Lakeland in Colors

Lakeland FL – First Friday Bicyle Night June 4 2010

Lakeland Harrison School for the Arts presents “The Three Musketeers”

Lakeland Harrison School for the Arts presents “The Three Musketeers”

Did you miss this wonderful play of Micah Ariel James adaptations of Dumas’ renowned novel of “The Three Musketeers” this past weekend?

Great reviews of past performances! At last weekend’s almost sold out performances and raving reviews by patrons, you sure don’t want to miss this exciting production of “The Three Musketeers” that is being showcased by the Harrison School for the Arts’ talented group of theater students.

For another weekend, you are encouraged to see this performance in the new Black Box Theatre located on 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801 on Friday, March 12^th @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 13^th @ 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinee, March 14^th, 2010 @ 2:00 p.m.

Under the direction of Ilene Fins, Dean of Harrison’s Theatre Department, “The Three Musketeers” explodes onto the Harrison stage with fast and furious duels in the dangerous streets of Paris! James’ version of this classic story follows the renowned adventures of country bumpkin d’Artagnan as he seeks entry into the prestigious King’s Musketeers.  Together they fight with courage to combat the malicious cardinal and save France.

“All for One and One for All!” Chock full of political intrigue, romance and exciting sword battles, this world premiere is not to be missed. En garde!

The troupe is lead by Britt Michael Gordon as d’Artagnan, Corinne Townsend as Aramis, Lance Taylor as Porthos, Amelia Marler as Athos, Demonte Cheeks as Treville, Justin Nipper as Bonacieux, Katie Ward as the Queen, Erika Williams as DeWinter, Jenna Creamer as Rochefort, Kevin List as the King, Chris Holseth as the Cardinal, Brooke Dixon as Constance,and Nicole Richard as the Innkeeper, with Courtney Lang, Beth Rousseau, Camila Araujo, and Annie Jaynes as the Fight Corps.

Seating is very limited and I encourage buying tickets online at www.harrisonarts.com

Pictures are courtesy of Andy Glowgower of Andy Glowgower Photography

Mark your calendar for these upcoming performances of The Harrison Fine Arts Series for 2009/10:

The Three Musketeers

Friday, March 12, 2010 – Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 PM

Harrison Wind Ensemble Concert – Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Chamber Music Concert – Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Piano Concert – Thursday, April 08, 2010 at 7:30 PM

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Friday, April 23, 2010 – Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 25, at 2:00 PM

Idealistic Notions, Professional Visual Arts Exhibit

Friday, April 23, 2010 – Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Reception at 6:00 PM

String Orchestra Concert – Monday, April 26, 2010 First United Methodist Church, Lakeland at 7:30 PM

Spring Dance Concert – Friday, May 07, 2010 – Saturday, May 08, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Symphony Orchestra Concert – Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Lakeland Florida Free Entertainment – Annual Tiger Town Pig Festival January 29-30, 2010

Hi folks! It is time for our annual Tiger Town Pig Festival next to Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland Florida. At this free event, yes free and even parking is free, you will find the best barbeque around – every taste buds will be mesmerized by the variety of finger lickin’ barbeque with all sorts of variety.

In its 14^th year, Lakeland Pig Fest is well known for its barbeque competition enticing professional barbeque teams to travel to our beautiful city and compete in four categories: Ribs, Chicken, Pork and Brisket. Of course they are interested in the $10,000 in prize money and the $1000.00 Big Green Egg Prize Package.

Gates open on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. with live music on the mainstage performed by Bitter Edge followed by Damon Fowler.

The gates open on Saturday, January 30th at 10:00 a.m. for some barbeque braggin’ rights competition.

On both days there is plenty of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy including: NASCAR Simulators, Interactive Children’s area, Live Music, Tasting Opportunities and some world class barbeque.

A tad bit of history lesson! It started all in 1994 when a small group of local businessmen attended the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Tyron, N.C. to watch a barbeque championship. From then on, a festival committee was established and Lakeland’s Pig Festival welcomed its first barbeque competitors in 1997. Since then, professional teams and backyard teams travel great distances to compete separate in now five different categories in Ribs (loin and spare), Pork (shoulder and butt), Chicken, Brisket (beef) and Sauce. The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Professional Competition and Judging School considers Lakeland’s Pig Fest to be one of the finest events sanctioned by KCBS.  Lakeland’s annual  Pig Fest held at Joker Marchant Stadium has since then grown to over 300 Barbeque Teams competing for prize money and attendance growing quickly each year.

