On The Town: April 2015
29 special events to check out in the month of April.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS MARDI GRAS
Through Apr. 18 On select nights, The Big Easy comes to Central Florida, with Cajun and Creole cuisine, street performers, lively music and fistfuls of beads. Included with annual pass or Universal Studios admission. universalorlando.com
EPCOT’S INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL
Through May 17 Educational designer programs, themed gardens, topiary displays, and live concerts usher in spring. New this year: Topiaries of Anna and Elsa in a garden scene from the animated Disney movie Frozen. epcotinspring.com
THORNTON PARK 2ND THURSDAY ART AND WINE WALK
Apr. 9 Artists display works for sale along the streets and inside local businesses. Free, but a $10 wristband (available at Olde Town Brokers) gets you a free pour of wine at various locations. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street. thorntonparkdistrict.com
THERESA CAPUTO LIVE! THE EXPERIENCE
Apr. 9 TLC’s Long Island Medium will give interactive readings to audience members throughout the show and will share stories about her life and unique gifts. 7:30 p.m. CFE Arena, UCF, 12777 Gemini Blvd. N., Orlando. 407-823-6006. cfearena.com
JANE PAULEY: YOUR LIFE CALLING
Apr. 9 The award-winning broadcast journalist discusses her latest book, Your Life Calling: Reimagining the Rest of Your Life, in conversation with Billy Collins as part of the Winter Park Institute’s series of interviews, lectures and readings. 7:30 p.m. Rollins College, Warden Arena, Alfond Sports Center, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. 407-691-1995. winterparkinstitute.org
CELEBRATION EXOTIC CAR FESTIVAL
Apr. 9-12 North America’s largest collection of exotic cars, race cars and iconic Hollywood movie cars. Following two days of racing at Daytona International Speedway, the action moves south, to a Beach Boys concert at the Hard Rock Cafe and to downtown Celebration for a car exhibition along the waterfront, a wine-pairing dinner, and a road rally. celebrationexoticcars.com
UCF CELEBRATES THE ARTS
A week of artistic events hosted by the university at Dr. Phillip Center for the Performing Arts. All events are free, but tickets are required for most. 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. arts.cah.ucf.edu/schedule
Civil War Voices
Apr. 9-14 Performed by the Orlando Repertory Theatre company and UCF Choir, compelling and passionate true stories of individuals who lived through the conflict, using their words, left behind in diaries, letters and other writings. The show features songs of the period, such as “Battle Hymn of the Republic,’’ “Amazing Grace’’ and “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.’’ Every morning at 10 a.m. except Friday at noon.
Icarus at the Edge of Time
Apr. 10 UCF Symphony Orchestra, featuring original score by Philip Glass and accompanying movie AI & AI, with narration by Kate Mulgrew. 7:30 p.m.
Shakespeare Swings!
Apr. 11 Orlando Shakespeare Theater Cabaret Singers and the UCF Flying Horse Big Band celebrate the immortal Bard and his impact on the American musical landscape in this world-premiere revue featuring songs from West Side Story and Kiss Me, Kate. Along with popular Big Band tunes, original compositions and arrangements of Shakespeare lyrics and sonnets, 8 p.m.
Theatre UCF Showcase
Apr. 11-12 A collage of musical numbers from past and future UCF productions, presentations of student projects, and scenes by students nominated for Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Acting Awards. Saturday at 6 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m.
Theatre UCF Dance Showcase: Simply Dance
Apr. 12-13 UCF dancers and choreographers cast away the elaborate costumes and focus on movement, form and raw talent. Sunday at 1 p.m., Monday at 7 p.m.
The Night Beat
Apr. 14 UCF Percussion Ensemble guestartist Ben Finley, 6 p.m.
CENTRAL FLORIDA MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY SHOW
Apr. 10-12 Sparkles, glints and glimmers galore at this annual exhibition and vendor show. Friday 1-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Florida National Guard Armory, 2809 S. Fern Creek Ave., Orlando. cfmgs.org
JAZZ ‘N’ BLUES STROLL
Apr. 11 Enjoy live blues under a starry sky inside Leu Gardens. Pack a picnic dinner and drinks and bring chairs or blankets. 7 p.m. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org
DELANDAPALOOZA
Apr. 11 A music and art festival with more than 150 acts on 27 stages, with a multitude of musical genres represented. 1-11:45 p.m. 1485 Lakeview Drive, DeLand. mainstreetdeland.org
SPRING FIESTA IN THE PARK
Apr. 11-12 Over 150,000 people stroll around Lake Eola during this annual arts, crafts and family-oriented event. Food, games and music add to the delight. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Lake Eola Park, 600 E. Robinson St., Orlando. fiestainthepark.com
SPRING FEVER IN THE GARDEN
Apr. 11-12 Plants and garden displays, chalk painting, garden experts, live music, plein air artists, and a stroll down aptly named Plant Street make for a great weekend in Winter Garden. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. springfeveringarden.com
MAITLAND SPRING FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Apr. 11-12 A juried arts and fine-crafts show. Stroll around Lake Lily to enjoy the artwork, entertainment and music available throughout the two-day event. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Lake Lily Park, 701 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland. 407-539-6268. maitlandspringartfestival.com
BLUES AT THE WINERY
Apr. 11-12 Some of Central Florida’s best blues artists will perform on an outdoor stage in Clermont. Sip wine or beer, tour the winery and enjoy the sound of musicians such as Bobby Blackmon. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 North, Clermont.
lakeridgewinery.com
SEMINOLE STATE SPEAKER SERIES
Apr. 15 Julia Hill, author, activist and poet: “What’s Your Tree: Having a Life of Purpose, Passion and Power.” 7 p.m. Fine Arts Concert Hall (Building G), Sanford/Lake Mary campus, 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford. 407-708-2776. seminolestate.edu
TASTE OF WINTER PARK
Apr. 15 Sample all the best that Winter Park has to offer. Restaurants, caterers and new eateries bring out their best noshes and drinks. 5 p.m. Winter Park Farmers Market, 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407-644-8281. winterpark.org
3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK
Apr. 16 Visitors converge on the core of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to celebrate art. 6 p.m. City Arts Factory, 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. orlandoslice.com
FLORIDA MUSIC FEST & CONFERENCE
Apr. 16-18 Each night from 8 p.m.-2 a.m., more than 50 bands perform on 12 stages throughout downtown Orlando. The industry conference offers opportunities to network with music companies and to hand out resumes and demos. floridamusicfestival.com
WINTER PARK PAINT OUT AND GARDEN PARTY
Apr. 19-25 Artists paint in the Polasek sculpture gardens and at other locations throughout Winter Park during the week. Completed works will be displayed at the Polasek Museum. The museum and gardens are free and open to the public the entire week. The “en plein air” Garden Party begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday and requires a ticket. 407-647-6294. Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, 633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park.polask.org
ORLANDO CABARET FESTIVAL
Apr. 23-May 10 This annual festival features intimate performances from some of the world’s preeminent cabaret and jazz artists. Mad Cow Theatre, 54 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-297-8788. orlandocabaret.com
SANFORD ART WALK
Apr. 24 Explore galleries and art spaces in and around First Street between Magnolia and Sanford avenues. Discover this river town’s culture and nightlife, food and art. 6-9 p.m. sanfordartwalk.com, sanfordwelcomecenter.com
CENTRAL FLORIDA EARTH DAY
Apr. 25 Vegetarians of Central Florida hold the largest and longest-running Earth Day festival in Central Florida, with educational exhibits, speakers, live music and activities for the entire family. This is a free, dog-friendly and smoke-free event.10 a.m.-6 p.m. Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando. cfearthday.org
WJRR EARTH DAY BIRTHDAY
Apr. 25 A rock concert and festival featuring three stages of live music, vendors, arts and more. Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. wjrr.com
VIVA LA MUSICA AT SEAWORLD
Apr. 25-May 16 Four Saturdays of hot Latin music, food prepared by SeaWorld Executive Chef Hector Colon, and mucho mas. Free with park admission. seaworldparks.com
