Florida Culture for the Week of January 14, 2013 by Josh Garrick

Jan 16 to March 2 – WORLD PREMIERE of the D* Word

The amazing and prolific Jeanie C. Linders, creator of the mega-hit MENOPAUSE – The Musical is bringing the WORLD PREMIERE of her new show, The D* Word – A Musical (*Ditched, Dumped, Divorced and Dating), to The Abbey in downtown Orlando – OPENING January 16. Not to be missed, everything Jeanie Linders touches turns to gold.  Tickets through TicketWeb.com or visit TheDWordMusical.com

January 18, 19, and 20 –The Orlando Home & Garden Show

Exhibitors from around the nation will showcase everything from entrance décor to landscapes at the Orlando Home & Garden Show at the Orange County Convention Center from January 18 to 20. The Convention Center will be transformed with gardens, pools and spas, interior design and the latest in kitchens and baths. Activities range from shopping at the Art, Gift & Gourmet Center to an Interactive Kid's Zone. Learning opportunities include guest appearances by Tom Silva from This Old House and Paul James from Gardening by the Yard. Plus, an added bonus is the Orlando Boat Show takes place on the same weekend under the same roof, so visitors can enjoy two shows at one low price. Tickets are $8 and $5. Visit orlandohomeandgardenshow.com

Jan 18 to April 13 -- Weaving History and Heritage in Our Community

In honor of the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Eatonville, the oldest African-American municipality in the United States, the Hannibal Square Heritage Center (in Winter Park) presents Sewn Together:  Photographic Quilts Reflecting the Historic Family Ties of Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park with an opening reception from 6 to 8 pm on January 18. The event is free and open to the public. Call 407.671-1886 or 407.539 2680

January 19 and 20 – Behind the Scenes at the Ballet

At this “Insider’s View” of the world of Ballet, the audience is treated to an up-close and personal view of the creation of a dancer. Join Artistic Director Robert Hill, and the dancers of the Orlando Ballet, as he explains critical milestones in the development of a dancer. A brief Q & A, following the informance, provides further insights into what makes this company one of Central Florida's finest arts organizations. Performances are Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Jan 19 and 26 -- Lakeridge Winery Music Series 

While Lakeridge Winery offers FREE winery tours and tastings seven days a week, we are all invited to their Winter Music Series every Saturday in January. There is no charge for admission or parking, and guests are welcome to bring chairs and blankets for seating. There will be food and beverage vendors serving a variety of items including Lakeridge wines by the glass. The musical line-up includes: Jan 19 – BlueStone and Jan 26 – Tory Wynter (both from 1 pm to 4 pm) Visit lakeridgewinery.com

Jan 20 through March 31 – GLASS at Orlando Museum of Art

The new exhibit, Contemporary Glass Sculpture at the Orlando Museum of Art features 65 works by renowned artists including Dale Chihuly, William Morris, and Lino Tagliapietra and others. Special events based on the exhibit include A Family ‘Make and Take’ event on Jan 20; and a lecture and tour with William Warmus – also on Jan 20. Call 407 896 4231 or visit omart.org

January 22 – Artist Critiques and Conversations …

Providing free, professional development for Artists – and interesting insights and ‘entertainment’ for audiences – The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) continues its popular Artists’ Critique & Conversations series on Tuesday, January 22 at 6 pm. The program is FREE, the public is encouraged to attend, and each Critique evening is led by artist and arts writer Josh Garrick. Guest panelists on January 22 are Artists Victor Bokas and Martha Jo Mahoney. Social time is part of each evening with a bar available with beer, wine, water and soft drinks. Call 407.539.2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org  

Jan 23 to March 16 – OTHELLO at the Shakespeare Center

A ‘thriller’ of jealousy, passion, and revenge, Othello has been called Shakespeare's most treacherous play. Othello, a celebrated general, remains an outsider because of his color. Defying convention, he marries Desdemona, a Venetian aristocrat. Soon Othello's trusted lieutenant Iago draws Othello – and the audience – into a web of lies in which families and friendships are destroyed. “The play’s examination of race, jealousy and passion are just as poignant today as they were when he wrote it,” says Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. Othello begins previews on January 23 and runs through March 16. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

