St Petersburg is in the running for Yachting magazine’s Best Yachting Town! This is the first year for this contest and it has been narrowed down to 50 international semi-finalist cities. The magazine hopes to make this an annual competition.

There are 6 towns in Florida included on the list: St Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, Islamorada, Key West, Punta Gorda and Stuart. It is interesting to me that the areas that I have lived over the years are all on the list. Maryland, where I grew up has 2 towns, Annapolis & Oxford. I lived in the Virgin Islands for a while & New Sound, Virgin Gorda made the list. Then I lived in California for 20 years & of course, several towns in California are the list: Monterey, San Francisco, Tiburon, San Diego, Newport Beach. Now I live in St Petersburg. I absolutely MUST live near the water!

It’s quite an international list. The cities outside of the USA include Bocas Del Toro, Panama; Puerto William, Isla Navarino, Chile; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Horta, Faial, Azores; Poole, UK; and Sidney, British Columbia, Canada .

AmericanStyle magazine put St. Petersburg at the top of its list of 25 Arts Destinations for midsize cities this year. (It is the second year in a row.) Maybe we’ll get Yachting magazine’s top Yachting Town designation too. St Pete does have a great waterfront with marinas, yacht clubs, restaurants, theatres & museums. Boaters have been coming here for many years. The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, founded in 1909, has a very competitive racing schedule for smaller sailboats starting in January and ending in early May. Each year, the club also hosts more than 50 regattas.

So many things to do, so little time…

Sunset Cinema at Pier 60

Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m.

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  • Pier 60 10 Pier 60 Drive, Clearwater Beach FL 33767

• Bring blankets and low lawn chairs to Clearwater Beach towatch free movies. Concessions for sale. No alcohol. Shows start around dusk. Disney film Lilo and Stitch. Price: Free. http://www.sunsetsatpier60.com/

Tampa Bay Rays: vs. Cleveland Indians

Friday, May 27 at 7:10 p.m.

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• Tropicana Field 1 Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg FL 33705 Today’s giveaway is a free James Shields T-shirt to the first 10,000 fans. http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/, May 28 4:10 p.m. vs. Cleveland Indians, May 29 1:40 p.m. vs. Cleveland Indians, May 30 6:40 p.m.vs. Texas Rangers
  • May 31 6:40 p.m. vs. Texas Rangers

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Friday, May 27 at 8 p.m.

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  • freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg FL 33710

• Shakespeare’s beloved comedy about four young lovers as they venture into the woods will be performed in the round. $32-$47. May 28 8 p.m., May 29 p.m. http://www.freefalltheatre.com/

Mazzaro’s Sampling

Friday, May 27 at 11 a.m.

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  • Mazzaro’s Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg FL 33713

• Weekly tasting of wines from Italy and around the world., South American wines including malbec, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. Free. May 28 11 a.m

Studio And Gallery Grand Opening

Friday, May 27 at 5:30 p.m.

3Monkeys Studio & Gallery, 28 N Fort Harrison Ave. , Clearwater FL 33755<!-- descriptions -->

• The owners of 3Monkeys, a new visual and performing arts gallery and studios, will host a grand opening event with all its artists in attendance, as well as live entertainment in the main gallery during Blast Friday. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages available 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. http://www.3monkeystudiosgallery.com/

to see more, please click: http://annalisaweller.wordpress.com/

$5 Mother's Day

Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m.

Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa FL

Bring Mom the MOSI to celebrate Mother's Day and she gets in for $5 with your full priced admission. (813) 987-6000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (813) 987-6000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Downtown Saturday Morning Market

Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m.

Progress Energy Park/Al Lang Field 180 Second Ave. SE, St. Petersburg FL

More than 100 local vendors including farmers, growers with fresh produce and gourmet foods. Also, crafts, prepared foods, live entertainment, flowers and plants. Live music by the Ben Bryan Band. http://www.saturdaymorningmarket.com/

Book Nook by the Bay

Saturday, May 7 at 10:30 a.m.

Pier Aquarium 800 Second Ave. NE, Suite 2001, St. Petersburg FL 33701

The Pier Aquarium's family event with varying authors. Included with daily admission.

Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival: With Taj Mahal

Saturday, May 7 at 12:30 p.m.

Coachman Park 301 Drew St., Clearwater FL 33756

Fifth annual festival in Clearwater with seafood and blues music. It's two days of blues concerts and Gulf Coast cuisine, featuring jumbo shrimp, crab cakes, oysters, crawfish, gumbo and more. Free admission vouchers are available at these locations: Knology at 3001 Gandy Blvd., Pinellas Park, 33782; Knology Oldsmar Payment Center at 3130 Tampa Rd., Oldsmar, 34677. $20 one-day reserved seating and $30 two-day reserved seating tickets are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. On the day of the event, tickets will be $25 for one-day reserved seating and $40 for two-day reserved seating. Knology customers can bring their Knology cable bill to Coachman Park on either concert day and receive up to four free general admission tickets. Shemekia Copeland, Trampled Underfoot, Harper and Midwest Kind, and the Steve Arvey Horn Band also perform. $5 general admission. http://www.clearwaterseablues.com/index.htm

Shrek The Musical

Saturday, May 7 at 2 p.m.

Carol Morsani Hall at David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa FL 33602

Based on the Oscar-winning film with 19 new songs. Tickets start at $38.50. May 7th & 8th (813) 229-7827 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (813) 229-7827 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

American Stage in the Park: Rent

Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m.

Demens Landing 100 First Ave. SE, St. Petersburg FL 33707

Rent transplants Puccini's La Boheme to the lower east side of Manhattan in the early 1990s when the neighborhood was home to struggling artists, squatters, drug dealers and real estate speculators. $11 advance (at the American Stage box office), $13 at the gate Wednesday-Thursday and Sunday, $14 advance, $16 at the gate Friday-Saturday. Reserved chair seating $27, premium blanket seating $21. http://www.americanstage.org/rent.php

to see more please click on http://annalisaweller.wordpress.com

Mainsail Arts Festival

Saturday, April 16 at 9 a.m.

Vinoy Park 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg FL 33707

This annual event features juried fine art and craft exhibits along the St. Petersburg waterfront. Also, live entertainment, children's activity tent and food vendors. Free (727) 893-7039 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (727) 893-7039 end_of_the_skype_highlighting http://www.mainsailartsfestival.org/

Downtown Saturday Morning Market

Saturday, April 16 at 9 a.m.

• • Progress Energy Park/Al Lang Field
    180 Second Ave. SE, St. Petersburg FL 33707

• More than 100 local vendors including farmers, growers with fresh produce and gourmet foods. Also, crafts, prepared foods, live entertainment, flowers and plants. Live music by Urban Gypsies. http://www.saturdaymorningmarket.com/

Record Store Day

Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m.

• • Bananas Music and Movies
    2887 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg FL 33713

• Celebrate independent record stores with live music by the Dukes of Juke, James O'Neill and the Silver Shadows, the Sea Legs, Coerced Contentment Committee and Zebrageist. CD and vinyl discounts available, and tacos provided by Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant Free.

Record Store Day at Daddy Kool's

Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m.

• • Daddy Kool
    666 Central Ave., St. Petersburg FL 33701

• Daddy Kool joins independently owned record store across the country with this one day celebration including discounts on new and used CD's, DVD's, vinyl and toys. Non-stop music will also be provided by A Chance of Fireballs, Flying Snakes, Chris Rowland, Erin Solari, the Sun Society, Devin Robinson Band, Aria Novos, Empire Cinema, the Tampa Bay Dream Team, DJ Mega and many more No cover. http://www.recordstoreday.com/

Busch Gardens Ramp Jam

Saturday, April 16 at 12:30 p.m.

• • Busch Gardens
    3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa FL 33612

• Extreme sports fans won't want to miss watching pro skateboarders, BMX riders and inline skaters shred a 14-foot tall half-pipe. Pros expected to attend include Pierre Luc Gagnon, Kevin Robinson, Simon Tabron, Eito Yasutoko, Anthony Furlong and Jimmy Walker. Event also includes autograph sessions, question and answer session, live music, food and surf/skate gear vendors.http://www.buschgardenstampablog.com/news/ramp-jam-1

Spring Craft Beer Fest

Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m.

• • Cajun Cafe On the Bayou
    8101 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park FL 33781

• Sip and savor from among 100 handcrafted beers from around the world in a beer garden atmosphere at this annual brewfest celebration, with Cajun meal that includes jambalaya, red beans and rice; live jazz band, souvenir glass. Must be 21 or over.
  $35, $15 designated drivers (includes food, water and sodas).

Sunscreen Film Festival: For Once in My Life

Saturday, April 16 at 4 p.m.

• • Baywalk 20
    151 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg FL 33707

• screening of For Once in My Life by Jim Bingham, production manager for Dolphin Tale. Question and answer session follows the screening $8.http://www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com/

Tampa Bay Rays: vs. Minnesota Twins

Saturday, April 16 at 4:10 p.m.

• • Tropicana Field
    1 Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg FL 33705 http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/

• • More dates for this event: April 17 1:40 p.m.vs. Minnesota Twins
    • April 18 6:40 p.m. vs. Chicago White Sox
    • April 19 6:40 p.m. vs. Chicago White Sox
    • April 20 6:40 p.m. vs. Chicago White Sox
    • April 21 6:40 p.m. vs. Chicago White Sox

to see more things to do, please click here http://annalisaweller.wordpress.com/

Tampa Bay Blues Fest this weekend: James Hunter, Jonny Lang

• Vinoy Park 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg FL 33707
• One of Tampa Bay's best & largest music festivals is better each year. The festival has some of the best blues acts around. As part of the event, the Palladium will also host after-fest concerts that require an additional ticket.
• The festival offers VIP packages that include upfront seating, beer, soda and food, plus access to the VIP tent.
• $30 admission price at the gate is cash only. Gates open approximately 30 minutes before first act.
  

  Friday, April 8, 2011

  • 12:30 pm MIKE ZITO
  • 2:30 pm MICHAEL BURKS
  • 4:30 pm JANIVA MAGNESS
  • 6:30 pm ROD PIAZZA AND THE MIGHTY FLYERS
  • 8:30 pm THE ROBERT CRAY BAND

  Saturday, April 9, 2011

  • 12:30 pm THE LEE BOYS
  • 2:30 pm CURTIS SALGADO
  • 4:30 pm TOMMY CASTRO
  • 6:30 pm JAMES HUNTER
  • 8:30 pm JONNY LANG ***** I have seen Jonny perform in several states & he NEVER disappoints. The first time I saw him play he was only 17 years old & had been playing professional since he was 13. Jonny had the voice, feelings & stories of someone 30 years older.

  Sunday, April 10, 2011

  • 1:00 pm ERIC LINDELL
  • 2:30 pm JON CLEARY
  • 4:30 pm TROMBONE SHORTY AND ORLEANS AVENUE
  • 6:30 pm IRMA THOMAS
  • 8:30 pm TAB BENOIT & THE VOICE OF THE WETLANDS ALLSTARS, FEATURING CYRIL NEVILLE, JUMPIN' JOHNNY SANSONE, AND BIG CHIEF MONK BOUDREAUX

  Free shuttle on First Street NE from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., with stops in front of Progress Energy Park and behind the Hampton Inn.

Phone: (727) 502-5000 http://tampabaybluesfest.com/

Ybor Tapas Trail

Saturday, April 9 at 4 p.m.

• Italian Club (Ybor) 1731 E Seventh Ave., Tampa FL 33605
• The Columbia, New World Brewery and The Bricks are just some of the 17 stops on the Tapas Trail to sample classic Ybor cuisine as part of Aficionado Days. Transportation is provided, and an after-party smoker at the Italian Club from 6:30-9 p.m. will feature rum, beer and wine samples, a DJ, cigars, desserts and cafe con leche. The price is all-inclusive. $35 advance, $40 at door (813) 241-8838 http://www.ybor.org/

Saturday, April 9 at 6 p.m.

• 600 Block of Central Sixth Street and Central Avenue, St. Petersburg FL 33701
• Celebrate the grand opening of 10 new businesses in the historic Crislip Arcade area with the event featuring art shows, live music and a huge fashion show. Free (727) 827-8310 http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=211347105545511

Let's Misbehave: An Adult Cabaret

Saturday, April 9 at 6 p.m.

• American Stage Theatre Company at Raymond James Cabaret 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg FL 33707
• Pay what you can at the door, $15 advance. (727) 823-7529

Sake Bomb Grand Opening

Saturday, April 9 at 7 p.m.

• Sake Bomb 548 Central Ave. , St. Petersburg FL 33701
• St. Petersburg sake bar will celebrate its move to a bigger space on Central Avenue with a dragon dance twirling down Central Avenue Saturday.
  The dragon dance, which tradition says brings good luck, will be at 7 p.m., followed by freebies and drink specials and live music at 9 p.m. plus retro video games like Pac Man and Galaga.(727) 542-8893

Downtown Artwalk

Saturday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Various locations from 30th Street to the Pier, St. Petersburg FL 33707

St. Petersburg Downtown Arts Association gallery tour, with guest artists, gallery openings & art related events. Free. (727) 323-2787 http://www.stpetearts.org/

Back to the 50′s Sock Hop

Saturday, April 9 at 7 p.m.

• St. Petersburg Yacht Club 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg FL 33707
• Rock to live music by the Cool Daddies. There will also be dinner, silent auctions & gaming tables. Benefits Florida Poodle Rescue. $50. (727) 916-7830

**To see more events for this weekend, please click on http://annalisaweller.wordpress.com/