Bridgerton theme day, smooth summer jazz and wine, Lego free play, and more. 
Happy Friday, The Villages. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let The Villages Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Sumter seniors snag free weekly meals, Spanish Springs paper office becomes apartments with cart garage, and Lake County preps full fiber internet — catch up here.
State-level stories: Florida jumps to sixth in WalletHub rankings, Playboy moves its headquarters to Miami Beach, and Panthers pop corks on limited edition championship wines — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Step into Sam’s dark immersive world
- Master English through targeted instruction
- Build and leverage your business credit
- Join bi-monthly creative discussions at library
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Decor: Give your space a fresh vibe without dropping a fortune. These Villages spots mix plush showrooms with quirky boutiques, making it easy to find unique pieces. Check out these home decor stops.
Wildlife: Beyond the gator memes, Florida is a living wildlife documentary. Hop on an airboat through alligator hangouts, spot gentle manatees grazing in crystal springs, or watch rainbow parrots squawk overhead. Find your next jaw dropping moment with wildlife hotspots.
Finance: Teaching your teen about credit cards can feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphics. These easy credit lessons turn confusing plastic power into real world know how.
Cocktail: Whether you’re craving a smoky mezcal riff, a floral gin fantasia, or a boozy twist on the classics, City Fire mixes rare spirits, house-made syrups, and a dash of theater into cocktails that turn your evening into a liquid performance you won’t forget.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🍔 Friday Foodie Fest | Friday (8/15) at 5:00pm – Whether your Friday night plans center on fistfuls of smoke-ringed ribs or icy treats, this shindig at Lake Lillian has you covered. Mosey past 30 artisan booths, snag bites from BBQ pros and lobster mavens, then nod politely to a DJ as kids conquer inflatables.
🍺 Tap Into a Cure @ Rohan Recreation Center | Friday (8/15) at 5:00pm – Friday night’s plan: BBQ dinner, live rockers Relic and Pwill, plus an auction that might get competitive, all to raise cash for kids battling cancer. Sip local brews or cocktails, snag a silent-auction treasure, then dance off that brisket, all for a good cause.
This weekend
👑 Bridgerton Theme Day | Saturday (8/16) at 9:00am – This Bridgerton-themed bash is brimming with lemon tarts, lilac meringues, lavender macarons, and enough decadent treats to tempt even Lady Whistledown herself. For those seeking the full regency experience, The Magnolia Room is hosting an exclusive tea—tickets are limited, so secure your spot before the ton snatches them all.
🏝️ Trop Rock Karaoke @ Holy Shmokes | Saturday (8/16) at 2:00pm – Escape the grind at Holy Shmokes and channel your inner parrothead with Trop Rock karaoke, fine wine, premium cigars, and sun-soaked singalongs. No talent needed, just flip-flop spirit, island vibes, and an audience that cheers off-key passion.
🎸 Ultimate Rush Tribute @ MFPSA | Saturday (8/16) at 6:00pm – Imagine a Rush tribute trio rocking a laid-back warehouse hangout, complete with vintage arcade cabinets and craft beers so cold they make nostalgia taste even sweeter. Rally the crew, warm up your air guitar skills, and prepare for a blast of pure classic-rock joy.
✌️ Remembering Woodstock Music and Dance @ Old Mill Theater | Saturday (8/16) at 6:30pm – Dust off your bell bottoms and head downtown for a night of live tunes from tribute band Heart & Soul, dancing, and flower-power vibes paying homage to Janis, Jimi, CCR, and The Who. It’s like Woodstock without the mud and porta-potties.
🎷 Smooth Summer Jazz & Wine | Sunday (8/17) at 6:00pm – Leave the lawnmower idle and swing by Citrus Grove for some smooth sax, guitar, and drums under the sunset. Pack your favorite bottle of red, a folding chair, even cheese if you fancy. No cover charge, just a tip jar and summer vibes.
Next week
🧱 Lego Free Play @ Fruitland Park Library | Monday (8/18) @ 9:30am – Still think Legos are just a child’s game? Swing by Fruitland Park Library for a guilt-free session of impromptu builds, wacky challenges, and fellow local brick enthusiasts. Who knew reconnecting over plastic blocks could feel this satisfying, and dare I say, therapeutic?
🍽️ Dinner & a Movie: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | Tuesday (8/19) at 5:00pm – Nothing beats playing Captain Nemo, especially when you’re sipping a Shark Attack cocktail while the main feature streams. HearthStone’s undersea dinner and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea screening brings lobster rolls, fried calamari, chocolate tentacles, and more local charm than your couch can handle.
🎙️ Chris Patti: The Music Man @ Glenview Country Club Restaurant | Tuesday (8/19) at 5:00pm – Shake up your standard dinner routine and head over to Glenview Country Club for Chris Patti: The Music Man, where smooth tunes blend with good food, tasty drinks, and enough guitar flourishes to distract you from table chatter. Trust me, it’s worth bragging about.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 Adult Comedy Night @ Fruitland Park Library – 8 pm
- 8/16 Trop Rock Karaoke @ Holy Shmokes – 2 pm
- 8/16 Derek Spence @ Orange Blossom Opry – 2:30 pm
- 8/16 Live Comedy Night @ Belle Glade – 5:30 pm
- 8/16 Ultimate Rush Tribute @ The Warehouse Social Club – 6 pm
- 8/16 Woodstock Music and Dance @ Old Mill Theater – 6:30 pm
- 8/16 A League of Her Own @ The Sharon Morse – 7 pm
- 8/17 Worship on the Water @ Octagon Pavilion – 4 pm
- 8/17 Summer Jazz & Wine @ Kayla Villas – 6 pm
🏠️ Price is right – The Villages edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Stephanie Ray (RE/MAX FREEDOM)
Sunrise views over Lake Sanctuary set the tone for this 3-bed, 2-bath Laurel Oak stunner, where nine solar tubes and ten-foot ceilings keep things bright and breezy. The open-concept layout flows into a 660-square-foot sunroom with glass sliders, custom shades, and a birdcage patio ready for a hot tub. Custom lighting, crown molding, and wood-look tile add designer flair, while the built-in entertainment system makes movie nights a breeze.
The chef’s kitchen is all about quartz counters, Bosch appliances, and a wine rack for impromptu happy hours. A vaulted-ceiling primary suite overlooks the lake, and the three-car garage sports epoxy floors, ceiling fans, and even an automatic screen. Just three minutes from pools, pickleball, and walking trails, this spot delivers the good life with a side of eagle sightings.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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