Blog Archives - MOUNT DORA BUZZ

'ART OF THE DEAL' DELIVERS CREATIVE MIX THIS SATURDAY

10/30/2016

One thing is certain: Art of the Deal isn't your typical fundraiser. It's a hybrid party with black jack tables, a DJ, edgy entertainment, great food and a lively dance floor.

The annual semi-formal event, the area's premiere social and cultural party, is Saturday, November 5 in downtown Mount Dora.

Art of the Deal takes place at the Donnelly Park building and a large adjacent party tent. Once inside, celebrants will find a live body art performance, a comedian, craps and blackjack tables, plus catering by Pisces Rising, an open bar, live art performances, red carpet photos and a very lively dance floor.
This year's theme for the annual Mount Dora Center for the Arts fundraiser is "Creativity Leads to Invention."

In addition to the entertainment and gaming tables, the event also features both a live auction and an extensive silent auction that ranges from original works of art to gift certificates, weekend getaways and other generously donated items.

Proceeds benefit the Mount Dora Center for the Arts to provide scholarships for childrens summer arts camp and to support youth outreach programs, educational classes and exhibits to the community.

Art of the Deal will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased at www.mountdoracenterforthearts.org

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WATCH FOR PUMPKIN BOMBS THIS SATURDAY

10/27/2016

Seaplane pilots begin arriving in Tavares at 9 a.m. this Saturday to take part in friendly competitions. The contest will include a pumpkin bomb contest, shortest takeoff run, accuracy power off landing contest and spot landing contest.

The festivities are part of Tavares Monster Splash Seaplane Fly-In on Saturday, October 29 at Wooton Park and the Tavares Seaplane Base. The event is free to watch and the public can bring their own chairs and picnic lunch.

Fuel is available at the Seaplane Base located at 150 E Ruby Street, Tavares. For additional information email cmoan@tavares.org. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Download the free Mount Dora Buzz mobile app here for events and news on the go.

TOP LOCAL HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES...

10/16/2016

Halloween isn't just for kids. Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis have tons of festivites for kids and adults. Here's some you don't want to miss:

"LOTS OF PUMPKINS"
This ongoing family outing features tons of activities, a pumpkin patch, hayride and more. A pumpkin carving table is available to carve a jack-o’-lantern at the farm and leave the mess with us. Carving tools are available for purchase. The pumpkins are fresh-picked and delivered overnight from Tennessee. They typically range in price between $3 and $12.

CORN MAZE ADVENTURE & PUMPKIN PATCH
Families will find lots of pumpkins to choose from at this seasonal corn maze just south of Mount Dora. Admission is $12 for ages 4 and up. Scott's Maze Adventure is open on weekends through December 11 at 26216 County Road 448A. Read more

MOUNT DORA GHOST TOURS
Oct. 14-29: This entertaining, one-hour walking tour starts at Lakeside Inn, 100 N. Alexander St., and proceeds to downtown landmarks with a history of ghostly visitors. The tours begin at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, 15, 28, and 29. Read more

"RETURN OF THE SPIRITS": A HAUNTED THEATRE
Oct. 21-31: Get spooked at Eustis' version of a haunted house—however, the haunted building is actually the old State Theatre. The event dates are October 21, 22 28, 29, 30 & 31. Tickets $10. More details

ZOMBIE WINE WALK
Oct. 28: This Halloween party for adult zombies is hosted by Norm's Palette. Zombies will taste over 15 different wines from around the world and crawl through downtown Mount Dora. The party returns to Norm's Palette for live music and a zombie costume contest with prizes. $15-$20, 303 Baker St.

BOO FESTIVAL
Oct. 28: The City of Tavares is hosting their annual party with 'trunk or treating,' kids' costume contest, live entertainment, hayrides, a creepy tent, 'dance depot’, carnival games, photo booth, spooky storytelling, food vendors and a movie at City Hall Park featuring "Goosebumps!" 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in downtown Tavares

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR
Oct. 28: The Mount Dora Parks & Recreation Department is hosting this event for kids ages 12 and under to dress up, play games, get candy and have a free, safe and fun Halloween experience. The event is at Donnelly Park in downtown from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

TRUNK 'R TREAT
Oct. 28: Instead of going door-to-door children in costume can go trunk-to-trunk for treats at this free event at Gilbert Park in Mount Dora from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

FRIGHTLESS FUN TOUR
Oct. 29: Just for kids, this fun tour is of the haunted State Theatre without the drama. 4:00-6:00 p.m. Old State Theatre, Bay Street, downtown Eustis.

THE BREWERY BOYS HALLOWEEN PARTY
OCT. 29: This annual costume bash at Mount Dora Brewing has long been one of the favorites among locals. The popular house band will deck out in costume for the evening. No cover charge. 7p.m. 405 S. Highland St., uptown Mount Dora.

MAYHEM IN MOUNT DORA
Oct. 29: A annual street party hosted by Pisces Rising and partnering businesses will transform downtown Mount Dora into a ghoulish scene for partygoers while they enjoy live music, food and libations, and a costume contest. Musical guest will be the Sonic Gypsies. No cover charge. 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. in Sunset Park in downtown Mount Dora. Read more

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ARTIST GIVES BACK DURING MOUNT DORA CRAFT FAIR

10/16/2016

There is art, and then there is the art of mentoring. One local artist has mastered both.

Barbara Boyce, an established Mount Dora artist and silversmith, shows her original jewelry designs at an average of 15 of the top Florida art festivals each year. Seven years ago she began sharing her creativity and technical knowledge with eager students and continues to teach in her downtown studio.

This year Boyce is taking her mentoring one step further. Besides exhibiting at this weekend's Mount Dora Crafts Fair, she has an adjacent booth just for her students. The goal is to mentor them on the business of selling their art while they learn the festival process.

"After every festival I do, students have many questions. I thought this would be a great way to add to their full experience in my class," said Boyce.

Student Karen Gundal would like to make jewelry as a retirement hobby that generates some income. However, she has never tried selling her work. "I want to get an idea of what people are looking for and the whole festival process," said Gundal.

Another student exhibiting in the event, Susan Tobin, has been Boyce's student for two- and-a-half years. Like many new artists, Tobin is eager to discover if she can sell any of her own designs.
The students could be very busy. Mount Dora Craft Fair is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors, according to organizers. The adjoining booths will be on Alexander Street.

The silversmith classes are limited to four students and take place at Two B's Studio, at 301 N. Baker Street. The classes are four weeks and during the first four-week session students create sterling jewelry that includes a ring, earrings, and bezel-set stone which can become part of the ring or a pendant. Beginning students mix in with ongoing classes.

Boyce has enjoyed the community that her mentoring has built. "Many of my students have bonded in class, and it is always great to see the friendships that develop," said Boyce. "Of course, I also love to see the creativity!"

During a recent visit to a class in session at her downtown studio, all her students eagerly chimed in that Boyce is an amazing teacher and mentor.

You can see Boyce's and her students' work this weekend at their Crafts Fair booths on Alexander Street near the Chamber of Commerce (booths 039 & 041).

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MOUNT DORA CRAFT FAIR ROLLS IN oct. 22 & 23

10/13/2016

As the cooler weather returns, so does one of Central Florida's biggest craft fairs. Mount Dora's quaint downtown comes alive on October 22 and 23 with more than 400 crafters from across the country displaying and selling their finest works.

An estimated 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the two-day event that also features food and entertainment.

The Mount Dora Craft Fair is a top-ranked event featuring an eclectic mix of arts and crafts ranging from jewelry and photography to paintings, textiles, leather and woodworking.
Although the festival begins on Saturday morning, parking restrictions begin in the late afternoon on Friday, October 21. Downtown stores and restaurants remain open during festival hours which are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.

Parking shuttles are available at Mount Dora High School, Mount Dora Christian Academy and the Golden Triangle Shopping Center and provide a drop-off within walking distance of the festival. Parking in the designated shuttle lots costs $5 and the round-trip shuttle ride is free.

The City of Mount Dora is augmenting the shuttle bus services with eight secondary six-passenger golf cart shuttles located in the downtown area. The golf carts will run south and west of US 441 to shuttle visitors from remote parking locations into downtown.

Those parking locations include: Frank Brown Park (Pine Avenue just west of US 441), Lincoln Avenue Pool parking lot (Unser Street just south of Lincoln Avenue), Sandy Ridge Crossing shopping center (southeast corner of US 441 and Donnelly Street) and Mount Dora Golf Club (S. Highland Street just north of Lakeview Avenue). Those shuttles will be running Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m to 6:30 p.m.

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MOUNT DORA GHOST TOURS SEND CHILLS THIS MONTH

10/12/2016

Spirits of old Mount Dora will take form downtown near historic buildings, alleys and landmarks on four nights this month. Daring visitors will trail through the city's eerie past during Mount Dora Ghost Tours.

Students of Montessori at Roseborough's adolescent program have teamed up with local historian and entertaining Mount Dora Ghost Tour guide Andrew Mullen. The students will play the parts of some of the unfortunate souls in Mount Dora’s history and step out of the shadowy past to tell their chilling stories to passersby.

Mullen is a veteran of telling macabre ghost walk tales tied to historic sites in downtown Mount Dora such as the J.P. Donnelly House, Dora Drawdy Lane, the Renaissance Building and Lakeside Inn and other downtown spots said to be haunted.

The one-hour walking tour starts at Lakeside Inn, 100 N. Alexander Street, a national historic register building associated with many ghost stories. The tours begin at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, 15, 28, and 29.

A portion of the proceeds help finance a trip the sixth and seventh graders' trip to the Model U.N. Conference in New York City. For tour reservations call (352) 800-8178. Cost is $10 adults, $5 for children 12 and under.

To read genuine, local ghostly experiences, click here.

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STEAMPUNK SHOW RETURNS TO MOUNT DORA THIS WEEKEND

10/10/2016

What happens when you combine Victorian costume with innovative technology and the industrial age? T o make it really interesting, add a heaping spoonful of fantasy.

The result is Steampunk, a fantastical world where Albert Einstein, the wild west and Mad Max collide.

Renninger's Steampunk Industrial Show show is this weekend and has grown to what is arguably the largest festival of its kind in the Southeast. The event is set under the oak trees of Mount Dora and features over 100 vendors with top steampunk entertainers and artists east of Texas. The event takes place twice a year in January and October.

So how did this retro-futuristic genre get its name? 'Steampunk', first coined in 1987, refers to the Victorian age of steam-powered machines melded with the 'punk' attitude of non-conformity, creativity and unrestrained individuality. This science-fiction genre is present in art, music, fashion, film and especially literature.

Now in its fifth year, Renningers Steampunk and Industrial show formed its own traditions with the Splendid Teapot Race, a high tea, plus steampunk horse and carriage rides. The entertainment throughout the weekend reflects the hybrid nature of steampunk with acts ranging from magic and belly dancing to music by some of the best bands in the genre.

The Steampunk Industrial Show is this weekend, October 15 & 16 from 9am-5pm at Renningers Antique Center, 20651 US 441, Mount Dora. Parking and admission are free..

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MOUNT DORA'S CREATIVE COMMUNITY FIGHTS BREAST CANCER WITH BRA-VO EVENT

10/3/2016

"Bra-Vo," a community fundraiser to raise funds for free or low cost mammograms in Lake County, is hosting an exhibit in the gallery at Mount Dora Center for the Arts during October.

The exhibit, held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlights over fifty artists, students and sponsors that accepted the challenge to create an 'art bra'. Entries range from inspiring to whimsical.

In the gallery's main window is a compelling submission titled "Love, is Love is Love" by artist Christina Siobhan Coalter (pictured above). It was created in honor of one of the Orlando Pulse victims who had beaten her battle against breast cancer and was celebrating her son's birthday at the club. Reportedly, she pushed her son to safety during the shooting, but didn't make it herself.

The public is encouraged to visit the gallery to vote for their favorite bra. Votes cost one dollar and individuals can cast as many votes as they like with one hundred percent of the proceeds benefiting the cause.

The exhibit is is located at 134 E. 5th Avenue in Mount Dora and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Voting can be done in person or online at www.Bra-Vo.org. The last day to vote is October 23. Bra-Vo's People's Choice Award will be announced through the same website.

Some bra entries will also be available as part of a silent auction or live auction at the public artist reception & gala on October 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the gallery.

In addition to the exhbit, Bra-Vo also has pink flamingos available for purchase in honor of a friend or family member fighting cancer. One flamingo goes home with purchaser and another will have descriptive tag with the purchaser's honoree listed to be added to the flamingo "flock", The cost is $10.

Flocking (placing of the flamingos in a flock) will take place throughout Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis during the month of October.

