MOUNT DORA BUZZ - Arts & Entertainment

MOUNT DORA SPRING FEST CELEBRATES THE SEASON ON MARCH 16 & 17

3/4/2019

The Central Florida city known for its vibrant festivals won’t disappoint in March. The historic streets of downtown Mount Dora will be awash with visitors again March 16-17 during the annual Spring Fest, the city’s celebration of the arrival of spring.

The free event showcases 250 craft exhibitors, plus live entertainment and food vendors. Downtown’s many unique stores and restaurants are also open during the festival.

The family-friendly event marks the last large street festival of the season, although the city will host park festivals like the Blueberry Festival in April and the Mount Dora Seafood Festival in August which are both held at Evans Park on the waterfront.

Spring Fest’s hours are Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free park-and-ride shuttles are available both days at Mount Dora Golf Club and $5 shuttles are available on Royal Palm Railway which departs from Mount Dora Plaza on Old Highway 441.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

TAVARES HOSTS DRAGONFEST ON MARCH 9

3/1/2019

Wooton Park will be filled with the steady drumbeat of competition as brightly colored boats take to the water in Lake Dora on March 9 during DragonFest. Painted to represent Chinese dragons, the boats, filled with teams of 10 or 20 paddlers and a drummer, then sprint across the water to the finish line.

The event’s organizer, Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle, is expecting 20 teams drawn from clubs, community organizations, law enforcement and corporations. Paddlers range from all skill levels and include ages ranging from senior citizens to high school students.

DragonFest races begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day.   A craft and vendor fair opens at 9:30 a.m. and a classic car show opens at 10 a.m.   The Chauffeurs, a 50’s & 60’s dance music band, will perform at 11 a.m. and the Copper Canyon Renegades will take the stage at 2 p.m.   The festival will conclude with a concert by nationally known country music artists Parmalee starting at 7pm.

Dragon Boat racing originated in China more than 2,300 years ago.    The first modern Dragon Boat race was held in Hong Kong in 1976 with races debuting in the U.S. in the 1980’s. Now more than 100 cities hold races domestically, with over two million people participating in races worldwide.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

EUSTIS BUSKER FESTIVAL LURES PERFORMERS ON MARCH 30

3/1/2019

Tons of fun is in the making when an event combines amazing talent, competition and a bit of creative enterprise.

Those ingredients will be abundant when dozens of live performance artists from across the US converge for the Eustis Buskers Festival on March 30.

Busking, entertaining in a public place for donations, is sometimes credited with adding charm to intimate settings, like historic downtown districts. Eustis’ fourth annual festival will provide buskers a bigger stage, while treating residents and visitors to a free event packed with entertainment. The performances occur from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at “Busk Stops” throughout downtown.

The day-long festival will feature performers such as musicians, dancers, comedians, jugglers, mimes, living statues, artists and acrobats. Each busker will perform two 30-minute acts throughout the day. Judges will rate each act and invite the top performers to the Grand Finale which will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the bandshell at Ferran Park.

Prizes for top performers include a $3,000 grand prize, a $1,500 People’s Choice prize, a $1,000 second prize, a $750 third place prize and 1st, 2nd & 3rd place divisional prizes.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

21 LAKE COUNTY ART STUDIOS JOIN ART TOUR

3/1/2019

Artists in Lake County will open their private working studios to visitors during the annual Off the Beaten Path Florida Arts Tour on March 30 and 31. The self-guided tour will showcase 29 artists in 21 studios.

Every year, the tour welcomes art lovers, collectors and families into the studios to meet the artists in their work environments, watch demonstrations, enjoy light refreshments, and shop for unique original works of art. The varied types of offerings include paintings, sculptures, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, woodworks, photography, printmaking, and illustration.

The tours have been growing rapidly in popularity every year, probably due to the new trend of ‘cultural tourism.’ People seem to enjoy getting out, exploring, and discovering new things, new ideas,” said John Wilton, one of the artists and spokesman for the event.

The Lake County tour includes studios in Mount Dora, Eustis, Leesburg, Sorrento, Umatilla and Weirsdale. The artists include Elisabeth Ferber, Corinne Garrett, Barb Batson, Emily Lewis, Lou Buiga, Brenda Heim, Tim Dardis, Krysta Smith, Kelly Cornell, Jackii Molsick, Doug Hayes, K. Batson, Kimberly Miller, Dodi Truenow, Michele and Reid Pasternak, Jennifer Harper, Cynthia Powell-Allen, Kace Montgomery, Denise Kirsop, Kate Esplen, Cathy Caine, Lois Stover, Jenny Murin, Barbara Boyce, Liz Wincup, John Kellum, and Steve Lytle.

A Studio Guide containing the maps of the studio locations can also be downloaded from FloridaArtsTour.com. All studios on the Tour will be open free of charge from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

EUSTIS READIES FOR GEORGFEST CELEBRATION THIS WEEKEND

2/18/2019

The City of Eustis is gearing up to celebrate George Washington’s Birthday during its annual three-day GeorgeFest event kicking off on February 22 and continuing through the 24th. This year marks the 117th time the city will gather its community, neighboring cities and visitors from all over the U.S. to honor our nation’s first president. Georgefest is the longest running celebration of its kind in Florida and the 2nd longest running in the entire country. This year’s theme is “Into the Future.”

GeorgeFest, a family-friendly event, will be held in the heart of Downtown Eustis, and will feature a carnival with a midway of rides, plus live music, food and vendors. Fireworks will light up the sky on Friday night starting at 9 p.m. in Ferran Park; Saturday morning will kick-off with the festive Washington’s Birthday Parade and Dog Jog.

Sunday afternoon’s headliner is the Plain White T’s starting at 1 p.m. at the Bandshell in Ferran Park. Since the Plain White T’s emerged in 1997, this Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum group had hit songs that include “Hey There Delilah,” a quadruple-platinum song that topped the Billboard Hot 100.

Additional GeorgeFest entertainment will include jazz bands, the Dallas and Nick Show, Eustis Community of ONE Choir, a LEMA student exhibit in Ferran Park, George Gilbert, Hambone Express, chainsaw sculptor Chad Gainey, New York Rockabilly Rockets and more.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

TOP ARTISTS EXHIBIT AT MOUNT DORA ARTS FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND

2/1/2019

ABOVE: Arts Festival tents line downtown Mount Dora streets.

Historic downtown Mount Dora will transform its New England-style charm into a sea of vibrant art on February 2nd and 3rd, when hundreds of the country’s best artists show their works at the 44th annual Mount Dora Art Festival.

The juried festival, organized by Mount Dora Center for the Arts, is regularly ranked among the top 20 art festivals in the country and provides art lovers the opportunity to shop for fine arts, artisan jewelry, and pottery created by 298 of the most talented artists from all over the United States.

This year's event will feature a Butterfly Encounter in ht==the Kids Zone in Donnelly Park. Visitors will get a chance to interact and feed nectar to hundreds of butterflies in the interactive and educational walk-through exhibit.

The festival is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Visitors who arrive early may be able to find free street parking within walking distance. Other patrons can park at the free shuttle location at Mount Dora Golf Club at 1110 S. Highland Street from 9 a.m. to 5:30 on both days. $5 round-trip shuttles are available during the same times at Mount Dora High School, 700 N Highland Street; Mount Dora Christian Academy, 301 W. 13th Avenue and Mount Dora Plaza Shopping Center shuttle train at 2700 W. Old Highway 441.

The festival is free to attend, but a $1 donation is suggested to help support the Mount Dora Center for the Arts Summer Camp, Kids Outreach Programs, Gallery Exhibits, and other projects.   Donations can be dropped off at the information booth.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

ANTIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA LURES COLLECTORS AND THE CURIOUS TO MOUNT DORA

1/15/2019

Vintage lovers and treasure hunters are getting giddy.

Once again, Mount Dora will play host to Central Florida's massive and eclectic shopping experience this weekend.

Three times a year Renningers Antique Center organizes the Antique Extravaganza, the motherlode of vintage and antique shopping, set in the rambling hills under majestic oaks.

Make no mistake. There is antique shopping and then there is the ‘Extravo’ shopping. That’s the term seasoned buyers and ‘pickers’ use for the event that boasts over 800 dealers during its 3-day run spread on a scenic portion of a 130-acre property.

Dealers from across the U.S. descend on Mount Dora to offer a tremendous variety of vintage finds and fine antiques at every price.

Extravos only happen the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of November, January and February. Shoppers and the curious can roam the hills from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday admittance costs more, however eager shoppers get first dibs on hard-to-find treasures. Sunday shoppers get better bargains, but some vendors do pack up early.

