Orlando Weekend Preview: March 6th - 8th, 2015

Photo by Mark Thorstenson

Weekend Events

The Acro Cats cat circus. Known around the country. Includes the "Rock Cats" and all-cat rock band. Obviously we must all go. Various times this weekend and next, $20 (and worth every goddamn penny)

This is the last weekend of the Central Florida Fair. Times vary, tickets start at $10 for adults, $6 for kids.

Orlandoans cooking chili. And you get to sample it. One night of music and one day of chili at Orlando Chili Cook-Off and best of all- proceeds benefit Special Olympics Florida. Free concert Friday at 6:00, cook-off Saturday at noon. Tickets for cook-off  start at $10 for adults, $5 for kids.

Bikes, Tattoos, Music, Food trucks, pretty ladies, and beer. Saturday starts Orlando Harley's Bike Week: Swamp Stop.

It's time. Not a ballet-enthusiast? This is the show for you. It's time to see scantily-clad ballet dancers doing incredible things with their bodies for Orlando Ballet's Annual Battle of the Sexes show. Will you get hot and bothered for the first time in the Dr. Phillips Center? Yes. Will the fancy lady wearing the hat in the balcony also be fanning herself? You bet your ass she will be.

Friday, March 6th

With the big pub crawl this Saturday and an even bigger game this Sunday (both sold out!), start early with Soccer Under the Stars: Kicking and Screaming, Lake Eola Park, free with food trucks

Local author Nathan Holic joins this edition of Bookmart It's Wine & Sign, hear from his book Things I Don't See and enjoy a free wine sampling. Support your local writers and Orlando's independent book store!

Culture Pop: Clyde Butcher and the Pauses. This is not your ordinary exhibition opening. Nationally known, award-winning photographer Clyde Butcher’s series Nature’s Places of Spiritual Sanctuary will be kicking off Art31 this Friday at 6:30pm. A night of nature photography and live music, as well as readings, films, printmaking. Oh, and drinks and food by 4 Rivers. YES, PLZ.

Date Night at Leu Gardens, opens at 6:00pm, movie What If at 7:30pm; $6, free for members. Bring a blanket, dinner, and wine and grab your seats early!

Saturday, March 7th

Time to grow (or begin) your local art collection, Orlandoans! Head over to the Twelve21 Gallery Moving Sale from 10am - 2pm (oh, and free hot dogs after 12:00...)

It's time for your weekly dose of gyrating, oiled-up men at the Rock Hard Revue, Gilt Nightclub, $20, this Saturday at 7:00pm. Our suggestion? Hit up The Smiling Bison for dinner and drinks before you take the walk of shame to your guilty pleasure of the weekend (other than the Acro Cats).

First Saturdays mean Orlando Shuffle is on at 7:00pm, learn shuffleboard with some oldies and some hipsters- it is seriously an awesomely diverse group that shows up!

Sunday, March 8th

Well, they did it. Operation #fillthebowl was a success, selling out the 60,000-seat, newly renovated Citrus Bowl for Orlando City vs. New York City FC. If you're one of the unlucky 12 people who didn't get tickets I have one question for you- Why don't you love your city? (j/k there are folks who can't make it anymore selling their tix online- don't miss out!)

24th Annual Sunday in the Park, noon to 5:00pm, Dartmouth Park in College Park, Free but pony rides are extra... NO JOKE. PONIES.

And last, but not least, stop by the Winter Park Farmers Market before checking out Florida Bird Fest at Polasek from 1:00 to 4:00pm

What are you up to this weekend? Leave a comment below!