On The Town: August 2015
22 special events happening in the month of August.
GEEKYCON (FORMERLY LEAKYCON)
July 30-Aug. 2 Celebrate everything about being a fantasy fan, with panels, programs, workshops, singalongs, concerts and more. Meet authors Courtney Summers, Holly Black and Jason Reynolds, musician Peter Hollens, and Game of Thrones language creator David Peterson. Orange County Convention Center, South Concourse, 9990 International Drive, Orlando. geekycon.com
MEGAPLEX
July 31-Aug. 2 This arts-and-entertainment convention focuses on anthropomorphic characters, with interactive art and performances that feature costuming, puppetry, improv and music. This year’s theme: “Cops & Robbers.” Megaplex raises money for C.A.R.E. Foundation, which seeks to raise public awareness of local wildlife and abused pets. Orlando Airport Marriott, 7499 Augusta National Drive, Orlando. megaplexcon.org
SEAWORLD SUMMER NIGHTS
Through Aug. 9 Celebrate summer by experiencing SeaWorld in the hours after sunset, with a new Shamu “Light Up The Night” show and coaster rides under the stars. Open until 10 p.m. Free with park admission.
U.S. CONTINENTAL PAGEANT
Aug. 7-8 Developed to recognize modern women for their strengths and accomplishments. Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. uscontinentalpageant.com
ARTEGON MARKETPLACE ART OF BEER
Aug. 11 An evening of craft beer, live music and tantalizing treats from marketplace vendors. Sip freshly poured ales from a local brewer and mingle with the artisans from the Village at Artegon Marketplace. Free. Second Tuesday of each month from 5-8 p.m. 5250 International Drive, Orlando. 407-351-7718. artegonmarketplace.com
THORNTON PARK 2ND THURSDAY ART AND WINE WALK
Aug. 13 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 at Washington Street. thorntonparkdistrict.com
MOUNT DORA 2ND FRIDAY ART STROLL
Aug. 14 A festive evening of art, music and hors d’oeuvres in downtown Mount Dora that showcases the work of regional artists with displays at several walking-distance venues. Free. 6-8 p.m. 138 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. mountdoracenterforthearts.org
ANIME FESTIVAL ORLANDO
Aug. 14-16 “Tales of Orlandia: The Curse of the White Witch,” is a weekend of costumes, skits, vendors, artists, a dance party and an anime music-video contest. Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Drive, Orlando. animefestivalorlando.com
ART & WINE STROLL AT THE VILLAGE AT ARTEGON
Aug. 15 Every third Saturday, Artegon Marketplace hosts an art-and-wine stroll from 6-8 p.m. Enjoy handcrafted items and art, tasty treats, and wine from Orlando’s Quantum Leap Winery, as well as live jazz music. Free. 5250 International Drive, Orlando. 407-351-7718. artegonmarketplace.com
LAKERIDGE HARVEST GRAPE STOMP
Aug. 15-16 Take a complimentary winery tour, listen to live music and stomp away in barrels of grapes. Food and drink are also available for purchase. 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
3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK
Aug. 20 Visitors converge on Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to celebrate art. 6 p.m. City Arts Factory, 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. orlandoslice.com
SANFORD ART WALK
Aug. 28 Explore galleries and art spaces along historic downtown Sanford’s 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
World of Good August Fundraisers
8/6-8: HEARTS OF REALITY, benefits Give Kids The World. A weekend of browsing sidewalk sales, meet-and-greets with reality TV stars and a luau. Celebration Town Center. celebrationtowncenter.com
8/8: ORLANDO TASTE OF THE NATION, benefits No Kid Hungry. Sample culinary treats from Central Florida’s leading restaurants. Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando. ce.strength.org, nokidhungry.org
8/15: TRACK SHACK CELEBRATION OF RUNNING 5K, benefits Orlando Science Center, Loch Haven Park, Orlando. 407-896-1160. trackshack.com
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH, benefits Hope Now International, which distributes school supplies and offers haircuts, dental and physical exams, and other community and school-related resources to those in need. hopenowinternational.org
8/22: BLACK TIE ON THE WILD SIDE, benefits the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. The Westin Lake Mary. 407-323-4450, ext. 128. centralfloridazoo.org
DIAMONDS & DENIM GALA, benefits BETA Center, which helps children and families in the community. Walt Disney Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista. 407-277-1942, ext. 189. betacenter.org
8/28: VATICAN ORGANIST CONCERT, benefits Bishop Grady Villas, a church-run complex that houses, trains and educates people with physical and learning disabilities. St. James Catholic Cathedral, Orlando. 406-422-2005, ext. 106. stjamesorlando.org, orlandodiocese.org
Coming up…
9/12: GREATER ORLANDO HEART WALK, benefits the American Heart Association. Memory Mall, UCF main campus, Orlando. 407-481-6311. greaterorlandoheartwalk.org
O-TOWN MACDOWN, benefits Give Kids the World. A creative “mac ’n’ cheese” cooking competition featuring local professional chefs. Osceola Heritage Park Exhibit Hall, Kissimmee. otownmacdown.org
9/13: CHAMPIONS RIDE FOR CHARITIES, benefits Seminole County branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs and The Sharing Center. The bicycle ride begins and ends at AAA’s headquarters, Heathrow. championsrideforcharities.com
