Competition Is Delicious This Saturday!

Mmmm...macaroni and cheese. Everybody thinks they make the absolute best, and now is the chance to show it off! Saturday, May 26 from 6-9pm at Vintage Vino in downtown Kissimmee hosts a Mac N' Cheese competition and you're invited to either enter your own recipe or just come on down and vote for your favorite.

Entry as a competitor is only $20, which will get you a swag bag including an apron and a commemorative wine glass. The top three entrants will be able to compete in the grand finale event sometime in June.

If tasting and voting is more your speed, there are three different ways to make that happen: a White card for $5, a Red card for $10, or a Black card for $25. Each card comes with a glass of wine, opportunity to taste entries, and a bowl of mac n' cheese. The Black card, however, is a VIP card that garners your vote 5x the power as well as a glass of Vintage Vino's best wine and a commemorative wine glass.

A portion of proceeds from this event will be donated to The Sunshine Foundation, a local charity that gives critically ill children and their families the opportunity to visit central Florida to see some of their dreams come true.

Vintage Vino is located at 14 E. Dakin Avenue, Kissimmee FL 34741. For more information on voting or entering as a competitor, simply click here or call 1-917-627-8432!

Photo courtesy of VintageVino.com

Soaked Brings Extreme Watersports to Orlando

This fall in Lake Eola Park, get ready for a festival of extreme watersports, competitions, and fun! September 7-8 are the dates to mark on your calendar to watch waterski-jumping, slalom, carnival attractions, muscle cars, extreme sports, and live entertainment for the whole family with soaked.

This family-friendly event will have plenty to do and see, including a waterski competition with the largest prize in waterskiing - $100,000! And the fun continues after dark with waterski jumping on the illuminated Lake Eola.

Tickets are $15 per day, and proceeds go to Clean The World, a downtown Orlando-based charity that recycles soaps and saves lives world-wide. For more information and to purchase tickets, head on over to soakedorlando.com.

Photo courtesy of soakedorlando.com.

LEGOLAND Helps With Roller Coaster Readiness

Roller coasters are, for some, the best part of any amusement park. The love of roller coasters, or the fear of them, can start at a very young age. To this end, LEGOLAND Florida asked for the assistance of award-winning author and nationally recognized psychologist Dr. Susan Bartell to help families prepare young ones for the roller coaster experience, in hopes of quelling fears, managing meltdowns, and avoiding veloxrotaphobia (the fear of roller coasters).

In a brochure available online and at the front gates of the park, Dr. Bartell outlines ways to help younger visitors become acclimated to the idea of thrill rides, and includes tips that start at home and carry all the way through the end of the day after leaving the park.

Though the junior roller coasters at LEGOLAND are definitely milder and more of the "pink-knuckle" variety, they can still be pretty intimidating for first-timers. This brochure will help manage such fears. You never know: If used properly, it may help turn some children into lifelong roller coaster fans!

To download the brochure in PDF format, click here or go to LEGOLAND's website and look it up in the FAQ section!

Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND.com.

May Flowers For Moms At Fiorella's

Still stuck for the best way to say, "Thanks, Mom" on Mother's Day? Fiorella's Cucina Toscana at Universal has you covered.

Sunday, May 13th, Fiorella's will be hosting a special Mother's Day brunch to celebrate the special mom in your life, and as a special treat, every mother will receive a flower! The special brunch has two seatings, 11:00am and 1:00pm, and is featuring some incredible menu items. Appetizers include Olive Oil Crostini with Tuscan Spreads and Tapenades; Tuscan Cured Smoked Salmon; Poached Shrimp with Remoulade and Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce; and Spring Chop Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Bleu Cheese, Almonds, and Cannelini Beans. Skillet Display Items include Grilled Mahi Mahi with Papaya Relish and Mango Butter; Chicken Saltimbocca with Prosciutto, Mozzarella, and Sage; and Poached Eggs Fiorella with Pancetta, Basil Hollandaise, and Tomato Relish. For a sweet finish, there'll be the signature Decadent Mother's Day Chocolate Bar featuring a Godiva Chocolate Fondue Station!

Fiorella's Cucina Toscana is located at 9501 Universal Boulevard, Orlando FL 32819. Valet parking is complimentary for Fiorella's guests. For reservations, either call 407-233-2950 or click here.

Star Wars Weekend 2012

A very special opportunity is available during Star Wars Weekends this year at Disney Hollywood Studios!

Fans of Star Wars Episode IV: The Empire Strikes Back will remember the iconic scene where Han Solo was frozen in carbonite at Cloud City and eventually brought to Jabba the Hutt by Boba Fett. Now you will be able to see yourself frozen in carbonite just like Han, and have a custom figurine made of the occasion, without dealing with the pain, resultant temporary blindness at being un-frozen, and the hassle of bounty hunters.

The Carbon-Freeze Me Experience at Disney Hollywood Studios is a new state-of-the-art experience that brings personalization to a whole new level. The Carbon Freezing Chamber (located near The American Idol Experience) will put you center stage as several cameras capture images of your face from many different angles. With a little computer magic, those photographs are turned into an eight-inch figurine that's shipped directly to your home.

The carbonite figurine is $99.95, but you can have more made from the same original mold for just $74.95 apeice. Guests will also receive a special light-up wrist band.

While this experience officially opens on May 18 for Star Wars Weekends, reservations are required, so call early to reserve your spot! Dial 1-407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324) for reservations and more information.

Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog.

Springtime Is A-MAY-zing In Orlando!

Ah, springtime. The flowers are blooming, summer is looming, and the weather is getting gorgeous. Here's a list of the top things to do in Orlando this month!

10th Annual Orlando Cabaret Festival
Now through May 13th, you can see performances from Central Florida's cabaret singers as well as cabaret artists from the New York scene as well! Blues, pop, Broadway, and everything in between!
Mad Cow Theatre
105 S. Magnolia Avenue
Orlando FL 32801
For tickets, call 407-297-8788 or go to Mad Cow Theatre's website by clicking here

Snap! Orlando
If you're a photographer or just a fan of their work, there are plenty things for you to see at Snap! Orlando. This three-day festival (May 10-13) not only features acclaimed international and national photographers, but also features local talent.
For a schedule of events, click here. You can also call 407-363-5872 or 800-972-3304 for more details.
400 Pittman Street
Orlando FL 32801

The HeART Of Theatre: An Evening On Broadway
On May 10, Central Florida Community Choir and others from the Central Florida Community Arts program will be featured in their Spring 2012 concert. They'll be performing songs from a variety of outstanding Broadway shows, and the Central Florida Orchestra and Dance Team will be performing as well! Tickets are $10, and the show starts at 7:30. Click here for more information from the event website.
Northland Church
530 Dog Track Road
Longwood FL 32750

Asian Cultural Festival Get a taste of touring Asia without needing a passport! On May 12, Avalon Park Downtown will host the Asian Cultural Festival, featuring foods, arts, and crafts from many Asian countries. There will also be live music and dance performances from groups representing China, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and many more!
Avalon Park Downtown 4pm-9pm
3680 Avalon Park East Blvd
Orlando FL 32828

21st Annual Orlando Fringe Festival
Scattered around various venues in Loch Haven Park, this 13-day festival is the oldest non-juried festival in the United States. From May 16-28, enjoy hundreds of shows featuring theater, art, and music. There's even a special "Kids Fringe Tour", as well as outdoor concerts and Visual Fringe. Tickets are $5-10 (prices vary per performance). For more information, click here to be taken to the Orlando Fringe website, or call 407-648-0077.

