Florida Culture for the week of February 2, 2015 by Josh Garrick

Now through Mar 8 – To Kill a Mockingbird at Orlando Shakes

In this drama, told through the eyes of the six-year-old daughter of small-town lawyer Atticus Finch, the family is caught up in a tug of war between justice and racism. Set in the Depression-era South, the play includes racism and rape, but the conclusion shows how hatred can be tempered with courage and compassion. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater through March 8. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org  

 

 

 

Feb 4 to 7 – Tables EXTRA Extraordinaire

Decorators, brides, wedding planners and hostesses will be thrilled with a visit to the Holy Trinity Conference Center in Maitland for Tables Extraordinaire. This inspiring 4-day ‘fun-raiser’ offers ‘tours’ of 30 lavishly decorated theme tables and home-made Greek cuisine reminiscent of a trip to the Greek isles. This year the event includes a gallery of the works of Josh Garrick, recently exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. Visit Tables Extraordinaire on Facebook, or call 407-333-3895 or 407-774-2744.

 

 

Feb 4 to March 7 – The ‘Real’ Wives of Windsor

Four centuries before Real Wives of Atlanta, Bill Shakespeare introduced us to the Merry Wives of Windsor.  Now Orlando Shakes places the play in small-town America, where the old bachelor Falstaff pursues two wealthy housewives. Shakespeare's comedy meets 1950’s sitcom in this spirited romp filled with mistaken identities and canned laughter!?! Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org  

 

 

Feb 5 – Winter with the Writers presents Sapphire

Famous for her prose and poetry, Sapphire is the author of the best-selling novels, Push and The Kid.  Push, about a brutalized Harlem teenager, won countless awards and became one of the ‘top ten’ books of 1996. Push then became the film Precious, which received the Academy Award for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress. Sapphire will speak in a Free lecture at Rollins College on February 5. Visit Rollins.edu/winterwiththewriters or call 407.447.1700

 

 

 

 

Feb 6 – Paula Poundstone at Plaza Live

32 years ago, comedian Paula Poundstone climbed on a Greyhound bus and traveled across the country stopping at ‘open mic’ nights at comedy clubs as she went. A high school drop-out, she went on to become one of the great humorists of our time. A regular panelist on NPR, she still tours in live shows with her unique brand of self-effacing intelligence and wit. This comic legend is at Plaza Live in Orlando on February 6 at 8 pm. Visit plazaliveorlando.com.

 

 

Feb 6 to 22 – Doubt, A Parable Directed by Beth Marshall

Opening February 6th, the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning drama Doubt takes the stage at the Winter Garden Theatre. Leaving audiences with questions to ponder long after the curtain falls, this fictional drama follows a Catholic high school priest's battle for truth while fighting gossip … and doubt.  Written by John Patrick Shanley, and directed by Beth Marshall, Doubt will run through Feb 22. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

 

 

Feb 6 to Feb 28 – Heart and Soul

Orlando’s Ambassador of Love is also Orlando’s famous Heart-Artist, and she creates an annual HeArt exhibit during the month of February. The lady is Donna Dowless, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to squeeze into the Gallery at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando on Feb 6 beginning at 5:30 pm to see what wonders she has created.  Joined by Canadian Artist Amber Higgins, visit heartartist.com or call 407.581.4801

 

 

Feb 7 – FREE Valentine's Arts & Crafts for Kids' at Artegon

While experiencing Orlando’s most ‘artistic’ shopping venue, visitors to Artegon Marketplace are also treated to an on-going schedule of special events and activities. On February 7 from Noon to 5 pm, children can make cards for loved ones and enjoy activities including face painting, a bounce house, arts and crafts and live music in a FREE Valentine's Arts & Crafts Kids' Program. Visit artegonmarketplace.com

 

 

Feb 7 – Arturo Sandoval and the Orlando Philharmonic

Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer Arturo Sandoval has won 10 GRAMMY Awards, and been nominated 17 times. He performed at the Academy Awards with Celine Dion and at the Grammys with Justin Timberlake. On February 7, at 2 pm and 8 pm, this jazz legend will perform with the Orlando Philharmonic at the Bob Carr Theatre. The program will include Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, John William’s Cantina Band, and much more. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

 

 

Feb 7 to May 3 – And Still We Rise Exhibit at the History Center

Presenting the art-medium of story quilts, And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations narrates four centuries of African American history, from the slave ships to the inauguration of an African American President. 69 quilts created by the Artists of the Women of Color Quilters Network reveal stories of freedom that hopefully further racial reconciliation in America. At the Orange County History Center, call 407.836.8500 or visit thehistorycenter.org

 

 

And Still We Rise - Hattie McDaniel

 

Feb 8 – Tim Dorsey Signs His New Book – Shark Skin Suite

New York Times bestselling author (and resident of Tampa) Tim Dorsey is back with his gloriously unrepentant Florida serial killer Serge Storms in Shark Skin Suite. In this latest comic-thriller, Serge realizes, after ‘binging’ on legal movies set in our beloved state of Florida, that his life-long calling is to become a lawyer (and not worry about law school or a degree). Complete with real Florida movie trivia, Dorsey will read from and sign books at the Orlando Public Library on Feb 8 at 3:30 pm.

