Florida Culture for the Week of August 24, 2015 by Josh Garrick

NOW to Sept 30 – Orlando's Magical Dining Celebrates 10th Delicious Anniversary

Magical Dining is truly … magical. Beginning August 24 and running through September 30, we get to select from 76 participating restaurants to enjoy three-course dinners for $33.  Visit Orlando has lined up more newly-opened fine dining restaurants than ever before. There is no better time for ‘Foodies’ to enjoy Orlando, named one of The New York Times' 52 Places to Go in the World. Bottom line – we get to choose among GREAT restaurants and enjoy a 3-course meal for $33 from August 24 to September 30. A full list of participating restaurants is available at visitorlando.com/magicaldining

NOW to Sept 20 –Tribes at Mad Cow Theatre 

Winner of the 2012 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, Tribes tells the story of Billy, a young, deaf man with a quirky and dysfunctional family. Billy struggles to find his place in his own home, but when he meets a young woman with deaf parents, she teaches Billy about a type of family he never knew. With dark humor and sincerity, Nina Raine’s new play reminds us we don’t get to ‘choose’ our family and what it means to … belong. Call 407.297.8788 ext. 1.  ASL interpretation will be offered for performances on August 23, September 4, and September 17.

Aug 28 to Sept 20 – Needle and Thread: New Work by Butch Anthony

Alabama folk artist Butch Anthony has taken up needle and thread to lend a new dimension to his Southern-Gothic art. Antique photographs and reproductions on canvas are embellished with embroidery and a touch of wit to create arresting, and often humorous, images. Jeanine Taylor Folk Art will host an Opening Reception for his new work on August 28 from 6 to 9 pm (coinciding with the Sanford Art Walk). Entry is free. The gallery is located at 211 E. 1st Street in Historic Downtown Sanford. Visit jtfolkart.com or call 407-323-2774. 

Forever, a work in progress by Butch Anthony

Aug 29 – Tamia at House of Blues 

The beautiful in every way Tamia will headline with her Love Life tour at the House of Blues in Orlando on August 29 in support of her 6th studio album, LOVE LIFE. Released on June 9th, it debuted at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart. LOVE LIFE was the much anticipated follow-up to Tamia’s Beautiful Surprise of 2012, which earned two Grammy Award nominations.  Tamia’s two decade career is highlighted by six Grammy nominations, 10 Top 20 R&B chart songs including her hits “So Into You”, “Spend My Life With You”, and “Stranger In My House”.  Tickets at tamiaworld.com

Aug 29 & 30 – Florida Kids and Family Expo 

From pre-natal to empty nest and everything in between, the Florida Kids and Family Expo is your opportunity to discover what Central Florida has to offer moms-to-be, babies, toddlers, kids, teens and families. Enjoy over 200 exhibitors at the Orange County Convention Center,  3 stages of LIVE performances (both days), interactive stations, schools, medical info, robotics, birthday entertainment, fitness, safety items, sports facilities, pets, farm animals, day cares, home decor, Orlando Magic, beauty products, security, laser tag, arts and crafts workshops … and more. This is a “fun-for-the-WHOLE-family-event.”  Aug 29 10 am to 5 pm and Aug 30 11 am to 5 pm. For tickets: mycentralfloridafamily.com/purchase-tickets/

Aug 29 & 30 – New Score Chamber Orchestra in Two Dates & Two Venues 

The New Score Chamber Orchestra (NSCO) is a collection of Orlando's finest concert musicians performing new compositions by contemporary composers. Audiences are treated to new music from different corners of the world. In their up-coming concerts, NSCO will feature two soloists: David Brill,  performing his father's Violin Concerto in D and Shelly Chen, premiering Dr. Man-Ching Donald Yu's Ballades of Four Seasons. The performance on Aug 29 at 8 pm is at the Maitland Presbyterian Church, and Aug 30 at 5:30 pm is at the Abbey in Downtown Orlando. Tickets are $20. Call 321.800.6556

Sept 1 – FREE Program for Veterans – Keep the Spirit of ‘45 Alive!

VITAS Healthcare, with a reputation for special care for World War II Veterans, will present a FREE program – Celebrating the Greatest Generation – to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II by honoring local veterans and those who were there to support them. Beginning at 9:30 am on September 1 at the Winter Park Civic Center at
1050 W. Morse Blvd in Winter Park, the Free program will feature Keynote Speaker: Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, USA, Retired and a USO-style show with the Orlando Big Band. RSVP to Veronica Soto at VITAS Healthcare at 407.599.2534.

Sept 3 to 7 – The 2015 Allstate / Tom Joyner Family Reunion

Tom Joyner, host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, along with Allstate Insurance, is celebrating family fun with the Free 2015 Family Reunion. On Labor Day weekend September 3 to 7, families from all over the country will join Joyner for concerts, celebrity ‘meet and greets,’ seminars, and endless activities inside this Free Expo. Concerts include Frankie Beverly and Maze, Teddy Riley, Yolanda Adams, and Kirk Franklin, a ‘fam-fest’ with the cast of Black-ish, a Good Times reunion, and an appearance by basketball legend Dominique Wilkins at the Gaylord Palms Resort at 6000 W Osceola Pkwy in Kissimmee, FL. Call 407.248.9191 or visit BlackAmericaWeb.com

Sept 4 to 6 – Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic

The full legacy of Walt Disney is celebrated as ‘Mouse-ter of Ceremonies’ Mickey Mouse leads a parade of more than 50 beloved characters including Minnie, Donald Duck, Goofy, the Disney Princesses Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Snow White and Tiana. Frozen comes to life along with 14 classic stories including Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. Portrayed by an international team of award-winning figure skaters with high-energy choreography, breathtaking sets, and 30 musical masterpieces, it all comes together to make 100 Years of Magic the ultimate Disney fan experience. In six performances at the Amway Center from September 4 to 6, visit DisneyOnIce.com or ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators