Great Dates Orlando

ArtsFest = 302 Free Dates Nights in February

From February 1 – 29, the United Arts of Central Florida presents ArtsFest, a free smorgasbord of the area’s cultural offerings at 87 venues across 4 counties.

This annual affair, designed to get locals to sample the arts, brings together an enormous number of events from the ballet to the symphony, from creative writing workshops to improvisational shows. 

All 302 events have been outlined in this digital brochure, but here are a few of my favorites: 

Bach Festival Concert
Outdoor Big-Band concert
Central Park, Winter Park
Feb 18 from 1pm – 2:30pm

The BLU-TET
Live musical group
Enzian’s Eden Bar
Feb 22 and Feb 29 from 6pm – 8pm

Uptown Art Expo
125 art and craft vendors
Crane’s Roost, Altamonte Springs
Feb 18 and 19 from 11am – 6pm

DRIP
Indescribable performance dance experience
8747 International Drive, Orlando
All weekends in February

To learn more, visit www.artsfestfl.com.

 

Like Us on Facebook and You Could Win Concert Tickets

Want to win two tickets to see Javier Colon (winner of NBC’s The Voice) perform at The Plaza Live on Saturday, February 18? 

All you need to do is get a little friendly! 

To enter, go to Facebook and follow these 3 easy steps…

1. LIKE Great Dates Orlando… then

2. LIKE The Plaza Theatre… then

3. Leave your name and a comment on this blog post that says, “I’m in and I want to win!”

If you’re already a ‘friend’ of Great Dates Orlando and The Plaza Theatre, all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post. 

One winner will be randomly drawn from all completed entries on February 3, 2012 and announced on the Plaza Theatre and Great Dates Orlando Facebook pages.

Good luck!

If you like wine dinners…

… you’ll be psyched to hear about these upcoming foodie events:

Silver Oak/Twomey Wine Dinner
The Oceanaire Seafood Room 
Friday January 20 at 7:00 p.m. 
$100 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
For more information, call 407-363-4801.

Perfect Pairing Winemaker Dinner
Old Hickory Steakhouse at the Gaylord Palms
Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00 pm
$90 per person, plus tax and service charge. Complimentary valet parking included.
Doors will open early at 6:30 pm for a welcome reception
.
Join Don Hartford, owner of Hartford Family Winery in Sonoma, as he teams with Old Hickory Steakhouse Executive Chef Paul Player to present a three-course menu perfectly paired with wine from the Hartford Family Winery. 
Reservations are limited, so reserve your space early by calling 407-586-0701.

Rosen Centre Vine & Dine Presents "An Evening in Oregon"
Everglades Restaurant at Rosen Centre
Friday January 27 at 7:00 p.m.
$65.00 plus tax and gratuity.
Enjoy an "Evening in Oregon" with Jesse Lange, general manager/winemaker of the award-winning Lange Estates Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Lovers of food and wine can enjoy a five-course feast with each course paired to perfection. 
Call (407) 996-9840 to register.

So... how many date nights do you go on every month and what are your favorite places for QT in Orlando? Leave a comment on my Facebook page. I'd love to hear from you. 

QT at the Orlando Farmer’s Market

Sunday is as good a day as any for some QT with your main squeeze and if the weather is fine then I recommend heading to the Orlando Farmer’s Market at Lake Eola. I hadn’t been to this el fresco shindig in a while and rumor had it the market has started to burst at the seams with eclectic and delicious vendors selling their fare. 

For once, the rumor mill was right. There are now about three dozen food, craft and art purveyors tucked into the southeast corner of Lake Eola Park at the corner of Central Boulevard and Eola Drive. 

Want to know how to make this one of your best date days ever? 

Bring $40 and eat everything! 

I’m talking kettle corn, gourmet cheeses, empanadas, roasted pecans, crepes, funnel cakes, sausages, beef jerky, smoothies, corn dogs, freshly baked bread, veggie chips, grilled corn on the cob, Italian ice, freshly-squeezed lemonade, cappuccinos, cupcakes, and hummus.

