As usual, Central Florida has plenty of fun things to do this weekend outside of the theme parks to keep you busy.  That is, after you recuperate from the Cinco de Mayo parties!

Our Orlando Predators arena football team will be taking on arch rivals the Tampa Bay Storm this Friday, May 6th.  If you’re visiting or have never been to an arena football game, they are a blast.  The field is smaller than a normal football field so there is LOTS of back & forth action.  The crowd is normally pretty rowdy, but it is good fun, and a great opportunity to check out the new, “green”  Amway Center, home of our Orlando Magic.  (Who, unfortunately, are not continuing in the playoffs.)  For Friday’s game, this is also a special ‘bike night’ so if you are local or a tourist who is riding or have rented a motorcycle, this is a great deal for you.  Special ticket prices and FREE bike parking in front of the arena ($20 value).  Visit www.CarolinaDave.net for all the details.

On Saturday, May 7th, you can check oput the 12th annual Bluegrass Festival at Magnollia Park.  This event runs from 10am to 6pm and features the Porchdogs, Moonlite Express, Pine Creek, the Ramblin’ Rose Bank, and more.

May 6th thru the 8th, you can catch comedian Bobby Lee at the Orlando Improv Comedy Club.  He’s appeared on “The Tonight Show”, “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”, and was a regular on “MADtv”.

If theatre is more your taste, the Orlando Cabaret Festival is continuing through May 15th at the Mad Cow Theatre Company.

Also running Friday thru Sunday is the world premier of The Mommies, a musical blog.  This show is playing at the Plaza Live Orlando and is all about moms.  A great idea for Mother’s Day, which is this Sunday.  And, there are lots of options for things to do with mom on this special day.  If Mom is a Disney fan, or you’re in town visiting the Orlando theme parks on Mother’s Day, you might want to check out a couple of Mother’s Day buffets at Disney. The Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel as well as Storyteller’s Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa both feature Disney characters (Cinderella and her princess friends in the Grand Ballroom, and Chip ‘n Dale and friends at Storyteller’s Cafe) and a “Royal Buffet for Mother’s Day”. Also, Capone’s Dinner & Show will be serving up their version of a spectacular Mother’s Day Buffet on Sunday night. On Mother’s Day, all moms receive a carnation flower and special recognition from the awesome characters in the show.  The cost for this Mother’s Day Buffet and Orlando Dinner Show is only $26.99 (plus tax & gratuity) per adult and $16.99 for kids (4-12 years, 3 & under are free).  This includes the show, all-you-can-eat buffet dinner, dessert, and drinks.