Our competition will take place on October 13th at 8:30p.m. All ticket proceeds will go to benefit the American Heart Association.

http://www.blackandbrew.com/onemicstand

(click image for link)

Saturday, October 1, 2011        9:00 – 3:00

South Kentucky Avenue (between Main and Lemon Streets)   Downtown Lakeland

Help uncover Polk County’s undiscovered talent in this festival for lovers of all things “Book”!

Here’s your chance to meet and support local authors, illustrators and publishers (just in time for the holidays!)  in a Downtown showcase. Who knows? You might even be inspired to write that book that you’ve been “meaning to get to” for years.

It’s also a great way for local authors and illustrators to come out and promote/sell their works. Deadline for participation is Friday, Sept. 16th – but, the sooner you sign up, the more pre-event promotion you get! Space is limited.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorsnIllustratorsFestival for more information.

Organized for you by Terisa & Sparky Glover of  The General Store; Ellen Simms of FastFrame, and Teresa V. Martinez, author of  “Success in Exile”.

Sponsored in part by Lakeland Downtown Development Authority

July 1 First Friday

In the streets of Downtown Lakeland from 6-9pm, enjoy carnival style family games, bounce houses, live music/entertainment, sidewalk sales and plenty of outdoor seating at the local restaurants.  Check out dance performances on N. Kentucky Ave beginning at 6:30pm.  Classic Car Show on Tennessee Ave!

So come out early, enjoy the activities in Downtown then walk over to grab your spot for the fireworks!

WHILE YOU’RE DOWNTOWN….. Check out these merchants:

Brooke Pottery has flameless home fragrances.

The General Store has a new local artist.

Gallery 231 is featuring a graffiti artist.

Evolution Records has free live music.

Arts on the Park - People’s Choice Award

Bosphorus Turkish Kitchen – NOW OPEN!

T.Mims Corp.

Red, White & Kaboom

Independence Celebration  watch the  promo video

LAKELAND, FL (June 8, 2011) – The City of Lakeland is pleased to announce that the T.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom Independence Celebration will take place at Lake Mirror on Friday, July 1, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. with music and a breathtaking fireworks display dazzling the crowd at 9 p.m.

Tom Mims, President of T. Mims Corporation said, “We are pleased to sponsor Red, White & Kaboom again this year.  It is an excellent opportunity for our community to come together in celebration of our great country and it is free to the public.” Mims added, “We will be continuing our Chow for Now canned food drive to benefit Volunteers In Service to the Elderly so we want each spectator to bring at least one can of food for Viste.”

The evening’s main entertainment will include live music from Channel Z Band.  The Channel Z Band has been in existence since 1997 and is a five piece band with a current member compliment that has been in force for nearly eight years.   A culmination of many diverse and augmenting talents allows Channel Z to be a notch or two above your average Pop Rock Cover Band.  The Channel Z Band continues to perform numerous events in Central Florida.  They are sure to be a crowd pleaser with their diverse song list that spans from the 60’s to current pop favorites and includes hits from the Beatles to the latest from Katy Perry.

There will be a guest appearance from Derik Thomas.  Thomas is a talented student at Lakeland’s Harrison School for the Arts.  He first began playing shows in early 2009 and in 2010 he won the Earthday Networks “Song for Earth” competition.  He got to perform at the 2010 Earthday Climate Rally on the National Mall in Washington DC alongside Sting, John Legend and The Roots.

The evening will also include a showcase performance from the award winning 2011-2012 Taken By Surprise Step Team.  This talented group of young ladies have performed at many Central Florida venues and continue to dazzle the crowds at step competitions.

There will be a variety of food and drink vendors around Lake Mirror so bring a blanket and enjoy the live music and a dramatic display of fireworks over the lake.  The evening is free to the public and everyone attending is encouraged to bring at least one food item to benefit Chow for Now. All City parking garages will be open for T.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom.

Downtown Lakeland’s October First Friday will also feature an art show!

The DLP is looking for artists, in all mediums, to exhibit their work along Kentucky Avenue in Downtown Lakeland during the October First Friday. This will be a great opportunity to reach the First Friday crowds and perhaps kick off the holiday buying season a little early!

Items exhibited must be made by the artist. If you are interested, please contact us no later than September 24th.

Cheryl Dossey, Fitz Gallery 686-0887 or email registration information to:
cherylfitzgallery@gmail.com

REGISTRATION FORM

The DLP cannot supply any items needed for set-up including tents, tables, chairs, nor extension cords. There will be no charge for setting up. Artists are responsible for all sales transactions and sales tax.

Thriller is back!!

You loved their performance last year! Well this year will be even better! We want the details to be a surprise, but be assured you’ll go GAGA over what they’ve got planned! The show will run twice – once at 7pm and again at 8pm along S. Kentucky Avenue in street.

Don’t miss the Comedy Buffet, live at Black & Brew. If you like shows like “Whose Line is it Anyway,” then you’ll love a live perfomance by the Comedy Buffet Troupe. Coming Saturday, July 17th.

Tickets are about the same cost as a movie ticket. Hmmm….. should you go to the movies like you do every week, or see a live improv comedy show? It’s a no-brainer! Do something different. Seating is limited and tickets will go fast, so purchase in advance by clicking this link:

BUY TICKETS!

You can also order tickets over the phone by calling 863-682-1210 or just swing by the restaurant.

This show will sell out- The sooner you buy your tickets the better your seats! Buy your tickets today.

(Family Friendly)

“Lakeland’s Premier Coffee House & Casual Eatery”

205 East Main Street – Downtown Lakeland

Release the hounds!

POOCH PARADE INFO

First Friday is once again hosting “Dog Days of Summer” for the August 6th theme.  Even if you don’t have a dog in this hunt, you’ll  have a ball watching the pooches sniff and mingle.  Of course, there will be dog-centric activities and contests.  And, there will be plenty of cool water to keep our furry friends comfortable.

Lakeland Winter Haven Kennel Club will bring out some of the members’ finest dogs to say hello. You can get up close and personal with some breeds you might have seen only on television.
Does a Chinese Crested really have a crest? Does a Sussex spaniel bark with an English accent? Stop by, say hello, and pick up some literature about dogs. Literature will be available about breeds, health and safety information.

Music and Entertainment, plus some of the activities rained out in July like the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Dunk Tank will be there.

PLUS IMPROV IS BACK!! Shorts n Flip Flops….

We are an Improv Comedy group that got our start in Winter Haven at a local pub. We star in an Improv Show much like you may have see on “Who’s Line Is it Anyway”. Every game or skit we do balances on the input we get from the audience and our “Improvational Fortitude”…so come on down and help us make a great show!  Read more about us and view our videos!

Geodog Days of Summer – 6 PM Gizmo & his friends Brandy, Lexie & Sparky are holding a geo-event to help raise funds for Save Our Homeless Pets/Polk County Animal Control.

General Store -  Bandanas with your dog’s paw prints will be available, as well as custom dog tags

Brooke Pottery – Visit to meet one of our glass artists and browse our dog-themed jewelry. Plus enjoy the entertaining tunes of Hank & Paul!

Pooch Parade – (Starting at Lloyd’s of Lakeland on N. Kentucky Ave.) Dress up and join us for this fun activity! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

FastFrame – Dog-themed mats for photos. Just right for a picture of your favorite pooch!

Paint Along Studios has chosen the SPCA to benefit its August “Paint for the Cause”. Only the first 24 people will be able to attend on Friday, August 6 at 6 p.m. at the studio at 123 S. Kentucky Avenue in Lakeland. Cost is $35 per person and all proceeds will be donated to the SPCA.

Lakeland Police K-9 dogs – LCPAAA (Lakeland Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association) are kicking off their fundraising efforts for the LPD K-9 unit will be set up to sell LPD K-9 calendars and promote the upcoming Honoring Heroes BBQ. The 2011 K9 calendars feature photos of all of the current members of the k9 unit and their handlers. Calendars will be on sale for $10.00 and 100% of the proceeds will go to the LPD K9 unit.

Flamingo Home Care – Let Flamingo Homecare help the elderly loved one in your life take care of the furry loved one in theirs. Two friends are better than one!

Fitz Gallery – Get your doggie’s portrait made with our professional photographer.

Paint Along Studios – Dog-themed paint along class. Check out the art you’ll be painting. With the step by step instructions, you can produce this masterpiece!  SPCA will be out front with doggies to adopt!

Live Music – Phil Schneider, Bryan Rivers, JP Henderson

MAYHEM in the AM – Meet Seth Mela and the gang and as they unveil their new LOGO!!

Sapphires Dance Studio will be in the park with music and demonstrations.

Cool Off at The Doggie Bag tent with a Sweet Spot Doggie Ice Cream, and sample free yummy gourmet dog biscuits in Munn Park.

Highland Homes booth – We will have information on how to keep your home safe for your pet and also be giving away purse-sized lint rollers, to keep that pet fur off when you leave the house.

Senior Helpers will be setting up  and will also be signing up folks for the Memory Walk. We will also be promoting our Mommy Reserves service for expectant and new parents!!

Silpada Designs – Independent Representative Tina Witty – offering a $50 gift certificate for Silpada Sterling Silver Jewelry to anyone who books a Silpada Boutique Showing (their own Silpada Party).  She will also have several pieces of  beautiful new jewelry from the 2010/2011 catalog that was just released this week.

Lakeland Center is hosting a Facebook Party for its fans at its tent. They will also be promoting their upcoming show – Todd Oliver and The Dogs Gone Wild Tour coming January 9.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland - Visit our booth for fun, kid friendly crafts!

Invisible Fence of Central Florida—Bring your pooch by for a drink or wade in the pool.  Enjoy some playtime with our Jump Ring or Open Tunnel.  Dog owners can learn about how we keep your pet safe at home.

Critter Watcher will be giving out one free flea comb (plus flea control tips) to the first 75 pet owners. One per family please.

Lakeland Fireballs – Come by the tent around the corner of Cedar and Kentucky, to visit the Lakeland Fireballs Gold Wing Motorcycle Chapter, and learn more about motorist and motorcycle awareness.   You can buy a chance for a brand new Gold Wing Motorcycle being given away , and proceeds from this help pay for Florida Rider Education.

Lake Mirror Tower – Visit the Tower lobby for sparksArtistry and others in the Show…Shop…&…Go event from 4pm-9pm.

PARKING’S A SNAP! in DOWNTOWN LAKELAND!