Wesley Chapel Theater Group Presents ‘Arsenic & Old Lace!’

Get ready for an evening of laughter and thrills as the Wesley Chapel Theater Group (WCTG) brings the classic comedy “Arsenic & Old Lace” to the stage. This timeless play will be directed by Colleen DeFelice at the Zephyrhills Lions Club (5827 Dean Dairy Rd.) on Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. 

First premiered in 1941, “Arsenic & Old Lace” is a farcical dark comedy by Joseph Kesselring revolving around the eccentric Brewster family. The play is filled with witty dialogue, quirky characters and a hilarious plot that will leave audiences laughing from start to finish. 

Founded in 2022, the Wesley Chapel Theater Group has quickly become a beloved part of the local arts scene, bringing both new and classic productions to life. With a commitment to fostering creativity and community, the WCTG continues to bring quality entertainment to the region. 

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable performance – “Arsenic & Old Lace” promises to be a hit! 

Tickets are available for just $25 and can be purchased online at Simpletix.com/e/arsenic-and-old-lace-tickets-202354. Be sure to get yours before they sell out! For more information about the Wesley Chapel Theater Group, visit WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org. 

‘Absolutely Avalon’ Brings A Crowd to Community’s Downtown!

Photos by Charmaine George

According to Avalon Park Group Senior VP of Marketing & Community Relations Stephanie Lerrett, about 1,000 people attended Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s annual “Absolutely Avalon” celebration on Apr. 19 over the course of the evening. 

Sponsored by Curtain Callers, Avalon Park Group and The Flats (apartments) Wesley Chapel, the event featured a variety of kids’ activities, food trucks, cultural performances, artisan, craft and business vendors, pictures with the Easter bunny and a laser light show that Lerrett says was the hit of the evening. “We continue to provide important events that give the entire local area, not just Avalon Park residents, the opportunity to build community, with family-friendly activities,” Lerrett says.

Lerrett also provided us with updates about the businesses that are now open or coming soon to Avalon Park’s downtown. In addition to ISI Elite Training, Woof Gang Bakery, Prime Barber Shop and Rita’s Italian Ice — all of which we’ve written about before, Rudraksh Indian Restaurant just opened last week. Among the businesses that are coming soon, Lerrett says those include Avalon Nail Salon, Luxe Dental, Vet Check Avalon Park Animal Hospital and Tallo American/Caribbean Restaurant & Bar, which could open as soon as next week.

Provided by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
Provided by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

Einstein Bros. Bagels Coming Soon To BBD 

Wesley Chapel residents are apparently already excited about the sign that went up in the plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (just south of S.R. 56) that also is home to Nutrition Smart that Einstein Bros. Bagels is opening in the plaza. 

As soon as I was alerted to the sign by readers Marisa and Theo Panopoulos, I had a nice chat with Kurt, a Wesley Chapel resident who is the general manager of the closest currently open Einstein Bros. location (on E. Fowler Ave., near USF). 

Kurt told me that although the Einstein Bros. corporate entity (both of these locations are corporate-owned, not franchises) was hoping to have the Wesley Chapel location open by the end of May, “It looks like sometime in late July or early August is more likely.” Kurt also said he believes he will end up moving to become the GM at the new store. 

In the meantime, Wesley Chapel still has a Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. on S.R. 54 west of I-75, at the front of The Grove, as well as Zio’s NY Bagels & Deli Co. in the Pebble Creek Collection on BBD, about 2.5 miles south of the planned Einstein Bros. Also, check out the reopened Bagels Plus on E. Fletcher Ave. — GN 

Tampa City Ballet Brings Beautiful, New Life To ‘Don Quixote’ At NTPAC 

Jannah and I were sad that we weren’t able to attend either performance of the classical ballet “Don Quixote,” as performed by the Tampa City Ballet, at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) the weekend of March 21-23. 

The good news is that our photographer Charmaine George was able to attend and take the beautiful photos on this page. Charmaine says that Tampa City Ballet artistic director and choreographer Paula Nuñez, Ballet Master Osmany Montano, who also portrayed Sancho Panza, the servant of protagonist Don Quixote de La Mancha (portrayed by Wilson de los Santos), Kali Bartasavich (who played Don Quixote’s “Beloved Fantasy” Dulcinea and the entire cast of “Don Quixote” all did an amazing job of bringing renowned Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century novel to life. 

Charmaine also particularly raved about the costumes and sets (which also are hallmarks of all Tampa City Ballet performances) and was hopeful that her pictures could do justice to this amazing spectacle! 

For more info about the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Tampa City Ballet (TampaCityBallet.org) or the ballet company’s incredible school, the Tampa City Dance Center (15365 Amberly Dr.) — which trains dancers of all skill levels in many different dance genres — call (813) 558-0800, visit TCDanceCenter.com For more info about Tampa City Ballet’s upcoming fund-raising gala “La Septima Society,” see the ad above. — GN 

Grilltopia Brings South American Cuisine To The KRATEs! 

Photos by Charmaine George

Although the KRATE at The Grove container park already has a wide variety of Latin cuisines — including Peruvian, Puerto Rican, Mexican and Venezuelan, the new Grilltopia offers a unique mix of South American cuisines. 

Whether you like Brazilian, Colombian, Venezuelan, Argentinian or even Uruguayan food, Grilltopia — which has been open for less than two months in the space previously occupied by Yummy Tablas in the KRATEs — has something for you to try. Grilltopia’s exterior sign says that owners Patricia (whose parents are from Uruguay) and Miguel (who is from Venezuela) want to “Meat You Here.” 

Start with pinchos (top photo), which are kabobs that are popular all over the South American continent and are available in perfectly grilled beef or chicken (or a combo of each) with crisp, delicious fries. 

Speaking of grilled meats, the parrillas (left photo) are grilled meat combos that can include skirt steak, pork chops, sausages, chicken, picanha (a Brazilian sirloin or rump cap), tenderloin, short ribs, blood sausage or pork belly, in a variety of combinations. Parrillas are served with a variety of dipping sauces and two or three side dishes, from yuca bites, to rice & beans, potato salad and our new-found favorite, a thick slab of fried white cheese (bottom right photo). 

Also available is a variety of pepito sandwiches (right), a Venezuelan delight with beef, chicken, or “mixto” (mixed) and many of the same meats, as well as bacon, are available on these sandwiches, which also offer lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, string potatoes and different sauces. 

The different meats also are available on bowls with quinoa, fried or cauliflower rice, and there are fresh juice drinks, smoothies and South American beers and sodas, too. 

Grilltopia is not an inexpensive dining experience, but the portions are large and the flavors are unique, so give it a shot and please tell Patricia and Miguel that I sent you! 

Grilltopia is open every day at noon and closes at 9 p.m. on Mon.-Thur., at 10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. & at 7 p.m. on Sun. For more info, call (813) 909-6354 or visit “Grilltopia Krate” on Facebook. — GN