Special Events
ART OF THE VINE
March 27 It’s an evening to sample international wines and dishes prepared by local restaurants. Bid on auction items and dance to live music at this event, hosted by Fields BMW in Winter Park. 6-10 p.m. $85-$100, sponsorships available. Fields BMW of Winter Park. 407-331-3059 ext. 10. newhopeforkids.org
CELERY BALL
March 7 Creative Sanford, Inc. presents the inaugural Celery Soup event, which will feature an evening of food, fun and community pride. Then 2 Now provides musical entertainment while local restaurants present a tasting. 6:30-11 p.m. $50 individual, $750 table for 10, sponsorships available. Sanford Civic Center, Sanford. 407-323-2774. celerysoupsanford.com
THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
March 13-15 Experience the three-day home improvement event that boasts the area’s largest selection of the latest products and services for every area of the home. Featured speakers include Rib Hillis, “Sparkle Josh” Johnson and Chef Lou Petrozza. Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $5 for children 6-12, $5 for seniors Friday only and $10 for adults. Orange County Convention Center. 800-645-7798 ext. 12. floridahomeshows.com
DIAMOND GALA
March 21 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 60th year anniversary will feature an evening of dancing, auctions, a raffle and a performance by dancer Daniella Koren. Jacqueline London of WKMG/Channel 6 will emcee the event. 6 p.m. $250 individual, sponsorships available. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, 4012 Central Florida Parkway. 407-898-0733. lls.org/cfldiamondgala
DINNER OF TRIBUTE
March 25 The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida honors longtime center supporters and community leaders John and Rita Lowndes at the annual event. The dinner will feature a program that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit and the role of the arts in embracing and promoting cultural diversity. 6 p.m. $180 individual, sponsorships available. Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive. 407-628-0555. holocaustedu.org
ESCAPE TO PARADISE GALA
March 21 The Central Florida Women’s League brings casino tables, a DJ, and silent and live auctions to this year’s event, benefiting local charities and scholarships for area high school students. 7 p.m. $200 individual, sponsorships available. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Lake Buena Vista. 407-352-9100. cfwl.info
AN EVENING AT THE PALACE
March 14 Spend an evening with the United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida as it celebrates the accomplishments of children with special needs and honors the Orlando Magic with the Jack Holloway Star of Gratitude Award. The evening includes a four-course gourmet meal, silent and live auctions, and live entertainment. 5:30-10 p.m. $250 individual; $2,500-$5,000 tables for 10; sponsorships available. Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa. 407-852-3307. ucpcfl.org
FESTIVAL CLAMBAKE
March 1 Experience a traditional New England-style clambake featuring steamed littleneck clams in Chardonnay butter, New England clam chowder and stuffed quahogs. Festival of the Orchestras hosts the event to raise funds for its classical music education program. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $75 individual. Leu Gardens Camellia Room, 1920 North Forest Avenue. 407-539-0245. festivaloforchestra.org
FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
March 7 The Julie Lyon Quartet will entertain guests at this Cystic Fibrosis Foundation event. Food will be provided by Central Florida restaurants including Ruth’s Chris, Bonefish Grill and Funky Monkey Wine Bar. 6-9 p.m. $65 donation. Baldwin Park Village Center. 407-339-2978. orlando.cff.org
GARDEN FAIR AND FLORAL DESIGN EXHIBIT
March 15 The Sweetwater Oaks Garden Fair, sponsored by the Sweetwater Oaks Garden club, features plants, shrubs, nature photography, yard art and accessories, plus educational booths, entertainment and activities. Master gardeners share their expertise. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sweetwater Square, Wekiva Springs Road and Fox Valley Drive, Longwood. Admission and parking are free. Proceeds provide scholarships, landscaping for Habitat for Humanity, and other club projects. 407-880-8758. flgc.esiteasp.com/swogc/home.nxg
GOLF SCRAMBLE
March 20 The Sharing Center invites guests to support its mission in assisting low-income children and families during financial emergencies with its annual golf scramble. A barbecue dinner will follow the tournament. 11:30 a.m. registration, 12:30 p.m. tee-off. $125 per golfer, $600 foursome plus hole sign. Timacuan Golf Club, 550 Timacuan Boulevard, Lake Mary. 321-945-2895. thesharingcenter.org
A PAIR TO REMEMBER
March 6 Local male celebrities present a live auction of designer shoes displayed on silver platters for this ladies’ luncheon, this year themed “Springtime in Paris.” The event also features spa and pampering services along with live entertainment and a silent auction. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $125 individual; $1,250 table for 10; sponsorships available. Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, Winter Park. 407-629-7881. fl.easterseals.com
RED CARPET CELEBRITY GALA
March 28 The Colon and Rectal Educational and Research Institute of Florida hosts a star-studded evening with comedy, a dinner and a silent auction. 7 p.m. $100 individual, sponsorships available. Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. 407-242-0142. creriflorida.com
SANFORD STROLL
March 28-29 Gather the family for a weekend at the zoo with the Hope and Help Center, which will host two days of entertainment, music and food to raise money to fight HIV/AIDS in Central Florida. 8 a.m. $25 minimum donation for adults, $10 minimum donation for children. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. 407-645-2577 ext.113. centralfloridazoo.org
SHOWCASE OF LUXURY HOMES
Through March 15 The Master Custom Builder Council presents 50 custom homes in 14 Central Florida communities including Baldwin Park, Lake Nona Golf and County Club, downtown Orlando, and Lake Butler Sound. Buyer incentives offered. Saturdays and Sundays 1-5 p.m. Free admission. 407-875-2121. Visit custombuilt.com for maps and locations.
SWEENEY TODD CAST PARTY
March 7 Rub elbows with the cast and crew of Sweeney Todd in a Hollywood-style cast party hosted by the Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, immediately following the show. 10 p.m. $75 individual. Orlando Marriott Downtown. 407-896-9700. orlandophil.org
WALK FOR WISHES
March 26 Make-A-Wish Foundation’s second annual event invites corporate and individual teams to help raise money to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. 5:30-9 p.m. $10 registration fee for walkers. Lake Eola Park, Downtown Orlando. 407-622-4673. walkforwishes.wishcentral.org
WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL
March 20-22 One of the nation’s top-rated outdoor art festivals celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with 225 national and international artists slated to exhibit their works and compete for more than $60,000 in awards, including $10,000 for best of show. Each year more than 350,000 visitors attend the festival, which includes entertainment, children’s activities, food and more. Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. Central Park and Park Avenue, downtown Winter Park. 407-672-6390. wpsaf.org
WORLD-PREMIERE GALA
March 7 Soprano Louis Toppin and composer-in-residence Markus Williams will perform at the 13th annual gala hosted by the “Negro Spiritual” Scholarship Foundation. The black-tie evening features performances by the 2009 Grady-Rayam Prize vocalists and an awards presentation. 6:30 p.m. $150 individual. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando. 407-426-1717 ext. 105. negrospiritual.org
