Ho Sau-Mei, one of Hong Kong’s last mahjong tile carvers, is getting old. “My eyesight is fading, and my hands are getting sore,” she says brusquely as she chisels the intricate strokes of a Chinese character or the petals of a flower onto a piece of plastic little bigger than a postage stamp.
For over four decades, Ho has been carving mahjong tiles in a tiny roadside shop in Hung Hom, an old harborside district that is now seeing the rapid construction of shiny, new residential high-rises.
She started learning the craft at age 13 from her father, who founded the family’s tile business, Kam Fat Mahjong, in 1962. Masters who would visit Hong Kong during its manufacturing heyday in the 1970s and 80s also shared their techniques and trained apprentices.She started learning the craft at age 13 from her father, who founded the family’s tile business, Kam Fat Mahjong, in 1962. Masters who would visit Hong Kong during its manufacturing heyday in the 1970s and 80s also shared their techniques and trained apprentices.She started learning the craft at age 13 from her father, who founded the family’s tile business, Kam Fat Mahjong, in 1962. Masters who would visit Hong Kong during its manufacturing heyday in the 1970s and 80s also shared their techniques and trained apprentices.
She started learning the craft at age 13 from her father, who founded the family’s tile business, Kam Fat Mahjong, in 1962. Masters who would visit Hong Kong during its manufacturing heyday in the 1970s and 80s also shared their techniques and trained apprentices.
Food, Art, and All the Feels—Your Cultural Guide to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining® Presented by Orlando Health
Dinner and a show? Always.
A gallery stroll before heading to your favorite new restaurant? Absolutely.
Magical Dining goes beyond the table—dine at participating restaurants across Orlando and head to a local show or immersive art experience. With hundreds of events happening during the season, your night doesn’t have to end after dessert.
We’ve highlighted a few must-see shows, festivals, and free cultural experiences to pair with your Magical Dining plans. From solo adventures to big family and friends’ outings, low-key film nights to immersive club vibes — there’s something for every age and mood.
To browse and plan your Magical Dining® nights, visit MagicalDining.com
SOUNDS OF THE CITY
This season’s soundtrack is live and local. With dozens of music-focused events, you can pair your dining plans with anything from jazz and blues to Latin rhythms and global beats.
Highlights:
- International Guitar Festival | Timucua Arts | Weekends, Aug. 1 – 23, 2025: Get ready to vibe with epic string skills from around the world at the most intimate venue in town during the four-weekend festival.
International Guitar Festival: Hiroya Tsukamoto at Timucua Arts
- Groove Royalty | Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts | Aug.16, 2025: South American beats meet bold American vibes in this genre-blending jam led by drummer Pablo Aragona and a crew of powerhouse guest artists.
- Sunset Serenades Classical Concert Series | Harry P. Leu Gardens | Aug. 28, 2025: Take in a golden hour concert with Rimma and Friends, blending Baroque, Romantic, and more in the serene beauty of the Camellia Room.
- Classic Albums Live – Led Zeppelin II | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | Sept. 13, 2025: Experience the hard-rock breakthrough performed by this extraordinary ensemble of musicians.
Ricky Sylvia & The Buzzcatz at Orlando Shakes
Pair it with: Restaurants in SoDo, Winter Park, Mills50, Ivanhoe Village, Audubon Park.
CENTER STAGE
The curtain’s up on Orlando’s theater scene—from cult parodies to Broadway legends to locally produced immersive experiences.
Highlights:
- Anna in the Tropics | Orlando Shakes | Select Dates, Aug. 27 – Sept. 21, 2025: A Pulitzer Prize-winning play that simmers with poetry, passion, and Cuban cigar smoke in 1920s Florida.
- Nosferatu | Renaissance Theatre Company | Select Dates, Sept. 5 – Nov. 8, 2025: Step into the shadows of this immersive vampire experience where you’ll wander through the lair of the undead—then party with the Coven at V-Bar, featuring dancers, drag, and dark delights.
- Go, Dog. Go! • ¡Ve Perro, Ve! | Orlando Family Stage | Select Dates, Sept 6 – Oct 5, 2025: This one is for the young ones! Experience fun, meaningful moments in this bilingual, high-energy production.
Orlando Family Stage
- Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical | Theatre South Playhouse | Select Dates, Sept. 19 – Oct. 5, 2025: This hilarious offbeat parody dives into the upside-down with retro flair, outrageous laughs, and a nostalgic twist on the cult hit.
- The Wiz | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | Sept. 30 – Oct. 5, 2025: This Broadway classic brings high-energy choreography, dazzling design, and all the soul you’d expect from the Land of Oz.
Pair it with: Restaurants in SoDo, Winter Park, Mills50, Ivanhoe Village, and Dr. Phillips.
ARTS FOR ALL
Creative energy is everywhere—festivals, art nights, film fests, and free museum days. Dive in.
Highlights:
- BLK JOY Festival | Lake Lorna Doone Park | Aug. 16, 2025: A family-friendly celebration of culture and creativity.
BLK Joy Festival
- 3rd Thursday Art Walk | CityArts & The History Center | Aug. 21 & Sept. 18, 2025: Pop into downtown galleries, meet artists, and vibe with live performances.
- Art Night | Mills Gallery | Sept. 6, 2025: A laid-back evening of contemporary art, wine, and conversation in one of Orlando’s most welcoming gallery spaces.
- Global Peace Film Festival | Enzian Theater & Winter Park Library | Sept. 16 – 21, 2025: Thought-provoking films take center stage in this weeklong festival dedicated to inspiring peace and social change through storytelling.
Pair it with: Restaurants in West Lakes, Mills50, Ivanhoe Village, and Maitland restaurants.
DID YOU KNOW?
Every event and venue listed here is run by a local nonprofit. That means when you buy a ticket, you’re helping fund scholarships, free arts programs, and job opportunities across Central Florida.
English
Belarusian
French
German
Hmong
Italian
Maori
Russian
Spanish