What’s Hot Central Florida: December 2017

Friday December 1

Grammy and Golden Globe winner and Academy Award-nominated Lady Gaga is a one-of-a kind artist and performer. She has amassed an outstanding 30 million global album sales and 150 million single sales, making her one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Catch her in her Joanne World Tour at the Amalie Arena at 7:30 pm with tickets starting at $46 at AmalieArena.com.

NeiBEARhood Takeover presents “Hung By The Chimney With Care” at Southern Nights Tampa. The night will star DJ JB Burgos, and feature a 1 a.m. Santa Toss and since this is a Jocks and Socks event a clothing check will be provided. They also invite you to bring an unwrapped toy and you will receive a free drink.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall presents “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story,” which tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when ‘That’ll be the Day’ hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on “The Day the Music Died”. The show continues the incredible legacy of the young man with glasses, whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period during the golden days of rock & roll. Featuring over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits, Buddy is sure to “send you out of the theater on an unstoppable high” (The Boston Globe). Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story plays to day and December 5 at 8p.m. with tickets starting at $36 at VanWezel.org.

Saturday, December 2

The Parliament House presents their annual “Light Up The Courtyard,” which is a free courtyard event featuring Central Florida Sounds of Freedom and the arrival of Santa Claus.

The Flamingo Resort presents “Light Up Flamingo, a Dr. Seuss Christmas,” with special performance by The Mistletones at 9:30 and 10:30p.m. at the Cabana Bar Stage. There will also be a drag show at 11:30 p.m.with hostess Iman and featuring the Flamingo Blu Theater Players.

Sunday, December 3

China Soul: The Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin, People’s Republic of China takes place at the Straz Center at 2 p.m. Get ready for jaw-dropping Shaolin Kung Fu. Prepare for breathtaking feats of gravity-defying acrobatics. Expect a magic stunt or two. In this dreamy, fantastical recreation of the soul of China, The Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin transport audiences to another world – where everyone juggles, plates and carpets spin on sticks and we catch a glimpse of the rarely seen great Icarian acrobatic performance. Tickets start at $35 at StrazCenter.org.

Grammy Award®-winning LeAnn Rimes makes her Van Wezel debut with her Today is Christmas Tour 2017 at 7p.m. Rimes is an internationally-acclaimed singer and award-winning songwriter bringing us wildly popular hits such as “How Do I Live,” “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” and “You Light Up My Life.” The Tour will include a mix of holiday classics, Rimes’ greatest hits and songs from her new critically-acclaimed album, Remnants. Tickets start at $51 at VanWezel.org.

Monday, December 4

The Flamingo Resort presents Miss Rainbow 411 Continental Elite hosted by Esme Russel and Jocelyn Summers. Doors open at 6 p.m. with pageant starting promptly at 7 p.m. The categories include Interview, swimwear, evening gown, talent and Q&A, and the night will be honoring Fontasia L’amour, the current reigning Miss Continental Elite. For more information, email Jon Jusino at: Jon@FlamingoFLA.com

The Parliament House presents Miss Gay Orlando honoring Kennedy Davenport. The categories include Presentation (Tis The Season), Talent (7 minute max) and Evening Gown. The $100 contestant entry fee (registration is 2 p.m.) includes a free hotel room (night of pageant). Pageant starts promptly at 9 p.m. and admission is $12.

Tuesday, December 5

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts presents Paramore, who were formed in Nashville in 2003. Since then, Paramore has grown up inside the brutal beast of the music industry, surviving media storms, industry sexism, and soap-opera worthy drama for nearly 15 years. Still calling Nashville their home, the band mates spend most their days and nights sitting on the porch together laughing or crying… reminiscing, daydreaming, or trying desperately to just stay present. The concert is at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $38.50 at DrPhillips.org.

The Book of Mormon comes to the Straz Center for the performing Arts from today until December 10 with tickets starting at $63.75 at Straz Center.org. It then travels about an hour to the east coast of Central Florida and will be featured at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from December 12-17 with tickets starting at $39.25 at DrPhillips.org. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of “The Tonight Show” calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” It’s The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical.

Thursday, December 7

Join G2H2, Beadle Media and sarasotaOUT.com as they celebrate the Holiday Season in STYLE at Sophie’s at Saks Fifth Ave.Sophie’s at Saks Fifth Ave. Located on the 2nd floor of Saks Fifth Avenue in The Mall at University Town Center, Sophie’s features a delightful bar with views into the kitchen and a luxuriously intimate dining room. Its outdoor terrace bar and lounge offer a relaxing atmosphere in the shade or in the sun! Tevent takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and the $10 cover includes Passed hors-d’oeuvres, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and a Toy Drive.

Friday December 8

The worldwide icons synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment – the Harlem Globetrotters, will bring their show to Amalie Arena in Tampa at 7p.m.as part of their 2017 World Tour. With star-studded roster featuring Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm – plus female stars TNT Lister, Ace Jackson and Hoops Green – the Globetrotters’ show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. Saturday, December 9Tickets start at $23 at AmalieArena.com.

Saturday, December 9

Murray & Peter presents A Drag Queen Christmas – The Naughty Tour, starring contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race on VH-1, performing live on stage and rocking the catwalk at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. It’s an evening of holiday songs and outstanding drag performances with your favorite queens. All ages welcome. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. There will be a 20-minute intermission. Get tour info or tickets which start at $41.20 at DragFans.com.

ASAP presents the 14th annual Tampa Bay AIDS Walk + 5k Run at Vinoy Park in downtown St Petersburg. Registration is at 8 a.m., with the 5k run starting at 9:15 a.m, and the walk starting at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to register, go to: events.empathhealth.org.

The Parliament House presents “The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Ultimate Blacklight Party.

Monday, December 12

98° is bringing the Van Wezel a little extra warmth this holiday season at 8p.m.! The quartet, Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre, who have sold a staggering 10 million records, present thier “98° at Christmas” tour, supporting their first full-length holiday album in 18 years. Tickets start at $56 at VanWezel.org.

Tuesday, December 12

The ultimate love story continues in Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York. In this new, electrically charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar, but he has never stopped yearning for his one true love.  Love Never Dies is a dazzling new production, which takes audiences on a thrilling rollercoaster ride of intrigue, obsession and romance. Be seduced by the beautiful, sometimes magical and poetic, sometimes joyful, and occasionally melancholic score. Don’t miss this magnificent continuation of one of the world’s greatest love stories as it makes its premiere in Tampa. Love Never Dies plays at the Straz Center through December 17 with tickets starting at $40 at StrazCenter.org.

Thursday, December 14

The Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce presents their annual Holiday Party at Quench Lounge starting at 6:30p.m. Attendees will receive 1 drink ticket and there will appetizers. Admission is free for members (please RSVP) and $10 for guests of members and $15 for all other guests. They will also be collecting unwrapped toys (not mandatory) that will be donated to John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

The Tampa Museum of Art invites everyone to join them for the Pride & Passion 2018 Kickoff Party between 6-8p.m.Please RSVP to Bernadette.Casey@tampamuseum.org or call 813-421-8368.

Friday, December 15

Katy Perry Witness World Tour hits Amalie Arena at 7:30p.m. With Witness, Katy reflects on the changes in her own life and in the world around her, delivering songs that both challenge and inspire. The singles released thus far – the Platinum-certified “Chained to the Rhythm” featuring Skip Marley and the follow-up single, “Bon Appétit” featuring Migos – hint at the breadth of the musical and thematic elements found on Witness. Each ticket purchase for “Witness: The Tour” also includes a pre-order for “Witness: The Album.” Tickets start at $45.75 at AmalieArena.com.

Saturday, December 16

The Parliament house will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of “Saturday Night Fever” with beats by DJ Brianna, Joanie and Rob Devoit. They will also be giving a way a NYE VIP package to the best disco attire.

Thursday, December 21

Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the 2017 season with its 10th Anniversary National Tour, a critically-acclaimed holiday stage extravaganza that is a cirque spectacle, Broadway musical and family show all in one taking place at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at 7p.m. Filled with over 300 imaginative costumes, 20 world-class astonishing acts, soaring acrobatics, gravity-defying feats, elaborate production numbers and illusions that will leave you mesmerized. Experience this 2-hour theatrical phenomenon BroadwayWorld hails “The Perfect Holiday Gift…a show that everyone will enjoy…colorful, festive, imaginative, inventive, and thoroughly entertaining.” Tickets start at $51 at VanWezel.org.

Friday, December 22

Amalie Arena is thrilled to announce that Cirque Musica Holiday presents “Believe” at 7:30 p.m. This all-new show will be performed with a live symphony orchestra. This is a fun-filled family holiday event featuring the cast of Cirque Musica together with all-time favorite holiday songs performed by a live orchestra. Cirque Musica is a concert and visual experience where audiences journey into a world of high-flying adventure with amazing acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks and holiday cheer, too! The show blends the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with the sensory majesty of the greatest holiday music of all time. Tickets start at $25 at AmalieArena.com.

A true Van Wezel favorite, A Christmas Carol, produced by Nebraska Theatre Caravan, returns with their lavish, full-scale Broadway-style production at 7 p.m. A spirited ensemble of 23 performers bring the enduring tale of redemption to life on a magical set. Timeless carols such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Away in a Manger” are interwoven within the story of a tight-fisted, middle-class merchant Ebenezer Scrooge and all the beloved characters from Dickens’ 1843 novel. Bring the whole family to this holiday classic! Tickets start at $16 at VanWezel.org.

Saturday, December 23

Orlando Ballet’s holiday classic The Nutcracker returns for a one-hour performance for a young audience, with activities for children in the lobby before the show. Combine this experience with the Nutcracker Tea! The show takes place at the Dr. Phillips Center at 11 a.m. with tickets starting $15.

Tuesday, December 26

Fairwinds Broadway in Orlando presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock at the Dr. Phillips Center form today until December 31. Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. “I laughed. I cried. I rocked! They’ve taken the movie to a whole new level!” – Jack Black. This high-octane smash features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie and musical theater’s first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage. Vanity Fair raves, “Fists of all ages shall be pumping!” Tickets: start at $34.25 at DrPhillips.org.

source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/11/30/whats-hot-central-florida-december-2017/