CitySurfing Orlando

Here’s some of our picks for shows not to miss at Plaza Live for April 2012:

April 6 – Pink Martini – $28.50 and up
From jazz to classical to pop and more, Pink Martini loves to explore the boundaries of music. They’ve collaborated with a roster that includes such diverse talent as Carol Channing and DJ DIMItri from Paris, and it’s not unusual to see more than a dozen musicians onstage at any point in time. They’ve been known to sell out Carnegie Hall, so here’s your chance to see them in a more intimate venue.

April 11 – Tower of Power – $26.50 and up
They formed in Oakland, California, in 1968, and spent the early 70s releasing a string of hits. They’ve also performed on hits from the likes of Huey Lewis, Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson and David Sanborn. If you like classic soul and R&B, this is the show to catch.

...|: Jimmie Vaughan

April 13 – Jimmie Vaughan – $20 advance/$22 day of
Vaughan is a well respected and well loved bluesman, who, on his own and as a member of bands like the Fabulous Thunderbirds, has recorded a legacy of great music. On his newest release, Blues, Ballads and Favorites, Vaughan has covered tunes he loves that were written by others. It’s his first CD in nearly nine years and he says, ““I just wanted to do these songs and that was it, really. And like all of my albums this one is 100% totally selfish. I want people to like what I do but at the same time I have this strong feeling that if I don’t like it, I can’t expect them to.”

April 20 – Rick Springfield – $45 and up
Rick Springfield is a multi-hyphen entertainer whose resume includes actor and author. But music has always been his first love and he has a string of hits to prove it. Songs such as “Jessie’s Girl” and “I’ve Done Everything for You” are still radio staples, even more than 30 years after their release. Don’t miss this chance to see Rick perform live – he always puts on a great show.

April 27 – Chris Burns – $15 gen admission/$20 admission + CD
This show is a CD release party for Orlando’s own Chris Burns. This singer-songwriter has spent the last two years writing and recording his newest release, Out of the Well, so come on out and celebrate its release. $20 preferred tickets even get you a copy of the CD – that’s a deal!

For more information on these and other upcoming shows, visit plazaliveorlando.com. Plaza Live is located at 425 N. Bumby Ave. in Orlando.

Here are some picks for major concerts and other events happening in and around Orlando during the month of April 2012:

April 5-14 – Lake County Fair - $7 for adults/$3 for kids 6-11/Free 5 and under
As we head towards summer and the heat it brings, the county fair circuit is closing up around the state. There’s still this one last hurrah in Eustis, Florida, though. Gates open at 5pm Monday through Friday; 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. Ride armbands are additional to gate admission. Check the website for daily deals and coupons.

April 10 – Aziz Ansari – UCF Arena – $5 (UCF students)/$25 (non-students)
Comedian Aziz Ansari returns to Orlando for this appearance sponsored by UCF. If you’re a student, flash your valid UCF ID at the box office to get your ticket for only $5.

April 12 – Daughtry – Hard Rock Live – $39.50-$75
The former American Idol alum is touring in support of his third chart-topping CD, Break the Spell. Safety Suit and Mike Sanchez are opening.

April 12 – Van Halen – Amway Center – $27.50 to $147
Yes, Van Halen have reformed with original vocalist David Lee Roth and not only have they released a new CD (A Different Kind of Truth), but they are touring in support. Kool & the Gang will open for the band in Orlando.

April 13 – Kevin James – Hard Rock Live – $55-$75
He’s no longer the King of Queens, but comedian Kevin James will still be bringing the funny to the Hard Rock Live on Friday the 13th.

April 14 – WJRR Earthday Birthday XIX – $58
Capping off this weekend of rock, this year’s installment of the annual Earthday Birthday will be going all day out at Tinker Fieldwith the likes of Godsmack and Staind, along with Chevelle, The Used, Theory of a Deadman, Trivium, Taproot, The Supervillains and many more.

April 14-15 – 23rd Annual Spring Fiesta in the Park – Lake Eola Park – Free
This event has plenty of fun and food for the entire family, as well as over 200 original artist and craft booths to browse and shop from. Hours are from 10am to 5pm each day.

April 17-May 13 – Broadway Across America presents Disney’s The Lion King – Bob Carr P.A.C. – $2$-70
This four week engagement of the popular Disney musical based on the hit film performs nightly Tuesdays through Sundays, with additional matinee on Saturday and Sunday. The show does not perform on Mondays.

April 18 – 27th Annual Taste of Winter Park – Winter Park Farmers Market – $40
Enjoy an evening sampling food and drink from 40 local participants and live entertainment by Johnny Mag Sax.

April 19 – The Gipsy Kings – Hard Rock Live – $37.50-$75
This Grammy-award winning Latin fusion band is always a treat to see live. They have entertained crowds worldwide for several decades.

April 27-29 – Festival of Chocolate – UCF Arena – $15 adult/$9 kids
It’s all about chocolate at this annual Orlando event. Enjoy demostrations, competitions, samples for sale and more. If you like chocolate, even just a little, you’ll definitely want to check this out.

April 28 – Bill Maher – King Center in Melbourne -$35
It’s a bit of a drive from Orlando but it’s worth the effort if you enjoy good observational political commentary and comedy,

Every month, except November and December, the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando hosts a live concert called Velvet Sessions. It’s a 21 and over event that features classic rock and pop artists performing in an intimate club-like atmosphere.

For March 2012, the band tapped to play is Tonic, which has had a string of hit singles including “If You Could Only See” and “You Wanted More.”

This month’s Velvet Sessions takes place on March 29, 2012.

Tickets are $29 in advance online or $35 at the door. This not only gets you in the door, but free specialty drinks, finger foods and warm-up tunes from 6:30 pm until show time. Complimentary valet parking is also included.

For $50, you can upgrade to VIP, which in addition to the above perks, gives you access to a special viewing area with a private bar serving those free specialty drinks all night.

Every year during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World, they offer up live entertainment from classic 60s and 70s hitmakers during what they call their Flower Power concert series.

For many years former Monkees frontman Davy Jones was one of the musicians scheduled to appear in concert. Unfortunately, Jones passed away last month, leaving a void in both the schedule and fans’ hearts.

...|: Micky Dolenz

Disney says that replacing Jones at the last minute will be his bandmate in the Monkees, Micky Dolenz. The two made up half of the made-for-TV 60s band, which had hits with songs like “Daydream Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville.” This marks the first Flower Power appearance for Dolenz, and he will perform the final weekend of the festival, May 18-20, in place of Jones.

The Flower Power series began this last weekend, with Latin singer Jose Feliciano. Shows take place at Epcot’s American Gardens Theatre at 5:15pm, 6:30pm and 7:45pm. In a change from previous years, concerts will only be held on the weekends during festival’s run.

Here is the remainder of the performer line-up:

March 16-18… Starship starring Mickey Thomas
March 23-25… The Guess Who
March 30-April 1… The Spinners
April 6-8… Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
April 13-15… Paul Revere & The Raiders
April 22-24… The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27-29… Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night
May 4-6… The Orchestra featuring former members of ELO and ELO Part II
May 11-13… Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 18-20… Micky Dolenz of The Monkees

The concert series is included with regular Epcot admission.

For those who’ve never been there, the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando has an almost monthly concert series called Velvet Sessions. They bring in classic pop and rock bands to play for the evening and have a pre-show with free cocktails and such.

Well, if you’ve always wanted to check out a Velvet Sessions show, but weren’t sure if you wanted to pay the $30 or so for a ticket, you might want to check out this special Valentine’s show.

It’s a bit off a twist called “Acoustic Sessions” and instead of a full band, it will feature Carl Dixon (formerly of the Guess Who) in an unplugged-style concert.

In addition to being a stripped down version of the normal Velvet Session concert (but no less fun), this show differs because it’s completely free.

Of course, because it’s free, drinks won’t be, but there will be cash bars and cocktail service for the evening, and $5 self-parking at the hotel. You can also reserve a table for two for $30 or a table for four for $50. Reserved tables get the first round of drinks complimentary, as well as parking (self or valet).

This “Acoustic Sessions” show with Carl Dixon takes place Tuesday, February 14, and starts at 8pm.