SEASONED PROMOTERS OPEN NEW MOUNT DORA EVENT VENUE

Well known for its many festivals throughout the year, Mount Dora also has a reputation for playing host to a myriad of music concerts and other performances.  Now, a brand new venue hopes to entice even more quality entertainment to this quaint Central Florida city. 

Although the nondescript shell tucked inside the Mount Dora Plaza shopping center is far from the neon lights of Radio City Music Hall, the sprawling venue’s owners have completely transformed the interior space into a sparkling, 26,000 square-foot event facility that is flexible enough to be customized for virtually any type of entertainment, according to Brian Young, one of the venue’s co-owners.  

In addition to its convenient location just a mile west from downtown, Mount Dora Plaza Live boasts impressive professional lighting and sound systems, as well as another asset that’s elusive in Mount Dora--plentiful parking. 

Although the venue is available to rent for private and corporate functions, it also has a diverse schedule of regular events ranging from murder-mystery dinner theater and film screenings to an entertaining drag show called Brunch with the Broadway Bunch (see video), a group renowned for their Sunday brunch performances at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando.  

“Dinner style shows will be our primary focus, which will set the venue apart from other entertainment venues in Central Florida,” said Young.  He anticipates offering as many as four dinner theater performances monthly. Currently the actors for the Murder Mystery Dinner are part of an in-house theater troupe. 

In addition to featuring a full bar, Mount Dora Plaza Live also has a well-equipped commercial kitchen and a modern cafe space.  Patrons can opt to grab a bite to eat on- site before the event, and cocktails will be served before and during performances. 

The scale of the Mount Dora Plaza Live is impressive.  The main room is more than 15,000 square feet, but can be partitioned to accommodate much smaller sizes.   Dinner-style shows with tables will accommodate almost 400 guests, while concert-style shows with rows of seats and aisles can accommodate nearly 600 patrons.   By comparison, the historic Mount Dora Community Building on Baker Street seats 633.

Young believes the timing and opportunity are perfect for such a bold venture.   (article continues below)

ABOVE: Stage set for Lunch with the Broadway Brunch (see video below)

​



​
“I have enjoyed tremendous success with entertainment in Mount Dora and wish to continue that,” said Young.  “Stan has been a music professional for more than 45 years and has owned and operated a production company for 11 years,” he said of his partner Stan Allen, owner of Allengang Entertainment.  Both men are experienced at producing events in the city. Allen’s wife, Elyse, is handling the private rentals of the facility. 

​Young has promoted events for more than 30 years between his time in Florida and California.  In Mount Dora, he coordinates one of downtown’s most established festivals, October’s annual craft fair, as well as newer events like the blueberry festival and the recent seafood festival.
​
Allen and Young made substantial improvements to the interior of the venue that include renovated restrooms, new furnishings, an upgraded electrical system and a fresh coat of paint throughout.  

Private parties, corporations and other promoters can rent the versatile space starting at $1,450 daily.  Catering, sound, lights, tables, chairs, etc. may incur additional costs as part of their rental fee schedule.  

Mount Dora Plaza Live is located at 2728 W. Old Highway 441 in Mount Dora in the same shopping center as Mount Dora's post office.

​​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

---

Sign up for Mount Dora Buzz