Calendar of Events

The Hillsborough County Public Library System is pleased to host the Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience Exhibit.  The exhibit (made possible by a grant from the from the National Endowment for the Humanities) will be opening on January 4, 2010 and will run through February 19, 2010 at the John F. Germany Public Library,900 North Ashley Dr. in downtown Tampa.

This free exhibit:
•    Tells the history of African-American participation in baseball from the 19th century to the present
•    Shows the complex linkage of race, sport, and society
•    Places the black baseball experience into a context within the American cultural history and the struggle for civil rights 

In addition to the exhibit, the John F. Germany Library will be presenting an Opening Day Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. with acclaimed illustrator Kadir Nelson, Jackie Robinson’s daughter Sharon Robinson and Negro League scholars Dr. Lawrence Hogan and Dr. Robert Cvornyek.  Many other programs that are inspired by the exhibit will be offered simultaneously throughout the county libraries.

Enjoy the rich history of Gasparilla–Tampa’s oldest and most fun loving community festival at the Henry Plant Museum. Our new exhibit, Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition explores Tampa’s premier party, attended by a motley crew of the famous and infamous, the wanna-be’s and used-to-be’s, the beautiful people and bad dudes.  Find out who they were as we highlight pirate’s booty and things of beauty during the city’s only exhibit of Krewe of Gasparilla memorabilia-coronation robes, ball invitations, programs, crowns and costumes as well as vintage photographs of the invasion, parade floats, pirates and royal courts. Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition will run from January 15 to February 14, 2010.

The Henry B. Plant Museum is featuring a collection of antique valentines from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.   Samples of this treasured paper ephemera will be on display from February 2 - 28, 2010.  Themes often included pictures of children and cherubs, cupids and arrows, hearts, forget-me-nots, lush cabbage roses, bits of lace, feathers, seashells and dried flowers – all intertwined with sentimental message.

The annual Florida State Fair is a salute to the state's best in the
agriculture and equestrian industry including an abundance of shows,
music, rides, food and shopping for 12 consecutive days. 

Excitement is
in the air all over the fairgrounds with plenty of free entertainment
included with admission. Make sure to plan your day in advance to enjoy
all the sights, sounds, and tastes the state fair has to offer. Parking
is free during the Fair. Gates open daily at 9 a.m. and closing time
varies by the day of the week and weather conditions.

Direct from Italy, this world acclaimed exhibition from the Il Genio de Leonardo da Vinci Museo brings to life Leonardo's genius as an inventor, artist, scientist, anatomist, engineer and architect. Now also including the new and revealing Secrets of Mona Lisa exhibit from Paris, Da Vinci - The Genius is the most comprehensive exhibition ever assembled on the greatest mind that ever lived. An amazing experience and inspiration for the whole family.

Mondays
are corkage free at Café Dufrain. Bring in any bottle of wine and we'll
pop the cork at no charge to you. Café Dufrain's usual corkage fee is
$15.