Florida Culture for the Week of April 11, 2016 by Josh Garrick

FINAL WEEK -- to April 17 – Epic Eugene O’Neill at Mad Cow Theatre 
THE masterwork of one of America’s iconic playwrights, Long Day’s Journey Into Night fuses drama, psychological autobiography, and poetry into one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. Family patriarch James Tyrone denies the reality of his wife’s drug addiction, his eldest son’s alcoholism, and his youngest son’s imminent death in this drama that laughs morbidly at the American pursuit of wealth while ripping off the masks of propriety that allow us to act as if all is well, and THIS is happiness. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

FINAL WEEKS to April 23 – Winter Park Playhouse produces Jerry Herman’s Showtune!
The much-loved Jerry Herman’s hit Broadway shows sing and dance their way onto the Winter Park Playhouse stage with Showtune!, an internationally popular musical revue of Jerry Herman’s music and lyrics. Recipient of the 2009 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the theater, Jerry Herman wrote the hit Broadway musicals Hello Dolly!, Mame, La Cage aux Folles, and more. Michael Edwards directs, Roy Alan choreographs and Chris Leavy music directs. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

April 15 at 2pm & 8 pm– Orlando Philharmonic Suggests, “Let’s Fall in Love” 
‘Love is in the air’ as Rob Fisher conducts the Orlando Philharmonic with two of the greatest Broadway voices of all time. Joining the Orchestra for two performances of love songs from Broadway, are Multi-platinum-selling singer and Broadway star Ann Hampton Callaway and Orlando’s own ‘record-holder’ for most performances in the lead role of the ‘Phantom’ Davis Gaines. This evening of love songs will help you fall in love – all over again – with the greatest songs ever written Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

April 15 to 23 – HELLO DOLLY! by Rollins Theatre and Music 
I can’t wait to see the Rollins College Theatre and Music Departments take on one of the BIGGEST BROADWAY MUSICALS of all time. Having watched this department over time, the bigger their ambition, the more they grow. We all hope for great things as we enjoy the story of the beloved matchmaker Dolly Levi hatch a plan to marry Horace Vandergelder, the famous “half a millionaire.” The stage action is about HOW Dolly gets what she wants and, along the way, we hear classic songs including “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” and the unforgettable “Hello Dolly.” Call the Box Office at 407.646.2145 or visit annieboxoffice[at]rollins.edu

April 16 at 2 pm – Central Florida Ballet's "9/11 An American Moment" 
As we approach the 15th Anniversary of 9/11, the Central Florida Ballet Studio Company will present CFB’s original production “9/11 An American Moment.” Capturing the American patriotism, resolve and pride in response to the World Trade Center attack, the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. has recognized the Central Florida Ballet as ”the only company in the nation to have created a ballet based on this fateful day in American history.” Presented at the ME Theatre at 1300 La Quinta Drive in Orlando, purchase $10 advance tix at 407.849.9948 x10 or visit centralfloridaballet.com 

Photo Credit:  Virginia Trudeau and Deedee Sherman.

April 16 at 7:30 pm & April 17 at 3 pm – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 
Universally considered the greatest musical work of all time, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 extols the elusive concept of the brotherhood of man. Hear the music performed in the idyllic setting of the Knowles Chapel at Rollins College, performed by a community choir of dedicated singers celebrating the 25th season Music Director John Sinclair has led the group. Is it possible for this sublime performance to be enhanced? YES – as the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra also perform the world premiere of "Music, Awake!" from Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec. Note: two performances only. Call 407.646.2182 or visit bachfestivalflorida.org

April 16 & 17 – The Annual Florida Blueberry Festival  
The historic streets of Brooksville offer Fresh Florida Blueberries, Blueberry Pies, and all forms of Festival treats during the 2016 Blueberry Festival. Watch for jugglers and stilt walkers – especially after your ‘tasting’ of Blueberry Wine at the Island Grove Café. 2016 offers vendors, Art exhibits and live entertainment by a variety of Bands. Kids will love the ‘Blueberry Kid Zone’ with inflatable rides; skating rink, and the ‘refreshing’ slide down the 1,000 Foot Urban Slide. Tickets are $8 and $5. There’s even a ‘Blueberry Song’ at floridablueberryfestival.org

April 17 – Ice Cream Social (Public Invited) for Ronald McDonald House 
Bring your ‘favorite’ friends and family to a celebration full of ice cream and sweets to benefit the families served by Ronald McDonald House Charities. From 1 pm to 5 pm on April 17 guests of all ages will enjoy an assortment of ice cream creations along with live entertainment, face painting, a cake walk, games, prizes, a silent auction and more.  All this sweetness helps provide a ‘home away from home’ for 1,700 families who stay at Ronald McDonald House to be close to their critically ill children. Tickets on sale at both Ronald McDonald Houses in Orlando: $6 advance / $8 at door / children under 3 free.  Call 407.677.1552 

April 17 to 19 – The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Annual Flower Show
With a variety of exquisite floral designs, horticulture, vendors and educational exhibits, the much-honored Florida Federation of Garden Clubs proudly presents the 2016 Annual Advanced Standard State Flower Show ‘Seeds of Sunshine’ in conjunction with its 90th Annual Convention.  Held at Embassy Suites Hotel at 4955 Kyngs Heath Road in Kissimmee, the show is Free and open to the Public on April 17 from 4 to 7:30 pm, April 18 from 10 am to 5 pm, and April 19 from 10 am to 3 pm. Call 407-399-8230

April 18 – Tax Day -- Procrastinators, We Get a Break !
I can be counted on to get my writing deadlines in on time – OR BEFOREHAND – but when it comes to pulling together my Annual Tax paperwork – there’s always a reason to put that off.  This year – 2016 – we get three extra days to file our federal tax return and await my tax refund. The tax deadline is APRIL 18, and we can thank Washington, D.C., for the extra time.  Here’s the 420 – ‘Emancipation Day’ is normally celebrated on April 16, THE DAY President Lincoln signed the law ending slavery in Washington, D.C.  In 2016, April 16 falls on a Saturday, so Emancipation Day will be celebrated on April 15 – and ‘ca ching’ Tax Day is moved to April 18 in this year -- 2016. 