And when you’re done, wash it all down with an organic beer supplied by Orlando Brewing. Or maybe a mimosa? The wine and beer garden in the center of the market opens at noon.

The acoustic music starts shortly thereafter with live players like Hindu Cowboy’s Joseph Martens strumming tunes under the shade of a giant oak tree. 

The Orlando Farmer’s Market runs every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  

P.S. For a real treat, head to Hue, located a block away in Thornton Park. Hue serves up a stellar Sunday brunch (plus a DIY Bloody Mary bar) starting at 11 a.m.

P.S.S Are you following me on Twitter? If not, you're missing out on sooooo many more great date night ideas. 

Winter Park Sip & Stroll... this Thursday

When Marc (a.k.a. hubby) and I recently attended Jingle Eve at Ivanhoe Village, I officially fell in love with wine strolls. Maybe it's because I'm an overactive person, but I sometimes find sitting and drinking sort of boring.

Wine strolls invite drinkers... err, strollers… to slowly sip their vino whilst they wander from store to store. Or you can slam it back and race off to the next wine stop. Your choice. 

There will be more than 20 wine stops along Park Avenue during the Winter Park Sip & Stroll planned for this Thursday, January 12 from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. With your commemorative wine glass in hand, plan to check in at each location for a wine and appetizer sampling and maybe do a little shopping while you’re there. At least, that’s what the event planners, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue Area Association, hope you’ll do. Why not indulge them?

Tickets are $30 and advance registration is a must because only 300 tickets are available and this event will sell out. Once you’re registered, you can take your email confirmation to the check-in at the corner of Morse Blvd. & Park Avenue before 7:00 p.m. 

For more information and to get tickets, visit www.winterpark.org/content/winter-park-sip. 

JW Marriott Launches New Cooking School Series

I’m so over cooking. Thanks to years of monotonous meal making, I have about as much enthusiasm for food prep as I do for a trip to the dentist (no offence Dr. Montijo).

Sadly, my dinner duties aren’t going anywhere any time soon, so this year I’ve added “get excited about cooking again” to my list of new year’s resolutions. And I’m going to drag my hubby along for the ride and make revamping our cuisine part of our weekly date night adventures.

My very first foodie facelift will take place at the JW Marriott, which just launched a new cooking school series. Perfect timing!

During the first six monthly classes of 2012, budding gourmands can dive into pasta making lessons, experience romantic Valentine’s feasts, dig their hands into the hotel’s onsite vegetable garden, and learn how to brew their own beer.

Classes take place in either PRIMO or Citron, both at the JW Marriott, and range from $45 to $70 per person.

Here is what’s on deck for the coming months:

Saturday, January 14 - Pasta Making
Saturday, February 11 –Valentine’s Day Night
Saturday, March 17- Charcuterie
Saturday, April 7 – PRIMO Garden Ventures
Saturday, May 12- Whole Hog Cookery “Pigg’n Out”
Saturday, June 9 – Beer Making

For more information and to register, call 407-393-4683 or visit www.grandelakes.com/JW-Griffin-Cooking-School-170.html

New Year's Eve Ideas... Part Two

Church Street will be blocked off for the 11th Annual New Year’s Eve Street Party. The party will include admission to the Church Street bars as well as the outdoor street party, a huge video wall, confetti cannons, fireworks and the traditional Orange Drop high above Church Street. The festivities start at 8 pm. Admission ranges from $39-$99 with different all-you-can-drink packages. 

The Improv Orlando will present a dinner show (6 p.m.) followed by a late show (10:15 p.m.) featuring Alonzo Bodden from Last Comic Standing. 

Baby Grands Dueling Piano Bar is hosting a rockin’ New Year’s Eve party with private VIP tables, reserved seating and general admission pricing. Seating reservations include party favors, a gourmet buffet and champagne toast. Doors open at 7 p.m. 

