2024: Fests, concerts & more events in Lake County
Here's a sampling of major events (and some stuff we just think is cool) for you to look forward to in the coming months of 2024.
This spring, BikeFest, the Leesburg Art Festival and the Mount Dora Arts Festival return along with the first-ever Haitian culture in Lake County, and after the fest season is over, we can look forward to Lightning baseball at Pat Thomas Stadium!
JAN. 7
Real-deal roots rock from Jordan Foley
Experience the tunes and storytelling of Jordan Foley, a folk-Americana singer-songwriter based in Orlando. Fans say he packs a punch with his growling voice and heavy-hand acoustic rhythm. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, Dirty South Saloon, 1850 U.S. 441, Leesburg. See Dirty South Saloon's Facebook page for event updates.
JAN. 13-14
15th annual Lake Sumter Art & Craft Festival
Craft artisans from across the country gather at The Villages for a juried festival. Expect "the finest of whimsical, practical and affordable art and original creations" to be on display according to the event's promotional copy. Visitors can stroll amid thousands of creative works while sampling dips and treats in the green market during the free, two-day event. 1000 Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages. Details: thevillagesentertainment.com.
JAN. 14
Fiddle champion Scott Woods and posse bring folksy fun
Canadian fiddle champion Scott Woods and His All-Star band present an "Old Fashioned Hoedown" with uplifting tunes, old-timey favorites, instrumentals, harmonies, step-dancing, humor and inspirational stories. Joining Woods is his sister Kendra Woods Norris, who is a champion fiddler in her own right. Recently crowned Canadian open step dancing champion Leo “Spaghetti Legs” Stock kicks up some fun, too. 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 14, Pennbrooke Fairways, 501 State Road 44, Leesburg. Tickets available on eventbrite.com.
JAN. 16
The Life and Music of George Michael
Rory Phelan takes on the role of young George Michael in the 2024 U.S. tour of “The Life and Music of George Michael,” which makes a stop at The Villages. The immersive concert-style show chronicles hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go,” “Freedom,” “Faith,” “Careless Whisper” and “Father Figure.” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, 1051 Main St, The Villages. Details: thesharon.com.
JAN. 18-19
From Russia with Love: Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra
Lake County's own 60-member Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra, made up of professional musicians from all over the world, transport us east to spend an evening in the Russia motherland with a Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto by Konstantin Dimitrov.
The program also includes Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise" and the Soviet-Russian songs "Moscow Nights," “Midnight in Moscow" and a "Fiddler on the Roof" clarinet solo by guest conductor Carl Topilow of the Cleveland Pops.
The orchestra's upcoming season features guest conductors and is anchored by Bulgarian violinist Dimitrov as concertmaster. Thursday performances are at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 1235 Mount Homer Road, Eustis. Friday shows are at Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden. Details: floridalakessymphonyorchestra.com.
JAN. 19-FEB. 4
'The Last Five Years' by Bay Street Players
Bay Street Players take us past into the lives of an artistic couple in "The Last Five Years," a musical tells the bittersweet tale of a five-year relationship. Penned by Jason Robert Brown, the musical draws on a number of musical genres, including pop, jazz and international folk styles.
With a plot that's described as "non-linear," the play centers on Cathy, a struggling actor, working backwards through the timeline, and Jamie, a literary prodigy, who begins his story at the onset of the relationship. The two narratives intersect on their wedding day before diverging again to arrive at the beginning — and end — of their five years together. Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan star in a movie adaptation.
The Arts Desk called "The Last Five Years" a "knockout" and a "two-handed tour-de-force" in a five-star review.[See it at the historic State Theater in downtown Eustis, 109 N. Bay St. eustisstatetheatre.org.
JAN. 19-22
Central Florida Film Festival hits the screen in Mount Dora
See the latest independent movies, shorts and documentaries from artists around the world. Catch filmmakers, attend workshops and dressy events too. A variety of passes are available at FilmFreeway.com. Screenings take place at Epic Theatres, 2300 Spring Harbor Blvd., Mount Dora, Details: centralfloridafilmfestival.com.
JAN. 20
MLK Day parade and Soulfest celebrate unity & equality
Come together with people of all ages and backgrounds and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of unity and equality at Leesburg's MLK Day parade at 11 a.m., coordinated by the Leesburg's parade day committee.
After the parade, stay for Soulfest from noon to 6 p.m. Expect vendors, food, kids fun and more throughout the day, headquartered at Artist with a Purpose, 411 W. Main St., Leesburg. Details: artistwap.com.
JAN. 26
Meet Barney Fife's daughter
Attention fans of "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Mayberry RFD": ”Tied up in Knotts” is a 90-minute multi-media experience that tells the story of Don Knotts’ career through the POV of his daughter Karen, who shares fond memories and stories about visiting the set of his shows and the cast members who were at times not at all like their TV characters. Friday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m., Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale. Visit the Opry's Facebook event page for details and updates.
JAN. 31
Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken play 'The Sharon'
Former "American Idol" rivals Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken are reuniting 20 years after their historic run on the second season of the Fox talent show. The pair will perform duets and solo renditions of crowd favorites including Aiken's cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and Studdard's hit single "Sorry." Catch them at "the Sharon," aka the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, at 8 p.m on Wednesday, Jan. 31. 1051 Main St., The Villages. Details: thesharon.com.
Feb. 3-4
Brush up for the 49th annual Mount Dora Art Festival
The 49th annual Mount Dora Arts Festival fills the streets of historic downtown Mount Dora, boasting around 300 fine artists in a juried competition. Expect live entertainment, beer, wine, cocktails, music and food vendors. Details: mountdoraart.com/mount-dora-arts-festival.
Feb. 12
The Gipsy Kings' bring their soul-stirring sound to 'the Sharon'
You could be sadder than sad, sleep-deprived and thousands in debt, but once you hear the Gipsy Kings' "Bamboleo," and next thing you know, you're dancing around the living room, snapping your fingers like pretend castanets.
For 30 years, the band featuring frontman/songwriter Nicolas Reyes has performed across a wide swath of demographics, playing music that pays homage to the rhythms and melodies of their ancestors — Spanish Romani people who fled the Catalonia region during the Spanish Civil War.
Their rendition of "Hotel California" was included in the Coen Brothers' classic "The Big Lebowski" and the HBO series "Entourage," and "Toy Story 3" featured a Gipsy Kings version of Randy Newman's "You've Got a Friend in Me."
Reyes inspiration goes back to his father, Jose Reyes, who performed in the celebrated flamenco act Manitas de Plata, which boasted fans as famed as Miles Davis and Pablo Picasso. Catch the Kings live with opener Pavlo Monday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. For more information, visit TheSharon.com.
FEB. 16
Henry Cho
Recently inducted as the 229th member of The Grand Ole Opry — the first stand-up comedian since 1973 to receive the honor — Henry Cho has appeared on the late-night TV circuit and his own show on GAC. His one-hour Comedy Central special, “What’s That Clickin Noise?” has also been featured on Netflix. Cho can also be heard daily on Sirrus, XM, Blue Collar Radio and Pandora, and will pop into the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale on Friday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. Details: obopry.com.
Feb. 17-24
The City of Eustis commemorates George Washington’s birthday during its weeklong annual fete Georgefest. The family-friendly celebration is both the the longest running celebration of George Washington’s birthday in the state of Florida and most enduring, continuously running celebration in the entire United States. Expect carnival rides and games, a bass tournament, the Running of the Georges Race, a dog jog, parade, contests, vendors and live entertainment. Details: eustisgeorgefest.org.
FEB. 25
A first for Leesburg: 'Experience the Culture of Haiti' festival
Enjoy Haitian cultural music and dance, kids activities, food and more at at Artist with a Purpose Gallery, 411 W. Main St., Leesburg, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25. Admission is free. The event's featured artists are Belina Wright, Guerline Pierre and Dafeney Josue and the festival's featured emerging artist is Jefferson Marc-Eugene. It all takes place at 411 W. Main St., Leesburg. Details: artistwap.com.
MARCH 1
6th annual Taste of Lake
Sample some of the best dishes of Lake County-area restaurants at a delicious annual expo hosted by the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Eateries compete for the best of the best in categories like Best Entree, Best Appetizer, Best Dessert, Best Beverage and more.
According to the Chamber, you can "stroll through our beer garden and try a variety of local craft beers, ales and ciders. Listen to great live entertainment, check out local businesses and enjoy a night of community connections."
Takes place at the Venetian Center at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 1. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door, $30 for military, teachers and first responders. Details on the chamber's Facebook page.
MARCH 2-3
Leesburg Art Festival returns to Main Street
In its 47th year, the Leesburg Art Festival is a cherished tradition in Lake County, held annually in March. The all-media-filled two-day festival, presented by the Leesburg Center for the Arts, showcases artists, from throughout Central Florida and the Southeast, displaying their work along Main Street, in downtown Leesburg, on the first Saturday and Sunday of March. Details: https://www.leesburgarts.com/art-festival.
APRIL 4
Fish Fry cooks up fun at Mote-Morris House
Celebrate spring and join the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce for a fun and tasty tradition. All you can eat for just $35 in advance, $40 day of event (children under 13 only $15 in advance; $20 day of event). 5:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 4. Mote-Morris House, 1195 W Magnolia St, Leesburg. Details: members.leesburgchamber.com.
APRIL 26-28
Leesburg BikeFest
More than 100,000 bikers from across the nation are expected to roll into to Leesburg's annual event, taking over Leesburg’s downtown historic district. Main Street will be closed off to pedestrians as vendors and activities accommodate attendees. Typically, dozens of concerts take place throughout the three days on outdoor stages, along with bike shows and around 100 vendors. Check for updates at leesburgbikefest.com.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: A look ahead at 2024 events in Lake County
