Weekend Top 6 Picks for May 4 and 5, 2019

Posted on by Thor

Saturday May 4, 2019 

5pm t0 9pm No Cover. “It Is Here”. ICEBAR Orlando, 8967 United States, 8967 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819.  Fans of the hit fantasy drama television series “Game of Thrones” are
in for an icy treat as world-famous Icebar Orlando announces its
month-long celebration “It Is Here” to commemorate the series finale.
From Saturday, April 13 until Saturday, May 18, guests of the coolest
bar in Orlando can take the throne within Fire Lounge with no cover
Sunday through Friday and enjoy the bar and dance floor, or cross over
the wall and join Night’s Watch inside of Icebar featuring
specially-themed Game of Thrones cocktails available on a secret menu.
Guests will receive a souvenir digital picture, take in live ice
carvings every Saturday starting at 7pm and entertainment by special
guest DJs. Icebar will also host Game of Thrones trivia Sunday through
Thursday from 5pm-9pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm-7pm. Trivia
participants who get five or more answers correct will receive half-off a
drink and be entered to win a $1,000 VIP experience. No tickets are
required for “It Is Here”. The “Small Counsel VIP Package” with bottle
service, appetizers, desserts and faux fur coat upgrades is available
for $350 (five people).

7:30pm to 9:30pm Free. Moonlight Symphony In The Park. Kissimmee Lakefront Park (201 Lakeview Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34741.) Violectric will take the stage at 7:30pm, following the Osceola County
School for the Arts Symphony Orchestra, and then both groups will
perform together for the grand finale. The group will perform their
unique musical arrangements of classic and modern rock tunes, plus
celebrate “May the Fourth Be With You” with a special “Star Wars” themed
tribute. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chair or a
blanket and take advantage of the beautiful scenery, diverse array of
string music and moonlit atmosphere at the family-friendly event.

8pm to 10pm Free. Shuffleboard. Orlando’s Beardall Courts (800 Delaney Ave Orlando FL.) 1st Saturday of each month. Free fun!

Sunday May 5, 2019

10an to Noon. Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class. University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources.

Noon to 1pm Free. Yoga. Lake Eola Park in front of the red gazebo. Bring your own mat.

10am to 5pm Free. Downtown Sanford, Sanford Avenue and First Street St. Johns River Festival of the Arts.  Outdoor art festival with artists and crafts from across the country, along with food, entertainment and more. 

I Should’ve Just Married David Neilson Rehearsal

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Downstairs Lady Theater Productions will be presenting, I Should’ve Just Married David Neilson, written by Carol Jacqueline Palumbo and directed by Mikaela A. Duffy. The show will be at the third annual Tampa International Fringe Festival. Carol also played the leading role of a blogger tapping away at her computer. Her roommate and BFF (Lizzie Reynolds) helped Carol from feeling like she might be getting into a writer’s rut. The two had clearly gone through much together, with their friendship weathering the storms of a crazy dating scene. As Carol got emotional about all the jerks she had dated, her BFF advised her to write those thoughts down. The only thing Carol had a harder time with, besides her writer’s block, was her love life. So why not combine the two, and make it SUPER painful!  

Carol’s first love, was David Neilson in Kindergarten. He told Carol’s mom that he had a thing for blue eyed brunettes,
and to Carol’s Stepford, Connecticut family, a statement like that was an
obvious declaration of everlasting love and marital intent. Things
didn’t work out that way.

A disastrous first kiss was hilarious in its slobbery details, followed by online dating, really bad dates, and even worse sex. Carol uses her humor to navigate through treacherous perils. There were plenty of trolls along the way, but this was not your typical fairy tale. This modern day Cinderella takes you on a journey through the good, the bad, and the “What the Actual F***?!” to finding love and perhaps a happily ever after.  Stage Manager, Morgan Polodna, played audio snippets of guys insipid and disgusting pick up lines, which made Carol, and both Pam and I, smile. It was the first time Carol had heard this element of the show.

Things got really dark as Carol related the details of being drugged and date raped. Her emotions were visceral and raw, and very real because perhaps this wasn’t just acting, but reliving a horrible truth. This scene really hit hard. I don’t think I have ever experienced theater that was that heartfelt. I particularly identified with her as a blogger, and she shared her thoughts online in all their intense rage. The overwhelming response from friends and people she didn’t even know, was a reminder that none of us are going through this life experience alone. As Carol said to herself, “You could give girls hope that a sense of humor could be your glass slipper of of this hell hole.”


A warm hug to this amazing show and cast. As I worked, I suddenly realized I had left my paint brushes at home. I had to resort to finger painting to finish up the sketch. It kind of made sense to slip back into finger painting mode since Carol’s first kindergarten love was so central to the show. Carol reminded me that I have sketched her in seven different shows over the years. Sadly, she is leaving Central Florida, so this will likely be the last time I will sketch one of her performances. Her bright flame will light up the next arts scene she becomes a part of.

The show opens tonight May 2, 2019 at HCC Rehearsal Hall on the Corner of Palm Ave and East 14th Street Tampa Florida.

Tickets are $10 with a $4.50 fee.

Thursday, May 2: 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 4: NOON

Sunday, May 5: 3:00 p.m.

Friday, May 10: 10:45 p.m.

Saturday, May 11: 8:00 p.m.

Fish Fry

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While family was waking up and chatting in the kitchen and living room in the Iowa home, the men went out to the garage, work area to gut some fish and start a fish fry. Rather than stay inside with the woman and children, I felt it my manly duty to head outside as well. The space is set up for maintaining vehicles and farm equipment complete with a lift. Deer skulls decorated the walls and horns protruded from the bare light bulb fixture. A crossbow was hug on the wall with care, but most hunting was done with guns. Behind the propane fryer was the huge walk in freezer where the season’s venison was stored.

Pam Schwartz came out to watch and talk while holding a sleeping nephew. This is where some of the better family conversations happened as the fish were gutted. I love this utilitarian space, with cabinets and counter space, a true man space. Pam hates fish,  but I tried some later and it was good. This is where I would want to be to polish up survivalist skills of hunting, fishing and preparing the meat.  As I live now, I don’t think I could survive without a source of Mountain Dew.