What's Up Tampa Bay | Blog

America's Got Talent Tampa Bay Auditions

2011-11-09T21:53:00.000-05:00

Do you have a whole lot of talent, but haven't had your big break yet? If so, then your big break may have just arrived. America's Got Talent will be rolling into Tampa on November 12th & 13th to see what the Tampa Bay area has to offer.

America's Got Talent is the only show on TV with no age or talent restrictions so if you feel like you are good at what you do you have no excuse not to enter! The event will be held at the Tampa Bay Convention Center and the doors will be open from 8AM - 7PM. People looking to audition are urged to pre-register and those that can not make the in-person auditions can submit a video audition.

Good luck and I hope to see some of you on the bid stage with Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel & Nick Cannon. Comment below if you plan on auditioning or send any videos of your experience to whatsuptampabay@gmail.com to have your video featured.

For any other questions about the auditions, visit the America's Got Talent Auditions site.

Orlando Contests, Sweepstakes & Giveaways

2011-10-31T22:36:00.000-04:00

Since many people in the Tampa Bay area frequently commute to Orlando for both business and pleasure, I thought I would share the large number of contests available for entertainment in the Orlando area. Entering contests on a regular basis is a great way to cut down on entertainment costs. Most radio and TV stations give out prizes such as concert tickets, gift cards & tickets to sporting events. The more local the contest, the better your odds normally are to win.

Below is a comprehensive list of contest sites in the Orlando area. Make sure to check back regularly for new contests.

Orlando Sentinel
My Fox Orlando
CW18
WFTV ABC
WESH NBC
Click Orlando WKMG
96 Rock
Power 95.3
K92 FM
102 Jamz
Mix 101.5
WMMO
WDBO
740 The Game
ESPN 1080
MouseSavers.com

NOTE: Check any contests Terms & Conditions to make sure that you are eligible to win a prize based off where you live. You may also have to pick up your prize in person, so make sure you are able to do so before entering.

If you find any other Orlando Contest sites, comment about them below!

You may also enjoy: Tampa Bay Contests

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa November Events

2011-10-31T21:50:00.000-04:00

Check out all of the fun happenings going on at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa this November!

November 9
Great White in Concert
Musical guest Great White comes to Hard Rock Tampa on November 9th at 10pm, doors at 8:30pm. Tickets are $25 for general admission and there is standing room only. Tickets are available for sale at the Hard Rock Shop and all Ticketmaster Outlets. For Bottle service, call the cafe at 813-627-7755.

November 11
11 Milion Point Giveaway
The drawing will be held on November 11th at the Hard Rock Tampa. Hourly drawings will be held from 11AM - 9PM and earn entries November 1 - November 11.

November 13
Comedy Night Staring Tom Rhodes
Comedian Tom Rhodes comes to Hard Rock Tampa on Sunday November 13th at 9pm for a night of laughter. Enjoy dinner and a free show with an international man of comedy who is the star of two specials on Comedy Central and has appeared on HBO worldwide.

$5,000 November Scratch Off
Held every Wednesday in November. Win cash prizes from $250 - $5,000 with hourly drawings from 10AM - 4PM. Earn entries from 10/27 - 11/30.

Corvette or Cash Giveaway
Win a Corvette or $25,000 cash with hourly drawings from 1pm - 9pm for up to $2,000 Cash. Grand prize drawing will be held at at 9:30pm. Earn entries 10/26 - 11/29.

WhyHunger at Hard Rock Tampa
Seminole Hard Tampa will collect food for the local Metropolitan Ministries this holiday season as part of a Hard Rock International partnership initiative with the New York-based WhyHunger organization. SHRHC will also raise money through the sales of limited-edition John Lennon Imagine There¹s No Hunger signature items. Beginning on Nov. 1 and running through December, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will donate through its Seminole Hard Rock Retail Store special limited-edition John Lennon IMAGINE signature and likeness items in support of the two-month fundraising campaign, including the new IMAGINE t-shirts which will be sold at the Hard Rock Retail Store inside the casino.

For more info, visit the Hard Rock Tampa website.

Super Bowl XLVI Contests & Sweepstakes

2011-10-27T21:53:00.001-04:00

Everyone dreams of going to the Super Bowl, but not everyone can afford to go. Lucky for us, there are tons of contests every year that give us a chance to win tickets to "The Big Game". Below are all of the contests that I could find that give you a chance to win tickets / trips to see Super Bowl 46 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

GMC Never Say Never Sweepstakes
You can win a Current Model Year GMC vehicle or a weekly prize of a trip for two to Super Bowl XLVI.
Drawing: February 5, 2012
Enter Here

Bud Light Ultimate Fan Experience
You can win everything from a trip to the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl to a trip to Super Bowl XLVI.
Drawing: January 16, 2012
Enter Here

Snickers Pilot Sweeps
Win a trip for two to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.
Drawing: January 3, 2012
Enter Here

Castrol Edge Super Bowl Sweepstakes
Win a trip for two to Super Bowl XLVI and $1000 spending money.
Drawing: December 31, 2011
Enter Here

Rudolph Foods Pig Skin for Pigskin Contest
You can win two tickets to Super Bowl XLVI and $1,500 towards travel expense.
Drawing: December 31, 2011
Enter Here

Van Heusen Big Game In Style Contest
Win a trip for 5 in a G4 airplane to Super Bowl XLVI along with tickets to the ESPN Next party, GQ party, NFLX Experience, Van Heusen Wardrobes & $5,000 in cash.
Drawing: December 31, 2011
Enter Here

Head & Shoulders Legendaryous 7 Contest
Win a trip for two to Super Bowl XLVI.
Drawing: December 24, 2011
Enter Here

Smoothie King Oath Of Oh Yes You Can Super Bowl Sweepstakes
Win two tickets to Super Bowl XLVI and a $1,000 gift card for travel.
Drawing: December 18, 2011
Enter Here

Dave & Busters Ultimate Game Day Giveaway
Win one of five trips to Super Bowl XLVI.
Drawing: November 27, 2011
Enter Here

Bud Light Ultimate Super Bowl Flyaway Sweepstakes
You can win a trip for two to Super Bowl XLVI.
Drawing: November 7, 2011
Enter Here

You may also enjoy: Tampa Bay Contests

Howl O Scream 2011 "Dark Side of the Gardens"

2011-10-26T21:52:00.001-04:00

Don't look now, but there are only three days left to enjoy Howl O Scream at Busch Gardens this year! If you haven't been yet, here are a few great reasons why you should check out this great annual event:

There are over 6 freakishly creepy haunted houses.
There are no scare zones this year, but zombies and other ghouls are constantly moving throughout the park.
Last chance to ride attractions like Cheetah Hunt at night.
Entertaining shows: Fiends & The Midnight Hour.
The scariest house in the park, ALONE! It is $40 extra, but with a group of 4 it is only $10 a person.

Thursday is your last chance to buy the Busch Gardens Tampa Twisted 4 Pack. With this deal, you can buy four or more tickets for only $24.99. You can also save $35 off any regular ticket with promo codes from participating sponsors.

Visit the Howl O Scream site to buy advance tickets.

You may also enjoy: Tampa Bay Sweepstakes, Contests & Giveaways

Tampa Bay Lightning Tesla Coil

2011-10-20T20:47:00.002-04:00

The brand new Tesla Coils at the St Pete Times Forum have not been ready for the first two games of the season, but that won't stop me from watching this video after every Lightning goal until then! Hopefully they will be ready for the Lightning's final game of this opening home stand this Saturday. Otherwise, all of the new renovations look amazing at The Forum!

Testing

First "In Game" Use:

And remember to Be The Thunder!

You may also enjoy: Tampa Bay Bucket List

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa September Events

2011-09-01T22:19:00.000-04:00

More concerts, more comedy, more slots and more prizes! See what Hard Rock Tampa has to offer this September!

September 18

Comedy Night starring Mark Viera

Admission is free and the show starts at 9PM. Eat & laugh at the Cafe with comedian Mark Viera.

September 28

Slaughter in Concert at Hard Rock Tampa

Doors open at 8:30PM and concert begins at 10PM. Tickets cost $25 and are standing room only. Tickets are available for sale at The Rock Shop and all Ticketmaster outlets. For bottle service, call the Café. Guests must be 21+.

'The Hangover' Slots

The popular movie is now a slot machine. Seminole Casinos is the first to bring this game to Florida!

Hard Rock at Night Live Music

Live music 3 nights a week (Thursday-Saturday) starting at 10pm. Live DJ mash-ups 3 nights a week (Thursday-Saturday) until 4am.

September Table Games Hot Seat

Nine lucky winners will have the chance to sit in the hot seat and win $100 in chips. Contest every Friday in September (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th). 12PM to 4PM. Location: Pit 2 and Pit 3 next to the Council Oak Restaurant. All players sitting at an eligible table will have the opportunity to win table game chips. You must be a Seminole Player¹s Club cardholder in order to participate in this promotion. Player's Club cards are free to all visitors 21 and older. Prizes are non-transferrable and there is no limit to the number of prizes a person may win per day.

10 Million Point Giveaway

10 lucky winners will win 1 million points. Hourly drawings between 12PM & 9PM on Friday, September 30th. Earn entries between 7am August 1st & 8:45pm September 30th. You must be a Seminole Player's Club cardholder in order to participate in this promotion. Player's Club cards are free to all visitors 21 and older. There is no limit to the amount of swipes per day. All cardholders have 10 free swipes per day for each increment of fifty points earned based on recorded machine play.

Football Bucks Giveaway

Win cash prizes ranging from $250 - $5,000. Drawings every Wednesday in September. Hourly drawings between 10AM & 4PM. Earn entries between 7AM September 1st & 3:45PM September 28th. You must be a Seminole Player's Club cardholder in order to participate in this promotion. Player's Club cards are free to all visitors 21 and older.

Jeep, Sea-Doo, & Cash Giveaway

Every Tuesday in September. Win a Jeep Grand Cherokee, a See-Doo 210 Challenger, or cash. Hourly drawings from 1PM to 9PM for $1,000. Grand prize drawings at 9:30PM for jeep or boat. Earn entries 7AM August 31 to 9:15PM September 27. You must be a Seminole Player's Club cardholder in order to participate in this promotion. Player¹s Club cards are free to all visitors 21 and older. There is no limit to the number of entries a participant may have. Entries are earned on a weekly basis. Participants must be present to win.

For more information, visit the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa website.

Burger 21 B Chefy Contest

2011-09-01T21:36:00.000-04:00

Burger 21 has just launched a new contest in which they are challenging their fans to "B Chefy". Fans are challenged to submit their best burger recipie for a chance to have their burger featured as Burger 21's Burger of the Month for December. The winner will also recieve $100 in Burger 21 Burger Bucks. No need to enter your average beef and cheddar burger. Contestants are being urged to B bold! B unique! B creative!

Submissions must be entered by 11:59 EDT on September 30th. For details and a link to the entry form, visit Burger 21's Facebook Page. Three finalists will be announced on the Facebook page October 10th and fans will have the chance to vote on their favorite. The winner will be revealed on October 17th.

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa July Events

2011-06-30T23:01:00.000-04:00

Looks like another great month at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa! Check out the events they have planned for July!

July 13
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will play at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, July 13th at 10PM.Tickets are available at all ticketmaster outlets and the Rock Shop for $45. For bottle service, please call the Cafe at 813-627-7755.

July 17
Comedy Night with Greg Warren
You've seen him on the CBS Late-Late Show, so now check out Greg Warren at the Hard Rock on July
17th. Dinner and a Show at 9PM. Free Admission.

Cruise into Summer Giveaway
Win up to $10,000 or a cruise to the Caribbean. Drawings every hour from 10AM – 4PM every Wednesday in July. Players earn entries from 7am July 1st to 3:45pm July 27th. Entries are earned on a promotional basis and there is no limit to the number of entries a participant can earn. One (1) electronic entry will be awarded to Player’s Club cardholders for each increment of fifty (50) points earned based on recorded machine play. Player’s Club cardholders may be awarded additional entries through machine play and other special offers. Participants may swipe his/her card once per day for their free entry. You must be a Seminole Player’s Club cardholder in order to participate in this promotion. Player’s Club cards are free to all visitors 21 and older. Winner must be present to win.

Earn $150 Gas Card Deal for Poker Players
Exclusively for poker players. Weekly drawing, every Sunday – Thursday in July. Accumulate 20 hours of live action play in a one week period and get a $150 gas card. Players are able to redeem one gas card per week, with a maximum of four over four weeks. Must be 18 years of age to play and a Seminole Player’s Club member. Promotional time is between 12:01am Sunday – Thursday from July 3rd to July 28th.

Toys of Summer Giveaway
Win a Boat, A pair of Jet skis with trailer, a Can-Am Spyder, a Motorcycle, $25,000 cash or $10,000 cash bonus, plus a chance to pick again. Drawings every hour from 1PM – 9PM for $1,000 every Tuesday in July. Grand prize drawings at 9:30. Players earn entries from 7AM July 1st – 9:15PM July 26th. One (1) electronic entry will be awarded to Player’s Club cardholders for each increment of fifty (50) points earned based on recorded machine play. You must be a Seminole Player’s Club cardholder in order to participate in this promotion. Player’s Club cards are free to all visitors 21 and older. Winner must be present to win.

Gas Money Promotion
Win $500 gas cards, a mystery car, or up to $2,000 in cash. Drawings will be between 12PM – 2PM & 5PM – 7PM on July 17th for the $500 gas cards. Grand prize drawing will held at 3PM & 8PM on July 17th for the mystery car and $2,000 cash. Promotion runs 7AM July 1st to 7:45PM July 17th. One (1) electronic entry will be awarded to Player’s Club Cardholders for each increment of 50 points earned based on recorded machine play. Player’s Club cardholders may be awarded additional entries through other special offers. Entries are earned on a promotional basis and there is no limit on the number of entries participants can earn. You must be a Seminole Player’s Club cardholder in order to participate in this promotion. Player’s Club cards are free to all visitors 21 and older.

40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour
(Date: TBD) Features memorabilia from the world’s greatest rock legends and icons to take guests through some of the most memorable years in rock history. Hard Rock has chosen the top 40 most iconic pieces of music memorabilia, including clothes and instruments, from its collection. Honoring the lives and legends of rock’s greatest, like Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and John Lennon, as well as today’s hottest artists, including Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg and Katy Perry. For more information, visit www.hardrock.com.

Items from legendary artists on display include: Buddy Holly’s signature glasses, Michael Jackson’s unforgettable jacket worn in the video for “Beat It”, the wedding dress worn by Madonna on the cover of her controversial “Like a Virgin” album, Jimi Hendrix’s custom Flying V, Ray Charles’ Braille Playboy Magazine, Johnny Cash’s handmade Grammer guitar and much more, Memorabilia from today’s top contemporary artists will also be on tour, from the dress worn by Katy Perry when she famously dove on a birthday cake; and a feathered jacket worn by Brandon Flowers of The Killers; to Justin Bieber’s skateboard; and a coat worn by Snoop Dogg in the movie “Starsky & Hutch.”

For more information, visit the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa website.

Free Tampa Bay Fireworks Shows

2011-06-29T20:55:00.000-04:00

A Fourth of July celebration without fireworks is just…un-American. With so many communities in the Tampa/St. Pete area offering free shows, you have no excuse not to check one out. Save yourself the hassle and money of putting on your own spectacle and pack the car or a picnic basket to check out some of these firework shows:

St. Petersburg Pier Fourth of July Extravaganza
St. Pete Pier, 800 Second Avenue
8:55 PM

St. Petersburg Beach Fireworks
St. Pete Beach Access Park, 4700 Gulf Blvd.
Starts at sundown

Clearwater Celebrates America
Coachman Park, 301 Drew St
9:30 PM

Channelside Fireworks Celebration
Channelside Bay Plaza, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa
9:00 PM

Dunedin Hometown USA
Knology Park, 373 Douglas Avenue
9:30 pm

Safety Harbor's July 4th Celebration
Safety Harbor Marina, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane
5:00 - 10:30 PM

City of Gulfport Fireworks Celebration
Downtown waterfront area, 2401 53rd Street, South Gulfport
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Tampa Bay Summer Concerts

2011-06-27T18:58:00.000-04:00

Summer is here and that means another great lineup of concerts. Check out the summer concerts below that will be taking place at venues across the Tampa Bay area. Leave a comment below with the concert that you are most looking forward to!

6/28/11
Affiance with Last Chance to Reason & Across the Sun
The Local 662
St Petersburg, FL
6:00 PM

The Florida Wind Band: Be Glad Then, America
USF Concert Hall
Tampa, FL
7:30 PM

7/2/11
Bet Me I'm Lying
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
6:00 PM

7/3/11
The Wiggles
Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, FL
1:40 PM

7/6/11
Motley Crue and Poison with special guests New York Dolls
St Pete Times Forum
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

7/7/11
Victoria's 12th Annual Ska Festival featuring Ken Boothe , Chris Murra
University Lanes
Tampa, FL
4:30 PM

7/8/11
Swagg Fest W/Lil Kee, Shawty, Famous Kid Brick
Jannus Live
St Petersburg, FL
8:00 PM

7/9/11
Rehab
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
7:00 PM

7/10/11
Taking Back Sunday
The Ritz Ybor
Tampa, FL
6:00 PM

7/11/11
Big Business with Torche / Helms Alee
The Orpheum
Tampa, FL
8:00 PM

7/12/11
Harry and the Potters with the Jones Street Boys
Transitions Art Gallery
Tampa, FL
8:00 PM

7/13/11
The Glitch Mob
CZAR YBOR
Tampa, FL
9:00 PM

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa
Tampa, FL
10:00 PM

7/14/11
Natasha Bedingfield
The Ritz Ybor
Tampa, FL
5:30 PM

7/15/11
Framing Hanley
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
6:00 PM

Julian Marley
Capt Hiram's Resort
Sebastian, FL
7:00 PM

Jason Aldean w/ Chris Young and Thompson Square
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
7:30 PM

7/16/11
Summer Foam Party II
Jannus Live
St Petersburg, FL
6:00 PM

Parade The Tyrant
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
7:00 PM

7/18/11
Rookie of the Year
The Local 662
St Petersburg, FL
6:00 PM

7/21/11
We the Kings
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
6:00 PM

7/22/11
Ballyhoo!
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
7:00 PM

Stephen Marley
Jannus Live
St Petersburg, FL
9:00 PM

7/23/11
Third Nail Rising with From This Fire and First Day With Gravity
The Local 662
St Petersburg, FL
7:00 PM

7/26/11
The Partery Tour featuring In Fear & Faith
Orpheum
Tampa, FL
5:00 PM

7/28/11
Slaughter Surviors 2011
(Conducting From The Grave, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit & More!)
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
6:00 PM

100 Monkeys with Kissing Club
Orpheum
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

7/29/11
Mike Pinto
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
7:00 PM

Donavon Frankenreiter
Jannus Live
St Petersburg, FL
8:00 PM

Tyler Bryant
The Local 662
St Petersburg, FL
8:00 PM

7/30/11
Antiwarpt Music Festival
Downtown St Petersburg
St Petersburg, FL
2:00 PM

TECH N9NE
Jannus Live
St Petersburg, FL
8:00 PM

7/31/11
Vans Warped Tour
(The Devil Wears Prada, 3Oh!3, Gym Class Heroes, Less Than Jake, Paramore & More!)
Vinoy Park
St. Petersburg, FL
11:30 AM

Alien Ant Farm
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
7:00 PM

Beres Hammond
Jannus Live
St Petersburg, FL
8:00 PM

8/2/11
Kings of Leon
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

8/3/11
10 Years
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
7:00 PM

Lil' Wayne w/Guests Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Far East Movement, & Lloyd
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

8/4/11
Scream It Like You Mean It
(Breathe Carolina & More!)
State Theatre
St Petersburg, FL
5:00 PM

8/5/11
Hillsong United
St Pete Times Forum
Tampa, FL
7:30 PM

8/6/11
Goo Goo Dolls
Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, FL
7:10 PM

Rob Base + Yellowman
Stadium Green Iguana
Tampa, FL
8:00 PM

8/13/11
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival
(Disturbed, Godsmack, Megadeath, Machine Head, In Flames, Trivium & More!)
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
2:15 PM

8/18/11
The Dear Hunter
Orpheum
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

8/19/11
Rascal Flatts with Sara Evans, Easton Corbin, and Justin Moore
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

8/23/11
Guster and Jack's Mannequin
The Ritz Ybor
Tampa, FL
6:30 PM

8/24/11
Skullcandy Presents IDENTITY
(Kaskade, Pretty Lights, Rusko, Steve Aoki, DJ Shadow & More!)
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
1:00 PM

8/25/11
The Appleseed Cast
The Local 662
St Petersburg, FL
8:00 PM

8/31/11
Train and Maroon 5
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

Erasure: Tomorrow's World Tour
The Ritz Ybor
Tampa, FL
8:00 PM

9/3/11
Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival
(Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Seether, Bullet For My Valentine, Sevendust & More!)
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
2:30 PM

Miranda Cosgrove
Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, FL
4:10 PM

9/4/11
Nekromantix
The Local 662
St Petersburg, FL
7:30 PM

9/5/11
Rock Allegiance Tour
(Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, P.O.D., Red, Crossfade and Drive A)
Stadium Green Iguana
Tampa, FL
02:00 PM

9/9/11
Brad Paisley H2O II Tour with Blake Shelton and Jerrod Niemann
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
4:00 PM

9/11/11
Return to Forever IV with Zappa Plays Zappa
Ruth Eckerd Hall
Clearwater, FL
8:00 PM

9/17/11
Journey with special guests Foreigner and Night Ranger
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

9/18/11
Incubus: If Not Now, When? Tour
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
8:00 PM

9/23/11
Boyce Avenue
State Theatre
St. Petersburg, FL
7:00 PM

9/24/11
Honda Civic Tour presents: Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
7:00 PM

Miranda Lambert
Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, FL
7:10 PM

Josh Magwood Band

2011-06-25T08:02:00.000-04:00

In an effort to highlight Tampa Bay's best local bands, I figured I would start out by posting about my personal favorite. Josh Magwood Band can normally be found playing all over St. Pete with their distinct Blues Rock/Reggae Rock sound. The band is great at covering groups such as Dave Matthews Band and Damien Marley, but the thing that impresses me the most is their original songs. I am often skeptical when a local band switches gears from covers to original songs at a show, but I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw the Josh Magwood band. You don't have to take my word for it. Check out their original songs "Zombieland" and "Indestructable" below. If you like what you hear, follow Josh Magwood Band on Facebook to see where they will play next.

Save Money With Ebates & Mr. Rebates

2011-06-19T17:58:00.000-04:00

If you like to save money when you shop online, then you will love shopping with Ebates & Mr. Rebates. Any time you make a sale through these sites, they make a commission on that sale and pass along a percentage of that commission to you. With over 1,000 popular stores participating on both sites, most consumers can get a rebate back on almost any of their online purchases. See how much you can save on anything from Clothing and Jewelry to Electronics and Travel.

How it works:

Sign up for both Ebates & Mr. Rebates. It's free!
Once you know what you want to buy, check Ebates & Mr. Rebates to see who has the highest rebate. You can search the sites by retailer or category. You can also find coupons by retailer.
Then click through from Ebates or Mr. Rebates to the retailer you want to make a purchase from.
Make your purchase as normal and it is as easy as that. Many rebates take 90 days before they are credited to your account but it is still nice to get some of that money back ever few months.

I hope you love these sites as much as I do!

Sign up for Ebates!

Sign up for Mr. Rebates!

Red Bull Flugtag Tampa 2011

2011-06-10T00:19:00.000-04:00

On October 8th, Red Bull will be back to bring their wacky & zany Flugtag competition to Tampa. The Red Bull Flugtag is an event that challenges competitors to build their own human-powered flying machine. Participants must then pilot their contraption off a 30 foot platform in an attempt to "fly" for the longest distance. Teams will also be judged on creativity and showmanship.

Also:

Teams consist of one fearless pilot and four "pushers".
Pilot must be 18 years of age.
Aircraft must have a wingspan of less than 30 feet and weight less than 450 pounds (including pilot).
Flugtag applications are due on July 8th and must include a sketch of your flying machine.

A little inspiration...

Event Location: Tampa Convention Center
For More Info: http://www.redbullflugtagusa.com/

See Tampa Bay's Best by RV

2011-06-08T20:07:00.000-04:00

Summer vacations come in all shapes and sizes, from warm sun soak-ups to cool coaster riding, and Tampa Bay (comprised of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater) offers something for just about every traveler. And with its west central Florida location, warm tropical climate, and diverse destinations all within easy road reach, this hot spot makes a perfect hub for RV campers. So what sort of trip gets your wheels turning: basking in the sand and surf, wandering natural wonders, going crazy with the kids, stepping back in time, catching up on culture? Here are three unique itineraries to help you get on the road to a great summer getaway.

Back to Nature
Ten miles north of Tampa, Hillsborough River State Park, one of Florida's original state parks, is teeming with wildlife and, well, life in the wild. Set up camp at one of the park's numerous RV sites (complete with full hookups, plus a pool and concessions on site), then plunge into fishing, canoeing, and kayaking on the swiftly flowing river (boat rentals are available) or hiking and biking along seven miles of trails. Be sure to take a short walk along the mile-long River Rapids Trail for a breathtaking view of the river's class II rapids.
Another overnight option is the Bay Bayou RV Resort 16 miles northwest of downtown. Perched on the shores of Double Branch Creek near the 8,500-acre Brooker Creek Wildlife Preserve, this beautiful resort also offers canoe and kayak rentals, fishing docks, and swimming. Head over to the wetland forest to check out the award-winning Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center's interpretive programs and exhibits, then hike along almost five miles of boardwalk and upland trails nestled into oak hammocks and pine flatwoods.
In addition to the sunny Gulf beaches, outdoor lovers will find numerous natural adventures worth exploring: bird-watching along the Great Florida Birding Trail; safari buggy eco-tours at Anclote River Ranch; and snorkeling in Tampa Bay, Florida's largest open-water estuary. You may also want to add to your to-do list the Florida Aquarium, one of the top 10 in the country, and the University of South Florida Botanical Gardens, which boasts 10 acres of landscape displays and collections.

Family Fun
Set up camp at the entrance to Tampa Bay just outside of St. Petersburg in the family-friendly Fort De Soto Park, which offers picnic spots, swimming and play areas, waterfront recreation (think fishing piers and a canoe trail), and a camp store to keep everyone satisfied. The park, made up of five interconnected islands, is also home to an historic fort, a dog park (for your four-legged family members), plenty of nature trails, and ferry service to Egmont Key State Park National Wildlife Refuge. You'll also get great views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, a cable-stayed span that the Travel Channel rated third on its list of Top 10 Bridges in the world.
Tampa, an easy 40-minute drive from the park, provides several opportunities for learning and fun with destinations such as the interactive Glazer Children's Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry (essentially a huge, hands-on science playground that includes an IMAX theater), and the Parents Magazine top-rated Lowry Park Zoo. Then, of course, you can always blow off some steam at nearby Busch Gardens and Adventure Island Waterpark or at one of the area's numerous major league sports venues.

Cultural Affairs
Motor home adventurers have plenty of choices for RV resorts in the area, so pick your favorite and then park it in prime location for exploring this mega metropolis's many cultural offerings. For the history buff, there's the Armed Forces Military Museum, the Florida Holocaust Museum, and the St. Petersburg Museum of History. For the art aficionado, there's the Tampa Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, and the Salvador Dali Museum. And for the worldly traveler, there's an abundance of festive marketplaces and ethnic restaurants and shops.
Be sure to follow the morning scent of Cuban coffee to Ybor City, Tampa's historic Latin Quarter, for a stroll down La Setima, the main street of the Historic District. You'll find hand-rolled cigars (at one time, Ybor City was dubbed the "cigar capital of the world"), exotic cuisine, and excellent shopping. And at night, this Havana hot spot pulses with late-night jazz, blues, and salsa at an array of pubs and clubs.

About the Author
Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals. See Monty's Musings RV Camping Blog for other great RV camping vacation ideas.

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa June Events

2011-06-08T19:33:00.001-04:00

The following are a few of the great events that will be taking place during the month of June at Hard Rock Tampa.

June 12
Jason Canning
Come out and enjoy dinner while Comedian Jason Canning performs a free show. Show starts at 9PM.

June 23
Everclear
As part of Hard Rock Cafe's 40 Days That Rock 40-year anniversary month, Everclear will be performing their classic hits on the 23rd. Tickets are $28 for this standing room only show and the concert starts at 10PM (Doors open at 9PM).
Everclear Tickets

Race to Riches Cash, Trip & Car Giveaway
Drawings will be held every hour from 10AM - 4PM on Wednesdays (Weekly). Prizes include $300 - $2,000, a trip to a race in Daytona or a Dodge Challenger.

Cash & Chevy Camaro Giveaway
Every Tuesday in the month of June, hourly drawings will take place from 1PM - 9PM for $1,000 cash. at 9:30 a drawing will take place for a Chevy Camaro grand prize. Entries can be earned from June 1st to June 28th. Must be 21+ and a Player's Club member to participate.

40 Days That Rock - Win Cash or a Trip to London
As part of their anniversary celebration, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will give away cash prizes and a trip for two to London. Drawings will be held at 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, 6PM & 8PM for $4,000 cash. The Grand Prize drawing will be held at 4:30PM and 8:30PM. Four entries will then be drawn to participate in "Plug In And Win" where each person will choose a guitar and start playing it. The contest official will then randomly plug in one of the guitar cables into an amplifier. The person whose guitar is playing through the amp will win the trip and $400 cash, while the other three participants will win $400 cash each. Earn Entries May 18th - June 26th.

Ante Up for iPods & iPads
From June 1 to June 30, players that accumulate 120 hours of live action poker play will receive an Apple iPad 2, while players that accumulate 80 hours will receive an Apple iPod Touch. Players must be clocked in to the bravo system for time to be recorded.

Seminole Hard Rock Event Calendar

CuervoGames Tampa 2011

2011-06-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

On Saturday June 18th, the CuervoGames will roll into town to bring a unique "Wipeout meets American Gladiators-style" competition to the people of Tampa Bay. In the CuervoGames, local teams of four will compete in a challenging obstacle course with the goal of getting the best time. The team with the best time from the Tampa stop of the tour will win a trip to compete in the National Championships. This FREE event (Adults 21+) will also include the Cuervo Girls, the Maxim Hometown Hotties Competition, plenty of bar stations, a concert by B.O.B & many other surprises.

The competition will consist of:

Waterfall Climb - Scale a 20 foot wall while being drenched by rushing water.
Barrel Roll - Ascend the Mayan pyramid & capture flags all while being bombarded by falling barrels.
Agave Gauntlet - A collection of various obstacles.
Highwire Harvest - Capture agave leaves 30 feet in the air.

Event Times
3:30 PM – Qualifier Round Begins
7:30 PM – Event Doors Open
8:00 PM – Maxim Hometown Hotties Competition
8:20 PM – Cuervo Games Finals
9:30 PM – Performance by B.o.B

Location
7th Ave and 14th St
Tampa, Florida 33605

For more info or to enter your team, go to the CuervoGames Facebook Page.

Tampa Bay Lightning Human Lightning Bolt

2011-05-22T15:54:00.001-04:00

I went to take part in the Tampa Bay Lightning human lightning bolt today and had a great time! It was so nice to see so many other fans excited about our Eastern Conference Finals series with the Boston Bruins. I do have to say that I have never seen anything so creative done to send a team off and I am sure that the players were very excited to see it as they looked out the window of the plane. After their miraculous 0-3 comeback on Saturday, they definitely deserved it! Keep cheering everyone and lets hope that we are playing for a series win on Wednesday! ALL IN!

Video by: Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Races for Runners

2011-05-17T21:55:00.001-04:00

Whether you’re running to get healthy, improve speed or for charity you can be sure to find a wide variety of beginner to challenging running races in Tampa and St. Petersburg throughout the year. Below we will highlight a few races that are unique to the area and are a must for all Tampa Bay runners.

Gasparilla Distance Classic
This distance race is true to the spirit of Tampa, generally concluding the month and 1/2 long celebration of Gasparilla (aka- when the pirates invaded Tampa Bay). Participants can enjoy scenic views of the Bay and perhaps a couple of swashbuckling joggers along the way! This series offers a 5k, 15k, Half Marathon and several combination challenges. Entry fees vary per race. For March 2012 registration and dates visit the following link:
Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Info

Oldsmar Taphouse 5K
Even if they negate each other, what’s not to love about beer and running? This event has grown substantially year over year and entry is pretty limited. Sponsored by The Taphouse on State Street, you run a pretty quick, flat 5k in the streets of Oldsmar on a Friday evening. If you can stomach it after almost 90 degree heat, have a beer or four and chat with fellow runners after the race. Check out more info for the June 2011 race:
Oldsmar Taphouse 5K Race Info

Women’s Running Magazine Women’s Half Marathon & 5k
Attention gals, pals, moms and sisters! This race is a must for any female who is all about girl power. Your race is guaranteed to be filled with badass chicks who take running serious to fun loving power walked in pink tutus. This race boasts an ultimate goody bag with a winner’s medal and a removable charm. What we love more about this race is that proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Talk about doing something for a good cause! The race is generally held in late November in St. Petersburg. For this year’s race info:
Women's Running Magazine Women's Half Marathon & 5K Race Info

St. Petersburg Times Turkey Trot
Run off a few of the thousands of calories that you plan on eating during your Thanksgiving dinner. This race is held early morning in Clearwater and offers a 1 mile fun run, 5k and 10k.
St. Petersburg Times Turkey Trot Race Info

For a complete schedule of Tampa Bay races, visit Active.com.

Seven Mary Three at Hard Rock Tampa Sweepstakes

2011-05-16T12:05:00.001-04:00

As a part of Hard Rock's "40 Days That Rock", Seven Mary Three will be coming to Tampa to perform and we have your opportunity at two free tickets! The concert will take place at 10PM (doors open at 9) on May 26th. Standing room only tickets are being sold for $20 at Ticketmaster outlets and at the Hard Rock Store. Here is how you can win your free tickets:

Two ways to enter:

On Twitter:
Follow @WhatsUpTampaBay on Twitter & retweet the following message:

RT @WhatsUpTampaBay Win two tickets to see Seven Mary Three at @SHRTampa on 5/26. Rules: http://bit.ly/j3YJ7f

or

On the Blog:
Comment on this post naming your favorite song by Seven Mary Three. Make sure to also post your your name and email address.

Contest ends at 7PM on 5/24/2011. The winner will be picked at random and will be notified by DM on Twitter or Email by 5/25/2011. The winner will receive two free tickets to see Seven Mary Three at the Seminole Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa on 5/26/2011.

If you don't win, you can purchase tickets here:
Seven Mary Three Tickets

Disclosure: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa contacted What's Up Tampa Bay directly to promote the Seven Mary Three Hard Rock Tampa show. Two free tickets to the show were provided for this contest.

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa May Events

2011-05-09T21:48:00.001-04:00

The following are a few of the great events that will be taking place during the month of May at Hard Rock Tampa, including some concerts in celebration of Hard Rock's 40th Anniversary.

May 1 - 29th
Progressive Giveaway
Win up to $10,000 Sundays in May with drawings every half hour from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Players earn entries from May 1st to May 29th and a designated area will be equipped with a card swipe and display screen. After an eligible plarticipant's Players Club Card has been swiped, the monitors will display the number of entries that you have earned towards the next drawing. You must have a Players Club Card, be 21 years of age and be present to win. Players Club Cards are free to everyone 21 and over.

May 1 - 31st
Win Some Wheels Lexus Giveaway
Weekly drawing every Tuesday for cash or new Lexus CT Hybrid. Drawings will be held hourly from 1:00 PM -9:00 PM for a $1,000 cash prize. Weekly drawings for a Lexus CT Hybrid grand prize will be held at 9:30 PM. Earn Entries from April 27th to May 31st. No purchase necessary. Must be 21+ and be a Player's Club Member to participate.

May 15
Comedy Night at the Cafe staring Tim Wilkins
8:30 PM. Eat dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe while being entertained by comedian Tim Wilkins. Admission is FREE!

May 26
Seven Mary Three
Seven Mary Three helps celebrate Hard Rock's 40th Anniversary as part of the 40 Days That Rock (May 18 - June 26). Doors open 9:00 PM and Concert begins at 10:00 PM. Standing room only tickets are available for $20 at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Hard Rock store.

June 23
Everclear
Everclear will be at the Hard Rock taking a look back at their classic hits as part of the 40 Days That Rock celebration. Doors open 9:00 PM and concert begins at 10:00 PM. Standing room only tickets are available for $20 at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Hard Rock store.

Upcoming Seminole Hard Rock Acts

Win Stanley Cup Tickets 2011

2011-05-07T15:51:00.000-04:00

The Tampa Bay Lightning are one round away from the Stanley Cup Finals, so now is the time to enter as many contests and sweepstakes as you can to win tickets just in case they make it in. Below you will find any sweepstakes and contests that I can find in order to win tickets to the Stanley Cup Finals. Good luck to you and Go Bolts!

Bud Light Stanley Cup Final Sweepstakes
Trip for four and tickets to a Stanley Cup Final Game.
Deadline: May 16
Enter Here

Amazon Stanley Cup Final Contest
Trip for two to Stanley Cup Final Game 1 or 2.
Deadline: May 15
Enter Here

More contests are sure to come if we make it to the Finals!

Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Pictures

2011-03-26T20:09:00.000-04:00

I had a great day at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg today and thought I would share some of my pictures from the qualifying races. I am very excited to say that I got within 20 feet of Danica Patrick today, but the only issue was that she was going over 100 MPH!

Scott Dixon #9

Danica Patrick #7

Turn #6

Mike Conway #27

Scott Dixon #9

Ryan Hunter-Reay #28

For more information on how to check out the big race tomorrow, check out the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg post.

Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

2011-03-24T20:57:00.000-04:00

Looking for something to do this weekend? Look no further because the "World's Fastest Spring Break Party" has just rolled into town! That's right, the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is here! If you think you have seen Grand Prix racing before, you haven't seen anything until you see those Grand Prix cars speed through the beautiful landscapes of downtown St Pete. Check out the videos below that feature Mitch Neff of gpstpete.com giving all the behind the scenes info on the best places to sit, a birds eye view of the course & more. For any other information, including a contest to win free tickets, check out the links below the videos.

Honda Grand Prix St Pete Contest Page
Honda Grand Prix St Pete Ticket Info
Honda Grand Prix St Pete Schedule
Honda Grand Prix St Pete Track Map

Send all of your pictures from the races to @WhatsUpTampaBay & @GPStPete on Twitter!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game... Tampa Bay Rays

2011-03-20T14:53:00.000-04:00

I recently ran across this guy at the St. Pete Morning Market at Al Lang Stadium and thought he would be perfect to perform "Take Me Out To the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch at a Tampa Bay Rays. I couldn't pull out my phone fast enough to catch this one-man-band while he was both sining and playing, but you'll just have to take my word for it that it was definitely a sight to see! Let's just hope that whoever books talent for the Ray's comes across this video and scoops him up. Watch out DJ Kitty!