What a lovely time! The Red Chair Affair kicks off the cultural season in Orlando and various…read moreartistic groups perform short sets, around ten minutes long each. It's a great way to find out about various musical, theatrical, and dance groups. As someone who recently moved here from NYC, I was impressed with most of the performances. It made me want to get out and attend more of these types of events in Orlando. For future reference, it fills up quickly so get their early for a good seat. Most of the people were dressed in cocktail or "nice night on the town" attire and a lot of the women were wearing red dresses. There were a number of middle school or high school age kids in attendance, which I think is great.

Fun event! So great to see a sampling of all the talent and arts available in the Orlando area.read more

Come for the A/C, stay because Ty Burrell just made climate change sound like a sitcom plot…read more Awesome Planet is EPCOT's way of saying, "We're still educational, dammit." Nestled inside The Land Pavilion, this 10-minute film opened on January 17, 2020, replacing the long-running Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (1995-2018). You remember that one -- Timon and Pumbaa lecturing you about recycling while you tried not to fall asleep in the air conditioning. Disney retired it after two decades, deciding it was time to update the message and the visuals (and, let's be honest, cut the fart jokes). History check: before Circle of Life, the theater housed Symbiosis (1982-1994), which was pure 1980s EPCOT -- equal parts earnest science lesson and school field-trip snoozefest. Awesome Planet continues that tradition but with a 21st-century facelift: gorgeous IMAX-style cinematography, sweeping time-lapse shots, and narration by Ty Burrell (yes, Phil Dunphy from Modern Family, which somehow makes saving the planet sound both funny and slightly neurotic). The show is a mix of jaw-dropping aerial shots, underwater footage, and computer graphics that make you realize just how insane Earth really is. It hits the big notes: oceans, forests, deserts, storms, climate change. There's a section where you're basically watching Earth flex its muscles while you're sitting there with a churro wondering what you've done with your life. Is it a thrill ride? Nope. But it's pure EPCOT DNA -- infotainment with enough Disney polish to keep you from checking your phone. And the air conditioning? Let's be real, that's the real five-star feature in Florida summers. "It's a commercial for Planet Earth, but at least it's a good commercial."-- it's slick, beautiful, and makes you want to go recycle something immediately... or at least feel guilty about your plastic poncho. Bottom line: Awesome Planet is short, smart, and surprisingly moving. It's the quiet conscience of EPCOT -- reminding you that the most impressive attraction here isn't a ride, it's the rock we're all spinning on.

Awesome Planet is a show located in World Nature at the Land Pavilion. It's right next to the…read moreGarden Grill restaurant, and you'll see the show off to your right as soon as you enter the Land Pavilion. It's been a few years since I watched the show. It's a 10-minute film featuring the earth and the environment from across the globe! This show is for all ages. The film does use in-theater effects such as wind, scents, and water. It tells the story of life on our planet! If you're looking to take a break from the summer heat, this is a great spot to stop at. It's in a air conditioned building. The images are stunning! There usually aren't many people that queue up for this attraction. The theater is relatively large though with lots of seating! If you haven't watched this film yet, you should check it out while you're visiting Epcot!

Architect and…read morecarpenter There are skilled carpenters and there are talented architects, seldom is one person both. William Waterhouse was one of these rare and special individuals and built a very cool house that reflected his unique abilities. The Waterhouse family decided to come down from New York to spend some time in the Maitland area of Florida in the late 19th century. Wasn't much down there at that time so Mr Waterhouse decided to build his own house. Since he was an accomplished architect he designed the home in the New York style that he was familiar with and since he also hapened to be a skilled carpenter he built the house himself from the abundant local pine. In 1884 the house was finished and the family moved in and lived, entertained and become prominent in the community. The house is impressive and cool but certainly not extravagant. The Waterhouse family would probably be called upper middle class today, well off but certainly not filthy rich. The house was of course changed over the years but was finally restored to reflect it's original character and even filled with antiques from the period. Tours are available with wonderful docents for only three dollars. You not only get to see the cool house, wonderful period furniture and antiques but also the workshop filled with old tools from the time the Waterhouse family lived here. The docent we had was great, she knew everything there was to know about the house, Waterhouse family and the local area in the time the home was built. Patiently answered our questions and gave us a great tour and history lesson. Since the house is right on the grounds of lovely Lake Lily Park after seeing the house you can spend some time walking around the park. A great way to spend a few hours while in Maitland.

Nice little 30 minute tour of this old house built by people that moved here over 100 years ago…read more The house remains almost the same except for a few details, the tour is nice and explains a lot about the house and the people that lived here. Tour is cheap only $3.00 and worth the money,so if you are near lake Lilly come check out it. Its Only open till 4pm so come early. Good tour if you are bored and around the area.

For a small, free museum on local history, the depth of information was very impressive! There were…read moremany interesting exhibits related to local history, city planning, the railroads, riverboats, agriculture, business, and sports achievements. The founder of the City of Sanford was Henry S. Sanford. Sanford was a distinguished diplomat and businessman. After he passed his personal papers were donated to the city by his daughter, Carola Sanford Dow. The Sanford Museum opened in 1957 as The Henry Shelton Sanford Memorial Library and Museum. The building was expanded in 1974 and again in 1993. On display are Henry Sanford's personal items that include European and American paintings, furniture, objects and books from 1820-1890. The Chase Gallery was added to the museum in 1993. It is named in honor of Sydney O. and Margaret Chase. The gallery has many exhibits pertinent to local history. Topics covered include: steamboats, The Senator which was a champion bald Cypress tree, businesses from the town's history, Native American history, African-American history in Goldsboro, early police and fire departments, the Great Freeze of 1895, Swedish immigration in Upsala, Naval Station Sanford, 19th Century funeral practices, and local sports history. My favorite exhibits were on Old Bob, the funeral horse who transported bodies to Lakeview Cemetery for 28 years before being laid to rest there, the Native American history that included a dug out canoe found in Loch Low believed to be from the year 800, and the recreation of the library from Henry Sanford's home in Derby, Connecticut. At the museum you can learn how the town of Sanford sprang up from Fort Mellon during the Second Seminole War and how after the Great Freeze it became strongly identified with celery. I had previously visited the Seminole County Museum which was helpful in understanding some of the exhibits here. The lady who was working on the day I visited said the two museums sometimes work collaboratively. The Sanford Museum has lectures and events and you can find out more about dates and times on their website. They can also point you in the direction of significant historical sites all throughout town. If you want to know more about the history of Sanford, this is the perfect place to start. Don't forget to stop by their small but carefully curated gift shop area where you can pick up maps and brochures and they sell unique items like celery earrings and Sanford key chains.

Took in the museum this afternoon. Small but well appointed. Nice local history. Never knew…read morecelery was so important in the towns growth..

Still one of my favorite festivals at Epcot. We came on the first day of the festival again this…read moreyear, but it's gotten so much busier. The first day is crammed with bloggers and vloggers, and they are still working out the kinks in the kitchens so the food lines were long and we did not end up getting to try as much as we wanted, so we made plans to come again before the festival ended. That was a great decision, as the food, especially the desserts have gotten even better over the years. We love the Animation Academy and make plans to attend both sessions. And enjoy looking at the art and occasionally bring home a piece. This year we got a piece called Cheeky Tiki with the Orange Bird. The only disappointment was this year's Festival Treat. The Figment Rice Crispy was way too sweet and not worth the effort.

A couple of years ago Max and I planned a trip and did not know it was the Food and Wine Festival…read more Imagine my surprise when I saw the signs for an Art Festival. Max and I stopped at a few booths to get some food. Lots of talented artists displaying their art.

Miyuki is an absolutely amazing artist. If you're in Epcot, you have to stop by Japan to see her…read moreshow. She takes 200 degree candy and molds it in a few minutes to amazing pieces of art. She takes requests from the audience and I've never seen her not make an amazing piece of candy art. She donates all the pieces to a local children's hospital so you won't be able to take or purchase any of the items she creates but I still highly recommend you go see her. Also, because there are so few of these candy artists in the world, you probably won't be able to see it anywhere else unless you visit the right places in Japan.

This is a small history museum in Maitland. It was founded in 1970 as the Maitland Historical…read moreSociety. In 2010 they merged with the Maitland Arts Center. For $6 you can tour the history museum, art museum next door, and the Mayan themed gardens across the street. This campus is Greater Orlando's only National Historic Landmark, and was originally an artist retreat founded in 1937 by artist and architect Jules André Smith. The museum may be small but it is big on charm. We took a self guided tour although friendly staff is on hand to answer any questions. The museum collection of historical artifacts dates back to the late 19th century. The permanent exhibition is titled Maitland's Attic: A Journey Through A Small City's Past. Displays begin with the history of the First Peoples of Florida, followed by the start of the Art Center, the Florida Audubon Society, and ends in the 1970s in a room that would be familiar to anyone who grew up in that era. Behind the main building is another room housing the Telephone Museum established in 1981. The A&H's Telephone Museum explores the technology of communications and the history of the telephone as you explore how communications have changed throughout time. You can learn about the history of the Winter Park Telephone Company which was founded in Maitland. The Telephone Museum has working antique phones and switchboards. We had a great time reading the signs, looking at the collection, and reminiscing about the past. Whether you're a local resident or a curious traveler, a visit to the Maitland History Center is sure to be a memorable and enriching experience.

This small museum has two parts: one covers the history of settlement in Maitland, the other is a…read morehistory of early telephone systems seen through the Winterpark Telephone Co. started by Carl H. Galloway. It is worth it's modest $3 admission. The Maitland Historical and Telephone Museum is part of the overall complex of Maitland Art and History Museums (however, in those reviews, this particular museum has no photos nor reviews of it). I will be mentioning this as part of that review also. The general local history portion of the museum is self-guided, offering about 4 small galleries of artifacts and information. The telephone portion of the museum is given as a tour, and has interactive elements -- with the guide demonstrating the use of the switchboard, and guests encouraged to 'make calls' using the crank telephones and the like. Even if the history of that specific telephone company isn't an interest, the telephone museum offers an engaging look into the development of the technology and infrastructure of the early 20th centuries, and visitors will doubtless see parallels to the information revolutions that have occurred more recently. I also want to particularly mention our tourguide, Rachel, who was extremely friendly, helpful and engaging when providing historical information. She seemed genuinely engaged in her subject, and went the extra mile in helping us plan out our day at the various little museums within the complex.

Dig this place! A family owned gallery and school for artists to improve and learn a range of…read moreskills. Walked around in here for a bit checking out the range of skills and visions of the various artists they have on display. It somewhat reminded me of being in Barcelona on an afternoon when various artists would set up on the square. My favorite artists on display here are: Tom Abbott - 3-dimensional Mixed Media - bright and vibrant colors that literally jump off the canvas; you will be tempted to touch each piece. He displays various textures throughout his pieces. There are ripped and frayed-edge canvas to smooth poured paint. They don't have a story behind them, he simply does it some everyone can have fun with his art. Jerry D. Martin - photographer - After seeing a sunset photo, I looked it up online and discovered that when moving to FL, a sunset experience really turned him onto landscape and he has a very similar sunset connection that I do: "A sunset is a celebration of the end of a long day. It is the final light of the evening that sends us a variety of color which allows us to witness God's ability to paint the perfect picture." - YAS! Fridays they have Art Class & a Wine Glass: http://www.artclassandawineglass.com - for anyone, not just "artists" - this is a fun way to get your paint on and hang out with friends or meet new people. It takes place in the middle of the gallery.

Beautiful work, and friendly staff. I am visiting from Las Vegas and have visited this gallery…read moretwice, and might visit again if I wasn't about to board my flight! Sharon was very kind and her artwork was excellent. They are licensed to sell beer and wine so if you want a nice relaxing time to view art and drink wine, come here! They also offer classes which sounded awesome, but I unfortunately did not have time to attend one. Because I am flying home today with an already packed luggage I couldn't purchase anything, but Sharon was still very kind in her sharing of knowledge with me regarding the art pieces. I would highly recommend this gallery!