Orlando’s Amway Arena (previously named the Orlando Arena), is an impressive sporting venue with many additional facilities under the umbrella name of “The Orlando Venues,” including the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, the Mennello Museum and The Harry P. Leu Gardens. This huge entertainment complex covers space for basketball, arena football, ice shows, hockey and even circus spectaculars. There are also plenty of restaurants, so take the opportunity to take in the atmosphere with other fans, spectators and tourists before you watch a game or catch a show.
Upcoming events in 2009 across The Orlando Venues include:
Concerts - New Kids on the Block, Celtic Woman, Disturbed, Yanni Voices and Fleetwood Mac will all be gracing the concert hall to kickstart 2009, with countless other acts performing throughout the year. This part of the complex also hosts stand up comedy acts, so check out their website to check out what’s on when you’re in the area.
Arts and Theatre - Throughout February, the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center theatre will be showing various ballets performed by the Orlando Ballet, and also the Broadway extravaganza Chorus Line, performed by Suntrust Broadway Across America. To close February, Orlando Opera takes over, bringing you singing into March with the stage production of Legally Blonde and Brahms performed by the Orlando Philharmonic. In April Chitty Chitty Bang Bang bursts onto the stage, followed by a ballet take on the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet into the start of May. Check Amway’s website for continuing news for what’s on at the theatre when you’re in Orlando.
The Bob Carr Performing Arts Center will also host the World Ballet Competition from June 22-27, featuring the Central Florida Ballet. Special appearances will be made by entertainment celebrities who have particular ties to the dance form.
Basketball - Home to the team Orlando Magic, basketball is a huge deal at Amway with exemplary spectator seating. Orlando Magic play their home games here throughout the season. In February you can support them as they take on the Dallas Mavericks, LA Clippers, Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons to just name a few, with further home games against teams such as Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks - famously the favorite team of the characters of US sitcom ‘Friends’.
The venue is also home to the Orlando Predators American football team, and the Orlando Sharks Soccer team, with many sporting events covered at this venue all year round including the Champs Sports Bowl and Capitol One Bowl. Baseball is also represented on the floodlit Tinker Field outdoor stadium, and well worth experiencing on a nice sunny afternoon. Check up on the Arena’s website today to see when your favorite sport is represented, and get in on the action!
Another part of The Orlando Venues, Harry P. Leu Gardens is a wonderful collection of Southern-styled gardens spanning fifty acres, with three miles of paved walkways, and including tropical stream gardens, butterfly gardens, and much more, so if the action of the stadium gets too exhausting, why not break up your trip a little with a quiet stroll around this peaceful paradise. Alternatively, visit the Mennello Museum: This collection of American art is currently host to the John Sloan exhibition until 22nd March 2009, and has a fascinating permanent exhibition all year round.