Enzian presents its New Year’s Eve celebration, “Licensed to Thrill: A James Bond New Year’s Party,” at 8 p.m. Themed to the James Bond film series, the celebration features Bond-themed drink specials, a live DJ and an outdoor screening of the movie, “Dr. No.” General admission tickets are $25 ($20 in advance) and V.I.P. tables are $200 per couple.  

Howl at the Moon Dueling Piano Bar will host a New Year’s Eve party starting at 7 p.m. Several packages are offered starting with the “Just Dance” package for $75 per person, which includes admission at 9 p.m. and champagne toast at midnight. 

Head to Wall Street Plaza in downtown Orlando from 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. for access to nine nightclubs and outdoor bars, DJs spinning and drink specials. Tickets are $25 general admission and $100 for VIP tickets.

BB King’s Blues Club at Pointe Orlando will present a New Year’s Eve Show with dinner and entertainment starting at 5 p.m. The three-course dinner (served until 10pm) will be enjoyed along with live music, champagne and party favors at midnight. Dinner is $75 in advance and $100 the day of the event. General admission to the bar and dance floor is $40 in advance and $60 the day of. 

Medieval Times will host its New Year’s Eve Extravaganza featuring New Year’s Eve Fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. The event includes pre-show hors d’oeuvres, admission to the Museum of Torture, two-hour live entertainment, four-course feast, party favors, DJ and dancing, champagne and non-alcoholic toast and midnight countdown with balloon drop. The price is $69.95 for adults and $35.95 for children ages 12 and younger. 

New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld Orlando will feature shows, food, ice sculptors and dancing stations with live DJs. At the stroke of midnight, a spectacular fireworks show will light up the night. Admission to these festivities is included in regular park admission.

Universal CityWalk hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. featuring a performance by Smashmouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The event also includes a gourmet buffet, a champagne toast at midnight and live entertainment at seven of CityWalk’s nightclubs. Tickets are $139.99.

House of Blues will host WJRR's Big Friggin' Eve featuring the bands Sevendust, Trivium, Black Tide and LoveJuice. Tickets are $48.50 and the night kicks off at 8 p.m.

The party starts at 5 p.m. inside the Hard Rock Hotel offering a variety of party packages including a dinner event at The Kitchen as well as festivities in The Lobby and Velvet Bar. 

New Year's Eve Ideas Part One

Happy New Year date nighters. Cheers to a 2012 packed with fun and romantic nights with the one you love. I’ll drink to that. So, why not kick off a date-night-filled year with a New Year’s eve out on the town? Here are a few ideas to motivate of you off the couch this weekend…

Get one of the best views of the city at One80 Grey Goose Lounge, which will host the Rise Above NYE 2012 party. $70 = cover, self-parking, hor d’oeuvres and midnight fireworks. $120 = open bar until midnight. 

Sak Comedy Lab presents two Yule of Fools shows, one at 7:30 p.m. and one at 9:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $15 ($12 for FL residents). 

Share a posh dinner at one of several restaurants at JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes and then stick around for the onsite midnight fireworks. Better yet, make it an overnight and hit the spa on New Year’s day. 

Slightly Stoopid & The Expendables will perform at Hard Rock beginning at 8:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. $65 (advance) $70 (at the door) includes party favors, champagne toast and SKULL DROP at midnight! 

Head to the Portofino Hotel for a Party on the Piazza much like the hotel’s Harbor Nights events. The New Year’s Eve celebration features all-you-can-eat gourmet food samples from four onsite eateries plus a selection of more than a dozen wines and sparkling wines served throughout the open-air venue. For entertainment there will be live jazz music by Johnny Cool and the Mobster Swing Band as well as live opera by Portofino’s opera singers. Tickets are $125/per person. 

Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk invites revelers to dance into the new year from 8 p.m.until 2 a.m. $35 for access to the main floor of the Dance Hall, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.

Bistro de Paris, at France in World Showcase, will offer a multi-course meal at two seating times: 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Cost is $150 per person, with an optional wine pairing for an additional $75 per person. To book, guests should call 407-939-3463. Epcot admission is required.

Icebar Orlando presents the New Year’s 2012 ICE BALL with an all-inclusive package option including food, drinks and entertainment for $60 per person ($100 for VIP). 

Route 46 Entertainment District Rockin' New Year's Eve Party starts at 8:30 p.m. and features live entertainment on two stages. 

Ember in downtown Orlando is hosting a POP 2012 New Year’s Eve party with two DJs spinning music in separate areas. Cover is only $10.

Love Struck Robot will be taking the stage at Blue Martini where $50 ($60 at the door) gets you drinks and nibbles from 8 – 10 p.m. 

Mills Avenue will host a NYE Block Party featuring live music by Andy Matchett & The Minks, Thee Wilt Chamberlain, Alias Punch and a number of other bands and DJs. There will be a champagne toast at midnight. Will's Pub and Peacock Room are host locations.

Cin cin! Salute!

New Paint & Sip Experience in Altamonte Springs

I have zero artistic talent. Seriously, I can’t even doodle. But there’s a part of me that hopes, just maybe, given the right circumstances and the perfect amount of liquor, I might be able to create something people might think is slightly cool. 

Fine. I’ll settle for not awful.

I’ve tried painting courses but the trouble is I always end up spending all kinds of money trying to “learn” how to paint only to heartbreakingly realize, once again, that I’m just no good. Sigh.

SOLUTION: Creative Canvas and Wine in Altamonte Springs! These geniuses have designed a painting for dummies sort of experience where even I can walk away with something frame worthy.  

You start by going to their online calendar and registering for a piece du jour. This will be the painting you and the other participants will work on over the 2.5-hour session. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a canvas followed by step-by-step instruction by the friendly facilitators who guide the group from colorless canvas to masterpiece. 

But wait… you’re thinking, “didn’t you say this was called Creative Canvas and WINE?” Yupper. Wine is served at $3 a glass or $12 a bottle!! Wowza. And I’m not talking Barefoot either… this is classy vino. (No offence Barefoot… I still love ya!).

A couple of things to note… Snag your sweetie ‘cause Friday and Saturday nights are unofficially date night. Oh, and every other week they plan a Sangria Saturday, which means they serve Sangria (duh!) and the first glass is on the house (yeah!). 

Cost is around $35 per person and classes are scheduled multiple times during each month. 

Let the creative juices... and the wine... flow at Creative Canvas and Wine!

 

 

 

More Holiday Hoopla - Five Fun and Festive Date Nights

You can’t deny it any longer… Christmas is almost here. If you’re still suffering from a case of the humbugs, these five holiday festivities should get you in the spirit.

The Abbey presents “Michael Andrew’s Swingin’ Christmas,” Dec. 13 – 22 in downtown Orlando featuring an all-new swanky 10-piece orchestra, special guests and spirited holiday favorites. Tickets are available $41.50. 

The dazzling holiday extravaganza, known as The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, is electrifying Disney’s Hollywood Studios with millions of sparkling lights until January 3rd. Admission is included in regular park price. 

Head to Graffiti Junktion (900 E. Washington St., Orlando) on Wednesday, December 14th when Bad Santa & The Angry Elves will perform parodies of holiday tunes. Admission is free. 

Theater Downtown will perform Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, until December 19th. Tickets are just $20. And for another festive play, head to Winter Park’s Breakthrough Theater, presenting It’s a Wonderful Life until December 19th. Tickets from $10. 

On Saturday, December 17th at 7:30 pm, the Russian Ballet of Orlando will perform the holiday ballet The Nutcracker at the Lake Eola Amphitheater. This show is free… wonderful free.