With the Magnolia flower as its centerpiece, Midnight on Magnolia offers a refreshing alternative to the typical New Year’s Eve bar and club scene in Downtown Orlando.  The glittering event showcases the vibrant culture and history of the Downtown Arts District. Attendees aged 21 and up will enjoy a welcoming, cosmopolitan environment—stylish yet comfortable, without being overly formal.

The evening’s festivities will include live art experiences and entertainment, DJ John Willoughby and co-DJs performing in the first – and second-floor main galleries, live music by the Blacklist Babes in the gated, open-air FORDify the Arts Courtyard, party favors, confetti cannons, stilt walkers, a champagne toast at midnight, cocktails, gourmet lite bites by Johnny’s Fillin’ Station, and more.  General Admission and VIP tickets — featuring open bar — are now available at MidnightOnMagnolia2026.EventBrite.com.  A special 35% offer will be available from Black Friday through Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday, valid for both GA and VIP tickets.

“After selling out our inaugural event last year, we’re thrilled to bring back our New Year’s Eve celebration, which we anticipate will sell out again,” says Daniel F. Betancourt, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Whether you’re a local in The City Beautiful or visiting from out of town, this is the New Year’s Eve celebration not to be missed.  It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that the Downtown Arts District is proud to bring to our community.”

The 2026 Midnight on Magnolia committee is chaired by Daniel F. Betancourt, with Lindsey Hahn, Samantha Klingler and Stefani Lockman serving as committee leads.  Downtown Arts District liaisons include Barbara Hartley, Teagan Carregal and Jessica Pawli.

Experience the inaugural “Midnight on Magnolia” New Year’s Eve event, hosted by the Downtown Arts District, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at CityArts Orlando located at 39 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.  To purchase tickets, visit: MidnightOnMagnolia2026.Eventbrite.com.  For more information about Downtown Arts District, visit: DowntownArtsDistrict.com.

“CityArts Café isn’t just about coffee, it’s about creating a space to enjoy and support the local arts community,” says Downtown Arts District Executive Director Barbara Hartley.  The vision and menu are inspired by the legacy of the Rogers-Kienes building and its European heritage.  We will proudly serve Lavazza, Italy’s largest and most celebrated coffee roaster and a long-standing supporter of the arts.  Our bakery selection features classic French patisserie and British tearoom favorites from local purveyor Olde Hearth Bakery.  We are thrilled to celebrate the official grand opening of the café — a welcome addition to all our programming — and we invite everyone to join us.  We have no doubt visitors of our beautiful galleries and amazing events will absolutely love it.”

“CityArts Café is reopening as an extension of the Downtown Arts District, supporting our mission to cultivate a vibrant creative community in the heart of Orlando,” says Daniel Betancourt, Chairman of the Board.  “A portion of proceeds will directly benefit local artists and arts programming.  Through this café, we continue to enhance the vibrancy, accessibility and economic growth of the district by presenting outstanding visual and performing arts, producing dynamic public art experiences and providing meaningful professional development for artists.”

Enjoy CityArts Café opening this Wednesday, November 12, 2025 located at 37 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.  Hours of operation are Tuesday thru Sunday 8am-3pm.  For more information, visit www.cityartscafe.com and https://downtownartsdistrict.com/.

About Downtown Arts District

The Downtown Arts District is a dedicated nonprofit organization for advancing arts and economic development in the City of Orlando.  Established in 2000, the mission of the Downtown Arts District is to enhance the vibrancy, accessibility and economic development of Downtown Orlando through the presentation of outstanding visual and performing arts, the production of dynamic public art programs and the delivery of high-impact artist training and professional development.  Comprised of a series of cultural communities, the Arts District encompasses the visual arts, literature, the performing arts including music, drama, film and dance and arts and culture-related retail businesses.  The Arts District is the producer of a series of mission-based events and programs to heighten visibility for the arts including the monthly 3rd Thursday Gallery Hop, annual themed arts celebrations La Maschera and Día de los Muertos, Orlando Story Club and much more.  In addition, the Arts District manages and operates CityArts Orlando, the multi-use art and cultural destination in the historic Rogers Kiene Building in Downtown Orlando.

Still Ahead for 2025: CityArts Café Grand Opening, Monthly 3^rd Thursdays, Midnight on Magnolia and United Arts Collaborative Campaign Kickoff

Orlando, FL (October 29, 2025) – Downtown Orlando’s dynamic arts and cultural organization, the Downtown Arts District, is excited to announce its new Board of Directors for 2025–2026.  These individuals will further the Downtown Arts District’s mission to enhance the vibrancy, accessibility and economic development of Downtown Orlando through the presentation of outstanding visual and performing arts, the production of dynamic public art programs and the delivery of high-impact artist training and professional development: Chairman of the Board – Daniel Betancourt (Brightline Trains), Vice Chairman – Casey Hall (Orlando Health), Treasurer – Heather Dartez, PhD (Full Sail University), Secretary – Lindsey Hahn (Realtor® ALL Real Estate & Investments), Parliamentarian – Jaison Radcliff (Form 2 Fashion / The Paper Bar Co.), Immediate Past Chairman of the Board – Kyle Sturley (Greater Orlando Sports Commission) and Board Members – Carol Burkett (Orange County Government), Samantha Daniels (Valley Bank), Marcia Hope Goodwin (City of Orlando), Thomas Kehr (Cole Engineering Services, Inc.), Stefani Lockman (Siemens).

Downtown Arts District is home to the world-renowned CityArts, housed inside the historic Rogers Kiene Building.  In addition to CityArts galleries, Downtown Arts District also includes an array of venues for the visual and performing arts and presents numerous programs throughout the year.  Wrapping up 2025, Downtown Arts District will feature the CityArts Café Grand Opening in November, the award-winning monthly 3^rd Thursday programs and Midnight on Magnolia New Year’s Eve Party (Tickets: MidnightOnMagnolia2026.Eventbrite.com).  Patrons can also support Downtown Arts District through the upcoming United Arts Collaborative Campaign (Follow DAD socials for updates – FB: @downtownartsdistrict, IG: @downtownartsorlando).

“I couldn’t be more honored to assume the role of Chairman of the Board for the Downtown Arts District at such an exciting moment in the organization’s history,” says Daniel Betancourt.  “Over the past four years serving on the board and volunteering with the Downtown Arts District staff, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact this institution has on Orlando’s creative community.  I’m proud to help carry that legacy forward and continue supporting the growth and vibrancy of Downtown Orlando’s arts, culture, and economy.”

“It has been an honor to serve as Chairman of the Downtown Arts District for the last two years, working alongside so many passionate advocates for Orlando’s creative community,” says Kyle Sturley.  I’m proud to have contributed to milestones such as the completion of the Fordify the Arts Courtyard project and our team’s participation in the DeVos Institute Capacity Building program, both of which have strengthened the organization for years to come.  Thank you to Executive Director Barbara Hartley and her entire team for their leadership and dedication, and I’m excited to support Danny and our new slate of officers as they continue to advance the District’s mission and momentum.”

Downtown Arts District invites locals and visitors to Downtown Orlando to come and discover local art at one of the many art galleries and performance venues located throughout Downtown Orlando.  For more information, visit https://downtownartsdistrict.com/.

About Downtown Arts District

The Downtown Arts District is a dedicated nonprofit organization for advancing arts and economic development in the City of Orlando.  Established in 2000, the mission of the Downtown Arts District is to enhance the vibrancy, accessibility and economic development of Downtown Orlando through the presentation of outstanding visual and performing arts, the production of dynamic public art programs and the delivery of high-impact artist training and professional development.  Comprised of a series of cultural communities, the Arts District encompasses the visual arts, literature, the performing arts including music, drama, film and dance and arts and culture-related retail businesses.  The Arts District is the producer of a series of mission-based events and programs to heighten visibility for the arts including the monthly 3rd Thursday Gallery Hop, annual themed arts celebrations La Maschera and Día de los Muertos, Orlando Story Club and much more.  In addition, the Arts District manages and operates CityArts Orlando, the multi-use art and cultural destination in the historic Rogers Kiene Building in Downtown Orlando.

Event Proceeds Benefit Downtown Arts District

WHAT: Central Florida’s beloved storytelling series “Orlando Story Club” presents a night of non-stop laughter and unexpected surprises in a special mash-up show “Yes, And Stories” with SAK Comedy Lab. Watch what happens when some of Orlando’s favorite storytellers share real-life stories, and the talented cast of SAK Comedy Lab take over. Storytellers include: Ha’ani Hogan, Melanie Harris, Danielle Ziss and Bobby Wesley. Orlando Story Club holds quarterly events throughout the year, along with special engagements. Each event has a different theme, and all proceeds raised support different local philanthropic causes.

HOW: Tickets for Orlando Story Club at SAK Comedy Lab are $20 General Admission ($17 Florida Resident), which can be purchased at the door or online at www.sak.com/osc

WHERE: SAK Comedy Lab, 29 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.

WHEN: Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 7:30pm-9pm. Orlando Story Club continues this year at The Abbey on April 1, July 1, October 7 and concludes with a special “Best Of” on December 9. Orlando Story Club will also host special events at Orlando Fringe on May 12-25 (dates TBA).

WHY: Event proceeds support Downtown Arts District. The Downtown Arts District is a dedicated nonprofit organization for advancing arts and economic development in the City of Orlando. Established in 2000, the Arts District represents and serves the arts community through signature programming and public art projects. Comprised of a series of cultural communities, the Arts District encompasses the visual arts, literature, the performing arts including music, drama, film and dance, and arts and culture-related retail businesses. The Arts District is the producer of a series of mission-based events and programs to heighten visibility for the arts including the monthly 3rd Thursday Gallery Hop, annual themed arts celebrations La Maschera and Día de los Muertos, Orlando Story Club and much more. In addition, the Arts District manages and operates CityArts Orlando, the multi-use art and cultural destination in the historic Rogers Kiene Building in Downtown Orlando.

WHO: Orlando Story Club was founded by storyteller and filmmaker Robin Cowie (“The Blair Witch Project”). After participating in the national storytelling series, The Moth, Cowie sought out to produce the same event in Central Florida and Orlando Story Club was born. The first event held at Orlando’s East End Market in March 2014 was a standing room only smash hit. Two years later, Cowie’s popular series caught the attention of Downtown Orlando’s dynamic cultural community Downtown Arts District, who teamed up to put on quarterly events at The Abbey in Downtown Orlando furthering the growth of Orlando Story Club and the arts.

For more information on Orlando Story Club, visit www.orlandostoryclub.com, www.downtownartsdistrict.com and www.facebook.com/orlandostoryclub.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Ilene Lieber, Passion PR Consulting, 321-277-7812, ilene@passionprconsulting.com

The pairs are as follows: Bobby Wesley with Mark Piszczek; Jesse James with Charlie Griffin; Logan Anderson with Erik Branch; Madeline Potts with Paul Austin Sanders; Daniele Ziss with Alex Burtzos; and Aquanza Cadogan with Holly Cordero.

The storytellers will perform with live music by players drawn from the local Alterity Chamber Orchestra, a group known for its dedication to performing contemporary music at the highest levels: Tina Edelstein, flute; Beatriz Ramirez, oboe; Jessica Speak, clarinet; Kathy Thomas, horn; and Christian Eberle, bassoon.

“This event is a great opportunity not only to showcase the variety of talent in Orlando,” says CF2 director Charlie Griffin, “but also to experience what happens when one art form inspires another.”

ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA COMPOSERS FORUM
Central Florida Composers Forum (or CF2) is a non-profit organization that believes in the notion that what makes a community feel like a home is its unique, local arts culture.
CF2 strives to enhance the creative lives of local and regional composers by forging meaningful and lasting connections with audiences, allied arts organizations and the broader community of Central Florida through performances, collaborations, residencies, and more. For more information about CF2 please visit www.cfcomposers.org or https://www.facebook.com/centralfloridacomposersforum.

ABOUT ORLANDO STORY CLUB
Orlando Story Club has been bringing people together to listen and share personal stories since March of 2014. The main show is a not-so-serious storytelling competition where anyone can enter for a chance to tell their story on stage. 10 stories, 5 min each, $5 donation to attend. All donations are given to a different local charity for each show. Orlando Story Club is a program of the Downtown Arts District, with their regular shows held at The Abbey. Special spinoff shows are performed at various locations around town, including SAK Comedy Lab and Orlando Fringe.

For future shows or more information on Orlando Story Club, visit www.orlandostoryclub.com or www.facebook.com/orlandostoryclub.

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Orlando, FL (November 17, 2019) – Downtown Arts District and CityArts Orlando announce their participation in Aqua Art Miami, held during Miami Art Week December 4-8, 2019. The Aqua Art Miami fair accepts up to 50 art galleries to exhibit emerging and established artists from around the globe. Last year CityArts was selected in the top ten galleries at Aqua by BlouinArtinfo, a blog dedicated to arts, culture and luxury.

Barbara Hartley, the executive director of the Downtown Arts District said, “Four years ago, the Downtown Arts District Board of Directors agreed to invest in exhibiting Orlando based artists during Art Week Miami to expose local talent to an international audience of art collectors, artists and galleries. Over 60 Orlando artists applied to be considered for this year’s CityArts Orlando exhibition at Aqua.” The jury panel of arts leaders included: Flynn Dobbs, manager of the Grand Bohemian Gallery; Donna Dowless, Artist & Consultant; Shanon Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Mennello of American Art; Patrick Greene, Curator & Artist; Alya Poplawsky, Director of A/K/ART; Hansen Mulford, Curator at Orlando Museum of Art and Tiffany Sanders, Principal, The Sanders Collective.

This year’s featured artists include: Clint Burbridge, Ericka Sobrack, Kelly Joy Ladd, KYLE, Mary Bel, PJ Svejda and SKIP.

• Clint Burbridge is a multi-disciplinary artist who currently lives and works in Florida. The full spectrum of his life’s work ranges from Contemporary Art to Commercial Art to Art Education, and includes digital design, 3D printing, woodworking, painting, drawing, and glassblowing. He earned his BFA with honors from Pratt Institute, in Drawing and Painting.
• Ericka Sobrack specializes in small and large-scale paintings portraying suburban domestic scenes of America in both acrylic and oil paint. Sobrack has participated in local, regional and national juried exhibitions. She graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Central Florida.
• Kelly Joy Ladd is a self-taught artist who graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Liberal Studies degree with a focus in astronomy and creative writing. She channels her creative process through paper – ripping, cutting and folding it into visions of her meditations, and connecting her internal thoughts onto her art pieces incorporating the great wonders of the astronomical universe through name and form.
• KYLE is classically trained with a Master of Fine Arts, University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Central Florida. He constructs tableau with found and fabricated objects, which create their own kind of space. The constructions are a tactile way to express something. He likes to work with an idea, in both two and the three-dimensional projections
• Mary Bel is a fine art conceptual photographer. She creates images she sees in her mind, evoked through emotions as thought provoking self-portraits. She uses self-portraits to tell stories that come from being a highly sensitive person, aware and constantly in tune with her consciousness and the well-being of others. Being emotionally self-aware allows her to manifest her thoughts and energy in the form of art that looks dark, moody and painterly. She earned a Master of Arts in Humanities Science, Communications, and Media Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Photography at Fordham University.
• PJ Svejda received BA in Illustration and MA in Painting from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her love of animals and the lessons learned inspire her works. For every concept, she carefully researches specific breeds of plants to wildlife and how they interact. She pushes the envelope, juxtaposing controversial imagery with a classical and traditional style. Her paintings tell stories of pain and hope, and raise the viewer’s self-awareness into their own humanity; urging increased consciousness of the time we spend here on earth
• SKIP Orlando-based postmodern satirist and multi-disciplined artist/creator, SKIP, uses his brand Franchise Industries as a conceptual filter to present his ideas through various artistic mediums including – but not limited to – hand-cut stencils, wall murals, large-scale installations, carpentry, photography, music performance, illustration, and documentary filmmaking. SKIP studied music performance at University of Central Florida and Audio Engineering at Valencia College.

Aqua Art Miami is located at 1530 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL, 33139. Visit the CityArts Orlando exhibit at Aqua in room 109. For more information about the fair, visit www.aquaartmiami.com and https://bit.ly/2rFWcvf .

About CityArts Orlando

CityArts Orlando, the multi-use art and cultural destination in the historic Rogers Kiene Building in downtown Orlando, is managed and operated by the Downtown Arts District. There are six galleries and a café. Red Tape Orlando Gallery and Redefine Gallery are located in the building along with an artist in residency apartment. Established in 2000, the Arts District represents and serves the arts community through signature programming and public art projects. Comprised of a series of cultural communities, the Arts District encompasses the visual arts, literature, the performing arts including music, drama, film and dance, and arts and culture-related retail businesses. The Arts District is the producer of a series of mission-based events and programs to heighten visibility for the arts including the monthly 3rd Thursday Gallery Hop, annual themed arts celebrations La Maschera and Día de los Muertos, quarterly Orlando Story Club and much more.

About Aqua Art Miami

Aqua’s unique environment – in a classic South Beach hotel with spacious exhibition rooms that open onto a breezy, intimate courtyard – has become a favorite gathering spot for collectors, curators and art lovers to discover fresh talent and acquire new works while exchanging cultural ideas and forming meaningful connections. Aqua Art Miami will kick off with a VIP Preview on Wednesday, December 4 and open to the public December 5 – 8. It has become the premier destination for prominent collectors and art aficionados to procure works by young, emerging and mid-career artists.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Barbara Hartley, Executive Director 407-415-9511, barbara@dadorlando.com

December Event Proceeds Benefit Downtown Arts District’s Orlando Story Club with the Theme “Homecoming”

WHAT: The time has come for Orlando Story Club 2019 winners to storm the stage and share their best personal narratives in hopes of being crowned the best storyteller of the year. The December “Best Of 2019” event theme is “Homecoming” and the benefiting charity is Downtown Arts District to fund mission-based programs. Orlando Story Club is a program of the Downtown Arts District, hosted by Orlandoans Danielle Ziss and Bobby Wesley. The following charities were also beneficiaries this year: Pet Alliance of Central Florida, After School All Star’s Summer of Dreams, Kids House of Seminole and ArtReach Orlando.

HOW: All storytellers who placed in the top three during one of the 2019 events are invited to compete in the championship. Three randomly selected judges score the storytellers. First, second, and third place winners receive a prize. Admission is $5 at the door with drinks, refreshments and laughter available in abundance. Each event during the year has a different theme, and all proceeds raised support different local philanthropic causes.

WHEN: December 11, 2019 from 7pm-9pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Orlando Story Club is held quarterly.

WHERE: The Abbey, 100 South Eola Drive, Orlando, FL 32801.

WHY: The December charity partner is Downtown Arts District. The Downtown Arts District is a dedicated nonprofit organization for advancing arts and economic development in the City of Orlando. Established in 2000, the Arts District represents and serves the arts community through signature programming and public art projects. Comprised of a series of cultural communities, the Arts District encompasses the visual arts, literature, the performing arts including music, drama, film and dance, and arts and culture-related retail businesses. The Arts District is the producer of a series of mission-based events and programs to heighten visibility for the arts including the monthly 3rd Thursday Gallery Hop, annual themed arts celebrations La Maschera and Día de los Muertos, quarterly Orlando Story Club and much more. In addition, the Arts District manages and operates CityArts Orlando, the multi-use art and cultural destination in the historic Rogers Kiene Building in Downtown Orlando.

WHO: Orlando Story Club was founded by storyteller and film maker Robin Cowie (“The Blair Witch Project”). After participating in the national storytelling series, The Moth, Central Florida based Cowie sought out to produce the same event here and so Orlando Story Club was born. The first event held at Orlando’s East End Market in March 2014 was a standing room only smash hit. Two years later, Cowie’s popular series caught the attention of Downtown Orlando’s dynamic cultural community Downtown Arts District, who teamed up to put on quarterly events at The Abbey in Downtown Orlando furthering the growth of Orlando Story Club and the arts.

For more information on Orlando Story Club, visit www.orlandostoryclub.com, www.downtownartsdistrict.com and www.facebook.com/orlandostoryclub.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Ilene Lieber, Passion PR Consulting, 321-277-7812, ilene@passionprconsulting.com