Things To Do
Best Bets: Fun stuff to do this week
TBO.com
Staff
Published: December 20, 2012
Can't decide what to do this week? Don't worry, we've got it figured out for you. Here are our editors' picks, including the 5K Zombie Run and the Channelside Lighted Boat Parade.Staff
Published: December 20, 2012
AT THE MOVIES
(Opening Friday)
"This is 40" is a sort-of sequel to "Knocked Up," with writer-director Judd Apatow bringing an expanded look at the raunchy, mundane married life of Pete and Debbie (Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann).
PARTY LIKE IT'S THE APOCALYPSE
(Friday)
There are plenty of ways to celebrate your last night on Earth in the Bay area (if you buy into the Mayan calendar hoopla). The End of the World Party at Peabody's in Tampa, is offering $250 for the best end-of-the-world costume. The End of The World As We Know It Party at Cepas Wine & Tapas Bar in Carrollwood has $4 draft beer, and the End of the World Dance Party at The Sage in Clearwater will be giving out free shots of "Zombie MoMo" and pizza for a $5 cover.
THE RUNNING DEAD
(Saturday)
Zombies have already taken over movies and TV, now they're taking over your exercise regimen. Participants at the 5K Zombie Run at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City will get motivation from a zombie hoard that will chase them through the muddy, off-road course. Registration is $90 at the5kzombierun.com, with discounts for those who want to participate as zombies.
NASHVILLE NOEL
(Friday)
Wynonna Judd, the country star known for doing things her own way, brings Wynonna Judd's Rockin' Christmas to the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg, where she'll mix hits such as "I Saw the Light" with Christmas classics. Tickets range $39 to $69.
JOY TO THE WORLD
(Friday through Sunday)
Musical chestnuts from "Jingle Bells" to "O Come, All Ye Faithful" will be heard as the Master Chorale and the Florida Orchestra join musical forces for "Holiday Pops," a concert of joyous holiday music.
PLANT CITY TRADITION
(Friday through Sunday)
Christmas Lane celebrates its 30th year of bringing holiday cheer to east Hillsborough with more than a dozen holiday-themed displays, including train rides, a 35-foot tree, music and more. Admission is free.
EVERYBODY IN THE POOL
(Friday through Sunday)
For many it just isn't Christmas until George Bailey goes on a journey of self-discovery and Clarence the angel earns his wings in the holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life," screening at Tampa Theatre.
LIGHTS ON THE WATER
(Saturday)
The Channelside Lighted Boat Parade will feature boats decked out for the holidays traveling along the water by Davis Islands, Harbour Island and the Channelside district. The parade can be viewed from the open wharf at Channelside Bay Plaza, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
CRACK THOSE NUTS
(Saturday, Sunday and Thursday 27)
It will be hard not to have visions of Sugar Plum Fairies dancing in your head with multiple productions of the "The Nutcracker" leaping and pirouetting on Tampa-area stages this weekend. The ballet comes to the Straz Center on Saturday and Sunday ($20 to $65.50) and The Lakeland Center on Thursday ($41.50 to $108.50).
CELEBRATE KWANZAA
(Wednesday)
Rhythmic dancing and energetic drumming at the Polk Museum of Art will help kick off Kwanzaa, the seven-day African-American celebration of family and culture.
ON THE CHEAP
Armed Forces Museum: Admission to the military museum will be discounted during the school winter break for everyone, Saturday through Jan. 6; $12 adults, seniors and veterans and $8 for ages 4 to 12; Armed Forces Military Museum, 2050 30th Way N., Largo; (727) 539-8371 and www.armed
forcesmuseum.com
Holidays with The Horses: Take a horse or pony ride around the holiday-light strewn equestrian rescue facility and decorated barn; by appointment through Jan. 3; donation requested; Equestrian Inc., 4902 Timberlan St., Tampa; (813) 407-6805 and www.equestrian
inc.org
Snow Fest Sarasota: Daily free "Santa's Extravaganza" stage shows plus lots of other snow-themed entertainment, including giant snow slides; 5 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; free admission, small charges for individual activities; Sarasota County Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; (941) 365-0818 and www.snow
festsarasota.com
The original super-nanny floats into the Straz Center with her umbrella for the Broadway musical version of "Mary Poppins." Tickets range from $30 to $81.50.