ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ICE SKATING AND WINTER VILLAGE RETURN TO TAMPA JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

This year, celebrate the holiday season by visiting the Winter Village and its outdoor ice-skating rink. It is a great holiday activity for the whole family. The Winter Village is located in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at 600 N. Ashley Dr. in downtown Tampa. The Winter Village is open Friday, November 18 through January 4, 2023.

Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed each year with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays, which is great for children and adults alike.

Each year, a giant ice-skating rink is erected on the perimeter of the park. You must purchase and reserve tickets for ice skating in advance. Tickets are $17, and the cost includes skate rentals. All hours are subject to weather and rink conditions.

In addition to the 5,000-square-foot ice-skating rink, the Winter Village features random Santa sightings, the Curtis Hixon Choo Choo, shopping and snack and beverage options. The Curtis Hixon Choo Choo ofers a five-minute ride through the park where riders can enjoy the sights, lights and sounds of the Win-

ter Village. The Tampa Theatre will ofer two holiday movies on the lawn on Saturday, November 19 and Friday, December 16 at 6 p.m. Back this year is the popular WinGet into the holiday spirit with a visit to ter Village Express. the Winter Village located along Tampa’s The family-friendbeautiful riverwalk at Curtis Hixon Wa- ly excursion takes terfront Park. You can enjoy holiday sights you from Whiting and sounds, ice skating and even curling Station, located in this year. downtown to Ybor City, and back on the TECO Line Streetcar. The one-hour trip features a holiday sing-along, holiday trivia, milk and cookies and added surprises along the way. New to the holiday celebrations at the Winter Village this year is curling. This will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Equipment will be available for rental. There will also be a curling league. This will be available from Wednesday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 28. Games will be played every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. Katie Collins of Valrico said, “The Winter Village is truly special. It really puts you in the holiday spirit and is a fun way to spend a few hours in downtown Tampa.” For more information on hours and rentals, please visit www.wintervillagetampa.com.

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BRANDON BALLET TO PERFORM THE NUTCRACKER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The Brandon Ballet will present three live performances of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The performances will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 11 at 2 and 5:30 p.m. All performances will be held at Riverview High School, located at 11311 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.

The Nutcracker is a magical Christmas production that is both imaginative and a timeless classic that is great for the whole family.

Tickets are available online at www.brandonballet.org. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under and seniors. Homeschool students can get tickets for $15 per person. For the latter, please email dance@brandonballet.org. Tickets are available at the door, but all prices increase by $5.

The Nutcracker is set on Christmas Eve with a gathering of friends and family. During the performance, toys come to life and rats grow to life size characters. Clara is given a toy soldier by her uncle, Herr Drosselmeyer, and is transported to magical lands, including the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets. The toy soldier turns into a magical nutcracker. Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the audience is left wondering whether it was a real trip or just a magical dream. This year, the role of Sugar Plum Fairy will be reprised by Courtney Moody. Drosselmeyer will be played by new company member Andres Gomez. Hannah Townend,

Photo courtesy of Ricardo Romero. administrative director

Te Brandon Ballet is celebrating the for the Brandon Ballet, Season of Discovery with three live per- said, “This performance formances of Te Nutcracker at Riverview High School this December. is the company’s first Nutcracker under new artistic direction of Alice H. Bock and Brentwood Townend. Along with rehearsal director Courtney Moody, they are proud to present a production in which some of the lead roles in act two will be danced by student company members.” Townend added, “Of special note is Jada Stevenson, a senior at Blane Hugh School who has danced with Brandon Ballet for many years. Stevenson will be performing the lead Arabian role for the first time.” “Our 2022 production will include a Nutcracker Prince, and Drosselmeyer will be included in the snow scene. This change has never been done in any other Nutcracker production. Audiences will be surprised at the athletic and theatrical ability,” said Townend. For information, visit www.brandonballet. org or call 684-4282.

5K,Nautical Flea Market, American Pickers & More...

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

at The Bridges Retirement Community’s clubhouse, located at 11350 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview. Whether its handcrafted decorations or personalized gifts, such as jewelry and handbags, pottery, candles, home decor and more, you will find just what you are looking for.

Apollo Beach Women’s Club Holiday Dinner

The Apollo Beach Women’s Club holiday dinner is one of its most enjoyable events of the year, and it will be held on Saturday, December 10 at the Southshore Falls Clubhouse Hall, located at 5831 Cascade Falls Ln. in Apollo Beach. Along with a delicious bufet guests will also enjoy a performance from the East Bay High School Choral Group. There will also be auction baskets and a 50/50 rafe. Reservations must be made on or before Saturday, December 3 by contacting Barbara DeOca at 813-892-1219 or bdeoca@aol.com or contacting Sheila May at 847-514-1475 or smay1180@gmail. com.

St. Vincent de Paul Needs Your Help

Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets are being prepared and will be distributed to families in need. This year is particularly challenging for our com-

munities, and St. Vincent de Paul would like to be able to help all those who come for assistance. To help complete holiday baskets, St. Vincent de Paul is looking for donations of nonperishable food items and Walmart gift cards. Please bring items to St. Stephen Catholic Church, located at 10118 St. Stephen Cir. in Riverview. Have no time to shop but still want to provide support? Please visit and donate at its website, www. svdpriverviewfl.org.

New Date For Your Next Step Is Te Cure 5K Run

Due to Hurricane Ian, event organizers Bernadette Boyle and Linda O’Brien received a call from the county saying that their event had been cancelled. The new date for the Your Next Step is the Cure 5K run is Saturday, November 19. This means that there is still time to sign up for this amazing event, which brings awareness to ocular melanoma, at https://runsignup.com/race/fl/lithia/yournextstepisthecure. Follow its Facebook (@cureocularmelanoma) and Instagram (@ yournextstepisthecure) pages to keep up with im-portant information.

South Hillsborough Chamber Of Commerce Golf Tournament

The South Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce Chamber Cup Classic returns on Friday, Novem-ber 18. The event is being held at the Freedom Fairways in Sun City Center and is open to eve-ryone. For more information, contact Lynne at the chamber at 813-634-5111 or email lynne@southhillschamber.com.

Get A Head Start On Holiday Shopping At Te Bridges Retirement Community Annual Fair

With the holidays approaching, shopping for unique gifts could not be easier when you visit the 10th annual Gifts & Craft Fair on Saturday, November 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The event is being held

Dancing Trough Te Decades Fundraiser

The Campaign Against Human Trafcking and Domestic Violence-Southshore invites you to its third annual silent auction fundraiser event. The event will take place on Sunday, December 4 from 2-5 p.m. at the Sun City Center Community Hall, located at 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. in Sun City Center. The theme of the evening is Dancing Through the Decades, so dress as your favorite decade. Tickets are available online at www.sccblueheart.org or by calling 813-773-7529 and include heavy hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, music and dancing.

Te City Of Restoration Church Is Giving Back To Te Community

On Saturday, November 19, The City of Restoration has committed to “showing God’s love in a tangible way” by doing good throughout the Tampa Bay area. The church’s members are dedicated to serving, sharing and supporting others and local businesses, as well as being a blessing to many. It currently hosts services at 10 a.m. on Sundays at Riverview High School, located at 11311 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. For more information on The City of Restoration, visit its website at www.thecityofrestoration. org.

Nautical Flea Market In Apollo Beach

Flotilla 75 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is holding a nautical flea market on Saturday, November 19 from 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. There will be all kinds of boating and fishing accessories, and some arts and crafts items too. The event is being held at Tampa Sailing Squadron, located at 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach. Admission is $1, which comes with a rafe ticket for prizes.

South Bay Genealogical Society Meeting

On Tuesday, November 15, the South Bay Genealogical Society will meet at the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center in the Life Enrichment Center located at 1971 Haverford Ave in Sun City Center. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. is an optional roundtable discussion followed by a luncheon at 12 Noon, and the presentation by the guest speaker Riverview Elementary students chosen as ‘Terri ness.’ fc Kids’ for the character trait of ‘kindwill begin at 1 p.m. This month’s speaker, Peggy Schelin Jude, will be presenting ‘What Can I Do With My DNA? 13 Things You Can Do With Your DNA.’ For reservations and meal choice, call Dianna at 864-6071330.

Bingo Fundraiser For Krewe Of Charlotte De Berry

The Krewe of Charlotte de Berry is hosting a bingo night at the VFW Post in Ruskin, located at 5120 N. U.S. 41 in Apollo Beach on Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 for 10 game cards, and there will also be a rafe and drinks available at the bar (cash-only for all). Tickets will be sold at the door, so go early.

American Pickers Is Looking To Film In Florida

American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking.’ The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business as they hunt for valuable antiques, and it’s looking for locations in Florida. As they hit the back roads, the pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. If you or someone you know has a large private collection or accumulation of antiques that the pickers can spend the better part of a day looking through, American Pickers would love to hear from you. If you are interested, contact American Pickers at americanpickers@ cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184.

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CELEBRATE THE FALL HARVEST AND PREPARE TO BE A-MAZED AT KEEL FARMS

Staf Report

Keel Farms, home to Keel + Curley Winery and Keel Farms Agrarian Ales and Ciders, is pleased to announce another element of fun at its 20-plus-acre property. Open now, visitors of all ages can enjoy navigating their way through Corky’s Corn Maze.

Children will receive an interactive map directing them to find Corky the Rooster along with his fun pals scattered throughout the 4-acre maze. Prizes will be granted when all of Corky’s pals are found and the riddle is solved. The corn maze can take anywhere from 30-90 minutes to walk, depending on your group size.

Plenty of food and beverages will be ofered, including pumpkin spice-themed options like pumpkin cider (as well as other wine and cider flavors) from Keel Farms. There will also be nonalcoholic options, cofee vendors and fall-themed food and beverage trucks on-site.

In addition to the corn maze, kids can enjoy hayrides, a petting zoo, several bounce houses and fun games in the kid zone. A pumpkin patch will provide perfect photo-ops and pumpkins for purchase as well.

“We love seeing our visitors both young and old enjoying themselves here at Keel Farms, and we know Corky’s Corn Maze will create lasting memories for everyone who Visitors of the corn maze enjoying a hayride. visits,” said Keel Farms President Clay Keel. “In addition to the corn maze, this is a full fall experience that we’re excited to share.” Located at 1603 Hawk Grifn Rd. in Plant City, the Corky’s Corn Maze dates and hours are as follows: • Weekends now through mid-November 2022. • Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (final entry is at 5 p.m.). • Also open on Friday, November 11 on Veteran’s Day. Adult tickets are $15, kids 12 and under are $10 and kids under 3 are free. Included with your ticket is parking, access to the corn maze, unlimited hayrides, access to the kid zone and many other family-friendly activities. Because parking is limited, please purchase tickets online to allow for a smoother checkin process for all. For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit www.corkysmaze.com.

Tanksgiving Day! Nov. 24th, 2022

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