Yes, Orlando ROCKS and it's because of amazing organizations like the United Arts of Central…read moreFlorida! Where to start? This thing has so many pieces to highlight and give thanks for. They fold together various local businesses, government, schools, foundations and individual artists to all collaborate to a phenomenal cause: a diverse arts and cultural community that serves residents and visitors to the Central Florida region. They run a ton of campaigns to build awareness to the arts as well as have some great programs to educate anyone who is willing to learn. The Red Chair project is a piece of UACF and it basically gives you the GO TO spot for all awesome shows, plays, art shows and education all in one place. They also partner w the CVB to bring Central Florida a bi-monthly magazine "OrlandoArts" that is an entertaining resource for everything arts and cultural happenings featuring a cultural calendar. They recently launched a phenomenal campaign -- "The Arts Matter" What's the goal? For everyone to share their personal stories and experiences as to why the Arts Matter to them. Talk about memories, emotions, anything that Art means in your life, whether you create it or just enjoy it... Go now, Go! And what is a yearly event they do? ArtsFest!! ArtsFest is a celebration of Central Florida arts and culture that takes place for 10 days over four counties. YES! It's FREE! -- arts and culture events held in various locations throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. ArtsFest provides you with a taste of everything the arts community has to offer in your own backyard - Why? Because it's so amazing and you should be taking these opportunities all the time. We have to much to offer with the arts scene here and tons of it goes unnoticed. I dig United Arts and everyone who works and volunteers hard to bring the awareness to our community!

From the owner: United Arts of Central Florida is a dynamic collaboration of 135 businesses, 8 governments and…read moreschool districts, 33 foundations, more than 50 arts and cultural organizations, and 2,873 artists and individuals. This partnership works to enhance the quality and variety of cultural experiences available throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Since its inception in 1989, United Arts has invested more than $112 million in local cultural organizations and cultural education. United Arts envisions a diverse, well-attended, fiscally sound arts and cultural community that serves residents and visitors to the Central Florida region.

Last night I stepped into the Winter Park Playhouse for Honky Tonk Angels, and it felt like opening…read morenight on Broadway, transported to Central Florida. The evening shimmered with energy--a perfect overture to the season. From the first note to the final bow, the cast carried us on a journey that pulsed with rhythm, harmony, and heart. Their voices soared, their timing danced, and their presence filled the stage with a brilliance that could rival any marquee in New York or London. Theatre, at its best, is a living symphony--dialogue weaving into song, song flowing into story--and this production captured that cadence flawlessly. As the curtain fell, I was struck by the artistry that thrives here in our own backyard. Having lived in Dubai, Las Vegas, London, and New York, I know the grandeur of global stages. Yet nowhere have I found such a steady stream of performances, each one crafted with care, directed with vision, and performed with soul, as I do here in the world's vacation capital. Heather Alexander and Roy Alan, the founders, discovered a rare niche: a theatre that doesn't rely on spectacle or technology, but on the timeless power of human talent. While Dr. Phillips Center dazzles with scale, the Winter Park Playhouse enchants with intimacy--family spirit, authenticity, and artistry that stands the test of time. This was more than entertainment; it was a celebration of craft, community, and pure theatrical joy. Honky Tonk Angels is a salute to the season and a reminder that the greatest value in Central Florida theatre lies not in spectacle, but in the artistry of performers who give themselves fully to the stage. Don't miss this production--it's a standing ovation waiting to happen.

Here with my Red Hat Society Ladies to see Wreck the Halls, a Christmas themed play. I didn't know…read morethere was a theater here so I'm pleasantly surprised. It's a short walk from several restaurants and bars so you can park in one of the large parking lots. I loved the sitting area in the lobby. Intimate seating behind large picture windows. There is a concession stand with wine available. As a matter of fact, you can pre-order a drink to pick up at intermission. So cool. I'm looking forward to returning in January for the next play.

I went here to see Carrie. I really like the theater and the surrounding areas. The theater looks…read morevery nice, the staff is friendly and the seats were very comfortable. The surrounding areas are very nice and are perfect for taking pictures. Parking is a bit challenging, but 5 minutes away from the theater were plenty.

What a great time today at the Annie Russell Theatre in Winter Park at Rollins College to see The…read more39 Steps! Since I can't afford a Renaissance or Eras ticket short of parting with a major organ, blowing 20 bucks to see college theatre will just have to do. Myself and about 50 or so senior citizens sat back to appreciate the chutzpah it takes to get up on a stage and PERFORM. This is a very charming theatre with decent-sized bathrooms. You can purchase concessions at the intermission for $2 each (did someone say Airheads?!?). There is also a shuttle operated by Rollins students that runs from the Truist Parking lot to the theatre and back for those that need it. I highly recommend checking out this lovely theatre and thanks to everyone on-site today who made the experience so much fun.

I love visiting The Ren for unique, captivating and contemporary theatre work. Part of the fun of…read morevisiting The Ren is discovering which space of their 15k square feet has been transformed and will be used in a custom design to match the current show - or in the case of annual Halloween spectacular Nosferatu, the entire space is turned into a sprawling maze of designed spaces filled with scary, sexy vampires. You can expect to see provocative, inclusive work that will challenge and excite you - and/or let you party into the night. The bartending team is always on point, with custom drinks to fit the show. Parking's easy and free in the AdventHealth garage next to the building. Expect a metal detector on entry and ID check as every show is 18+.

Although I love and support the theatre, I have to say Disco Boots is NOT worth $42. Way too…read moreexpensive and last year was a better production. The main cover should never be this expensive for this kind of event.

We are very happy with Skyra Studios! Our girl has improved tremendously this year. We can't wait…read moreto see her grow at Skyra. Thank you:)

If I could give Skyra 0 stars, I would. The absolute worst experience we have had at a dance…read morestudio. They will promise you elite training and then scramble to find instructors to cover classes. Any requests for information will go unanswered. They just want your money and then you will be ignored. Do not be fooled by their FB page and website. Stay away!!!

There are some amazing things about this theatre space…read more I love the way the doors can slide open so on nice Orlando nights it's like an open air entrance. I love how beautiful the stairwell is going up to two. I love how much they have expanded their food and beverage line up over the years. The sound tends to be pretty good, the communication from the theatre is always amazing. They waive fees if you come to the box office to buy your tickets. The seats are comfy and almost every seat has a solid view. The box seats are the exception so be warned. The volunteers are always amazing and they are so nice. It would be cool if they opened a second location that served coffee because that line for espresso beverages is always really long. I love the breadth of show types. There's always something for everyone.

Swan Lake October 2025…read more This is one of those performances that stays with you long after the curtain comes down. I saw Swan Lake back in October 2025, and somehow I'm only just now sitting down to write about it.... I apologize for not getting this review out sooner. The last time I had seen this ballet... I was in my twenties, which feels like another lifetime ago. Swan Lake sits right up there with The Nutcracker in terms of recognition. You grow up knowing it, even if you've never actually seen it live. As a little girl, it lives in your imagination. The costumes, the movement, the elegance, and that quiet belief that maybe one day you could be that dancer. For a lot of people, that dream gets planted early and never fully leaves. Walking into this performance, I felt that history. Not just personal, but cultural. Swan Lake carries weight because it's about illusion versus truth, about wanting something you can't quite have and mistaking appearances for reality. Tension is built into every movement. Swan Lake is not the same experience as The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is festive and structured more like a showcase. Swan Lake is continuous, demanding, and far more intense. The lead roles require stamina, precision, and emotional control from start to finish, and the corps de ballet has to move in perfect synchronization with no room for error. It really is the Olympics of ballet. This performance delivered. It was polished, immersive, and held my attention the entire time. I found myself watching not just the choreography, but the control, the discipline, and the way each dancer carried themselves on stage. One dancer in particular stood out to me, Bernardo Betancor. He was exactly what you imagine when you think of a leading male ballerina. He carried a statuesque presence on stage and was, without question, easy on the eyes. More than that, he had command. The kind that makes your eyes go back to him whether you mean to or not. I'm glad I finally made it back to Swan Lake after all these years, and even more glad I didn't miss this one. Huge thanks to Ronnald M. for pulling me into this night, because let's be honest... this is not exactly a bad way to spend an evening.

We go for goth night with DJ Lavidicus. He is the best DJ in central FL for actual goth and…read moreindustrial music. Good Times is such a fun venue!!! There's lots of dance space and Natalie at the bar is one of the best bartenders, EVER! Love her! We always look forward to seeing her and having a great night w our people. It's a great crowd. Very chill and accepting of everyone.

My party went to Good Times bar and Grill to listen to the wonderful band called stratosphere. What…read morea great group of people and a cozy environment. The food was fantastic as was the service. Be sure to check out the band Stratosphere next time they are there.

What a great little theatre! If you wanna feel like you are watching from within the show no matter…read morewhere you sit this is the place to go for a show. Plus all of the staff are super nice and helpful, the location is super clean and elegant. They have a small table for refreshments and snacks, plus a bigger bar area with some seating for even more refreshments and snacks to pre-game in the pre-show. The show we saw Fat Ham was excellent and honestly one of the best written and acted shows I've seen in a long time. Definitely grab a show here!

We went to Orlando Shakes for our annual visit to see A Christmas Carol, and it was fantastic. It's…read morealways a holiday favorite, but this year we especially loved it because they changed things up a bit--it kept us excited to see what was coming next and made the story feel fresh. The actors and actresses are very talented, and the performance overall was great. Tickets are reasonably priced, which makes it a more affordable option if you love theater but don't want to spend the higher prices at the Dr. Phillips Center. The venue itself is easy to enjoy: there's a private parking lot, a lobby with drinks and snacks, and even a little gift shop to browse before or after the show. All in all, Orlando Shakes delivered a wonderful holiday experience, and we'll definitely keep coming back for A Christmas Carol each year.

This was my first year attending the Orlando Fringe Festival, and it was pretty cool. I didn't know…read morewhat to expect fully, but I knew it would be immersive and eclectic. I went three separate days over a span of a week and each time was its own unique experience. There was a range of live entertainment, performing arts, art of all kinds, super dope poster art, magic performers, various food trucks, and other local shops and businesses that you could support. While the festival is free to the public, there are some events that have a small entry fee. All money is poured back into the arts/community to keep this wonderful festival alive and going for many years to come. The highlight indeed for me was all the art, of which you could also purchase. I loved that this festival allowed for artists and art lovers to congregate and enjoy the many forms of art in one space. Some final notes, they did offer drink options if that was something you were also looking for. There was a decent amount of parking - street, garage, and in the museum lot (if you arrived early). Everyone is super kind - down to the museum staff, food and business vendors, you name it. It's truly a great festival. Fun for all. So happy I finally got the chance to attend this festival. I will for sure be attending for many years to come.

I had a great time watching the live shows. My favorite one was "STORIES FROM THE BRINK!" by Iris…read moreBahr. I learned a lot, & it was touching. This festival is fantastic! You get to tap into your human side, practice mindfulness, absorb, then reflect on life on a deeper level. Sometimes they challenge my values, but it's a good exercise to think, & listen, consider others' experiences & viewpoints. You MUST purchase a button to watch a show in a theater. Then you buy your ticket to what you want to see. Sometimes a show might get cancelled, so this year I went with the flow & saw what was available at the time I was there. I kept recommended ages in mind. Then I ran from theater to theater. They utilize different buildings. There's an outdoor stage with free entertainment such as a break dancing contest or fashion show. It's next to the food booths. I've seen really wonderful shows over the years. Poe & Van Gogh are some of my favorite subjects. There's magic, comedy, & naughty bits. In the afternoon there are arts & crafts & kids' activities in certain areas. Something for everyone. Creatures of the night might enjoy shows that start around midnight. The only thing I would want changed is how the shows overlap each other. If I want to see one show, then I can't see 3 others because they have different running lengths & very odd start times. It's an extremely difficult puzzle challenge to line them up, almost impossible. That's why a few days attending Orlando Fringe is better than just one day, but parking can be challenging. I missed out on a lot of great shows probably. They can get expensive, so get a guide early, looks like a free magazine, & see when the $6 shows are, not all shows will offer that special price showing, but great if you snag one. The high school students' shows are around $10. Regular shows maybe $15. Some are FREE! Just don't lose your purchased Fringe button.

We had a wonderful experience at Orlando Family Stage seeing A Charlie Brown Christmas. The show…read morewas excellent from start to finish and captured the heart, humor, and charm of the classic perfectly. The performances were strong, the pacing was great, and it was genuinely enjoyable for both kids and adults. The venue itself was also fantastic. It's clean, comfortable, well organized, and feels very welcoming. Staff were friendly and everything ran smoothly, which made the whole experience even better. This was our first visit, but it definitely won't be our last. Orlando Family Stage is doing something really special, and we highly recommend it for a fun, high quality family outing.

The Orlando Family Stage is an AWESOME theater! We had the chance to attend their puppet play date…read morewith our daughter Ivy and she enjoyed it so much. The staff was super friendly and was great with all of the kids. If you're looking for an interactive, hands-on experience with your little one will love, this is the one! We saw peter rabbit and were able to do hands on arts and crafts as well. Definitely will come back again!