Fantasy of Flight Honors Black Aviation History

ORLANDO – Fantasy of Flight presents the Living History Symposium: “They Dared to Fly” Feb. 19 – Feb. 20. This symposium features the Tuskegee Airmen in honor of Black History month. Several of the original Tuskegee Airmen will share their personal experiences of wartime military service during segregated America. This event features open-forum and question-and-answer sessions. Fantasy of Flight’s permanent multi-media Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and vintage aircraft collection, including the P-51C Mustang, provides the perfect backdrop for this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet these brave men. Call (407) 332-5212.

Lowry Park Valentine’s Day

TAMPA – Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo honors love this Valentine’s Day with Wild at Heart on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14. Singles, couples and groups of friends (ages 21 and up) are invited to the park for a lighthearted look at love in the animal kingdom. This fourth annual tour and progressive dinner will entertain guests with interesting stories about the pairing, partnering and mating habits of the zoo’s residents.

Guests are welcomed with romantic refreshments and up-close animal encounters, where they will proceed to various animal habitat areas stopping for salads, candlelight dinner and dessert. The event is open bar. Two tours are offered each night of the event, lasting approximately 3.5 hours. Reservations are required. Tickets are $55 per person; Annual Zoo Pass members receive a discount of $5 off per ticket. Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 239 for more information.

Harold Pinter in Seaside

SANTA ROSA BEACH – On Oct. 7-17, the Seaside Repertory Theatre’s Autumn Playwright Festival pays homage to a major playwright through panel discussions, staged readings, and a full-scale production honoring 2005 Nobel Prize-winner Harold Pinter. Visit www.autumntides.com.

Deering Estate Hosts Guest Composers

MIAMI – The Deering Estate at Cutler hosts the Living Artist Concert Series. This concert series combines ensemble performances with lectures, visual art exhibits, environmental awareness and interpretive programs, while acquainting residents and visitors with the best of South Florida’s artistic spirit. Concerts are held in the historic Stone House Ballroom. On Oct. 16 the Piano Series “Florida Triad” will feature guest composer Tania Leon and pianist, Jose R. Lopez, in a collaborative historic journey linking music and history from Spain, Cuba, and the United States with South Florida. On Nov. 13 the Chamber Music Series, “Tribute,” will feature the Deering Estate Chamber Ensemble and music by Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, A. Copeland, E. Korngold and Composer in Residence Judith Shatin. Visit www.deeringestate.org .

Viceroy Miami Hosts Dr. Etti Ben-Zion’s Detox Spa Event

MIAMI - Kor Hotel Management’s Viceroy Miami at Icon Brickell hosts the second Cleanse Miami seminar on Saturday, June 6. Guests will see the Viceroy’s 28,000-square-foot luxurious spa while experiencing Dr. Etti Ben-Zion’s intro to detox, including spa treatments and Yoga sessions.

In Cleanse Miami, Ben-Zion has extracted the most essential part of her seven-day program into a concentrated one-day seminar.

The Spa, centered around a 5,000 square-foot Water Lounge with a “floating library,” wading pool with waterborne sofas, three hot-and-cold plunge pools and fireplace will serve as the perfect platform for guests to experience better health, balance and happiness. All participants will receive 30 percent off spa treatments for the weekend of the event, June 5-7; overnight packages are available.

Viceroy’s Spa at IconBrickell, 485 Brickell Avenue. See www.viceroyiconbrickell.com/spa/ or https://dretti.com/events.php.

Florida Folk Festival in 57th Year; Set for Memorial Day Weekend

WHITE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs will host the 57th Annual Florida Folk Festival during Memorial Day weekend. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 22 at the park, and performances will continue through Sunday, May 24.

“The Florida Folk Festival allows friends and families to kick off the summer with a celebration of Florida’s heritage and culture,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “For 56 years the festival has been a tradition for residents and visitors – highlighting Florida’s folk heritage, history and great music.”

Since 1953, folk artists have come together for one of the oldest state folk festivals in America; an early photo from the state’s Florida Memory collection is at right. The Florida Folk Festival is the state’s premier heritage event, celebrating Florida’s land, people and diverse culture with performances each day by native folk and roots artists; including national recording artists, songwriters and musicians of swing, folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean and zydeco.

Among the more than 200 scheduled performances, Grammy Award winning, Nashville recording artist, Billy Dean, will perform on the main stage Saturday night. Other highlighted performances include, Spanky & Our Gang, Doyle Dykes, Ben Prestage and Florida Folk Heritage Award Winner Jeanie Fitchen.

Festival attendees can also learn about Florida’s Nature Coast, which includes eight counties along the Gulf of Mexico from Wakulla to Pasco County. Florida’s Nature Coast is the 2009 Folklife area theme – presented each year to reflect research and field documentation conducted by the Florida Department of State’s Folklife program. Attractions in the Folklife area will include worm grunters from Sopchoppy, mermaids from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, bluegrass gospel music, Mexican folkloric dance, and lasso and roping lessons and contests, as well as crafts and food.

Tickets for the Florida Folk Festival are $25 per day or $50 for the weekend at the gate. Children under six years of age are admitted free of charge. Ticket prices for children between the ages of six and 16 for the entire weekend are $5.00 at the gate.

