Top Tampa Bay area events for the week of Oct. 2-8
Ken Jeong: The actor, producer, writer and comedian who has appeared in “The Hangover” movie series, the “Community” TV series and more performs. $75 and up. 8 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 8). Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.
Florida Orchestra: Morning Matinee: “Take Flight” features music inspired by birds. Includes Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” Respighi’s “The Birds” and more. Sarah Ioannides conducts. $25-$47. 11 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 4). Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-791-7400. Also taking place at 11 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 5). Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-300-2000.
Shimmering Lights Fall Edition: Set out on a ⅓-mile walking trail through a pirate-themed light display with moving props, music, activities, outdoor movies, a light maze, scavenger hunt, face painting and foam (on select nights). $8-$9, 2 and younger free. 7-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday (Oct. 5-8). Sun Kissed Acres, 2302 N Dover Road, Dover. 813-510-7553.
Stop Making Sense: Newly restored to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 concert film (PG, 88 minutes) stars Talking Heads core band members David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison along with Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steve Scales, Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt. The live performance was shot over three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in 1983. $12, $10 seniors/students. 4 and 7 p.m. Friday (Oct. 6), 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7), 5 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 8). Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 508-816-8968.
Creatures of the Night: Enjoy an after-hours, outdoor, family-friendly Halloween party set among the animals. This year’s theme is a vampire ball thrown by Count Chirop and Countess Tera. $34.95, members and Pay for a Day ticket holders free. 4 p.m. Friday (Oct. 6). ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W Sligh Ave. 813-935-8552.
Oktoberfest: This annual party was voted “Best by the Bay” for German authenticity. It features live music, German and domestic beers, traditional German food, keg tapping, a parade of flags and kinder corner for kids. $10, 12 and younger free. 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Oct. 6-7). German American Society of Pinellas County, 8098 66th St. N, Pinellas Park. 727-541-6782.
Pirate Water Taxi: Haunted Boat Tours: A ghostly crew leads 45- to 50-minute boat tours featuring stories of terror and Tampa’s eerie past. This year, kids can disembark at Captain Patchy’s Pumpkin Barge, where they’ll get a small pumpkin and meet Patchy, Tampa’s grumpiest tugboat captain. Starting at $35, $20 children. 6:15-9:15 p.m. Friday-Sunday (Oct. 6-8). Pirate Water Taxi, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. 813-390-3711.
Brew Fest: Explore the marine life habitats as you listen to live music by Second Rodeo and sip beer samples by 3 Daughters Brewery, Coppertail Brewing Co., Marker 48, Olde Florida Brewing Company, Crooked Thumb Brewery, Sierra Nevada, Cigar City Brewing, Escape Brewing Company, Tampa Bay Brewing Co. and Florida Avenue Brewing Co. $85-$115. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 6). Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage. 727-242-0770.
Outlaw Music Fest: Willie Nelson: In celebration of his 90th birthday, the legendary singer’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour brings along the Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule Elizabeth Cook, Particle Kid and more. $29.50-$199.50. 4:35 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7). MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4801 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. 813-740-2446.
Take Aim Against Pediatric Cancer: Families with children 5 and older can dress in wacky team costumes for this Nerf tournament with a barbecue lunch. Ages 4 and younger can still participate in field games, crafts and lunch. Benefits the Lawrence A. Martucci Benefit to prevent childhood cancers. $45, $20 ages 4 and younger. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7). Rotary’s Camp Florida, 1915 Camp Florida Road, Brandon. 813-653-7200.
Family Motor Fest: Get four free tickets to a Tampa Tarpons game just for walking in to this car show with more than 400 show cars, food trucks, a kids zone, bounce houses and face painting. Benefits local student scholarships. Free 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7). George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa.
Chicago: For Hooters’ 40th anniversary, the Grammy-winning band headlines this benefit for Moffitt Cancer Center and Morton Plant Mease Hospital. $9-$40. 7 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7). The Sound at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
Disney Junior Live: Costume Palooza: This show brings Disney Junior characters and Marvel superheroes to the stage for a concert-style show with singing, dancing and acrobatics. It features songs from the Disney Junior series, as well as new original music. In the show, Mickey, Minnie and their pals are getting ready to throw a costume party, but mysterious green rain, wind and smoke keep interrupting the fun. Can Spidey and his superhero friends save the party? $33-$83. 6-8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 6). Mahaffey Theater , 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5761.
Hocus Focus: Halloween Experience: Embark on a fun and spooky adventure with games and goodies. More creative than creepy, this limited-time Eerie Eyeball scavenger hunt is fun for everyone. $37, $32 ages 4-12, 3 and younger free. Noon-7:30 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 5), noon-10:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 6), 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7), 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 8). Fairgrounds St. Pete, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg.
EMIT Latin Jazz Fest: Dimas Sánchez and The Afro Latin Jazz Project will close out the Latin Jazz Fest. $15. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7). ArtsXchange, 515 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-826-7211.
Switchfoot: The band that has sold over 10 million copies worldwide performs. $45-$50. 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7). Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-565-0550.
Clint Black: The country singer who reached No. 1 with five consecutive singles from his triple-platinum debut “Killin’ Time” performs. $33-$103. 8 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 4). Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-300-2000.
St. Petersburg Ghost Tour: Join costumed tour guides for a candlelight walking tour to hear true ghost stories of wandering spirits, haunted mansions, phantom lovers, and age old curses. $22, $15 ages 4-12, 3 and younger free. Go online to ghosttour.com to purchase tickets. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Meet at Sweet Divas Chocolates, 181 Fourth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-894-4678.