The Junior League of Greater Lakeland became in 2005 the lead organizer for this great event and they do an outstanding job providing volunteers to see that this free event is run smoothly. The event in itself is free, such as the concerts – as you walk towards the gate, let me suggest you buy “Pig Dollars” near the entrance for food and drinks and also some for your kids, since I’m sure they want to take part in arts & crafts, climbing and jumping. Don’t worry if you run out of the “Pig Dollars or “Pig Bucks”, there are various locations throughout the area for you to buy more.

Minutes from Lakeland, the Fantasy of Flight Air Museum is a Must See for Aviation Buffs

One of the things people love most about the Lakeland, Florida area is the wonderfully temperate climate we experience here – nearly year ’round. The clear, blue skies and warm temperatures make for terrific vacations, and they’re even more enjoyable for those who decide to make this part of Florida their home.

Of course, such premium weather conditions are also terrific for flying, and the Lakeland area is blessed to have nearby one of the nation’s best air museums – Fantasy of Flight – located in Polk City, Florida.

Located just a brief distance down I-4 from the downtown Lakeland area, Fantasy of Flight was Founded by Kermit Weeks, who established this vintage airplane museum as a natural extension of his lifelong passion for aviation and aircraft.

Fantasy of Flight provides Lakeland residents and visitors to the area with a chance to experience one of the world’s greatest collection of fighter planes,  a first-class airplane restoration operation, and museum of aircraft history.

What makes this air museum really special is that many of the airplanes Kermit has restored are actually in perfect working order.  In fact, Kermit even sets up flying time in some of these planes – including a vintage bi-wing barnstorming plane -  for a reasonable fee.

So What Types of Planes Can You See at Fantasy of Flight?

Kermit has brought together a fine collection of vintage airplanes.  A few you may see while on a visit to this aviation theme park include:

• North American P-51C Mustang
• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
• Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero
• Supermarine Spitfire MK16
• Valkyrie

Friends of ours who served in the military and visit Fantasy of Flight are often amazed when they see these class air machines up close.  As Florida is a favored destination for retirees, a trip to see these historic airplanes may come up once in a lifetime. One thing is for sure, both casual visitors and serious aviation history buffs will agree that Fantasy of Flight is a must see Lakeland area attraction.

General Information for Fantasy of Flight

Hours of Operation:

Fantasy of Flight is open 10 am – 5 pm daily, excluding Thanksgiving & Christmas.

Phone: (863) 984-3500

Address:

1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E.
Polk City, FL 33868

Directions:

From Orlando/East/North

Go West on I-4 towards Tampa. Take the SR-559 exit – exit #44. Turn right toward Polk City & Fantasy of Flight. At the flashing red light, turn left. FOF will be less than a 1/4 mile down on your left.

From Tampa/West/South

Go East on I-4 towards Orlando. Take the SR-559 exit – exit #44. Turn left toward Polk City & Fantasy of Flight. At the flashing red light, turn left. FOF will be less than a 1/4 mile down on your left.

Lakeland Florida – Got Weekend Plans? – Free Art & Music Event this Saturday!

Did you enjoy this past weekend’s free events honoring the people who serve? Check out this Saturday’s free art & music event on November 14, 2009 from 11am-5pm. This event takes place downtown Lakeland at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater.

This event would help bring unity to the community of Lakeland through a common passion; creative arts. It would be a place for talented artists within our community to release their gifts, bringing a positive influence into our city. Artists would have the opportunity to network & share with other artists of the same vein and hopefully it would provide profit for them by selling their pieces/music. To simply put it, we want to promote art. 

There will be all sorts of live entertainment throughout the day, featuring: The Florida Dance Theatre, Southeastern’s fX Percussion Group, Joe Gavin, John Conklin, Terra Terra Terra and more!

If you would like to learn more about the event, please visit their website: http://www.kristinacollins.org/events.html

Lakeland Fl – First Friday “Honoring Service” – November 6th, 2009

What can you expect to see in and around Munn Park – First Friday “Honoring Service”?

With all Lakeland First Friday events, Downtown Lakeland Partnership has always done an outstanding job organizing, which proved at last month event of “Art Walk”. I’ve never seen that many people downtown Lakeland comingling, shopping, dining and having a good time.

It all starts at 6:00 p.m. with the National Anthem that will be performed by the Harrison School for the Arts string quartet in front of Brooke Pottery.

• Color guard demonstration by Lake Gibson High, Lake Region, and George Jenkins High Schools.
• Dance and ROTC performances throughout the evening are scheduled – Kentucky Avenue will close from Lemon Street to Oak.
• Music and Entertainment
• Student art displays along the streets

At 7:00 p.m. between Main and Lemon Street, you’ll be entertained by clogging and nutcracker dances.

• Girl Scouts are sponsoring card making activities to be sent to troops overseas.
• Massages will be offered
• Prizes to win, sign up for drawings and more.
• Lifestyle Fitness Center will also have you entertained

There is so much more from Nonperishable Food Drive organized by Brooke Pottery to benefit the Talbot House to Operation Drop Zone donating items for our active military members deployed overseas. Think about our military veterans when you shop downtown Lakeland!

Also, Senator Paula Dockery, who just announced her run for governor will be there to talk with you.

Stop by at the classic car show!

Being married to a veteran, who served 20 years in the Army and both of my sons (SIL) serving in the military, one as a Marine reservist and the other active duty in the Air Force, this is very dear to my heart. Veterans Day is November 11^th and Lakeland, Florida’s First Friday local event “Honoring Service” could not have been timed any better.

Lakeland Florida – CommonGround a place to be for all Children

Recently, I strolled around the most interesting playground I’ve ever seen, Lakeland CommonGround – oh boy, I wished I had a playground like this when I grew up. The best thing is it is right here in this beautiful city of Lakeland.

The thought originally of such a park came from two Lakeland-area mothers of children with special needs, who contacted the Parks and Recreation Department with their suggestion. After four years of fundraising, planning and construction, this park opened up for all children ages 2-12 earlier this year.

Lakeland Florida CommonGround Park – a Place for Children of all abilities

Located in Edgewood Park, at the corner of Edgewood Drive and Buckingham Avenue, Lakeland’s CommonGround uses the space very efficiently with two separate playground areas, a rock-climbing wall, an astroturf mound for kids to roll down, and much more for all children of all abilities. Play zones are exceptionally designed, so children can play side-by-side.

The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until dusk!

I just love when city, community leaders, various fund raising organizations, such as the Rotary Clubs, businesses and volunteers come together and create such a place for children. Again, this just goes to show that Lakeland is not just a pit stop of Interstate 4. It is a great place to raise a family with children of all abilities.

Brigadoon – A classic presented by Harrison School for the Art in Lakeland Florida

Imagine you are going to bed at night and the next day you wake up a century later….. then you don’t want to miss this romantic Lerner & Loewe classic musical that tells the story of two Americans who discover a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years. Containing such songs as Heather on the Hill, I’ll Go Home With Bonnie Jean, and Almost Like Bein’ in Love in Brigadoon you will find that anything truly is possible…even miracles.

It is no secret around here in Lakeland Florida that October is when the students at Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts present their annual musical theater production. This year’s classic, “Brigadoon”, will be a remembrance of past musicals’ great successes. Musicals like “Singing in the Rain”, “Starting Here, Starting Now”, “King and I” and “Pirates of Penzance” brought exhilaration and a full house to Lakeland’s Harrison School for the Arts theatre. This year you will be astonished by these High School kids from departments such as musical theater, music, dance, orchestra and theater departments, showcasing their exceptional talents.

Photos were taken and provided by Andy Glogower http://innerglowphoto.com/

Performances: October 22, 23, 24 at 7:30 p.m. – October 25 at 2:00 p.m.  ****Reserved Seating****

Ticket prices: $8.00 for student/seniors – $10.00 for adult ticket

Box Office hours: October 22^nd 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

October 23^rd 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

October 24^th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

October 25^th 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Purchase Tickets online at www.harrisonarts.com

Lakeland Florida – Mercedes-Benz Lake Mirror Classic Extravaganza 2009

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary, the annual Mercedes-Benz Lake Mirror Classic takes place around Lake Mirror and in the downtown Lakeland area on October 16/17, 2009. Lakeland expects an estimated 35,000 people wandering around Lake Mirror for the two day event which is considered as one of the best shows in the Southeast. Visiting the extraordinary event will mesmerize car enthusiasts around Lakeland and the country.

This two-day charity event raises money for Lakeland’s non-profit groups, such as the Junior Achievement, Pied Piper Players, Boy Scouts, the First Tee, Historic Lakeland, and Lakeland Regional Cancer. More than $200,000.00 has been raised or donated helping them raise needed funds through the sale of food and beverage at the event.

The honorary chairman for this year’s Festival is Hall of Famer and endurance racer Hurley Hawood, known as a one-of-a-kind driver winning the 24 Hours of Daytona five times – a pioneer and a legend indeed.

What can you expect at Lakeland’s Lake Mirror Classic?

Friday, October 16^th from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. there will be a free Budweiser Hot Rod Rendezvous at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater with a free outdoor concert featuring live music by Jr. and the MDs, 100 hot rod and custom cars.. The Hot Rod Rendezvous will benefit the Junior Achievement of Polk County

Saturday, October 17^th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Mirror Park and downtown Lakeland, Judged Concours d’ Elegance – “contest of elegance” for 100 selected cars in the following categories:

• Brass Era Vehicles
• Pre-War Classics 1925-1942
• Pre-War Production Cars 1900 – 1942
• Post-War Production Cars 1945-1962
• Commercial Vehicles thru 1959
• Muscle Cars 1964-1972
• Domestic Sports Cars Thru 1972
• Foreign Sports Cars Thru 1972
• Cars of Particular Interest

Art Deco Automobiles featuring 1930 Mercedes-Benz 130H (German), 1938 Panhard Dynamic (France), 1937 Tatra T87 (Czechoslovakia), and the Peugeot Darl’ mat (France). Classic Wooden Boat show at Lake Mirror, Classic Motorcycles

Noon: Lunch Parade to the Lake Mirror Promenade led by Scottish bag-piper as tuxedo-clad Terrace Hotel waiters delivers lunch to Concours d’ Elegance participants.

2:00 p.m.:  Parade of Classic Wooden Boats at Lake Mirror

3:00 p.m.: Awards Ceremony of Concours d’Elegance trophy presentation

Check out the photos I took at last year’s event of the Lake Mirror Classic – you don’t want to miss it – Truly Amazing!

Lakeland Florida – Local Event – First Friday “Art Walk” October 2nd 2009

It’s “Thriller Night” at this First Friday local event that is actually themed “Art Walk” and held around downtown Lakeland Florida around Munn Park in the streets of Kentucky Ave. As always the Downtown Lakeland Partnership prides itself of hosting and organizing First Friday events such as this one.

Expect the unexpected! Art Galleries throughout downtown Lakeland hosting art exhibits and reception and you are invited. Take a moment out of your busy schedule and see what our local artists have to offer and patron our local merchants. We have true talent here in Lakeland showcasing their art work displayed throughout downtown Lakeland – it’s worth checking it out. It all starts at 6:00 p.m. – restaurants, stores, galleries, and coffee shops are open late. What else can you expect to see?

• Dance performances
• Music & Entertainment on the streets
• Big Tent Sale
• Mitchells Coffee House – art reception and poetry reading
• Senator Paula Dockery will be there to talk with you!
• Performances in the street from Rae’s Retro Mannequin and Modeling.
• Performances stat at 7:00pm in front of J Rowan Galleries with Michael’ Jackson’s “Thriller“, Rocky Horror’s “Time Warp“ – Plus a Michael Jackson Impersonator will be there!
• Garden Bistro – next to Hollis Garden offers a German Buffet at $9.99 – Wiener Schnitzel, red cabbage, hot German potato salad and more. Music will also be provided by The Sofa Kings from 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Brooke Pottery – meet two local birding enthusiasts Rob Mason and Linda Snavley and hear their stories, they may reveal some of their hotspots for bird watching. In addition, they will show off Rob’s outstanding photographs of Florida birds, including Lakeland’s mascot – the swan.

Here are some of my photographs of this wonderful creature – hope you enjoy!

Don’t forget to stop by the classic car show on Tennessee Avenue

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