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CYCLISTS THRONG TO MOUNT DORA BICYCLE FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND

10/2/2016

The countdown has begun. This Friday cyclists will descend on downtown Mount Dora as the state's longest-running cycling event begins. In just two short years, Mount Dora Bicycle Festival transformed from a withering event to a vibrant festival attracting cyclists from across the state and country.

The difference has been the passion and hard work of its energized organizers. At time of publication 1249 riders were already pre-registered and 1500 riders are expected at the three-day event that kicks off October 7, according to Tracy Draper, the event’s chairperson.

Draper, an avid cyclist, and her committee have succeeded in turning the festival into one of Florida’s premier cycling events with riders traveling from as far as South America.

The festival’s scenic courses range from 11 miles for novices to the 103-mile Countryside Century ride. The most grueling route is the Sugarloaf Extension on Sunday. Die-hards will pedal through the new “Back 2 Back Century Challenge" accomplishing 102 miles on Friday and 103 miles on Saturday.

To keep the festival fresh, three new routes have been added, and route concierges, drawn from the pool of local cyclists, will be on hand to answer riders’ questions about specific routes, terrain, traffic issues and relative difficulty.

Once out of their saddles, riders will find an abundance of activities. Thursday and Friday nights feature wine tasting, while Saturday activities include a pasta lunch, beer garden, contests, food trucks, a vendor village and music in Sunset Park. Festival-goers also spill into downtown restaurants, shops and bars, many of which offer discounts to riders wearing festival wristbands. Sunday the festival hosts "Giveaway Day" in the park.

The Mount Dora Bicycle Festival distinguishes itself by its terrain, as well as the charm of the town and its value pricing. Attendees can get multi-day pricing that breaks down to about $34 per day. The festival swag includes medals for finishers and long-sleeved event T-shirts for registrants. Registrations is at the former Chef's Pantry building at 322 N. Alexander Street across from Sunset Park.

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Cover Photo by Dave Horgan

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MOUNT DORA INVITES ARTISTS & PERFORMERS DOWNTOWN

10/2/2016

Central Florida's creative community just got some great news.

Struggling artists were given a boost by Mount Dora, a city recognized for its historic and quaint downtown. The city is inviting artists onto its sidewalks one evening a month for Art Splash. The event is designed to celebrate and support the creative arts by providing a vibrant venue for emerging and professional artists, as well as performers.

Art Splash, co-produced by Mount Dora Center for the Arts, Mount Dora Buzz, and the City of Mount Dora was inspired by Portland, Maine's Art Walk. The monthly event is always the second Friday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature artists selling their creations, while musicians and other performers can fill up their tip jars. Many downtown artist studios also open their doors to the public. Visitors are encouraged to come downtown to enjoy the creative energy of the evening.

Participation in the event is free, however artists and performers must obtain a free permit in advance from Mount Dora Center for the Arts. For more Art Splash information, click here. For permit information call Kristina Groh-Rosenburg at 352-383-0880. Maps to downtown's open galleries will also be available.

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BRACE YOURSELF FOR MAYHEM IN MOUNT DORA

10/1/2016

Every historic town has its ghosts and Mount Dora is no exception. On October 29 they will come out in force along with zombies, vampires and French maids and descend into foggy Sunset Park.

"Mayhem in Mount Dora," an annual street party presented by Pisces Rising, transforms downtown into a ghoulish scene for party-goers while they enjoy live music, amazing food and lively libations. This year the theme is "Day of the Dead". Musical guests will be the Sonic Gypsies.

This is the third year the restaurant has undertaken the event that strives to bring people from surrounding areas into downtown. In addition to the haunting spectacle of sugar skulls, there is also a photo booth and a costume contest with a $500 grand prize (the entry fee is five dollars).

The party starts at 6 p.m. and rages until 11 p.m. Admission is free.

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FALL FESTIVAL USHERS IN THE SEASON IN MOUNT DORA

10/1/2016

In Florida, changing leaves don't signal the Fall season. However, there is one reminder for Mount Dorans that a cooler time of year may be approaching.

The tell is the annual Fall in the Field at Renningers. A shopping event that blends an exotic heirloom pumpkin patch with plenty of primitive fall decor and and large dose of vintage shopping. This year the event is on October 1-2 and celebrates its fifth year.

In addition to the shopping experience, the weekend will also feature a free kids' craft area, and food vendors. The show runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on both days, rain or shine. Admission and parking are free.

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