Amy Goodman, the host of one of WMNF's most popular shows, Pacifica Radio's Democracy Now!, will be in Tampa on Tuesday (9/19). She will be talking about her new book Static: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders, and the People who Fight Back, which she wrote with her brother, David Goodman. The talk is 7:30 p.m. at the Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., downtown Tampa. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 day of show. Call (813) 274-8982.
There is such a thing as a free ride this weekend at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, where Free Ride Weekend saves you the $18 you might normally spend on an all-access wrist band. With regular admission on Saturday and Sunday (9/16-17) - that's $14.95 for adults, $13.95 seniors and $10.50 for kids 3-11 - you can jump on the safari ride, the carousel, the treetop safari or saddle up a camel for no extra charge.
Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry will host a cultural celebration of India to celebrate the grand opening of its new exhibition, Demystifying India. There will be screenings of the new IMAX film Mystic India, a talk by Robert Arnett, author of India Unveiled, Indian food from area restaurants and more. It starts at 11 a.m. Saturday (9/16) at MOSI, 4801 E Fowler Ave.; www.mosi.org.
People and their dogs get to mix and mingle with their friends at Yappy Hour on Sunday (9/17). There will be gourmet treats and water bowls (for the dogs) while leash holders get kibble and beer at New World Brewery, 1313 East Eighth Ave. in Ybor City, for a $5 cover charge.
It's BYOZ (bring your own Zantac) at the I Like it Hot Festival on Saturday and Sunday (9/16-17), where hot and spicy foods are the order of the day. In addition to sauces for sampling, there will be a pepper-eating contest on Saturday and an amateur hot sauce competition on Sunday. It runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Honeywell Minnreg Building, 6340 126th Ave. N, Largo. Admission is $3 adults, free for kids 12 and under; www.ILikeItHotFestival.com.
Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival hosts Plunge 2006 at 7 p.m. Saturday (9/16), a fundraiser held at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. The $60 tickets include entertainment, food, drinks and a silent auction. See www.tiglff.com or call (813) 879-4220.
More than 100 exhibitors will be setting up Saturday and Sunday (9/16-17) for the Ybor Fall Arts and Crafts Fiesta. The Ybor City Fresh Market will also be open both days. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Centennial Park, Ninth Avenue and 19th Street.
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts opens Friday (9/15) at its new location, 200 N Tampa St., Suite 120 (that's in the Bank of America building, across from the Hyatt Regency hotel in Tampa) with an exhibition of Aaron Siskind's "A Harlem Document (1932-1940)." The grand opening reception runs from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum is open for public viewing Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
