Thoroughly Modern Millie

Opening next Thursday Thoroughly Modern Millie is set in the 1920s and features Halie Clark as Millie. A strong cast dances and sings their way through a multitude of great numbers full of energy . Directed by Mary T Albright, Musical Director Pat Fleitz and choreographer Abraham Jarell lend their talents to bring you this fun musical.

Performances are 7:30pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2pm Sunday - July 16th - 26th at the Lake Mirror Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave 33801

Tickets are available at www.lakelandcommunitytheatre.com or in the Box Office 863 603 7529 Mon-Fri 1-4 pm and ONE hour before a performance

Go Behind the Art Next Friday at PMoA

Next Friday, April 3, Polk Museum of Art will do a little thing it calls "Behind the Art." The focus will be on the new Gregory Barsamian exhibition, and the Curator of Art and Exhibits Specialist will show visitors exactly how the artwork works. It's pretty mind-boggling even when you see it.

The talk/demonstration will start at 12:15pm and is free with admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 Museum members, $4 member seniors, and $2 for students (K-College).

PMoA Offers Spring Break Art Camp

If you’re looking for something educational and artistic to keep the kids occupied over Spring Break, might I suggest Spring Break Art Camp at Polk Museum of Art? Participating children will rotate through three classes: Sculpture, Drawing & Painting, and Performance and Stage Craft. All of the projects will be inspired by the Museum’s Pre-Columbian art collection.

Camp is for children ages 5 - 13 and runs 9:00am - 4:30pm, March 30 - April 3. Tuition is $130 per student for Museum members or $150 per student for non-members. You can register your child by going here, or you can call PMoA at 688-5423.

Exhibition Opening at PMoA This Weekend

This Friday night, Polk Museum of Art will be hosting the opening reception for its newest exhibition, Unbelievable Transformations: Moving Sculptures by Gregory Barsamian. The artist will be talking about his work at 6:00pm and there will be light refreshments and a cash bar starting at 7:00pm. The reception is free for Museum members and $10 for non-members.

I know I’m biased, but I really can not convey in words how cool this exhibition is going to be. Once it’s finally up, I’m going to post some video to give everyone a better idea. In the meantime, here’s a link to a movie of the piece above in action. Keep watching because there’s another piece shown after the halfway mark.

Art Classes Offered at Polk Museum of Art

Polk Museum of Art will be hosting several art classes starting February 3. Classes are available for children, teens, and adults, and in a variety of media. Classes are offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and last for eight weeks. The cost of the class includes basic materials, and classes are open to students of all skill levels. Classes to be offered are:

For teens and adults:
Chinese Brush Painting, Tuesdays, 6 - 9pm, $130 Museum Members, $145 Non-Members

Digital Photography II*, Tuesdays, 6 - 9pm, $90 Museum Members, $105 Non-Members (*Students must supply their own digital camera and are encouraged to bring a laptop with Adobe Photoshop installed, if possible.)

Portrait Drawing, Tuesdays, 6 - 9pm, $115 Museum Members, $130 Non-Members

Transformation Through Clay, Tuesdays, 6 - 9pm, $115 Museum Members, $130 Non-Members

Life Drawing*, Thursdays, 6 - 9pm, $115 Museum Members, $130 Non-Members (*Nude models are used. Students under the age of 18 must have written parental consent to participate.)

Acrylic Painting, Thursdays, 6 - 9pm, $130 Museum Members, $145 Non-Members

For children:
Cultural Creations, Tuesdays, 6 - 8pm. Learn about world cultures through creating art. $90 Museum Members, $105 Non-Members

Mud Madness, Thursdays, 6 - 8pm. Learn how to work with clay. $90 Museum Members, $105 Non-Members

Recycle that Paper! Papermaking, Thursdays, 6 - 8pm. Learn to make your own paper and how to use it in your artwork. $90 Museum Members, $105 Non-Members.

For more information or to register for any of these classes, call 863-688-5423

MIDFLORIDA Signs On as Title Sponsor of Polk Museum of Art's Annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake

Polk Museum of Art's Mayfaire by-the-Lake, the annual art festival which takes place on Mother's Day weekend each year, welcomes a new title sponsor beginning in 2009. The Polk Museum of Art is proud to announce its partnership with MIDFLORIDA Federal Credit Union who is expected to serve as the event's title sponsor until 2018.

