SAVE THE DATE

By Heather Turk

Benefitting the historic Florida landmark’s programs and preservation, Tampa Theatre’s WineFest celebrates its 20th anniversary on March 10 and 11 with “Forrest Grape.” Open to guests age 21 and older, the moviethemed wine fundraiser encourages vino enthusiasts to come dressed as their favorite “Forrest Gump” character while drinking for a cause at a wine tasting event on Friday evening and/or a wine pairing event on Saturday evening. Cinephiles can also attend a special screening of the six-time Academy Award-winning film on March 7 at 7 p.m. tampatheatre.org

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Punta Gorda, Florida, at the Fishermen’s Village St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. From noon to 6 p.m. on March 17, guests can enjoy traditional Irish dancers, live bagpipers and more at the waterfront retail, dining and entertainment destination. Admission is free. fishermensvillage.com

The 37th annual Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival takes place March 22 through 26 at various venues throughout New Orleans, including Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter. The festival not only features writing workshops, readings, interviews and discussion panels with contemporary authors, but also a variety of events centered around its namesake playwright — including a Stella shouting contest. Culinary, cocktail, music and cultural events occur during the weekend as well, including for the first time ever “Last Bohemia: A Fringe Performance Series.” tennesseewilliams.net

Featuring a star-studded celebrity lineup, cosplay encounters and more, MEGACON

Orlando takes over Florida’s Orange County Convention Center March 30 through April 2. The ultimate playground for comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming, the four-day convention welcomed more than 140,000 fans last year. Show hours are Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. fanexpohq.com/ megaconorlando

An opportunity for bread enthusiasts and professional bakers to break bread together, the Asheville Bread Festival takes place on April 22 and 23 at various locations throughout Asheville and Hendersonville, North Carolina. In addition to attending hands-on workshops and lectures by featured guest artisan bakers on Saturday, guests can purchase breads and pastries from local and regional artisan bakeries. The festival concludes on Sunday with a 6-hour master class for professional bakers. ashevillebreadfestival.com

Savor Mexican flavors while enjoying live music and other entertainment during SeaWorld Orlando’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Part of the park’s Seven Seas Food Festival, the event runs April 27 through 30 and May 4 through 7. seaworld.com/orlando

A celebration of the unique culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell

Continued on page 8 takes place April 28 through 30 and May 4 through 7 at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course. Attracting approximately 500,000 guests from around the world each year, the annual event features 14 stages of live music, 70 food booths serving everything from crawfish bread to vegan items, three juried arts and crafts marketplaces, second line parades and more. nojazzfest.com

Beer aficionados in Fort Myers, Florida, can celebrate American Craft Beer Week at Fort Myers Brewing Co. from May 15 through 21. Lee County’s original microbrewery will have specialty beer releases, live music, food trucks and other activities throughout the week in honor of the event, which celebrates small and independent craft breweries. fmbrew.com

Returning for its 32nd year, the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival takes place May 16 through 29 at Loch Haven Park. The longest-running fringe theatre festival in the United States, the Florida favorite attracts over 70,000 people each year. In addition to more than 800 ticketed performances, guests can enjoy free performances on an outdoor stage, Visual Fringe, Kids Fringe and plenty of food vendors. For the first time ever, festivalgoers can also watch shows at Fringe ArtSpace, Orlando Fringe’s new year-round performance space in downtown Orlando. orlandofringe.org

Emerald Coast Open Lionfish

Tournament and Festival returns to Destin, Florida, May 19 through 21. Guests can participate in the world’s largest lionfish tournament to help remove the invasive fish from local waters and lessen their threat to native wildlife, and also taste a variety of delectable dishes made from the fish on Saturday and Sunday at HarborWalk Village. Advance registration is required to compete in the tournament. emeraldcoastopen.com

WINNER OF AMERICA’S GOT TALENT

April 13, 2023 Niagara Falls, ON - OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Resort

April 14, 2023 Windsor Ontario Canada - The Colosseum at Caesar’s Windsor

April 20, 2023 Rutland, VT - Paramount Theatre

April 21, 2023

April 22, 2023

Morristown, NJ - Mayo Performing Arts Center

Westbury, NY - NYCB Theater at Westbury

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