Rock for Hunger, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, continues to make a difference in the Central Florida community. From feeding 150+ individuals every week to helping with employment, housing and child education, to throwing concerts for awareness and hope, Rock For Hunger is going to end homelessness one person at a time through music and peace.

This Saturday, November 15th marks the 3rd annual Rock For Hunger Festival. This year’s festivities will take place at The Plaza Theatre in Downtown Orlando and feature over 20 local and indie bands sprinkled in-between chart topping hip-hopper Kardinal Offishall. Rock For Hunger Fest kicks off at 1pm with a street party and art festival and then moves inside for 10 hours of music, facts, raffles and more.

Tickets for the event are only $10 in advance and $20 at the door. What’s even better is that every $10 ticket sold will help feed 40 hungry people right here in Orlando. Whether you work or play downtown, you have no doubt seen the homeless situation throughout downtown, now is your chance to do something about it. Even if you cannot make the event, Rock For Hunger is accepting donations to continue the work they started 3 years ago on the University of Central Florida campus.

Get your tickets here, right now or at:
Ticketmaster
The Plaza Theatre Box Office
Park Ave CD’s
Park Ave UCF
And 10,000 Villages

This show serves as an awareness point for the Central Florida community. However, on November 16th, poverty and homelessness do not end. Rock For Hunger still needs volunteers and help with donations, cooking, job training and other aspects. We are always looking for new smiling faces that we can make into Rock Stars and make the people we serve feel like Rock Stars.

See you on the 15th and get ready to Rock For Hunger.

The Plaza Theatre
425 N Bumby Ave
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 228-1220

For any questions regarding Rock For Hunger please contact Greg at greg.rollett@endagon.com or call 321.438.4442.

Guest author Greg Rollett, from Endagon Innovations, can be found on his blog at gregrollett.blogspot.com and can also be followed on Twitter

Dinosaurs will roar to life this week in Orlando as WALKING WITH DINOSAURS - The Live Experience takes the Amway Arena back to prehistoric times for a series of eight perfomances starting Wednesday. Audiences will enjoy life-size recreations of ten different species of dinosaurs, inclduing the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Plateosaurus, Stegosaurus and more.

The show depicts the dinosaurs’ evolution, complete with the climatic and tectonic changes that took place, which led to the demise of many species. The history of the world is played out with the splitting of the earth’s continents, and the transition from the arid desert of the Triassic period is given over to the lush green prairies and forces of the later Jurassic. Oceans form, volcanoes erupt, a forest catches fire — all leading to the impact of the massive comet, which struck the earth, and forced the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Amway Arena box office and range from $27.50 to $65.00.

Sugarland, Country Music Association’s “Vocal Duo of the Year” in 2007, held a concert last night at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. A not-so-sold out crowd of about 8,000 country music fans were at the show, which included opening performances by Ashton Shepherd and former American Idol “minx” Kellie Pickler.

This was my first visit to the Osceola Heritage Park complex, and the Silver Spurs Arena proved to be a very acceptable concert venue. There was ample floor seating available and every ticket offered a good view of the main stage. The biggest issue was definitely the parking situation, which was nearly unbearable. After getting to within two blocks of the entrance, we crawled along in a single file line for the next hour before finally parking.

As for the show, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles was amazing the combined energy level of the duo made for an exciting show. If you’re unfamiliar with Sugarland, you should check out one of their videos on YouTube. Their peformance of their Academy Award winning single, “Stay”, at one of last year’s award shows is a wonderful display of Nettle’s vocal prowess. Last night’s concert showed that and more.

The parking situation kept us from seeing Ashton Shepherd’s performance, but just after getting seated, Kellie Pickler took to the stage and belted out a set of songs from her first two albums. Having seen Kellie on American Idol, I wasn’t too sure about her overall abilities as a performer, but she too, had the pipes of a well-seasoned artist. With a little fine-tuning, a few more hits, and some additional experience on stage, she should enjoy a very nice career.

If you happened to be at the show and got a few pictures, send them along to fieldreport@livingorlando.com. My cameras could only do so good from our section, but just about everyone there had a camera so I’m sure there are good shots out there.

On a final note, Sugarland’s encore was decidedly un-country. Featuring performances of “The One I Love” and “Love Shack” (with Kellie Pickler and Ashton Shepherd joining in on the fun), Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush jumped in giant clear “balloons” and proceeded to jump off the stage and onto the hands of the excited crowd below. Definitely a cool moment.

Here are some pictures …

The Orlando Puppet Festival
The Orlando Puppet Festival (November 7-9) is sponsored in part by IBEX Puppetry and Mad Cow Theatre. OPF brings puppetry to the forefront in Orlando and the Central Florida area, featuring local, regional, and national talent in the art of puppetry. www.orlandopuppetfestival.com

2008 Orlando Veterans Day Parade
Join Mayor Buddy Dyer in honoring our local veterans during the City of Orlando’s 2008 Veteran’s Day Parade which will be held on Saturday November 8th at 10 am in downtown Orlando. Bring the family, enjoy marching bands, floats (including 15 floats that have been featured in the Gasparilla parade in Tampa) and salute the men and women from over 150 central Florida veterans’ organizations. Immediately following the parade, join us for our post event on Robinson Street. The event will include a classic car show, float display, music and more! www.cityoforlando.net

Aerial Stage to Roar at Second Annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center
Aeronautics will soar to new heights as an expanded roster of aviation stars will take to the skies for the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center featuring the Blue Angels November 8 and 9, 2008. With the backdrop of America’s launch facilities, the air show continues to expand, complementing the always spectacular Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. Newly announced acts set to take the aerial stage include the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division Parachute Demonstration Team, the Air Force Heritage Flight Program, the “Panchito” B-25J Mitchell Bomber and the C-130T Hercules Aircraft, “Fat Albert.” Tickets for the Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center are available online at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com or by calling 321-449-4400 with special savings for advance purchase.

Everything you always wanted to know about ‘Sesame Street’ but didn’t know who to ask
The Orange County Regional History Center with IBEX Puppetry and the Orlando Puppet Festival present a Sunday brunch event with Fran Brill, principal puppeteer of Prairie Dawn and Zoe from “Sesame Street” on November 9, 2008, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Orange County Regional History Center. Fran Brill is an acclaimed actress and puppeteer and was the first female Muppet performer to be hired by Jim Henson on “Sesame Street.” Brill answers the “how’d they do that” questions you’ve always wanted to ask, gives a peek behind the scenes of “Sesame Street,” and tells what it was like to work with Jim Henson. Using video clips, Brill tells how she broke into the “boys club,” and how she develops characters like Prairie Dawn and Zoe. Zoe will make a special appearance and a question and answer session and photograph signing will follow the presentation. www.thehistorycenter.org/

“Bold Hype” to host local group art exhibition
Bold Hype, gallery and shop, brings the best artists from Central Florida together for a group art show called “SURROUNDED” from Nov 14th till December 31st. Bold Hype’s goals are to bring the best pop-surrealist and lowbrow art from around the world to Central Florida, and to be a creative hub for the amazing talent that’s right here in the Orlando area. The artists included in this exhibition are Cake, Dolla, Patrick Fatica, Dennis Hansbury, David Hoskins, Charles Marklin, Phil Noto, Johannah O’Donnell, Dustin Orlando, Scott Scheidly, Andrew Spear, and Pam Treadwell. The opening reception is on November 14th, 6pm - 11pm. It will be at Bold Hype, 1844 East Winter Park Road, Orlando, FL 32803. www.boldhype.com

