FILM FEST PROMISES TO BLOW MINDS
The 35th annual flick frolic is (almost) the most fun you can have in the dark.
Dubbed “the grande dame of film fests in the Sunshine State” by Indiewire, a website that caters to independent filmmakers, the Florida Film Festival is one of only a handful of film festivals in the world—and the only one in Florida—to be accredited as a qualifying festival for the Oscars in three short-film categories: Live Action, Animation and Documentary.
The annual event is coming back for its 35th anniversary at Enzian, the beloved arthouse cinema in Maitland that celebrated an anniversary of its own—its 40th—in 2025.
Dates for the festival—which will feature more than 180 films in an array of genres—will be April 10 to 19, with the now-legendary Opening Night Party on Friday, April 10, at 8 p.m. at the Tiedtke Amphitheater and Belvedere behind the Winter Park Events Center.
“The Florida Film Festival is one of the most exciting, well-curated and outrageously fun festivals in the country,” says Wade Neal, executive director of Enzian. “We take the view that film is eternal and is a supreme storytelling framework that creates deeper understanding, togetherness and insight than other art forms.”
There’ll be an opening night screening of a featured film at both Enzian and the Regal Cinema at Winter Park Village—usually with stars or filmmakers present. The specific film—which had not been selected at press time—is usually at 6 p.m. followed by the Opening Night Party.
Tickets for the party alone—which will feature live music with craft cocktails and cuisine from local vendors—are $75 each. Also available are packages that include the party plus the kickoff screening at either Enzian ($125) or the Regal ($100).
Matinee passes for all eligible films during the run of the event are priced at $125, while binge passes for evening films are priced at $350. Film-lover passes, which are priced at $675, offer early entry and access to exclusive parties. A $1,500 producer pass offers all those benefits plus many more, including a filmmaker welcome party.
Although all films were selected based on a rigorous screening process and promise to be first-rate, we’ve already marked our calendars for the following five submissions:
First They Came for My College, directed by Patrick Bresnan, is a documentary about the right-wing takeover of New College in Sarasota—the state’s small public honors college—which in 2023 became Ground Zero for the culture wars in Florida.
Bresnan is expected to attend the festival along with more than 100 alumni, students and former faculty members from New College. “So many of our protagonists are from the Orlando area,” says Bresnan. “There will be so many tears and so much joy that this story is being birthed in the cinematic form.”
The Man Whom the Trees Loved, directed by Woodruff Laputka and Tehben Dean, is a dark drama about a woman, Sophie, who tries to salvage her marriage on a remote island getaway with her husband, Dave, who becomes fascinated by the surrounding trees—which Sophie views as a malevolent force.
The film, a world premiere, was shot along the St. Johns River, where the primal wilderness that flanks stretches of the waterway inspired the story. Says Dean: “It’s a pretty special feeling to come full circle with a world premiere just upstream from where the film was shot and right down the road from where Woodruff grew up.”
Damned if You Do, directed by Evan Metzold and Jake Rubin, is a horror comedy about three best friends—a rock star, a tech mogul and a high-profile activist—who sold their souls to a charming demon as teenagers in 1999 and are looking for loopholes as their 25th high school reunion approaches.
Says Rubin: “We’re excited to bring some dark comedy to the Sunshine State and share our film about high school reunions, friendship and murder with a new audience.”
Frogtown, a world premiere directed by Costa Karalis, is set in a small Florida town and combines elements of documentary and fantasy to explore a woman’s obsessive drive to prove the existence of a magical swamp creature that she befriended as a child.
Another must-see, Return from Tomorrow, is an absurdist (and unsettling) conspiracy thriller also directed by the edgy Karalis, who famously helmed 2013’s Escape from Tomorrow, a black-and-white surrealist horror film that gained international notoriety for being shot surreptitiously at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. It, too, is a world premiere
In addition to Bresnan, directors of all these films are slated to attend the festival, meet fans and discuss their work. “We couldn’t be more excited about this year’s program, which is certain to be one of the strongest we’ve ever done,” says Matthew Curtis, programming director at Enzian.
Adds Curtis: “There’s truly something for everyone, and film lovers everywhere should get ready to laugh, cry and have their minds blown. See you in the dark.” More specifically, see you at Enzian, which is located at 1300 South Orlando Avenue. For a full schedule of films and events, call 407-629-1088 or visit floridafilmfestival.com.
—Randy Noles
VISUAL ARTS
18th Annual Winter Park Paint-Out. The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens will again host the annual event, slated for April 19 to 25, during which 23 adjudicated plein air artists set up their easels at the museum and scenic locations throughout the city (see page 112). Admission to the museum, sculpture gardens and gallery are free during the weeklong event. 633 Osceola Avenue, Winter Park. 407-647-6294. winterparkpaintout.com.
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. This lakeside museum, open since 1961, is dedicated to preserving works by the famed Czech sculptor for whom it was both home and studio for more than a decade. The museum offers tours of Polasek’s home from Tuesdays to Saturdays and of the adjacent Capen-Showalter House three times weekly: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.; and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. Continuing through April 12 at the museum is Renaissance Alchemy: Egg & Gold, which features paintings by Sandy Thibeault—an egg tempera specialist who combines modern realism with medieval aesthetics. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $3 for students and free for children. 633 Osceola Avenue, Winter Park. 407-647-6294. polasek.org.
The Art & History Museums of Maitland. The Maitland Art Center, one of five museums that anchor the city’s Cultural Corridor, was founded as an art colony in 1937 by visionary artist and architect J. André Smith. The art center, located at 231 West Packwood Avenue, Maitland, is Central Florida’s only National Historic Landmark and one of the few surviving examples of Mayan Revival architecture in the Southeast. A Loom, a Fence, a Wire, a Thread, which opens April 25, is an exhibition by Syrian-American artist Mär Martinez that explores themes of urbanization, surveillance and cultural memory using traditional textile techniques from the Middle East. Admission to the art center’s galleries is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students (ages 5 to 17) and free for children ages 4 and under. Maitland residents receive a $1 discount. The Cultural Corridor also includes the Maitland Historical Museum, home to the ongoing exhibit, Maitland’s Attic: A Journey Through a Small City’s Past, and the Telephone Museum at 221 West Packwood Avenue, Maitland. Plus, you won’t want to miss the Waterhouse Residence Museum and Carpentry Shop Museum, both built in the 1880s and located at 820 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland. 407-539-2181. artandhistory.org.
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. With more than 19,000 square feet of gallery and public space, the Morse houses the world’s most important collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany creations, including jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass and an entire chapel interior originally designed and built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Continuing at the museum are three new exhibitions: Handpicked: Jewelry from the Morse Collection, a selection of personal heirlooms and collected jewelry that bridge fashion and art; Beyond Glass: The Paintings of Louis Comfort Tiffany, a collection of Tiffany’s early efforts and continuous exploration of color and light through painting; and Salon-Style Paintings, which features a variety of works from the Morse collection. Continuing exhibitions include Breaking Tradition: Distinguishing American Stained Glass, which examines the way opalescent glass introduced a (surprisingly controversial) naturalistic aesthetic to the medium; and Tiffany Art Glass, which highlights Tiffany’s mastery of textured effects. Other current exhibitions are: Arts & Letters, which explores the all-but-lost art of letter-writing; Vignette: Fair Views, which displays glass, art pottery and furniture as well as ephemera salvaged from the Columbian Exposition; View of Oyster Bay, a notable example of Tiffany’s artistry in leaded glass that’s on extended loan from the Morse to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City; The American Arts & Crafts Movement, which features distinctive furniture, metalwork and design created during the turn of the last century; and Fascinating Clutter: American Taste During the Reign of Victoria, which explores the rich aesthetic landscape of the 19th century and how industry, expansion and war influenced personal and artistic expression. Also ongoing are Lamps & Lighting: Tiffany and His Contemporaries, a showcase of Tiffany’s most innovative and iconic designs; and Art Jewelry, Favrile Metalwork & Precious Glass, a display of Tiffany’s innovative use of semiprecious stones and enamel in wearable art. Regular admission to the museum is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $1 for students and free for children younger than age 12. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. 445 North Park Avenue, Winter Park. 407-645-5311. morsemuseum.org.
Crealdé School of Art. Established in 1975, this nonprofit organization on Winter Park’s east side offers year-round visual-arts classes for all ages taught by more than 40 working artists. Visitors may take self-guided tours through the campus’s lakeside sculpture garden, which includes more than 60 pieces of contemporary outdoor art and related educational panels. Continuing through May 23 is American Mosaic: Stories in Color, Clay & Canvas, which explores our nation’s evolving identity through a variety of media by weaving together themes of place, memory, culture and belonging. Admission to the school’s galleries is free, although there are fees for art classes. 600 Saint Andrews Boulevard, Winter Park. 407-671-1886. crealde.org.
Mills Gallery. Exotic Landscapes of Morocco, an exhibition set to run April 2 through May 1, will feature photographs that Orange County’s former “arts instigator” Terry Olson took last summer while filming a documentary, The Call, in the North African country. 1650 North Mills Avenue, Orlando. 855-336-3653. millsgalleryorlando.com.
Rollins Museum of Art. The Rollins College campus is home to one of the most eclectic collections of fine art in Florida, including ancient artifacts, contemporary collections and Central Florida’s only paintings by European Old Masters. Continuing through May 10 are two exhibitions: Portrait of a Movement, which offers a more nuanced interpretation of the Bloomsbury Group (a cadre of British writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists in the early 20th century) and celebrates the museum’s recent acquisition of Roger Fry’s 1911 work, Summer in the Garden, now on display for the first time in the U.S.; and Souvenir, which grapples with our tendency to associate memories with objects—especially objects related to travel—and has resulted in such practices as pilgrims collecting fragments from holy sites and the mass production of mementos. Opening May 28 as part of America 250 is Being Outdoors: Recreation in the American Imagination, which highlights the strong connections between outdoor recreational activities and American identity with paintings and prints from the 19th to the 21st centuries that invite reflection on how depictions of outdoor activities have reflected societal and cultural values over time and contributed to shaping American identity. Guided tours are at 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the nearby Alfond Inn, where a selection of more than 400 works is on view from the museum’s Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art. Happy Hour tours of the Alfond Collection are held on the first Wednesday of most months at 5:30 p.m. If you prefer historic works, Throwback Thursday tours are offered at the museum from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of most months. Admission is free, courtesy of PNC Financial Services Group. 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park. 407-646-2526. rollins.edu/rma.
Solana Fine Art. Flourish, which runs March 17 through April 24, features works by Atlanta-area artists Wyanne Thompson and Lorra Kurtz that celebrate the renewal of spring though oils and mixed-media creations (see page 114). 1104 Solana Avenue, Winter Park. 321.972.1774. solanafineart.com.
Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Art. Eatonville is strongly associated with Harlem Renaissance writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston, who lived there as a girl and recorded her childhood memories in her classic autobiography, Dust Tracks on a Road. The museum that bears her name provides information about the historic city and sponsors exhibitions that feature the works of African American artists. 344 East Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville. Admission is usually free, although group tours require a reservation and a charge. 407-647-3307. zoranealehurstonmuseum.com.
PERFORMING ARTS
Annie Russell Theatre. “The Annie,” on the campus of Rollins College and in operation since 1932, wraps its 93rd mainstage season with Anastasia: The Musical (April 16 to 19), a loose adaptation of the animated film about a young woman with a mysterious past who struggles to survive after the Russian Revolution. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m., 4 p.m. or 2 p.m., depending upon the day of the week. Individual tickets are $25. 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park. 407-646-2145. rollins.edu/annie-russell-theatre.
Winter Park Playhouse. Winter Park’s only professional, nonprofit theater concludes its 2025-26 season with The Pin-Up Girls (through April 25), which weaves together a collection of pop songs inspired by letters from troops overseas, showcasing a diverse range of musical styles and honoring the bravery of those who served in the military. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $20 for students to $46 for evening shows. While the Playhouse’s Orange Avenue venue is being renovated, it will present this season’s shows at the Mandell Theater at Orlando Shakes, located at 812 East Rollins Street, Orlando, in Loch Haven Park. The previous venue, now new and improved, is slated to reopen this summer. 407-645-0145. winterparkplayhouse.org.
FILM
Enzian. The annual Florida Film Festival is coming back for its 35th anniversary at Enzian, the beloved arthouse cinema in Maitland that celebrated an anniversary of its own—its 40th—in 2025. Dates for the festival—which will feature more than 180 films in an array of genres—will be April 10 to 19, with the now-legendary Opening Night Party on Friday, April 10, at 8 p.m. at the Tiedtke Amphitheater and Belvedere behind the Winter Park Events Center (see page 106). This cozy, nonprofit alternative cinema offers a plethora of film series. Tickets are usually $12 for regular admission; $10 for matinees, students, seniors and service members (with ID); and $9.50 for Enzian Film Society members. Children under age 12 are admitted free to Peanut Butter Matinee Family Films, which are shown on the fourth Sunday of each month at noon. Other series include Saturday Matinee Classics (the second Saturday of each month at noon), Cult Classics (the second and last Tuesday of each month at 9:30 p.m.) and Midnight Movies (every Saturday night). FilmSlam, which spotlights Florida-made short films, takes place most months on the second or third Sunday at 1 p.m. 300 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland. 407-629-0054 (information line), 407-629-1088 (theater offices). enzian.org.
Friday Films. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art presents three film series each year on topics related to the museum’s collection as well as art in general. The spring series, Going Dutch, explores the dawn of the art market during Holland’s golden age and highlights the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer. Admission is free to these lunchtime screenings, which span the noon hour on Fridays, April 3 and 17, in the Jeannette G. and Hugh F. McKean Pavilion on Canton Avenue, just behind the Morse. Attendees are invited to bring their own lunches; the museum provides soft drinks and themed refreshments. 161 West Canton Avenue, Winter Park. 407-645-5311. morsemuseum.org.
Popcorn Flicks in the Park. The City of Winter Park and Enzian collaborate to offer classic, family-friendly films free in Central Park on Park Avenue. These outdoor screenings are typically held on the second Thursday of each month and start at 7 or 8 p.m. Don’t forget to pack a picnic and bring blankets or chairs. 407-629-1088. enzian.org.
HISTORY
Casa Feliz Historic Home & Venue. This stunningly restored Spanish farmhouse-style home, designed in 1932 by acclaimed local architect James Gamble Rogers II, is now a community center and museum. Docent-led tours are hosted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free but a $5 per visitor donation is suggested. 656 North Park Avenue (adjacent to the Winter Park Golf Course), Winter Park. 407-628-8200. casafeliz.us.
Hannibal Square Heritage Center. Established in 2007 by the Crealdé School of Art in partnership with residents of Hannibal Square and the City of Winter Park, the center celebrates the city’s historically African American west side with hundreds of archival photographs, original artwork and oral histories that are collectively known as the Heritage Collection. 642 West New England Avenue, Winter Park. 407-539-2680. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org.
Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida. The center is dedicated to combating antisemitism, racism and prejudice, with the goal of developing a moral and just community through educational and cultural programs, permanent and temporary exhibitions, archives and a research library. The center’s ongoing exhibition, Tribute to the Holocaust, is a collection of artifacts, videos, text, photographs and other works of art related to this horrific genocide. Admission is free. 851 North Maitland Avenue, Maitland. 407-628-0555. holocaustedu.org.
Winter Park History Museum. The museum’s new exhibition, Echoes of Expression: The History of Art & Culture in Winter Park, salutes the creativity that established and continues to define the city (see page 116). Echoes of Expression features a visual timeline of the city’s arts and cultural movement, a stage for monthly performances, an art gallery, a library of books by local and visiting authors and an interactive children’s area on stage. The exhibition takes place under a sound dome, where the voices can he heard of writers, poets, journalists, scholars and actors with ties to Winter Park. As part of the museum’s commemorating of America 250, a special pop-up exhibition runs May 20 to July 15 with displays from the Daughters of the American Revolution, the WWII Veterans History Project, and a film project from Winter Park High School. Admission is free. 200 West New England Avenue, Winter Park. 407-644-2330, wphistory.org.
LECTURES
Central Florida Anthropological Society. Do you want to preserve Florida’s historic heritage? Are you curious about prehistoric Florida? Join the CFAS on the third Monday of most months at the Winter Park Library for this new lecture series, which highlights current anthropological and archaeological investigations with a special focus on Central Florida. Upcoming dates are slated for April 20, May 18 and June 15. Enjoy light refreshments and socializing when the doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by presentations at 7 p.m. Admission is free. 1050 West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park. cfasorlando.com.
Life Explorers Speakers Series. Hosted by Mead Botanical Garden, this speaker series features programs for adults interested in expanding their knowledge on a variety of environmental and cultural topics. Meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of the month, with upcoming dates slated for April 9, May 14 and June 11. Admission is free. 1300 South Denning Drive, Winter Park. 407-622-6323. meadgarden.org.
Morse Museum Wednesday Lecture Series. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art regularly invites recognized scholars in the field of late 19th- and early 20th-century art to speak on topics related to the museum’s collection and exhibitions. Upcoming subjects include Bringing Joseph & His Brothers Back: Conserving an 1897 Tiffany Glass & Decorating Co. Window with Brianne Van Vorst of Liberty Stained Glass Conservation (April 15). Programs take place at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. 161 West Canton Avenue, Winter Park. 407-645-5311. morsemuseum.org.
Past Meets Present: Literature of the American Revolution. To understand moments in history, study the writing that emerges from the time period. The American Revolution was driven by the written word, according to Chris Borglum, professor of literature at Valencia College, who examines the work of non-political writers of the era. The lecture, part of the Winter Park Library’s commemoration of America 250, begins at 1 p.m. on April 11. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. Winter Park Library, 1052 West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park. 321-439-6020. winterparklibrary.org.
Past Meets Present: Women of the American Revolution. While much attention goes to the Founding Fathers, crucial roles were played by our country’s Founding Mothers, according to Heather Bryson, a history professor at Valencia College, who discusses women who helped shape the American Revolution. The lecture, part of the Winter Park Library’s commemoration of America 250, begins at 1 p.m. on May 9. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. Winter Park Library, 1052 West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park. 321-439-6020. winterparklibrary.org.
Past Meets Present: Thomas Jefferson, the Brilliant & Confounding Thinker. One of the youngest members of the Second Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson’s was among the most brilliant of the Founding Fathers, according to Carl Creasman, a history professor at Valencia College, who investigates the life and influence of the third president. The lecture, part of the Winter Park Library’s commemoration of America 250, begins at 2 p.m. on June 13. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. Winter Park Library, 1052 West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park. 321-439-6020. winterparklibrary.org.
The Winter Park Institute. A Conversation with Condoleezza Rice welcomes the 66th U.S. Secretary of State to Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for a moderated discussion about her compelling personal story as well her insights about leadership and the shared responsibilities required to sustain a free and dignified society. The theme of the Institute’s 2026 Speaker Series is “Human Flourishing: How We Live Well Together.” 445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org.
MUSIC
Bach Festival Society of Winter Park. This season—the society’s 92nd—concludes, as always, in style. The Bach Festival Choir, the Jazz Big Band and acclaimed tenor Samuel McKelton will come together for Duke Ellington’s Sacred Service, which blends jazz, classical, gospel and spiritual music into a powerful expression of faith that Ellington called “the most important thing I have ever done.” The season wraps up on a decidedly lighter note with Silver Screen Classics (April 25, 7:30 p.m., and April 26, 3 p.m., Knowles Memorial Chapel), which features the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra with a captivating journey through the music of film—often hailed as classical music of today. Experience an entertaining and engaging program that brings your favorite flicks to life through spectacular choral and orchestral performances. Tickets start at $20. 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park. 407-646-2182. bachfestivalflorida.org.
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts. This vibrant, intimate venue is known for its eclectic and high-caliber musical programming. Concerts span a wide range of genres, with a strong emphasis on jazz, roots, swing and blues. Upcoming concerts include Daniela Soledad and Nate Najar (April 3, 8 p.m.), Gabe Preisser (April 4, 8 p.m.), Charlie Russo (April 11, 8 p.m.), the Palm Beach Society Orchestra (April 12, 3 p.m.), the Allan Vaché Swing Quintet (April 17, 8 p.m.), Boneshakers with Jenny Langer and Randy Jacobs (April 18, 8 p.m.), the Maitland Symphony Orchestra (April 19, 3 p.m.) the Jeff Rupert Quintet (April 24, 8 p.m.), Soloman Jaye (April 25, 8 p.m.), the Merrie Melodies Strolling Saxes (April 26, 3 p.m., see page 110), the CuBop Sextet with Marco Bojorquez (May 1, 8 p.m.), Dee Lucas (May 2, 7 p.m.), Rick Braun and Randy Jacobs (May 3, 7 p.m.), the James Hall Trio with Digna Ojito and Shaina LaRoche (May 8, 8 p.m.), the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra (May 9, 6 p.m.), Ricky and the Buzzcatz (May 10, 3 p.m.), Mia Vassilev (May 15, 8 p.m.) and the Jeff Rupert Quartet (May 22, 8 p.m.). Ticket prices range from $35 to $45, but Thursday nights are always reserved for free concerts followed by a “Thursday Night Hang” jam session that audience members are invited to join. 460 West New England Avenue (the former Winter Park Library), Winter Park. 407-636-9951. bluebambooartcenter.com.
Candlelight Concerts at Mead Garden. Enjoy live music by candlelight in Mead Botanical Garden’s Azalea Lodge. String quartets perform a selection of works by a particular artist or dedicate a program to a special theme. Upcoming dates include A Tribute to Taylor Swift (April 10, 8:45), Queen vs. ABBA (April 16, 8:45 p.m.), A Tribute to Bad Bunny (April 23, 6:30 p.m.), The Best of Bridgerton on Strings (April 23, 8:45 p.m., April 24, 6:30 p.m.), A Tribute to José José (April 24, 8:45 p.m.), Candlelight Babies: Classical Sounds to Stimulate Little Minds (April 25, 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m.), A Tribute to Bad Bunny (April 30, 6:30 p.m.), Queen vs. ABBA (April 30, 8:45 p.m.), A Tribute to Adele (May 7, 6:30 p.m.), A Tribute to Bad Bunny (May 7, 8:45 p.m.), Coldplay & Imagine Demons (May 8, 6:30 p.m.), ’90s Hip-Hop on Strings (May 8, 8:45 p.m.), The Best of Hans Zimmer (May 14, 6:30 p.m.), A Tribute to Cristian Castro (May 15, 6:30 p.m.), A Tribute to Bad Bunny (May 15, 8:45 p.m.), A Tribute to John Gabriel on Strings (June 4, 6:30 p.m.), A Tribute to Bad Bunny (June 5, 8:45 p.m.), Coldplay & Imagine Dragons (Jun 25, 6:30 p.m.), A Tribute to Bad Bunny (July 10, 6:30 p.m.) Ticket prices start at $49. 1300 South Denning Drive, Winter Park. 407-622-6323. meadgarden.org.
Central Florida Community Arts. Join the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra for American Maestro: The Music of John Williams, featuring the country’s largest orchestra in a spectacular journey through Williams’s most heroic fanfares and film scores. This unforgettable concert celebrates the enduring legacy of a living legend whose music has defined generations. The concert will be held May 22 and 23 at Calvary Orlando. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., both nights, with tickets ranging in price from $15 to $33. 1199 Clay Street Winter Park. 407-937-1800. cfcarts.com.
Central Florida Folk. This Winter Park-based nonprofit is dedicated to promoting and preserving live folk music, primarily through concerts usually held on the last Sunday of each month (unless a holiday intervenes) at 2 p.m. Upcoming acts include the Wild Cotton and Robert Bidney (April 26), Sárah Rogo and BroadBand (May 31) and Little Sister and Dave Miller (June 28). The group’s primary venue is the Winter Park Library, 1052 West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park. A donation of $15 for nonmembers is suggested. 407-679-6426. cffolk.org.
Music at the Casa. The Casa Feliz Historic Home & Venue presents some of the area’s most talented performing artists, including opera singers, jazz guitarists and flamenco dancers who perform in the intimate courtyard of Winter Park’s beloved Andalusian-style landmark. Next up is Callisto (April 23, 6:30 p.m.), who reimagine songs by James Taylor, the Beatles and more with a blend of rock, soul and jazz. That’s followed by the Solomon Jaye Duo (May 21, 6:30 p.m.), an evening of soulful vocals, rhythm and storytelling. Tickets are $15 and advance purchase is recommended since courtyard space is limited. Offerings from food and beverage vendors further enhance the experience. 656 North Park Avenue (adjacent to the Winter Park Golf Course), Winter Park. 407-628-8200, casafeliz.us.
Performing Arts Matter. This nonprofit organization collaborates with various organizations to promote performances for and by local musicians. It supports various groups, including the Maitland Symphony Orchestra, Maitland Market Music, the Maitland Stage Band, the Bravo Chamber Orchestra and the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra. For a full schedule of events, call 321-303-1711 or visit pamatter.org.
MARKETS
Maitland Farmers’ Market. This year-round, open-air market—held each Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.—features fresh produce, seafood, breads and cheeses as well as plants, all-natural skin-care products and live music by Performing Arts of Maitland. The setting on Lake Lily boasts a boardwalk, jogging trails, a playground and picnic areas. 701 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland. itsmymaitland.com.
Winter Park Farmers’ Market. The region’s busiest and arguably most popular farmers’ market is held every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Central Park West Meadow—located at the corner of New York Avenue and Morse Boulevard—and offers baked goods, produce, plants, honey, cheese, meat, flowers, crafts and other specialty items. 200 West New England Avenue, Winter Park.
cityofwinterpark.org.
WRITING
Orlando/Maitland Writers Group. Join fellow scribes for lectures by guest speakers and discussions led by local authors. The local chapter of the Florida Writers Association meets on the second Thursday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Upcoming meetings are slated for April 9, May 14 and June 11 at the Maitland Public Library, 501 South Maitland Avenue, Maitland. floridawriters.org.
Storytellers of Central Florida. Experienced and fledgling storytellers gather to share stories and practice their craft on the first Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Winter Park Library. Upcoming meetings are slated for April 7, May 5 and June 2. 1052 West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park. 321-439-6020. storytellersofcentralflorida.com.
Writers of Central Florida or Thereabouts. This group offers various free programs that attract writers of all stripes. Short Attention Span Storytelling Hour, a literary open-mic night, meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of most months at Stardust Coffee (1842 Winter Park Road, Winter Park). Upcoming meetings are slated for April 8, May 13 and June 10. Orlando WordLab, a workshop that challenges writers to experiment with new techniques or methods, meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Winter Park Library, 1052 West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park. Upcoming meetings are slated for April 22, May 27 and June 24. meetup.com/
writers-of-central-florida-or-thereabouts.
BUSINESS
Connections. Hosted by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce at local eateries, Connections provides local businesspeople and entrepreneurs an opportunity to network, socialize and share ideas. Upcoming meetings, held on the fourth Wednesday of most months, are scheduled for April 20, May 29 and June 24 (locations TBA). Admission is $35 for members and $50 for nonmembers. 407-599-3580. winterpark.org/connections.
Good Morning, Winter Park. Hosted by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, these gatherings feature coffee and conversation about community issues. Upcoming meetings, held on the first Friday of most months, are slated for April 10, May 1 and June 5. Networking begins at 8:45 a.m. followed at 9:15 a.m. by a 45-minute program. Admission, which includes coffee, is free, but registration is required. Winter Park Welcome Center, 151 West Lyman Avenue, Winter Park. 407-599-3580. winterpark.org/good-morning-winter-park.
Winter Park Professional Women. Hosted by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, these meetings—held the first Monday of most months from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.—feature guest speakers and provide networking opportunities for women business owners. Topics are related to leadership development, business growth and local initiatives of special interest to women. Upcoming meetings are slated for April 13, May 4 and June 1. Tickets, which include lunch, are $35 for chamber members and $50 for nonmembers. Reservations are required. Winter Park Welcome Center, 151 West Lyman Avenue, Winter Park. 407-599-3580. winterpark.org/winter-park-professional-women.
NATURE
Keep Winter Park Beautiful. Volunteer to help the city keep local watersheds beautiful all season long with cleanups held throughout the year. Call or check the website for dates and locations. Litter grabbers, safety vests, gloves and garbage bags are provided at City Hall, 151 West Lyman Avenue, Winter Park. Volunteers should contact kwpb@
cityofwinterpark.org for more details and to complete a waiver. 407-599-3364. cityofwinterpark.org.
Winter Park Garden Club. The club’s general membership meetings, which always offer something intriguing for lovers of gardening and the great outdoors, are typically held on the second Wednesday of each month from September through May at 10 a.m. Field trips and other community events are also held throughout the year. All meetings are at the club’s headquarters at 1300 South Denning Drive, Winter Park. For more information about the club, which was founded in 1922, and its upcoming programs, call 407-644-5770, check winterparkgardenclub.com or email winterparkgc100@gmail.com.
CAUSES
Baby Owl Shower. Brace yourself for perhaps the cutest event of the year—the impending birth of baby owls. Each year, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, which focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Florida’s raptors—such as bald eagles, ospreys, owls and falcons—throws a Baby Owl Shower as a fundraiser to help cover the facility’s increased costs during baby-bird season. That means a day of fun and educational activities for the whole family, with non-releasable baby raptors serving as the main attraction. This year’s shower, held May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free if you bring an item from the center’s online wish list. 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland. 407-644-0190. fl.audubon.org.
CoffeeTalk. These free gatherings, sponsored by the City of Winter Park, are held on the first Thursday of most months and offer residents an opportunity to discuss issues of concern with local officials. Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen supplies the coffee. Upcoming events are slated for April 2, May 7 and June 4. The hourlong sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall, 401 South Park Avenue, Winter Park. 407-644-8281. cityofwinterpark.org.
Run for the Trees: Jeannette Genius McKean Memorial 5K. This popular foot race, held this year on May 9 at 7:30 a.m., begins at Ward Park, 250 Perth Lane, Winter Park. But the last mile and the finish are through the privately owned Genius Preserve, which is open to the public only for this annual event. Proceeds support the Winter Park Tree Replacement Fund—and all finishers receive a young tree to plant. Registration starts at $27. 407-896-1160. trackshack.com.
Unleashed. Uncorked. Unframed. The 13th annual fundraiser for Franklin’s Friends animal welfare group promises to be a magical evening with exemplary wines, gourmet cuisine, spectacular auctions and a private art sale. The May 16 event will be held at the Winter Park Events Center. Tickets start at $300. 1050 West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park.
unleashedfundraiser.info.
CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS
Juneteenth. The Hannibal Square Heritage Center will commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. with its 10th annual Juneteenth celebration on June 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 642 West New England Avenue, Winter Park. hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org.
Memorial Day Service. The ceremony in Winter Park’s Glen Haven Memorial Park cemetery, Slated for May 25 at 11 a.m., usually includes an honor guard, music and a guest speaker. Admission is free. 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park. 407-647-1100. cityofwinterpark.org.
Ward & Wellbeing Earth Day Block Party. This free event at the Center for Health & Wellbeing and across the street at Ward Park features a plant-based family picnic, yoga and meditation, a petting zoo, giveaways and workshops along with lectures, games and much more. The event is set for April 27 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at 250 Perth Lane, Winter Park. 407-599-3364.
LET’S ENJOY SAFE SAX LIVE AT BLUE BAMBOO
In high school, most of us were lectured about having safe sax. Or maybe we were lectured about something that just sounded similar. It’s difficult to remember back that far. But if you’re up for some Safe Sax—as in saxophones—visit Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts on Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. and check out The Merrie Melodies Strolling Sax Quintet—known as “Central Florida’s Premier Sax Ensemble”—for a program that will feature an eclectic array of music and tons of fun.
The quintet, led by maestro Rick Kissinger, is a unit of Licorice Sticks Entertainment, a nonprofit that includes an array of performing musical groups including the Licorice Sticks Clarinet Orchestra (LCO), a 30-piece band comprised of 10 different instruments in the clarinet family. (Clarinets are nicknamed “licorice sticks.”)
Kissinger’s squads perform at concert halls, theme parks and special events just about everywhere you can name and are masters at mixing musicianship and merriment. The sax players include Kissinger (soprano sax); Chris King (alto sax); Jonathan Steltzer (tenor sax); Jim Taylor (baritone sax); and Larry Hendrixson (drums).
One of LCO’s most popular events is its summer Vaudeville Variety Show Spectacular, which is slated for July in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center. Yep, it’s early still but mark your calendars now. In the meantime, let’s get together for some Safe Sax.
Blue Bamboo is located at 460 East New England Avenue. For more information, call 407-616-4599 or visit bluebambooartcenter.com.
—Randy Noles
HUE’S WHO: TOP ARTISTS PAINT THE TOWN
Last year, the weeklong Winter Park Paint Out added a new wrinkle: a one-night-only Park Avenue sip ’n stroll that brought participating plein air painters to the city’s central business district, where they set up easels to paint in person and to discuss their works in progress with passersby.
“Paint-In on Park Avenue” will again be part of Paint Out, a program of the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens that will run from April 19 to 25. Paint-In, when participating artists will wield their brushes along the city’s signature boulevard, is slated for Wednesday, April 22 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Participating merchants will sweeten the deal by offering refreshments to ticket holders ($25 buys you a special glass to refill again and again, or you can get two glasses for $40.) Paint-In on Park Avenue is a collaboration between the museum and the Park Avenue District.
By now, you know the idea behind Paint Out. Every spring, artists engage in a six-day marathon of painting, positioning themselves all around town to spontaneously capture picturesque vistas on canvas (or paper) and offering their works for sale.
Out goes the rigidity of the traditional studio and in comes the free-flowing inspiration of creating in the open air. This year, the Polasek—which is celebrating its 65th birthday—will host 23 artists from Florida and others from as far away as Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana and Maryland (home of painter Abby Ober, who contributed this year’s event poster).
The museum’s grounds function as home base, with some artists working on campus while others fan out. The Mediterranean-style home—where Czech-born sculptor Albin Polasek once lived and worked—maintains a “wet room” where completed paintings are displayed. You can visit in person or check out winterparkpaintout.com, to see the inventory.
Proceeds from the sale of paintings are split evenly, with the museum getting half and the other half going to the artist. Prices for individual works can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The event has generated more than $1 million in total revenue since its inception.
All week long, admission to the Polasek’s gallery and gardens is free of charge. So are the eight painting demonstrations that will be held on the grounds on various days.
The week will wrap up with the second of two ticketed events: an old-fashioned Garden Party that will allow revelers to rub elbows with the artists while enjoying food, drinks and live music. This year’s soiree will be Saturday, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $150 and usually go fast.
Jennifer Deery, who last year was promoted to full-time executive director from her previous interim position, is proud of the museum’s outreach programs, noting that 30 selected art students from Orange County will be welcomed for a daylong field trip during Paint Out.
The Polasek is located at 633 Osceola Avenue, Winter Park. For more information, call 407-647-6294 or visitpolasek.org.
—Steve Schneider
FLOURISH AT SOLANA’S SPRING CELEBRATION
Solana Fine Art is encouraging us to embark upon a celebration of renewal, possibility and energy that accompanies spring’s arrival in its upcoming exhibition Flourish. Frankly, we could use a little of that right now.
Flourish will feature work by Atlanta-area artists Wyanne Thompson and Lorra Kurtz, with whom Solana’s founder and gallerist Bob Jimenez has longstanding relationships. Jimenez spent 23 years in Atlanta, where he was a senior executive with Cox Enterprises, before returning home to Central Florida and opening his gallery in 2024.
The exhibition will run March 17 through April 24, and the artists will attend an opening reception on Tuesday, March 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. “I think [Thompson and Kurtz’s] work really dialogues beautifully,” says Jimenez. “Even though their styles are so different, there are shared themes between them, such as transformation as a natural process of life and the notion that beautiful things can come out of change—even the most terrible changes in one’s life.”
A contemporary abstract painter known for large-scale works created on raw canvas, Thompson considers painting to be her most direct and fluent language after her ability to speak and swallow was permanently altered due to extensive surgery to treat oral cancer in 2013.
Kurtz is a contemporary mixed-media artist whose use of acrylic, encaustic, collage and plaster explores the natural world and the connection between humans and the environment through themes of nature, family life cycles, hope, renewal, gratitude and home.
Solana Fine Art is located at 1104 Solana Avenue, Winter Park. For more information, visit call 321-972-1774 or visit solanafineart.com.
—Steve Schneider
FROM ART COLONY TO CULTURAL CAPITAL
Winter Park is known as the City of Culture and Heritage or the City of Arts and Culture, depending upon whom you ask. In fact, either moniker is applicable, as Echoes of Expression: The History of Arts & Culture in Winter Park demonstrates at the Winter Park History Museum.
The exhibition tells the story of an early “art colony” established in Winter Park and spotlights the importance of Rollins College as an arts incubator. It also highlights the multitude of exceptional arts venues and organizations that thrive here—at least 24 within a compact, 10-square-mile radius.
“We always try to pack as much history in as we can,” says Executive Director Christy Grieger. “This is a sophisticated exhibition that shows since its earliest days, people here have prioritized infusing arts and culture into everyday life.”
Of course, you can’t talk arts in Winter Park without mentioning Hugh and Jeannette Genius McKean, who founded the world-renowned Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. The McKeans, naturally, are prominently featured in Echoes of Expression.
As well they should be. In addition to the museum, named to honor Jeannette’s legendary grandfather, their legacies include Christmas in the Park, which features a holiday performance by the Bach Festival Choir and the installation of lighted stained-glass panels by Louis Comfort Tiffany in Central Park. The event celebrated its 47th anniversary in 2025.
Another prominent section of the exhibition celebrates the life and work of Czech-born sculptor Albin Polasek, namesake of the Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Polasek retired in Winter Park in 1950 and continued sculpting despite suffering a stroke a year later that left him paralyzed on his left side.
In addition, there’s a visual timeline that spans Winter Park’s founding in 1880s through the first quarter of the 21st century, along with an art gallery wall that celebrates local influencers, musicians and artists—including the younger set with original artwork from students at Orange County Public Schools.
Naturally, there are nods to the annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival—one of the most popular such festivals in the Southeast—and, for history buffs, to the whimsically named Animated Magazine, a live annual event that welcomed popular national and international figures to Rollins for public presentations between 1927 and 1969.
A mini library salutes the published books of local and locally connected authors. Even the soundtrack for the exhibition—the music of the Bach Festival Choir—pays homage to the city’s history. The all-volunteer choir, which today stands at nearly 200 musicians, has delighted audiences for more than 90 years.
Echoes of Expression will run through May 2 and is free to the public (although donations are welcome). The Winter Park History Museum is located at 200 West New England Avenue, Winter Park. For more information, call 407-647-2330 or visitwphistory.org.
—Steve Schneider