TOP 10

POLK TOP 10

SWAN CITY IMPROV

Every Thursday in February at 8 pm at the Laugh Out Lounge comedy club in downtown Winter Haven. What began in February of 2017 has quickly become a staple in Polk County. Join them for a hilarious night of improvisational comedy in the style of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Every moment is original, based on audience suggestions. Purchase tickets in advance at winterhavenlol.com.

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Feb. 4, 5-10 pm, Feb. 5, 10 am - 10 pm at 2400 Havendale Blvd. NW in Winter Haven. This is an FBA sanctioned annual competition raising funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County. With over 80 teams from across the country competing for cash and prizes. Please come hungry, as many of these Pro Teams will be selling their BBQ! The day’s entertainment includes acoustic performances representing Gospel, Bossa Nova, Blues, Jazz, Americana, Country, Folk, Blue Grass, Rock & Roll, and Southern Soul music. bgcpolk.org/SOTW2022

THE ART OF THE HIGHWAYMEN

Polk Museum of Art from Feb. 12 through May 22. Starting in the 1950s, a group of twentysix African-American artists painted Florida’s landscapes. The Highwaymen discovered success in simplicity, producing more than 200,000 works, and achieving incredible widespread popularity in the process. Finally, Florida art that was once deemed lowbrow and rejected from museums and galleries but celebrated widely by eager consumers receives its moment in the sun. Polkmuseumofart.org

TASTE OF WINTER HAVEN

Feb. 17, 6 - 9 pm at Venue 650. Taste of Winter Haven is an evening event focused on giving the community an opportunity to taste local cuisine, beer, and wine while enjoying live music. You must be 21 or older to attend. Hosted by the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. You will have the opportunity to try different menu items from over 15 restaurants and businesses and meet the people behind your favorite local spots. Purchase tickets in advance, Centralfloridatix.com

CHAIN OF LAKES EGGFEST

Feb. 19, 10 am - 3 pm at 2400 Havendale Blvd. NW in Winter Haven. EGGHeads from all over the country are coming to show off their culinary talents on the Big Green Egg. Come on out for live music, delicious food, live demonstrations, and more, all for a great cause! All Proceeds go to these two organizations: Girls Incorporated of Winter Haven and Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County. Purchase tickets at chainoflakeseggfest.com.

SLOW ROLL & SKI SHOW

Feb. 19, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm in downtown Winter Haven. Slow Roll is a FREE community gathering of bicycling, urban art, craft beer, a little bit of exercise, and an amazing ski show! Bring your bike and meet at The Bike Shop of Winter Haven, where you “slow roll” through downtown Winter Haven and stop mid-roll to take in the Cypress Gardens Ski Team show. At 5:00 prior to show end, slooowly roll back through town and end at Grove Roots for drinks and a bite to eat. (Food & drink purchased by you.) More info on FB @slowrollskishow.

PEPPA PIG THEME PARK

Opening day Feb. 24! Step into the playful World of Peppa Pig for the ultimate day of adventure! Snort, giggle & play in a theme park, exclusively designed for “little piggies” with multiple interactive rides & attractions, themed play areas complete with “muddy puddles” water play and fun live shows! Meet Peppa and her family on your child’s best day ever as you make your first theme park memories together! Reserve tickets at peppapigthemepark.com/florida.

LAKE WALES MARDI GRAS

Feb. 25 & 26 in downtown Lake Wales. Mardi Gras starts on Friday with the annual 5k Glow Run and the Mardi Gras Festival from 6 - 11 pm on the shores of Lake Wailes with live music, children’s activities, local food & beverage vendors. The festival continues Saturday from 11 am -11 pm with more live music, food, and activities for the entire family. The parade starts at 3 pm in the Historic Downtown District of Lake Wales and winds its way down Central Ave to Lake Wailes Park. For more information visit www.lwmardigras.com.

THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND

Feb. 25 - Mar. 6 at Haines City Community Theatre. Produced by TheatreWorks Florida. This is a musical revue from the multiTony award-winning team of Kander & Ebb, with the original production winning three Drama Desk Awards. From shows like Cabaret to Chicago, this nonstop hit-parade features unforgettable gems, including “Mr. Cellophane,” “Maybe This Time,” “Cabaret” and “All That Jazz,” seamlessly interwoven into a passionate, harmonious, up-tempo evening of musical theatre! All shows are General Admission, with limited seating. Purchase tickets at centralfloridatix.com.

PLANTOPIA GARDEN FESTIVAL

Feb. 26, 10 am - 2:30 pm at Hollis Garden. The event is free and there will be a number of vendors selling Orchids, Bromeliads, Tillandsias, Aroids, Caudiciforms, Tropical Plants, Bamboo, Grasses, Exotic Fruit Trees, Native Plants, Succulents, Carnivorous Plants, Butterfly Attractants, Spices, Herbs and much more! Hollis Garden is a botanical display garden set in a neo-classical architectural environment complete with patterned flower beds, public art, and ornamental fountains. Hollis Garden is a formal garden, on a 1.2-acre site located within historic Lake Mirror Park in Lakeland.

ORLANDO TOP 10

DRAGONS: HIDDEN TREASURES QUEST

Throughout February at Leu Gardens. Join in the fun of a mythical journey through the 50acre botanical gardens to find the dragons’ hidden treasure. Each guest, a “seeker,” will receive a special map with information on finding artifacts and clues. Each clue will help guide the “seeker” to decipher the meaning and find the location of the hidden treasure, just beware of the dragons! Included with your daytime garden admission. Leugardens.org

TRAV’LIN: A 1930S HARLEM MUSICAL ROMANCE

Through Feb. 19 at the Winter Park Playhouse. This funny, heartfelt musical looks at love during the 1930s Jazz Age. Three couples at different stages in life navigate past romantic games to finally embrace true love. The score rediscovers Harlem Renaissance composer J.C. Johnson whose songs were recorded by legends Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington. Winterparkplayhouse.org

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS

Through Feb. 21 at Epcot. Browse carefully curated collections from up-and-coming and established artists. Step into iconic artwork from around the world at unique art installations around the World Showcase including an homage to Frida Kahlo. Enjoy a feast for the eyes as well as the palate, where food imitates art. Live entertainment throughout. Reserve your day at the park online, in advance. disneyworld.disney.go.com

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO MARDI GRAS

Feb. 5 - April 24. The parades and beads are back! The concerts are back with incredible performers including Khalid, Marshmello, Jason Derulo, and more. Catch beads thrown from actual Mardi Gras floats direct from New Orleans. Grab a taste of New Orleans with delicious food prepared authentically. Days and times of parades and performers vary, please visit universalorlando.com for schedule and cancellations.

HIGH TEA WITH THE KITTIES

Feb. 6, 2-4 pm at the Orlando Cat Cafe. Choose from 2 different experiences – enjoy your tea in the Cat Play Room or choose to enjoy it in the Minch Coffeeshop and then visit with the kitties afterward. This is a relaxing 2-hour experience and includes soft music, purring cats (if you choose to dine in the Cat Play Room), and a selection of sweet and savory items, including your choice of scones, and several tea choices. Seating is limited due to COVID restrictions, reserve in advance. Orlandocatcafe.com

HEROES & MONSTERS: JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT

Feb. 12 - June 30 at the Orlando Museum of Art. Shown for the first time at the OMA, the 26 works were created in 1982 while the artist was living temporarily in Los Angeles, California. Basquiat first achieved fame in the late 1970s as a graffiti artist in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. During the early 1980s, his paintings were exhibited in galleries and museums internationally and today he is regarded as one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century. omart.org

PAWS IN THE PARK

Feb. 12, 10 am at Lake Eola. Support Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, the region’s oldest and largest animal welfare agency. Paws in the Park festivities include a costume contest, doggie fun zone, photo stations, food trucks, a parade, and more! More than 5,200 homeless dogs and cats will turn to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando for caring, compassion, and hope this year. You must register in advance for the contests and fundraising opportunities at petallianceorlando.org.

ALTON BROWN LIVE: BEYOND THE EATS

Feb. 12, 8 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center. Audiences can expect more comedy, more music, more highly unusual cooking demos, and more potentially dangerous sciencey stuff. If he calls for volunteers… think twice. Brown has a knack for mixing together science, music, and food into two hours of pure entertainment. Brown says you’ll see things he’s never been allowed to do on TV. Purchase tickets in advance at drphillipscenter.org.

CENTRAL FLORIDA CHILI COOKOFF

Feb. 19, 12 - 5 pm at 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. Help raise funds to support local students and teachers while sampling 60+ chilis provided by local restaurants and chefs of all varieties. Enjoy a bite from food trucks and dessert vendors while enjoying live music, adult and family-friendly refreshments as well as a Kids Zone play area. You can also take part in a blind draw doubles cornhole tournament. Purchase tickets at centralfloridachilicookoff.com.

MLK CONCERT

Feb. 27, 6 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center - Steinmetz Hall. The 7th Annual MLK Concert, presented by the Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, is produced and directed by Grammy Award Winner, Dr. Jeffery Redding, with Dr. Kelly Miller and Dr. Terrance Lane. Please bring non-perishable food donations for Second Harvest Food Bank. Reservations required, please visit drphillipscenter.org.

TAMPA TOP 10

DIGITAL CONCERTS

With your free registration, you get access to all of The Florida Orchestra’s digital concerts and videos, available to stream on your favorite device. These free digital concerts rely on the support of viewers, please consider a donation of any amount if possible. Choose from Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Ragtime, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, and more. Thefloridaorchestra.vhx.tv

BIG LEAGUE FUN

Throughout February at the Glazer Children’s Museum. The Museum and the Tampa Bay Rays are teaming up! This traveling exhibit will have you and your kids exploring the fundamentals of baseball including pitching, batting, and scoring while emphasizing the science and math behind the game. Glazermuseum.org

GLADYS KNIGHT

Feb. 6, 8 pm at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Multi-GRAMMY® Award-winner Gladys Knight returns for one night only! Very few singers over the last 50 years have matched her artistry. Gladys has No. 1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B, and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television, and live performances. She is a seven-time GRAMMY® winner. rutheckerdhall.com

BARK IN THE PARK

Feb. 12, 11 am - 4 pm at Curtis Hixon Park. Join the Humane Society of Tampa Bay for the most popular pet and family-friendly festival & fundraiser in Tampa Bay! The 35th Annual Bark in the Park features music, food trucks, drinks, adoptable dogs, vendors, pet and family-friendly activities, and a one-mile walk along the Riverwalk. Humanesocietytampa.org

GALENTINE’S BUILD YOUR OWN BOUQUET

Feb. 14, 6 - 8 pm at Armature Works. Grab your Galentine and join the Roaming Petal to build your own beautiful bouquet. Sip some wine, have a few laughs, and enjoy a fun DIY night out! Stay for dinner at one of the many restaurants located inside Armature Works. Purchase tickets online at armatureworks.com.

THE PROM

Feb. 15 - 20 at The Straz Center. Winner of the 2019 Drama Desk Award, “The Prom” is a new musical comedy about big Broadway stars on a mission to change the world and a love that unites them all. This is a musical comedy show full of happiness and love. The theater will be operating at full capacity for this show, masks are required indoors. Purchase tickets in advance. Strazcenter.org

RIDES BY THE RIVER CAR SHOW

Feb. 19, 8 am - 11 am. Bring your favorite collector car, hot rod, import, or exotic to Armature Works! Hundreds of Tampa Bays’ greatest vehicles will be on display. This event is open to the public and fun for all ages. The Buddy Brew & Craving Donuts Trucks will be onsite so be sure to stop by for some coffee and donuts! More participation info at armatureworks.com.

GASPARILLA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Feb. 25 - 27 at Curtis Hixon Park. This music festival features musical acts from a wide variety of genres on several stages along with food available for purchase from the region’s top restaurants. Along with national recording acts, you can also check out Lakeland’s own Van Plating on Saturday and MrENC on Sunday. Purchase tickets in advance, VIP available. gasparillamusic.com

GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC

Feb. 26 & 27 along Bayshore Boulevard. ARRRRGH you ready to run? This racing weekend offers a 5K, 8K, 15K, and Half Marathon. You can also sign up for adult or child stroller races or separate challenges which involve running multiple races during this 2-day event. You must register in advance for all races. rungasparilla.com

BUFFALO SOLDIERS

Feb. 26 at the Tampa Bay History Center. In 1866 the country entered the Reconstruction Era after the Civil War. Congress passed legislation to create six African-American Army units, coined Buffalo Soldiers by Native Americans. The 9th and 10th cavalry, and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry regiments comprised formerly enslaved men and Civil War veterans. Learn more during Living History Saturday from noon - 3 pm. tampabayhistorycenter.org