party

Tonight starting at 6pm www.fergssportsbar.com it is Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill's 21st Birthday Party. Fergs Sports Bar and Grill is located at 1320 Central Avenue right across the street from the St. Petersburg Police Department. There is NO COVER for this party with food and drink specials as well as LIVE MUSIC from the funky dance band The Black Honkeys. www.theblackhonkeys.com Fergs is a fun place to go before a Baseball game, to watch a game or just hang out with some friends. They have a nice menu with a great selection of beers and cocktails. So get out tonight and start the Thanksgiving weekend off with some great LIVE MUSIC and Ferg's Birthday Party and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Gulfport Farmers Market

Every Tuesday from 9am-3pm it is the Gulfport Farmers Market in Downtown Gulfport with over 60 vendors with quality items to purchase. www.gulfportma.com This is a beautiful little town that is right on the Gulf. They have nice restaurants, unique shops and events year round. They have an Art Walk the 1st Friday and the 3rd Saturday of every month and many other great festivals. My favorite place to eat in Gulfport is the wonderful Italian bistro Pia's Trattoria www.piastrattoria.com which offers indoor or outdoor seating. The Italian menu has a nice variety of antipasto's, panini's and pasta dishes with a nice selection of beer and wine. The food is always delicious and fresh plus they have a very fun and friendly staff. So go to Gulfport today visit the market to start your hoilday shopping  and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Visit Fort Desoto for the Holidays

May 11, 1963 was opening day for the beautiful Fort De Soto Park www.fortdesoto.com and this year the Park turns 50. The park is located in the southwest corner of mullet creek which is near Tierra Verde. The park has 1136 acres of practically untouched land there is also a beach and a Fort to explore. Will at the park you will see a lot of wildlife so make sure you have your camera. There is a food stand to grab a quick snack and if you want to go exploring even more their is a spot where you can rent a canoe or kayak. The parking fee is $ 5.00 unless you have a disabled parking permit/tag and then there is no fee. If you enjoy camping this is a great location with wonderful facilities and friendly people to meet. So take a day trip and go visit Fort De Soto Park and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Art Walk at Harbour Island

Today www.harbourislandartwalk.com from 12-5pm it is the monthly Harbour Island Art Walk located in Downtown Tampa on Harbour Island which is right behind the Tampa Bay Times Forum. There will be unique art, jewelry, home and garden items for sale along with speciality foods. This event is set up at a waterfront setting and in a very nice neighborhood. The holidays are just around the corner and it is never to early to start shopping. So come out this afternoon to beautiful Harbor Island to visit the monthly Art Walk and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Craft Art Festival in St. Petersburg

Today and tomorrow from 10am-5pm in Downtown St. Petersburg on Central Ave. and 5th street the roads will be closed for the Annual Craft Art Festival. This is an event with artist from all over the U.S. There will be LIVE MUSIC, food trucks, interactive activities and special family friendly things to do. While in Downtown St. Petersburg make sure you visit one of the many restaurants and unique shops and start your Holiday shopping now. www.discoverdowntown.com Also just down the street is the Saturday Morning Market with over 120 vendors. www.saturdaymorningmarket.com So take the time this weekend to visit Downtown St. Petersburg and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Visit the Twisted Martini

Last weekend i went out to the Twisted Martini in Clearwater and had a very good time. This is a very nice spot to visit with a outdoor patio, separate dinning area and nightclub. The menu is simple but offered something for everyone from a snack to a full meal. Smoking is permitted outdoors on the patio only making the nightclub and dinning area smoke free. www.twistedmartinigrill.com The nightclub is very spacious with the large crowd having more than enough room to relax. The staff was very friendly and helpful and the LIVE MUSIC keep everyone dancing and having a good time. After the LIVE MUSIC a DJ played a nice mix of dance music for the rest of the evening. So go out this weekend to the Twisted Martini to check out this nice new venue and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Tampa's Downtown on Ice

Well it is time to start getting into the holiday spirit and what better way then to go Ice Skating outside at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa until January 6, 2014. www.tampasdowntownonice.com The skating sessions last 90 minutes and the cost is $10.00 which includes the skates. While at the Curtis Hixon Park go visit the Glazer's Children Museum www.glazermuseum.org which is located right next to the skating rink. Glazer Museum is great for the kids but if you do not have children with you go to the Tampa Museum which is right next to the children's museum and see their current exhibits. www.tampamuseum.org So go visit Curtis Hixon Park this holiday season do some Ice Skating and visit one of the museums and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

