Timucua Arts Foundation started from humble beginnings, holding its first concerts for a small group of friends in September 2000. Founder Benoit Glazer, a local for 20 years, moved to Orlando to be the conductor of Cirque du Soleil. Frustrated by the lack of live music options, Glazer and his wife started hosting small musical acts in their home near Hunter’s Creek.

Then in 2007, the Glazers built a new home in SoDo they lovingly dubbed The Timucua House, named after their subdivision in Hunter’s Creek. Today the foundation is run by 16 volunteers, and Glazer boasts that artists have come to perform from every continent, except Antarctica, because “there aren’t many musicians from Antarctica.”

The venue has gotten so popular Glazer doesn’t even contact performers to play; they contact him, and they’re booked at least a year in advance. The concert season now lasts year-round and hosts more than 70 events per year, with ticket prices ranging from free to $20 dollars.

In any given month, you’ll experience classical, jazz, world music and an alternative night, which could include spoken word or film or a musical style without a defined label.

“Magical is (a word) thrown around this town quite a bit, but we’ve heard that quite a lot (when it comes to performances at Timucua),” Glazer said. “People say it’s changed their life.”

Watch our video on Timucua Arts Foundation here.

🤞 Don’t forget that we’re still taking your questions about SoDo here. What do you want to know about the SoDo neighborhood, its history, culture, or character? Maybe you’ll see your question answered in a future newsletter. 

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RIP, Streak. UCF’s 25-game winning streak came to a heartbreaking end at the Fiesta Bowl earlier this week, with the Knights failing to overcome the dominant LSU Tigers. But what a season it was. Writing in the Sentinel, sports columnist Mike Bianchi eulogized the streak’s “indelible impact” on the program and college football in general. (Orlando Sentinel)

New year, new eats. Trying to eat healthier in 2019? The folks behind Sanctum Cafe have got you covered. Owners Jamie and Chelsie Savage plan to open a streamlined version of their popular vegan restaurant in Altamonte Springs within the next couple of weeks, in addition to a high-end eatery called Proper & Wild in Winter Park. (Orlando Weekly)

Got stories? The StoryCorps trailer will be parked outside the Orlando Museum of Art from Jan. 5 to Feb. 6 to collect and record the stories of Orlandoans. Got something to share? Appointment slots are booked for the first half of the month, but the second half opens for online reservations starting next Monday, Jan. 7. (StoryCorps)

An upgrade for Fido. Lake County’s no-kill animal shelter is getting a major upgrade, as officials prepare to break ground on a new 30,000 square foot facility in Tavares. The space will feature an open-air cat porch and dog-viewing site, among other amenities. The county’s current shelter has experienced overcrowding since becoming a no-kill facility in 2017. (Orlando Sentinel)

Coming soon. Central Florida’s theme parks have big plans for 2019. Several parks have set this year as the opening date for new attractions, ranging from Universal’s new Harry Potter roller coaster to “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” at Hollywood Studios. (Orlando Sentinel)

THAT’S IT AND THAT’S ALL 👋

See you in your inbox bright and early in the morning!

Adios,

— Pulptown