2016 is passing by quickly so don’t get left behind! While you’re enjoying your hot dogs, fireworks and freedom this month, make sure you also check out our favorite recaps on the events you may have missed out on. Here are the highlights, just in case you missed it!
Mad Cow Theatre is back with the best in Broadway, pop and jazz! The 14th Annual Orlando Cabaret Festival returned from April 22-May 8 with more than 40 performances of jazz, pop, Broadway, comedy and several special surprises. The Edge Effect, Andrea McArdle, Michelle Knight and Jesse Luttrell headlined the festival while the local artist spotlight at Club Moo featured many of Central Florida’s favorite cabaret singers such as Janine Klein, Melissa Vasquez, Alex Mrazek, Sara Hood and others. Artists from the New York cabaret scene also joined in on the fun and provided attendees with nonstop live entertainment.
Envision a world where every women is equipped with the tools to live abundantly, purposefully and successfully! On April 30th, One Alliance Group Presented the “I Am Brave” Women’s Success Seminar at The Abbey for a power packed one day event of woman empowerment. 170 people registered for the informative afternoon which seeks to develop and unify women by empowering them with a wealth of knowledge from a panel of influential women from our community. Speakers Susan Constantine, CeCe Wilck, Diana Bolivar, Tia Maldonado and Coach Jenn Lee got the entire room pumped and eager to impact their families, businesses and communities. Every attendee left the seminar with all the latest information on business, leadership, strategic influence, spiritual success, real world skill sets and more!
There was much cause for celebration on April 27th as The Vineyard held their official grand opening party! Media, local businesses and community leaders enjoyed complimentary light bites and wines at the VIP pre-ribbon cutting event hosted by Owner Deborah Linden. The Windermere resident shared her story of revamping the West Orange establishment and her vision for the future, which includes healthy bistro foods as well as health and wellness lifestyle programs and services. After the ribbon cutting, it was time for the main event! Attendees joined The Vineyard team in celebrating their big day with a Happy Hour Extravaganza that included discounts on wine, craft beers and select bites in addition to various door prizes and entertainment
Ticket holders for this next event got to kick off the month of May while enjoying tasty food at what is quickly becoming one of Orlando’s favorite attractions! On May 1st, nine restaurants took over I-Drive 360 to participate in The Taste at I-Drive 360. Event guests enjoyed sampling food items featuring a variety of flavorful bites all while experiencing the many fantastic attractions I-Drive 360 has to offer. The unique lineup of participating restaurants included Buffalo Wild Wings, Outback, Shake Shack, Tapa Toro, Cowgirls, Tin Roof and more! Proceeds raised from the hit event benefitted Esophageal Cancer at Florida Hospital.
Partygoers across Central Florida had a fantastic time celebrating Cinco De Mayo at Mango’s Tropical Cafe Orlando! International Drive’s newest dining, entertainment and dance club boasts the ability to create memories with award winning nightlife and on May 5th, guests were dazzled by their “Cinco De Mango” celebration. The unique experience of Mango’s world-famous dancers, Latin crooners—and of course the always popular Michael Jackson impersonator—left the packed house cheering, dancing and having the time of their lives. Delicious dining, unbeatable drink specials, live music and a contagious atmosphere of fun kept the party going all night long.
800 guests from around the world turned up the class at the 7th Annual Black and White Weekend! Orlando Style partnered with I’m in. Events. (Heissam Jebailey),
which benefitted Base Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation, the event took place from May 6-8 at Orlando’s Rosen Plaza Hotel and is the only ‘Black and White’ weekend staycation and destination in the world. Guests of the event came together for an amazing weekend of food, drinks, dancing, fun, pool time and plenty of entertainment. Friday proved to be the highlight of the weekend with the signature Black and White Event at Club 39 At The Plaza. From there, the fun continued with poolside gatherings, golf outings, a Mother’s Day Brunch and a Black and White Attendees Brunch to bring the unforgettable weekend to a close.
Central Florida’s award-winning BBQ festival is back! From May 27-28, BBQ Blowout brought over 80 professional teams and backyard teams to the Oviedo Mall to compete for cash prizes and a chance to qualify for prestigious invitationals. Produced by the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Helpful Hands Inc, the free event proved fun (and delicious!) for the whole family as attendees voted for their favorite BBQ at People’s Choice where 20 teams compete for the coveted award. In addition to a fierce BBQ competition, this year’s event also incorporated more activities for the kids including water rides and the new Kid-Que Competition where local kids and professional pit masters were paired up in an epic cooking competition!