Florida Culture for the Week of December 2 by Josh Garrick

Now through Dec 8 – Flashdance – The Musical

There are a few more performances of Flashdance – The Musical, the stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that ‘defined a generation,’ at the Bob Carr PAC. If you love dance, this is the musical for you, because dance is the core of Flashdance – the Musical. 30 years ago the film was a worldwide phenomenon, with a Grammy Award-winning sound-track. Now, in addition to those original ‘hits,’ 16 new songs have been written for the stage. For tickets, visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 407-704-6116

Now through Dec 14 – Crazy for Gershwin at the Winter Park Playhouse

The ‘Creatives’ at the Winter Park Playhouse have ‘created’ several new musicals based on the work of a great composer or performer, and their newest effort is Crazy for Gershwin – A Tribute to George & Ira Gershwin. Running through December 14, this tribute to the Gershwin brothers reminds us of the unbelievable number of songs created by this All-American duo. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Now through December 29 – It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater invites us to share the holiday cheer of It’s a Wonderful Life, performed as a 1940’s radio broadcast, running through December 29. Inspired by the legendary film, Wonderful Life includes an ensemble of five actors who bring to life a dozen characters in ‘a radio broadcast complete with commercial jingles.’ Orlando Shakes invites us to fall in love, all over again, with George Bailey and the Angel who saves his life on Christmas Eve. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Actors Brad DePlanche, Suzanne O’Donnell, and Piper Rae Patterson. Photo by Landon St. Gordon.

Dec 5 – Christmas in the Park – in Winter Park

Of all the ‘magical’ nights of our Holiday Season, December 5 stands out as the 35th time the Morse Museum will present its FREE Christmas in the Park event. Beginning at precisely 6:15 pm, the Museum’s Tiffany windows are turned on as thousands of people gather in Central Park for a unique celebration of art and music. The Museum will ‘exhibit’ nine illuminated Tiffany windows as the 160-voice Bach Festival Choir presents a joyous Holiday concert and children search among the illuminated windows for the one in which ‘Father Christmas’ holds the Christ child. Call 407.645.5311 or visit Morsemuseum.org

Anna Innes memorial window, one of nine Tiffany leaded-glass windows to be installed at Christmas in the Park

Dec 5 from 6 to 8:30 pm – Celebrate the C-son with Casa Feliz

Make an evening of Downtown Winter Park as Casa Feliz invites everyone to Christmas at the Casa before or after visiting the Morse Museum's splendid Christmas in the Park event. Casa Feliz will celebrate the 5 C's including Christmas Décor with Casa decked out for the Holidays; Carols with the "Belles & Bows" Quartet; Claus-Santa, that is – including the opportunity to have your portrait taken with the Jolly One; and Cookies & Cocoa! The festivities are made possible by Commerce National Bank.

December 5 – 1st Thursdays: Art UNDER $200

‘Tis the Season at the Orlando Museum of Art where the 1st Thursday Art Party, under the leadership of Arts Patron Ed Herbst, introduces new and established Artists to ‘Art-Partiers’ who know they can find original Art for bargain prices. That is especially true for the 1st Thursday in December where ALL of the Art shown is priced UNDER $200. Think Holiday gifts, think original Art, think support for the Artists of Central Florida, and think how much sense that makes for EVERYONE this Holiday season. Call 407.896.4231 or visit Omart.org

Dec 6 to Jan 5 -- The Light in the Piazza at Mad Cow Theater

Set in Rome in 1953, The Light in the Piazza is the story of a young American tourist, traveling with her mother, who meets and falls in love with a young Italian. The Mother opposes the affair for reasons that become apparent as the musical unfolds. With music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, grandson of Richard Rodgers, Light in the Piazza won six Tony Awards in 2005.  Presented by Mad Cow Theater from December 6 to January 5, visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407.297.8788

Dec 6 at 5 pm -- Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Presented by Winter Park Towers

There is MORE Holiday cheer on December 6 at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Central Park in downtown Winter Park. The entire family is invited to this free event as Park Avenue becomes a Winter Wonderland with performances by St. Margaret Mary Catholic School Choir, Park Maitland Glee Club, New Warner Chapel, Winter Park High's Belle Chanson Choir and Orlando Harmony. Afterwards we are invited for refreshments provided by local businesses along with visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus – all in Central Park in Winter Park.

Dec 6 to Jan 12 – Lake Eustis Museum and the Florida Women’s Arts Association

The Lake Eustis Museum of Art will present an exhibit featuring the Artists of the Florida Women’s Arts Association (FLWAA) with an opening reception on December 6 beginning at 6 pm at the Museum. The exhibit will include works by Linda Amundsen, Joan Baliker, Helen Curry Benet, Sheila Blow, Kay Botet, Fran Carson, Marilyn Catlow, Mindy Colton, Charlene Edwards, Jennifer Kirton, Ginger Roberts, Katty Smith, and Chris Taylor. LEMA is located in Ferran Park in Eustis with plenty of free parking. Call 352.483.2900or visit lakeeustisartmuseum.org 

‘Mustang Memories’ by MINDY COLTON

Dec 7 – Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast

The Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast has become a holiday tradition that turns pancake batter into a stack of dough! Proceeds from the breakfast benefit Winter Park elementary schools, assisting teachers with the purchase of necessary school supplies. Those who come early enjoy a delicious breakfast AND get a great seat for the Olde Hometown Christmas Parade (Parade beginning at 9 am). Breakfast begins December 7 at 7 am on the Central Park stage. Tickets are: adults $6 and children $4, including pancakes, sausage and refreshments.

Dec 7 at 9 am – Winter Park "Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade”

Held on the first Saturday in December for 61 years, (making this the longest-running holiday parade in Central Florida), the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce will host the Winter Park "Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade” on December 7 at 9 am. This year the parade will honor Grand Marshal and Orange County Public Schools Board Member Joie Cadle. The Parade will travel down Park Avenue, from Cole Ave south to Comstock Ave. Floats, marching bands, police and fire departments, scout groups, local dignitaries and SANTA will be part of the fun.

Dec 9 at 7 pm – Venetian Vespers with the Orlando Philharmonic

Maestro Christopher Wilkins will conduct a sizable chamber orchestra drawn from the Orlando Philharmonic, and they will be joined by the UCF Chamber Singers on December 9 in a program called Venetian Vespers. St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice gave rise to a tradition of works for multiple choirs, including works by Monteverdi, Gabrieli, and Vivaldi, composers whose works will be highlighted in this highly recommended concert at the Shakespeare Center. For tickets call 407.770.0071 or visit Orlandophil.org

Current – All Hail Chef Chris Windus of the Alfond Inn

Two months ago I put on my Restaurant Reviewer’s hat and wrote about the ‘culinary wonders’ being created by Executive Chef Chris Windus at Hamilton's Kitchen at The Alfond Inn. So it is no surprise that Orlando Life Magazine recently named Chef Chris as Best New Chef in their Silver Spoon Awards. Technically, Chef Chris is not a 'new' chef (he spent 10 years as Exec Chef of blue-zoo at the Disney Swan Hotel), but he is new to The Alfond. Hamilton's Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Call 407.998.8089 or visit thealfondinn.com, and tell them “Josh sent you.”

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators