Culture for the Week of March 3 By Josh Garrick

Now through mid-March – Flowers Everywhere at Bok Tower

Peak bloom season has ‘officially arrived’ at Bok Tower Gardens, and this is the best times of year to visit the National Historic Landmark. Visitors observe hundreds of varieties of camellias and azaleas along with orchids, irises, and other flowering plants throughout the Gardens. What began as 50 acres designed by Frederick Law Olmsted has grown to more than 600 acres of woodland gardens around the visual centerpiece of the 205-foot neo-Gothic Singing Tower, an architectural wonder that houses one of the world’s finest carillons. Visit BokTowerGardens.org

March 5 – STEM Education ‘Exhibited’ to Florida’s State Legislators

Florida Legislators will be invited to ‘engage’ with technology displays as the Orlando Science Center and Lockheed Martin demonstrate the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and how strategic partnerships can encourage tomorrow’s technology workers. STEM Day offers hands-on activities to the Legislators while promoting partnerships to encourage young people to pursue STEM careers. Science experiments, flight simulators and more will exemplify the importance of STEM learning in growing Florida’s technological workforce. Visit osc.org or call Mark Schaub at 407.900.6275

Mar 6 – Books and Cooks to Benefit the Winter Park Public Library

The Alfond Inn is the setting for an evening of celebrity chefs signing their books to support the Winter Park Public Library. Featuring John Rivers of 4 Rivers, Brandon McGlamery of Prato and Luma, Norman Van Aken of Norman's, Richard Gonzmart of Columbia Restaurants, and Hollis Wilder of Sweet By Holly. The $25 Ticket includes the author’s panel, a bourbon cocktail (recipe by John Rivers) and ‘gourmet snacks’ by Luma and Sweet By Miss Holly. Contact P. Corkum at pcorkum[at]wppl.org or call 407.623.3277.

Mar 7 to 29 – Sisters of Swing – The Story of the Andrews Sisters

The Winter Park Playhouse excels with musicals that follow the lives of famous performers, so we may look forward to the Central Florida Premiere of Sisters of Swing. The new musical follows Patty, Maxene, and LaVerne Andrews, from their early days on the road to their fame for entertaining American GI’s during World War II. The score features over twenty hit songs including Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. Visit winterparkplayhouse.org or call 407.645. 0145.

Mar 7 to April 18 – Legendary Abstract Painter – Harold Garde – at Jai Gallery

Artist Harold Garde, a legend of the American abstract expressionist movement, recently celebrated his 90th birthday having added a work to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, as the subject of a major documentary film, and having his work celebrated at the Museum of Florida Art. Now Jai Gallery will exhibit the bold creations of this legendary Artist in an exhibit opening March 7 at 7 pm.  Jai Gallery is at 47 East Robinson Street in Orlando. The Opening is free with an RSVP to 407.921.0693.

Mar 8 – Music of the Ballet with the Orlando Philharmonic

Composers Prokofiev, Ravel, and Tchaikovsky are often familiar to contemporary audiences thanks to the music they wrote for ballets. Those composers will be joined by Falla and Weber on March 8 at 8 pm at the Bob Carr PAC when dancers from Orlando Ballet will perform to several of the greatest orchestral ballet scores of all time with the music performed LIVE by the Orlando Philharmonic.  Excerpts from La Valse, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet promise an evening of multiple talents on the stage of the Bob Carr. Visit orlandophil.org or call 407.770.0071

Mar 8 -- Mennello Museum ‘Walk & Talk’ with Curator Valerie Ann Leeds

The Mennello Museum is exhibiting the Art of the American Southwest in their on-going exhibit – Southwestern Allure: The Art of the Santa Fe Art Colony.  On March 8 at 2 pm Dr. Valerie Ann Leeds, a New York City-based curator, writer, and art historian, will lead a ‘walk and talk’ through the exhibit, sharing her insights into the Artists and the time period that made Santa Fe into the art colony that is so much a part of American art history. Visit mennellomuseum.com or call 407.246.4278.

March 8 & 9 -- Nuclear Cowboyz Freestyle Motocross at Amway Center

Vying for the title of ‘most explosive freestyle motocross (FMX) touring production,’ the Nuclear Cowboyz make their first-ever stop at the Amway Center on March 8 at 7:30 pm and March 9 at 2 pm in a motorcycle epic of good guyz (the Nuclear Cowboyz) committed to defeat an evil tyrant in this action-filled performance of more than 1000 gravity-defying tricks. Complete with laser effects and heavy metal sound-track, the show also features the acclaimed Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors. Check out the action at nuclearcowboyz.com, and visit ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000 for tickets.

March 9 – Be a Part of Florida History

Florida House is the only state embassy in Washington, DC, and since 1973, the beautifully restored 1891 Victorian Florida House has welcomed visiting Floridians, students, and dignitaries to the nation's capital. The annual fund-raiser for Florida House will take place March 9 in a private home in Orlando with a lakefront view, cocktails on the dock, ‘locally grown and harvested foods,’ a silent auction and more. We can be ‘a part of Florida history’ as we support the fundraiser for our unique ‘home’ in D.C. RSVP to Gayle Wirtz at 407.222.5535 or email her at gwirtzreal[at]aol.com

March 12 – Social Media Marketing – The Basics

If you are interested in using social media for your business but don't know how to start, or if you are using social media (but aren't sure you're doing it right), an interactive seminar set for March 12 at 6:30 pm will demystify the social media marketing basics no business should ignore. Covering strategies and best practices, the seminar will help you to help your business gain visibility, develop relationships and drive sales and responses. Total Wine at 2712 East Colonial is the host venue, and they will offer a complimentary wine tasting after the seminar. RSVP to Ken Countess at 407-242-4200.

Mar 13 – A Wine-A-Fare at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art

The Lake Eustis Museum of Art, Lake County’s only dedicated Art Museum, will hold their annual Wine-A-Fare fund-raiser on March 13. Supporting the varied activities of the Museum, the evening offers a ‘Wine Tasting & Heavy Hors D’oeuvres,’ a silent auction, and fine Art sale. This affordable fund-raiser is $30 per person/$35 at the door. The Lake Eustis Museum is on the lake at 1 West Orange Avenue in Eustis. For tickets contact Caroline Breuché at 352.589.9235.

Mar 13 at 4 pm – Walk-a-Mile – IN HEELS – to Benefit Harbor House

Bringing awareness to the issue of domestic abuse while raising funds for Harbor House of Central Florida, hundreds of walkers (in high heels) will Walk-a-Mile on March 13 beginning at 4 pm. Domestic abuse knows no boundaries of color or sexual orientation, and the statistics are staggering. Walk a Mile 2014 will begin at the Orange County Court House and walk to the Orange County History Museum. Lend your support at facebook.com/groups/WAMOrlando or visit harborhousefl.com

Mar 14 to 16 – The Orlando Ballet – Some Assembly Required

Some Assembly Required is the name given to the World Premiere performances being offered by the Orlando Ballet on the weekend of March 14 to 16 at the Bob Carr PAC. The ballet is the newest creation by Artistic Director Robert Hill, and it promises to showcase the dancers’ physicality in movement as an evolving process. Additional works will be presented by Guest Choreographers Abdur-Rahim Jackson and Orlando Ballet’s Arcadian Broad and Telmo Moreira Visit orlandoballet.org or ticketmaster.com

Mar 14 to 16 -- Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead at the Venue

In the unauthorized parody Dog Sees God, the popular Peanuts characters are teenagers battling real-life issues. When CB's dog dies, CB questions the existence of an afterlife, but his best friend is ‘burnt out,’ his sister has gone Goth, his girlfriend is in rehab, and other friends are unable to give him any solace. A chance meeting with an ‘Artistic Kid’ (the target of the group's bullying), offers CB a friendship that pushes teen angst to the limits. Performed from March 14 to 16 at the The Venue in Orlando, tickets are available at DogSeesGodOrlando.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators