Museum Day 09-26-- Free Admission

We have a lot of museums in the area, but they’re not all cheap to visit. Admission costs vary, but even the less expensive admissions add up if you’re taking the family. Even if you want to go, sometimes the budget doesn’t allow taking everyone to an exhibit.

But you can’t use that excuse today.

You see, today is Museum Day. You don’t have to buy card for anyone, though. You can, however, enjoy free admission to a number of local venues. You’ll save a lot of money and learn something interesting by taking the day and going to your favorite local museums—or visiting ones you never had a chance to see before.

Here are a few (not all) of the local museum participating in the program:

* Great Explorations Children’s Museum—1925 4^th St. N. Regularly $9.

* The Pier Aquarium—800 2nd Ave. NE, Ste. 2001. Regularly $5 or $2.50 on Sundays.

* Florida International Museum—244 2^nd Ave. N. Regularly $8.

* Salvador Dali Museum—1000 3^rd St. S. Regularly $15.

* Ybor City Museum State Park, 1818 E. 9^th Ave. Regularly $4.

* Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St. Regularly $12.

If a family of four went to the Tampa Bay History center and the Salvador Dali Museum today, they’d save a total of $108 on admission costs. At that rate, why not bring friends as well? Bring anyone you can think of and make a day of it. It won’t cost you anything to visit these local museums, and it’s a fun way to spend the day.

But remember, it’s Museum Day, as in just one day. Tomorrow prices go back to normal so get going. For more information, visit www.smithsonainmag.com and look for the Museum Day button.

See ZooBoo At A Discount Saturday 09-26

ZooBoo is an annual tradition at Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Avenue. It’s also one of their biggest fund-raisers, and a great way for a family to get into the Halloween Spirit. The entire zoo is transformed into a Halloween destination, with spooky themes and creepy attractions. But unlike the adult-oriented frights of major theme parks, Zoo Boo has plenty of areas for children of all ages, such as Frankenstein’s Foam Party and the Lil Tyke Boo House. But if you want a more grownup scare, there are a number of attractions for you as well. There are some new events (such as Fright Theater 3-D and Sinister Shadows) as well as old favorites, including some free zoo rides. It’s a fun time.

Zoo Boo is nothing like seeing Lowry Park Zoo the rest of the year, and this weekend it’s cheaper than it will ever be. Normally, the event (which runs through October) costs $17 for adults and $14 for children. But if you go tonight, tickets are just $10 each, and children 2 and under get in free. That’s a good deal and a fun way to preview this annual event. So enjoy the “Shriek Peek” weekend (their phrase, not mine) and see ZooBoo at a major discount.

For more information, call 813-935-8552 or visit www.lowryparkzoo.com.

Lightning training camp event today-- 9-15

While the Rays are wrapping up their season and the Buccaneers kicked off their year this past Sunday, another pro team is gearing up for another year. The Tampa Bay Lightning has opened its training camp, and that means freebies for fans.

Today, the St. Pete Times Forum will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. so you can watch camp in person—for free. You’ll see practices and controlled scrimmages, and they’ll even serve a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. It’s a fun way to get ready for a new season, support the team and have some fun without emptying your wallet.

Following local sports teams isn’t cheap, but this is an opportunity to see how the Bolts are shaping up and score a free lunch. That’s a pretty good way to spend the day.

The St. Pete Times Forum is located at 401 Channelside Drive.

Tribute bands for $10-- June 20

If you want to see AC/DC in concert, be prepared to shell out about $100. For Motley Crue, you’re looking at another $50-$100. And if you want to see Ozzy Osbourne…good luck. He hasn’t toured since 2007 and “Ozzfest” was cancelled this year. So you could probably see two of those bands for around $150 per person, not counting service charges—assuming they were playing in the same city around the same time.

Or you could see a reasonable facsimile of all three for about $10. Which options sounds better to you?