"We've been very fortunate that the both the community and the area businesses have always embraced Mayfaire. That's evident in the event attendance and the array of local businesses that have provided long-term support for the event,” stated Daniel Stetson, Executive Director of the Polk Museum of Art. "We have only had one other business partner serve as the title sponsor of Mayfaire and we are pleased that MIDFLORIDA has joined us as a new long-term sponsor."

The title sponsorship was most recently held by Volvo, a brand that served as the title sponsor for 5 years, but unfortunately, due to Volvo ceasing representation in Lakeland, the title sponsorship was unable to be renewed.

Polk Museum of Art took this opportunity to approach MIDFLORIDA Federal Credit Union because of their prior interest in the title sponsorship of the festival. Beginning in 2009, the event will be renamed "MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire-by-the-Lake," representing the local financial institution's involvement in Polk Museum of Art's most popular annual event.

"We are proud to be associated with such a community-oriented event. While the negotiations for the sponsorship seemed to move quickly, this is the result of years of interest," stated Kevin Jones, President and CEO of MIDFLORIDA. "Mayfaire is one of the best events in central Florida and attracts people from every walk of life and many different communities. It just seemed like a natural fit for our financial institution."

Polk Museum of Art's MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire-by-the-Lake will take place on the shores of Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland on May 9 – 10, 2009.

Other confirmed sponsors of MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake at this time are: Premier Sponsors - Colonial Bank, Frost Van den Boom & Smith, P.A., and The Ledger; Children's Art Tent Sponsors - Publix Super Markets Charities and Tampa Maid Foods; Reception & Entertainment Sponsors - Ron & Becky Johnson and Kristen & Dan Gunter; Official Yellow Pages Sponsor - The AT&T Real Yellow Pages; With additional support from - The City of Lakeland, Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing, Lakeland Runner's Club, Polk County School Board, and VSA arts of Florida - Polk County.

Learn the Principles of Kwanzaa at Polk Museum of Art

Stop by Polk Museum of Art on Saturday, December 20, at 1:00pm for a fun, wild, FREE, family event! We're hosting our annual Kwanzaa Celebration early this year so that you can learn all about it, and then go home and observe the holiday on your own.

Once again, the fantastic Kuumba Drummers and Dancers of Tampa will be here to provide the entertainment. Not only will they talk about the principles of Kwanzaa and the elements of a Kwanzaa table, they'll also tell some traditional African folk tales. But the best part is when they start the drums up and get everyone dancing!

After the event, stick around for an optional hands-on workshop where you can make some of the traditional elements of a Kwanzaa table. The workshop has a $2 per person materials fee.

I hope you can make it!

Only a Few Days Left to Bid in Polk Museum of Art's Holiday Art Auction

There are only a few days left to make a bid in Polk Museum of Art's Annual Art Auction. The silent auction and exhibition, which is currently on display at the Museum, will end Sunday evening, December 7. Two pieces have already sold, and 18 others are still available. Artworks are available in a wide range of styles with starting bids ranging from $25 to $2,000.

Images of the auction items can be seen by visiting http://www.polkmuseumofart.org/. Click on the button at the top right hand corner of the page that says "Holiday Art Auction." Or visit this page: http://picasaweb.google.com/PolkMuseumofArt/ArtAuction2008#
Anyone who is interested in a piece, but who cannot make it to the Museum to place a bid, may call the Museum at 863-688-7743 to have staff bid for them, or they may email TBehrens@PolkMuseumofArt.org.

PMoA Announces Artwork to be Auctioned

Check out the artwork that Polk Museum of Art is auctioning this week:

The silent auction starts today and ends Friday evening, November 21, at the Jingle Mingle & Art Auction. You can come in anytime this week and place a bid on your favorite piece! Proceeds benefit Polk Museum of Art.

Polk Museum of Art to Host Series of Holiday Events

Polk Museum of Art will host a Holiday Magic Series of Events November 20 - 23. Every day for four days, the Museum will present at least one Holiday event and all of them will have a magical theme. Some events will be for children, including the ever popular Breakfast with Santa, and some, like the Jingle Mingle & Art Auction, will be for adults only.