John Denver Experience

Tonight at the Palladium Theatre in Downtown St. Petersburg www.mypalladium.org at 7:30pm it is the John Denver Experience. Hear the late singers voice backed by members of his band, a string section will be used for accompaniment as well as vintage video performances in this special traveling road show. Former band members will tell stories of being on the road with John Denver and help share a personal side of the folk legend. If you are a fan of John Denver this show is an event you do not want to miss.The Palladium Theatre is a beautiful historic building built in 1925 and it is a wonderful place to see a special event, concert or lecture. The Theatre has ample parking for FREE in local lots within walking distance or if your prefer there is a Parking Garage about a block away. The Theatre also has a nice selection of beer and wine as well as soft drinks and snacks. So go to the Palladium tonight for the John Denver Experience and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Derby Lane in St. Petersburg

Take some time this week and go visit historic Derby Lane www.derbylane.com in St Petersburg. The track is the oldest dog track in the United States and it was opened in 1925. This is a very clean and well maintained track with a very friendly staff. The track also has a Poker Room and a restaurant if betting the dogs is not your thing. When the lights go down and the mechanical rabbit is released the excitement begins with the dogs running as fast as they can to the finish line. They have racing six nights a week with a matinee on Wednesday and Saturday. So go see a piece of Florida history bet a few dollars and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Tarpon Springs Greek Food and Wine Festival

Today at the Sponge Docks www.spongedocks.net in Tarpon Springs from 11am -8pm it is the annual Tarpon Springs Greek Food and Wine Festival. This is a family event with local restaurants offering wonderful Greek food and treats as well as LIVE MUSIC all day. There will be vendors who will be offering all different types of wines from around the world. Also make sure you walk around the downtown area and visit the many unique gift shops and if Greek food is not your thing there are several very nice restaurants to choose from as well as the seafood restaurant Rusty Bellies www.rustybellies.com at the far end of the sponge docks. So get out today and visit the sponge docks for the Tarpon Springs Greek Food and Wine Festival and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival

Saturday and Sunday in Downtown Dunedin it is the annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival. This festival is held on Main Street with vendors lining the streets offering handmade crafts and affordable gift items.Take sometime while you are in Downtown Dunedin www.dunedin-fl.com to go visit the many nice restaurants, art galleries and unique gift shops. Make sure to visit the wonderful Cafe Alfresco which is located right next to the pinellas trail. www.cafealfrescoonline.com The restaurant offers inside seating, a nice menu as well as a glass enclosed patio plus a outside deck. Recently the restaurant had a complete interior renovation making the restaurant feel refreshed. So go visit Downtown Dunedin today or tomorrow and start your Christmas shopping and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

3rd Friday Music Series in Safety Harbor

The 3rd Friday of every month Safety Harbor has their 3rd Friday Music Series that takes place in DOWNTOWN SAFETY HARBOR on Main Street. Enjoy an evening filled with shopping, dining and entertainment. www.cityofsafetyharbor.com Enjoy LIVE MUSIC throughout downtown as well as food vendors, unique shops and restaurants. Stop at FUNK'S WAY at 228 Main Street this is a unique art gallery with all types of Arts and Crafts and say hello to FUNK. Just down the street is BRADY's BBQ www.bradysbackyardbbq.com at 340 Main Street stop and have some BBQ, wine or a beer. Also make sure to visit THE CHOP SHOP hair salon at 500 Main Street they have a stage set up out front with one of the staff cutting hair and talking with the crowd. Take the time to meet the owner MIKE and make an appointment to get your hair done. So go and visit SAFETY HARBOR tonight and see all this great town has to offer and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

The Book of Mormon

One of the most popular musicals in many years is The Book of Mormon which has opened at the Starz Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Tampa. www.strazcenter.com This raunchy Tony Award winning musical will run until November 24th with limited tickets still available. If you don't mind throwing caution to the wind before every show there is a special raffle for a few $25.00 tickets but remember you may get shut out. The box office said that the best seats are for shows in the middle of the week so hurry up and get your tickets now. The Straz Center is a beautiful venue and it is a great place to see any type of event. The Center has ample parking, a very nice lobby with a waterfront patio, a nice selection of beverages and food as well as a very friendly staff. So get your tickets for The Book of Mormon now and go to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Visit the Tampa Theatre

The Tampa Theatre is located in Downtown Tampa just off Franklin Street. The Theatre was built in 1926 and has been fully restored and is a great place to see a movie, concert or special event. The Theatre www.tampatheatre.com offers a nice selection of beer and wine to enjoy during the show. Their concession stand also has all the regular items as well as special coffees and unique snacks. The Theatre has a beautiful Wurlitzer Organ that rises out of the center of the stage to entertain the audience before every show. A few times a year the theatre shows silent movies and the Wurlitzer Organ is used for the musical score of those films. One of the main highlights of this great historical location is the beautiful marquee out front, it takes you back to a different time. So visit the Tampa Theatre for a movie, concert or special event soon and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Visit Fort Desoto Park

May 11, 1963 was opening day for the beautiful Fort De Soto Park www.fortdesoto.com and this year the Park turns 50. The park is located in the southwest corner of mullet creek which is near Tierra Verde. The park has 1136 acres of practically untouched land there is also a beach and a Fort to explore. Will at the park you will see a lot of wildlife so make sure you have your camera. There is a food stand to grab a quick snack and if you want to go exploring even more their is a spot where you can rent a canoe or kayak. The parking fee is $ 5.00 unless you have a disabled parking permit/tag and then there is no fee. If you enjoy camping this is a great location with wonderful facilities and friendly people to meet. So take a day trip and go visit Fort De Soto Park and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Alesia Restaurant in St. Petersburg

Last night i visited Alesia Restaurant again in St Petersburg with some friends. This restaurant was founded by three partners with French, Vietnamese and Chinese backgrounds which influences the wonderful mix of dishes and flavours. www.alesiarestaurant.com The restaurant offers outside as well as inside setting. The inside is a open and simple dinning room with local art on the walls and the outside patio is spacious with plants, art and comfortable seating. The menu is simple with a nice variety of dishes to pick from and they also have a good wine and beer selection with reasonable prices and nice sized portions. I had the Asian style beef stew which was fresh, tasty and a very unique dish. The service was very friendly and the restaurant was very clean. So go visit Alesia Restaurant in St. Petersburg and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Christmas under the Oaks

This year marks the 37th Annual Christmas Under the Oaks Arts and Crafts Show sponsered by the City of Clearwater. This fundraising event will be held on Sunday, November 10 at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater, Florida. The show will run from 9AM-4 PM, and features over 150 artists, craft and food vendors. The proceeds from the show, including the $2 entrance donation (kids under 12 free) www.clevelandstreetdistrict.com benefit the scholarships, grants, and community service projects of the GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club. If you have never been to Coachman Park it is a beautiful waterfront park with great views of the bay and the Clearwater causeway. Also take the time to visit the Downtown area and visit the shops and restaurant and see the new Capital Theatre that will open soon. So go to Coachman Park today and start your Christmas shopping early and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Second Saturday Art Walk

Go to Downtown St. Petersburg for the Downtown Second Saturday Gallery Walk tonight. www.artwalkstpete.com There are three Trolleys that take you through the Central Art District while stopping at 25 galleries. A standout is the Duncan McClellan Glass Art Studio in the Warehouse district www.dmglass.com . Also the 600 Block on Central Ave. www.sixhundredblock.com has many one of a kind galleries. The gallery that i enjoy the most is ART POOL www.artpoolrules.com . This is a Vintage Boutique and Gallery that serves beer and wine and has great food NOTE: Try the COCONUT CAKE ! The owner Marina Williams has helped transform Downtown St. Pete into a great art community so make sure you take sometime to meet her. So go to Downtown St. Petersburg tonight visit some unique galleries and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Dunedin Wines the Blues Festival

This Saturday night from 5-11pm in Downtown Dunedin www.dunedinwinestheblues.info it is the 22nd Annual Dunedin Wines the Blues event. This annual event is sponsored by the Downtown Dunedin Merchants Association as well as the city of Dunedin. To start things off right there is a Kick Off Party on Friday night from 5:30-9:30pm in Pioneer Park with LIVE MUSIC as well as the monthly  www.2ndfridaydunedin.com 2nd Friday Art and Wine Walk. The party really gets started on Saturday night from 5-11pm with the Blues Street Festival. There will be LIVE MUSIC, wine vendors as well as arts and crafts. All the local restaurants, bars and stores stay open late and many offer special event discounts remember it is never to early to start Christmas shopping. So take the time this weekend and visit Downtown Dunedin for the Wines the Blues event and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

