As part of their Sounds of the World Series of events, The Winter Park Playhouse and Barbara Chandler Productions present United Groove: An Evening of Funk, Blues and Soul on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 7 p.m. This event celebrates Black Music Month and features the popular band United Groove. The performance is free of charge and will be held at the Winter Park Library's Edyth Bush Theatre at 1052 West Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789.
Founded in 2023 by Ed "Smooth Fingaz" Wilson and Ashton "Tuba" Cain, United Groove specializes in R&B, Soul, Reggae, Smooth Jazz, Motown, and Funk, with high-energy crowd interaction and excitement. After adding Jay Umlauf on guitar, James Johnson on saxophone, and Alvin "T.E.C." Colbert on drums, the band was complete.
The Winter Park Playhouse is pleased to continue its partnership with Barbara Chandler Productions to shine a spotlight on the diverse and unique talent of the Central Florida community. The Sounds of the World Series celebrates different cultures, heritages, and musical styles as part of the Playhouse's community outreach programming.
Sounds of the World is sponsored in part by the Orange County Government through the Arts and Cultural Affairs program, the Winter Park Community Redevelopment Agency, Division of Arts & Culture, and United Arts of Central Florida. The Winter Park Library is donating the use of the Edyth Bush Theatre to help make the performances accessible to all.
Admission is free for this event; no tickets are required. Seating is first-come, first-served and is limited to approximately 90 seats. The library auditorium will open for seating beginning at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show.
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The Winter Park Playhouse will return to its home at 711 N. Orange Avenue in Winter Park this summer and open the doors to a completely renovated theatre. The building purchase and renovations were made possible by a generous grant from Orange County. The facility will boast increased seating capacity (from 123 to 172), a larger stage, dedicated cabaret space, expanded restroom facilities, and a renewed lobby.
A Grand Opening Gala will take place on July 17, 2026, to christen the new space. Tickets for this exciting gala event are $150 per person. The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. and include a dessert and cocktail reception, live music, a champagne toast, ribbon cutting, and a special one-hour show celebrating the renovated theatre.
Net proceeds from this special event go to support the quality musical programming presented by The Winter Park Playhouse, a non-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization. Along with events at the theatre, our mission-based non-profit brings fully-funded, free arts programming to underserved children at Title I elementary schools in the area and to the facility-bound and economically-disadvantaged senior citizen population in our community.