5 Days and $50 for the week of 3/17

5 Days and $50 is your guide to fun things going on in Tampa Bay during the week that will cost you less than $50, if you were to do one each day. These are the best free and cheap events in the Tampa By area, picked especially for young professionals. Think of it as Tampa Bay on $10 a day!

Monday 3/17

Stay Safe on St. Patrick’s Day

I’m not stupid. I know that most of you are going to be going out and getting your Irish up on Monday. But for those people who have to work Tuesday, or just aren’t into the drinking thing, it’s probably best to stay off the roads and stay safe. So, head on over to Blockbuster and rent a movie that fits your mood.

Looking for something sexy but classy? Lust/Caution is a foreign film (classy) about a female spy who must seduce a government official (sexy) who’s sexual needs cross over into the kinky (kinky!). Rated NC-17 because of the graphic sex scenes, but directed by Brokeback auteur Ang Lee. Porn with a plot!

Want a romantic comedy without the romance? Modern Romance was made in 1981 but it still rings completely true. Albert Brooks plays a neurotic man who is dating a woman who may be his soulmate, or someone totally wrong for him. Perfectly captures the mess that is dating, love, and romance.

Need an suspense film that doesn’t seem totally fake? Michael Clayton was nominated for Best Picture and it was well deserved. This corporate thriller doesn’t have car chase or action scenes, but focuses on the high drama of real life. Where people can destroy one another far better with exposed secrets than with karate chops. Bonus: George Clooney is so sexy you want to put the dvd on pause and make out with the tv screen.

Looking for a feel good comedy? Dan in Real Life is like hot cocoa. Warm and sweet! Steve Carell plays a father of 3 girls who writes an advice column but could use some help in his personal life. His kids don’t respect him. He has given u on love after the death of his wife. At least until a chance meeting with a woman gives him hope… and huge complications. Just a very sweet, very realistic movie.

But whatever you choose to do Monday, stay safe. The rest of this week’s 5 Days and $50 is after the cut.

Tuesday 3/18

Night Hike at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

$3. A special guided tour of St. Petersburg’s Boyd Hill Naure Preserve where you’ll be able to catch nocturnal creatures in their natural environment.  Limited to 15 people. 7pm.

 Science Fiction Symposium at Mosi

FREE! Scholars discuss the work of sci-fi author Brian Aldiss (Frankenstein Unbound, Brother’s of the Head, the Helliconia Trilogy). Aldiss will also be there to sign books. 7PM in the MOSI auditorium.

The Eyes Have It (Dali in Film lecture) at Studio@620

Free! This lecture (complimenting the Dali in Film exhibit at the Salvador Dali Museum) talks about Dali’s impact in Hollywood where he worked with Hitchcock and Walt Disney. 7:30pm. Studio@620 is located at 620 1st Ave. S., St. Pete.

Wednesday 3/19

Broke Sky at the Sunscreen Film Festival

$9.19. Tonight kicks off the start of the Sunscreen film Festival in St. Pete with a great little modern noir film, Broke Sky. After the film will be the opening night party for the festival (you can get tickets to both events for around $25). 7pm at Muvico 20 Baywalk.

 

5 Years of War Protest

Free! Come out to protest the 5th Anniversary of the invasion of Iraq (and still no WMD’s Found). Protests being held in Tampa and Brooksville.

 

 Thursday 3/20

Sunscreen Film Festival: The Art of Pain

$9.19. This is the premier of this movie, so there isn’t any reviews I can point you to. All I can say is that it involves a guy who learns to appreciate life more after being attacked by Ninjas. So, I’m totally there. 8pm at the Vinoy Resort Majestic (501 Seventh Ave. N.E., St. Pete).

Adventures in Archeology at the Wheedon Island Preserve

Free!  Nancy M. White, Ph.D., a research archaeologist from USF, will be talking about the history of Florida, and the archaeological treasures found in this area.  7pm-8pm, Wheedon Island Preserve in St. Pete.

The Vagina Monologues to benefit  The Spring

$15. This local performance of Eve Ensler’s phenomenal play helps empower, explain, and illuminate the feelings of women everywhere. The performance will help support the work of The Spring of Tampa Bay. 7pm, Unitarian Universalist Church at 11400 Morris Bridge Rd., Tampa.

Friday 3/21

Sunscreen Film Festival Block Party 

Free! Come out and mingle and meet with local film fans, leaders, and film professionals from around the world. 9:30pm in Downtown St. Pete (Central Avenue between 1st and 4th Street)

Mr.FunnyBlackMan (Ranney) at theStudio@620

$12. Comedian, poet, actor, and all around cool guy Ranney will be doing a rare Tampa Bay performance tonight.  Comedy with a brain. 8pm at theStudio@620 (620 1st Ave. S., St. Pete).