January 24 to Feb 16 – A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra

The Winter Park Playhouse offers a tribute to one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century in My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra. This homage to the man, his time, and his music features 56 of his most celebrated songs, sung by four of Central Florida’s finest voices. Laura Hodos, Kevin Kelly, Melissa Minyard and Christopher Alan Norton join Christopher Leavy on piano to perform Sinatra's greatest tunes. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

January 24 to February 24 – Dr. Dolittle and a 10th Anniversary

Celebrating their 10th Anniversary Season, the Orlando Repertory Theater (the REP) will present The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle from Jan 24 to Feb 24. Presented “in the style of The Lion King,” – with all of Dr. Dolittle's animal friends portrayed by live actors with puppets – we follow young Tommy Stubbins as he meets everyone’s favorite animal doctor, John Dolittle and his animal friends. In the adventure of a lifetime, they travel from quiet Puddleby-on-the-Marsh to the bottom of the sea in search of the Great Glass Snail. Call 407.896.8365 or visit orlandorep.com

photo credit: Michael Cairns

January 25 – A Whole Lot of Laughter on the 23rd Floor

It’s been a few decades since Neil Simon was the ‘King of laugh-out-loud- comedy’ on Broadway, but that laughter comes roaring back with Mad Cow Theatre’s new production of Laughter on the 23rd Floor. The playwright’s semi-autobiographical memories of his work on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows (circa 1953) provides a laugh-a-minute peek at the “Max Prince Show” as a group of writers work through each other’s neuroses and egos to create some of television’s classic comedy moments. On-stage from January 25 to February 17 at Mad Cow’s NEW Theatre space at 54 West Church Street in Orlando. Visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407.297.8788 x1

Jan 25, 26, and 27 – Winterfest with the Daytona Beach Symphony Society

Each January, the Daytona Beach Symphony Society brings together a joyful mix of classical music talent in a celebration called Winterfest.  The line-up for Winterfest 2013 offers Rossini's Barber of Seville in a fully staged production including orchestra on January 25 at 7 pm. Then, two classical musicians, whose unique and hilarious shows combine comedy with classical music, take the stage as Igudesman & Joo present A Little Nightmare Music on January 26 at 7 pm. The China National Symphony Orchestra concludes Winterfest on Sunday, January 27 at 3 pm featuring Xi Chen, violin. All performances are at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach. Call 386-253-2901

January 25, 26 and 27 – IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts

Each year IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts takes place in the beautiful, outdoor setting of Riverside Park in New Smyrna Beach. The juried artwork of 225 Artists from across the United States is presented along with continuous live musical entertainment, children's art projects, a student art exhibit, and the latest in food-truck cuisine. This unique cultural experience is presented by the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Beginning this season on Friday afternoon from 2 to 6 pm, we can stop by the information booth (by 5 pm on Friday) to enter to win a $500 Images Gift Certificate. Visit imagesartfestival.org

Jan 26 and 27 -- Violinist Sarah Chang with the Orlando Philharmonic

Recognized as one of the world’s great violinists since her debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 8, Sarah Chang has performed internationally with the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors in a career spanning more than two decades. In 2006, Ms. Chang was honored as one of 20 Top Women by Newsweek Magazine. On January 26 at 8 pm and January 27 at 3 pm, Ms. Chang will perform with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. The Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony and the Barber Violin Concerto at the Bob Carr PAC. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

And Looking Ahead – Feb 7, 8 and 9 – Tables Extra Extraordinaire

All decorators, brides-to-be, wedding planners and interior design professionals ‘need’ to book a visit to the Holy Trinity Reception and Conference Center in Maitland for Tables Extraordinaire. This fun and unique fundraiser showcases 30 lavishly decorated theme tables while serving as an inspiration to all entertaining fanatics. From tours of the stunning Tablescapes to a luncheon or dinner reminiscent of a trip to the Greek isles, the 3-day event ends on Saturday evening (Feb 9) with a Gala Banquet and Silent Auction including hors d’oeuvres, four-course gourmet meal prepared by Chef George Paterakis and his Team Culinaire. Stop by the Mediterranean Marketplace for your favorite Greek pastries and specialty coffees -- this year, offering take-out for lunch and dinners. Visit htgocorlando.org or visit TablesExtraordinaire on Facebook or call 407.333.3895 or 407.774.2744.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators