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Best bets

Things to do this weekend.

By WILMA NORTON
Published October 6, 2006

In stride for a cure

Thousands will walk and run through downtown St. Petersburg Saturday morning during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Registration starts in Vinoy Park 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, and then again at 6 a.m. Saturday. The race begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. $25 for 5K, $5 for kids event. (727) 734-7832, toll-free 1-877-506-6927; www.komensuncoast.com.

A Happy return

The Florida Orchestra opens its masterworks season with Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 (Leningrad) to commemorate the centennial of the Russian composer's birth, plus Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Trumpets in C major and works by Italian composer, Giovanni Gabrielli. Stefan Sanderling conducts at 8 p.m. Saturday at Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $17-$52. (813) 286-2403 or toll-free 1-800-662-7286.

Dorothy drops by

The Wiggles are on a separate tour, but their pal Dorothy the Dinosaur brings her dance party - and Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus to Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater at 10 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday. $17-$27. (727) 791-7400.

Screened with pride

The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival features a record number of films, shorts and documentaries - 133 in all. The festival continues through Oct. 15 at Tampa Theatre and Channelside 9 in Tampa and BayWalk 20 in St. Petersburg. For full schedule, see www.pridefilmfest.com. Movies are $9 each. (813) 879-4220.

Something new

Some of the biggest DJs of electronic music perform at the first Sunset '06 from 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday in Vinoy Park, downtown St. Petersburg. $40-$50. (813) 248-2331.

FAMILY & FESTIVALS

Bluegrass Strings and Crafty Things Today-Sat.

Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts event with music by headliner Melonie Cannon and bluegrass bands on alternating stages today-Sat. Also "Crafty Things" arts and crafts show, farmers market, kid's activities Sat. only. 7-10 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat. Largo Central Park, E Bay Drive and Seminole Boulevard. No pets, alcohol or coolers. Free. (727) 587-6675.

'Midtown: Through Our Eyes' Today

Photo exhibit of St. Petersburg's Midtown community, as seen through the eyes of students. Opening party, 6 p.m. today. Gallery hours: noon-4 p.m. today-Sat. 620 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 895-6620.

Dock of the Bay Sat.-Sun.

Safety Harbor food and music festival with entertainment by David Muse of Firefall, Billy Sandlen & Slickside, Rick Hood and band on Saturday; and Inner Circle, Democracy, De Lei'ed Parrots and the Land Sharks on Sunday. Also crafts, kid's activities. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat. and noon-9 p.m. Sun. at Marina Park, 131 S Bayshore Blvd. $5, ages 12 and younger free. (727) 726-2890.

Moscow State Circus Sun.

High-energy show with acrobats, gymnasts, contortionists and clowns, including the Wallendas. No animal acts. 2 and 6 p.m. University of South Florida Sun Dome, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. $12, $6 children. Tickets at www.moscowcircusstars. com or at door; Sun Dome, (813) 974-3002.

Moonlight Festival Sat.

J.B. Starkey's Flatwoods Adventures event with one-hour horseback rides and tractor-drawn hayrides, barbecue and music around the campfire. 5-11 p.m. Starkey Cattle Ranch, 12959 SR 54, Odessa (Pasco county). Hayride and food, $30, $25 seniors, $10 ages 3-15. Horse rides, hayride and food, $48.75, $38.75 ages 7-15. Free pony rides, 6-8 p.m. Reservations required; toll-free 1-877-734-9453.

Oktoberfest Today-Sat.

Festival presented by German-American Society of Pinellas County. With entertainment, German food and drink. 4-10 p.m. both days. 8098 66th St. N, Pinellas Park. $7, $5 members. (727) 541-6782.

History Comes Alive Sat.

By Dunedin Historical Society at historic Dunedin Cemetery. Volunteers in period clothing portray cemetery "residents" and tell tales of life in the city's early days. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the cemetery on CR1 (Keene Road), between Virginia Avenue and Beltrees Street. $1. (727) 736-1176.

Reptile/Amphibian Expo Sat.

Live displays, demonstrations, hikes, Florida native plant exhibits. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Chinsegut Nature Center, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 23212 Lake Lindsay Road (CR 476), north of Brooksville. (352) 754-6722. Free.

Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum

The museum operates vintage trains for 12-mile excursions. Special Event: Train Robbery with the Hole-in-the-Head Gang, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sat.-Sun., $12, $8 ages 3-11, under age 3 free. 83rd Street E (behind post office), Parrish. Toll-free 1-877-869-0800, www.frrm.org.

HALLOWEEN

Zoo Boo Through Oct. 31

Lowry Park Zoo's family-friendly Halloween event. 7-11 p.m. today-Sat. $14, $12 ages 3-11, free for ages 2 and younger. Note: For safety reasons, no masks allowed for ages 12 and older. 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. (813) 935-8552.

Howl-O-Scream Through Oct. 29

Busch Gardens is transformed after closing time for Halloween. Not recommended for small children. 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. today-Sat. $57.95 plus tax; advance online discounts. 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa. Toll-free 1-888-800-5447.

DANCING

Swing Dance USA Convention and Competition Today-Sun.

Reception with Norma Miller, 6 p.m. today, free. Dancing, Junior and Senior Division "Strictly Swing" competition and show with music by George Gee Orchestra, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. today, $20. National Swing Dance Competition, 6-8 p.m. Sat. and Show and Dance featuring Barbara Morrison and big band, 8 p.m.-midnight Sat., $19 advance, $23 day of show. Workshops, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 892-5202, (813) 579-4645. Tickets, www.SwingDanceUSA.com.

MUSIC

Gigantour Today

Featuring Megadeth with Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, Into Eternity and many more. 430 p.m. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $36.75. (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100 or (813) 301-2500.

Sound Tribe Sector 9 Today

8 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $20. (727) 896-2276.

The Flower Kings Today

Prog rock band from Sweden. 7 p.m. Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo. $42. (727) 587-6793.

St. Petersburg College Band Today

Featuring Barbara Prescott, solo flute. 730 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center, 6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free. (727) 341-4360.

Rising Jupiter Night Today

Featuring Tim Constanten and Gent Treadly. 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $12. (813) 977-6474 or (813) 238-8001.

Get Downtown Today

With Mike MacArthur and Shawn Brown. 530-10 p.m. Central Avenue between Second and Third streets, St. Petersburg. (727) 393-3597.

Michael Smith Sat.

With Doug Spears. 8 p.m. Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater (Octagon Arts Center), 2470 Nursery Road. $15 advance, $18 day of show. (727) 531-7704.

EMIT Concert Sat.

With Matthew Shipp. 630 p.m. (discussion), 8 p.m. (concert), St. Petersburg College Music Center, 6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $8-$10. (727) 341-4363.

Rosie Ledet Sat.

6-10 p.m. Cajun Cafe on the Bayou, 8101 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. $13. (727) 546-6732.

Southeast Music Alliance CD Release Party Sat.

On two stages. 8 p.m.-1245 a.m. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $10 (includes CD). (727) 895-3045.

Dave Matthews Tribute Band Sat.

With Radio Reset. 9 p.m. Bourbon Street Night Club, 4331 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. $12 advance, $15 at the door. (727) 843-0686.

Bane Sun.

With Strike Anywhere, A Global Threat and This is Hell. 630 p.m. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $12. (727) 895-3045.

Amernet String Quartet Sun.

3 p.m. Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs. $18, $16 student/center member. (727) 942-5605.

USF Symphony Orchestra Sun.

4 p.m. USF Theatre 1, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. $6, $3 students/seniors. (813) 974-2323.

Sunstate Opera Society Sun.

Presents Phantom of the Opera and other Broadway tunes. 3 p.m. Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, 110 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. Free. (727) 446-3001.

Desert Rain Sun.

Contemporary Christian rock. 6 p.m. First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, 12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Free. (727) 595-3421.

FRESH MARKETS

Saturday Morning Market Sat.

Downtown St. Petersburg fresh market reopens for season. With music this week by the Urban Gypsies. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays along Central Avenue, between First and Second streets. (727) 455-4921 or www.saturdaymorningmarket.com.

Gulfport Art Village Fresh Market Sat.

Market reopens for season. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Art Village Courtyard, 2908 Beach Blvd. S. With music. (727) 459-1963.

Ybor City Fresh Market Sat.

Special Event: Festival del Sabor, Hispanic food festival. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Centennial Park, Eighth Avenue and 18th Street. (813) 241-2442; or yborfreshmarket.citysearch.com.

ART OPENING

Museum of Fine Arts Sat.

New Exhibition: "From the Fire: Contemporary Korean Ceramics," opens Sat. Gallery Talk: artist Soo Jong Lee introduces From the Fire, 3 p.m. Sat. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 896-2667. $8, $7 seniors, $4 students.

Home & GARDEN

Orchid Show and Sale Today-Sun.

Florida West Coast Orchid Society. Noon-4 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. $2. (727) 518-2436.

Master Gardener Plant Sale Sat.

With native plants, herbs, butterfly-attracting plants, trees and seeds. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Pinellas County Extension Service, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Free admission. (727) 582-2100 or (727) 582-2599.

Fall Plant Sale Sat.

Pinellas County Chapter of Native Plant Society. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, off Tarpon Avenue (CR 582), Tarpon Springs. (727) 595-2073.

Selby's Garden Railroad Sat.-Sun.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Sarasota Model Railroad Club host "tropical train weekend" with family-oriented train activities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 811 S Palm Ave., Sarasota. Included with Selby admission, $12, $6 kids 6-11, under age 6 free. (941) 366-5731.

VEHICLES

Tampa Bay RV Show Today-Sun.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Tropicana Field, 16th Street and First Avenue S, St. Petersburg. Free. Parking $5. (727) 893-8523.

Sun Coast Jaguar Club Show Sat.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa, 25 Belleview Blvd., Belleair (Clearwater area). Free admission; fee for participants. (727) 868-5333.

Plant City Bike Fest Sat.

With live music, biker games, vendors of motorcycle-related accessories. 5-10 p.m., Plant City Train Depot area, 102 N Palmer St. Free admission. (813) 754-3707, www.plantcity.org.

[Last modified October 6, 2006, 09:04:37]