Events On The Town: February 2019
30 Special Events and 8 fundraisers happening in the month of February.
SPECIAL EVENTS
EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Through Feb. 25: A trifecta of artistic cuisine, visual arts and live entertainment—from local bands to Disney on Broadway performances. Included with park admission. Walt Disney World Epcot Showcase, Lake Buena Vista. disneyworld.disney.go.com
GLADDENING LIGHT—THE SCIENCE OF LOVE
Feb. 1-3: Gladdening Light’s 2019 symposium presents activist and theologian Matthew Fox and Ilia Delio, Franciscan Sister and authority on the integration of science with religion. Also, performances by Nóirín Ní Riain and Owen & Moley O Súilleabháin. Check website for complete schedule of events. Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. gladdeninglight.org
ELMO’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND AT SEAWORLD
Feb. 2-3: Celebrate Elmo’s birthday with meet-and-greets, an interactive DJ dance party and more surprises throughout the park. Included with park admission. seaworldorlando.com
MOUNT DORA ARTS FESTIVAL
Feb. 2-3: This juried art show includes oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, clay, sculpture and photography on display throughout downtown, with live music on a main stage in Donnelly Park. mountdoracenterforthearts.org
EATONVILLE CRAFTS & CULTURE MARKET
Feb. 3: Experience the history, heritage and culture that is the historic Town of Eatonville with storytellers, performers, reenactments, local merchants and more. Free. 1-5 p.m. 100 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. eatonvillechf.com
STORY TIME AT LEU GARDENS
Feb. 4: The Orange County Library System comes to the gardens to share stories and songs with infants at 10 a.m., toddlers at 10:20 a.m., and preschoolers at 10:40 a.m. Free. 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org
WINTER WITH THE WRITERS
A festival of the literary arts, free and open to the public. Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. 407-646-2666. rollins.edu/winter-with-the-writers
Feb. 6: Screening of Don’t Think Twice, with Mike Birbiglia, comedian, actor and director, and Jen Hope Stein, consulting producer—both of whom will join the audience via Skype. Film screening, 5:30 p.m. Bush Auditorium.
Feb. 7: Improv coach, director and performer Liz Allen teaches an improv class. 4 p.m. SunTrust Auditorium.
Feb. 14: Brian Turner, poet and author of “My Life as a Foreign Country.” Reading, 7:30 p.m. Bush Auditorium.
Feb. 21: Barbara Hamby, poet and Distinguished University Scholar at Florida State University. Reading, 7:30 p.m. Bush Auditorium.
Feb. 28: Daniel Gumbiner, author of “The Boatbuilder” and Jennifer Clement, the first woman to be elected President of PEN International. Master Class with Jennifer Clement, 2 p.m. SunTrust Auditorium. Master Class with Daniel Gumbiner, 4 p.m. SunTrust Auditorium. Joint reading, 7:30 p.m. Bush Auditorium.
FIRST THURSDAYS AT OMA
Feb. 7: Mingle with local artists and view their work, enjoy live music and walk through the galleries of the Orlando Museum of Art. Food and drink available for purchase. This month’s theme: “Language of Love.” 6-9 p.m. Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. omart.org
MOUNT DORA 2ND FRIDAY ART SPLASH
Feb. 8: An evening of art, music and hors d’oeuvres showcases the work of regional artists, on display at several venues within walking distance. Free. 6-8 p.m. 138 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. mountdoracenterforthearts.org
28TH ANNUAL WINEFEST
Feb. 8-10: Enjoy the fruits of last year’s harvest at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards. Local artists and crafters display their work while guests listen to live music throughout the weekend. Complimentary winery tours and tastings are offered, and food, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase. 19239 N. U.S. Highway 27, Clermont. lakeridgewinery.com
OSCEOLA COUNTY FAIR
Feb. 8-17: Grab your boots and celebrate 75 years of the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show’s annual fair. Gates open Monday-Thursday 5 p.m., Friday-Sunday noon. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. osceolacountyfair.com
ORLANDO GAY CHORUS—LOVE IS… DUETS
Feb. 9: Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with duets and small group musical performances about love. 7:30 p.m. Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park. 407-636-9951. bluebambooartcenter.com
SEAWORLD SEVEN SEAS FOOD FESTIVAL
Feb. 9-May 5: Sip and sample your way around the world of international coastal cuisine paired with wines and craft beers and enjoy live performances each weekend. seaworldorlando.com
TYLER PERRY’S MADEA’S FAREWELL PLAY TOUR
Feb. 10: With the end of the Madea franchise era, and in true Tyler Perry fashion, this iconic and beloved character is given a proper sendoff. 3 & 7:30 p.m. Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7000. amwaycenter.com, ticketmaster.com
WEDNESDAY LECTURE SERIES AT THE MORSE MUSEUM
Feb. 13: Independent Curator Donna Corbin discusses “A Most Exquisite Display—The Centennial Exhibition.” Programs take place in the Jeannette G. and Hugh F. McKean Pavilion and are followed by a reception. Free. 2:30 p.m. 161 W. Canton Ave., Winter Park. 407-645-5311. morsemuseum.org
ANDREA BOCELLI VALENTINE’S CONCERT
Feb. 13: The legendary tenor returns to Orlando with his unique holiday repertoire combining the most beloved arias, crossover hits and world-famous love songs. 8 p.m. Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7000. amwaycenter.com, ticketmaster.com
POLASEK MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE
Feb. 14: In honor of Albin Polasek’s birthday—February 14, 1879—and Valentine’s Day, the museum is celebrating with a free open house. Tours of Polasek’s historic home, studio and chapel at 10:30 & 11:45 a.m., 1:30 & 3 p.m.
VALENTINE’S CONCERT
Feb. 14: Walk arm-in-arm with your sweetie through Leu Gardens’ 50 acres under a starlit sky. Bring a picnic supper and listen to the music of Ricky and the Buzzcatz. 7-10 p.m. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. leugardens.org
THORNTON PARK 2ND THURSDAY ART AND WINE WALK
Feb. 14: Artists display works for sale along the streets and inside local businesses. Free, but $15 gets you a glass (pay and pickup at Olde Town Brokers) and a map of participating businesses. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street. thorntonparkdistrict.com
SANFORD’S ALIVE AFTER 5 STREET PARTY
Feb. 14: Central Florida’s largest recurring street party, a monthly gathering with live music, local artists, and food and beverage samples. 5 p.m. 230 E. First St., Sanford. sanfordwelcomecenter.com
NUDE NITE
Feb. 14-16: This unique event brings together hundreds of artists for three evenings of visual art, performances, and characters—both in costume and out. 6 p.m.-midnight. Warehouse at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. nudenite.com
ART AND MUSIC IN THE PARK
Feb. 15: Artwork and live music in the park between Casselberry City Hall and Lake Concord. Food trucks and other vendors on site. 6 p.m. Free. Casselberry City Hall, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry. 407-262-7700, ext. 1507.
RENNINGER’S ANTIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA
Feb. 15-17: It’s one of the largest gatherings of antique dealers in the south with over 1,500 dealers displaying and selling merchandise.
8 a.m.-5 p.m. U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora. 352-383-8393. renningers.net
SILVER SPURS RODEO
Feb. 15-17: This Osceola County tradition features bull riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, barrel racing, and more. Contestants compete for $100,000 in prize money. Check website for event times. Silver Spurs Arena, Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3495. silverspursrodeo.com
WINTER PARK WEEKEND OF THE ARTS
Feb. 15-18: Rediscover arts and culture in Winter Park with performances, exhibits and events at over 20 arts organizations throughout the city. Each day features a new experience. cityofwinterpark.org
INDIE-FOLKFEST
Feb. 16: Musicians, artists and crafters, food and more. Noon-5 p.m. Mennello Museum of American Art Sculpture Garden, 600 E. Princeton St., Orlando. Free. mennellomuseum.org/iff
DRAGON PARADE & LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL
Feb. 17: Start off the Year of the Pig with a bang. Parade begins at 11 a.m.; festival begins at noon with Asian food, arts, cultural performances and live music. The parade route starts at the corner of Lake Highland Drive and North Mills Avenue, turns left at North Thornton Avenue and heads south. The festival takes place at 728 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando. centralfloridadragonparade.org
WINTER PARK INSTITUTE
Noted authors, historians and experts in their fields speak on a variety of topics. rollins.edu/rollins-winter-park-institute
Billy Collins
Feb. 17: Two-term U. S. Poet Laureate and Distinguished Senior Fellow of Winter Park Institute presents a discussion on “What Poets Talk About When They Talk About Love.” 2 p.m. Tiedtke Concert Hall, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park.
3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK
Feb. 21: Visitors converge on the core of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to browse the galleries and nontraditional art venues that spotlight the best of established and emerging Orlando-based artists. 6 p.m. Rogers Kiene Building, 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 3rdthu.com
DISNEY PRINCESS HALF MARATHON WEEKEND
Feb. 21-24: For all princesses, this weekend is for you, with shorter races and related events in addition to the Sunday half-marathon at Epcot. disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/disney-princess-half-marathon-weekend
World of Good
February Fundraisers
2/1
POWER OF THE PURSE, benefits community grants and scholarships funded by the Central Florida Women’s League Foundation. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. cfwl.org
2/2
ORLANDO METSQUERADE BALL, benefits Metastatic Breast Cancer Research. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando Resort. orlandomets.org
TRASH 2 TRENDS, benefits Keep Orlando Beautiful. Local designers create runway looks from items headed to the landfill. SeaWorld Orlando’s Ports of Call conference center. cityoforlando.net
ORLANDO OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK, benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Central Florida Chapter. Lake Baldwin, Orlando. afsp.donordrive.com
2/9
CARS FOR THE CURE HEATHROW AUTOMOTIVE FESTIVAL, benefits the American Lung Association. Colonial TownPark, Lake Mary.
carsforthecure.com
RUN 4 LOVE 4 MILE, benefits the Track Shack Foundation. Race starts at Showalter Field, Winter Park. trackshack.com
2/15
GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON, benefits the American Heart Association. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort. 407-481-6314. orlandogored.ahaevents.org
2/23
SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION DREAM GALA, benefits the school’s student scholarships and programs. Orlando Marriott Lake Mary. 407-708-4567. seminolestate.edu/foundation/dream-gala
