Florida Culture for the Week of August 18 By Josh Garrick

August 22 – Lengua Materna Offers ‘Messages’ by Hispanic Artists

Art & History Museums – Maitland gives voice to the Hispanic community in its new exhibit – Lengua Materna, opening August 22 at A&H’s Maitland Art Center. Translated as ‘mother tongue,’ the exhibit presents universal ideas through the unique vision of Hispanic culture with Artists representing diverse communities in a variety of media. The exhibit features Maria Albornoz (Venezuela), Roberto Gonzalez (Mexico), J. Tomas Lopez (Cuba), and David Figueroa and Edgar Sanchez Cumbas (Puerto Rico). An Opening reception – Public invited – will take place on August 22.  Visit artandhistory.org

Red Haired Russian Girl by Tomas Lopez and Mystery by Roberto Gonzalez

Aug 22 at 8 pm – The Orlando Urban Music Fest

R&B superstar Anthony Hamilton is coming to the CFE Arena on Friday, August 22 at 8 pm as part of The Orlando Urban Music Fest. Headlined by the Grammy Award Winning Hamilton, the Urban Music Fest also features R&B stars Lyfe Jennings, Jazmine Sullivan, and Mali Music. Comedian Kevin “Damn Fool” Simpson will host this night full of urban music’s greatest talent. CFE Arena is at 12777 Gemini Blvd in Orlando.  Visit cfearena.com or ticketmaster.com

Aug 22 – Bottle Trees & Whirligigs at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art invites the Public to the opening reception for the exhibit – Bottle Trees, Haints & Whirligigs on August 22 beginning at 6 pm. The event is free.

“I’ve handpicked the six artists for this show because of their affinity for depicting the things we love about the South,” says Taylor. The artists include Bethanne Hill and Stephanie Dwyer, Lucy Hunnicutt, Pat Juneau, R.A. Miller, and Alyne Harris. The opening coincides with the Sanford Art Walk, which occurs on the 4th Friday of each month. J T Folk Art is at 211 East First Street in Sanford. Visit jtfolkart.com or call 407-323-2774.
 

Katrina Bottle Tree by Stephanie Dwyer

Rose Bottle Tree by Bethanne Hill

Aug 23 – Disney’s Villains Unleashed

For the first time ever – on August 23 – the deliciously evil Disney Villains will hold sway as they roam around the Disney Hollywood Studios beginning at 8 pm. Guests will get up close and personal with some of the most heinous Disney villains at this one-night-only event while they party together at Hades Hangout, Oogie Boogie’s Variety Show, the Star Wars Villain Zone, and the new Villainy In The Skies fireworks spectacular. Guests may purchase tickets at DisneyVillainsParty.com or call 407-939-1933.

Aug 23 -- Spring Roll Workshop with Chef Francis Biondi

Beginning at 11:30 am on August 23, the Demonstration Kitchen at the East End Market will be abuzz with ‘rollin’ your own’ – Spring Rolls, that is – in a workshop by Chef Francis Biondi. This half-Italian, half-Filipino chef appeared on season 5 of Fox’s Chef Competition show, MasterChef. Chef Francis will share cooking secrets – particularly how to roll with locally sourced ingredients, and create the perfect dipping sauce. Then, stay and eat your creations. The Kitchen is at 3201 Corrine Drive in Orlando. Call 321. 236.3316 or visit eastendmkt.com

Aug 23 –Lecture and Gallery Walk with Artist Agustina Woodgate

Agustina Woodgate, who recently won the first-ever Florida Prize at the Orlando Museum of Art, will present a lecture and gallery walk on August 23 beginning at 1 pm.

Woodgate’s objects and collaborative events consider behavior patterns and systems across time and invite people to interact with them in new ways. Woodgate graduated from the National University of Visual Arts in Argentina in 2004 and has exhibited extensively in U.S and abroad. She now makes her home in Miami. The event is Free with paid gallery admission of $8. Visit omart.org or call 407 896 4231

Aug 23 – Give Kids the World’s First-Ever MacDown Competition

The 1st-ever MacDown (mac & cheese) Competition will benefit Give Kids the World – the 70-acre resort for children with life-threatening illnesses. The competition is open to everyone -- from professional chefs to home cooks -- on August 23 at the Orange County Convention Center. There will be lots of fun prizes, but the best prize is knowing your efforts will help a tragically sick child achieve a dream. To participate or attend the event, visit otownmacdown.org

Current – Full Sail University Earns TOP Honors – Including School of the Year

Full Sail University, a leader in degree programs in the fields of entertainment and media, received two of the highest honors given by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC). The first went to Full Sail student Harmony Jones, named 2014 Graduate of the Year for her civic contributions and educational success. Full Sail U was named 2014 School of the Year, recognized for its many unique offerings including the Global Professional Standard program, which tracks students throughout their education to ensure they are proficient in the technical and professional skills sought by potential employers. Visit fullsail.edu

Current – A Birth Announcement from the Central Florida Zoo

Born to Nimbus (female) and Cirrus (male), the Central Florida Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a female clouded leopard’cub born on April 25, 2014. The cub will be on exhibit daily 9 am to 1 pm as she acclimates to the zoo experience. Clouded leopards are one of the species in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, a breeding program for species that are vanishing from the wild. The Zoo is located on I-4 Exit 104 in Sanford and is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Visit centralfloridazoo.org or call 407.323.4450. 

And Looking Ahead …

Beginning August 25 – SEPTEMBER is Orlando’s Magical Dining Month

More than 75 restaurants are serving up savings this September during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. With the greatest number of restaurants in the program’s 9-year history, this year’s event includes more dates thanks to the addition of a special preview week starting August 25. Following 3-course dinners for $33 at some of Orlando’s most renowned restaurants, savvy diners can turn an evening out into an overnight stay-cation with one of several Magical Nights dine-and-stay packages. A full list of restaurants, menus and hotel packages is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com. Discounted hotel rates, deals on theme parks, and dining can be found at VisitOrlando.com/September.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators