Florida Culture for the Week of February 16 by Josh Garrick

FINAL Performance – Tonight -- Feb 16 – Valencia Theater’s Original Docudrama

Actors from Valencia College have come together to create an inspirational docudrama Division: The Trayvon/Jordan Project, which explores the deaths of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fl, and Jordan Davis in Jacksonville.  With a depth of inspiration that brings a humanitarian’s voice to these life-changing events, Division is a play written by John DiDonna, Chair of Valencia’s theater department, in collaboration with his students. I have come to EXPECT greatness from John Didonna.  In this ‘Project,’ he has once again raised the barre, while deftly raising our consciousness – without preaching – without yelling – but by listening and sharing. There is only one performance left in this run, and I wish the world could fit into that little room to see it, but I assure you this work will have a life that goes on – and inspires – for years to come. At the Valencia East Campus, call 407.582.2900 or visit valenciacollege.edu/arts. 

Now to Feb 22 – Murray Schisgal’s Luv at the Shakespeare Center

Murray Schisgal’s Luv is a contemporary classic spoofing love and its absurdities in ways that show how marriages are made – and un-made.  The misunderstandings mount, and the troubles of the mis-matched three-some provided Murray Schisgal’s Broadway debut, for which he earned Tony Award nominations for Best Play and Best Author of a Play. Visit darksideofsaturn.com or call 209.479.9923

Now to Feb 28 – Slava’s Snowshow                                   

The multi-award-winning international clown show Slava’s Snowshow has delighted audiences around the globe as the deeply imaginative Slava fuses vaudeville with child-like innocence in his dream-like journey. The performance finds a troupe of clowns ‘adrift’ in a spectacular snowstorm that becomes a memorable event for the whole family. Get ready for the snow – lots and lots of snow – at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org            

Feb 18 to March 22 – Henry V Takes the Stage at OrlandoShakes

Under the direction of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, Shakespeare’s most famous history play tells of the brash, young King Henry V of England as he works to unite his broken nation after a bloody civil war. From Henry's oft-quoted battle speeches to his courtship of the Princess of France, Shakespeare’s Henry V explores what makes a man a king... and a king a man. This new production features the brilliant John P. Keller, who portrayed the title roles in Nicholas Nickleby and Dracula.  HIGHLY recommended; call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org.

John P. Keller as Henry V & Stephen Paul Johnson 

Feb 20 and 21 – Concertos by Candlelight with the Bach Festival Orchestra

Celebrating the 80th Annual Bach Festival, the Knowles Chapel at Rollins College will be the home of Concertos by Candlelight with a program of signature works including Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E featuring the renowned violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg; the Beethoven Choral Fantasy in C including the Bach Festival Choir; and the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major with soloist William Hudgins. Call 407.646.2182 or visit bachfestivalflorida.org

Feb 21 -- The 15th Annual Orlando Wetlands Festival

Feb 21 is the date for the Free Orlando Wetlands Festival at Fort Christmas Historical Park in Christmas, FL. From 9 am to 3 pm, the “Best Wetlands Festival in the United States” offers exhibits, Door Prizes, Face Painting, country music by Homer Stiles, hayrides, Wilderness Hikes, Photography Hikes, Bus Tours of the Wetlands, Birding hikes, Live Animals, Tree Climbing, and a Tree Giveaway. For more information call 407.568.1706 or visit cityoforlando.net/wetlands

Feb 21 – The 1st Annual Sanford Mardi Gras ‘Sashay’ & Street Party

It’s more than a touch of ‘N’awlins’ when the Sashay Parade steps off at 11 am on Feb 21 from the corner of Sanford Ave and 6th Street (in Sanford, FL). Prizes offered for best Mardi Gras attire as Kid Dutch’s Perseverance Brass Band leads the parade with stilt-walkers and revelers to raise funds for Meals on Wheels. Tickets ($20 & $30) get you authentic jambalaya, gumbo, bread pudding and a Beer from Magic Hat Brewing. The afternoon offers games, prizes, live entertainment, and silliness. Get tix at West End Trading or online at ticketf.ly/1y4TmMB

Feb 21 at 2 pm and 7 pm – Touch and Go – the Story of Sanford

Touch and Go tells the stories of the people of Sanford, Florida: their struggles, their victories, their losses and their indomitable spirit. Through the eyes of a Navy Pilot, we discover Sanford’s tenacity and courage. This ‘folk-life performance features a cast of local actors, all ages, from all parts of Central Florida, in a full-length production with original music in an original production that is all about Sanford, and all about you. Tickets may be purchased by calling 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb 21 – Live from Orlando, It’s Science Night Live!

‘Grown-Ups’ take over the Orlando Science Center when it’s reserved strictly for adults on February 21 beginning at 8 pm. Adult-inspired programming includes access to all four floors of exhibits; viewing planets and stars through a giant telescope; 3D films; hands-on lab experiments in Dr. Dare’s Laboratory; science trivia; and ‘adult’ beverages (for purchase).  Admission is $15, parking is Free, and the dress code is science nerd. Call 407.514.2000 or visit osc.org

Feb 21 & 22 – The Downtown Food and Wine Festival at Lake Eola

Loverboy will be Working for the Weekend at the Downtown Food & Wine Fest at Lake Eola on Feb 21 and 22 as more than 30,000 ‘foodies’ and wine lovers experience unique local cuisine paired with wines from around the globe. The two-day Fest features dishes from 30 of Orlando’s premier restaurants (including 2014 Foodie Award winners), domestic and international wines, and live, head-liner entertainment including Lifehouse and Loverboy.
Admission is $20 per person, per day; children under 12 free. Food and beverage offerings range from $1 to $8. Call 407-919-1048 or visit DowntownFoodandWineFest.com

Feb 21 & 22 – Tao Plays Mozart with the Orlando Philharmonic

The next featured concerts in the Orlando Philharmonic’s search for a new Conductor will present German-born Dirk Meyer conducting music of Mozart and Strauss, and featuring young piano star Conrad Tao performing Mozart’s Elvira Madigan concerto. Strauss is represented in the tone poem Don Juan, followed by his variations on the Viennese waltz in Der Rosenkavalier Suite. The dates are February 21 at 8 pm and 22 at 2 pm at the Bob Carr Theatre.  Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Feb 26 -- WILD Author Cheryl Strayed at Women’s Leadership Luncheon

In the midst of despair, Cheryl Strayed decided to change her life by hiking the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail – alone. That hike became a No. 1 best-selling book, and the book became a movie starring Reese Witherspoon. The Heart of Florida United Way will host the 8th annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon featuring Cheryl Strayed as the keynote speaker on February 26 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Call 407.835.0900 or visit HFUW.org

 
Feb 27 – The Florida Blue FREE Concert Series First Outdoor Concert

The Dr. Phillips Center will launch a two-year partnership with Florida Blue Foundation with their first concert featuring Tiempo Libre on the Seneff Arts Plaza at 6 pm on February 27. Free and open to the public, this concert is part of the Center’s stated mission – ‘Arts for Every Life.’  Tony Jenkins, Florida Blue’s Central Region President, said, “This amazing facility will be a place where creativity, innovation and individual expression abounds for many years to come, and we are proud to be a part of this world-class performing arts center where all are welcomed to come and enjoy.”

Feb 27 to March 1 – Mad Cow’s Science Play Festival

A unique theatrical experience will be presented by the Mad Cow Theatre in an interactive festival that explores science through staged readings of ‘plays about science.’ Discussions follow each reading and feature experts in the fields of science and art. Readings include Headstrong by Patrick Link (Feb 27 at 7:30 pm); God and Stephen Hawking, by Robin Hawdon (Feb 28 at 7:30 pm) and Copenhagen by Michael Frayn (March 1 at 7:30 pm) All tickets are an affordable $10. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators