• Festival Insights with Charles Hulin | Thursday, June 8 | 5-6 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd. | This local pianist, composer, and music professor will introduce the works and artists you’ll hear at this year’s festival.
• Musical Storytime | Friday, June 9 | 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. | Pressed, 213 E. Bay St. | Young children can spark their curiosity for music — registration is required for both sessions at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m.
• The Composer’s Perspective with Erica Porter | Friday, June 9 | 6:15-6:45 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd. | Hear composition samples and a discussion from the festival’s Composer-in-Residence.
• Jihye Chang Recital | Friday, June 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd. | Attend this concert for the world premiere of Erica Porter’s new work for the festival.

• Educational Event | Saturday, June 10 | 10:15-11:45 a.m. | Florida Children’s Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd. | $15 | This interactive theater experience is included with museum admission — catch a showing at 10:30 or 11:15 a.m.
• Tal Cohen Solo Concert | Saturday, June 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St. | Catch this immersive jazz concert to hear the festival’s second guest artist.
• Sun-A Park Solo Recital | Sunday, June 11 | 3-5 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | End the festival with a program of virtuosic classical piano music.

• Hip Hop Fitness | Monday, June 5 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Pop, lock, and drop in this upbeat fitness class for ages 16+ — just bring your own water, towel, and mat.
• Trivia Night | Monday, June 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Enjoy happy hour deals all day and test your knowledge with trivia.

• Story Time at the Florida Air Museum | Tuesday, June 6 | 10-11 a.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | Free | Junior ACEs ages 2-5 can hear a story and take part in an interactive learning experience.

• Author Talk with Mike Rucker, Ph.D. | Wednesday, June 7 | 4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn about the book “The Fun Habit” from the author in this talk with the Lakeland Public Library.

• Catapult Lakeland VC Fast Pitch | Thursday, June 8 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | $39 | Local entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses to venture capitalists and investors — tickets include lunch and networking opportunities.

• Swan City Piano Festival Presents Jihye Chang | Friday, June 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | Free | Attend this concert to hear new and classic piano music, plus the world premiere of Erica Porter’s new work for the festival.
• Moxie Le Femme Presents: Block Party | Friday, June 9-Saturday, June 10 | 7-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $15-$20 | This cabaret and burlesque variety show will premiere its latest performance.

• Restore Coffee — on-campus coffee/tea shop
• Joy Soap Co. — handmade soaps with profits that give back to the community
• Done Dinners — meal-planning + shopping-assistance

• Lakeland Electric’s natural gas power plant project is currently ~$20 million over its $155 million budget. The plant — originally planned to be finished this month — is now expected to open in November 2024. Despite the budget difference, Lakeland Electric says it does not plan to increase customer rates. (LkldNow)

• Polk County’s two-month burn ban has ended thanks to recent heavy rains. Stay up to date with burn bans, fire danger, and the drought index with this information from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (The Ledger)

• Polk State College had 31 student-athletes make the FCSAA All-Academic Team this year, a 19% increase from last year’s team. The honor is reserved for students who played an entire season, maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, and took a minimum of 18 semester hours.

• The post office at 6000 S. Florida Ave. has been renamed the Corporal Ronald R. Payne, Jr. Post Office. The name honors a US Marine from Polk County who died in the line of duty in 2004. Attend the dedication ceremony on Friday, June 16 — RSVP required.

• The RP Funding Center’s parking facilities have gone cashless (read: Bring your credit or debit card or be prepared to use Apple or Google payments). The venue will absorb processing fees, and parking attendants will still be available.
• For those looking to get into the consumer packaged goods industry, Catapult’s nine-week CPG Accelerator class is a golden opportunity to learn about branding + financing, how to scale to wholesale, make connections in Central Florida, and so much more. See program details.*

• $10,000. That’s how much Polk homeowners could receive from the My Safe Florida Home program. Apply now for state grant funding to prepare your home for storms with impact-resistant windows, doors, roofs, and more. (WFTS)

• Round out your next trip to Bonnet Springs Park with a stop at The Depot. The restaurant will offer a $3.99 kid’s meal deal — including an ice cream treat — with the purchase of an adult entree through July 31.

• Mark your calendar for the 25th Lakeland Hispanic Festival on Saturday, September 30. This year’s event will return to Lake Mirror and feature guests like El Buho Loco and Nino Segarra.

• The Polk County History Center’s latest exhibit is “Memories of Bone Valley.” It features the art of Ed Fortner, whose art was inspired by his childhood growing up in Polk phosphate mining communities. See it Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Online, on-campus, or certificate? Southeastern University offers multiple career-path options — no matter your schedule. Bonus: They offer Dual Enrollment, Study Abroad, and ESE Student Programs, too.*

• Summer is here, which means so too is aperol spritz season. Enjoy as many as you’d like (without regretting it the next day) when you make yours with Ritual Zero Proof’s aperitif alternative — an alcohol-free take on the Italian classic. Bonus: Use it to make the summery aperitif sour.*

• It’s Pet Appreciation Week, and it’s a great time to celebrate your furry friends. From stylish collars and leashes by Major Darling to healthy treats by Botanical Bones, our online shop (Six & Main) features the perfect products for your pets.

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