Amway Center, normally home to the Orlando Magic professional basketball team, hosts musical performers like Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga and Bon Jovi. UCF Arena also serves as a prime venue for musical events, and in 2011, it played host to Kid Rock and Katy Perry, among others. Hard Rock Live Orlando seats 3,000 concert-goers and presents both nationally known bands as well as emerging musicians. The Plaza Theatre was originally built in 1963 and contained the first two-screen movie theatre in the city. After being remodeled in the early 1990s, the theatre has grown to include high-caliber musical talent.
The Florida Music Festival, held in downtown Orlando in April, is a four-day event that in 2011 will celebrate its 10th anniversary. More than 250 bands are scheduled to perform on 15 different stages. The All American Music Festival attracts middle school and high school students from all over the country. Awards are presented to winners in all categories, including bands, choirs and orchestras. OrlandoFest is the newest festival in Orlando and pits auxiliary, instrumental and choral ensembles against each other. Musicians perform in two high school state-of-the art performing arts centers.
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performs 125 concerts each year at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. Premier events include the Super Series, which is comprised of 10 classic and pop repertoires; Sounds of Summer Series, which includes five concerts; and the four-event Focus Series, which concentrates on a particular theme showcasing the musician's talent. The orchestra also performs 30 Young People's Concerts for students, as well as Tiny Tots, which provides an introduction to classical music geared at toddlers.
Two of Orlando's most popular tourist destinations host musical events throughout the year. Epcot Center, located in Lake Buena Vista, is only a half-hour drive from Orlando and is one of Disney's four theme parks. The annual fall Epcot International Food & Wine Festival features soul, jazz and funk concerts at night, and Christmas is celebrated from Thanksgiving through the end of the year with the Holidays Around the World Candlelight Processional, in which a full orchestra and choir accompany the retelling of the Christmas Story. SeaWorld's musical events begin in February with the Bands, Brew and Barbecue and include March's Viva La Musica and other musical shows at night.
Check if the musical event requires a ticket, and purchase it in advance, either at the venue's box office or online. Investigate parking possibilities, including using venue parking lots, parking at a free or a cheaper location and walking to the event, or using a shuttle bus. Bring additional funds to purchase food, drinks and merchandise. Check the venue's website to verify what is acceptable to bring into the arena.