OFM_TOC_4_19_SW_TOC 3 / 21 / 19 5 : 47 PM Page 1 contents OrlandoFamilyAPRIL2019 p . 16 Quick on His Feet As Derek Hough gets ready to bring his first solo tour to town , he talks to us about growing up in a world of dance and why he’s ready to pursue other passions as well . FEATURES 20 Thrill Seeking We traveled around town to find out what exciting changes — from new rides to new eateries — are coming to the theme parks . 34 Wild Life DEPARTMENTS The allure of exotic animals as pets 10 Getting Personal is gaining momentum as more Florida House of Representative and more people are welcoming Anna Eskamani on her love of The them into their homes . Beatles , what inspired her to get into politics and why her mother is DINING her biggest inspiration . 54 Dining Review : Blu on the Avenue 14 The Festival with a Heart 55 Palate The Florida Film Festival returns for 56 Side Dish its 28th year this month and we get an inside look from programming IN EVERY ISSUE director Matthew Curtis . 6 Home Front 24 To a Tee 11 Just One Question Find out what’s new and notable at Central Florida’s foremost golf 12 Picture This clubs . 38 Out & About in Orlando 30 Tales of Triumph 50 Orlando Family Stars Hear how some local residents overcame the odds thanks to the SPECIAL ADVERTISING help of a few dedicated local SECTIONS medical providers . C 37 Ask the Expert B 32 Contributing to the Community N f 37 All About Pets o Local organizations are doing their esy part to train and employ those 41 Camp Guide urt with autism . co ph Orlando Family Magazine is a free , trusted resource designed to inform , serve , and enrich local families and parents throughout the Greater Orlando area with parenting ideas , fun family activities , and a wide variety ra of invaluable resource guides . Please send all Editorial Correspondence for consideration to editorial @ OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com or mail to 212 Pasadena Place , Suite A , Orlando , FL 32803 . All such correspondence g is sent on a non - confidential basis and Orlando Family Magazine , LLC shall be free to reproduce , publish , edit , and / or use the content of any such communications , including any ideas , inventions , concepts , techniques to or know - how disclosed therein , for any purpose , including developing , and / or marketing of the magazine and / or goods or services identified in the magazine , without compensation to , or acknowledgement of the au - o thor . Orlando Family Magazine assumes no liability for any unsolicited materials , including , but not limited to , manuscripts , photographs or artwork . All submitted materials become the property of Orlando Family Mag - h azine , LLC and will not be returned . Please include a daytime telephone number for verification purposes . P 2 ORLANDO FAMILY april 2019 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM