Sex and Tampa Bay

I’m glad to announce that over 400 people read last week’s post on events in the Tampa Bay area. I hope that you guys had fun, no matter what your price range.

Remember, if you have an upcoming event you’d like featured here send it to me at 28intampabay@gmail.com. Remember, we are looking for events that are interesting to young professionals and singles in the Tampa Bay area. I’m having a lot of people submitting kid centric events, but there are already a lot of blogs for parents. I’m focusing on stuff for us poor overlooked 20 and 30 year olds.

FREE EVENTS

First Friday Art Walk

Friday 3/7 at the Gulfport Art District (south of 28th Ave on Beach Blvd.) in St. Pete. 6pm-10pm. Free.

Celebrate the 1st first Friday of the year at the Gulfport Art District. The street party has food vendors, live music, and lots of great local artists showing their work.

Market in the Park

Saturday 3/8 at the Pinellas County Extension (12520 Ulmerton Rd.) in Largo. 8AM-1PM. Free.
This weekly farmers market is a great place to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies that often cost much less than those in the supermarket. How is that possible? These products are grown locally, so you aren’t having to pay extra money to ship them in from across the world. Buying local food is also very environmentally friendly and is a good step to reducing your carbon footprint.

Cheap Events ($10 and under)

Rent “Into the Wild”

Available at your local video rental store.
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=2LAuzT_x8Ek]
Based on the kick-ass Jon Krakauer non-fiction book, this film (directed by the Madonna’s ex, Sean Penn) tells the story of a young man who decides to escape from his soul crushing suburban life by running away to Alaska. He plans to live off the land and survive only on his wits, so it isn’t a shock that he (spoiler alert) does of starvation. “Into the Wild” is one of those movies you need to watch with other people so you can argue about it afterwards. Namely, is running off into the wilderness romantic or idiotic? The film offers plenty of evidence on both sides.

U2 3D

All weekend at AMC Regency 20 Theater in Brandon. Check movietickets.com for showtimes. $7 for matinee. $11 for regular.
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=AuKGnHlYd_k]
The biggest hit of the year at Sundance is this 3-D concert movie featuring Bono, the Edge… and the rest. Because Regency 20 is the only location in Tampa Bay showing the film, you might want to order your tickets ahead of time. Way less money than an actual concert, although there’s also less chance of Bono sweeping you off your feet because he digs your groovy message shirt.

Not Bad ($11-$25)

Cajun Zydeco Crawfish Festival

Friday 3/7 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg starting at 4:30. $12.
Saturday 3/8 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersbrg starting at noon. $15.
Sunday 3/9 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg starting at noon. $12.
If you like classic Cajun cuisine I guarantee you’ll have a ball at this festival. 10,000 pounds of crawfish will be on hand, along with live music and arts and crafts. Parking is always a problem downtown, so a shuttle will be available from the Baywalk parking garage to the festival.

Romance and Wine Weekend at the Renisance Festival.

Saturday 3/8 and Sunday 3/9 at MOSI (11315 N 46th St.) in Tampa. 10am-6pm. $16.95 (buy 1, get 1 free when you donate 4 cans of food)
Love is in the air at the Ren Fest this weekend as they offer free wedding vow renewals. Don’t have a special someone? That’s where the wine comes in! Sample dozens of wines while enjoying the costumed actors, live Joust, and the food. Oh, the food. You won’t break up with me on Oscar night because I’m not good enough for you.

Megacon

Friday 3/7 at the Orange County Convention Center Hall in Orlando. 1PM-11:30PM. $24.
Saturday 3/8 at the Orange County Convention Center Hall in Orlando. 10AM-11:30PM. $24.
Sunday 3/9 at the Orange County Convention Center Hall in Orlando. 10AM-7PM. $24.
Geeks unite in Orlando for the biggest comic book convention in Florida. Guests include major comic names like John Romita Jr. and Joe Quesada (who will be trying his best to justify the abomination that was “One More Day”). For those who aren’t fluent in nerd, you might appreciate the parade of famous genre actors like Adrian PAsdar (Profit and Heores), and Peter Mayhew (the man behind Chewacca). There are plenty of anime events and gaming rooms, as well as a giant sales floor that will drain your savings account. But at least you’ll have completed your Buffy Pez Dispenser Collection!

Wallet Lighteners ($26-$50)

Eddie Griffin stand-up

Friday 3/7 at the Tampa Improv at Centro Ybor in Ybor City. 8pm and 10:30pm. $30.
Saturday 3/8 at the Tampa Improv at Centro Ybor in Ybor City. 7:30pm and 10pm. $30.
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=YW9EFJoo0SM]

Best known for his film work (Undercover Brother and Deuce Bigalow), Griffin started out as a stand-up and he bring his act to the Tampa Improv for 4 shows. Great chance to laugh with a movie star may remind you of Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.

“Dating Without Confusion” Workshop

Saturday 3/9 at the Holiday Inn Select on Ulmerton Rd. in Clearwater. 1PM-4PM. $69. Advanced reservations needed.

Relationship guru Karen Card offers this workshop that helps explain why love happens so you can make the best of your relationships. I’m still in the process of healing from the last guy, so I’ll sit this one out. But for those of you struggling with the singles scene, it could be a good chance to get a new perspective on the issue.

The Roots in Concert

Sunday 3/9 at Janus Landing in St. Pete. 7:30 PM. $30.
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=nIVzt_vGyr8]
My brother, who is 4 years younger and 4 times hipper than me, tells me The Roots are the single best hip hop group to see perform live. So, there you go.

Hey Big Spender (over $50)

19th Annual Abilities Wine Tasting & Auction

Saturday 3/8 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. 6PM-9PM. Tickets range from $75-$175.
Enjoy food from 40 gourmet restaurants including Salt Rock Grill) and over 400 wines at this high end gala that supports The Abilities Foundation, a nonprofit organization that help people with disabilities find jobs and homes in the community. The attire is dress casual and it is a great chance to network with people throughout Tampa Bay.

Blue Man Group How to be a Megastar Tour 2.1

Sunday 3/9 at the St. Pete Times Fourm in Tampa. 7:30PM. Tickets range from $53-$88.
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ldxg87pDlI8]

It’s almost impossible to explain what a Blue Man Group show is like. A mix of music, comedy, and performance art that is just a lot of fun. I saw the Vegas show a few months ago and loved it.