SunRail is Under Way

This month the design was chosen for the trains that will travel along the I-4 corridor.  I think it's a good fit for the city and surrounding area.  It's that right mix of updated/modern but at the same time classic.  It reminds me a little bit of a vintage postcard.

The SunRail system is set to be up and running by the middle of 2013.  This first phase will consist of 12 stops from DeBary to Orlando along mostly existing tracks.  Phase II, connecting DeLand all the way down to Poinciana, is scheduled for completetion 2015.

This is only the beginning of a public-tranist oriented landscape.  Once the SunRail is running, it's set to be connected to Tampa by a more high-speed variant.  Likewise, we would see connection between the Downtown and the airport, attractions, International Drive, and hopefully UCF/East Orlando.

Factoid  Did you know creating this entire railsystem costs as much as adding just one lane to the equivilant distance on I-4?  To find out if the SunRail is cost effective for you, check out the transit savings calculator.

Maitland Rotary Art Fest This Weekend

Starting Friday, the Rotary Club of Maitland presents its 34th Annual Art Fest.  From October 1st through 3rd 2010, enjoy exhibits and sales by over 150 local and regional artists around Lake Lily on Orlando Ave.  Times are 6:00pm - 10:00pm Friday, 10:00am - 10:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am - 5:00pm Sunday.

Support the Arts

Did you know Orlando is the only place in Florida that features two professional ballet companies, a philharmonic orchestra, a Cirque du Soleil, a touring Broadway series, and an opera all in one city?  Well, that was until the Orlando Opera, Central Florida's longest running professional arts company of 51 years, closed its doors amid some controversy last year and filed bankruptcy.  Its shutting down was due to both reduced ticket sales and lack of monetary support.

While I hope the openening of the new performing arts center might bring the opera back, at least in part, I still think it's a powerful warning that if you don't use what's here, it will go away.

Outing: Winter Park Movie Night

Almost surrounded by Orlando's sprawl, Winter Park just north of downtown still maintains its unique old-Florida charm.  Marked by hanging moss covered trees and historic buildings, it features great restaurants, bars, and events.

Food  Your night begins on the border of Winter Park and Orlando at Aloma Ave and N Palmetto.  Even though it looks like just another small house on a busy intersection, the name written in Christmas lights on the building's roof let you know you've arrived at Thai Villa.  Here you'll find some of the best Thai food in Orlando.  And that's saying something considering the Orlando area boasts over 25 different Thai restaurants.  Dinner menus usually run about $10, but be sure to come back for lunch specials around $6.

Fun  Stroll along the Floridian streets and fancy stores around Park Ave.  Every second Thursday of each month around 8:00pm, the Enzian puts on Popcorn Flicks in Central Park.  These events are free and feature classic movies outdoors.  Bring a blanket and some snacks (and maybe some inconspicuous wine) and enjoy.

Alternative  The Enzian also offers other series of older movies, like "Cult Classics" and "10 Movies You Should See on the Big Screen Before You Die."  These are usually $5 at the Enzian Theater in Maitland; varying times and dates can be found on the website.

Dessert  Not too far from Central Park is Tatame Sake Bar & Tea Lounge on Fairbanks Ave. where you can enjoy a post-movie nightcap of warm sake or some bubble tea.  They have live music, DJs, or karaoke many nights of the week.  Specials change each month, but generally include select $3 beers, $4 sake, and $5 wines.

Total Cost for dinner, a movie, and drinks: $13.00 - $17.00

Outing: Thursday Night in East Orlando

Boardwalk Bowl on E Colonial has a lot of great specials and tons of lanes.  And if you're not into bowling, don't worry.  They have pool tables, mini golf, and arcade games, as well as live music, stand up comics, karaoke, and the occasional mechanical bull.

Food  Your night starts accross from the UCF campus at Lazy Moon where you can enjoy slices from a 30" hand-tossed pizza.  Your best bet is the Box Car Willy for $3.50 that includes a slice and a pint of PBR.  Add toppings of your choice for 55¢ - 85¢ (my recommendation is ham, pineapple, and a side of ranch) and you're all set.  If you like more variety, check out their huge selection of draft and bottled beer or maybe opt for a delicious salad.

Dessert  After dinner, head right next door to Jeremiah's Italian Ice, one of their three locations in the Orlando area (UCF, Maitland, and Winter Park).  You'll definitely want to try the Italian ice and soft-serve combo (the small for $2.65 is more than enough).  Their classic flavors and delicious combinations (piña colada is my favorite) are great, and so are their seasonal varieties like pumpkin pie.

Fun  Stop in at Boardwalk Bowl for bowling and more.  Thursdays after 8:00pm games are only $1 per person per game (as opposed to $3.75 - $5.00 per game); shoes are always $3.25.  Thursdays also feature "Thirsty Thursdays" drink specials and trivia at the pub. 

Alternative  Tuesdays is college night at Boardwalk Bowl featuring $2 games, $2 shoes, and $2 domestic beers, all after 10:00pm.

Total Cost for pizza, beer, ice cream and bowling:  $11.00 - $15.00 per person

New Amway Center Opening Soon

Next month the new Amway Center is opening on Church St downtown.  October already has a pretty good lineup with more highlights to come later this year.  Next month the new home of the Orlando Magic will feature four games, three comedians, two community events, and one concert.


Photo by John Hargrove (website)

 Update  Something interesting I read recently: the new Center contains over 150 original artworks and over 200 artistic photos, a lot of them created by local atrists.

Update 2  Click here for an Orlando Sentinel article about the Amway Center's $1 million art collection.

39 Steps at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater

Last weekend I went to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater to see the spy-comedy Hitchcock-spoof The 39 Steps.

The cast was fun and super energetic.  Especially the two "clowns" as they're called in the program did a great job playing lots of different roles.  The stage is interesting here because it's ground-level, located right in the middle of the room surrounded by seats on three sides.  You feel like you're part of the action.  They did a great job with the movable props.

I thought the humor was a little dated, but there were plenty of people laughing throughout, so maybe that was just me.  I wouldn't say it's a play you absolutely have to see, but the creativity of the stage work and the energy and talent of the actors caught my attention.  I'll definitely be returning for other productions this season.

Find out more about the play here, including previews, dates, and tickets.

New Theater Complex: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Orlando is set to get a new performing arts center.  Located right on Orange Ave. in the heart of downtown, it's planned to feature two performing halls, a community theater, outside performance space, as well as rehearsal and educational spaces.

Some design plans were unveiled earlier this year and more details like plans and concept drawings can be found here.  Groundbreaking is set to begin early 2011, but the parking lot at the future location is already being blocked off and the old fire station has already been demolished.  An opening date for Fall 2013 has been given, but I think it's still too early to tell.  For regular updates and photos, check out the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center threat over at Urban Planet Orlando.

I know some people aren't too happy about it.  First of all, it's replacing the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre which has been there with its strange British spelling since 1926.  Secondly, people think money should be spent on other, more important issues. 

I think it's exactly the sort of thing downtown needs.  Also, I recently read a depressing article that ranked Florida as the 49th state in arts funding.  With all the music and game production, acting and filming, entertainment, and digital media business that goes on in Orlando alone (equaling billions in revenue each year), that's just pitiful.  Personally, I can't wait.



Outing: Skipping School in East Orlando

When I was an undergrad at UCF, this was one of my favorite things to do: skip class and sneak away to lunch and a movie.  Ditch and enjoy!

Food  Before anyone sees you, run right across the street from campus to Anmol Indian Cuisine for their amazing lunch special.  For under $8 you get your choice of a meal, served with rice, bread, chutney, and lentil soup.  You have to try the lamb (or chicken) pasanda, tender meat in a super creamy almond sauce.

 

Dessert  Once you're full of Indian goodness, jump in your car.  On your way to the movie theater, go through the McDonald's drive through and get a $1 cone or a chocolate dipped cone for a little more.  Since there's no Dairy Queen on this side of town, I've done my research and found that this dipped cone comes closest.

Fun  Hop on Highway 50 and head towards the sunset until you reach the Colonial Promenade 6 Cinemas.  Tickets are $2.50 all day any day, but if it's Tuesday you're in luck: tickets are only $1.

Total Cost for a three-course lunch and a movie: $10.00 - $15.00 per person

Wildside BBQ

One of my favorite BBQ places so far in Orlando is Wilside BBQ Bar & Grill in Thornton Park, just east of downtown at the corner of Washington and Summerlin.  The prices are very reasonable and the neighborhood is my favorite Orlando neighborhood to walk through.  The atmosphere is great, too.  They're packed for games, which are projected on a huge screen, and have live music on weekends.

I go there for the classic pulled pork sandwich with delicious coleslaw or pasta salad and chips (under $9), but my friend also enjoyed the portabella mushroom and bell pepper sandwich (under $6).  The cuban sandwich was only okay.  The keylime pie was pretty standard, but the fried cheesecake and ice cream was amazing(ly bad for you).

The only downside: parking.  If you don't want to pay for parking, arrive at non-busy times or park along a street and walk a block or two.

For more info, check out the Orlando Weekly review.

Boycott Regal Cinemas!

Okay, not really.  They have a pretty good selection, especially the one in Winter Park.  But I'm still mad that their student "discount" ($9.50 and not valid Friday or Saturday) is only $1 less than the normal price.  That's the same as a regular ticket just two years ago!

I think I'll start going to dollar theaters more.  If you're in the East Orlando / UCF area, you should definitely check out Colonial Promenade.  Regular adult is only $2.50, but they still have $1 Tuesdays.  Snacks are the same, so just go without or sneak something in. 

Something they don't tell you at Regal: a lot of the longer-running movies are already out at the discount theaters.  This week for example, if you haven't seen Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, save as much as $9.50 and see it at the dollar theater instead!

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog, Alex in Orlando.  The goal of this blog will be to highlight the fun things to do in Orlando.  I want to include a wide variety of activities while focusing on cheap, alternative outings.  I want to embrace what has made Orlando famous -- its themeparks, sporting events, and shopping-- while remembering the often ignored things that highlight the Florida in Central Florida -- beautiful springs, parks and beaches, delicious food, cultural festivals, and the arts.