The “Monsters of Mock” concert on Saturday night at Jannus Landing, 16 2^nd St. N., features tribute acts Highway to Hell (AC/DC), Carnival of Crue (Motley Crue) and Bark at the Moon (Ozzy Osbourne), as well as openers Hangman Jury. They look and sound like the bands you love without the prices you hate. Jannus is a great place to see live acts and the songs are classics. So even if it’s not the real thing, you’re saving real money—a ton of money-- and enjoying a fun show. What’s not to like?

Advance tickets are $10 (they’re $12 Saturday) and the doors open at 7. For more information, visit www.jannuslandingconcerts.com.

Summer Classic Movie Series at Tampa Theatre

I'm going to let you in on a secret: I've never seen "To Kill A Mockingbird."
I know; it's a classic with a compelling message and memorable characters. I know it's supposed to be great. I just never got around to seeing it. I could just go rent it and watch it, of course. But I have a much better idea: I'm going to see it today at Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., as part of their Summer Classic Movie Series. That way I'll see it on the big screen with other people who already love the movie. The theater itself is a pretty special place (I've mentioned the tours they offer regularly) so why not see a classic movie in a classic setting?
In addition to seeing a famous film each weekend (the series runs on Sundays until August 23) you also get a few other nice bonuses. Each movie starts at 3 p.m., but if you get there an hour early you can participate in a mini-tour of the theater. About 20 minutes before the movie starts you'll also enjoy a demonstration of the restored Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. And for select movies (including To Kill A Mockingbird) you can stay afterward and participate in "Cinema Chat," where a film expert provides insight into the film, offers background information and leads an interactive discussion. If you really love these movies, it's a nice extra and all included with your paid admission.
That admission, by the way, is $8. That's probably less than seeing a non-classic movie in a multiplex that you might end up hating. Throw in the tour, the Mighty Wurlitzer and the discussions and you have a great deal. Other movies in the series include Casablanca, Citizen Kane (both of which I saw for the first time at a previous Summer Classic Series), and Blazing Saddles (which I've seen about a hundred times, thank you very much). "To Kill A Mockingbird" plays today. For a complete movie listing and Cinema Chat schedule visit www.tampatheatre.org.

Buccaneers Fan Fest on Saturday

Okay, it’s been awhile since the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl victory in early 2003. But if you’ve spent a long time in Tampa, you remember all the years before that—orange uniforms, jokes and double-digit years of double-digit losses. Right now the team is competitive and missing the playoffs last year was a disappointment. I remember when a winning record—playoffs or not—was grounds for a parade. Expectations are higher because the team is better.

So if you’re ready for some football, the team’s annual Fan Fest event is this Saturday. It’s a chance for fans to meet players and coaches, get autographs, check out the stadium and see the cheerleaders perform. There will be on-field games and activities and you can even see the Lombardi Trophy from the aforementioned championship run. Best of all, the event is free.

Professional football is a lot of fun, but it isn’t cheap. This might be your only chance to get to the stadium and see the players without unnecessary roughness to your wallet.

Gates open at 9:30 a.m., and if you want autographs from the most popular players, you should get there early. In case you didn’t know, Raymond James Stadium is located at 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway. The event runs until 2 p.m.

MOSI discounts on Saturday

The Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., is a fun way to spend a few hours. They have a number of interactive exhibits and the IMAX theater is an impressive place to watch a movie. The problem is that it’s not cheap to go: A trip to the museum and a standard IMAX movie will run you about $20.
Unless you go today, of course.
Admission and an IMAX movie will only cost a total of $8 as part of the 2009 Hurricane Expo. Since the hurricane season is fast approaching it’s a good time to get up-to-date information about evacuation zones and emergency planning. Dozens of vendors will be at the museum to provide information, hold giveaways and conduct seminars. You can also eat there for between $3 and $5. Plus, like I said, you get a big discount to the museum and see a movie, too. That’s a good deal.
The museum is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.