Film
Petty theft
Bandits swipes bits and pieces from better movies, but it never finds its own tone.

'Iron Monkey' shines
New to Americans, this 1993 film cashes in on the more recent success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but its relentless action and irrepressible fun keep it from being overshadowed.

Family Movie Guide
The Family Movie Guide should be used along with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for selecting movies suitable for children. Only films rated G, PG or PG-13 are included in this weekly listing, along with occasional R-rated films that may have entertainment or educational value for older children with parental guidance. Compiled by St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall.

Times top 5
1 Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival -- The final weekend of the cinema showcase includes free films, concerts and a street festival on Sunday. Tampa Theatre only.

Indie flix
Festival gears up for finale

Video
Falling for 'Bridget' all over again
New releases

On the rental shelf
Oct. 16: Star Wars: Episode I -- the Phantom Menace, Angel Eyes, Cats & Dogs

From 'Primary Colors' to 'Another Woman'
Movies tell tales of presidents and first ladies, and other assorted relationships.

Stage
Drawing the observer into the dance
Always relying on audience response, the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange seeks to elicit and express the joyful and the sweetly human.

Groucho live? You bet your life
Frank Ferrante brings experience and a personal touch to An Evening with Groucho. He has played Marx in other productions and believes his hero was "about danger on stage -- he might do anything."

Stage: auditions
The Francis Wilson Playhouse will hold auditions for the musical Rose Marie at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday at 302 Seminole St., Clearwater. A large cast of men and women is required. Please bring necessary sheet music to audition. Call (727) 446-1360.

Stage: hot ticket
A double helping of Rodgers and Hammerstein

Stage: down the road
Ling -- Music director Jahja Ling conducts Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 in the Florida Orchestra program Oct. 19-21. $20-$38.

Shop
Happy hauntings
Fall is in the air, and great new decorations are in the stores.

Shop briefs
GARDEN WREATHS: Learn how to make wreaths from fresh vegetables on Saturday at the Ybor City Fresh Market, Centennial Park, Ninth Avenue and 19th Street, Tampa. Julie Feeley will conduct a free demonstration from 10 a.m. until noon; market hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: (813) 241-2442.

Pop
On Partridges, sex food and Danny Bonaduce
It's been more than 25 years since The Partridge Family first aired, but David Cassidy is still singing, touring and getting asked: What is your favorite food?

Pop: ticket window
Martin Sexton -- Oct. 18, Orpheum, Tampa. $12.

A folkie true to form
Ani DiFranco grew up on the folk circuit. Some may call her brand of music "unsexy and unsellable and uncool," she says. "That's kind of why I embrace it."

Pop hot ticket
A joyous tropical sound

Get Away
A ride that's just ducky
Duck Tours, that is. World War II's amphibious vehicle is sporting a coat of yellow paint, and it's traveling land and sea with enthusiastic unfeathered friends aboard.

Getaway: hot ticket
Fright Fest makes its fifth appearance on the Renaissance Festival grounds at Largo Central Park, beginning Friday. This year's theme: the Asylum Gardens.

Getaway: Down the road
Events to watch for; details in future editions of Weekend.

Team pop trivia
This week's winner: Merri Voshardt of Temple Terrace knew that blues legend Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton scored success with the song Ball & Chain long before Janis Joplin debuted her blues rock version at the 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival.

Dine
Familiar and familial
A St. Pete Beach restaurant offers pureness in Greek flavors and in hospitality.

Side dish
I'll have another . . .

Art
Art that carves its own niche
An exhibit by Florida woodworkers is evidence that this organic medium can adapt to playful and meditative moods and aesthetic and practical uses.

Art: best bets
Art critic Mary Ann Marger's recommendations for this weekend. Please refer to the Art Calendar for details.