"Here is the official word from the Orlando Magic:Opening Weekend Takes Shapeat New State-of-the-Art Amway CenterFree Community Events Headline Opening Weekend in Downtown OrlandoSeptember 8, 2010 – Orlando, FL – On Friday, October 1, the new Amway Center will open its doors to the Central Florida community for the first time. Opening Weekend at Amway Center will feature a series of free, community events that showcase all of the fan amenities and state-of-the-art technology available only in Downtown Oralndo’s new events center.Opening day activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 1 on Church Street in front of the Amway Center. At precisely 10:01 a.m. on 10/01, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando Magic President Alex Martins, Orlando City Commissioners and other Central Florida leaders will open the doors to the new Amway Center for the first time to the public. Following the ceremonial ribbon cutting and building dedication, the community will be invited into the lower bowl for Mayor Dyer’s Annual State of Downtown Address. This year, the State of Downtown is a free event where the entire Central Florida community can participate in this historic day.On Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mayor Dyer invites Central Florida residents back to the Amway Center for a free, community open house. This event will feature self-guided tours, entertainment and local performances, free popcorn and soda and commemorative items to celebrate this historic accomplishment. Representatives from the Orlando Magic and Orlando Predators will also be on-hand. Residents can experience a “taste of the Amway Center” with a sampling of the newest food offerings available for purchase.The self-guided tour of the Amway Center will take patrons through the most technologically-advanced events center in the country, showcasing two levels of spacious concourses that include an impressive array of concessions; a stop along the way so the kids can climb STUFF’S Magic Castle, then up to the contemporary, open-air setting of Gentleman Jack’s Terrace, then up 100 feet to the Sky Bar spotlighting some of Downtown Orlando’s best views; past the player locker rooms and ultimately in the lower bowl where you can see the largest arena videoboard in the country.For more information on Opening Weekend activities including how residents can obtain their free ticket to the community open house and free parking options, visitamwaycenter.com. A new, improved and interactive web site – www.amwaycenter.com – is now available to keep Central Florida residents and patrons updated with the latest information about Amway Center events and offerings. The new amwaycenter.com is a one-stop destination for complete information including box office, ticket sale, parking and event calendar details.WHAT: Mayor Dyer’s State of Downtown AddressWHEN: Friday, October 1, 20109:30 a.m. Community celebration begins10:01 a.m. Ribbon Cutting ceremony followed by State of Downtown AddressPARKING: FREE parking is available in the Geico Garage and West Church Street Garage WHAT: Community Open House WHEN: Saturday, October 2, 201010 a.m. – 4 p.m.9 a.m. – 10 a.m. open house preview for Parramore residents onlyTICKETS: The open house is a ticketed event. Residents can obtain their FREE tickets online atamwaycenter.com. Additional ticket pick up locations will be announced on amwaycenter.com.PARKING: FREE parking will be available in all City of Orlando owned garages. A list of free parking garages will be available at amwaycenter.com.After the opening weekend, Amway Center’s inaugural year promises to deliver world-class sporting, entertainment, cultural and community events. The inaugural year line-up is beginning to take shape with the following:THE EAGLES – Thursday, October 7 – This record-breaking music group will be the building’s first concert. As a part of their “Fall Tour”, the Eagles will headline in Orlando at the Amway Center. Tickets on sale at amwaycenter.com.ORLANDO MAGIC – Sunday, October 10 – The first Orlando Magic game and first sporting event in the new Amway Center will be held on 10/10/10 in a pre-season game vs. the New Orleans Hornets. Tickets on sale at amwaycenter.com.VICENTE FERNÁNDEZ – Friday, October 8 – The undisputed king of traditional ranchera music, Vicente Fernández has sold over 50 million albums in his legendary, five decade career. Inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame, Vicente Fernández has sold out large-capacity venues such as Madison Square Garden where his visually stunning, larger than life performances feature classics like “Volver, Volver” and “Miseria.” Tickets on sale.MACHETE MUSIC TOUR 2010 – Friday, October 15 – The label that started it all and changed the Latin music landscape forever by bringing Reggaeton to the forefront of the industry, Machete Music, now takes this young urban movement to the next level by partnering with AEG Live to produce this unprecedented tribute to the genre that has defined a generation. Tickets on sale.MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY – Tuesday, October 19 — Amway Center welcomes Madea’s Big Happy Family starring Tyler Perry. Perry is a renowned actor, director, playwright, screenwriter, producer and author. His Madea character has brought smiles to people across the country and promises to do so again with the all new Madea’s Big Happy Family tour.CHELSEA HANDLER – Friday, October 22 – As one of the nation’s most outrageous and successful female stand-ups, Chelsea has performed to sold-out audiences at venues and festivals across the country with a devout fan base that continues to grow exponentially. Tickets on sale at amwaycenter.com.BATTLE OF THE BANDS – Friday, November 19, 2010 – Get ready for crowd-pleasing dance teams, high-stepping drum majors, precision drumlines and roaring brass sections from the top high school marching bands in the country and featured performances by the Marching Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University and the Marching 100 of Florida A&M University.CHAYANNE – Saturday, November 20, 2010 – Chayanne is considered one of Latin pop music’s premier heartthrobs, releasing hit after hit for the last several decades. He is also a gifted dancer and actor with a number of telenovela and film roles to his credit. He now hits the road in support of his 21 st studio album, No Hay Imposibles.WWE RAW – Monday, November 22 – Monday Night Raw debuts at the Amway Center. The following Superstars are scheduled to appear at the first ever WWE show at the new Amway Center: SHEAMUS, JOHN CENA, RANDY ORTON, EDGE, THE NEXUS, CHRIS JERICHO and many more (card subject to change).FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS SHOOTOUT – UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA VS. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA – Wednesday, December 1 – This is your chance to be a part of the first-ever collegiate basketball game at the new Amway Center. Tickets on sale at amwaycenter.com.ANDRÉ RIEU – Saturday, December 11 – World renowned Dutch violinist, conductor and composer André Rieu, international superstar and leader of his own Johann Strauss Orchestra, brings his unique brand of chart-topping classical music to America in the “Celebration of Music” tour. Tickets on sale at amwaycenter.com.TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Sunday, December 12 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra, one of the top selling concert acts in the world creates one of the most captivating concert experiences on the road today. Committed to giving their fans the most “value for their dollar,” TSO puts on a positive ,over-the-top audio/visual spectacular complete with lasers, pyrotechnics and state of the art lighting and keeps generations of fans enthralled year after year.RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS – January 13 – 16, 2011 – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Fully ChargedSM, the all-new, 141st electrifying edition of The Greatest Show On Earth®! Ringling Bros.® powers up audiences with acts from all over the globe featuring breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-seen-before performances that spark the imaginations of children of all ages."
(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger, a contributor on the Fansided Front Page, and co-host of CB Sports Radio from 5-7 pm week days (1420sports.com). Subscribe to his RSS feed, add him on Twitter to follow him daily. You can download the HTD app here).