Wine & Dine hosting new music event

The folks who bring you the annual Windermere Wine & Dine are offering something new next month: a free outdoor concert called Music Among the Lakes. The theme is “Film to Broadway.”

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and Orlando Philharmonic will share their music while guests enjoy the sunset and an evening under the stars. Those attending are invited to take blankets and chairs to experience this inaugural event, Saturday, Nov. 5, on the grounds of Windermere Town Hall.

CT Allen, founder and event chair of Windermere Wine & Dine, said the Orlando Philharmonic used to play in the town years ago and she is excited to bring it back. The Wine & Dine committee put this together after the 2021 wine event was canceled because of the pandemic.

“We’ve always wanted to do this,” Allen said. “It’s kind of like the sister event to the Wine & Dine. We’re hoping it has a great following and it works, and, maybe, this can be an annual event as well.”

The event also is a chance to give back in several ways. Organizers have created a virtual food drive to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank, and when folks register for their concert tickets on the website, they have the option of making a monetary donation to the food bank. The goal is $10,000, Allen said.

For every $10 donated to the virtual food drive, Second Harvest can distribute 40 meals in the community.

As a way to support the local businesses, attendees can make purchases from Dixie Cream Café, Windermere Brewing Company, Ellie Lou’s Brews & BBQ and Tim’s Wine Market. Everything can be picked up in the Dixie Cream parking lot before people walk over to the seating area.

The brewery also is hosting a quarterly charity tap, and plastic beer steins will be available for purchase. The first one occurs that evening, and it benefits the Windermere Police Department Foundation.

“It’s a fun event,” Allen said. “The philharmonic is excited to get back to Windermere. … Our town is so unique; it’s a small-town feel, so hosting an outdoor music event sounds right. All your friends are together, your neighbors are together. … I like building these small-town events. … It helps build a sense of community.”