On the Town: May 2015
27 special events happening in the month of May.
ORLANDO CABARET FESTIVAL
Through May 10 This annual festival features intimate performances from some of the world’s preeminent cabaret and jazz artiszts. Mad Cow Theatre, 54 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-297-8788. orlandocabaret.com
VIVA LA MUSICA AT SEAWORLD
Through 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
EPCOT’S INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL
Through May 17 Educational designer programs, themed gardens, topiary displays, and live concerts. New this year: Topiaries of Anna and Elsa in a garden scene from the animated Disney movie Frozen. epcotinspring.com
EXPEDITION EVEREST CHALLENGE
May 1-2 This adrenaline-driven event combines a nighttime 5k run on an obstacle-strewn course in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park with the added excitement of a scavenger hunt. A post-race party features Disney entertainment and exclusive access to park rides. 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista. rundisney.com
EARTH FEST
May 2 Casselberry celebrates Earth Day 2015 with planting workshops, live music, door prizes, a recycled art exhibit and other eco-friendly events at Lake Concord Park, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry. Noon-4 p.m. Free. A 5 p.m. Voices of the Wekiva concert will raise money for Wekiva River cleanup and tree plantings. casselberry.org
JAZZ ON THE VINEYARD GREEN
May 2-3 Central Florida musicians will perform on an outdoor stage in Clermont. Sip wine or beer, tour the winery, and enjoy jazz in the sunshine. 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
ST. JOHNS RIVER FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
May 2-3 A new festival with more than 125 artists and craftsmen, arts demonstrations, a chalk-art competition, food court and live music. Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. First Street, Sanford. stjohnsriverartfest.com
FAMILY FEST
May 3 A free day of family fun, with a fishing derby, train rides, live-animal exhibit, police and fire vehicle displays, helicopter rescue drill, and a K-9 demonstration. Noon-5 p.m. Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. 407-571-8863. altamonte.org
WINESTOCK
May 8 Enjoy an evening of wine, craft beer, food and entertainment while strolling along the waterfront. 7-10 p.m. Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. 407-571-8803. winestockuncorked.com, altamonte.org
MOUNT DORA 2ND FRIDAY ART STROLL
May 8 This free event meanders through downtown Mount Dora, offering a festive evening of art, music and hors d’oeuvres designed to showcase regional artists at several walkable venues. 6-8 p.m. 138 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. mountdoracenterforthearts.org
CASSELBERRY 2ND FRIDAY ART & MUSIC IN THE PARK
May 8 Food trucks, the Casselberry Art House, and live music with the Longwood Jazz Big Band. Free. 6-9 p.m. Lake Concord Park, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry. casselberry.org
FCF PRO MMA LIVE
May 9 Watch professional mixed martial arts bouts and the Florida Championship Title Fight. 7:30 p.m.. Exhibition Hall at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. 407-579-5537. fcfighting.com
REGGAE ON THE BLOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 9 This street party features lively and heart-thumping music on outdoor stages by Tribal Seeds, Iration, Stick Figure, Rootz Underground and more, plus artists, food vendors and merchandise for sale. 3 p.m.-midnight. Washington Square at Orange Avenue and Washington Street, Orlando. reggaeontheblock.com
NITRO CIRCUS LIVE!
May 9 Freestyle motocross, BMX and skateboarding athletes perform daring tricks and stunts. Trikes, snow skis, a bathtub on wheels and more take off from the Giganta Ramp, and as many as 20 riders at one time zoom upside-down and all around on the Nitro Bomb. 7:30 p.m. Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7020. amwaycenter.com
MOTHER’S DAY AT THE GARDENS AND PLANT SALE
May 9-10 A weekend-long plant sale at Bok Tower Gardens—take mom on Sunday, and her admission is free. Live carillon concerts at 1 and 3 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 863-676-1408. boktowergardens.org
ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL
May 13-26 The longest-running Fringe Festival in the U.S. is back, with two weeks of unjuried, uncensored and affordable theater, music and dance. The festival takes place at various venues at or near Orlando’s Loch Haven Park, with the Kids Fringe happening at the Mennello Museum of American Art, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. orlandofringe.org
THORNTON PARK 2ND THURSDAY ART AND WINE WALK
May 14 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
BLUES-N-GROOVE WEEKEND
May 15-16 You’ll have a full weekend of great music provided by musicians new and old, from challenge winners to blues legends. The first band begins Friday at 5 p.m. and the final group plays Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Elizabeth Evans Park at Donnelly Street and Lake Dora, Mount Dora. 352-383-2165. bluesandgroove.com
GOOD LIFE FESTIVAL AT TRILOGY ORLANDO
May 16 Food, wine and craft-beer tasting, fashions, jewelry and more, plus a concert by The Temptations. Doors open at noon, mainstage performance starts at 3 p.m. Magnolia House, 100 Falling Acorn Ave., Groveland. 866-977-6849. thegoodlifefest.com
STAR WARS WEEKEND AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
May 16-June 14 May the Force be with you as you meet and greet galactic celebrities, enjoy special shows, blast off in the Starspeeder 1000 and, if you are a young Jedi, sharpen your lightsaber skills at the Academy. Fridays-Sundays. Free with park admission. disneyworld.disney.go.com
JAMES GAMBLE ROGERS COLLOQUIUM
May 16 “Not So Big House” author Sarah Susanka talks on historic preservation in the Tiedtke Auditorium on the Rollins College campus, followed by a catered lunch and a tour of homes in Winter Park’s historic College Quarter. 407-628-8296. casafeliz.us
CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD
May 16-17 Bahia Shriners Circus comes to the Silver Spurs Arena. 1 and 6:30 p.m. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. circusbahiashrine.org
3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK
May 21 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
SANFORD ART WALK
May 22 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
WALT DISNEY WORLD COOLEST SUMMER EVER
May 22-23 The Magic Kingdom will be open for 24 hours, from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, to showcase all of the cool thrills coming this summer to Walt Disney World. Attractions, entertainment, special events, merchandise, food and beverages are available. Spend the night sampling the new entertainment and restaurants. disneyworld.disney.go.com
HOT RODS & ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
May 23 This event fuses the sights and sounds of rock ‘n’ roll with the visual energy of hot rods. For car lovers, Cruisin’ Orlando will have more than 100 classic cars, muscle cars and hot rods on display. Devon Allman, son of blues rocker Gregg Allman, will be the musical headliner. 5-9 p.m. Lake Concord Park, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry. casselberry.org
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
May 25 Sanford rolls out the red, white and blue with a 10 a.m. parade along First Street, followed by an 11 a.m. remembrance ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Free. Downtown Sanford. sanfordfl.gov
