Megan Hilty, PBS stars and more at UCF Celebrates the Arts
This year’s UCF Celebrates the Arts festival in downtown Orlando will conclude with a tribute to a decade of service from Central Florida’s public-television station WUCF. The grand finale: A concert headlined by Broadway and TV star Megan Hilty, which will be recorded for airing on PBS stations around the country.
The festival, which includes multiple free and low-cost performances, runs April 2-15 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Events, even the free ones, can require registration in advance; sign up now at arts.cah. ucf.edu/celebrates.
The April 15 celebration of WUCF features playtime activities honoring Mister Rogers, as well as appearances by former “PBS NewsHour” anchor Judy Woodruff, the executive producer of “Masterpiece” and Sonia Manzano — better known as Maria on “Sesame Street.”
Other events during the annual festival, which began in 2015, include the Young Composers Challenge with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (April 2); dance and opera performances (April 6 and 8); art exhibits (ongoing); and concerts including a special performance designed for people on the autism spectrum, with intellectual disabilities or who have various levels of hearing (April 14).
UCF’s Flying Horse Big Band will present a night of “Swingin’ and Singin’ ” (April 7), and UCF alumni will return for a concert of musical-theater favorites (April 14). Among the performers: Broadway veterans Quentin Earl Darrington, Michelle Knight and Jerusha Cavazos.
On the more serious side of things, UCF professor and syndicated columnist Luis Martínez-Fernández will talk about recent societal developments as detailed in his book “When the World Turned Upside Down: Politics, Culture, and the Unimaginable Events of 20192022 (April 6).
Get a first look at “War Unfolding,” a documentary in which historian Andrew Carroll travels the world to find and preserve letters written during wartime (April 7). The idea behind the documentary, still in production, is to show the personal and emotional resonance of war correspondence — and how it reflects our shared humanity.
Experts in ethics, visual art, industry and computer science will come together to discuss the evolving technology of artificial intelligence and how it relates to the creation of writing and art. Attendees also can see demonstrations of visual art and prose created by AI. The ethics — and value
— of such creations are sure to be much-discussed topics in the years ahead. Is it truly art? (April 10). Florida’s Prison Education Project leads “Art and Incarceration,” a look at the value of arts for inmates (April 15). Less seriously, there’s plenty at UCF Celebrates the Arts for young children to enjoy: The salute to Mister Rogers will include: Donkey Hodie: A Hee-Hawesome Adventure” as part of a series of games and other play designed
adventure, soar above the park on zip lines or see the “Gator Jumparoo.” Florida residents can receive half-priced tickets, which must be purchased on-site, through March 31. Gatorland is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando. More information: gatorland.com
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens,
which was recently in the running for the top zoos in the nation, is a place where families can enjoy 350 animals, including foosas, which are endemic to Madagascar, and an array of big cats, including leopards, a cougar and cheetahs. The zoo also has spring break camps March 13-17. The attraction is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily at 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. More information: centralfloridazoo.org
Top Golf, Drive Shack and PopStroke
all provide fun, innovative and technologydriven ways for families to go golfing. Of course, Orlando has more than its fair share of old-fashioned putt-putt. But TopGolf and Drive Shack have ways of gamifying the driving range for families to enjoy the experience together, complete with food and beverages. PopStroke, which opened last year in Waterford Lakes, brings two 18-hole mini-courses, plus food, ice cream and a bar, to local families and visitors. More information: topgolf.com, driveshack. com or popstroke.com
Paddle a kayak, paddleboard or canoe
on one of Central Florida’s pristine waterways, including Rock Springs Run (which can be accessed from King’s Landing), Wekiwa Springs, the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, Silver Springs, Juniper Springs, the Econlockhatchee River or Rainbow River. Florida’s
East Coast also offers paddles in the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon near Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Local outfitters offer rentals and tours, including Get Up and Go Kayaking, Adventures in Florida, A Day Away Kayak Tours, BK Adventure, Florida Adventurer, Kayaking Florida, Fin Expeditions, Epic Paddle Adventures and Peace of Mind Kayak Tours.
Tube and swim at Kelly Park,
a hot spot for family-friendly outdoor fun. Rent tubes from the Rock Springs Bar & Grill or pack your own to enjoy a 30-minute tube run within the Orange County Park. A concession stand is also available, making spending a full day outdoors enjoying the sun and springs possible. Park admission costs $3 per vehicle with one or two people or $5 per vehicle with three-to-eight people. The park is open at 8 a.m. daily at 400 E. Kelly Park Road in Apopka. More information: ocfl.net
Indoor fun
Orlando Science Center is a prime place for learning and educational fun, even while taking a break from classroom learning. The attraction has experiences geared toward young learners of all ages, including “Earth Matters,” a traveling exhibit now on display that showcases how everything in nature is connected. Orlando Science Center, which costs $18 for children ages 2-11 and $24 for adults, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (closed most Wednesdays, open March 15 during spring break) at 777 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. More information: osc.org
Dezerland Action Park
advertises its more than 800,000 square feet of indoor fun, which includes a laser tag maze, the Orlando Auto Museum, go-karts, bumper cars, an arcade, a bowling alley and more. Experiences are individually priced. The attraction is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday
and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday at 5250 International Drive in Orlando. More information: dezerlandpark.com
Andretti Indoor Karting and Games
is another indoor option for entertainment with a focus on karting, plus an arcade, laser tag and more. Attractions are pay-asyou-go at 9299 Universal Blvd. in Orlando. Hours may vary, but the indoor destination typically opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays
and 10 a.m. on weekends. More information: andrettikarting.com
Elev8 Fun brings familyfriendly enjoyment to the Sanford area with bowling, go karts, laser tag, indoor mini golf, a ropes course and more. Experiences are individually priced; some bundled packages area available. The entertainment center is open noon-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-1 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday at 320 Towne Center Circle in Sanford. More information: elev8fun.com
Icon Park is gearing up for spring break with several deals for visitors. Through March 31, enjoy “The Wheel Deal” with 45 percent off tickets for the park’s giant observation wheel. Guests can also explore Icon Park’s Play Pass, $74.99 each, which includes a rotation on The Wheel, a visit to Madame Tussauds, a visit to Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, a visit to the Museum of Illusions and several other perks. Park hours vary by attraction. Find the entertainment options at 8375 International Drive in Orlando. More information: iconparkorlando.com
Overnight escapes Camping or glamping
can provide a fun way for the whole family to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Some Orange County parks and state parks may have some, albeit limited, availability for sites during the busy spring break season. Consider searching for a spot at Lake Louisa State Park, where “CareFree” camping is available in bell tents and eco-tents. Ocala National Forest has its own range of offerings and primitive camping too. Visit ocfl.net, reserve.floridastateparks.org or fs.usda.gov for camping reservations.
Orlando-area resorts
are sometimes geared specifically toward families, especially near Central Florida’s iconic theme parks. Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Margaritaville Orlando Resort, Four Seasons Resort Orlando and JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes all provide unique water parks and amenities for the entire family, just to name a few.