Things to Do in Tampa Bay: 11/04 - 11/06

Cheers to the freakin' weekend...

Fall is in the air, with plenty of reasons to be outside to enjoy it. Here is just a few events to really take advantage of the beautiful weather.

MacDill Airforce Base Airfest 2011
Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6. 9:00 a.m.

If you love intense aerial maneuvers, along with getting in the cockpit of dozens of new and classic aircrafts (safely on the ground), this event is for you! The U.S. Air Force hosts the free event, but expect other branches of the armed services to get in on the flight action.

More than 50,000 are expected to attend the event.  If you're planning on busing it, use routes 19 and 36 to Britton Plaza. HART will detour route 36 from Britton Plaza to the base with continuous bus service.

Conga Caliente

Saturday, Nov. 5 - 11:00 a.m.

Florida's 2nd largest Hispanic family festival is this Saturday! The annual celebration of Hispanic culture and arts features performances by national acts, ethnic food, a health village, cigars, domino games, kids activities, an art village, educational displays and a beer garden for those 21+.  The event is free.

Al Lopez Park
4810 N Himes Ave., Tampa FL 33614

HART serves Al Lopez park via Routes 7, 32, 36, and 45.

The 5th Annual SWFBUD Bicycle Bash
Saturday, Nov. 5 - 11:00 a.m.

If you're a regular reader of the blog, or our social media outlets, you're probably already familiar with the Bicycle Bash. The Bicycle Bash gives the Tampa Bay's bicycle community a chance to come together and promote bicycling as a healthy lifestyle, effective transportation and asset to the region.

The 5th Annual Bicycle Bash will feature:

•  Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn leading a bike ride called the Buckhorn Bash Ride around the Flatwoods 7-mile loop at 11:15 AM.
•  The SWFBUDDY Awards given to local Tampa Bay residents and officials who have worked to make the area a more bicycle-friendly community.
•  A Swap Meet where people can buy used bike gear; food provided by the famed Taco Bus Food Truck; and music.
•  Guest announcers Skip Mahaffey and Brendan McLaughlin of Channel 28 Action News
•  Free bike gear giveaway drawings; an artist doing creating live bicycle painting;
•  SWFBUD lawyers will be on hand to offer free legal advice regarding bicycle issues.
•  Tampa BayCycle will provide a free BikeSmart bike education class and Tampa Bay's bicycle clubs will be on hand to talk about bike rides throughout the region. 
• HART and the Hillsborough MPO will also discuss transportation plans and initiatives.

HART will have a booth at the event, giving out HART bike flashers as well as putting on a demonstration of new ways HART plans to boost bicycle travel via transit!

Flatwoods Wilderness Park
14302 Morris Bridge Road , Thonotosassa FL 33592

We also have events for those that want to escape the ... "brisk" low temperatures, in favor of a more moderated environment.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Friday, Nov. 4 - 7:30 p.m.

Even though they're playing on ice... don't expect the blustery conditions normally associated with an ice rink.  Instead expect REAL lightning bolts, plus seats, a brand new party deck and the world's most powerful synthetic pipe organ!  The Bolts are riding a win streak heading into the game against a team just a couple years removed from hoisting the Stanley Cup.

St. Pete Times Forum
401 Channelside Drive, Tampa FL 33602

The TECO Line Streetcar drops off at the St. Pete Times Forum - HSBC Station.  Don't worry about getting stranded, the streetcar has your back until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

2nd Annual Ybor Jazz Festival 
Nov. 1 - Nov. 6

Looking for an extended weekend? Hosted by Hillsborough Community College (HCC), this five-day inaugural event features local, national and genre favorites in daytime and evening concerts.

Attend every day or pick and choose days. Featuring the Helios Jazz Orchestra, with Anthony Castellano Jr., Liz Hollister, Denise Moore, Sasha Tuck and Belinda Womack.

The event is $15 for a day pass and $5 for students and seniors.  It's free if your HCC faculty or a student with ID.

    November 4 - 6 p.m. Bryan Shuler and Dagari
    November 5 - 6 p.m. Thick as Thieves
    November 5 - 8 p.m. New Groove City
    November 6 - 3 p.m. New Orleans Jazz, Funk, Gospel

Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus Performing Arts Building
1505 E Palm Ave., Tampa FL 33675

The HCC Ybor Campus is only a block or two away from the Cadrecha Station of the TECO Line Streetcar System and is also accessible via HART routes 5, 12, and 18.

Kevin Nealon
Friday, Nov. 4 - Nov. 5

He wants to "Pump... you up! Known for his dry wit, this comedian is mostly remembered for his time on Saturday Night Live. He has appeared in a number of Adam Sandler's films and has recently found success on cable TV.

Here is an example of one of his more iconic characters on SNL.

Shows at the Improv are 21 and up, except the Friday 10:30 p.m. show, which is 18 and up.

Tampa Improv
1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa FL 33605

The Tampa Improv is located near the Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union Station of the TECO Line Streetcar System.