RIBFEST in St. Petersburg

This weekend is the 25th anniversary of the Ribfest www.ribfest.org. This three day event is held in Vinoy Park in Downtown St. Petrsburg. Vinoy Park is a beautiful location for the Ribfest with space to move around and wonderful views of the bay. The Ribfest starts Friday and goes until Sunday and the cost is $ 20.00 per day. The music lineup has something for everyone from REO Speedwagon, Gin Blossoms, Sister Hazel to Josh Thompson and many more. Since this is the Ribfest get ready for more than a dozen top ribbers who will be selling their BBQ. The Vinoy Park is a great place for a concert but take the time to wander around Downtown www.discoverdowntown.com and see all the Downtown area has to offer. So go to the Ribfest this weekend listen to some LIVE MUSIC, eat a bunch of Ribs and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Tonight at the Palladium Theatre in Downtown St. Petersburg www.mypalladium.org at 7:30pm it is the 20th Anniversary Tour of the 9 piece ensemble Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. This group plays a spicy vibrant mambo, dixieland jazz. vintage 40's and 50's swing and instrumental brass infused big band music and tonight they will be playing their hits, songs off their new album Rattle Them Bones as well as their new holiday album It Feels like Christmas. www.bbvd.com The Palladium theatre is a historic building built in 1925 and it is a wonderful place to see a special event, concert or lecture and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy know how to put on a first class show. So go to the Palladium tonight, listen to some great LIVE MUSIC and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Farmers Market in Gulfport

Every Tuesday from 9am-3pm it is the Gulfport Farmers Market in Downtown Gulfport. www.gulfportma.com This is a beautiful little town that is right on the Gulf. They have nice restaurants, unique shops and events year round. They have an Art Walk the 1st Friday and the 3rd Saturday of every month and many other great festivals. My favorite place to eat in Gulfport is the wonderful Italian bistro Pia's Trattoria www.piastrattoria.com which offers indoor or outdoor seating. The Italian menu has a nice variety of antipasto's, panini's and pasta dishes with a nice selection of beer and wine. The food is always delicious and fresh plus they have a very fun and friendly staff. So go to Gulfport today visit the market have breakfast, lunch or dinner at Pia's and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Cafe Alfresco in Dunedin

Take sometime today to go visit beautiful and friendly Downtown Dunedin today. www.dunedin-fl.com The Downtown area has many nice restaurants, art galleries and unique gift shops. Make sure to visit the wonderful Cafe Alfresco which is located right next to the pinellas trail. www.cafealfrescoonline.com The restaurant offers inside seating as well as a glass enclosed patio plus a outside deck. Recently the restaurant had a complete interior renovation making the restaurant feel refreshed. The menu has a nice variety of salads, sandwiches and dinners. Try their Salmon or the Meatloaf you won't be disappointed and make sure you leave room for dessert. They also have a full liquor bar and a nice selection of beer and wine and a very friendly staff. So go visit Downtown Dunedin and stop by Cafe Alfresco and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Hanger Restaurant in Downtown St. Petersburg

The Hanger Restaurant www.thehangarstpete.com is located at the Albert Whitted Airport in Downtown St. Petersburg. The restaurant is located upstairs in the main terminal of the airport overlooking the air field. While dining inside or outside you can see private planes landing and taking off and if you feel like some adventure take a helicopter sight seeing tour from Safari Choppers www.safarichoppers.com they are in the lobby. The menu is simple but fun and if you want to try a great southern dish try their Chicken and Waffles. They have easy listening LIVE MUSIC seven nights a week. They also have a very cool bar with comfortable seating if you just wanna snack and have a drink. Many different drink and food specials are offered daily. So go visit the Hanger Restaurant listen to some LIVE MUSIC and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

Safety Harbor Wine Festival

Today from 5pm-11pm it is the 12th Annual Safety Harbor Wine Festival on Main Street in Downtown Safety Harbor. You will be able to experience wines from all over the world while helping support local non-profits. There will be LIVE MUSIC and ENTERTAINMENT throughout the www.cityofsafetyharbor.com downtown area as well as arts and craft vendors and delectable foods. The Downtown area of Safety Harbor is a great place for this event with local restaurants and shops staying open late. The weather looks like it will be cooling off just in time for the festivities. So go to the Wine Festival in Safety Harbor tonight and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!

First Friday in Downtown St. Petersburg

Today is the first Friday of the month and it is time again for the Get Downtown First Friday Music Series which is a street party held in Downtown St. Petersburg with LIVE MUSIC from 5:30-10pm. www.firstfridaystpete.com This monthly event is held between 2nd and 3rd street on Central Avenue. Their are vendors set up along Central Avenue with food and beverages for sale. Many of the local restaurants offer special deals as well as entertainment late into the night. The Downtown area has ample parking, many unique restaurants and places to visit. Make sure you walk up Central Ave. to sixth street as well as all along Beach Blvd. www.discoverdowntown.com and see all that the Downtown area has to offer. So go visit Downtown St. Petersburg tonight and keep ENJOYING TAMPA BAY!