Florida Culture for the Week of April 8 by Josh Garrick

April 12 to 14 – Carmina Burana by Orlando Ballet and Bach Festival

In a long-awaited collaboration between the Orlando Ballet and the Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra, the brilliant score of Carmina Burana will inspire the choreography of Robert Hill with the Orchestra and 150-member Chorus on stage at the Bob Carr PAC.  The epic score of Carmina Burana is ripe for Hill’s blend of classical and contemporary ballet choreography. In three performances only – from April 12 to 14 – hundreds of performers will join to bring Carmina Burana to life. Call 407.426.1739 or visit orlandoballet.org

April 12 to April 28 – Central Florida Premiere of Frost/Nixon

The always-inventive DiDonna Productions/Empty Spaces Theatre Co(llaboration) will present the Central Florida premiere of the award winning play Frost/Nixon from April 12 to 28.  In 1974 Richard Nixon resigned his presidency after the greatest scandal our nation ever endured. This compelling drama examines how a British talk-show host managed what no prosecutor could: to extract a confession from our most notorious former President. At the Shakespeare Center located in Loch Haven Park. Call 407.328.9005; for credit cards, visit redchairproject.com

April 12, 13, and 14 – Maitland Spring Festival of the Arts

Celebrating its 25th season, the Spring Festival of the Arts – presented by the Maitland Chamber of Commerce – is held around beautiful Lake Lily. Each year the Chamber adds new artists to the mix featuring an array of art, jewelry, hand-crafted wood, photography, glass art, sculpture and mixed media.   Combined with live entertainment throughout the weekend and food from Maitland’s finest restaurants, it’s the ‘perfect weekend outing’ for the whole family. Call 407-644-0741 or visit maitlandchamber.com

April 13 at 11 am – The Little Mermaid – a Family Ballet

The Prima Ballerina of the Orlando Ballet – Katia Garza – has choreographed a full-company, classical ballet interpretation of The Little Mermaid that is a perfect introduction to ballet for YOU and your CHILDREN.  Presented at the Bob Carr PAC, for one performance only, this family friendly, one-hour performance of the beloved fairytale invites us to journey under the sea to the Little Mermaid’s magical world. Call 407.426.1739 or visit orlandoballet.org

April 13 – Annual UCF Book Festival 2013

The annual UCF Book Festival, set for April 13 at the UCF Arena, encourages the appreciation of literature while fostering the love of reading. Featuring internationally recognized authors and illustrators, book signings and sales, vendors, book appraisals, and activities for all ages, the Festival is hosted by UCF’s College of Education. The Festival hosts over 50 authors for readings and panel discussions along with a Children’s Zone, Teen Zone, and Cooking Demonstrations. Prizes and Free book appraisals are offered by brandywinebooks.com. Visit education.ucf.edu/bookfest

April 14 – Ice Cream Benefit for Ronald McDonald House

An old-fashioned Ice Cream Social is set for April 14, from 1 to 5 pm at the Winter Park Civic Center at 1050 W. Morse Blvd as a benefit for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Center will be transformed into a family-friendly place from ‘days gone by’ with ice cream and cake, games, contests, door prizes, a silent auction, and entertainment for the whole family. Stop by and say ‘hello.’ I’ll be one of the ‘Celeb Servers’ scooping up ice cream to raise money for the children and families served by Ronald McDonald House. Tickets are $5 advance / $7 at the door. Call 407-677-1552.

April 15 – Kings Bowl Opens in Orlando

That tourist mecca in Orlando – International Drive – will open its newest ‘hot-spot for fun’ when Kings Bowl Orlando opens April 15. MUCH MORE than a bowling alley, Kings Bowl is a 30,000-square-foot dining, bowling and entertainment venue featuring 22 Bowling lanes, an upscale restaurant and 60 big screen TVs. Kings’ décor captures a nostalgic feeling with modern twists that include world-class food and cocktails. In addition, Kings offers meeting rooms, billiards tables, shuffleboard, an Ice Cream Shop, disc jockeys, dancing and more. Visit kingsbowlamerica.com.

April 16 to 21 – Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The first national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert finds a trio of friends (who happen to be drag queens) aboard a battered bus searching for love in the Australian outback. With over 500 Tony Award-winning costumes, Priscilla features a hit parade of 20 disco favorites including It's Raining Men and I Will Survive. Along with the Tony Award for Best Costume, Priscilla received three Best Musical award nominations, and is the most successful Australian musical of all time. With performances from April 16 to 21, tickets may be ordered at OrlandoBroadway.com or by calling 1-800-982-2787

April 17 – Taste of Winter Park

The Taste of Winter Park is an annual food extravaganza featuring unlimited food and beverage samples from 45 of the area's finest restaurants, caterers, and bakers. Set for April 17 from 5 to 8 pm at the Winter Park Farmers' Market, this year features cooking with local produce. EdibleOrlando and Eat More Produce will pass out winning recipes, and I’ll be on-hand, along with other dining critics, as one of the “Foodie Judges” of the evening. Tickets may be purchased at the Welcome Center at 151 W. Lyman Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.644.8281 or visit winterpark.org

April 17 to 20 – Florida Music Festival

The Florida Music Festival is a huge celebration of up-and-coming musicians, held in downtown Orlando, that invites fans to experience live music, film, and visual arts. The line-up includes a wildly eclectic slate of more than 250 performers from alternative, pop, country, urban, hip hop and acoustic formats, along with hundreds of filmmakers and visual artists. Admission varies. Visit floridamusicfestival.com for a complete schedule.

April 18 to May 11 – The All Night Strut

‘Swing’ is the thing in this musical celebration of the 1930's and 40's. The All Night Strut is a musical celebration that carries us through the Depression, World War ll and the post war boom, filled with jazz, blues, bebop and standards to keep our toes tapping to legendary songwriters Frank Loesser, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Cab Calloway and the Gershwins. From the funk-jive of Harlem to the sophisticated El Morocco, All Night Strut is a combination of harmony and unbeatable energy opening at the Winter Park Playhouse on April 18. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

April 18 – An Evening with Oliver Stone

HE’s a legendary filmmaker, an Academy award-winning Director, AND a Master of ‘controversial subjects.’ HE is Oliver Stone, and he will speak about his life and career at Rollins College on April 18 at 7:30 pm. His legendary films include Wall Street, Nixon, Natural Born Killers, JFK, The Doors, and Platoon while writing (or co-writing) Midnight Express, Scarface, and Evita. Stone has worked as a schoolteacher in Vietnam, a Merchant Marine, taxi driver, messenger, and production assistant.  He served in Vietnam in 1967-68, was wounded twice, and decorated with the Bronze Star for Valor. Visit rollins.edu/wpi/events/2012-2013/stone.html

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators