That’s what’s happening next Saturday night, January 24th. Polk Museum of Art and the Imperial Symphony Orchestra are both hosting great events, and both at the same time! Now you just have to decide what you like better: a wine tasting, or a night of opera!

Since I always talk about the Museum, I’ll start with what’s happening with ISO. A Night at the Opera: Don Giovanni will be held at Florida Southern College’s Branscomb Auditorium starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are $60 Gold, $40 Silver, $30 Bronze, and $20 Economy. Children and full-time students can get their tickets for half price!

This is a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, which is considered one of the greatest operas ever written. My sister is a trained opera singer (no, she’s not in the performance), so while we were both in college, I was exposed to quite a bit of opera floating out of her bedroom. Mozart’s operas were always the most palatable to my untrained ear, and Don Giovanni certainly had some amazing arias.

Anyway, this performance is a fundraising benefit for ISO. Besides the opera itself, they’ve worked out a couple of great deals with local restaurants and hoteliers. You can get 20% off your bill at Mario’s with your ticket to the opera. Lakeland Yacht & Country Club members can enjoy a special 3-course meal prior to the performance. And the Imperial Swan Hotel & Suites is offering a special room rate for the evening also.

Tickets to A Night at the Opera: Don Giovanni can be purchased by calling ISO at 688-3743 x4 or by visiting their website.

If opera’s not your thing, then head over to PMoA for Drinkable Art: An “Exhibition” in Good Taste. This annual wine tasting, which is presented in partnership with Vintage Wine Cellars, will feature 30 wines by eight vintners. The idea behind Drinkable Art is that vintners are artists whose media is the grape. Each bottle of wine is an artistic creation. I understand that each vintner will have their own table and a representative on hand to talk about their work.

Vintage Wine Cellars will also be providing a variety of cheeses to sample, and Billy Needs a Beard will be entertaining everyone with their folksy musical sound. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door, and can be purchased by calling 863-688-7743 x238 or visiting the Museum’s website.

So there you have it! Two great events on one night, and at the same time. Take your pick! You’ll have a great evening either way.

I’m looking forward to Florida Dance Theatre’s Harlequin Ball this Friday, October 10, at the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club. The staff and volunteers have been working hard to make this a great benefit event for FDT that includes food, drinks, dancing and a performance by FDT’s professional company. Everything starts at 6:30. Tickets are $75 each and will be available at the door. I’ll be there, probably helping with check-in, so if you see me, tell me you read about it on this blog!

Also on October 10, Cracker Storytellers present Ghostly Tales at the Polk County Historical Museum in Bartow, and Art from the Collection of George Lowe opens at the Melvin Gallery at Florida Southern College.

Bartow Art Guild’s Conucopia Art Show will open at Bartow Public Library on October 13. The show runs through November 14, and reception will be held on November 2 at 3:00pm.

For performances: Tuesday Music Club of Lakeland will present Opera Live on October 14 at 10:30am. Call 701-2813 for details.

The Lake Wales Music Club will meet at 1pm at the Lake Wales Arts Center on October 16.

Polk Community College will present Broadway on Tour, also on October 16, but at 7pm. Tickets are $28 each. Call 800-624-8038 x1.

Rounding off the weekend are three visual art events: On Friday, October 17, Polk Museum of Art will host its second View & Review. Local artists are invited to bring a piece of art to be reviewed by guest critic and PCC painting instructor Vilas Tonape. It’s $15 for artists who wish to be reviewed, and $5 for the audience. Plus, there’s a cash bar!

Saturday, October 18, is PCC’s annual Fallfest. From 9am – 4pm, you can enjoy over 100 arts and crafts booths; a Kids Zone featuring a pumpkin patch and magic by Luis Campaneria; a Haunted House; an Arcade & Pinball Expo; musical performances; EMS & Police K-9 demonstrations; and more. The event is free, so head toward Winter Haven to enjoy the day!

Finally, on Sunday, October 19, Polk Museum of Art and the Center for Creative Studies will present their monthly Creative Studies Series. This month’s presentation is “Transformation through Clay with Claudia Van Horn.” The presentation begins at 5:30pm, and tickets are $15 for non-members, and $12 for Museum members. Space is very limited, so if you’re interested, please pre-register with payment by October 13.

There’s so much going on in October, I think I’ll end there for now! You’ll hear more from me in the coming weeks, though.

P.S.: I’ve posted pictures of Polk Museum of Art’s Red, White & The Blues, which was held Friday, October 3. Go here to see a slideshow!