April 20 – 6 pm to 9 pm – Adult Literacy Fundraiser with Author Elizabeth Berg 
New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Berg will headline the 9th annual “Reading Between the Wines” Adult Literacy League fundraiser at the Orlando Science Center on April 20. Author of “The Dream Lover,” chosen one of 10 books that made a lasting impression in 2015, Ms. Berg will speak and sign books. With generous food and wine offerings by Orlando’s top restaurants, the festive event offers three hours of sipping and tapas-sized sampling with all proceeds supporting the Adult Literacy League’s tutoring and classes to more than 1,000 adults on a weekly basis, plus books for 600 pre-schoolers in low-income families. Call 407.422.1540 x111 or visit adultliteracyleague.org/rbtwtickets/

April 20 - 5 pm to 8 pm – Taste of Winter Park - The Ultimate Foodie Festival
‘Taste of Winter Park’ showcases more than 40 of Central Florida’s top chefs, bakers, caterers and confectioners making it THE ‘foodie’ event of the year. I’ll be there as a ‘Foodie Judge’ at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market where your all-inclusive ticket features unlimited samples of signature dishes, beverages, desserts, live entertainment, a silent auction and more. Tickets are $45 at the door / rain or shine. Must be 21 and up. Visit winterpark.org or call 407.644.8281.

April 20 – Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter 
Music icons Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter are performing only 3 shows in the U.S. this year, so Orlando is doubly honored to welcome these legendary performers to the Dr. Phillips Center. For five decades, with 14 Grammy Awards, few artists in the music industry have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz than Herbie Hancock. At age 82, ‘jazz pioneer’ Wayne Shorter still influences generations of musicians as a master saxophonist and as a composer with honored work throughout the pantheon of modern music. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Photo courtesy of Robert Ascroft and Douglas Kirkland.

April 22, 23, & 24 – Opera Orlando Enjoys ‘Boisterous Rebirth’ 
It's a ‘celebration’ as OPERA returns to the Dr. Phillips Center with the newly-renamed Opera Orlando. Their “Boisterous Rebirth” is a double bill of a play-within-a-play featuring Mozart’s ‘Impresario’ (updated to modern-day-Orlando) and Poulenc's ‘Les Mamelles De Tiresias.’ With a cast including Julia Foster and Gabriel Preisser, the Stars are joined by the Opera Orlando Children's Chorus and members of the Orlando Philharmonic, led by Conductor Michael Sakir. The charming Eric Pinder serves as stage director and script adapter with an informative ‘Pre-Performance Presentation’ offered Free one hour before each performance. Call 844-513-2014 or visit operaorlando.org      

April 23 at 11 am and 1 pm – TWICE the Fun at Shakespeare's 452nd Birthday Party!
Yay! Celebrate Shakespeare's 452nd Birthday with ‘Expert Party-Goers’ Elephant and Piggie! on April 23 at 11 am at the Main Branch of the Orlando Public Library for a special interactive story time with Orlando Shakespeare’s Elephant & Piggie. THEN, on April 23 at 1 pm – in the Darden Courtyard behind the Shakespeare Center – hard partying Elephant & Piggie will be there with games, prizes, and a Birthday Sing-A-Long for ANOTHER Party and Story time.’  BOTH PARTIES are FREE (no reservations required) Visit orlandoshakes.org 

April 23 at 3 pm – Steve Martin & Martin Short: ‘An Evening You Will Forget … for the Rest of Your Life’
In a show so popular that the 8 pm performance sold out within hours, super-comic friends Steve Martin and Martin Short agreed to add a 3 pm ‘performance’ of their ‘revealing’ friendship drawn from decades of lunacy shared on screen and stage. Expect stand-up, film clips, singing, countless laughs, and … banjo playing. Martin and Short will be joined on-stage by the Grammy-winning Steep Canyon Rangers, the band with which Martin frequently performs. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

April 23 at 5 pm – Orlando Gay Chorus Offer Free Concert 
Celebrating their 25th Anniversary, the Orlando Gay Chorus will take the Florida Blue Concert stage with a line-up of pop and Broadway favorites to celebrate the decades. The 100 male and female voices of the Orlando Gay Chorus are on a mission to offer music to help “change images and attitudes, build a stronger community, and make the world a better place.” The all-volunteer Chorus includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, along with some ‘straight’ friends, all held to high performance standards. Bottom line – it’s Free and you’ll love it. No tickets required for this Free performance on the lawn at the Dr. Phillips Center.

April 24 to 30 – The 8th Annual Winter Park Paint Out – Free All Week 
‘Plein Air’ is a French term meaning “in the open air,” and describes artworks painted outdoors with the subject in view. The Albin Polasek Museum will host its 8th Annual ‘Winter Park Paint Out’ with 25 professional ‘plein air’ artists working around Winter Park, capturing our favorite landscapes and landmarks with oils, watercolors, and pastels. Whether you’re an art lover, a patron, or simply curious to see Artists in action, stop by the Museum, which will be open FREE to the public through the entire week, to see the latest from these artists. Completed paintings will hang in the ‘Wet Room’ where these one-of-a kind works may be purchased as soon as they are hung on the wall. Call 407.647.6294 or visit polasek.org for a complete schedule of events.

2016 Poster Image “Peacock” by Natalia Andreeva

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators