This weekend is all about performances, from comedy to theater to live music to even movies, plus a book fair and more festing at local farms.
Jan. 24-Feb. 9 | ‘Ben Hur’ by Melon Patch Players at Tropic Theatre in Leesburg
Based on one of the most timeless stories and an epic film starring Charlton Heston, Melon Patch Players’ “Ben Hur” is not only an entertaining new production but christens the Tropic Theatre’s new era as the homebase of the company in downtown Leesburg.
The stage adaptation condenses the epic tale so that it can be told by just four actors, and the plot follows an amateur theater troupe as they produce the massive tale of the fictional Jewish prince and merchant Judah Ben-Hur.
Featuring a chariot race, sea battle and stage combat, Patrick Barlow’s play within a play can be seen Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Feb. 9. The Tropic is at 122 W. Main St., Leesburg. Details: melonpatchplayers.org.
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Jan. 25 | Welcome Home Comedy Show in Eustis
House of Laughter brings a bevy of chuckles from a diverse roster of comics to the Hideaway Performing Arts Theater. Rod Z hosts the “Welcome Home Comedy Show” in Eustis on Saturday, Jan. 25. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show kicking off at 7.
This show will feature Eugene Torres, Curtis Bateman, Roy Rich and headliner The Last Leroy. Why “The Last Leroy”? The comedian born Leroy Gordon explained that: “the Last Leroy is part of a bit I do about how they “don’t make” Leroys anymore. Everyone has names with multiple syllables. Then I proceed to say current names. … Comedian Chocolate (Chinnitta Morris) said, ‘You should try that as your stage name’: The Last Leroy, and it stuck.”
Tickets are available now at hideawaypac.com. Use promo code FREELAUGH for a Buy One Get One Free ticket deal. The theater is at 431 Plaza Drive, Eustis.
Jan. 25-26 | Farm fest fun in Eustis and Clermont
Wine and craft beer lovers will want to check out the Amber Brooke Farms’ Sip & Savor fests on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Jan. 25-26.
Also, at the farm, U-Pick is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Happy hour is 6:30-7:30 p.m. Food Trucks: Fat Sally Bay Ridge Heros, BaoHouz Asian Fusion Kitchen, Sweets by Peaches, and ABF Eustis Food Truck & Silo will be featured on Saturday. On Sunday, Jour de Crepe, Four Smokes BBQ, El Cubanito Subs, and ABF Eustis Food Truck & Silo will feed hungry reverlers. Live Music by Henry Hood on Saturday and Renee Meadows on Sunday. Visit amberbrookefarms.com for details.
Clermont’s Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival invites grown-ups for winter sunflower strawberry and seasonal vegetable pickings and kids for a plethora of fun activities this Saturday and Sunday, including a 5-acre corn maze, animal petting and more.
Live music by Gilly and the Girl on Saturday and Brandon Dull on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
Grown-ups can enjoy craft beer and wine, grub from food trucks such as A La Cubano, or relax with some tunes by Joseph Harrison from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but you must purchase a KidZone wristband to take the kids on rides and through mazes. It all takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont. Pets are not allowed. Entry onto the farm ends at 5:30 p.m. Details: 407-986-5806.
Through Feb. 2 | ‘Paper Thin’ by Bay Street Players
The inimitable director Katrina Ploof is back at Bay Street Players with a compelling production of T.K. Lee’s “Paper Thin,” a Southern-fried dramedy with sass, heart and a side of 21st-century angst. She directed the world premiere of the play in Ocala in October 2021.
More about the director:Katrina Ploof gives us a ‘Paper Thin’ excuse to see Bay Street Players’ new show in Eustis
Ploof has described “Paper Thin” as a “listening play” with witty, insightful dialogue. The story follows Lucrece, who swigs whiskey and tells hubby Gerald that she’s honoring a clause in their premarital agreement — that she could leave him whenever the time was right for her.
See the memorable story unfold at the historic State Theater in downtown Eustis, 109 N. Bay St. eustisstatetheatre.org.
Through Feb. 9 | ‘Cash on Delivery!’ by IceHouse Theatre in Mount Dora
“Cash on Delivery!” features 16 performances over four weekends at the 260-seat IceHouse Theatre, 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora. In the play, Eric Swan, a mild-mannered Londoner in a bit of a pickle, has been diligently filing claims with the Department of Social Security, on behalf of his many imaginary tenants. His scheme has gone off without a hitch until a visit from a welfare agent to meet everyone in the accident-prone household.
The ensemble features C.J. Sikorski as the flailing Eric Swan and Robert Laurita as the unwitting boob, Norman. Adept supporting performances are provided by Morgan Howland-Cook, Don Campbell, James Morrison, Emily Jarvis, Andre Provencher, Pat Justin, Molly Jarvis and Steven Behncke.
The production is directed by Darlin Barry, with scenic design by Buddy Fales, lighting design by Philip Lupo, costume design by Anna Maria Muller and sound design by Darlin Barry. Details: [email protected].
Jan. 25 | New ‘Mercado’ at Spanish Springs
Experience a Latin-style market, and browse vendors selling handmade crafts, art and locally grown produce in The Villages’ Spanish Springs Town Square on Saturdays. While there, visitors can enjoy live music. The Mercado will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1120 Main St., The Villages. Details: thevillages.com/shopping-dining/spanish-springs.
Jan. 24-26 | CenFlo at Epic Theatres in Mount Dora
See the latest independent movies, shorts and documentaries from artists around the world at the Central Florida Film Festival, aka CenFlo. Catch filmmakers, attend workshops and dressy events too. A variety of passes are available at FilmFreeway.com. Screenings take place at Epic Theatres, 2300 Spring Harbor Blvd., Mount Dora, Details: centralfloridafilmfestival.com.
A look back at last year’s CenFloCharles Bronson’s double? Lake County stuntman, anime, documentaries highlight film fest
Jan. 26 | BookExpo 2025 in The Villages
The Villages’ annual literary fair has become an event to look forward to for local bookworms, and BookExpo 2025, bigger than ever, will take over the Eisenhower Recreation Center on Jan. 26.
More than 90 award-winning authors will share info on books spanning a spectrum of genres, including mysteries, thrillers, memoirs, historical fiction, romance, cookbooks, crime, comedy, military history and religion.
Children’s offerings include picture books, chapter books and young adult fiction/nonfiction. Event organizers, the Writers League of The Villages, will also present a free raffle drawing for gift baskets of books.
BookExpo 2025 will take place on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3560 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Admission free. Details: writersleagueofthevillages.com.
Read more about the BookExpo 2025 headliners in our feature about the event at Daily Commercial.com.
Coming up soon …
Feb. 1-2 | 50th annual Mount Dora Art Festival
It’s been a big half-century for the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, bringing the community together for a nationally recognized art festival in scenic Mount Dora. Celebrate and support the arts on the streets of historic downtown Mount Dora, boasting around 300 fine artists in a juried competition. Expect live entertainment, beer, wine, cocktails, music and food vendors. Details: mountdoraart.com/mount-dora-arts-festival.
Feb. 8 | The Food Truck Fly-in at Leesburg Airport
Enjoy some nosh and impressive aircraft at The Food Truck & Fly-In at Leesburg International Airport on Feb. 8. Join Firehawk Helicopters, where Leesburg Mayor Alan Reisman has provided leadership, Wipaire and the city of Leesburg government to check out planes and helicopters on display.
Choose yummy bites from 143 Wood Fired Pizza Truck, ROYAL Hibachi, Island Fin Poké Company in The Villages, El Roy’s Elotes, The Salted Fry, Mystic Ice Cream, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Mount Dora, Cluckerz Chicken and Alaturcos food trucks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Leesburg International Airport. Parking: Enter at Wilco Drive across from the car dealerships and look for signage.
Feb. 15-22 | 123rd annual Georgefest in Eustis
The city of Eustis commemorates George Washington’s birthday during its weeklong annual fete Georgefest. The family friendly celebration is both the the longest running celebration of George Washington’s birthday in the state of Florida and most enduring, continuously running celebration of our nation’s first president in the entire United States. Expect carnival rides and games, a bass tournament, the Running of the Georges Race, a dog jog, parade, contests, vendors and live entertainment. Details: eustisgeorgefest.org.
Planning an event? Email details and photos to [email protected].
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