Tampa Bay Team

Hey everyone!  Travis here with all of the Tampa Bay area events happening at the Florida State Fairgrounds for the rest of November.  So, we won't drag it out and here with go some Tampa Bay entertainment. 

Nov. 6-8: Junior League of Tampa Holiday Gift Market - The Junior League of Tampa hosts its 6th annual Holiday Gift Market fundraising event in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall. The three-day shopping event features more than 120 specialty merchants from across the country offering unique merchandise such as boutique jewelry, clothing, handbags, home goods, children's items, gourmet foods, and much more! 

Event hours are Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission tickets at the door are $5 per adult and children ages 12 and younger enter free. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. For more information, visit online www.jltampa.org.

Nov. 13-15: Dixie Fest & Rib Burn-Off - Held outdoors at the Fairgrounds, Dixie Fest welcomes people to celebrate their southern pride during this three-day event. Main events scheduled to take place include monster truck rides, battle of the tribute bands, a Miss Dixie beauty contest, Dixie babes bikini contest, a nightly biker parade, a "Southern Boyz" all male revue, a karaoke contest, and a best tattoo artist contest.

In addition, there will be a variety of foods, vendors, and more.  Event hours are Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from Noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 9 p.m. General admission is $10 each day or $20 for a 3-day admission pass for ages 15 and older, and free admission for children ages 14 and younger. Active military personnel with valid I.D. receive reduced admission for $5 per day. Parking is $3 per motorcycle, $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. To purchase tickets in advance, visit online www.dixiefestnow.com or any Ticketmaster location.  

Nov. 14: Pet Adoption Expo - The ASPCA, Humane Society of Tampa Bay and No More Homeless Pets team up to present this one-day adoption event featuring over 40 animal rescue groups with hundreds of animals looking for a good home. Held in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, there will also be pet demonstrations and vendors with pet specialty items for sale. Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free for this event only. For more information, visit online www.humanesocietytampa or call Lisa Knight at 813-367-2078.

Nov. 14-15: Southeast Hunter Jumper Horse Show - The Southeast Hunter Jumper Association will host a two-day horse competition held in the Gran Prix Ring and Pony Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. The show starts at 8 a.m. each day. Competitions will be held in hunter and jumper divisions for children and adult categories with prizes to be awarded. Entry fees vary based on the entry category.

Participants must pre-register and fees must be paid with entry submission. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Participants and visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.sehj.com.

Nov. 17: Tampa Bay Senior Expo - The Tampa Bay Senior Expo is a special event designed to help seniors find local professionals who offer expertise in financial planning, health, fitness, volunteerism and recreation. Held in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall for one day only, there will be free educational seminars, over 100 exhibits, health screenings and giveaways throughout the day.

Event hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission and parking are free courtesy of The St. Petersburg Times. For more information, visit online www.tampabayexpos.com.

Nov. 22: Cheer & Dance Blast - Cheer Champion Express will host an officially sanctioned USASF all star event open to all youth Rec cheer & dance teams, school cheer & dance teams, all star cheer & dance teams, dance studios and individual competitors. 

Individual and team registration fees vary depending on application entry date. Held in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall, event hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 each for spectators and children ages five and younger enter free. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. For more information, visit online www.ccecheer.com.

Those are just a few of the events taking place at the Fairgrounds for the rest of the month, so head over to www.floridastatefair.com to get a full list of Tampa Bay area events!

Until next time, keep checking back for other things to do in Tampa Bay.
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with two upcoming exciting Tampa Bay area events that you don’t wanna  miss!

The Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, November 25 at 7pm and the New York Rangers on Friday, November 27 at 7:30pm.

Fans will have the opportunity to watch all favorite athletes including Vincent Lecavlier, Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos, and Victor Hedman!

Lightning fans should look for regular announcements detailing the upcoming games and events. As always, you are encouraged to check out www.tampabaylightning.com to get more details about each game day for Official Game Notes, the latest stats, stories, game previews, line-ups and more.

Once again, come to support your team. The Deadline to order tickets is the day before the game days at noon or until the tickets are sold out. Don’t forget: “Together We Will”.  these are definitely the best St. Pete Times Forum tickets you can get. 

As always, keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay!

1. The 205 foot neo-Gothic and art deco Singing Tower carillon is an experience like no other. Name the famed architect who designed it.
2. Name the Music Director for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and what year of his tenure is he entering into?

Hey gang...Travis here with some Tampa Bay enterainment news, as well as some Tampa Bay hotel updates...all in one! 

Pop artist, Jules Burt, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott, and current Buc defensive tackle, Chris Hovan are the celebrities confirmed so far to participate in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s annual Angelus Guitar Auction. 

It all takes place tonight at 7p.m. in Floyd’s nightclub at the Hard Rock in Tampa, where one-of-a-kind guitars decorated and signed by Charlie Daniels, Kenny Chesney, and Brooks & Dunn will be auctioned.

Artwork produced by residents of The Angelus will also be available for purchase. All art exhibition and auction proceeds benefit The Angelus non-profit organization for severely handicapped children and adults, located in Hudson.

Tickets will be for sales at the door for ONLY $10. (This event is for ages 18 and up only.)

Hosted by Chad Brock and Dave McKay of country station WQYK 99.5, the night will feature a silent auction at 7p.m. and a live auction at 9p.m.

PLUS, complimentary hors d oeuvres and wine samplings will be served courtesy of the Seminole Hard Rock.

In case you don't know about the Angelus, here you go:
The residents and students at The Angelus all have cerebral palsy and use wheelchairs for every day functioning. The 20-year-old organization in Hudson, Florida is a place for severely handicapped residents to call home. The Angelus currently has five group homes with 32 residents. With the continued help of the community, the goals and philosophy of the Angelus “a place to live, to love, to learn” will be maintained and the quality of life for the people who cannot help themselves will be assured. Visit www.theangelus.com for more information.

and of course, you can log on to www.seminolehardrocktampa.com to get more info about the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. 

As always, keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay. 
 

Hey gang!  Travis back with more great Tampa Bay area events, taking place in downtown Tampa!!!!  So, let's get to it:

Tonight, start your engines.  The 2010 Model Tampa Bay International Auto Show races to the Tampa Convention Center.  If you are in the market for a new car, this is a must do before you go to the dealership.

 
tomorrow, October 24th, the popular Student Dance Happening will take place inside and out at The University of Tampa Oct. 21-24 at 8 p.m. A crowd favorite at UT, the Dance Happening will begin at the David Falk Theatre. The opening portion of the free program will take place inside the Falk Theatre, and the remainder will take place on the Plant Hall East Verandah. 

UT graduate Susannah LeMarquand ’01 is the Dance Happening coordinator this year. She has worked on cruise ships and is now working at Busch Gardens while teaching as an adjunct instructor at UT.  Presented by the Department of Speech, Theatre, and Dance, the Student Dance Happening features popular music and the work of talented students from all sectors of the University community. Choreography features new work by 21 UT students and alumni. The UT Dance Team and the Black Student Union Dance Team also will perform. Dance styles will include hip hop, modern, tap, lyrical and jazz, with more than 80 students participating.  The UT Dance Happening offers something for everyone. Don’t miss this unique “traveling” dance performance. The event is free!!!

Also, the Lightning take on the Buffalo Sabres.  Game starts at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information about the Tampa Bay Lightning, visit their Web site at www.tampabaylightning.com.

Then, on Sunday, October 25th, Get ready for Halloween with friends: new, old, and dead. Historian/actor Maureen Patrick is the guide for an often shocking, frequently hilarious hour-long tour of Oaklawn Cemetery (founded 1850) where pioneer Tampa's well-to-do and ne’er-do-well lie side by side. The graveyard is the final resting place of pirates, slaves, Indian fighters, 13 City mayors, veterans of seven wars, and victims of five yellow fever epidemics. Elegant statuary, moss-hung oaks, and winding brick pathways give Oaklawn a Gothic feel, while tombstone epitaphs range from the genteel to the ridiculous. Patrick will appear in elaborate nineteenth century mourning attire, in the character of Miss Prudence Fipwhistle (born 1855, died 1899.) A $5 donation is requested at the end of the tour and benefits Tampa Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization.
 
On Monday, October 26th, Make your way to Café Dufrain to celebrate at Corkage Free Monday Nights.  Bring your own bottle of wine and the staff of Café Dufrain will uncork it for you.  Enjoy fine dining while taking in the water views from the outside patio.  Watch the skyline of downtown Tampa turn from day to night. Gaze at passing boats all while relaxing Monday night away.  

Finally, on Tuesday, October 27, we are saying Happy Birthday to Mr. Plant!  Henry Plant would be having his 190th birthday. The HB Plant Museum thinks that's cause to celebrate and they hope you will join them!  What is a birthday without balloons, cupcakes and punch? They await you on the veranda, from noon - 2:00pm. All day Museum admission is complimentary and visitors will be given a 10% discount in the Museum Store.  In 1891, Henry Plant opened the most astonishingly magnificent Hotel of its day and it is still relevant as an iconic symbol of Tampa. Take a break from your busy schedule on October 27th, enjoy a cupcake on the veranda overlooking downtown, and stop in the Museum for a Victorian step-back-in-time moment. Happy Birthday Henry Plant!

Now, how's that for some cool Tampa Bay area events??!!  Make sure you get out and experience as many as you can. 

we'll see you here next time as we continue to bring you great things to do in Tampa Bay! 
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some Tampa Bay sports news...in more way than one.  The USF Bulls soccer team is taking on Dartmouth tonight at the USF Soccer field. 

We'll be out there promoting the 2018/2022 World Cup Bid.  Also, we'll be out there taping a video, so if you want to tell us what you think about our efforts for the World Cup, come on out! 

We'll be there starting at 6:30, and the game starts at 7:30.  The camera crew will be roaming the area, so come and find us!  Plus, if you are looking for some cool Tampa Bay entertainment, USF soccer is quite a show!

And if you can't make it out tonight, just log on to www.gousabid.com/tampabay to sign the petition and show your support! 

We need all the signatures we can get, and it only takes two seconds to sign. 

So, we hope to see everyone out there tonight.  And keep checking back for updates about the World Cup efforts. 

And as always, check back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay and other Tampa Bay area events.  
 
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some cool Tampa Bay sports news!  I'm sure everyone remembers this past February when we held the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay. 

Well, SportsTravel magazine announced the winners of the 2009 SportsTravel Awards at their TEAMS 2009 Conference & Expo (this is a really cool event that was held Oct. 13-17 in New Orleans). 

Super Bowl XLIII has received the award for Best Professional Single-Sport Event! 

The SportsTravel Award winners were nominated and voted upon by readers of SportsTravel magazine.  The ballot included nominees at the amateur, collegiate and professional levels in three categories each, and to be eligible, events had to occur between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. 

Criteria for nomination and voting included: superior organization of and attendance at the event; the event provided a superior experience for competitors and/or spectators; and the event's host city or venue served to enhance the event. 

Here's some info about TEAMS for you, in case you were interested:
Travel, Events And Management in Sports (TEAMS) is the world's largest gathering of event organizers and travel planners from the sports industry.  The TEAMS Conference & Expo is organized by Schneider Publishing, the Los Angeles-based company that publishes SportsTravel and Association News magazines.

And, earlier this year, TEAMS was named one of the 50 fastest-growing trade shows across all categories by Tradeshow Week magazine for the fifth time.  

and there you have it...I hope everyone keeps checking back for more Tampa Bay sports news and info, as well as info about great things to do in Tampa Bay!
 

Hey everyone!  Travis here with some great Tampa Bay area events for November.  We are talking about the Florida Orchestra today!  They have some wonderful events for everyone throughout November, so take a look. 

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) has three upcoming performances in November, each unique in its own way.

October 31 & November 1: The Tampa Bay Steel Orchestra
Principal Percussionist John Shaw returns with The Tampa Bay Steel Orchestra and Tampa Bay vocalist Fred Johnson to share the stage with TFO in a night of sizzling steel drum and Caribbean hits, including Yellow Bird, Marianne, Day-O, Jump In the Line, One Love and more.

The Tampa Bay Steel Orchestra's seven members are amongst the most accomplished steel pan players in the country. The group has appeared with TFO and been featured at First Night in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival.  In 2001, four members performed the national anthem for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, becoming the first steel drum band ever to do so for a Major League Baseball game.

Show times: Sat., Oct. 31 at 8 pm, Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater; and Sun., Nov. 1 at 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Tickets: $20, $30, $43, $53, $67

November 6, 7 & 8: Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
Scottish composer James MacMillan makes his conducting debut with The Florida Orchestra in a program featuring the US East Coast-premiere of his The Sacrifice: Three Interludes on a program with the TFO premiere of Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 4 and featuring the orchestra’s concertmaster Jeffrey Multer in Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. 

Acclaimed as one of today’s greatest living composers, James MacMillan’s musical language is flooded with influences from his Scottish heritage, his Roman Catholic faith, social conscience and close connection with Celtic folk music, blended together with influences from Far Eastern, Scandinavian and Eastern European music.

Show times: Fri., Nov, 6 at 8 pm, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - Carol Morsani Hall; Sat., Nov. 7 at 8 pm, Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater; and Sun., Nov. 8 at 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Tickets: $20, $30, $43, $53, $67

November 27, 28 & 29: Classical Mystery Tour
With members of the acclaimed Broadway sensation Beatlemania, it's a night of Beatles hits…Penny Lane, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, Hey Jude, Strawberry Fields Forever, I Saw Her Standing There and more.  The Los Angeles Times singled out their concert for its “high goose-bump quotient,” adding “the crowd stood and bellowed for more.” 

Performing in concerts with orchestras around the world, the members of the band are all accomplished vocalists and include Jim Owen on rhythm guitar and piano, Tony Kishman on bass guitar and piano, Chris Camilleri on drums and Tom Teeley on lead guitar.

Show times: Fri., Nov. 27 at 8 pm, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - Carol Morsani Hall; Sat., Nov. 28 at 8 pm, Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater; and Sun., Nov. 29 at 2pm, Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
Tickets: $20, $30, $43, $53, $67

If you're looking for more information about these, just head over to www.floridaorchestra.org.

and of course, keep checking back for other great things to do in Tampa Bay!  Plus, we'll have more Tampa Bay area events for you shortly.
 

hey everyone!  Travis here with some Tampa Tourism news!  By now, I'm sure you've all heard that Tampa is bidding to host the FIFA World Cup!  In case you haven't, now you know. 

And if you don't know much about it, let's just say that it's HUGE!  It's like hosting 4 or 5 Super Bowls at once!  So, it's pretty important, and it would be a great thing if it came to Tampa. 

Well, the team has been put in to place.  The Tampa Bay Bid Committee for the World Cup is ready to bring it home.  Leading the Tampa Bay Bid Committee as Chairman will be Chuck Sykes, president and chief executive officer of Sykes Enterprises, Inc. 

Also included in the Tampa Bay Bid Committee are community leaders, elected officials, industry professionals and others, including one of the most powerful women in the world...honestly! 

Now, Tampa Bay is among the final 27 cities under consideration to serve as a potential World Cup host city.  Tampa Bay & Company is requesting the support of community members, partners, Tampa Bay fans, and everyone else to help bring the FIFA World Cup™ back to the United States and to Tampa Bay for the first time. 

Log on to www.GoUSABid.com/TampaBay and join the movement to bring this prestigious event to our destination.  It only takes seconds to sign the petition, and a goal of 50,000 signatures has been set! 

When I say that it only takes seconds, I really mean that it only takes seconds, so help us out and log on! 

And as always, keep checking back.  We'll be bringing you updates about this and other Tampa tourism information, along with great things to do in Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay area events.