Florida Culture for the Week of August 29 by Josh Garrick

September is ‘Dining-Savings’ Month
With more than 60 of Central Florida’s finest restaurants offering Three-Course $30 Dinners throughout the month of September, tourists and locals alike are invited to expand their palates – and their savings – during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. This annual celebration showcases Central Florida’s chefs in our ever-more-famous dining choices. The month-long event benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida with $1 from every meal donated to the organization. From September 1 to 30, guests may enjoy exceptional dining for an exceptional price at Orlando restaurants including Emeril’s Orlando; Morton’s Steakhouse; Ocean Prime; Capital Grille; and the brand new Napa at The Peabody and La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Bonnet Creek. Also included are Orlando favorites Chez Vincent, Luma on Park, Le Coq Au Vin, K Restaurant, The Boheme, Seasons 52, and Todd English's bluezoo. Information about Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month – including a complete list of participating restaurants – is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com

The 2nd Florida International Piano Competition
In a performance set for Saturday, September 10 at 7:30 pm, three finalists from the 2nd Florida International Piano Competition will join the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert in which each pianist will perform a concerto with the Orchestra. September 10 caps off an extraordinary 7-day event – from September 5 to 11 – in which 22 pianists from around the world vie for prizes totaling $40,000 and performance engagements in front of an international jury and audiences. The marathon of musical performances begins with solo performances. From the Solo Round, 8 pianists advance to the Semi-Finals, after which another vote determines the 3 Finalists. The Finals, held on September 10 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, will feature each Finalist performing a concerto to determine the winner. The Orlando Philharmonic will perform with the Finalists in an evening that concludes with the announcement of the winner. A Winners Encore Recital will take place on September 11 at Trinity Preparatory School, where prizes will be presented and the Winners perform their favorite repertoire. For tickets to the Finals with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, visit TicketMaster.com.  For tickets to the beginning rounds, including a Week-Long Pass to ALL events, call 407.645.2525 or visit FloridaPiano.org

Sideways Stories Kicks Off The REP’s New Season
Adapted for the stage by John Olive from Louis Sanchar’s popular book series, this theatrical adaptation presents the best scenes from the ‘Wayside School’ books. The ‘Wayside School’ was accidentally constructed with 30 classrooms stacked on top of each other, including the mysterious 19th floor. From people turning into apples to talking pigtails, the students never know what to expect.  “As a child, I loved stories that were both bizarre and a little creepy,” says Director Michael Marinaccio. “Hopefully, audiences from 3 to 93 will find our Wayside School to be entertaining, exciting, amusing, spooky and full of heart. If not, Miss Zarves always has room for you in her classroom...” The Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP), kicks off the 2011-2012 season with Sideways Stories from Wayside School, running from September 8 to October 9. Sonny’s Family Night – a dinner show – is offered on September 24. Call 407.896.7365 or visit www.orlandorep.com.

12 Angry Men
Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park will present the Reginald Rose drama, 12 Angry Men from September 2 to19. This ‘classic’ work of theater portrays a jury forced to consider its decision by the single dissenter who sows a seed of ‘reasonable doubt.’ The judge instructs the jury to unanimously decide on a verdict of "guilty" or "not guilty" in a case where a young man may have murdered his father. The plot thickens as the jury is further instructed that a guilty verdict will be accompanied by a mandatory death sentence. The 12 men move to the jury room, where their varied personalities reveal hidden fears, anger, and traits of dominance and submission with several jurors having personal reasons for discriminating against the witness. Directed by Sylvia Vicchiullo, the play will be performed at the Breakthrough Theater at 419A West Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

  
The Hometown Hero Concert Series
Orlando Calling is a brand-new Music Festival set for November 12 and 13 in the Orlando Citrus Bowl, and now, Orlando Calling is giving Central Florida’s hometown bands an opportunity for their ‘big break.’ As part of the Festival’s new Orlando Calling Hometown Hero Concert Series, more than 20 local bands will compete for featured performance spots at the highly anticipated Festival featuring headliners Bob Seger, Kid Rock and The Killers. Local bands will perform at Firestone Live in downtown Orlando every other Wednesday night through October 5 with winning bands from each evening participating in a finale event scheduled for Wednesday, October 26. Admission is free. Raffle tickets, benefitting the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital, will be sold for $10. Featuring four stages of American Artists, Orlando Calling will present iconic performers from the genres of Blues, Country, Rock, and R&B along with emerging talent from the Central Florida area. For information about the Festival or the Hometown Hero Concert Series, visit OrlandoCalling.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators