Florida Culture for the Week of August 7, 2016 by Josh Garrick

NOW through August 13 – Diner-Friendly Prices During “Main Street Restaurant Week”
Showcasing Orlando’s eclectic culinary scene, the Orlando Main Street Restaurant program is offered now through August 13 with 50 restaurants from Orlando’s unique Main Streets offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at ‘diner-friendly’ prices. Each restaurant offers a ‘Main Street Restaurant Menu’ in conjunction with their everyday menu encouraging residents to dine in one of Orlando’s Main Street Restaurants. The menus are offered till August 13 featuring $5, $10, $20 or $30 dishes, and are available online at orlandomainstreets.com/restaurantweek. 

NOW to August 28 – ‘The Big Meal’ at the Mad Cow Theatre 
‘The Big Meal’ is a big-hearted play that spans eighty years in ninety minutes, telling the extraordinary story of an ordinary family. Somewhere in America, Sam and Nicole meet. Sparks fly, and so begins Dan LeFranc’s expansive new play that tells of five generations of a modern family. The Mad Cow Theatre is on the second floor at 54 West Church Street in Downtown Orlando. RECOMMENDED. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

NOW to Sept 18 – ‘CONSUMADOS’ Art Exhibit at Henao Contemporary Center 
HENAO Contemporary Center presents its 5th ‘feature exhibit’ hosting the work of artists Patrick McGrath Muniz who worked in Orlando before moving to Houston where his career has ‘boomed;’ Carlos Barberena, printmaker working out of Chicago, recipient of the National Printmaking Award 2012; and Kevin Haran, Asst. Director of the School of Visual Arts, UCF. Each Artist’s work reflects their reaction to our consumerist society, and each Artist has been responding to ‘consumerism’ for the length of their careers. At the HENAO Center at 5601 Edgewater Drive in Orlando, call 407.272.0317 or visit henaocenter.com 

August 8 at 7 pm – Duo Sole: Music and Dance – Tangos & Flamencos 
In this smoldering concert with dance, Duo Solé (Alexander Stevens and Mauricio Céspedes, Principal Second Violin and Principal Viola) will “showcase some of the most beautiful Bolivian, Argentinean, and Spanish music ever written,” says Cespedes. “The first half of the program will showcase Bolivian music and Argentinean Tangos, with dancers Ernesto and Jenny Caballero from Alborea Dances. The second half showcases Spanish music, with Argentinean Tangos by Alberto and Selena Hoyos from Tango Orlando.”  Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

August 11 – 10 am – Open House at 3rd Ronald McDonald House in Orlando
With the addition of a 3rd House, Orlando becomes one of only six cities in the country to have three or more Ronald McDonald Houses. The Public is invited to celebrate the new Ronald McDonald House on the campus of Nemours Children's Hospital in a celebration that begins at 10 am with ‘House Tours’ available until 6 pm. The new House is at 13551 Nemours Parkway in Orlando. IMPORTANT: Please get parking and shuttle information when you RSVP to Kayla Jones at 407-206-0957 x110.

August 13 – All Invited to Open House at Orlando Shakespeare
The most OPEN of Open Houses is the annual event at the home of the Shakespeare Festival in Loch Haven Park in Orlando. With on-going activities from 10 am to 2 pm, we can stop by for a cool beverage or we can stay the whole day enjoying family activities.  While craft activities keep young hands busy, “creative demonstrations” from the Theater’s production staff (sound, lighting, costumes) will offer an insider’s view as to HOW a Shakespearean production makes it from rehearsal to the stage.  Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org/openhouse           

August 19 at 7 pm -- Actors and Professional Wrestlers in the Ring – TOGETHER!
A unique theatrical production is about to be presented at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. Written by professional wrestler-turned-playwright Jason Static, it’s the story of a blind wrestling promoter who gets one more shot to earn back his job. He must produce a one-hour televised tryout to share his ‘vision’ with the world. Timing is everything, and the audience gets to witness the Promoter’s unique journey from the bottom to ….  Originally titled, “We Don’t Playfight,” the production brings together “actors who act and (real) wrestlers who wrestle” in this one-night-only performance. Call 407.590.0822 or visit eventbrite.com/e/conquer-we-dont-play-fight

August 20 at 4 pm – Orlando Public Library Celebrates Turning 50 
It was August of 1966 when the Orlando Public Library opened the doors of its modern, new library in downtown Orlando featuring such amenities as turntables with headphones, a rooftop patio and an art-lending library. The building, designed by Harvard Five architect John Johansen, was controversial for its time, criticized as bleak and severe by its detractors. Today it is recognized as a prime example of the ‘Brutalism’ style of architecture. On August 20, historian Christine Madrid French will celebrate the Building’s 50th anniversary at 101 E. Central Boulevard with a presentation exploring the history of the library and its place in the international Brutalism movement. The talk is free and open to the public. Visit ocls.info. 

Aug 20 at 8 pm – Baroque Chamber Orchestra in Maitland 
Maitland’s relatively new Baroque Chamber Orchestra will perform at the brand NEW Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts on August 20, under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez. Gomez promises a musical travel through time with selections from Don Quixote, Boccherini, Vivaldi, Rutter, Coldplay and the Trans Siberian Orchestra.  Guest instrumentalists joining the 17 piece chamber orchestra include:  Alexia Jowers on Flute, Austin Burket on Violin/Drums, Emily Palmer on Electric Violin and Dale Burket on Bass Guitar. Tickets at bbcfa.ticketleap.com/baroque-chamber-ensemble-8-20-16/
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Aug 20 to Sept 25 – Art Exhibit – Metal Man: New Work by Chris Beck
Alabama Artist Chris Beck describes his work as “making something from nothing.” On August 20 from 6 pm to 9 pm, Jeanine Taylor Folk Art welcomes Chris Beck with a Free-to-the-Public Reception that coincides with Sanford’s monthly Art Walk. Beck transforms old metal (e.g. from tin roofs) into three dimensional wall hangings that resemble clothing and accessories like hats and shoes. You may meet the Artist at the opening at 211 East First Street in Sanford.  Call 407-323-2774 or visit jtfolkart.com 

Image: ‘Top Hat’ by Chris Beck, painted roofing metal.

August 21 – Amanda Crider in Recital in Premiere of Series
Praised for her “focused, golden toned voice,” American mezzo-soprano Amanda Crider has been invited to give the first recital in Opera Orlando’s new recital series on August 21. Ms. Crider has sung with numerous opera companies across the US including the New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera and others. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2007 and currently serves as Artistic Director of Miami's Vocal Chamber Music series. Pianist Robin Stamper accompanies at the University Club at 841 N. Park Avenue in Winter Park. Visit operaorlando.org/opera-in-the-park

August 27– Taste of the Nation – Orlando
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 unlimited samplings of extraordinary food, guests sample select wines while enjoying auctions and entertainment. We need to do something about the horrific statistic that one in five children in Central Florida goes to bed HUNGRY. 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. 

Current – Orlando Phil’s New Executive Director Arrives
We are pleased to welcome the Orlando Philharmonic’s new Executive Director Christopher Barton to Orlando. Barton, who served as the executive director of the Flagstaff Symphony since 2014, previously worked with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. He holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina and a Bachelor of Music Industry Studies from the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University. Arriving at a propitious time, Mr. Barton said, “With Phase 1 renovations at The Plaza Live completed our team has a beautiful and versatile space to work, rehearse, and perform in.” For more, visit orlandophil.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators