If you think summer is the low season when it comes to seeing your favorite entertainment acts, think again. A lot of entertainers prefer touring in the summertime, knowing full-well they will have audiences ready to see their shows. A lot of singers are embarking on their first-ever tours this summer too! Below I’ve outlined 18 different entertainment acts that will be performing in Florida this summer.
JUNE/JULY
Sheryl Underwood 
You may know her very well as one of the outspoken hosts of CBS’s The Talk, but many others may know her from her BET Comic View days, a time where she said she was just “hood famous.” Underwood brings her stand-up comedy to Florida while The Talk is on summer hiatus.
When and Where? Tampa Improv, June 12-13
Margaret Cho 
The comedian and former Drop Dead Diva actress has had a lot more time recently to devote to her stand-up and to her numerous social causes. She’s talked about some of them on-stage here in Florida; she visited West Palm in September and Tampa in March. Now she’s returning for another round of laughs.
When and Where? Orlando Improv, June 19-21
I Love Lucy Live on Stage 
Take a trip back to the ’50s with this fun and interactive stage show! You’ll get to see two episodes of the popular sitcom, complete with ’50s-era commercials and sponsor plugs as read by announcers! You’ll begin to think Lucy and Desi are actually up there on the stage!
When and Where? Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando, June 23-28
Move: Live on Tour 
Dancing with the Stars fans will know the brother-and-sister duo Derek and Julianne Hough; they’ve snatched quite a few Mirrorball Trophies! Now they’re touring nationwide, bringing you a breathtaking mixture of professional ballroom dancing and exciting musical accompaniment.
When and Where? Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers, June 25; Hard Rock Live Hollywood, June 26; St. Augustine Amphitheater, June 27; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, June 28; Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando, June 30
American Idol Live 
The penultimate season of the popular FOX reality singing competition has ended, but summertime means the fan favorites will be touring the country, singing some of the songs that made you fall in love with them to begin with. Winner Nick Fradiani and the rest of the top five are coming soon!
When and Where? Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, July 7; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, July 8; King Center for the Performing Arts, Melbourne, July 9; Hard Rock Live Orlando, July 11; Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers, July 12; Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale, July 14; Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, July 15
Lookingglass Alice
This show comes to Florida after it has wowed tens of thousands of people in the group’s home city of Chicago. Lookingglass Alice is a fun and inventive way of retelling Alice in Wonderland, featuring circus-inspired entertainment acts which will keep you on the edge of your seat.
When and Where? Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami, July 8-August 16
Shania Twain 
Let’s go, girls! Most of you can sing a Shania song or two from memory. I know I can! This is the time to see her in person because she hasn’t performed a North American tour set in over a decade. Let your hair down, embrace your status as a Shan Fan, and feel like a woman, man!
When and Where? Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, July 15; AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, July 16
Ariana Grande 
If you love Top 40 radio, you love Ariana Grande. Her album My Everything has gone five times platinum in the United States, and she’s been selling out arenas on her very first headlining tour. She hit two Florida cities in March; now she’s coming back to sing in two others.
When and Where? Amalie Arena, Tampa, July 16; BB&T Center, Sunrise, July 18
Wendy Williams 
How you doin’? Wendy has done it all: she’s been a radio shock jock, a television talk show host and even an author. Now she’s pursuing another dream of hers: stand-up comedy. After a fun engagement in Atlantic City, Wendy’s bringing her comedy nationwide.
When and Where? Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, July 18
Sam Smith 
When you feel sad, push through the pain and achieve your dreams. That’s exactly what British crooner Sam Smith did, and he’s got the Grammys to prove it! Now he’s headlining his first-ever North American tour, where you can hear him sing such hits as “Stay With Me,” “I’m Not the Only One,” and more!
When and Where? AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, July 20; Amalie Arena, Tampa, July 21
Love Letters 
“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” That’s the famous line from the film Love Story, which starred the star-crossed Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal. 45 years later, they star in Love Letters, detailing the love and devotion a husband and wife have for one another throughout tragedy and triumph.
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, July 21-26
Idina Menzel
You will know her music from a variety of musicals and films. It was Rent that brought her to stardom, Wicked that brought her a Tony Award, and Frozen that brought her a #1 single on the pop charts. Whether you became a fan of Idina Menzel’s 20 years ago or yesterday, she will have something for everyone in her live concerts.
When and Where? Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando, July 25; Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton, July 26; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, July 28
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Cirque du Soleil: Varekai 
“Varekai” means “wherever” in the Roma language, and Cirque du Soleil brings audiences that special sense of adventure. The story of Icarus is retold with a different ending: what would have happened if he fell to Earth and onto a lush, magical island? This show is a treat for nearly all the senses.
When and Where? Amalie Arena, Tampa, August 5-9; BB&T Center, Sunrise, August 12-16
Jill Scott 
Jill Scott debuted her unique sound 15 years ago. Shortly after, she was crowned “the neo-soul queen” and became the pride of her hometown of Philadelphia. Since then, she has proven she has acting chops in a variety of movies and TV series, but she feels most at home on a stage with a mic.
When and Where? Hard Rock Live Hollywood, August 8; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, August 9
“Weird Al” Yankovic 
He’s written over 150 parody songs in his 40-year career, and his popularity has only grown with time. Just this past year, he earned his first-ever debut at #1 when he released the album Mandatory Fun. You’ll get to hear songs from this album and many of your favorites as he tours Florida this summer.
When and Where? Hard Rock Live Orlando, August 11; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, August 13; King Center for the Performing Arts, Melbourne, August 14; Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, August 15; Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, August 16
Mo’Nique 
She’s done every job imaginable in the entertainment industry…you may know her from her critically acclaimed turns in Blackbird and Precious, or you may know her from The Parkers or her role as headmistress in The Flavor of Love Girls Go to Charm School! She dishes about EVERYTHING in her nationwide comedy show.
When and Where? Orlando Improv, August 21-22
Loni Love 
You see her weekdays on the chat show The Real and weekly on TruTV’s World’s Dumbest; now it’s time to see Loni Love in person and hear her hilarious brand of comedy! Make sure you wave your hands when she calls for her “sugar sticks” out in the audience! (That’s what she calls her gay fans — because they’re so sweet!)
When and Where? Fort Lauderdale Improv, August 21-23
Ed Sheeran 
Florida residents: we are under an official Ginger Alert! This British cutie, who has received Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year and Song of the Year, will be bringing his world tour stateside. His soft acoustic style and infectious smile will make all the boys faint!
When and Where? Amway Center, Orlando, September 8; AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, September 9
Be sure to read our Summer TV Preview that is coming up in next week’s issue of Hotspots!
