The event will begin and end in the grassy area near the U.S. 98 entrance to the Lakeland campus of Polk Community College. The entry fee is $15 for adults, $10 for students in grades 9 – college, and $5 for youth, grades 1 – 8. All registered participants will receive a t-shirt and goody bag, with the overall male/female awarded $500; 2nd place overall, $250; 3rd place overall, $150 and the masters overall $100. The first three finishers in each five-year age division with receive a trophy. All other participants will receive a ribbon.

This year the race will include performances along the race course, so you don’t even have to bring your iPod for music to motivate you. Local artists from all over the county will be stationed throughout the race course with performances, music and art exhibits. Participants can register up to the day of the event and find out more information on the following websites: www.active.com, www.centralfloridasports.com, www.lakelandrunnersclub.com and www.polkartsalliance.org.

Start stretching now.

• Platform Florida’s Invitational Exhibition will be on display at Arts on the Park in Downtown Lakeland until August 26. Platform, for those of you who don’t know, is a local organization that hosts art parties all over the Lakeland area about 3 times a year. The parties feature great artists, fashion, films, music, and performance art. This exhibition will primarily focus on the visual artists, but I understand that the opening reception (8/1, 6-9pm) will involve music and film, as well.
• The Imperial Symphony Orchestra will be holding auditions for the 2008-2009 season by appointment only on August 5. Call 688-3743 or email info@imperialsymphony.org for information.
• Explorations V will be hosting its 17th Birthday X-travaganza and Marvelous Me! exhibition premier on August 23 from 10am – 3pm. The party will include all sorts of activities and museum exploration, particularly of the new exhibition which was designed by the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa. Admission is $5 per person and $2.50 for senior citizens.
• The Repeatles will be performing at Bok Tower Gardens on August 23 at 7:30pm. The Repeatles perform nostalgic 50s and 60s tunes by the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, the Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles, just to name a few. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
• On August 26, the Imperial Symphony Orchestra will be hosting their first Music & Martinis of the year. The event will be held at the Exhibit Hall East at the Lakeland Center, and features light hors d’oeuvres and martinis made by celebrity guest bartenders. Tickets are $30 in advance ($40 on the day of the event) and include two martini coupons and a ballot to cast your vote for the best martini in Polk County. You have to be at least 21 years old to attend.

Last but not least, and since it is near and dear to my heart, let me tell you about August at Polk Museum of Art. Not only should you get in to see all the great exhibitions that are on display right now, but there are a few events in the works, too:

• August 8 – 10, the Museum will be hosting performances of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple by the Society Players of Lakeland. Tickets are $12 for General Admission and $9 for Students and Seniors. The performances are a benefit for the Museum’s SummerArt Camp Scholarship Fund to help deserving children develop their artistic talents!
• On August 17 at 5:00pm, the Center for Creative Studies will be meeting at the Museum to explore the fun world of didgeridoo playing. Guest speaker Lindsey Dank will lead participants through this fun workshop and talk about Australian music, culture, nature, and art. Tickets are $12 for Museum Members and $15 for Non-Members and include wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Registration with payment is required by August 11. Call 863-688-5423 to register.
• Tuesday, August 19 at 10:30am you can go on a Curator Tour of the exhibition All That Glitters is English Silver. Todd Behrens, the Curator of Art, will lead the tour and talk about the various pieces that are on display. It’s FREE with Museum admission and I think it even includes coffee!
• Finally, for the kids, there will be two Family Fun Workshops hosted in August. The first one is Saturday, August 2 at 10:30am at the Museum, and the second is Saturday, August 30 at 10:30am at Auburndale Public Library. Both workshops are completely FREE and will feature an activity about hand-coloring photographs.

So that’s all I know about! At least for now! I don’t want to hear any complaints about there not being anything to do around here. I’ve just given you a bunch of things.

And believe me, there are A LOT more planned for the rest of the year. A LOT. Pick up the new issue of Art-i-Facts when it comes out at the end of August to see just how much! Art-i-Facts can be picked up at any of Polk County’s arts organizations or you can read it online at www.PolkMuseumofArt.org or www.polkartsalliance.org. I hope to see you around!