ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando has kicked off a downtown arts initiative called DTOLive to bring music, arts and positive cultural experiences to downtown.
What You Need To Know
- DTOLive is a new project to bring arts, culture and music to downtown Orlando
- The city has commissioned artists and musicians to perform on the streets of downtown
- Harry Rios performs in Duncan Park during lunchtime
- Artist Brendan O'Connor has displayed giant, neon pigeons on downtown rooftops
Instead of listening to horns and sirens throughout downtown Orlando, you can now hear the musical stylings of performers like Harry Rios.
“I have been playing piano since I was 6 or 7 years old growing up in New Orleans, so I got bit by the bug pretty early,” Rios said.
Rios performs in Duncan Park during lunchtime, serenading those who pass by with his signature Latin and jazz flair.
While it’s not a stage he ever envisioned for his piano, it’s giving him a new audience to entertain thanks to DTOLive.
“Everybody is working here. Everybody is in the city, and when they are having lunch, they are having it right here," Rios said. "So this is a great spot.”
He is one of many musicians and artists hired by the city to share their talents downtown as part of the arts initiative. It’s a yearlong project with the Orlando Downtown Development Board, United Arts of Central Florida and other partners, to bring over 800 free arts and cultural events to downtown Orlando between now and June 2025.
“The aim of this is to bring vitality to downtown and make it a cultural center for prosperity for everybody coming by,” Rios said.
Jennifer Evins, president and chief executive officer of United Arts of Central Florida, explained that this is a way to not only support local artists but also to create an arts culture that will attract people and business, changing the tune of downtown Orlando.
“Downtown there are restaurants and shops, and they need people to come downtown and spend money,” Evins said. “And if people come downtown for lunch because they know there is going to be music there, then our restaurants will thrive. And Orlando has a thriving nightlife scene. There is nothing wrong with us having a thriving daytime scene as well, and arts can do that.”
Rios, who is excited to be part of the program, is making sure to get the word out about DTOLive.
He’s already thrilled with the reception he has received so far.
“I see people dancing. I see people singing along. I see people taking videos, sending it to their friends," Rios said. "And that makes me feel good, and I hope that happens more and more here in downtown.”
As performances ramp up to five days a week, Rios is looking forward to helping create a new “art-beat” for the city he loves.
“The program is growing, and it is becoming more exciting and there is more opportunities being made, and I am excited about what is coming down the pipeline.”
For a full schedule of DTOLive daytime performances and more information on the program, visit the Downtown Orlando DTOLive website.
