Florida Culture for the Week of February 11 by Josh Garrick

Feb 12 – Art Nouveau at the Morse Museum

At the turn of the 20th century, Art Nouveau embodied all that was considered modern. Lifelines—Forms and Themes of Art Nouveau, opening February 12 at The Morse Museum in Winter Park, will explore the elements that defined this style from 1895 to 1905. Those elements included Far Eastern travel, nature, the female form, and metamorphosis in furniture, architecture, lamps, jewelry, ceramics, and art glass. The designers and artists include Gallé, Lalique, Tiffany, and more. The Morse Museum is located at 445 N. Park Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.645.5311 or visit morsemuseum.org.

Feb 13 to 16 – Full Sail’s 4th Annual Hall of Fame Celebration

This week Full Sail University welcomes a star-studded mix of celebrity and industry friends to its annual Hall of Fame Ceremony on February 15, a ceremony that is the highlight of a series of events from Feb 13 to 16. The celebration honors past Hall of Famers, inducts the newest members (six Full Sail graduates), and provides guest lectures and panel discussions streamed live to the university’s online students. Music events culminate in a free public concert on Feb 14 at 8 pm by singer/songwriter Marc Broussard on-campus at the Full Sail Live venue. Visit http://halloffame.fullsail.edu

Feb 14 to March 24 – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat

Our own Orlando Repertory Theatre (the REP) has the honor to present the southeast premiere of a new production of The Cat in the Hat from Feb 14 to March 24. Based on the book by Dr. Seuss and adapted by Katie Miller for the National Theatre of Great Britain, The Cat in the Hat leaps on-stage at the Rep in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park. Visit orlandorep.com or call 407.896.7365

Feb 14 to March 17 – Homer’s ODYSSEY in a World Premiere Production

Adapted by Charlie Bethel from the epic poem by Homer, and directed by Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, this World Premiere Production re-imagines Odysseus’ travels over the “wine-dark seas” of ancient Greece. Bethel brings us shipwrecks, sirens, goddesses, sorcery, death, and revenge in a faithful but accessible re-telling of this classic story. The man who master-minded the fall of Troy is tested by the gods of Olympus as he seeks his homeland and the arms of his wife. Sometimes comic, often harrowing, always thrilling, the Odyssey is a family show, suitable for most audiences.  Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Feb 15 – The Vienna Boys Choir in Daytona Beach

Originally created as an entertainment for the royal Court of Austria, the legendary Vienna Boys Choir was founded in 1498. Now, six centuries later, they delight the world with their singing. With voices of unforgettable beauty, the Choir will be presented on Feb 15 at 7 pm by the Daytona Beach Symphony Society at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach. Call 386.253.2901 or visit dbss.org

Feb 15 and 16 – The Orlando Ballet Goes Hollywood

Forget the chocolates in the heart-shaped box. If you want to impress your sweetheart, buy her a card and put tickets to Hollywood En Pointe – by the Orlando Ballet – inside. Then, dress up and bring your sweetheart to an evening of dance inspired by Hollywood glamour where you will be delighted by how much you BOTH enjoy the performance! Choreographed by Robert Hill, Hollywood en Pointe is a world premiere ballet set to music from the movies. Trust me on this one – highly recommended. Visit orlandoballet.org or call 407.426.1739

Feb 15 to March 3 – The 78th Annual Bach Festival

One of the oldest and one of the largest, the Bach Festival of Winter Park presents the 78th Annual Bach Festival including several works the Choir has never before performed. Including J.S. Bach’s Mass in G; Cantatas 52 and 119; the Sinfonia from Cantata 31, and Beethoven’s Mass in C Major, the works will be directed by Dr. John V. Sinclair. Special guests include Barrymore Laurence Scherer, critic for The Wall Street Journal and Christopher Houlihan, organist with performances on the Rollins College campus. Call 407.646.2182 or visit BachFestivalFlorida.org

Feb 16 and 17 – CalligraFaire with the Scribes of Central Florida

CalligraFaire is the cleverly named festival – to be held Feb 16 and 17 – that celebrates the Art of beautiful penmanship (calligraphy). FREE and open to the Public at the Maitland Art Center, the Scribes will give intro classes (to show us we really can learn calligraphy) as well as demonstrations and gift bags (filled with art supplies). With FREE classes scheduled every hour, and materials provided FREE, this deal is too cool for school. Visit ScribesOfCentralFlorida.com/calligrafaire.htm or call 407-339-7383

Feb 16 and 17 – Uptown (via Crane’s Roost) Art Expo

Over 130 ART and Craft exhibits will be showcased during the Uptown Art Expo set for February 16 and 17 along Cranes Roost Boulevard in Altamonte Springs. This FREE event includes displays of jewelry, glass, paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture – ALL available for purchase. The Kids Zone will include chalk street painting, tribal dancers, face painting and a bounce house. The thrilling Orlando Aerial Arts will perform Suspended Artistry on the 17th while live music performances will take place all weekend at the Eddie Rose Amphitheatre. (Guests invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs). Free parking is available at the Altamonte Mall.  Visit uptownartexpo.com

Feb 20 from 5:30 to 8 pm – Chili for Charity

Chili for Charity – presented by the Rotary Club of Winter Park – is NOT your Grandfather’s chili cook-off. Taking place at the Farmers' Market at 200 West New England Ave in Winter Park, this event features creative chili with an unabashed "Winter Park attitude." Local restaurants – from the Winter Park Fish Company to Ethos Vegan Kitchen will compete for the Peoples' Choice award. Live entertainment, drinks, and an auction – with proceeds benefitting the Rotary Club Foundation – round out the evening. Visit winterpark.org/content/chili-charity

Feb 20 to March 10 – Three Weeks to Get WICKED

One of my favorite Broadway shows OF ALL TIME – (how’s that for a recommendation?), we may count ourselves lucky that the good folks at Fairwinds Broadway are bringing this “cultural phenomenon” back to Orlando for three weeks. If you read my column, you already KNOW that WICKED is about what went on in OZ before Dorothy. Along the way it causes you to question your time-honored acceptance of what makes a Wicked Witch and whether sweet Glinda is really all that Good. WICKED won 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tonys. Direct your broom-stick to the FAIRWINDS Broadway Box Office or Amway Center Box Office; at OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators