Historic Florida Artist at Maitland Art Center
Impressionist painter William Vincent Kirkpatrick once studied at the
Maitland Art Center, and this month that historic Florida Artist will be
honored at the Center with an exhibition which opens on Friday, July
16th.  Kirkpatrick was born in St. Augustine in 1939. Growing up in a
home filled with culture, (his mother was a painter) young William took
guitar lessons, but his life changed at age ten when he won an art
contest. William went on to study at the Maitland Art Center in 1950,
where he became a painter of landscapes, florals, portraits and murals.
As a painter, Kirkpatrick traveled widely throughout Europe, Africa,
China, and the United States. Curiously his entire estate was kept away
from public eyes until recently. Now his work may be viewed through
September 5 at the Maitland Art Center, 231 West Packwood Avenue in
Maitland.  The Opening Reception will be held July 16 from 6 to 8 pm. 
Entrance is $5. Call 407 539 2181 or visit artandhistory.org 

Marc Cohn at the Plaza 
The concept of artists who surmount tragedy to then use the ‘lessons
learned’ in their creativity certainly applies to singer/songwriter and
winner of the 1991 Grammy Award for Best New Artist Marc Cohn. In
the years preceding his new album Join the Parade, Cohn
passed through life-changing events that make his new album an
insightful and soulful statement. Leaving a performance on the night of
August 7, 2005, Cohn was shot in the head during a carjacking attempt.
Although the bullet lodged near his left temple, Cohn never lost
consciousness and walked out of the hospital the next day. Three weeks
later, Cohn watched the city of New Orleans destroyed by Hurricane
Katrina. Out of all this, Cohn has translated his most complex and
private emotions into lyrical song-poetry of remarkable depth and
complexity. Cohn will perform songs from the new album and other works
in a one-night-only performance at the Plaza Theater in Downtown Orlando
on Saturday, July 17th at 8 pm.  Call 407.228.1220 or visit theplazatheatre.com

Witnessing Creativity at Work
Watching the creation of a work of art is not only inspiring, but it
allows the viewer to see the thought – the materials – and the real
‘work’ that goes into the process of creation. We will have that
opportunity beginning on Friday, July 16 and continuing through
the weekend at DeLand’s Florida Museum for Women Artists. Six
different artworks will be created through the weekend culminating in an
exhibit that will remain in place until August 29th.  Conceived by FMWA
board member Margaret Hodge, the idea is to open the Museum to the
public while the artists prepare their works.  We are literally
invited to talk with the artists about their projects while they are
creating. The artists include Jean Banas, Kathy O’Meara, Raina
Benoit, Frances Gardner, Grace Leal, Martha Lent and Beau Wild.
For those who cannot make it to the event, the Museum promises to
document the daily progress on their website. FMWA is located at 100 N.
Woodland Blvd in DeLand. Call 386.873.2976 or visit FloridaMuseumforWomenArtists.org

Everglades Images through July 25
The month of July offers our last chance to view the photography exhibit
"Clyde Butcher: Big Cypress and the Western Everglades"
at the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) before it closes on July 25.
The exhibit features 40 large-format black and white photographs and a
video documentary depicting the beauty and fragility of the Western
Everglades. The exhibit is particularly timely as we are all affected
every day by Florida's current environmental concerns. In the tradition
of Ansel Adams' large-format photographs, Butcher composes his works at
locations across the Big Cypress Swamp creating unique photographs that
have given him the reputation of being one of Florida's foremost
landscape photographers. The OMA is located in Orlando's Loch Haven Park
at 2416 N. Mills Ave. Call 407-896-4231 or visit www.omart.org for details.

Family Theatre Festival “Free and On Target”
The Orlando Repertory Theatre – with the support of Target – invites families to a series of free theatre performances. With a mission to build family audiences while training young artists, the 4th Annual Target Family Theatre Festival will be held from July 16th to July 25th, and most performances are FREE!  Presenting a variety of performances for young people by Milkshake, Airborne Comedians, Hobey Ford, Miss Lori, and Debi Derryberry, the Festival will also present its own Youth Academy production of the musical 42nd Street. The Opening Day Celebration (July 17th from 10 am to 2 pm) offers entertainment and activities for the kids along with free performances on the outdoor stage. The Orlando Repertory Theatre is at 1001 East Princeton Street in Loch Haven Park.  Visit orlandorep.com or call 407-896-7365 for a complete schedule. 

Ballet’s Stars of Tomorrow … Today
There is an amazing amount of talent that comes from Florida. To exemplify this fact, the award-winning Orlando Ballet School will present a special performance on Sunday, July 18th at 5 pm to showcase its top current and former students. With ballet highlights that mirror a Ballet Gala, these advanced ‘students’ will perform excerpts from Paquita, Raymonda, Swan Lake and new works. The evening will also feature former OBS students who have gone on to ballet fame including Jeffrey Cirio, who has won ballet competitions in New York, Seoul and Helsinki, in addition to the Princess Grace Award (the ballet world’s equivalent of a Tony Award); Skyler Martin, scholarship winner at England’s Royal Ballet School; and Erin Pritchard, of the Tulsa Ballet. This one-night-only performance gives Central Florida the opportunity to see the next generation of ballet ‘stars’ who trained here in Orlando. Held at the beautifully renovated Garden Theatre at 160 W. Plant Street in Winter Garden, call 407.877.4736x10 for tickets.

Herman's Hermits Brings Back 60’s Pop
Moving from exceptional student performers to a performer who literally made history, Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone is the multi-talented ‘Herman’ of the 1960’s rock band Herman’s Hermits.  Performing on Friday, July 23rd at 8 pm, this is no tribute band; this is the man who created the classic hits Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter, I’m Henry the 8th I Am, Silhouettes, There’s A Kind of Hush, Listen People, and The End of the World among many others.  Born in Manchester, England, Noone was a child actor in British soaps until, at the age of fifteen, he achieved international fame as ‘Herman.’ The band sold over 60 million recordings with 14 singles and 7 albums going “gold.”  Noone eventually starred in three movies for MGM.  The 80’s found Peter on Broadway and London stages, eventually guesting on US television shows and as the host of VH1’s My Generation. His ever-faithful fans (called “Noonatics”) are still screaming today just like their mothers did back in the 60’s. Peter Noone will perform for his fans of all ages at The Plaza Theatre at 425 North Bumby Avenue in Orlando. Call 407.228.1220.

Mark Twain to Visit the Winter Park Playhouse
That outspoken icon of American wit and wisdom Mark Twain will be brought to life by veteran local actor Michael Edwards in his original, one-man show Man Is the Only Animal Who Blushes… Or Needs To! from July 23rd to August 1st at The Winter Park Playhouse.  Edwards has acted professionally for over 40 years alongside such luminaries as Cherry Jones, Brian Dennehy, Pat Hingle and the late Nancy Walker. “Michael Edwards’ ability to portray Mark Twain is uncanny,” says Roy Alan of The Winter Park Playhouse, “Michael has spent a lifetime studying every nuance of Mark Twain’s speech, movement and appearance making his performance among the most authentic characterizations I have ever seen.” This evening of wit, song and home-spun humor is to be found at The Winter Park Playhouse at 711-C Orange Avenue in Winter Park. Visit winterparkplayhouse.org or call 407.645.0145.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators. Remember to come back and read his weekly arts column about Florida Arts Events.