Check out these great events:

Holiday Luncheon
Thursday, November 20, 2008, Seatings at 11:30am and 1:00pm
Cost: $30 per person
Enjoy the magic of the holidays with your friends! Join us for a scrumptious catered lunch, browse Gems & Jewels, and stroll through the Museum’s galleries. It’s a perfect occasion in elegant holiday surroundings.

Gems & Jewels Wearable Art Event
Thursday, November 20, 2008, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: Free with admission
Your favorite jewelers and artists are back by popular demand to dazzle you with their unique creations. It's a great opportunity to buy a wonderful, hand-crafted present for someone special in your life — or for yourself!

Elves Shelves Gift Shoppe
Saturday, November 22, 2008, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: Free with regular Museum admission. Prices of items vary.
Shhhhhhh! A special Secret Shoppe for children only! Gifts will be reasonably priced for children to purchase holiday items for family and friends. Elves Shelves fun includes creating unique wrapping paper for each selected gift.

Breakfast with Santa & Elf Workshop
Saturday, November 22, 2008, 9:00 – 11:00amCost: $15 per person
Get the kids ready for the Holidays with this magical morning event! Santa Claus will be on hand to visit with everyone while a buffet breakfast is served. After breakfast, the merriment moves upstairs to the Elf Workshop where Santa’s helpers have prepared a fun holiday themed art activity.

Holiday Magic Show
Saturday, November 22, 2008, 11:30am – 12:30pmCost: Free with a ticket to a Santa event or $2 at the door
Sparkle, dazzle, and abracadabra... As if the holidays weren’t magical enough, we’ve decided to add even more with our very own magic show. Bring the kids to be entertained and entranced. You’ll leave wondering what you really saw happen!

Art Auction
November 18 - December 7
Free with Museum admission
Stop by the Museum for your opportunity to buy some fantastic artwork for your collection — or as a gift for someone else’s! 20 pieces are available in a variety of styles and media and at a range of prices. Click here to see images of all of the artwork. If you see something you like, stop by to bid, or call the Museum at 863-688-7743.

“Whet Your Palettes” Cooking Class
Sunday, November 23, 2:30 - 5:30pm
Cost: $50 members and $55 nonmembers
Experience the art of creating fabulous foods with just a few brushstrokes! Join Chef Andy, the owner of TheChefAndy.LLC, for “Home for the Holidays”. Learn to make simple, yet creative appetizers sure to impress family and friends over the holidays. Chef Andy’s passion for food and life will make this a class to remember. Class size is strictly limited to 8 and includes use of apron, recipes, wine pairing, and gallery viewing. Participants must wear closed-toed shoes. Meet Chef Andy to learn about his many achievements, including winning the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence at www.thechefandy.com. Pre-registration is required. Call 863-688-7743 x238.

The Holiday Magic Series of Events is sponsored by BCI Engineers & Scientists, Inc with additional support from Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing.

For more information about the activities, please call 863-688-7743 or visit www.PolkMuseumofArt.org.

Viva Las Vegas Cabaret

Lakeland Community Theatre presents our Fall Fund Raiser

Viva Las Vegas Cabaret!

ONE WEEKEND ONLY!
November 14, 15th at 7:30pm, November 16 at 2pm

Hosted by Charlie Watts and Susan Lovell

Join some of your favorite performers as we tour Las Vegas stopping at some well known venue to hear classic songs and be entertained by dancers from the Va Va Va Voom Revue.

Cast members include Karissa Barber, Daniel Ballard, Kim Boothe, Ed Frisbie, Siobhan Gale, Benedict Heaps, Anita Kollinger, Jennifer Marshall, Tom Mook, Holly Parrish, Jeremy Procopio, Alan Reynolds, G. Michael Smith and many others.

Featuring classic songs made famous by stars like Cher, Frank Sinatra, Bette Midler, Wayne Newton, Celine Dion, Barry Manilow, Tina Turner and of course the King of Las Vegas - Elvis!

$25 Adults $15 Students (18 and under)

Call 863 603 7529 to purchase tickets

or online at http://www.lakelandcommunitytheatre.com/

Looking for Something to Do This Weekend?

Once again, Polk Museum of Art has got a fun weekend planned, and we're hoping that you will all come join us!

This afternoon, we're having our Family Halloween Party starting at 4pm. It's only $5 per child, and there are going to be some great, art-related, Halloween-themed activities going, all for $5 per child. Games, prizes, candy, cookies... Mmm, cookies... Someone was baking those in our kitchen yesterday, which is right below my office, so I was smelling fresh baked cookies all afternoon!

A few of our staff are already dressed up and in the spirit, and a few more will be getting dressed up later. I'm a woodland fairy, but I think Best Costume will probably go to Letty, our Curator of Education. She's given us a preview of the shoes, and let's just say that there will be a ballerina with VERY large feet dancing around.

Tomorrow, we're working off a Day of the Dead theme. During the day, we're focusing on the kids again with a series of workshops and activities. Most of them are free, but the afternoon workshop (Day of the Dead Altars) will have a $2 materials fee.

But we haven't forgotten about the adults! Tomorrow night is Death by Chocolate. Charlene, our Special Events Manager, has been working hard to make this a fun event with chocolate stations, chocotinis, and great music and dancing. The party starts at 7pm, and tickets are $30 per person. You can purchase tickets at the door.

So come on by the Museum! It's going to be a great weekend. Check out our website for more details or call 863-688-5423.

Ancestors and Heroes Celebrated at Explorations V Children's Museum!

Explorations V Children's Museum, located at 109 North Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland, will host its annual Ancestors and Heroes Day on Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 10am until 3pm. The event celebrates our American heritage and the heroes who protect it and will feature hands-on activities such as rope and candle making, flag puzzles, letters to soldiers and more.

Those attending Ancestors and Heroes Day are encouraged to bring items to be included in care packages for active military personnel. Items such as toiletries, non-perishable individually packaged food items, books, socks, etc are welcomed. The donated items will be collected and distributed to troops by local agencies.

All activities are included with admission while supplies last. Admission is $5 per person. Senior citizens 65 and over are $2.50.Children under two and museum members are free. Additional information may be obtained by calling Explorations V Children's Museum at 863 687 3869 or via email to info@explorationsv.com.

Harrison’s “Pirates Of Penzance” Rocks

Harrison’s “Pirates Of Penzance” Rocks

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Musical Comedy Murders at Lakeland Community Theatre

Celebrate Hallowe'en with a murder filled evening at Lakeland Community Theatre. The final weekend of shows gets under way Thursday Oct 30th 7:30pm with performances on October 31st and November 1st at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm.

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 is about a group of "show people" who meet at a house full of secret passages and odd people. They are there to read a new musical for a wealthy supporter and become stranded in a snow storm. Mayhem and murder follow, people disappearing, spies and double or even triple identities abound and the characters try to figure out which one of them is the Stage Door Slasher! There are police officers, Naval intelligence agents and Nazi spies involved too.

The cast is a mixture of LCT 'veterans' - Benedict Heaps, Anita Kollinger, Susan Lovell, Jerry Martinez, Drew McCalmon, Tom Mook and Jan Welch and 'newcomers' to our stage - Jordan Burg, Jeff Pearlman and Brad Vater.

The Lakeland Ledger says of the cast - "Benedict Heaps, is brilliant as Helsa Wenzel, the transvestite German maid. His transformation is so convincing that only his Adam's apple and his name in the playbill evidence his true gender."
"Jordan Burg is bright and has great stage presence. Bradley Vater (has) a quick sense of the comedic. Together they are a charming stage couple"
Jan Welch as "Bernice Roth, is a believable, self-involved, alcoholic Broadway composer, realistically communicates her two interests in life: capturing a lyric and drinking."

So come and check it out for yourself. Tickets are available at the box office 863 603 7529 or online at www.lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

BOO! Bash at Explorations V Children's Museum!

Looking for a safe way to celebrate All Hallow's Eve? Check out Explorations V Children's Museum's BOO! Bash on Friday, October 31, 2008. This kid-friendly event will feature frightfully fun, hands-on Halloween activities such as Goblin Goo, Jack O'Lantern frisbees, Haunted Houses, a musical Munn-ster Mash and more!

Dress up the kids, and yourself too, in kid-friendly, non-scary costumes and come be a part of the celebration! There will be two sessions. One session runs from 10am-1pm and the other will be an evening session from 4-8pm.

All activities are included with admission while supplies last. Admission is $5 per person. Senior citizens 65+ are $2.50. Children under 2 and museum members are free.

Explorations V Children's Museum is located at 109 North Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland. Additional information may be obtained by calling the museum at 863 687 3869 or via email to info@explorationsv.com.

Terror on Pine Street - Friday, October 24th!

As if the economy isn't scary enough, the creative folks at Keller Williams have devoted their free time to making sure we can have a good time this coming Friday (Fright-day) night, October 24th, from 5pm - 11 pm.

Join the fun at 215 Pine Street - there's something for everyone - from the faint of heart to adrenaline junkies. From 5 pm - 7 pm, lots of Downtown stores will be open for tick-or-treating! The DLP even gets in the action with a costume contest where the winner will receive Downtown Dollars!

The best part - all proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Clubs. The folks at Keller Williams really have a heart - maybe it's yours!

The Return of an Old Favorite - The Downtown Diner

We heard through the "pretty reliable grapevine" that the Downtown Diner at 126 W. Main Street will open on short order. One of the many things they'll offer is breakfast starting early in the day. Mom always said to east breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. I think she just didn't like to cook. Anyway, we'll keep you posted as we stick our noses into the Downtown Diner's business and get the details!

Don't Blink - You'll Miss Something Downtown

Downtown Lakeland's Kentucky Avenue is buzzing with new business these days.

SugaRush has opened at 121 South Kentucky Avenue. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place to get rich, creamy homemade fudge and sinfully delicious Old Meeting House Ice Cream. This ice cream has up to 16% butterfat and nothing artificial. They do have other great tasting stuff for people who actually watch what they eat. A friend of mine was raving about the diet-conscious butter pecan ice cream. My bet is that Sheila and company won't rat you out if you succumb to temptation. There's probably a caloric version of the witness protection program. SugaRush has rooms to host private parties (don't just waste an ice cream party on kids!) Come visit Sheila King and her family at SugaRush.

A little further up at 115 South Kentucky, Brent Bradford is opening the Cask & Barrel Wine Shop. Whether you want a bottle of wine or a glass of wine, this is the place to do it. But, no whining. (Couldn't resist.) Wine tastings and private parties are also on the schedule. We've been eagerly awaiting the opening of this shop...lead me not into temptation, but deliver me to the Cask & Barrel! Brent's wife Lisa owns Posh Elegance Salon & Day Spa at 238 North Kentucky.

We've been pressing our little noses against the windows across the street at 128 South Kentucky wondering what was happening. Rebecca Street is opening Scrapbook Street - a scrap booking shop. Rebecca says they expect to open in September, but we're hoping she has some teasers for the August First Friday - Dog Days of Summer.

Moving north to 246 North Kentucky Avenue, Gosh! Asian Bistro is finally open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Asian cuisine finally comes downtown and we're excited! Stop by and visit manager Tien Phan and find out what exactly constitutes and Asian breakfast. Located between Lofty Ideas and Goin' Postal, and across from Mitchell's flagship coffee shop, this is a great addition to Downtown's north side.

There's always something happening in Downtown Lakeland - just come visit!

A Great Way to Spend Sunday Afternoon

Everyone's looking for something inexpensive (free's good) and fun to do on the weekends.

This past Sunday I met some friends at the Lakeland Center for the dog agility competition. It was free and a lot of fun. The pooches were fun to watch, especially when they decided to do something other than what their masters wanted. The owners were fun to watch, too! My dogs would win the "Olympic napping in air conditioned luxury" competition. So, it was nice to see dogs interested in doing something other than rolling over to get a tummy rub.

Yes, I know it's my fault that Jack and Olive are such couch mutts, but if they were to be anything else, I'd have to exert energy. Sorry, dogs.

Anyway, Terisa, June, Beth and I enjoyed each other's company at the FREE event at the Lakeland Center. Then we adjourned to Black & Brew for a wonderful (as always) late lunch with live acoustical guitar music.

The point is... Look to Downtown for fun, inexpensive (even free) things to do with your friends. Indulge in conversation and people watching. Laugh until someone shoots iced tea (or beer) out of their nose. That's always a sign of a good time.