• Fri., Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.
• Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave.
• $10 advance | $12 day of show
• The Rusty Wright Band is known for its take on southern rock and blues.

• Fri., Oct. 7 from 5-8 p.m.
• Mitchell’s Coffee House, 235 N. Kentucky Ave.
• Free
• Meredith Pope’s solo art show will feature various works by the Harrison School for the Arts graduate.

• Thurs., Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.
• Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave.
• $15 advance | $18 day of show
• The first three singles of Chase Wagner’s debut album “Suddenly I Saw You Clearly" are available now on Apple Music and other streaming platforms.

• Mon., Oct. 31-Fri., Nov. 11
• Art/Ifact, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave.
• Free
• Scott Audette’s underwater portraiture — “A Siren’s Peril” — features zombie-esque mermaids and mermen. Collaborating artists include Bump Galletta, Ali Kirby, Meredith Pope, and makeup artist Stephanie Paul.

• Fri., Nov. 4 from 6-9 p.m.
• The Uliana, 1216 S. Florida Ave.
• Free
• We Are Curio presents Jason DeMeo’s 2022 solo show: “Matter is Miraculous.” RSVP online to attend the show that will be followed by an after-party and short film screening at Cob & Pen from 9-11 p.m.

• First Friday: Cookie Carnival | Fri., Oct. 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Sample cookies from Lakeland bakers, view classic cars, and shop from local vendors in the Makers Market at this month’s First Friday.
• Hamlet | Fri., Oct. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Southern College | $20 | Don’t question “to be or not to be” in the audience as this classic play is performed by Florida Southern College’s students. 🎭

• Moxie Le Femme Presents: Back From the Dead! | Sat., Oct. 8 | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | Union Hall | Free | Lakeland’s burlesque and cabaret dance company, Moxie Le Femme, is making its comeback at this “Back From The Dead” Halloween show.
• From Beverly Bakery birthday pop-up | Sat., Oct. 8 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Curated Collective, 401 Florida Ave. S. | Price of purchase | Celebrate one year of From Beverly Bakery with special off-menu flavors and mimosas while you peruse vintage finds at The Curated Collective. 🎂
• Historic Walking Tour | Sat., Oct. 8 | 9-11:30 a.m. | Munn Park | $10 | Historic Lakeland and the LDDA are teaming up to host a walking tour of the Munn Park Historic District, led by local historians.

• Harvest Holler Corn Maze | Sun., Oct. 9 | 12-5 p.m. | Harvest Holler Corn Maze, 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City | $12+ | Have some fall fun with a corn maze, animal adventure hayride, cow barrel train, and a miniature golf course. 🌽
• Second Sunday Artisan Market | Sun., Oct. 9 | 12-5 p.m. | Lakeside Village in Lakeland, 1479 Town Center, Lakeland | Shop festive and unique goods from local makers, enjoy games on The Lawn, + more.*

• Walla Walla Vintners Wine Dinner | Thurs., Oct. 20 | 6 p.m. | Cob & Pen | $85+ | Register for this private, five-course meal including expertly paired wines — register as a couple for a discounted price of $155. 🍷

1. Using an in-person scan or an at-home kit, SmileDirectClub creates a 3D image of your teeth that they use to assess your smile.
2. Then, they create a custom aligner treatment plan to straighten it — for 60% less than braces or Invisalign.

• 88º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

• A zoning change on County Road 540-A that would make way for a 60-bed hospital was denied by the Polk County Planning Commission in a 4-3 vote. The hospital will now go before the Polk County Commission for a final say on Tues., Nov. 22 at 9:30 a.m. (The Ledger)

• Residents on private roads or in gated communities may still see debris on their streets. Crews need written permission from designated homeowners association officers or road owners to enter and collect debris. In the meantime, debris should be collected and placed near the curb. (The Ledger)

• Sabrina’s Delicacies, a formerly mobile charcuterie business, is opening a brick-and-mortar storefront at 4610 Cleveland Heights Blvd. While an exact opening date is TBA, the biz plans to offer grab-and-go charcuterie boards and dine-in options. 🍓
• Excited about Bonnet Springs Park opening? So are we. The park is set to celebrate its opening weekend Sat., Oct. 22-Sun., Oct. 23 — in the meantime, get all your questions answered with their Grand Opening Weekend FAQ.*

• Catapult’s annual holiday boxes are back. This year’s participants include Bandidas, Color Theory Tea, Dou Bakehouse, and more. Choose a small, medium, or large box for $45, $75, or $125. Looking to make a bulk order? Ask Maggie about customizing your box with a business logo, inserts, or other items. 🎁

• The Davenport Pumpkin House is returning this year with 1,000+ hand-carved pumpkins. Stop by from Tues., Oct. 11-Mon., Oct. 31 from 7-11 p.m. The free walk-through event is collecting donations for Moffitt Cancer Center. Donate $10 for a pumpkin carved with a ribbon and a name of your choosing. 🎃 (Polk County Moms)

• Join the Polk County Veterans Council and the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps for the 2022 Warrior Walk, taking place on Sat., Oct. 22. The free, 2.7-mile walk — which honors fallen soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines — will leave from First Presbyterian Church at 9 a.m.

• You’re going to Hollywood. American Idol contestant and Lakeland resident Kimmy Gabriela will be performing at The Yard on Mass this Sat., Oct. 8 from 7-10 p.m. Kimmy competed and placed in the top 20 on American Idol’s 18th season, which aired in 2020. Stop by for food, drinks, and a show. 🎤

• Lakeland Community Theatre’s 10:30 a.m. performance of Oliver! Jr., happening tomorrow, will feature ASL interpreters. A sponsor donated the funds necessary for the interpreting so that members of Lakeland’s deaf and hard-of-hearing community could also experience the play. Purchase your tickets for this special show online. 🎭

• Fall kombucha, anyone? Try Krazy Kombucha’s pumpkin spice or Bandidas’ seasonal flavors: Apple cider, Concord grape + black cherry berry this Saturday at Krazy Kombucha and the Winter Haven Farmers Market, respectively. Pro tip: Bandidas will also be at Catapult on Mon., Oct. 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Getting groceries delivered is great, but getting your favorite beer, wine, and liquor delivered is even better. With Drizly, you can order your go-to libations as well as mixers, party supplies, and snacks + they’ll be delivered to your door in under 60 minutes. Order now. 🥂*

• Who’s planning on traveling out of LAL (or TPA, or MCO) for the Thanksgiving holiday? Pro tip: It’s never too early to book those flights. Pro, pro tip: Scott’s Cheap Flights Elite Plan gets you up to 90% off premium economy, business, and first class seats. ✈️*

• Did you know type 2 diabetes can be prevented with lifestyle changes? Lakeland Regional Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program includes a trained lifestyle coach + fellow participants who can encourage and help motivate you on your health journey. Learn more.*

• Trying to eat less meat? Learn to prepare delicious dishes with plant-based products at Publix’s Plant-Based: Surprisingly Delightful hands-on cooking class on Thurs., Oct. 20, featuring dishes like a grilled plant-based jumbo hot dog, barbecue jackfruit-stuffed biscuit bites, and more. Yum. 🥗 *

By the numbers

• 63,500 Lakeland Electric customers lost power for up to six days. For context, that’s nearly 50% of Lakeland Electric’s 137,000 customers.
• 500 power lines were taken out by wind.
• 349 trees needed trimming or removal by the City of Lakeland. In North Lakeland, the Parks Department cleared 68 trees.
• 276 transformers blew.
• 78 mph — That’s how fast wind speeds were during the storm’s peak hours Wednesday night and Thursday morning on Oct. 28 and 29.
• 40 FEMA trucks were contracted by the county to collect debris.
• 25 trees were cleared from Cleveland Heights Golf Course, plus acres worth of debris, according to Lakeland’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department’s Program Coordinator, Beth Sherling.
• 18 Polk County Public Schools opened as temporary hurricane shelters.
• 10.8 ft — That’s how high the Peace River had risen to by Sun., Oct. 2. Its record depth is 11.1 ft.