05.09.2024

Today’s Forecast

95º | 9% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:41 a.m. | Sunset 8:07 p.m.

🎭 Out of the box and into the spotlight

Out of the Box: Creating a home away from home for Lakeland’s disabled community

A group of smiling individuals wearing "Out of the Box" t-shirts smile at the camera.

Founded in 2011, “Out of the Box” has become a safe space for the disabled community to express their creativity for 13 years. | Photo courtesy of Lakeland Community Theatre

One of the biggest players in Swan City’s arts scene is Lakeland Community Theatre, part of whose mission is “to create an opportunity for individuals of all ages to develop and showcase their talents in a safe, nurturing, educational environment.” One way the organization does this? Its “Out of the Box” theater troupe.

Founded in 2011, Out of the Box provides individuals with disabilities from age 10 to adults the opportunity to gain confidence through the performing arts in an inclusive, supportive environment.

LAL_outoftheboxlct4_MAY2024 — “Out of the Box” performs two shows per year — last spring, they performed “Jillian’s Island”, an original play by the 8th grade creative writing students at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy.
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Photo courtesy of Lakeland Community Theatre.

The troupe is currently directed by the theatre’s Education Director Jordyn Jones and puts on two free performances each year — one in the fall and one in the spring. Members of the troupe are paired up with volunteer mentors known as “TKs” to help them navigate the rehearsal and performance process.

Since its inception, Out of the Box has grown from eight to around 100 members and operated entirely on donations + grant funding so that all members can participate at no cost. The troupe is currently at its member capacity, but it is always seeking adult volunteers. Those interested in volunteering can reach out to the theatre’s Business Manager, Bernardette Heaps, for more information.

Members and volunteers pose on stage. — “Out of the Box” operates solely on grants + donations, as well as the time and talents of volunteers.
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Photo courtesy of Lakeland Community Theatre

The troupe’s final performance of the year, a Disney-themed revue, will happen this Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m at 121 S. Lake Ave. — admission is free and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Donations for the program will be accepted at the door, or can be made via the theatre’s website.

Asked

What did Lakeland Community Theatre’s performers used to be called?

A. The Pied Piper Players
B. The Swan City Thespians
C. The 38 Lakes Players
D. The Polk County Performers Guild

Steal the show with your knowledge

Events

Thursday, May 9

Ballet Class | Thursday, May 9 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Kids ages 5-17 will learn basic ballet skills, terminology + more in a supportive, supervised environment.

Friday, May 10

Senior Social: Luau! | Friday, May 10 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Medulla Community Center, 1049 Parker Rd., Lakeland | Free | Start the summer with lunch and games at this party just for adults 55+.
Rug Tufting Workshop | Friday, May 10 | 5:30 p.m. | ART/ifact Studios, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Ste. 201, Lakeland | $80-$100 | Create your own original rug under the guidance of experts from Wolf in the Workshop.

Saturday, May 11

Mind, Body, Movement: Tai Chi led by Satya Life Yoga | Saturday, May 11 | 8-9 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Start your morning with a tranquil tai chi practice on the family lawn.
Goat Yoga on the Farm! | Saturday, May 11 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robins Rd., Lakeland | $20-$29 | Connect with nature and meet friendly goats during a guided yoga class.
Union Hall’s 5th Anniversary Celebration | Saturday, May 11 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate five years of Union Hall with free concerts from Enuff2Give, Ani & The Fly Boys, and Noan Partly.

Sunday, May 12

MOM-Mosa Buckets & Brunch | Sunday, May 12 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | CRAVE Hot Dogs & BBQ, 2250 Griffin Rd., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Toast to mom with mimosas, waffles, pancakes, and more brunch favorites — plus ax-throwing.
Second Sunday Market | Sunday, May 12 | 12-5 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from 90+ artisan vendors, enjoy live music, and take a photo with mom at the Mother’s Day photo op.

Events calendar here

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Try This

👀 Check out Lakeside Village’s three newest businesses

Try This: Check out Lakeside Village’s three newest businesses

Presented by a LALtoday Partner

rotating gif of a pet store, Korean barbecue restaurant, and shoe store

Lakeside Village is a hot spot for shopping, fine dining, and beautifully landscaped courts. | Photos by LALtoday

City Editor Amelia here. Recently, I got the chance to check out three of Lakeside Village’s newest businesses — here’s where I went and what I loved most:

What we tried:

Journey’s Shoe Store: Whether you’re a sneakerhead or prefer to shop for shoes out of convenience (ahem, me), Journey’s has you covered. There were a ton of styles to choose from, along with a wide variety of t-shirts and accessories.
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming: While I don’t personally own a dog (yet), I loved the vibe of Woof Gang. From the treat bar to the vast toy selection, this is the place to go if you want your pet to be treated like royalty.
KPOT Korean Barbecue: This was my first time trying Korean barbecue, and it certainly won’t be my last. The food was delicious and I loved the interactive experience of cooking my meal right at the table.

Keep reading to see what we’re still talking about.

See what not to miss

News Notes

Civic

City commissioners unanimously voted on Monday to purchase a $1.35 million, 2.3-acre piece of land in northwest Lakeland for Fire Station 8. Before the station goes live around 2026, firefighters are asking for the city to invest in expanding its fleet to meet growing needs. (LkldNow)

Real Estate

A historic home slated for demolition has been purchased by historic preservationist Gregory Fancelli. The Emory Bryant home (401 W. Peachtree St.) was built by one of Lakeland’s pioneer families and most recently housed a restaurant. (LkldNow)

Travel

Avelo has extended its flight schedule with Lakeland Linder International Airport. Now, Lakelanders can book flights to New Haven, CT through the start of November. BRB while we book our trip to live out our “Gilmore Girls” dreams.

Number

160. That’s how many years Girls Inc. has been active, making it the longest-running girls leadership program in the US. Winter Haven Mayor Nathaniel J. Birdsong Jr. recognized the organization’s community impact by proclaiming this week “Girls Inc. Week.”

Fun Fact

Swans aren’t Lakeland’s only connection to British royalty. The Royal Air Force cadets have been a SUN ‘n FUN staple for 30 years, contributing more than 3,600 volunteer hours annually. This year, 60 cadets and 16 staff made the 3,000-mile trip to support the expo. (General Aviation News)

Pets

Mark your calendars for Central Florida’s largest pet adoption event, happening May 17-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds. More than 300 spayed/neutered + microchipped pups will be available for adoption — all at no cost.

Try This

Pay what you can for a scrape painting lesson at ART/ifact Studios (820 N. Massachusetts Ave.) on Friday, May 31, 6-8 p.m. After the lesson, enjoy a free time of doodling + sketching — materials and pizza will be provided. RSVP to snag your spot.

Number

$6,000. That’s how much we’re looking to raise to support our staff and mission here at LALtoday — and our fundraising ends tomorrow. If you love the free community resource you’re reading right now (we sure do), support us today with a one-time donation. See how close we are to our goal.

Arts

Mayfaire by-the-Lake returns to the shores of Lake Morton this weekend, May 11-12. Featuring 150+ artist booths from around the country, this beloved fine art fest from the Polk Museum of Art has been among Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “200 Best Art Shows” for 10 consecutive years. Stop by + see why.*

Edu

Get schooled, LAL: SEU offers a diverse range of programs (think: not your grandma’s college experience) including online, hybrid, Graduate, and Trades + Tech programs. Oh — and they do traditional, on-campus courses, too.*

Travel

Imagine you, on the beach, in the Bahamas, frozen cocktail in-hand. Yes, you can be in the Bahamas in as little as 1.5 hours out of Orlando International Airport (MCO).*

Culture

Sister, sister (cities)

Lakeland’s 5 sister cities will surprise and inspire you

A bright blue ocean on a sunny day spreads before a mountain range in the distance.

Tour Imabari from the comfort of your own screen. | Photo via @yoshikichanchan

What do Swan City and Imabari, Japan have in common? The two might seem completely unrelated, but they are actually sister cities.

According to Sister Cities International, the idea behind Sister City partnerships is to cultivate international relationships while having the opportunity to explore different cultures and stimulate economic development.

No need to grab your passport. We’re giving you a quick tour of Lakeland’s five sister cities — all from the comfort of home.

Imabari, Japan

Est. 1995 | Home to a 17th-century castle, this island city in Japan is a biker’s paradise. Students from Lakeland and Imabari travel to each city to learn each others’ languages and cultures nearly every year.

Richmond Hill, Canada

Est. 1990 | Our oldest sister city shares activities with Lakeland like lawn bowling, ice hockey, and golf. The two cities have also hosted exchange students.

Three more city siblings

The Buy

LED signs. Are you looking for a fun way to brighten up your home? Category6 LED has iconic neon signs scaled down to a size perfect for your at-home bar or game room.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Amelia

From the editor

I find the concept of sister cities so fascinating. Traveling to Japan has been on my bucket list for quite some time — maybe now I need to add Imabari to my future itinerary.

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