Today’s Note

Hey Lakeland, Connor here. It’s a relatively quiet weekend as the city comes back from a busy holiday season. I wouldn’t miss the very first First Friday of the year, and there are also a few comedy shows that you could hit after you walk through downtown. Here’s more to try out during the first weekend of 2024.

Events

Friday, Jan. 5

How Not to Age with Dr. Michael Greger | Friday, Jan. 5 | 6-8:30 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | Learn about the science of aging with speaker Michael Greger, MD.
First Friday: Three Kings Celebration | Friday, Jan. 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Shop downtown where vendors, food trucks, musicians, and makers will line the streets.
Swan City Improv Comedy Show! | Friday, Jan. 5 | Times vary | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Laugh along at these improvised comedy shows — all ages are welcome to the 7:30 p.m. show and the 9:30 p.m. show is 21+.
Stand-Up Friday with Lakeland Comedy | Friday, Jan. 5 | 8:30-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $15 | Lakeland Comedy will host this event with hilarious local comics.

Saturday, Jan. 6

Caffeine & Gasoline at BSP | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 8-10 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab a coffee while you stroll through this car show — no registration is required to show off your ride.
Women’s Self-Defense Classes | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Kelly Recreation Complex, 404 Imperial Blvd., Lakeland | $15-$40 | Enhance personal safety, elevate confidence, and learn self-defense techniques in this class for women ages 15 and up.
Jazz into the New Year | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 5-7 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $0-$20 | Enjoy dinner from the Blue Palmetto Cafe and live jazz music on the Terrace.

Sunday, Jan. 7

Jim Thomas w/ Bad Dog BBQ | Sunday, Jan. 7 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab a barbecue bite and enjoy live music with views of the lake.
Winter Glow | Sunday, Jan. 7 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $44-$64 | Get step-by-step instructions from an artist to paint a wintry scene, and add on a DIY scented candle for $20.
Wonder House Nighttime Christmas Tour | Sunday, Jan. 7 | 7 p.m. | Wonder House, 1075 E. Mann Rd., Bartow | $20-$35 | This two hour guided tour of the historic Wonder House includes a spread of homemade treats — cash only.

Find something to do this weekend

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From the editor

Film

Let’s all go to the movies. The Polk Theatre’s weekend lineup includes “La La Land” for musical fans, “The Birds” for horror aficionados, and “All About Eve” for classic movie mavens. The theater also has several live performances planned this spring. Buy movie + live show tickets.

Eat

There’s a new menu to enjoy at Keel Farms, including the elevated Cobb salad, pork belly mac and cheese, Nashville hot chicken flatbread, and more. Pro tip: Make a dining reservation during Saturday’s Sip & Shop event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Open

Tsaocaa & Michi Ramen is now open at 4238 US Hwy. 98 N., near Fire Hotpot. Followers are already lauding the ramen, boba tea, and Korean fried chicken. One even said they’d visited four times in one week.

Asked

Which vacant office + commercial spaces would you like to see converted into housing?

A vacant storefront has a light stone and mauve tile facade. — Tell us which former commercial spots you think could be housing.
|
Photo via Google Maps

Have you noticed some of the empty office space around town? Office vacancies are at 25.5% as of 2022. Compare those numbers to the national office vacancy rate, which was 17.8% as of September 2023. The White House has released a new plan to convert commercial buildings into residential housing — affordable housing in particular.

Tell us which spaces you’d like to see remade into housing, and we may feature your picks in an upcoming newsletter.

Share your housing idea

Try This

This next question is worth 10 points

A guide to trivia nights in Lakeland

A trivia night answer page sits in the foreground with patrons at Bonnet Springs Park's rooftop bar in the background

Join Bonnet Springs Park’s trivia on the last Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the rooftop bar. | Photo by LALtoday

Today is National Trivia Day, but where can you find trivia contests in Lakeland to flex your encyclopedic knowledge? Answer: Try these recurring trivia nights and keep an eye out for themed trivia events on our calendar.

Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave. | Monday | 7:30 p.m.
Dissent Craft Brewing, 125 S. Kentucky Ave. | Tuesday | 7 p.m.
Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St. | Wednesday | 6:30 p.m.
The Joinery, 640 E. Main St. | Thursday | 6:30 p.m.

More trivia to try

The Buy

Weekend The Buy 01.04.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These best-selling women’s fleece-lined leggings. Choose either one or three pockets and rock them for daily wear or outdoor activities.

Let us know what you think about LALweekend, a product of LALtoday, by answering a few quick questions.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
LALtoday Team

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