Did you have a great 4th of July? If you were at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando for Fireworks at the Fountain, you probably saw our wonderful anchors, reporters, and investigator team there too.
Thank you for opening my email, I’m News 6 producer Brooke Savage, the writer behind this Setting The Stage newsletter.
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Things appear to be slowing down just a little bit in the theatre world during this time of year, but there’s still lots to do. Here’s what we’ve got going on.
💃 An old school variety show is coming to downtown Orlando
Next weekend, you can catch Calvin Lester’s puppet show “Bird Call,” aerialist Toni Chandler, Brevard Symphony violinist Lisa Ferrigno, A Magi Belly Dance with pythons, Flamenco del Sol, guitarist Jason Aylward and vocalist Shelley Keelor all in one show.
The “3rd Annual Vaudeville Spectacular” will be running for one night only at the Dr. Phillips Center next Saturday. The artistic director tells me it’s similar to the Lawrence Welk and Carol Burnett shows of the ‘50s to ‘70s. I posted the ticket information here.
🎸🍻 🍖 Bands, Brews, and BBQ
SeaWorld Orlando is bringing back its summer festival. The event kicks off tomorrow and Sunday and runs every weekend through Aug. 25. It’s included with regular park admission, which means you won’t have to pay extra to see the live bands inside the Nautilus Theater.
Country Airwaves and Queensrÿche are performing this weekend. Bryan Malpass and LOCASH are next weekend. Click here for the details from our digital intern, Kendal Asbury.
🧩 Check out this free sensory-friendly art program this weekend
This weekend, families can check out a free program at the Orlando Museum of Art that brings creative expression to people with developmental and learning disabilities, as well as those on the autism spectrum. The program is called Creative Connections. It’s a free event for people of all ages.
The curator of education at the museum told me how it helps people with disabilities find their voice. Click here to see how to register for the program and what to expect.
🔵 Blue Man Group is returning to Orlando!
I was so excited to see this news last week! The immersive show is heading to ICON Park on I-Drive later this year. You may remember, they used to be at Universal Orlando. They ended up leaving in 2021 after a 14-year run. I saw their show years ago and I was thoroughly impressed!
You may be wondering, where is there a theatre at ICON Park? Brenda Argueta posted about how the new show will be featured there, to accommodate the group’s multi-sensory performance.
🍽 A Self-taught Orlando chef is on a new Netflix cooking competition show
Be sure to look out for Melissa Pappas in season 3 of “Barbecue Showdown.” It just dropped yesterday! This is a series where nine chefs compete in hopes of winning $50,000.
Not going to lie, I’m a fan of reality shows and I’m always interested in what goes on behind the scenes. Thankfully, assignment editor Patty Tolley went to get some answers. See what Melissa had to say about getting into cooking and her experience in reality TV.
🎶 What’s happening in show biz
😆 July 11: Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias at Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach
👯♀️ July 12 - 14: “Little Women: The Play” at Theater West End in Sanford
🌱 July 12 -28: “Little Shop of Horrors” at Garden Theatre in Winter Garden
🌹 July 12 - Aug. 14: “Beauty and the Beast” at Athens Theatre in DeLand
~ 📅Upcoming 🗓 ~
🎹 July 19: Broadway Rave featuring Broadway showtunes at The Beacham in Orlando
😂 July 19 - 20: Tracy Morgan at Orlando Funny Bone
🎤 July 20: Janet Jackson and Nelly at Kia Center in Orlando
🎙 July 26: Donny Osmond at the King Center in Melbourne
That’s a wrap for this week’s “Setting The Stage” newsletter.
If you have any story ideas on the theatre and arts scene, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at bsavage@wkmg.com.
I’ll be back in your inbox in two weeks.
- 🎭 Brooke