Visitors planning a trip to the Florida Folk Festival are also encouraged to take part in DEP’s Rediscover Florida: 100 Ways in 100 Days campaign – an initiative urging Floridians and visitors to explore the exciting and affordable recreation Florida’s public lands offer – from the traditional (hiking, biking, and camping) to the unique (festivals, historic reenactments and museums).

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, which are open 365 days a year. Florida’s state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages. Caladesi Island State Park, just off the coast of Pinellas County, was honored with the coveted Best Beach in the Nation award in 2008.

The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is located in White Springs on the banks of the Suwannee River. Gates open daily at 8:00 a.m. For more information on the festival, call 1-877-635-3655 or visit www.floridafolkfestival.com. For more information on Florida’s state parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.

Smirnoff Ice Party May 7 for Miami’s Univision Radio

MIAMI BEACH - Smirnoff Ice, one of Diageo’s premium malt beverages, announced today a strategic partnership with Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group in the United States. The alliance will offer consumers an opportunity to enjoy this summer’s “coolest parties,” through a series of concert events sponsored by the makers of Smirnoff Ice and featuring today’s hottest Latin artists. Fans will have the chance to win tickets to attend the concerts through Univision Radio station giveaways. The summer festivities will kick-off May 7th at a launch party in Miami Beach.

“Our collaboration with Univision Radio allows us to reach millions of Latin music lovers as we kick-off the 2009 summer season with this national promotion,” said Mala Popli, senior brand manager for Smirnoff Ice. “Our consumers know there’s no better way to celebrate the summer than an outdoor concert… and to accompany that with a cold Smirnoff Ice.”

“We are delighted to partner with Smirnoff Ice on a program designed specifically for the Latino consumer, whose leisure activities are invariably paired with their favorite music,” says Jack Hobbs, Executive Vice President and Director of Corporate Sales for Univision Radio. “The network’s stations reach more than 12 million unique listeners every week. This alliance is mutually-beneficial for our radio network, the Smirnoff brand and consumers across the country.”

See www.coolcontodos.com

World Ballet Competition Set June 22-27 in Orlando

ORLANDO – The director and organizers of the 2009 World Ballet Competition are busily finalizing applications for this “Grand Prix” of the world’s most technically and artistically talented ballet dancers and choreographers pursuing professional careers in this art form. “At this time, the WBC selection panel is reviewing last minute applicants and soon will make a decision on their acceptance,” said Vasile Petrutiu, director and founder of the WBC.

More than 100 dancers from all around world will be in Orlando for this year’s competition. Nations represented include Armenia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, Romania, Russia, Singapore, UK, US and Venezuela. The ballet competition will be held at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, Orlando, Florida, June 22 – 27, 2009. For competition schedules, visit www.wbcorlando.com.

The 2007 and 2008 WBC top dancers were awarded more than $75,000 in cash prizes and over $90,000 in scholarships. WBC alumni are now dancing professionally in San Francisco, Boston, Washington, Miami, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine. Other WBC winners are now on scholarships at the Kirov Academy of Ballet, Washington, DC; Juliard Dance Program, NYC; Harid Conservatory, Boca Raton, FL; Miami City Ballet School, FL; Diablo Ballet Apprentice Program, UK; and Ballet Academy of Central Florida in Orlando.

The WBC culminates at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2009, with a Winners’ Gala Reception, Lecture and Awards Ceremony, followed at 7:30 pm by WBC’s “Gala of the Stars” performance.

Stars with Boston Ballet, Complexions Dance Company, San Francisco Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Washington Ballet and Corella Ballet of Spain will be featured among the winners of this year’s competition. Choreographies featured are of diverse styles ranging from the most traditional to the most provocative, contemporary choreographers such as George Balanchine, Nacho Duate, Dwight Rhoden, Viktor Plotnikov, Edgar Anido, and most excitingly the Choreography Award winners of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 World Ballet Competitions.

This year’s competition will be broadcast live to all participating countries.

For complete information visit our website www.wbcorlando.com or call 407-849-4669.

Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival May 21

TradeWinds Hosts Rays “Away” Game Beach Parties

ST. PETE BEACH – The TradeWinds Island Grand, the Official Beach Resort of the Tampa Bay Rays, are inviting baseball fans to head out to St. Pete Beach for fun-filled, family-friendly game watching parties all season long. The games will be broadcast on a huge screen directly on the beach. Radio station 620 WDAE “The Sports Animal” will broadcast live starting with their pre-game show and during the party and will be doing prize giveaways, including a certificate for a Beach Getaway at the TradeWinds per game. Food and beverages including grilled burgers and chicken sandwiches, wings and bratwurst with sauerkraut will be available for purchase. TradeWinds souvenirs will also be available for sale.

Thursday, May 7 – 7:05 p.m. – vs. New York Yankees
Sunday, June 7 – 1:05 p.m. – vs. New York Yankees
Sunday, July 19 – 2:10 p.m. – vs. Kansas City Royals
Sunday, August 30 – 1:05 p.m. – vs. Detroit Tigers
Sunday, September 13 – 1:35 p.m. – vs. Boston Red Sox

Free and open to the public at TradeWinds Island Grand, 5500 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach. Complimentary event parking will be available at both TradeWinds properties – the Island Grand and the neighboring Sandpiper Suites, until lots are full.

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