Fall Jazz Stroll at Leu Gardens
Harry P. Leu Gardens’ annual romantic tradition is almost here, the Fall Jazz Stroll held on Saturday, November 15, 2008, from 7 – 10 pm. Enjoy an evening inside Central Florida’s most beautiful garden with candlelit paths leading to some Central Florida’s very best jazz performers: Saxophonist Erly Thornton, (back by popular demand) Dr. Otto Gomez and Cornucopia Trio featuring Matt “the saxman.” Each band will feature favorite songs as well as originals. Pack a dinner picnic basket full of your favorite foods/drinks and bring chairs or blanket for this outdoor event. Tickets on sale November 3, 2008. Cost: $17 General Admission plus tax, $13 Garden Members plus tax (members may purchase up to 4 tickets at member prices per membership). Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable to other garden activities. Garden vendors will be selling libations, coffee and desserts. Tickets may be purchased at Leu Gardens Gift Shop or by phone 407.246.2620. www.leugardens.org

For the kids …

The History Center Gets Spooky with Trick-or-Treat Safe Zone
On Saturday, October 25 from 6 - 8pm, the Orange County Regional History Center will get spooky during the Trick-or-Treat Safe Zone. Safely celebrate Halloween, have fun, and learn something new … if you dare! This free event is targeted to “ghouls” and “goblins” ages 12 and under, and includes three floors of trick-or-treating with creepy crafts, revolting refreshments, and a not-so-scary Mystery House. Come ready for a hair-raising costume contest! Call (407) 836-8500 or visit www.thehistorycenter.org for more information.

Winter Park’s 5th Annual Family Fall Festival
On Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 11am - 2pm, this events kicks-off “Orange County’s Celebration of National Family Week,” which focuses on strengthening the community by strengthening families. The festival will include games, inflatables, activities, entertainment, safety programs, costume and candy safety tips offered by Winter Park Police and Fire-Rescue Departments, Trick or Treat on Park Avenue, entertainment from the main stage, fun costume parade and much, much more. Special thanks to Progress Energy, and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department for making this event possible.

For the adults …

Orlando Brewing Halloween Costume Party
Spend Halloween listening to live music in your favorite costume and receive a 20% discount on Orlando Brewing merchandise. Prizes will be awarded for most creative, most outrageous, best look-a-like, best pair, and best costume related to beer. The fun begins at 9pm and lasts all night.

Halloween Costume Party in the Chill Lounge at ICEBAR
On Friday, October 31 from 8pm – 2am, enjoy the freezing cold temperatures and the warming effects of the Chill Lounge at ICEBAR Orlando. The costume contest includes a $250 cash prize and advanced ICEBAR reservations include free admission to the party. For those of you who want to stay warm all night (no visit to the ice bar), a $10 admission gets you in at the door.

Plazaween 8 on Wall Street Plaza
A Friday Halloween sets up an exciting night of “Full Moon Fright!” Check out the “biggest and best” Halloween celebration in Orlando!

Enzian presents, “The Thing”
To get in the Halloween mood, spend the night of October 28 watching a cult classic presentation of John Carpenter’s “The Thing” (1982). According to the Enzian blog, this movie is “jaw-droppingly gruesome, terrifying, and thrilling to watch, with incredible makeup and special effects. All in all, a perfect appetizer for your Halloween fun just three days later.”

While Living Orlando will not make an official endorsement, many media outlets are very willing to give us their opinion. Rolling Stone used the title, “A New Hope”, in endorsing Barack Obama, although they stayed away from any Star Wars comparisons to the Illinois Senator. “Hope” was also the word used by Foster’s Daily Democrat to endorse John McCain, saying the republican candidate is “a true harbinger of change, a candidate of hope.”

But have you decided? Who will you vote for on November 4th? Who do you think will ultimately become the 44th President of the United States of America?

According to the United States Department of Health & Human Services, a family of 4 that earns $21,200 or less is considered to live in poverty. Back in 2000, when that number was only $17,463, more than one out of ten Florida residents fell below the poverty line (11.7%). In one of Orlando’s poorest neighborhoods, the child poverty rate was determined to be 73% by the 2000 census.

The City of Orlando’s “Working Committee on Homelessness” published a report stating that “there were no less than 6,300 homeless individuals within our tri-county area (Orange, Osceola, & Seminole Counties), and that there may be an additional 7,300 persons currently ‘at-risk’ of homelessness or inadequately housed in our area.”

While those numbers are sobering news, there is a exciting way to make a difference right here in Orlando through Rock for Hunger.

Rock for Hunger exists to end the cycle of poverty and homelessness through education and uniting the community. Through education for children in low income neighborhoods we strive to end the cycle of generational poverty. By providing linkages to employment, housing, and other services in the community we are going to end homelessness one person at a time through music and peace.

To achieve these goals, Rock For Hunger will hold a concert on November 15th at The Plaza Theatre, with nearly 20 bands scheduled to perform on a set of three stages. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased through Ticketmaster, at The Plaza Theatre, Ten Thousand Villages or Park Ave CD’s.

Complete information can be found on the Rock For Hunger official website, www.rockforhungerfest.org.

After reading the press release and seeing some pictures on the ICEBAR Orlando website, I was expecting much more when I attended the opening night press event. Their usage of the term “expedition” gave me the impression that there would be opportunities to “explore” once inside the ice bar. Instead, I found a space that’s no more than 10 steps from end-to-end. Compared to ICE! at Gaylord Palms, there’s nearly zero interactivity.

There may be a market for ICEBAR Orlando, especially as a special event location, but the price tag is way too high for what you get in return on most nights. In comparison, $35 could buy you dinner and a movie for two at the Enzian, a ticket to “The Glass Menagerie” at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater or a weekday ticket to Halloween Horror Nights^*.

If you’re interested in seeing ICEBAR Orlando for yourself, Orlando Attractions Magazine posted an excellent review that includes pictures and video that beautifully capture the interior of ICEBAR and some of its most “interesting” features.

You can also read more on the ICEBAR Orlando website, or in one of many articles available on the web, including one posted today on CNN.com.

^* Florida resident price

Oh yeah, there’s two full evenings of great music lined up, too. Bands like .38 Special, Jim Van Fleet & The Reign, Earl Thomas Conley and Rodney Atkins will all take stage. More than 10 hours of free live music to enjoy as a family.

So here’s what you need to do.

The entertainment begins at 6pm on Friday evening, so load up your car that morning with folding chairs for the entire family, and plan on doing dinner at the festival. With over 20 vendors on site, you won’t need to worry about food selection. In addition to the music, kids can participate in various contests, play midway games and ride a few carnival rides.

Don’t wear yourselves out, though, Saturday is a much busier day.

If you act now, you can register for the Louis Fazio, Jr. 5K Walk and Run for only $19 (thru Oct. 17, race-day $25), which takes place at 7:30am on Saturday morning. Otherwise, the classic car show and free fishing tournament both begin at 10am, while the main-stage entertainment gets going just after 3pm. You could also do some shopping at the arts & crafts marketplace, or enter your dog into the “Howl-O-Ween” Doggie Contest. Just make sure to pick a spot to watch the concerts (and eventually the fireworks) by 5:30 or so, because the place is going to get packed.

At the end of the day, Founder’s Day in Ocoee is the type of event that local residents should support. It’s not overly extravagant, but it is true to the area and does an excellent job of bringing the local community together.

If you want all of the details, complete information is available online.

For those of you who aren’t residents of Winter Garden, Windermere or Ocoee, pack a small cooler and drive the extra few miles to downtown Winter Garden for a stop at Sweet Traditions. This French bakery is full of amazing baked goods and sweet treats that should not be missed.

Finally, if you can find a few spare minutes during all of the excitement, you might want to pay the small fee (adults $3; students $1) to walk through the Withers Maguire House & Museum. This building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is only open a few times per year.