Florida Culture for the Week of November 25 by Josh Garrick

Now through Dec 29 -- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Orlando Rep

That shiny red nose leads the way to the Orlando Repertory Theater (the REP) as the characters and songs from the classic television special remind us that ‘being different’ can be a very good thing. (Visit orlandorep.com or call 407.896.7365). In addition, the REP will hold a Holiday Family Gala on December 8 at 4 pm featuring a decorate-your-cupcake station, a free photo-booth, an angel tree, prize drawings, and a meet and greet with Santa, followed by a private performance of Rudolph. Call 407.896.7365.

Nov 27 - Lake Mary/Heathrow 4th Wednesday Art Stroll

Add 4th Wednesday to the days of the month given over to an ‘Art and Wine Walk’ – this one at Colonial Town Center in Lake Mary. In addition to loads of original ART, this family-friendly event finds restaurants and businesses offering free wine samples as we Art Stroll.  Presented by the Colonial Town Park Merchant Association and Art for All Spaces, you can begin your stroll at 951 Market Promenade Ave in Lake Mary. Visit facebook.com/events/322832001195022/ or call 407-450-2255.

Nov 28 – THANKSGIVING DAY – Golden Corral Hosts 25,000

More than 25,000 meals will be served at the Salvation Army Gymnasium at 440 West Colonial Drive on Thanksgiving Day as Golden Corral offers its 21st annual Helpings from the Heart Thanksgiving Dinner.  For 21 years Eric Holm, President of Metro Corral Partners, has ‘given back to the community,’ returning the favor to The Salvation Army, which provided a Thanksgiving meal to the Holm family when he was a child. All are invited, AND over 1000 volunteers are needed to help serve the FREE meals, which begin at 11 am and are served through 5 pm. Please pass along this information to any who may need it, and should you wish to volunteer, please call 407.423.8581.

Nov 29 to Jan 5 – Rosendahl Sculptures at A&H Museums – Maitland

Beginning November 29, with an Opening Reception on December 13, the A&H’s Maitland Art Center will present new sculptures by Dawn Rosendahl, an A&H Artist-In-Action. In her exhibit – Ex Libris – Rosendahl transforms everyday books into sculptures, ‘resurrecting’ the books like blocks of wood, rendering them into surrealist works of art. A former Disney sculptor and mold maker, in 2013 Ms. Rosendahl received a United Arts Development Grant. Call 407.539.2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

Nov 30 at 2 pm and 8 pm – Home for the Holidays with the Orlando Philharmonic

For two performances only, the Orlando Philharmonic will present their annual Home for the Holidays concert featuring The Holiday Singers, Florida Opera Children’s Chorus, dancers, bagpipers, aerialist Amanda Cariotto – and the ORCHESTRA on November 30 at 2 pm and 8 pm at the Bob Carr PAC. Home for the Holidays will include seasonal favorites like The Little Drummer Boy, along with classical selections and a special performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring a food item to help re-stock the Second Harvest Food Bank. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

Nov 30 – Hello, Dolly! In Daytona

When it comes to Broadway fun, Hello, Dolly! tops the list as one of the most enduring Broadway classics. Hello, Dolly! comes to the Peabody Auditorium on November 30th at 7:30 pm with the Emmy-award winning Sally Struthers as the strong-willed match-maker Dolly Levi. With an unforgettable score including the title song, It Only Takes A Moment, and Before the Parade Passes By, Dolly! has been charming audiences around the world for 50 years. Call 800.745.3000 or visit Ticketmaster.com

Dec 3 to 8 – Flashdance – The Musical

Flashdance – The Musical, the stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that ‘defined a generation,’ will be presented at the Bob Carr PAC from December 3 through 8. With electrifying dance at its core, Flashdance is the story of Alex Owens, a steel mill worker by day and a bar dancer by night with dreams of becoming a professional performer. 30 years ago the film was a worldwide cultural phenomenon, with a Grammy Award-winning sound-track. Now, in addition to those original ‘hits,’ 16 new songs have been written for the stage. For tickets, visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 407-704-6116

Dec 3 from 8 to 11 pm -- The 20th Anniversary of APARTMENT E

Frankie Messina, the talented Maestro behind APT E, will celebrate 20 years of “everything we love about Orlando” as he does what he does best – bringing talented and diverse people together for “pure connecting.” Frankie promises to celebrate APT E's 20th anniversary with surprises galore, and it’s FREE to get in. Frankie offers, “No pretense, no games – bring 20 friends, your talent, your passions, and your love for Orlando” to the Peacock Room at 1321 North Mills Ave in Orlando. Visit apartmente.com

December 4 to 29 – It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater invites Florida audiences to share the holiday cheer of Joe Landry’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Performed as a 1940’s radio broadcast, Wonderful Life runs from December 4 through the 29th. Inspired by the beloved Frank Capra film, Wonderful Life includes an ensemble of five actors who bring to life a dozen characters in the style of a radio broadcast complete with commercial jingles. Now we can fall in love all over again with George Bailey and the Angel who saves his life on Christmas Eve. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Actors Brad DePlanche, Suzanne O’Donnell, and Piper Rae Patterson. Photo by Landon St. Gordon.

Dec 5 – Christmas in the Park – in Winter Park

Of all the ‘magical’ nights of our Holiday Season, December 5 stands out as the 35th time the Morse Museum will present its FREE Christmas in the Park event. Beginning at precisely 6:15 pm, the Museum’s Tiffany windows are turned on as thousands of people gather in Central Park for a unique celebration of art and music. The Museum will ‘exhibit’ nine illuminated Tiffany windows as the 160-voice Bach Festival Choir presents a joyous Holiday concert and children search among the illuminated windows for the one in which ‘Father Christmas’ holds the Christ child. Call 407.645.5311 or visit Morsemuseum.org

Anna Innes memorial window, one of nine Tiffany leaded-glass windows to be installed at Christmas in the Park

December 5 – 1st Thursdays: Art UNDER $200

‘Tis the Season at the Orlando Museum of Art where the 1st Thursday Art Party, under the leadership of Arts Patron Ed Herbst, introduces new and established Artists to those ‘partiers’ who know they can find wonderful and original Art for bargain prices.  That is especially true for the 1st Thursday in December where ALL of the Art shown is priced UNDER $200. Think Holiday gifts, think original Art, think support for the Artists in Central Florida, and think how much sense that makes for EVERYONE this Holiday season. Call 407.896.4231 or visit Omart.org

Dec 6 to Jan 5 -- The Light in the Piazza at Mad Cow Theater

Set in Rome in 1953, The Light in the Piazza is the story of a young American tourist, traveling with her mother, who meets and falls in love with a young Italian. The Mother opposes the affair for reasons that become apparent as the musical unfolds. With music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, grandson of Richard Rodgers, Light in the Piazza won six Tony Awards in 2005.  Presented by Mad Cow Theater from December 6 to January 5, visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407.297.8788

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators