Plus, 40+ volunteer opportunities in Lakeland.
 
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Today’s Forecast

88º | 7% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:17 a.m. | Sunset 7:45 p.m.
 

🎭 They’ve got the jokes

Laugh along with Swan City Improv, Lakeland’s very own comedy troupe
Seven years ago, Swan City Improv held its first show at Lkld Live. | Photo provided by Swan City Improv
It started out as a one-off performance by friends on April Fools’ Day in 2017. Now, it’s a thriving comedy troupe that Lakelanders flock to see each month. Meet Swan City Improv, Lakeland’s silliest geese — ahem, we mean swans.

In the spirit of April Fools’ Day, we asked Swan City Improv members to share their best (or worst) Lakeland-themed jokes with us.
  • What’s the biggest lake in Lakeland? Lake Morton, because it weighs more than a ton.
  • Why can’t you walk on US Highway 98? You might stub your Bartow.
  • Did you hear they also tried to make ducks the official bird of Lakeland? They thought there could be two, but there’s room for just swan.
  • Have you heard that there’s a new bakery in Lakeland just for pilots? It’s called Sun ‘n Bun.
A group of actors sits and stands onstage as part of an improv comedy show.

You can catch Swan City Improv performing monthly at different venues around town.

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Photo provided by Swan City Improv

All jokes aside, Swan City Improv brings together talented improvisers from across Lakeland to accomplish one goal: Providing joy through laughter. You can find them performing monthly, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”-style, at various Swan City venues.

In addition to live performances, the group offers corporate workshops + performance classes for teams looking to enhance their collaboration and communication skills, or for individuals to just learn something new.

A group of actors stands on stage in a line as part of an improv comedy show.

Can you spot City Editor Connor in this performance?

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Photo provided by Swan City Improv

On Friday, April 5, Swan City Improv will celebrate seven years with its anniversary shows at Rec Room. While the 7:30 p.m. show is family-friendly material, the 9:30 p.m. show will be exclusively for those 21+. You can attend one show for $10 or both shows for $15. Pro tip: You may see a familiar face performing — City Editor Connor has been a member of the troupe since December 2020.
Asked

Have you ever attended a Swan City Improv show before?
A. All the time — I look forward to it every month.
B. Yes — it was a fun time, I’d go again.
C. No — haven’t been able to catch one yet.
D. I had never heard of this team before.
Have a laugh
 
Events
Monday, April 1
  • Monday Swing Workshop | Monday, April 1 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Etoile Dancewear, 121 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $15 | Experienced swing dancers can perfect their moves in this expert-led class.
  • BINGO! | Monday, April 1 | 6:30 p.m. | The Links of Sandpiper, 6001 Sandpipers Dr., Lakeland | Free | Fill your board and scream “bingo” B4 someone else does.
Tuesday, April 2
  • Storytime at the Florida Air Museum | Tuesday, April 2 | 10-11 a.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | Free | Children ages 2-5 years will enjoy interactive experiences that bring stories to life.
  • The Lakeland Stamp Club | Tuesday, April 2 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Peggy Brown Building, 215 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | Free | Share your interest in stamp collecting at this casual gathering.
Wednesday, April 3
  • Family Game Night | Wednesday, April 3 | 5-8 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Bring your family-friendly games to the Rooftop Bar to play with others.
  • World Ballet Series: “Swan Lake” | Wednesday, April 3 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $45-$89 | “Swan Lake” comes to Swan City with this performance by international ballet dancers.
Thursday, April 4
  • Yogadance | Thursday, April 4 | 4-5 p.m. | Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | $0-$5 | Dance to music from around the world in this uplifting exercise class for all levels — Silver Sneakers members get in free.
  • Vocal Jazz Showcase | Thursday, April 4 | 6-8 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | Free | Harrison School for the Arts vocal students will perform jazz favorites with guest artists Lisa Kelly Scott and Jeff Phillips.
Friday, April 5
  • First Friday: Foodie Fest | Friday, April 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | This month’s event will feature small bites from local restaurants and food vendors, in addition to the Makers Market.
Wednesday, May 1
  • Lakeland Regional Health 2024 Career Expo | Wednesday, May 1 | 4-6 p.m. | Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about LRH careers + benefits, tuition reimbursement, and more at this annual, interactive career fair open to aspiring healthcare workers, high school seniors, and college students.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Civic
  • City officials are meeting with FDOT staff and the Chamber of Commerce today at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the future of South Florida Avenue, following the Dixieland road diet. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in Lakeland Electric’s conference room at 501 E. Lemon St. (The Ledger)
Kids
  • City commissioners will vote today on a $303,400 update to Barnett Family Park. If approved, the new playground equipment will be installed in November. (LkldNow)
Health
Opening
  • The Modern Pearl, a women’s clothing boutique in Auburndale, is relocating to 719 E. Palmetto St. (across from Lakeland Public Library). Mark your calendars for the ribbon cutting on Friday, May 10 at 4 p.m. to shop trending looks and enter giveaways.
Lakelander
  • Did you know women make up less than 20% of the aviation workforce worldwide? Tori Cox, the operations manager for Amazon Air’s Lakeland hub, is aiming to change that. See what she + other organizations like Women in Aviation Lakeland are doing to close the gap. (WTSP)
Development
Job
  • Polk State College will host a free community career expo at its Winter Haven campus on Wednesday, April 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. More than 30 vendors will be present, including Saddle Creek Logistics Services, PCPS, LEGOLAND, and Walmart.
Plan Ahead
  • Get those eclipse glasses ready. The solar eclipse is coming up next Monday, April 8. While Florida may not be in the path of totality, Lakelanders will still get the chance to see a partial eclipse in the afternoon. Enter your zip code for specific viewing times + pro tips. (The Ledger)
Try This
  • Find your zen in a guided yoga class from Yoga Pointe at the Polk Museum of Art on Saturday, April 6 at 8:30 a.m. Participants will also enjoy live music from a Lakeland Symphony Orchestra violinist during class. Tickets are $50.
Concert
  • Local band Marrison will perform a show with special guests at The Pink Piano on Thursday, April 4 at 9 p.m. If the name “The Pink Piano” is tickling your brain, that might be because we recently highlighted it as one of Lakeland’s hidden gems.
Wellness
  • Designed with conversation in mind, these game-changing hearing aids feature crystal-clear sound in a sleek, discreet design. Enjoy clear speech with minimum background distractions — even in the noisiest environments. Join 385,000+ happy customers and start your 45-day, no-risk trial today.*
Shop
  • Roam & Ramble has a pocket full of sunshine. This Florida-inspired brand captures the essence of the Sunshine State through naturally made perfumes, soaps, and lotions. Plus, you can choose from scents like salty ocean air and earthy citrus.
 
Community

🙌 Three cheers for volunteers

How to give back and volunteer in Lakeland
volunteers with shovels and vests at Bonnet Springs Park
Many hands make light work — bring a group to volunteer with. | Photo by @bonnetspringspark
Today is the first day of National Volunteer Month. In the spirit of the season, we’ve rounded up a list of Lakeland organizations where you can get involved + share your passions — from animals and the outdoors to mentoring and the arts.
  • SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo | Help out at one of the world’s largest aviation events as a gardener, airplane mechanic, or even a pilot. Pro tip: This year’s event begins in just eight days.
  • Lakeland Community Theatre | Theater volunteers help design sets and props, make costumes, and sell concessions + tickets.
  • Dream Center | Adopt a block and serve the community by offering food, clothing, and children’s activities each month.
  • Gospel Village | Join residents in a community dinner every Thursday or complete a project during a scheduled Serve Day.
  • Polk County Bully Project | Foster a rescued pit bull or bully breed dog until they find their forever home.
35 more volunteer opportunities
The Buy
The Song of Everything Book to celebrate National Poetry Month. This poetic journey takes an adventure through South Carolina’s State Parks.
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The Wrap
 
Amelia Herring.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Amelia
From the editor
If there’s one thing I can’t help but get a kick out of, it’s a silly pun or “dad” joke. If the ones we shared today got your comedic juices flowing, drop us a line, and we may feature your jokes in an upcoming newsletter.
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