Parking is free. Admission is $10 on Friday, $6 on Saturday, and only $4 on Sunday. A three-day pass is $15. Renninger’s Antique Center is located at 20651 US Hwy 441.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

STARRY NIGHT MURAL NEARS DEADLINE WITH NEW ARTIST

1/1/2019

ABOVE: Starkweather paints interpretation of "Starry Night on the Rone."

After a highly-publicized and contentious start, Mount Dora’s sprawling blue mural, an interpretation of Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece “Starry Night,” is nearing completion as its deadline looms.

After a legal settlement, the mural was allowed to stay and the homeowners agreed to finish it by January.

The newly painted sections of the project, including the front of the house, highlight the talent of professional muralist and artist, Joe Starkweather, who also revised some of the original portions. The homeowners also chose a different painting, van Gogh’s “Starry Night on the Rhone,” for the inspiration of the front of the house.

“With such a large project and so many talented artists in the area, we thought it would be wonderful to showcase and support more than one,” said homeowner Lubek Jastrzebski of their decision to bring in another artist for the second phase which will be completed before the deadline.

Starkweather works surprisingly fast using specific artist-grade mural paints to achieve his more refined style. At the request of the homeowners, Starkweather also removed the prominent face from the wall and replaced it with elements from of the original Starry Night painting.

"It has been enjoyable and an honor to play my part in the completion of the house," said Starkweather who owns Works of Stark, an art and design company. "I have always loved and studied the strokes and the motion van Gogh uses in his work, so mimicking it came pretty natural. I pride myself in being able to paint a wide variety of styles when it comes to murals."

Starkweather has created murals across Florida, ranging from large corporate projects to smaller murals on private residences.

“Joe has such an impressive body of professional mural work, we were thrilled when he agreed to bring his own style to the project,” said Nancy Nemhauser, Lubek’s wife. “As a family, we’ve really enjoyed watching his art take shape. He’s very talented.”

The saga of the Starry Night mural began in July, 2017, when the homeowners, Lubek Jastrzebski and his wife Nancy Nemhauser, contracted a local artist to paint their exterior wall with her adult autistic son’s favorite painting. The idea was that it would serve as a beacon if he wandered off, as is a common behavior with people with autism. Hopefully, he would be able to communicate that he lived “at the van Gogh house” and would be returned home.

ABOVE: Homeowner Jastrzebski (center) with son, Chip, (left) and Starkweather (right).

Although the city had no code regulating residential murals, the city’s code enforcement officer cited the homeowners for a graffiti violation. Later the city advised that the wall had to match the house, so the couple complied by extending the mural onto the house. The city placed a lien on the house and the homeowners sued the CIty of Mount Dora for violating their constitutional rights. In a July, 2018 legal settlement, the city apologized and allowed the mural to remain.

The mural has quickly become a local landmark and attraction with visitors arriving throughout the day to snap selfies with the oversize painting. The back of the mural can be seen along Old Highway 441 just west of downtown, and the front can be viewed at the end of Sixth Avenue.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

SANTA TO TOUR MOUNT DORA WITH LIGHTS & SIRENS DEC. 4-6

12/3/2018

Every year Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Mount Dora neighborhoods with a few of their local friends. This year, Santa will tour neighborhoods on three evenings: December 4, 5 and 6.

Santa covers a lot of ground touring the city, so he relies on the help of Mount Dora's Police and Fire Departments. The sound of loud sirens fill the evening air as Santa and his festive motorcade travel throughout the city.

Mrs. Claus reports Santa loves Christmas in Mount Dora, so his 2018 tour schedule covers a lot of the city. As a result, his arrival times can be unpredictable, but his elves assured Mount Dora Buzz that it's always worth any wait that might occur.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Santa will depart the police headquarters every night at 5:30 p.m. Below is the planned tour schedule, but please note times are subject to change due to traffic and unforeseen delays.

DECEMBER 4:
5:30 – 6:00: Normandy Drive, Overlook Drive, Dogwood Mountain, Old Eustis Road
6:00 – 6:20: Downtown area, Donnelly Park
6:20 – 7:20: Hammock Oaks, Lake Center Drive, Spring Harbor
7:20 – 9:00: TJ Maxx, Walmart, Target (stopping @ Target)

DECEMBER 5
5:30 – 6:00: 1300 block of Tremain Street, Grant Avenue, Wardell Street, Pine Avenue, Grandview Street between Pine Avenue and 11th Avenue
6:00 – 6:20: Downtown area, Donnelly Park
6:20 – 7:45: Unser Street & 9th Avenue (east), Highland Street, 5th Avenue, Lake Franklin, 1st Avenue, Simpson Street (south Liberty Avenue), Cobble Hill, Dorsett Drive, Mountclair Court, Claire Morris, Rossiter Street, Camp Avenue
7:45 –9:00: Chautauqua, Johns Avenue, South Grandview Street, South Clayton Street, 3rd Avenue, Donnelly Park

DECEMBER 6
5:40: Bristol Lakes
6:00 – 6:20: Country Club of Mount Dora (Clubhouse)
6:45 – 8:00: Lancaster at Loch Leven, Loch Leven
8:00–9:00: Summerview, Veranda Apartments, Summerbrooke

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

MOUNT DORA'S TOP 7 HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

12/1/2018

‘Tis the season for creative holiday cocktails, and downtown Mount Dora bars don’t disappoint. Anyone looking to satisfy inner holiday flavor cravings or merely wishing to escape the holiday shopping madness need to sip no further than these top downtown offerings:

CANDY CANE MARTINI

This crisp vodka martini at The Olive Branch has the right mix of cool Peppermint Schnapps and Absolute Vanilla vodka topped with a crushed candy cane rim.

CRANBERRY CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

This simple, yet sophisticated, classic holiday cocktail is served up at Cody’s on 4th from breakfast, brunch or lunch. It’s a wonderful way to start the day.

CHOCOLATE MARTINI

Perfect for chocolate lovers, this decadent Christmas classic is available at most downtown bars in a variety of tasty variations with or without Creme de Menthe. Just ask the bartender to whip one up.

COQUITO

A Latin favorite served at Las Palmas, this rich rum Egg Nog cocktail is frothy and rimmed with toasted coconut. It’s delicious for after dinner or any time.

FORRES GROVE

This craft cocktail at Pisces Rising is a decadent mix of Meletti Chocolate Liqueur, Redemption Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Disaronno, and a pinch a salt. Garnished with a White Chocolate Swirl in the glass.

THE GRINCH

There is nothing “bah-humbug” about this colorful cocktail. The bartenders at The Olive Branch mix Midori melon liqueur with the perfect amount of simple syrup and lemon juice.

JOLLY ELF

Light and colorful, this festive holiday cocktail at Las Palmas combines bubbles and flavor by mixing melon liqueur and champagne. It’s perfect to toast the New Year or just the end of a long work day.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

PUBLIC INVITED INSIDE SPRAWLING LIGHT DISPLAY FOR ONE NIGHT

11/28/2018

As if their gift of impressive holiday lights to Mount Dora isn’t enough, the owners of Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina take their generosity and holiday spirit a step further.

On November 30, Joe and Susan Lewis will once again offer visitors the rare opportunity to view the sprawling light display from inside the gates during Night of Lights for Tykes. The charity event collects toy donations for underprivileged children by asking for a new, unwrapped toy to gain admission.

Inside the marina the display takes on a whole new dimension. Rather than viewing the display from the perimeter, visitors are right in the middle of all the twinkling lights and imaginative displays. Guests can stroll the marina and take photos with Frosty, toy soldiers, reindeer, a colorful tree and the plethora of other displays. A preview is available in the video below.

No one knows exactly how many lights are in what is dubbed the largest private holiday light display in Central Florida. “We stopped counting after a million several years ago. We add more every year since and this year is no exception,” said Joe.

The marina has been a Toys for Tots drop off for 15 years. Three years ago the Lewises experimented by adding a night that allowed visitors inside in exchange for a donation to Toys For Tots. Their experiment was a success and now the Marine Corp Reserves have also joined in the event.

Night of Lights for Tykes is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 30. Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina is located at 148 Charles Avenue at downtown Mount Dora’s lakefront.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

LIGHT UP MOUNT DORA SCHEDULE FOR NOV. 24

11/19/2018

Mount Dora will come alive with over 2 million lights this Saturday, November 24, during the 37th annual Light Up Mount Dora.

Workers with Mount Dora Marina, the City of Mount Dora, and local businesses have been stringing up the lights in the city since mid-October. The combined efforts of these groups have turned the Central Florida town into an increasingly well-known Christmas destination. Mount Dora Marina alone has over a million lights and is reportedly the largest privately-owned light display in Central Florida.

