Florida Culture for the Week of February 22, 2016 by Josh Garrick

NOW to March 27 – Shakespearean Repertory with ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Pericles’ 
Orlando’s Shakespeare Theater began its annual repertory season with Shakespeare’s final play ‘The Tempest’ in which Prospero, Duke of Milan, finds himself stranded on a remote island. This mystical play, with its tale of monsters, spirits, and love, is now in repertory with ‘The Adventures of Pericles,’ a modern verse translation of that play by Ellen McLaughlin. The two plays have curious similarities, and the audience is invited to arrive 30 minutes before each performance – when an actor will lead the audience through a discussion of the plots of the productions. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

NOW to May 1 – The Mindbender Mansion in Fort Lauderdale 
Visitors to the ‘Mindbender Mansion’ at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale are greeted by the wacky Mr. E., master brainteaser, who explains how to gather hidden clues and secret passwords. Perfect for the whole family, visitors find tabletop brainteasers they can solve on their own and larger group challenges including the Feeding Frenzy-Kitchen, a Flying Machine, Spelling Fever-Hopscotch (with letter squares that light up), and the Amazing Maze. Complete the tasks and your young ones can add their portraits to the “Wall of Fame.” Visit mods.org/exhibits

Feb 23 to 28 -- Broadway in Orlando presents KINKY BOOTS 
Inspired by true events, the much-anticipated musical KINKY BOOTS tells the story of Charlie Price, who is looking to save the family shoe business. Charlie turns to a fashionable friend who gives Charlie the idea that could change both of their destinies. Featuring a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, a book by Tony-winner Harvey Fierstein, and Tony-winning choreography and direction by Jerry Mitchell, the musical turns out to be about finding friendship and inspiration where you least expect it. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org. 

Feb 24 at 2:30 pm – Free Lecture at the Morse Museum
In the first in a series of Free lectures at The Morse Museum, we will learn about the famous lamps produced by the Tiffany Studios which make up a large part of the Museum’s collection of works by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. Margaret Hofer, Vice Pres. & Museum Director of The New-York Historical Society will speak on ‘A Collecting Odyssey: The Tiffany Lamps of Egon and Hildegard Neustadt’ on Feb 24 at 2:30 pm. The Museum is at 445 N. Park Ave in Winter Park. Admission is Free and the event will be followed by a reception. Call 407.645.5311 or visit morsemuseum.org 

Feb 24 at 7 pm – The Jerusalem Symphony in Daytona Beach 
In a rare opportunity to hear music performed by the Jerusalem Symphony, the Orchestra celebrates its 80th year on American shores. Presented by the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, this one-performance-only event will include works by Tchaikovsky and Saint-Saens, in which the Grammy-nominated Conductor Dmitry Yablonsky will also perform as soloist. The program will conclude with the thrilling Brahms 2nd Symphony. This event comes with my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION. Call 386.671.3460 or visit peabodydaytona.com 

Feb 25 to Mar 13 – The 104th ANNUAL Central Florida FAIR
The Central Florida Fair runs this year from February 25 to March 13, and that includes 3 weekends of old-fashioned ‘fun.’ With special entrance offerings -- including a $1 admission with a canned food item (Feb 25), this family fun-time offers everything from a Rooster Crowing Contest to rides, arts, food arts, livestock shows, live demonstrations on quilting, calligraphy, origami and more to Main Stage Concerts included in the admission price. K-Ci & JoJo (Feb 28); Pop Evil (Mar 4); Jory Boy (Mar 11). The Fair awards over $280,000 in scholarships annually to local students. Call 407.542.2931 or visit centralfloridafair.com 

Feb 26 at 7 pm – The Moscow Festival Ballet to Present GISELLE in Daytona Beach 
Merging the highest classical elements of acting and dance from the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies, the Moscow Festival Ballet presents the most perfect of Romantic ballets – Giselle in one performance only at the Peabody in Daytona Beach. Giselle dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover is betrothed to another. Summoning Giselle from her grave, a group of supernatural spirits targets Giselle’s lover for death, but her great love – and forgiveness – frees him from their grasp. Call 386.671.3460 or visit peabodydaytona.com 

Feb 27 & 28 -- 9:30 am to 4:30 pm – Scribes of Central Florida present CalligraFaire 
In the Free two-day CalligraFaire event we are invited to watch members of the Scribes of Central Florida as they demonstrate the ancient, and the NEW, Art of Calligraphy. Members will write your name on free bookmarks, discuss the history of calligraphy, offer items for sale – along with a pop-up store for calligraphic supplies, and offer 50 minute intro-classes so you can try your hand at calligraphy. Classes, geared to beginners, are $5 and include all materials. CalligraFaire will take place at the Maitland Civic Center in Maitland. Visit ScribesOfCentralFlorida.com   

Feb 28 – 1:30 to 4:30 pm – The 2016 Chowder Festival and Competition
Join the Orlando Chowder Festival for an afternoon of ‘foodie’ fun when a variety of Florida chefs and restaurants show off their culinary talents to compete for the ‘2016 Chowder Cup.’ This seasonal ‘foodie’ event also celebrates craft breweries as they offer their best Winter batches. The list of competitors runs from Captain Curt’s Oyster Bar (last year’s Winner) to Dunkin Donuts (for real).  Held at the Winter Park Civic Center at 1050 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park, tickets are $40 and Benefit Heart to Heart of Central Florida. Visit winterparkevents.com

Feb 29 to April 3 – SkippyJon Jones – The Kitten ‘Chihuahua’
Continuing the Orlando Rep’s series of Children’s Theater (with a message) is a rambunctious Siamese kitten with big ears and an even bigger imagination. When his exasperated Mother puts SkippyJon in time-out, his imagination takes him to Mexico, where he pretends he is a ‘swashbuckling’ Chihuahua. With Disney as a Sponsor for the run of this show, this sweet, silly tale celebrates the power and ‘Mucho Fun’ of imagination. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

March 2 at 8 pm – An Evening with Josh Groban at the Dr. Phillips Center 
The beautiful new Dr. Phillips Center invites you to an evening with the incomparable Josh Groban. This international singing phenomenon has more than 25 million albums sold worldwide, including five multi-platinum albums and huge hit songs such as ‘You Raise Me Up,’ ‘You Are Loved’ and ‘The Prayer.’ Groban’s latest album – Stages quickly reached the top of the charts and features a collection of some of the greatest music theatre songs of all time. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

March 3 to 7 at 8 pm – ‘My Dear Watson’ – a New Musical 
This new musical, written in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Estate, follows the exploits of the iconic Sherlock Holmes and his comrade Dr. Watson. Conceived by Jami-Leigh Bartschi while pursuing her Master's Degree at Rollins College, Watson will be played by Kyle Stone and Holmes will be played by John DiDonna. The performances are dedicated to Broadway veteran and former Rollins Professor Kevin Gray. At the Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park in Orlando, call 407.328.9005 or visit Orlandoatplay.com 

March 4 at 7:30 pm -- Winter Park Playhouse Fundraiser with Cordone and Kilgore 
The evening is called Side By Side: A Tribute to Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, and this one-night-only event will feature the popular singing duo, Natalie Cordone and Shawn Kilgore (who met while performing at the Playhouse in 2012). Ms. Cordone has performed Off-Broadway, toured Europe, and recently made her TV debut on MTV’s The Inbetweeners. Kilgore headlined in the Orlando Philharmonic production of Carousel and can be seen as Frankenstein at Universal Studios. Tickets are $65. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Natalie Cordone and Shawn Kilgore  Photo Credit: Julia Riley

March 5 at 2 pm & 8 pm – Karen Mason as Judy Garland Circa 1961 
A tribute to one of the most beloved singers of all time, this Orlando Philharmonic concert relives the highlights of Judy Garland’s 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall. Broadway, television and recording star Karen Mason brings to life favorite tunes including ‘Puttin’ on The Ritz,’ ‘After You’ve Gone,’ ‘Come Rain or Come Shine,’ and of course, ‘Over The Rainbow.’ Two Performances, on March 5 at 2 pm and 8 pm, are at the Bob Carr Theater. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

March 5 at 7 pm – Portrait of a Queen: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin taught her listeners how to ‘Think’ and demand ‘Respect’ while riding down the ‘Freeway of LOVE.’ This Broadway-style revue presents award-winning songstress Cece Teneal taking music lovers on a trip through stellar hits from Aretha Franklin’s 50-year entertainment legacy at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

March 6 at 3 pm -- Vox Audio – By Popular Demand 
‘Born’ as ‘Toxic Audio’ at the 1998 Fringe Festival, the concept was to create a fun, interactive show, where the star was the human voice. An instant hit, the group was hired to perform at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and were soon named ‘Best Pop Group in America’ on Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star. In 2004, Vox Audio opened to rave reviews Off-Broadway followed by national attention on ABC, FOX, and ESPN. Soon Vox Audio was performing for sell-out crowds in Vegas, Asia, South America, and Europe. Welcome them ‘home’ to the Garden Theatre by calling 407.877.4736 or visiting gardentheatre.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators