Need-to-know info

Can’t-miss events

• The Voices of Phineas and Ferb: Vincent Martella and David Errigo Jr. | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 11 a.m. | Sikes K and J
• Lightsaber Spinning for the Tragically Uncoordinated | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 12:30 p.m. | Sikes I
• 30 Years of Jurassic Park: Because Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome | Sunday, Jan. 22 | 3 p.m. | Sikes G

Photo by @modern.merida

High-profile exhibitions

• Swan City Jazz Festival | Friday, Jan. 20 | 3-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Hear live jazz performances from headliners Paula Atherton and Jazmin Ghent, plus groups like Lakeland High School Jazz Band, The Franchise Players, Let’s Ride Brass Band, and more.
• Fayuca with Jakob Nowell | Friday, Jan. 20 | 6 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $15-$60 | Reggae-rock band Fayuca brings the Winter Vacation Tour to Lakeland with guests Jakob Nowell and Firelight — VIP packages are available.

• MLK Annual Parade | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 1 p.m. | Providence Road and 14th Street, Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. at this free community parade — the parade starts at Providence Road and West 14th Street and ends at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and 2nd Street.
• LRC Running Festival 2023 | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 1 p.m. | George Jenkins High School Track, 6000 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Celebrate 50 years of the Lakeland Runners Club with group runs, entertainment, and races — bring your own costume for the T. Rex run.
• Docent-Led Tour | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | Learn about the museum’s current exhibits with a guided tour from an expert docent.
• Dixieland Night Market | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland | Free | Shop from local artists, makers, food vendors, and horticulturists while enjoying live entertainment.
• Cavalleria Rusticana | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $25-$75 | Don’t miss this performance of Pietro Mascagni’s masterpiece, Cavalleria Rusticana (“rustic chivalry”), performed by the Lakeland Opera and Lakeland Symphony Orchestra.

• MLK Car Showcase | Sunday, Jan. 22 | 12-6 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Come out to see Lakeland’s most fashionable cars — prizes will be given for best interior, best paint, best stereo, and more.
• Five Women Wearing the Same Dress | Sunday, Jan. 22 | 2 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $20-$26 | Laugh along at this comedic play featuring five bridesmaids hiding out from a wedding reception.

• 77º | Scattered showers | 40% chance of rain

• Applications are open for Polk County Public Schools’ career academies, magnet schools, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge AICE programs. Students can apply to be entered into the lottery through Wednesday, Feb. 15. See a full list of the programs offered at each school here. (LkldNow)

• Here’s a novel idea. Little Bus Books opened a storefront inside The Nectary plant nursery (1047 E. Main St.). The space allows the bookstore to expand its nonprofit efforts, and the mobile bookshop will still be available at local markets and events. Read more on LkldNow. 📚 (LkldNow)

• Who will be the Top Chef of Polk County? Find out when eight chefs and their community leader partners compete for top honors at Bonnet Springs Park on Monday, Feb. 27. Vote online by making a donation to Achievement Academy, which helps children with special needs. 🧑‍🍳
• The third annual Black Diamond Ball is set for Saturday, March 4 at Bonnet Springs Park. Grab your tickets to enjoy entertainment, cocktails, and casino games at the ball while raising money for the Junior League of Greater Lakeland’s educational programs and school supplies for students in need.

• Lynyrd Skynyrd will transform Plant City into “Sweet Home Alabama” when they close out the Florida Strawberry Festival on Sunday, March 12. Tickets are available for the concert for $60. Pro tip: Don’t forget that this ticket does not include festival admission. 🎸 (The Ledger)

• Monkee’s of Lakeland is now open Tuesday-Saturday in its storefront at 2514 S. Florida Ave., next to Pelican’s SnoBalls. Stop in to shop for colorful women’s clothing and accessories — we’re already planning our Valentine’s Day shopping.

• Through the Moms with Monitors program, new mothers are receiving free blood pressure monitors. The Florida Department of Health in Polk County and League of Women Voters joined together on this program to improve infant and maternal health. (The Ledger)

• The Lunar New Year is coming up and we have just the way to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit (or Year of the Cat in Vietnam). On Saturday, Jan. 21, visit The Joinery for a celebration with Ato Lakeland featuring a dragon dance, drum performances, and Japanese Yen giveaways. 🐇

• Emily Rogers Consulting + Coaching is celebrating a decade in business this month. Emily specializes in coaching leaders, from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 CEOs. This year, the business is offering executive coaching, team development, and leadership development training.
• New year, new views. Get a change of scenery by taking advantage of one of Catapult’s multiple workspace membership options. Perks include a well-designed workspace, invites to collaborative community events, access to conference rooms, and unlimited coffee + snacks (yes, please). Learn more and apply.*

• The Florida Tropics are traveling to Wisconsin today to take on the Milwaukee Wave. Don’t have a plane ticket but still want to support the Lakeland team? You can watch the game broadcast live online on MASL TV on Twitch tonight at 7:35 p.m. ⚽️

• Heading abroad in 2023? Babbel offers lesson plans for 12 different languages spoken throughout Europe (where 59% of our readers plan on traveling to in 2023). Prep for the trip of your dreams with bite-sized, 10-minute lessons that will help you learn the new language in as little as three weeks. 🌏 *

• Have professional outfits? Donate them to the Top Buttons Wearing Confidence Program, which distributes clothing to those who are searching for careers.
• Peace River Center Thrift Shoppe helps families in transition. In addition to clothing and furniture, this is a great place to donate toys with more life left in them.
• Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County uses donated equipment and furniture to build homes — whether you have leftovers from a project you didn’t complete or can reuse supplies from a remodel. It will also pick up pre-approved car donations.