Light Up Mount Dora will feature pre-show events in downtown Donnelly Park with dancers, traditional Christmas carols and much more. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets to the park.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
4:30 Pre-show events begin
5:00-7:30 Holiday shopping continues
6:30 Lights turn on in Donnelly Park
6:40 40-foot Christmas tree lights turn on in Sunset Park
6:50 Santa at Sunset Park

The city’s lights will remain on nightly through February. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

HERE'S THE SCHEDULE FOR LIGHT UP EUSTIS ON NOV. 23

11/19/2018

The 31st Annual Light-Up Eustis Celebration will take place November 23 in historic downtown from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The light-up ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. The free, family-friendly festivities include a 75-foot snow slide, live music, entertainment, food trucks, and vendors. Kids will also enjoy a special visit by Santa, Mrs. Claus, Dancer the reindeer and its baby Donnie.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
5:00 p.m.: Win1 Ministries’ Praise Team taking the stage.
5:30 p.m.: Bay Street Player’s Young People’s Theatre.
6:00 p.m.: Mayor Morin, members of City Commission, and winners from the Miss Eustis Pageant in a countdown ceremony to watch approximately 400,000 LED holiday lights come to life across all of Downtown Eustis.

The ceremony is followed by Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by sleigh from the North Pole. Children are invited to take a free photo with them and decorate a keepsake frame from the Lake Eustis Museum of Art. Santa’s arrival is followed by holiday music by the Community of One Choir, Grande Island Baptist Church, and The Master’s Praise, Downtown Center Stage.

Kids also have a chance to slide on a 75-foot snow hill or ice skate on real ice. Admission to the ice rink is $10 per skater and includes skate rental.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

EUSTIS SETS OPENING DATE FOR ICE-SKATING RINK

11/9/2018

Ferran Park will soon transform into a winter wonderland. The City of Eustis, in partnership with Florida Hospital Waterman, is bringing “Eustis on Ice,” a real ice skating rink, to downtown Eustis.

The rink will make its public debut on Wednesday, November 21, and run seven days a week until January 6, 2019. The 40’ x 100’ public ice rink will be in the middle of Ferran Park directly on Lake Eustis and feature themed nights, a holiday movie in the park, and a visit from Santa. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase and food trucks will be available on the weekends.

Admission to the ice rink is $10 per skater and includes skate rental. A skate pass is available for $90 which includes ten admissions and ten beverages. Groups of 20 or more receive a discounted rate of $8 per person that includes skate rental. Private parties and corporate events of up to 100 people can also be accommodated. The City of Eustis will be offering Spirit Night for local Lake County Schools to help raise school funds.

“This family-friendly activity will be available right here in the heart of our community in a beautiful lakefront setting,” said Abel Biri, CEO of Florida Hospital Waterman. “Eustis holds a special place in our hearts because it is where our hospital began under the Waterman legacy name.”

Scheduled Hours
Hours will depend on the day of the week, private rentals, and holidays. Some blackout dates may apply.
Monday – Thursday (3 p.m. – 9 p.m.)
Friday (3 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
Saturday (10 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Sunday (1 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
Tickets are available online at www.eustisonice.eventbrite.com

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

Massive Antique Show Lures Collectors and the Curious to Mount Dora

11/1/2018

Vintage lovers and treasure hunters are getting giddy.

Once again, Mount Dora will play host to Central Florida's massive and eclectic shopping experience November 16, 17 and 18.

Three times a year Renningers Antique Center organizes the Antique Extravaganza, the motherlode of vintage and antique shopping, set in the rambling hills under majestic oaks.

Make no mistake. There is antique shopping and then there is the ‘Extravo’ shopping. That’s the term seasoned buyers and ‘pickers’ use for the event that boasts over 800 dealers during its 3-day run spread on a scenic portion of a 130-acre property.

Dealers from across the U.S. descend on Mount Dora to offer a tremendous variety of vintage finds and fine antiques at every price.

Extravos only happen the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of November, January and February. Shoppers and the curious can roam the hills from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday admittance costs more, however eager shoppers get first dibs on hard-to-find treasures. Sunday shoppers get better bargains, but some vendors do pack up early.

Parking is free. Admission is $10 on Friday, $6 on Saturday, and only $4 on Sunday. A three-day pass is $15. Renninger’s Antique Center is located at 20651 US Hwy 441.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis,  download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.