Florida Culture for the Week of August 4 By Josh Garrick

NOW thru August 18 – Breakthrough Theatre Presents Sondheim’s Company

Sophisticated, sarcastic, and New-York-City-cynical to the extreme, Stephen Sondheim’s Company not only turned the composer into THE Broadway composer of the late 20th Century, but it is THE trailblazer of the dark-but-funny-modern-musical-comedies. On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates his unmarried state, only to have his married friends explain their views of taking on a spouse. Breakthrough Theatre is at 419A W. Fairbanks Ave in Winter Park. Call 407-920-4034.

Vicki Wicks as Joanne   Photo Credit: Lucy Yarbrough

August 4 and 18 – The Orlando Philharmonic Sounds of Summer Concert Series

Each of the Orlando Philharmonic’s summer concert series features a different theme of instruments and musicians, and this season the Sounds of Summer Concert Series is performed at the Orchestra’s spacious, new home at Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave in Orlando. August Concerts include: 

August 4  Seasons of the Soul

Olga Ferroni, Victor Ferroni, Douglas Pritchard, Doug Mathews, Sergei Kossenko, Jonathan Stilwell, and Sandra del Cid-Davies come together for a cross-genre program of chamber music – old and new.

and

August 18  Rimma and Friends

Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois and members of the Philharmonic string section perform Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 2, Glinka’s Piano Trio in D minor, and Beethoven’s String Quartet, op. 132.  Visit OrlandoPhil.org or call 407.770.0071

August 5 – National Night Out

Keeping communities SAFE is the point of National Night Out (NNO), and August 5 is Orlando’s night to shine! With the Kick-Off Party beginning at 6 pm at the Sodo Shopping Center at 120 West Grant Street, Mayor Dyer will join with District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan and the Orlando Police Department to kick-off the 31st annual National Night Out. Block Parties will take place throughout Central Florida with advance planners ready to be ‘judged’ on theme, creativity, neighborhood & local business involvement, and education.

August 7 – 1st Thursday Means Equality at the Orlando Museum of Art

“Orlando’s original art party” is the award-winning 1st Thursdays presented by the OMA’s volunteer group. Beginning at 6 pm on the first Thursday of each month, OMA showcases new artwork (for sale), live music, and ‘tastings’ from area restaurants. August 7 presents Art in EQUALITY acknowledging that true equality in gender, race and sexual orientation is paramount to a well-rounded community. Artists will showcase diversity and equality in their art, and guests may vote on their choice for Artist prizes. Also on that evening, OMA will partner with Echo Interaction to present My OMA Guide app, which allows museum patrons to use the app – with their personal phone – as a walking tour guide. Call 407.896.4231 or visit omart.org

August 7 – Crosby, Stills & Nash – and Young at the Bob Carr

While each of the trio's constituents was either the front man or principal songwriter in a popular '60s group, none of them could have foreseen that their artistic (and commercial) triumphs as a threesome would eclipse any of their previous efforts. Nor would any of them have considered ‘harmonizing together’ as Crosby, Stills & Nash more than 40 years later. CS&N was a ‘super-group’ when they played Woodstock in 1969, but Bethel was only the beginning for CS&N, whose unique rock ‘hymns’ defined a generation. Their voices set a new standard for the anti-establishment pop-ballad. Now these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are back – promoting CSNY: 1974, a CD/DVD box of their best – on a summer tour. They’ll be at the Bob Carr on August 7. Visit crosbystillsnash.com

August 8 – Good Morning Winter Park

Good Morning Winter Park is the popular, monthly breakfast gathering where residents and community leaders interact for insights on timely topics and networking. Free and open to the public, the meeting on August 8 begins at 7:45 am with a complimentary continental breakfast. At 8:15 am Denise Weathers will speak to the group about affordable housing, the role of the Community Land Trust, access to affordable homeownership, and historic preservation. At the Winter Park Welcome Center, call 407.644.8281 or visit winterpark.org

August 8 to Sept 5 – Radiance: A Solo Exhibit by Monte Olinger at Jai Gallery

Jai Gallery will present a solo exhibition exploring the work of painter-designer Monte Olinger who was recently named "one of the most influential designers shaping Central Florida" by Orlando Business Journal. Olinger calls himself ‘a story-teller’ who finds inspiration in both the cultural and natural worlds, the inner child in all of us and his personal challenges coping with a lifelong disability. 15 of his works will be shown at the Opening set for August 8 beginning at 6 pm at Jai Gallery at 47 E Robinson Street in Orlando. Please RSVP to Director: coralie[at]jaigallery.net or by calling 407.921.0693

August 8 to Sept 7 – The History Boys at Mad Cow

The History Boys, set in Northern England in the 1980’s, explores the “anarchy of adolescence and the very purpose of education.” It’s also shot through with Alan Bennett’s wit and humanity. The play premiered in London in 2004, going on to win the Olivier Award for Best New Play and the Tony Award for Best Play. The play follows a group of students preparing for exams under the guidance of three teachers with distinctly contrasting styles. History Boys will be performed at the Mad Cow Theatre from August 8 to September 7.  Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

August 9 – Taste of the Nation – Orlando – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

On August 9 at 6:45 pm, Taste of the Nation brings together the area's top chefs who donate their time, talent and passion to END childhood hunger in Central Florida. Along with extraordinary food, guests sample select wines while enjoying auctions and entertainment. Please know that every dollar raised fights hunger and homelessness in Central Florida. Tickets are $150. Visit tasteofthenation.org/orlando and/or facebook.com/OrlandoTaste.  We can all BUY a ticket and HELP.
 

August 14 – Sneak Peak at Park Ave Fashion Week 2014

Join the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce AND Florida’s fashion elite in a toast to Harriett Lake on August 14 beginning at 6 pm. Harriett’s Happy Hour offers a sneak peak at Park Avenue Fashion Week 2014 with cocktails, couture and photos with Harriett and her signature hats. Now in its 8th season, Park Avenue Fashion Week offers trunk shows, designer meet-and-greets, and VIP parties. The grand finale is a runway show in Central Park set for November 1. Tickets may be purchased at winterpark.org. “That is all.”

Harriett’s Happy Hour 2013 courtesy of Winter Park Photography.

And Planning Ahead …

August 16 to Nov 30 – “Frankly my Dear ...”

The Orange County History Center will host Gone With the Wind: Reel to Real, an exhibit celebrating the 75th anniversary of one of the most popular films ever made. The exhibit will include original costumes and artifacts of the film from the collection of James Tumblin, former head of Universal Studios’ makeup department. Tumblin started his collection in 1962 when he purchased a dress which was about to be thrown away only to learn later the dress had been worn by actress Vivien Leigh. Tumblin’s collection now includes more than 300,000 items. The exhibit runs from August 16 to November 30 at the History Center. Call 407.836.8500 or visit thehistorycenter.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators