Beach Goes Pops: April 24 & 25

We have a lot of outdoor events in Tampa Bay. Some come and go, some fizzle out after a few good years and some never really get started. But Beach Goes Pops, held at Pass-A-Grille Beach (at 9th Avenue and Gulf Way) is enjoying its 19th year with two days of outdoor concerts, art and crafts. And it's totally free to attend.
The location is great for an outdoor event and you're encouraged to bring blankets and chairs so you can relax while enjoying the music (you should do this). It seems like a pretty diverse lineup, too, with Carribbean music, a saxophonist and even an orchestra. The also have artists booths for Art in the Park, where you can find an assortment of interesting pieces and meet the people who made them. Sounds like a nice way to spend an evening.
You know what else I like about Beach Goes Pops? Not only is it an evening event (running from 4 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. both nights) but it’s on Friday and Saturday. I’ve found that many events are Saturday and Sunday. Nothing wrong with that, but Friday night is a great night to go out and relax to some free music-- especially after a long work week. So I’m glad they’re covering the two most popular evenings to go out.
Like I said, this event is free so unless you hate music, art or the beach (and if you hate those things, what in the world do you like?) then you should consider checking it out. For more information, visit www.beachgoespops.com.

Two fun, free events: April 17 & 18

This is a good weekend if you’re looking for free things to do. Since that’s pretty much what I look for, I’m happy to present two different opportunities to have fun without spending a dime.

The first is the Wesley Chapel Celebration of the Arts, held at 28211 Paseo Drive. Now, to be honest, I didn’t even know that Wesley Chapel had an art event until pretty recently. But apparently a lot of people know, because they’re expecting about 2,000 people this weekend. They’ll have a great deal of art on display from about 60 artists in various booths (the juried show includes a $1,000 grand prize). They also have a student’s art display and an area reserved for children’s activities. There’s a lot to experience, including music. They’ll have jazz performances Saturday evening on the stage. You can buy VIP tickets if you want, but the concerts are absolutely free as well.
The Celebration of the Arts runs all weekend, so you have plenty of time to check it out with friends, family or whoever appreciates art. It should be a fun event. You can check out all the activities on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (with music afterward) and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, go to www.shopsatwiregrass.com and search under Events.

The other event is Saturday on Davis Island at Seaplane Basin Park (across from the airport). They also have live entertainment and music, as well as an art show. But they also have free food Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and a British Motor Classic Car Show that will feature nearly 100 different cars. Want to see a Rolls Royce and an Aston Martin? This is the place to go. This is a pretty big British car show, so this is a chance to see plenty of classics up close.
They also have plenty of events for children, including free plane rides. Yes, free plane rides. Last year they took about 150 kids on free trips. That’s pretty cool. They’ll also have static displays featuring fire engines and airplanes, too.
This is the third year of Islands Fest. Last year they had 5,000 people and it should be another good turnout this year. Plus, the whole thing is completely free. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. You can find more information at www.islandsfest.com.

So if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you have no excuses. Have fun.

Green Thumbs Unite! Spring Plant Festival April 11 & 12

We’re now a few weeks into spring, so if you like plants and flowers this is your season. And if you really like plants and flowers, this is your weekend: The USF Botanical Gardens, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. near Fowler and 30th Street, is holding its Spring Plant Festival this Saturday and Sunday.
The USF Botanical Gardens features more than 3,000 types of plants and 60 species of birds. We’re talking orchids, ferns, fruit trees and just about everything else that grows here. They even have weddings there. There’s a lot to see in the various gardens along the trail, especially if you don’t experience a lot of nature in your daily schedule.
At the Spring Plant Festival, more than 70 vendors will be selling plants and plant-related items. Want to know how to care for a cactus or bamboo? The various societies and growers will be happy to answer your most-obscure questions. They’ll even have workshops on Sunday and a free children’s activity area.
Admission is just $5 for adults, and it’s free for children under 12. This is their fund-raiser, so help support a great local collection of plants, insects and birds.
The Spring Plant Festival runs on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, call 974-2329 or visit www.cas.usf.edu/garden/.

See the Bolts For Five Bucks

Okay, this has been a forgettable season for the Tampa Bay Lightning. They fired new coach Barry Melrose just 16 games into the season and the team has been eliminated from the playoffs. Vinny Lecavalier even went ahead and had wrist surgery to end his season early. But professional hockey is still fun to watch, and seeing it live is very different from seeing it on television. It’s a great experience.

And now, with the season winding down, you can see the team play Tuesday night for just $5. All you have to do is bring an old phone book to be recycled (do you even use those anymore?) to the PROSHRED truck at the plaza and you get a terrace-level ticket at a bargain price. It’s a great opportunity to see the team in action even if there won’t be any playoff games this year. The games are still fun so why not support the Lightning in one of their last home games? Besides that, the Pittsburgh Penguins are in town and you’ll get to see one of the league’s best players in Sidney Crosby. And did I mention that tickets are $5?

If all that’s not enough, it’s also Fan Appreciation Week. They have posters, special autograph opportunities and bands playing on the plaza. The game starts at 7:30 but the fan events begin at 4. If you’re going to see the team play, it’s the last week and a great price. Give it a try.

For more information, visit lightning.nhl.com.