🌱 Easter Closures + DFAC Live Painting + Blue Jays Theme Nights

Hey, everybody! It's Kristen, your host of the Dunedin Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town. In today's issue, you'll find these stories and more:

• Spend Easter Sunday at HEW Chophouse.
• Experience live painting in the lobby of the Dunedin Fine Art Center.
• The Dunedin Blue Jays' 2023 promotional schedule.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Studio 1212 Art Gallery

Visit Dunedin’s Studio 1212 Art Gallery — voted Tampa Bay Magazine’s best small art gallery cooperative for 2022

Since 1971, Studio 1212 — a nonprofit art gallery owned and managed by an all-volunteer group of local, award-winning artists — has been a part of the creative community in the Dunedin area.

Here are a few things you can do at Studio 1212:

• Attend an exhibit of local artists (check out the schedule here)
• Get your own artwork critiqued for free by volunteer artists (on the first Saturday and third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.)
• Support local artists by buying their work — art prints, note cards and fine hand-crafted gift items — in the gift boutique
• Sign up for a workshop to expand and improve your own artistic abilities
• Join other local art lovers by becoming a benefactor of Studio 1212 (Learn more here.)

Studio 1212 is located at 234 Monroe St. in Downtown Dunedin, and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Studio 1212 — a part of the Dunedin area arts community for over 50 years.

Now, today's weather: Partly sunny and warm. High: 87 Low: 72.

Are you a business owner or marketer in Dunedin who wants to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales? If that's you, then I invite you to see how our newsletter sponsorships combine our local audience reach with your expertise to attract new customers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. All City of Dunedin offices will be closed between April 7 and April 9 in celebration of Easter weekend. There is no impact on waste and recycling collections. Each recreation center will have limited hours this weekend as well. The Kiwanis Sprayground will be open on April 7 from 10 a.m. to noon and again between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. It then reopens on April 8 at 9 a.m. and remains open to the public until 5 p.m. On April 8, the Dunedin Community Center's hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., the MLK Jr. Recreation Center's are noon to 8 p.m., and Stirling Skate Park's are noon to 8 p.m. Finally, the Stirling Park Driving Range will be open on April 7 and April 8 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Dunedin Patch)
2. Throughout April, local artist Shawn Dell Joyce will be painting live in the lobby of the Dunedin Fine Art Center between 10 a.m. and noon. This undertaking not only offers guests a behind-the-scenes look at her process but it's also her way of engaging in performance art. "Art is a process," she told ABC Action News. "It's not an end result. So, half the beauty of painting is engaging your audience." The plein-air painter also teaches at the DFAC. (ABC Action News)
3. The Dunedin Blue Jays have released their 2023 promotional schedule, with games kicking off next week! Opening weekend is jam-packed with special events, including fireworks on April 14. Family Night is scheduled for April 15 and will offer inflatables, face painting, music, balloon artists, crafts, and more. Additionally, kids can run the bases after the final out is recorded. The promotional schedule offers several giveaways, including a Fishing Night Cooler Bag on May 25, a Chris Weinke Bobblehead on June 16, and Beach Night Hawaiian Shirts on July 21. There will also be a ton of theme nights, drink specials, food promotions, and so much more. Check out the link for the full schedule of events. (MILB)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Judi Kiefer, for sharing this beautiful photo of the moon over Dunedin!

Want your photo to be included in the Dunedin Pic of the Day or Inspired by Dunedin section? Submit it to Dunedin@Patch.com for consideration! Please confirm in the email that you own the rights to the photo and that Patch has permission to republish it.

Today in Dunedin:

• Jeep Night at Clear Sky Draught Haus (6 p.m.)
• Local Art Sale at HOB (6 p.m.)
• Full Moon Yoga at Hope Grove Dunedin (6:30 p.m.)
• Paddle & Yoga Full Moon Celebration at San Jose Park (6:30 p.m.)
• Pride Bowling Night at Dunedin Lanes (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Looking for somewhere special to spend Easter Sunday? HEW Chophouse at the Fenway Hotel is offering a special family-style Easter brunch on April 9 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Check out the menu and make a reservation at the link. (Fenway Hotel)
• Actress Rasheda Isaac shared some awesome images from the set of the new movie filming in Dunedin! Click the link to see some behind the scenes photos of "Valentine’s Town." (Rasheda Isaac via Facebook)
• Did you know that The Jungle in Dunedin offers fresh prep meals every week? They also have weekly and monthly membership options, which is great for anyone who needs a break from cooking every now and then. Check out this week's menu at the link. (The Jungle Dunedin via Facebook)
• Did you know that in 1975, the Pinellas County Department of Solid Waste started building artificial reefs from clean debris? They used items like concrete pipes and steel beams to create beautiful habitats for marine animals. As of today, the PCSW has deployed 50,000 tons of reef material to 42 artificial reefs along the gulf coast from Tarpon Springs to St. Pete Beach. If you want to dive down and find them, check out this map! (Pinellas County Government via Facebook)
• The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce is offering a bi-weekly program called Tuning In Now starting today, April 6, at noon in The Chamber Boardroom. Each one-hour wellness workshop supports local business owners by teaching them how to use flowing movement, mindfulness, and creative expression in the workplace. A second workshop is scheduled for April 27. (Dunedin Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Featured events:

• Largest Hop-on, Hop-off a brew Crawl (April 8)
• Dunedin Community Art Market (April 8)
• Scottish American Society Concert with Byrne Brothers and Skerryvore (April 8)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on April 11th and 13th at Largo Public Library (April 11)
• Pinellas Federated Republican Women (April 11)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
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Featured announcements:

• Enrollment is open for Applause Academy FL Inc's. production of Disney's Descendants (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!