Whether youäó»re celebrating victory or nursing your political wounds, at least weäó»ve all got a little bit of a breather äóñ so why not get out and soak up some culture? Oh, and how about we all just try to be nice to each other, okay?
Times Festival of Reading–Saturday, November 12,æ10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Bay Areaäó»s biggest book festival brings together authors and publishers with food and beer for an afternoon of literary indulgence. There will be dozens of authors in attendance, from New York Times bestselling crime author Michael Connelly to Pulitzer-prize winning literary novelists Robert Olen Butler äóñ as well as a number of local authors.
USF St. Pete, 140 7th Avenue South
FREE
More Info Here
Blue Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Summit–Thursday November 10äóñSunday November 13
This documentary-focused film festival includes not only screenings of eco-conscious films about wildlife and the sea trades, but a series of industry events for aspiring or practicing film producers. On the film side, there are deep dives into the lives of sharks, oyster farming, and pollution. On the industry side, there are panels about funding, photography technique, and the future of the ocean exploration. Think of it as kind of a hyper-focused SXSW for films about the ocean.
Weekend Passes and Individual Film Tickets Available Here
Various Locations throughout St. Petersburg
Full Schedule Here
Disclaimer: On Sunday night, the festival features a documentary about stingrays. If youäó»ve ever had a run-in with one of those little punks, you may wish to adjust your schedule accordingly.
Dance and Circus Arts Steampunk Gala–Saturday, November 12, 7 p.m.
Naturally, in the neighborhood of Disney, there are places for aspiring performers to train for the stage, the big top and the fairground, and hereäó»s your chance to get a peek at what theyäó»re up to. For their 17th anniversary, this Clearwater circus school will be showcasing contortionists, stiltwalkers, aerialists, and dancers done up in Steampunk style äóñ that is, the alternate 19th century of advanced technology based on springs and boilers.
Dance and Circus Arts of Tampa Bay
1490 N Belcher Road, Suite H, Clearwater
$30, Tickets Here
Jimkata at Dunedin Brewery–Sunday, November 13
Jimkata could be described as a spacier, more intimate Coldplay, their clean-cut sound and accessible melodies interspersed with electronic burbles and washes. But they deserve special notice because theyäó»re named after Gymkata, a so-bad-itäó»s-bad äóÖ80s cult movie about a heroic martial artist whose style is based on . . . gymnastics.
937 Douglas Ave, Dunedin
FREE
Amy Krout-Horn and Gabriel Horn–Monday, November 14, 5:30 p.m. äóñ 7 p.m.
This duo of Florida-based Native American writers have between them released dozens widely and loudly praised volumes exploring the contemporary Native American experience, from the challenge of living between cultures to the enduring struggle to preserve a threatened natural world. This event will include a reading followed by a reception and book signing.
Mirror Lake Library
280 5th Street North, St. Petersburg
FREE
Honorable Mentions
An Evening with Dan Rather, Friday, November 11, Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront – SOLD OUT, unfortunately.
Wordier Than Thou Storytelling and Prose Open Mic äóñ Tuesday November 15, 7 p.m., The Studio@620, St. Petersburg