 

 

Feb 8 – Michael Andrew’s Valentine’s Greetings for Winter Park

In honor of Valentine’s Day and the Bach Festival Society’s 80th Annual Festival, members of the Bach Festival Choir will join Michael Andrew and Swingerhead for a first-of-its-kind performance in Winter Park’s Central Park. Presented by the Park Avenue Merchants Association, the event is a Valentine gift to the community. The Free event begins at 4 pm. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of romantic music. Call 407.644.8281 or visit experienceparkavenue.com

 

 

Feb 9 -- 12-Year-Old Gives Children in Need a Chance to Dance

Founded by 12-year-old Georgia Bernbaum, in partnership with The Center for Contemporary Dance (CCD), The Dance Happy Project brings dance education to children in need. 12-year-old Bernbaum began providing dance classes for children living at the Coalition for the Homeless in classes led by CCD Artistic Director Dario Moore. The Dance Happy Project will host a fundraiser on February 9 at the Shakespeare Center in an evening combining a silent auction and dance concert. With proceeds supporting the Project, tickets are $10 and $15. Call 407.695.8366 or visit thecenterfordance.org

 

 

 

 

Feb 11 -- DIANA ROSS

If ever there was a performer who deserved ‘one-name’ recognition, it should have been Diana – Ross that is. Now, for one night only, THE ORIGINAL DREAMGIRL -- Diana Ross brings her In The Name of Love Tour to the Dr. Phillips Center on February 11 beginning at 7:30 pm. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED?  You can bet the house. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org     

 

 

Feb 11 to 16 – Valencia College Theater Presents Original Docudrama

After conducting hundreds of hours of interviews, theater students from Valencia College created the docudrama Division: The Trayvon/Jordan Project. Exploring events surrounding the deaths of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fl, and Jordan Davis in Jacksonville, Division uses the words of lawyers, media personalities, political activists, professors, students, and people involved in the two tragedies to become a play written by John DiDonna, Chair of Valencia’s theater department, in collaboration with his students. At the Valencia East Campus, call 407.582.2900 or visit valenciacollege.edu/arts   

 

 

Feb 13 – Royal Horses to Perform

Audiences will experience the world-renowned Gala of the Royal Horses, an entertainment spectacular showcasing the most beautiful horses in the world at the CFE Arena on February 13 at 7:30 pm. Following seven generations of his family, Rene Gasser has created a show previously seen only by royalty and equestrian riders. Celebrating the athleticism and grace of the Andalusian, Friesian, Lipizzaner and Arabian breeds, visit galaoftheroyalhorses.com or call ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

 

 

 

Feb 13 – An Evening with Chris Botti

As a perfect prelude to Valentine’s Day, the Dr. Phillips Center presents an evening with the top-selling instrumentalist in the world, Chris Botti. The platinum-selling jazz trumpeter began his rise to fame touring with Sting and has since performed with Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, and Josh Groban. Botti, who earned the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album, will present an evening of Billboard-topping hits on February 13 at 8 pm. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org         

 

 

Feb 13 to 22 – Murray Schisgal’s Luv at the Shakespeare Center

In a new production, Murray Schisgal’s Luv will open over Valentine’s weekend. This contemporary classic examines love by spoofing its absurdities in ways that show how marriages are made – and un-made.  As the misunderstandings mount, the troubles of the mis-matched three-some provide the audience with ‘painful’ laughter. Luv marked the Broadway debut of Murray Schisgal, for which he earned Tony Award nominations for Best Play and Best Author of a Play. Visit darksideofsaturn.com or call 209.479.9923

 

 

Feb 13 to May 17 – ‘Repurposed Art’ at Ringling Museum of Fine Art

Over 100 years after Marcel Duchamp changed the course of Western Art by joining together ordinary objects, contemporary artists regularly use materials considered garbage, trash, or rubbish to create complex works of art. Re:Purposed, at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, will explore trends of identity and environment as potent reminders of our connection to the materials we use to facilitate our lives – and then discard. Call 941.359.5700 or visit ringling.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators

 

 

Nick Cave, Soundsuit, 2008 Mixed media. Photo by James Prinz Photography