TOP 10

LAKELAND TOP 10

QUARANTINED CREATIVES

Quarantined Creatives: A Pandemic Art Retrospective is comprised of unique artwork created by local artists during the initial lockdown of 2020 (March - June 2020). The exhibit runs through May 21 at the Lake Wales Arts Council. Mon-Fri from 10am3pm. Lakewalesartscouncil.org 863-676-8426

DOCENT-LED TOUR

Join the Polk Museum of Art every Saturday to get a fresh look into the Museum’s main exhibition through connecting conversations with one of the docents. Learn the stories behind the work and talk “art” with ease as we bring people and art together. For your safety, space is limited, register in advance. All ages welcome. 863-688-7743 polkmuseumofart.org

VIRTUAL: SUNRISE SERVICE

April 4, 7am. You can join the Bok Tower Gardens 95th Annual Easter Sunrise Service with two viewing options. Watch via Facebook Live or online. The service is also being recorded and will be uploaded later to the Bok Tower Gardens YouTube channel. Rev. Chad Reynolds, Reverend of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales, will present the message. 863-676-1408

SUN ‘N FUN AEROSPACE EXPO

Florida’s largest annual convention of any kind. Join over 225,000 aviation enthusiasts for six exciting days of cutting-edge technology exhibits, forums, workshops, career fairs, and of course the world-famous breathtaking aerial displays by some of the best airshow performers in the business. April 13-18th. Purchase tickets online https://flysnf.org/

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

One of Neil Simon’s most beloved comedies. Newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter are over the moon to begin their life together in their new apartment in Manhattan. It may be small and a six-flight climb, but nothing can quash their newlywed bliss. April 14 - May 2nd. 863-294-7469. Purchase tickets in advance. Theatrewinterhaven.com

3RD THURSDAY MARKET

April 15, 4-7pm. The Market will feature a variety of produce, artisan food vendors, plants, a pinch of crafts and a mind-blowing food truck. Located in downtown Lake Wales in the parking lot on Stuart Avenue and Scenic Highway. Just look for the bright “orange” mural. Every month on the 3rd Thursday. Presented by Lake Wales Main Street. More info on Facebook @LakeWales3rdthursdaymarket.

SWAN BREWING TURNS 3!

April 16-18 will be an anniversary party you don’t want to miss! Expect new beer releases, live music all weekend and the best food trucks. They couldn’t celebrate their 2nd anniversary last year, so this year is going to be huge! Follow them on Facebook @swanbrewingco to see all the latest updates. Happy Birthday to Swan Brewing!

THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY

In this laugh-a-minute comedy, four Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by an impromptu happy hour—reclaiming the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years. April 16-25 at the Lakeland Community Theatre. Purchase tickets in advance. 863-603-7529 lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

THE MUSIC OF TOBY KEITH

April 18, 5pm at the Chain O’ Lakes Stadium. Mike Sugg is the most accurate and popular Toby Keith Tribute artist in the U.S.A. His resemblance and voice continue to convince crowds that he is the real deal. Mike’s tribute to the music of Toby Keith brings out all the fun and emotion that fans have come to expect. Purchase tickets at centralfloridatix.com.

REVEREND BARRY & THE FUNK

Groove That Makes Yo’ Booty Move! An evening of funk, R&B, and soul, this concert is a coproduction of Lake Wales Arts Council and Bok Tower Gardens. Reverend Barry & The Funk are an 8-pc funk band featuring a 3-pc horn section, and one of the fastest-rising “buzzworthy” acts in the state of Florida. April 23, 7pm at Bok Tower Gardens. Boktowergardens.org

ORLANDO TOP 10

BREWS & BLOOMS

Every Thursday at 7pm at Orlando Brewing. Create your own succulent arrangement. Bomb Blooms will be guiding you through the process. They provide all the supplies & drop all the knowledge as well as techniques for planting an out-of-this-world succulent arrangement. Beer discount with ticket purchase. Reserve your ticket at tickets. bombblooms.com/brewsblooms

GODZILLA (2014)

April 2, 8:30pm at Leu Gardens. Enjoy an outdoor movie with your favorite date. Pack a dinner picnic basket and seating, alcohol is permitted. This movie is rated PG, 13 years and younger requires an accompanying parent or adult guardian. Weather permitting, gardens open at 6pm, face coverings required to attend the event. Purchase ticket in advance. Leugardens.org

HIPPITY HOP ADVENTURE

April 3, 9am-3pm at the Central Florida Zoo. Guests can hop along the Egg Trail, making visits to Bunny Stops to pick up candy, prizes, and surprises. The Egg Trail will lead adventurers to the Easter Bunny himself! Don’t forget to bring your baskets and face coverings! Music inside the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground, inflatable obstacle course & more. Purchase tickets in advance centralfloridazoo.org/ event/hippity-hop/

CUBOP

April 3, 8-10pm at the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts in Winter Park. Celebrating the Latin infused side of the Blue Note catalog, CuBop’s origin stems from the fusion of the Afro-Cuban and BeBop sounds of jazz pioneers. In this program, CuBop explores the sextet sounds of Miles, Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers,and more. Limited seating, purchase tickets in advance. Bluebambooartcenter.com

VIRTUAL YOUTH WORKSHOP

April 8, 4pm. Experience a virtual viewing of Orlando Museum of Art’s current exhibition, A Boundless Drop to a Boundless Ocean. Be inspired by Lalla Essaydi’s chromogenic print, Harem #14c, and discover how the power of pattern and color can help tell an artist’s story. Create your own patterned design using pencils, markers, and watercolors. For students ages 7-13. Register at omart.org

FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL

April 9-22nd at the Enzian Theater. 180+ films, 20+ world premieres, the Florida Film Festival is an Oscar®-qualifying festival, premiering the best in current, independent, and international cinema. Over 14 days, film lovers can mingle with filmmakers. Participating films listed online, purchase tickets in advance. Virtual admission available, stream films at home. Floridafilmfestival.com

ORLANDO MAGIC 5K AND KIDS’ RUN

April 10, Magic fans are invited to participate virtually in the Inaugural Orlando Magic 5k and Kids’ Run presented by AdventHealth! Through the Track Shack Timing & Tracking app, do the 5k course virtually. The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation is committed to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk. Register at trackshack.com/event/10829

KIDS NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

April 11, 6-10pm at the Orlando Science Center. Youth ages 5 to 12 years old are invited to explore exhibits, experience enhanced programming, and enjoy dinner and a film in age-appropriate small groups to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Meanwhile, caregivers can enjoy a child-free evening on the town. Register in advance, www.osc.org/kids-nightat-the-museum/

THE ART OF ESPALIER

April 13, 10am-noon at Leu Gardens. Plants trained as espaliers can be used as decorative accents in the landscape where they function as living sculptures – but with significantly less trouble than growing topiary. The instructor is Robert Bowden, Director of Leu Gardens. 407246- 2620 Purchase tickets in advance at leugardens.org

ORLANDO TACO WEEK

April 20 - May 4th at participating restaurants and Orlando Weekly. Each restaurateur and Chef will prepare their unique take on tacos with a $5 taco special. Download your taco passport to print and get it stamped at participating locations. Follow on Instagram for more updates: @OrlandoTacoWeek. More info at orlandotacoweek.com

TAMPA TOP 10

SKY TRAILS ROPES COURSE

Open Saturdays and Sundays at MOSI. Conquer your fears on this 36-foot-high multilevel structure, featuring 35 different elements. The course is designed with challenging high-energy feats ideal for all ages. The course will be closed in the event of high winds, rain, lightning, or other severe weather conditions. Register at mosi.org/exhibits/sky-trail-ropescourse/

TORONTO RAPTORS

The Toronto Raptors have settled into their new home at Amalie Arena in Tampa for 2021. This NBA team plays 10 times in the month of April, tickets available for purchase. Most games begin at 7pm. Amalie has new health and safety protocols based on current public health recommendations, including those set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and local agencies. Amaliearena.com

RUN CLUB

On the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month. Join runners at Armature Works for a 5k on the Riverwalk followed by great food and drinks within Heights Public Market. A short warm-up will begin at 6:30pm. Run, enjoy 10% off drinks at BAR at Armature and meet new people! All ages and experience levels are welcome. Armature Works Run Club is made possible by Fit2Run. Register on eventbrite.

ART ON THE HOUSE

Every Thursday from 4 - 8 pm, the Tampa Museum of Art offers Art on the House where admission prices change to pay-as-you-will, and visitors choose whatever admission price they want to pay. Bring the family and celebrate 100 years of art in Tampa with exhibitions that emphasize ancient, modern, and contemporary art. Tampamuseum.org

HENRY V

Newly crowned King Henry V must win the respect of a nation and lead his country to greatness in an epic battle with archnemesis France. Jobsite Theatre reboots Shakespeare for modern times, taking Henry’s timeless tale and setting it to an original, blistering industrial score. April 7 - 25 at Jaeb Theatre. Strazcenter.org

SKYWATCH

April 10, join the space experts to enjoy an evening of space exploration through MOSI’s telescopes. SkyWatch stargazing events are located in the parking lot by the new MOSI entrance. *Event is weather dependent, 8 - 10:30pm, No ticket or purchase required. All Ages welcome. The Museum of Science and Industry is in Tampa. 813-987-6000 mosi.org

SECOND SUNDAY

The Second Sunday Art Walk + Vendor Fair is on the second Sunday of the month from 11am -3pm at Armature Works. This event will feature artists and makers selling handmade goods, jewelry, art, wood-work, gifts plus so much more in the Gathering Space at Armature Works. The event will also feature an art walk, showcasing dozens of local and regional artists. armatureworks.com

BUTTERFLY’S FLIGHT

The immortal tragedy of Puccini’s best-loved opera, Madama Butterfly, is reimagined in a narrated concert version alongside the Hillsborough River. Live on the Straz Riverwalk by Opera Tampa. April 22 - 25. Purchase tickets in advance.

OE BOOK FAIR

April 22, 6-9pm at the Oxford Exchange in Tampa. This Book Fair is an open platform for local authors to connect with the community face-to-face. Over 30 local authors will be featured along with their publications, workshops, and more. Must register in advance. Come out to meet your favorite local writers. oxfordexchange.com

HOLLYWOOD AWARDS NIGHT

April 25, 6pm. The Tampa Theatre will be offering both a virtual VIP Pre-Show with live and silent auctions, a catered dinner option, and their 22nd annual OSCARS® watch party, live and in-person in the historic auditorium. Purchase a Party-atHome pack, or make it a date and watch from the theatre. Register in advance, proceeds benefit the Tampa Theatre. tampatheatre.org