Science Of Wine
On May 19th from 7-10pm, head on over to the Orlando Science Center for a unique evening of wine and food tastings with an educational twist! Over 100 wines from all over the world will be featured, and local gourmet caterers and restaurants will also be there to provide delicious food pairings. During the evening, there will be seminars about where wine comes from, how grapes are grown, and how to properly aerate your wine, among other topics. Tickets are $75 per person. Please note that this event is for guests aged 21 and over. Click here to learn more at the event website, or call 507-514-2000 for more details.
Orlando Science Center
777 East Princeton Street
Orlando FL 32803

World Ballet Competition May 29-June 2 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, see nightly competitions of dancers from around the world. Non-competing dancers are also invited to take a Master Class Workshop. Tickets are $11 per person for competition day tickets, $70 for Master Class Workshop, and $25-100 for All Stars of Dance tickets. For more information, click here.
Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
401 W. Livingston Street
Orlando FL 32801

South Beach Style Comes To Orlando For Chillounge 2012

Get ready to eat, drink, mingle, and party for a good cause with Chillounge Night 2012. On May 12, Lake Eola Park will be transformed into a comfortable, yet stylish, haven with loads of South Beach-style furniture artfully arranged throughout. Delicious beverages and amazing foods will tempt the palate, and your other senses will be entertained by live music, a brazilian-style Samba parade, fashion show of local Orlando designers, and so much more!

Benefiting Best Buddies Of Orlando, this third annual event will have you mixing and mingling with beautiful people and indulging in an array of sensory delights, all for a great cause!

Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the gate. A select number of VIP tickets for $95 will also be available, which include complimentary food and beverages as well as a special dessert bar, and an exclusive gift bag for the ladies featuring discount coupons from the fashion show designers as well as beauty and skin care products from various local salons and spas.

To purchase tickets online, and for more information, head on over to ChilloungeNight.com.

Coppelia Dances The Night Away

Looks for a little culture that's fun for the whole family? Tonight, April 28, the Russian Ballet Of Orlando will perform the classic ballet Coppelia. Premiering in 1870 in Paris, France, this warmhearted-yet-comedic ballet focuses on a man, his fiancee, and a lovingly-crafted dancing doll. The doll, created by the hands of Dr. Coppelius, appears so lifelike as to inspire love from the man, and jealousy from the fiancee.

Join the Russian Ballet Of Orlando in this lighthearted romp tonight from 5-6:30pm at Timber Creek High School, located at 1001 Avalon Park South Boulevard. You may purchase tickets by calling 407-896-0309.

Photo courtesy of TheDailyCity.com.

TurtleTrek Spawns New Initiative At SeaWorld

Did you know that plastic bags floating in the sea are frequently mistaken by turtles for jellyfish? This is a dangerous thing indeed for sea turtles in the wild, because jellyfish is one of their favourite snacks. Plastic bags are part of the 1.4 billion tons of trash that enter the oceans annually. In order to lessen that number, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are doing their part in a massive initiative to remove plastic shopping bags from their parks.

Within the year, plastic shopping bags will no longer be offered at any of the 10 SeaWorld parks, including Busch Gardens. In conjunction with the opening of the TurtleTrek attraction today at SeaWorld Orlando, plastic bags have been taken out of circulation in that park. Instead, paper bags constructed of 100% recycled paper are being offered, or guests may choose to purchase a reusable bag.

SeaWorld is the largest theme park operator to exert such a massive effort to reduce the amount of trash going into the oceans, and they hope to be a role model for other theme parks and large businesses. While keeping the turtles a little safer from the perils of man is one huge benefit, seeing such a huge business take these steps is inspiring for the rest of us to take similar steps in our own lives.

Gourmet Dining For A Great Cause

Heighten your senses tomorrow, April 25th, at the coolest date night around: Lighthouse Central Florida's third Dining In The Dark event. An evening of taste, touch, sound, and smell ensconces you as you're served a three course meal in a completely dark dining room.

Lighthouse Central Florida provides services to the completely blind and to those with varying degrees of low vision. All proceeds from this event will go toward helping them in their mission of providing education, job placement/training, and independent living skills. Members of the Orlando Police Department's SWAT team, who are volunteering their time for this event, will don night-vision goggles so that they may serve meals to the lucky diners taking part in this delightful event.

Reservations are $100 per person, or $150 per couple. The event will be held at Henry P. Leu Gardens from 6-9pm. For more information, click here to be taken to the website or call 407-898-2483 ext. 235.