Scene around ... again

Editor's note: Heritage's beloved Gloria Yousha, who wrote Scene Around for XX years, passed away on Nov. 18, 2022. Since that time, no one has come forward to take on covering the social scene for the paper. Now that may be changing. Steven Cardonick, who writes the "Give a listen..." column is very interested in writing the column. See what you think and hopefully he will be taking on the challenge!

Happy New Year!

Our gift to you: The renaissance of Gloria Yousha's Scene Around column.

May her memory be for a blessing.

To help you fulfill your resolution to enjoy 2026 let us share some suggestions and newsworthy Central Florida information.

The Blue Bamboo Center For The Arts

460 E. New England Avenue; Winter Park

(407) 636-9951

Relocated to Winter Park a few months ago, the performance venue and art gallery includes its Encore Stage with 180 comfortable seats.

A smaller stage is under construction.

Central Florida's Carol Stein - the remarkably talented singer, musician and composer, will be joined by Michael Mastroianni on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. at the Blue Bamboo. The piano duo will sing and play an eclectic selection of music that likely will include Jazz, Disney, Rock, and Broadway musicals.

"Maitland Symphony Orchestra plays Concertos" kicks off the shortest month of the year Sunday, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m.

Various musicians will present a selection from their favorite concertos. Each will perform with MSO accompaniment.

Warning: MSO may be addictive, sort of like MSG, but without the side effects of the popular food additive.

More than a dozen music events are scheduled for February.

bluebambooartcenter.com/calendar

Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks are sold at the "Boo's" Groove Cafe. You'll surely need a drink to go along with the free popcorn.

Thanks to MSO board member June Flowers for sharing all this information. She adds that there's plentiful parking on site (also free) and on the street, plus overflow parking nearby at All Saints Episcopal Church.

Speaking of saints, my one-man show "Saints Alive" didn't win the lottery drawing for the May Orlando Fringe Fest.

Maybe next year. Or elsewhere this year. Watch for names, details, and schedule of the lucky winning shows to be announced in this column.

The Regal Winter Park Village Theater

510 N. Orlando Avenue; Winter Park

(844) 462-7342 Better idea: regmovies.com

Lots of screens and lots of movies. Renovated inside and out. They have a good selection of food and beverages including wine and other spirits.

Besides a lineup of popular movies, Regal often offers outstanding foreign-language films. With captions and great actors you may not even notice they're not speaking English. We've been rewarded with some real gems in Spanish, Icelandic, Vietnamese, Hebrew, Tamil, and many other languages.

Coming in February at the Regal:

Encore presentation of "Cinderella"

From HD Met (Metropolitan Opera) an abridged English-language version Feb. 14 at 1 p.m .; Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Details: fathomentertainment.com

The Enzian Theater

1300 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland

(407) 629-1088

A single-screen art house cinema marking 40 years of providing

independent, foreign and cult classic films.

You can enjoy table service for meals and drinks during the films.

Al fresco lovers note the Eden Bar, an attached outdoor bar and restaurant.

(Reminder to self: purchase an annual membership. The theater menu is reason enough to join!)

Feb. 13-19 - A celebration of the life and legacy of director Rob Reiner will offer "This is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me," "The Princess Bride,"

"When Harry Met Sally...," "Misery," and "A Few Good Men."

Tickets for THESE GO TO 11: THE FILMS OF ROB REINER are available at https://enzian.org/special-programs/rob-reiner.

More Dining News

Remember when El Potro Mexican Restaurant at 501 N Orlando Ave, Suite 217, Winter Park used to include a buffet bar?

Well, the servers are so friendly that I'd rather interact with them and not have to make three trips to refill my plate. Anyway, the third visit was for dessert. Six years have passed since then, along with 30 pounds of excess weight. Not mine, I mean my cousin, Two Ton Tony, the former wrestler.

My favorite server, Carlos, has gone on to manage nearby at Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, 108 S. Park Avenue. In addition to Winter Park, Bosphorous is at other locations in the Orlando area. I wonder which one my lovely and thoughtful wife has in mind for my birthday. If it's on Park Avenue, I'll get to practice my Spanish with Carlos. If he serves the pistachio baklava I'll understand when he says "¡Feliz cumpleaños!" Unless he's started speaking Turkish ...

Oy, vey. Do the newspaper printers have a Spanish language keyboard?

Late-breaking tidbit from Seminole County

Poblano's Cocina Mexicana

908 FL-436; Casselberry

(321) 972-4663

Since closing their Altamonte Springs location they have reopened close by. Poblano's is at the other end of the plaza from Ollie's Bargain Outlet.

The food is outstandingly delicious and well-presented. Such new and beautiful decor! Super-friendly staff! My friend Carlos is bound to join me for lunch or dinner here - and often!

Comments and suggestions are welcome at singingrabbi@hotmail.com.