THE TO-DO LIST

january

To have an event considered for the calendar, send a short text description along with a color photo (if available) 45 days in advance of event to: calendar@akersmediagroup.com or Lake & Sumter Style Calendar, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749

EVENTS

JANUARY 7

LEESBURG MARDI GRAS MIXER: KICK OFF PARTY Come kick off the 19th annual Leesburg Mardi Gras season, and meet your King Rex and Queen Divine candidates as they show up and show out. The candidates have a moment to shine, where they reveal their campaign and make their fi rst pitch for votes. Entry is $5. A DJ, dancing, food, and a full bar are happening. Don’t miss it! This year it is hosted at Sip Restaurant Jazz and Wine Bar in downtown Leesburg. 7 p.m. 707 W. Main St. For more information, call 352.365.0053.

JANUARY 14

LEESBURG MARI GRAS MIXER: SUICIDE KARAOKE & BOWLING NIGHT The bid for your vote continues! ViaPort’s ViaEntertianment makes for a nice change of scenery but the candidates for King Rex and Queen Divine are still up to their shenanigans. Enjoy a night of bowling while they and their krewes compete in suicide karaoke. A song chosen at random must be performed and dazzle the crowd. Cousin Vinny’s will be there making sure everyone is well fed; all you have to do is choose a contender. This event is only $5. 6 p.m., 10401 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg.

JANUARY 16

A FETCHING AFFAIR GALA The South Lake Animal League’s second annual gala honors ‘Heroes with Heart.’ Showing no discretion to number of legs, this event aims to honor local pets and people making a difference in the community while raising money to support the efforts of the league. Come out to the Magnolia House at Trilogy Orlando and support this wonderful cause. Attire is business casual, so a Scottie in a sport coat isn’t out of the question! Tickets are $75. 6 to 9 p.m., 100 Falling Acorn Ave.,

Groveland. FOR TICKETS AND

INFORMATION, CALL JESSICA WHITEHOUSE AT 407.342.8876, OR EMAIL JESSICA@SLAL.ORG. YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THEIR SITE: SLAL.ORG/AFETCHINGAFFAIR

JANUARY 30

MOUNT DORA HEALTH AND FITNESS EXPO The family who gets fi t together, stays together! This event is fi lled with fun and education promoting healthy bodies, happy hearts, and strong bonds. Take advantage of all this event offers, which includes live music, weight loss education, fi tness demos, raffl e prizes, fresh-food vendors, and community health care providers. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Donnelly Park, 530 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL SINE WALLACE AT 352.537.9988 OR EMAIL JANET.GAMACHE@ GMAIL.COM.

JANUARY 30

SPICE IT UP FOR HOSPICE CHILI COOK-OFF Gentlemen, ready your ladles. It’s about to get heated in Bushnell Park! Teams compete for the top “pot” and major bragging rights. Enter your recipe or come as a taster and cast your vote for best booth display, best chili, judges’ choice award, and best hospice supporter. Enjoy live music by Todd Brown and the River Junction Band. To sweeten the deal, raffl e prizes include four Disney tickets and more. Tickets are $5 and all proceeds benefi t Cornerstone Hospice and the Lane Purcell Hospice House in Sumterville. To register for the event, email Susan Bennett at sbennett@cshospice.org. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 219 N. Market St.,

Bushnell. FOR MORE INFORMA-

TION, CALL 352.742.6807.

JANUARY 30

SWEET TREATS FOR THE ARTS: FASHION SHOW Lake County’s next top artist may benefi t from this event. Sweet Treats for the Arts is presenting a fashion show to help Lake County’s art students by contributing to scholarship funds. This is a great opportunity for vendors

JANUARY 23

Florida Rush Cup

Look, ma, no hands! This soccer competition pits teams from all over the world against each other for the cup. Competitors are matched by age group in eight brackets. The National Training Center in Clermont proudly hosts this two-day competition. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. For more information, call Florida Rush at 407.654.5552.

big and small. Sponsor a model, be a model yourself, or just come and shop! Enjoy a silent auction, and scope out the items on the runway. The event is at LakeSumter State College. Shopping and silent auction from 12:30 to 2 p.m., fashion show is from 2 to 4 p.m. 9501 U.S. Highway 441,

Leesburg. FOR MORE INFORMA-

TION, CALL 352.552.5467 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE: SWEETTREATFASHIONSHOW.ORG

MUSIC+THEATRE

JANUARY 9

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DANCE NIGHT Lace up your blue suede shoes and bop on over to Paquette’s for a swinging good time, with the promise of good music and plenty of dancing. “Annie” & the Orphans will play hits from the 50s and 60s. Admission is $15, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Buffalo Nickel Ranch Show Barn, 615 S. Whitney Road,

Leesburg. FOR MORE INFORMA-

TION, CALL 352.267.2674.

JANUARY 9

SALLY ANDERSON’S TRIBUTE TO DOLLY PARTON Been working hard 9 to 5? Spend your deserved time off with the nationally-known Dolly Tribute—Sally Anderson and The Tribute—Sally Anderson and The Rodeo Rhythm Kings, bringing their show to Mount Dora. Tickets are $23, $27, and & $35. 7 to 9 p.m., Mount Dora Community Building, 520 N. Baker St., Mount

Dora. FOR MORE INFORMATION,

CALL 352.217.8390.

JANUARY 14

PHOENIX RISING The Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra presents Guy SaintClair’s symphonic poem “Phoenix Rising,” with pieces performed by Estonian pianist, Sten Heinoja. Held at St. Patrick Catholic Church, this will be a night of music you won’t forget. 7:30 p.m., 6303 Old Highway 441 South (Highland Street), Mount

Dora. FOR MORE INFORMATION,

CALL 352.589.1500.

JANUARY 15

“NORMAN, IS THAT YOU?” Wanting to fi nd entertainment that’s comical and relevant? Join the Melon Patch Theatre’s rendition of “Norman, Is That You?” This is the rewrite of the original play by Sam Bobrick. Opening night is the 15th and the play runs through January. 311 N. 13th St., Leesburg. FOR TICKETS,

TIME, AND MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE AT 352.787.3013, OR EMAIL OR EMAIL MELONPATCHPLAYERS@GMAIL.COM. MELONPATCHPLAYERS@GMAIL.COM. JANUARY 22

ART+EXHIBITS

JANUARY 23

FUNNY MONEY You may remember the 2006 Chevy Chase fi lm, but this farce was originally a British stage comedy written by Ray Cooney. It’s a classic case of the switcheroo. After Henry Perkins fi nds the briefcase with his cheese and chutney sandwich replaced with one stuffed with money, mayhem and hilarity ensue. The IceHouse Theatre in Mount Dora invites you to opening night, 8 to 10:30 p.m. 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL JEAN ROBINSON AT 352.383.4616 OR EMAIL INFO@ICEHOUSETHEATRE.COM.

JANUARY 15

RENNINGER’S ANTIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA With more than 800 booths, Renninger’s has Florida’s biggest antique show. If you’re looking for a treasure, the odds are in your favor. Vendors from all over the U.S. offer a variety that ensures you’ll see unique pieces. This event lasts three days, running from Friday, Jan. 15 to Sunday, Jan. 17. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Renningers Antique Center, 20651 U.S. Highway 441, Mount

Dora. FOR INFORMATION, CALL

352.383.8393.

Steampunk and Industrial Show

JANUARY 30

ASSISTED LIVING: THE MUSICAL Sex and drugs isn’t just rock star stuff; this musical looks at the issues of getting older with kneeslapping humor. The reviews say it’s a riot. Come see for yourself at the Mount Dora Community Building. Tickets are $17 to $32, 7 to 9 p.m., 520 N. Baker St.,

Mount Dora. FOR MORE INFOR-

MATION, CALL JANET GAMACHE AT 352.217.8390 OR EMAIL JANET. GAMACHE@GMAIL.COM.

JANUARY 23

FIRST FAMILY HISTORY FAIR Gather the leaves of your family tree and join the Leesburg Public Library for their brand new event. There is something to learn for everyone, from where to research to how to catalog. Attendees can participate in genealogy and preservation sessions, touching on DIY photo scanning, organizing and editing digital photos, and learning how the library can aid your family research. You can chat with local history and lineage societies and explore websites such as DeadFred.com and Historypin.org. A can’t-miss event for lovers of history and all those interested in legacy, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 100 E. Main St., Leesburg.

You can’t fi ght the steampunk phenomenon with Renninger’s two-day event, which is now the biggest in the Southeast. Browse the wonderful steampunk creations and accessories, enjoy turn-ofthe-century entertainment. Three notable steampunk bands play the event: Cog is Dead, Clockwork Knotwork, and Jig to a Milestone. Admission is free. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Renninger’s Antique Center, 20651 U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora. For more info, call 352.383.8393 or visit renningers.net.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 352.728.9790.

JANUARY 23 JAN

D Doo Wop Sock Hop Dance Party

Music on Montrose goes vintage. Music of the 50s, 60s, and 70s will fi ll downtown M Clermont. DJ Charley Brown is your time machine operator, playing hits from The Cl Temptations to Bob Marley & the Wailers. Food available from Orlando Caribbean Te Catering. Tickets are $20 a person, 4 to 8 p.m. Clermont Community Center, 620 Ca W. Montrose St. For more information, call Dorothe Riley-Green at 352.536.1833 or W email drg25151@aol.com. em