Entertainment and Going Out Guide - OrlandoSentinel.com

Universal Studios: Times set for parade, lagoon show

By Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:03:00 GMT

Universal Studios theme park has settled on times for its daily parade and nighttime lagoon show, both of which debuted this month.

Orlando Fringe: Sentinel's Best of the Festival

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:55:00 GMT

Each year, the Orlando Sentinel reviewing team picks 10 Orlando Fringe Festival shows for our Best of the Festival list. Here are this year's top 10, presented alphabetically… you can read the review of each and check out remaining showtimes after the list.

Hello, cupcake! Central Florida bakers prove that good things do come in small packages

By Heather McPherson, Orlando Sentinel Food Editor — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:29:00 GMT

You could call cupcakes the leaders of the comeback kids.

Aquatica: New discount for college students

By Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:58:00 GMT

College students can get discounted entry to Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park, now through June 30.

Universal Orlando: Annual-pass deal includes 3 bonus months

By Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:45:00 GMT

Universal Orlando has introduced an annual-pass deal for Florida residents that gives passholders access to its two theme parks for 15 months.

Legoland Florida: 1,000+ preview water park

By Dewayne Bevil , Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:29:00 GMT

Water park opens Saturday at Winter Haven attraction

Legoland Florida previewed its new water park for more than 1,300 guests Thursday.

TV tonight: 'So You Think You Can Dance' returns; 'Duets,' 'Men at Work' debut

By Hal Boedeker — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Didn't get enough reality contests this week despite the season finales of"American Idol"and"Dancing With the Stars"? You're in luck.

Spooky Empire's May-hem

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:07:00 GMT

WHAT : An empire, indeed. Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend in October is a blast for fright-film fans, but after it began bringing in cult icons like George Romero, the infection could no longer be contained. Enter May-hem, a summer convention to sate even the biggest horror nerds, with live bands and a zombie walk in honor of the late Bill Hinzman (featured zombie in the original "Night of the Living Dead" and a Spooky Empire regular). Celebrity highlights this year include an original Addams Family reunion, stars from AMC's "The Walking Dead" and an appearance by robot butt-kicker Linda Hamilton (seen here in "Terminator II").

The fun, fabulous and adult Fringe

Commander Coconut — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:06:00 GMT

I want to be sure the Fringe Festival keeps it freak on

Summer camps around the corner

Terry Hummel — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:58:00 GMT

There are art camps all over our area for kids ¿ and some for adults, too

Stormy songs from Carrie Underwood in December

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:55:00 GMT

Carrie Underwood is a singer on a mission. "Before He Cheats" became a karaoke battle cry for every jilted girl in 2006, and now we have a familiar theme on "Good Girl," another hit single that warns her fans about less-than-ideal suitors.

Don't miss: John Prine

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:37:00 GMT

WHAT: The charms of iconic folk singer and songwriter John Prine haven't diminished since his early days on the music scene in the 1970s. Likewise, the character-driven appeal of songs such as "Angel From Montgomery," "Souvenirs" and "Spanish Pipedream." In addition to the classic material, Prine offers some of the best song introductions around. At his 2008 show in Melbourne, he chatted amiably about his early days, writing songs on his Chicago mail route. Prine recalled for the crowd how he first imagined that he had come up with a song so complicated that he couldn't play it on guitar, then realized "it was just the same three chords I always used." After all these years, those chords still serve him well.

Shak Nasti on move with new CD

By Jim Abbott , Orlando Sentinel Music Critic — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:36:00 GMT

In the past five years, jam-band Shak Nasti has become Orlando's de facto house band with its freewheeling weekly residency at Tanqueray's in downtown Orlando.

Barbarella Reunion

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:22:00 GMT

WHAT : Looks like there's room for more than one kind of memorial this weekend. If you've lamented the bygone years of night life in downtown Orlando, you must remember Barbarella, the dark and danceable nightclub that catered to goths and indie kids where Independent Bar now stands. If you don't, head to the reunion night anyway. The $2.50 PBRs and well whiskeys are a hot incentive, and the '90s tunes DJ Smilin' Dan and Indie Bar Rob will be spinning are right back in style.

Parents guide: 'Men in Black 3,' 'The Dictator'

By Roger Moore , McClatchy/Tribune news — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:17:00 GMT

'Men in Black 3'

Don't Miss: I-4 photo exhibit at Orange County Regional History Center

By Dewayne Bevil , Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:04:00 GMT

WHAT: A look at unexpected beauty found near the exits of Interstate 4 is examined in a new photo exhibition at the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando. "FloridaScapes: I-4 — The Exits Less Traveled" by Crealde Studio artist Sherri Bunye includes 10 never-before-seen images and concentrates on the stretch between Orlando and Sanford. (Pictured is a pier on Lake Ivanhoe.) Eventually, Bunye hopes to capture scenes the length of the highway from Daytona Beach to Tampa.

What's new at Medieval Times and Wet 'n Wild

Dewayne Bevil on Attractions — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:03:00 GMT

Two longtime Central Florida attractions are undergoing noticeable changes in the next few weeks

'American Idol': And the winner is ...

By Hal Boedeker — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:07:00 GMT

Once an event, the "American Idol" finale is a flabby affair that's over the hill. That was the sad case Wednesday night, before the news was revealed.

WhirlyDome: A look inside new International Drive venue

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:53:00 GMT

'Dancing With the Stars': And the winner is ...

By Hal Boedeker — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:04:00 GMT

"Dancing With the Stars"named its 14th winner Tuesday.

'American Idol': Phillip Phillips hits the heights with 'Home'

By Hal Boedeker — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:08:00 GMT

The original song set apart the two finalists Tuesday on " American Idol ": Rocker Phillip Phillips had more kick than pop singer Jessica Sanchez.

Orange County grants benefit Mad Cow, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Rep and OMA

By Matthew J. Palm , Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:07:00 GMT

Mad Cow Theatre's new home received a funding boost Tuesday morning when the Orange County Board of Commissioners approved a $250,000 grant for the downtown Orlando nonprofit theater company.

Katie Couric to Sarah Palin: Let's talk again

By Hal Boedeker , Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:08:00 GMT

When Katie Couric starts her daytime show in the fall, she would love to interview Sarah Palin.

Legoland: Water-park event free for first 400 guests

By Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:03:00 GMT

Legoland Florida's water park officially opens to the public this Saturday, but there's a chance to preview it for free (and set a world record) on Thursday.

Universal Studios: Rock the Universe tickets on sale

By Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:05:00 GMT

Tickets for Rock the Universe, the two-night Christian music festival at Universal Studios theme park, are now on sale. The event, which runs Sept. 7 and 8, offers several ticket options.