By Peter Covino
Lifestyles Editor

Universal Orlando Resorts 2012 Summer Concert Series kicks off tonight with the cast of Nickelodeon’s popular children’s show, “Victorious.”

Universal Studios guests can participate in question and answer sessions with the cast throughout the day as well as watch an episode from the show.

The Summer Concert Series Kicks runs every Saturday through July 14.  

The event will culminate with a music performance by the cast – including Victoria Justice, who plays the show’s main character, Tori Vega. To participate in the Q&A sessions and watch a show episode of “Victorious,” guests should arrive to Universal Studios Florida by 2 p.m.

Currently in its third season, “Victorious” follows teenager Vega as she navigates life at Hollywood Arts, a prestigious performing arts high school.  The show, a co-production with Sony Music, features original songs performed by Victoria Justice and the show’s ensemble cast.  The newest collection of songs from the show, “Victorious 2.0: More Music from the Hit TV Show,” debuts on June 5 and features the brand-new single, “Make It In America.” The show’s first soundtrack, “Victorious: Music from the Hit TV Show,” debuted at the no. 5 spot on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and features the show’s theme song “Make It Shine,” as well as the hit singles “Beggin’ On Your Knees,” “Freak the Freak Out” and “Best Friend’s Brother.”

Universal Orlando’s Summer Concert Series is included in admission to Universal Studios Florida and gives guests the opportunity to add a major concert to a day of theme park thrills.  This year’s star- lineup features top-name talent that will appeal to fans of every music genre – including ZZ Top, Josh Turner and Lupe Fiasco.

The full lineup:

June 16-3 Doors Down & ZZ Top; June 23 Josh Turner

June 30-Al Green July 7 Lupe Fiasco July 14 TBD

For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com.

Guests can also experience Universal Studios’new entertainment experiences –          Universal’s Superstar Parade and Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular.  

Disney concerts

Some of the most popular bands and performers of recent decades are featured in tribute form at Walt Disney World as part of the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot on select summer nights in June and July.

Classic hits from the likes of U2, The Bee Gees, Bon Jovi and many more  are part of the music at the open-air American Gardens Theater in World Showcase.

The schedule (entertainment subject to change without notice):

June 10-17: Hotel California —  A Salute to the Eagles.

June 18 - 23: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot — The Ultimate Billy Joel Show

June 24-30: Stayin’ Alive — A Tribute to the Bee Gees.

July 1-7: Slippery When Wet — The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

July 8-14: The Police Experience —  A Tribute to the Police

July 15 - 21: SouthBound and Company — A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd

July 22 - 28: 2U — A Tribute to U2

Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. – except on July 4 when show times are 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. Sounds Like Summer concerts are included with Epcot admission. Additional information is available at disneyworld.com/soundslikesummer. For the latest information and updated show times, guests may pick up an Entertainment Guide when entering the park.

Isn’t it romantic?

Orlando has been named the eighth most romantic city according to the dating website MissTravel.com.

Orlando comes in eighth on the list of U.S. cities for travel dating destinations, based on a sample of 20,000 trips planned or taken to U.S. destinations by members of the website in the past two months.

According to the website, an ideal romatic date in Orlando includes a day at Walt Disney World, dinner in a private booth at CRAVE and a picnic at Lake Eola.

Since its debut in early April, MissTravel.com has signed up over 100,000 members who have made plans to go on over 20,000 romantic trips across the United States. Topping the list of most romantic destinations are Las Vegas, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Orlando, Santa Barbara, and Washington DC.

“While US tourism has fallen significantly due to the recession, there has been a renewed interest in romance tourism,” said Brandon Wade, the founder & CEO of MissTravel.com.

“Love and travel go hand in hand, and this is why Cities that can inspire the hearts of Romeo’s and Juliet’s all over have seen the most improvement in their tourism.”

Top 20 Most

Romantic US Cities

1. Las Vegas, NV

2. New York, NY

3. Miami, FL

4. San Francisco, CA

5. Chicago, IL

6. Honolulu, IL

7. Los Angeles, CA

8. Orlando, FL

9. Santa Barbara, CA

10. Washington, D.C.

11. Napa Valley, CA

12. Dallas, TX

13. San Diego, CA

14. Boston, MA

15. New Orleans, LA

16. Philadelphia, PA

17. Houston, TX

18. Tampa, FL

19. Sedona, AZ

20. Cleveland, OH

Last month, MissTravel.com was featured by Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN,

Fox and many other international media for its marketing pitch that “Beautiful People Travel

Free”. The website matches generous travelers who have the money to travel, with attractive

singles who love to travel but lack the financial means to do so.

“Many people fantasize about traveling and falling in love, but most have had to live out those

fantasies from their couch, through the Bachelor or Bachelorette on TV,” says Mr. Wade, who

holds a BS and an MBA degree from MIT. “MissTravel.com is the first dating website that will

turn these fantasies into reality. Our website is already responsible for over 20,000 domestic

trips, boosting US tourism, and in the process helping a countless number of Romeo’s find their

Juliet’s.”

For more information about MissTravel.com, please visit our website.