Orlando Philharmonic Season Opens

More local events from in and around the Highgate Park Orlando area as the Orlando Philharmonic opened its seventeenth season, the fourth under music director Christopher Wilkins, this weekend at the Carr Performing Arts Centre with an imposing concert given by more than 300 performers to a sold-out house.

The program featured two of the heaviest of musical heavyweights, Brahms' Variations on Theme by Haydn and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Both were given solid readings by the Philharmonic, who were joined in the second work by four excellent soloists and a combined chorus of more than 230 voices.

The evening began with the "Star-Spangled Banner," but with a twist, as has been Maestro Wilkins' habit on past season openers. The first sounds on this orchestral concert were the wordless intonation of the National Anthem by off-stage choral voices. Following one verse, the standard instrumental arrangement began, with the audience singing along.

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Fancy A Drive In Movie

More local news from in and around the Highgate Park Davenport area as you can experience a drive-in theater, for real: a half-century-old American icon where movies are shown on two big screens and you can buy popcorn at the refreshment stand. It's the Silver Moon in Lakeland — just the kind of place that once loomed large all over Florida in plans for entertainment, especially on weekend nights.

The Silver Moon's Web site hails it as the last drive-in theater in Polk County, but it's also the last in Central Florida and one of only about 10 left in the state.

From a national high of about 4,000 in the 1950s, only about 400 remain, and I suspect many aren't as well-maintained as the Silver Moon, where the refreshment stand bears fresh paint and the movies are first-run features.

The Silver Moon's location adds to its vintage appeal. It sits on a quiet stretch of U.S. Highway 92 west of Lakeland, where businesses such as the Shangri-La Mobile Home Park conjure the landscape of the 1950s.

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Forever Florida Music Festival

More local events from in and around the Highgate Park Davenport area as Forever Florida will launch its Fall Festival Days with its second-annual Harvest Music Jam on Oct. 10. The daylong, outdoor music festival will feature 17 local bands on its ranchland in Osceola County, and it will benefit the Allen Broussard Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Florida's wilderness.

Among the acts: Bing Futch, Patti and Frank, Andy Cartmell and jam band Blue Lotus.

Gates open at 11 a.m. Music runs continuously on two stages from noon to 10 p.m., at which point there will be a drum circle around a roaring bonfire. Also at the festival: performance artists, arts and crafts, food and drink vendors..

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Orlando Twins Make The Biggest Loser

More local news from in and around the Highgate Park Orlando area as Twin brothers from Central Florida just found out they'll be on “The Biggest Loser” next season. James and John Crutchfield received a big send-off Wednesday from downtown Orlando on Church Street where they both got their official weigh-ins. At 485 pounds, James is the heaviest contestant in the history of the hit TV series.

"It’s time for us to go to the ranch,” James Crutchfield said. “Honey I'm going to miss you so much. I love you. Next time you see me, we're going to spend a lot of time together."

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer gave some words of encouragement as the brothers hope to cut their weight in half.

Producers said the men still have to pass another medical test before it's a done deal.

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Shuttle Crew Named

More news from in and around the Highgate Park Davenport area as NASA announce the crew for the last scheduled space shuttle mission, targeted for next September. It will be on the space shuttle Discovery and bring equipment to the international space station.

NASA chief astronaut Steven Lindsey will command the flight. The commander is traditionally the last one off the shuttle when it returns to Earth. Lindsey has flown four times before.

The veteran crew includes pilot Eric Boe, Benjamin Drew, Timothy Kopra, Michael Barratt, and Nicole Stott. Shuttles have flown 128 times since 1982. Six flights remain.

NASA is building a prototype replacement rocket, but may rethink its plans.

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Orlando Home Show

More local news from in and around the Highgate Park Orlando area as this weekend sees this year’s Orlando Home Show, which kicked off Friday at the Orange County Convention Center, is jam-packed with celebrities. Ty Pennington, from ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” is no stranger to Central Florida. Three years ago, he fixed up a home on Amanda Street in Altamonte Springs. Now, Pennington is coming to the Orlando Home Show this weekend.

The Orlando Home Show runs through 6 p.m. Sunday, featuring hundreds of inspiring ideas for decorating your home. Several executive chefs from popular local restaurants will be giving cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone of *NSYNC are also scheduled to appear this weekend to challenge visitors to a putting contest.

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Cocktails and the Universe

More local events from in and around the Highgate Park area as this weekend sees Cocktails and the Cosmos at the Orlando Science Center. Start the evening off with Happy Hour cocktails and appetizers followed by a colorful performance of Polynesian style entertainment, plus a film and an exhibit that both offer unique perspectives on undersea life, displays of still photography, and much more. Guests are invited to dress in "tropical island" attire to fully participate in the evening's festive vibe.

Lanakila -a Polynesian dance troupe - will perform their native dances throughout the evening. Log drums will set the tempo as performers twirl knives and bop to the island beat. You can also catch premiere screenings of the feature film "Sharks" in the Dr. Phillips Cinedome at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Photographer Miriam Lorenzi will also be on hand sharing a display of her dazzling images entitled "Ocean Beauty." Another journey underwater awaits guests in the A-Mazing Sea, a new exhibit that premieres earlier that day. A walk-through exploration of sea turtles, sharks, octopi, and whales, A-Mazing Sea is a series of mazes representing the undersea kingdom.

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World Of Wizarding Spring 2010

More news from in and around the Highgate Park Davenport area as Univiersal Studios Orlando annouce that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set to open in spring 2010. The announcement was made by Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the Potter films; he was quoted as saying "Universal has given me the great honor in revealing to the world that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be opening its gates, spring 2010,"

This weeks announcement confirms some previous reports that the expansion is expected to cost more than $200 million but left much of Universal's planned magic still in the dark. Notably absent: details about Wizarding World's only new major ride so far, called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

"This is really just the tip of the iceberg," Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, said of the announcement about the 20-acre area that will re-create scenery from the J.K. Rowling books and subsequent films about a boy wizard.

More news from Universal as it becomes available.

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New Flea Market To Open

More local news from in and around the Highgate Park area as the former site of Dolly Parton's old dinner theater, Dixie Stampede, will re-open as a flea market and huge pizza parlor. The flea market ihas its grand open on Halloween. Located on the I4 the Flea Market is advertising for vendors to fill about 400 stalls in the building on Vineland Avenue near the tourist strip of International Drive.

Tami Valadez, the flea market's general manager, said it will be open seven days a week. Should shoppers get hungry, they can stop for pizza. The entire second floor is getting transformed into a pizza parlor, Valadez said.

It is hoped that the flea market will bring in unique vendors to appeal to tourist, it's clear that during the recession, everyone has been looking for bargains. So as more established retailers have left shopping centers, secondhand stores and flea markets have filled some of the space.

The more places to shop the better !!!

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Disney Announce Major Overhaul

More news from in and around the Highgate Park area as Walt Disney World is set to embark on a major facelift for the Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom, in what the Walt Disney are calling the biggest overhaul in the theme park's 38-year history. The plans revealed over the weekend Saturday show a lavish new ride based on The Little Mermaid, increasing and developing the ever popular Dumbo children's attraction and some new interactive areas featuring some of Disney's best-known princesses characters.

Disney have also announced that it plans to update Star Tours, the Star Wars-themed simulator ride in Disney's Hollywood Studios, with all new 3-D effects. The refurbished Star Tours will debut in 2011. The Fantasyland overhaul will be complete by 2013. Disney declined to say how much it will spend on the projects.

It is widely thought that these announcements are a Disney World response to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the hugely anticipated project being built by rival Universal Orlando in its Islands of Adventure theme park.

Great news for the visitors to the area !!!

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Shuttle Landing Delayed

More news from in and around the Highgate Park area as the scheduled landing of the shuttle Discovery at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida has been delayed for at least a day due to not so good weather conditions in Florida. Strong winds meant that the US space agency Nasa missed both Thursday landing possibilities.

The shuttle, which is returning from a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), will have to orbit the earth for a 14th day. The new landing slot is at 1754 (2154 GMT) on Friday. However the weather forecast for Friday is worse than Thursday and Saturday is only a little better. Nasa says if necessary it will consider the possibility of using a runway at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

As Discovery circled the Earth waiting for an opportunity to return, a new unmanned cargo ship was launched from Japan destined for the space station. It is carrying 4.5 tonnes of supplies.

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Flamenco Fire

More local news from in and around the Highgate Park area - this time the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center presents Flamenco Fire on the 20th September. Flamenco del Sol student and professional dance companies present “FUEGO FLAMENCO”—Flamenco Fire; a dazzling array of passionate flamenco rhythms along with traditional and classical Spanish dances all clothed in authentic and elaborate costuming.

Come and be transported to the flickering caves of Granada, the sun and salt bleached white walls of Cadiz and the fragrant gardens of the Alhambra. Fuego Flamenco is a feast for the senses! OLE!

Flamenco del Sol professional dance company performs weekly at Universal Studios Latin Quarter, Tu Tu Tangos Restaurant as well as seasonally at Sea World and Disney resorts and festivals. They also perform at resorts and universities outside of Florida including several tours to the Caribbean. The student company can be seen at festivals and fairs in Central Florida and beyond.

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New Low Cost Service To Orlando

More news from in and around the Highgate Park Orlando area - as Allegiant Air announces new, non-stop air service to Orlando. Low-cost airline Allegiant Air, LLC today announces new, nonstop jet service to the fun and sun of Orlando, Fla. from Northwest Arkansas beginning Nov. 19, 2009. The low-fare carrier will celebrate the convenient new service to the Sunshine State, with introductory fares as low as $69.99 each way.

The self-proclaimed "Official Airline for Sunshine" will launch the new scheduled service from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to Orlando Sanford International Airport with two flights weekly on Thursday and Sunday. Service will begin Nov. 19 with flights departing Northwest Arkansas at 6:15 p.m. arriving in Orlando at 9:35 p.m. Flights leaving Orlando will depart at 4 p.m. arriving in Northwest Arkansas at 5:35 p.m. (all flight times are local.) Allegiant began nonstop flights to Los Angeles May 22, 2009 and service to Las Vegas June 4, 2009.

Located midway between Orlando's world-class attractions and the world's most famous beach - Daytona Beach, Orlando Sanford International Airport offers visitors the "best of both worlds."

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Charlottes Web

More news from in around Highgate Park Orlando – If you plan to be in Orlando any time between September 12 and October 11, be sure to include a trip to see “Charlotte’s Web” at the Orlando Repertory Theatre in your list of fun family things to do.

Charlotte's Web, E.B. White's award-winning children's story, is a timeless story about the unexpected friendship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider. In attempt to save Wilbur's life, Charlotte spins webs in hopes of attracting visitors to come and marvel at "Some Pig." Charlotte's brave plan carries the animals of Zuckerman's farm, including Templeton the rat, all the way to the county fair. It is at the fair that the fate of Wilbur and Charlotte is discovered.

Director Claud Smith says, "Bringing a classic children's book like Charlotte's Web to the stage is both a great opportunity and a daunting responsibility. The sheer difference in size between a spider and a pig makes this quite a challenging transition to make with human actors. But we believe that we're up to the task and are excited and expectant that our efforts will be rewarded with a charming and fresh theatrical experience for our audiences". This is Smith's first production with The REP and his past credits include writing, directing, choreographing and staging shows and special events all over the world with companies such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. and Busch Entertainment.

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Seasame Street To Hit Florida

More news from in around Highgate Park Orlando - as in the spring of 2010 Busch Gardens Tampa will be welcoming families with young children to an all-new and unique, Sesame Street theme park in Florida. As you would expect the theme park will of course feature Elmo, Big Bird and all their friends. Sesame Street Safari of Fun will be filled with rides, shows and adventures that celebrate the spirit of Africa. The park is expected to be packed with thrilling rides, award-winning shows and exotic up-close animal encounters, Busch Gardens is aiming to provide unrivalled excitement for guests of every age.

Rides alreay announced are Air Grover - a new junior roller coaster – and Elmo’s Safari Go-Round, a tribal-inspired carousel. There’s also Oscar’s Swamp Stomp and Bert & Ernie’s Water Hole, both wet adventures filled with bubblers, geysers, jets, dumping buckets and more. For more water fun, enjoy Zoe-Patra & the Hippos of the Nile - a splashy flume ride through the Nile river.

Busch Gardens is one of 10 Worlds of Discovery parks operated by Busch Entertainment Corporation. The other Florida Worlds of Discovery parks are: SeaWorld, Orlando; Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark in Orlando; Discovery Cove, Orlando.

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