Florida Culture for the Week of January 16 by Josh Garrick

Shakespeare Plays in Repertory
The intensity of youth explodes in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the most enduring love story of all time performed from January 25 to March 17 at the Orlando Shakespeare Festival.  Orlando Shakes promises that Romeo and Juliet has never been so captivating, or so dangerous, as in this new production.  Running in ‘rotating repertory’ with Cymbeline – the same actors in different plays on different nights – is how Shakespeare’s company did it 400 years ago. A magical fairy tale, Cymbeline features one of Shakespeare's most resourceful female characters Imogen, who defies her father King Cymbeline by secretly marrying the poor, but worthy Posthumus. Cymbeline, complete with love, laughter, betrayal and redemption, is performed from February 8 to March 18. Curiously the plots of BOTH plays hinge on a sleeping potion – used in very different ways. Call (407) 447-1700 or online at orlandoshakes.org.

Honoring Roberto Clemente
“Anytime you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t do it, you are wasting your time on this earth.” — Roberto Clemente

Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente, developed by the Smithsonian Latino Center, the Clemente family, and the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, is a bilingual exhibition honoring the achievements of a man who was more than a great baseball player. This ‘tribute’ exhibit takes visitors on a journey into sports history and ethnic pride, while honoring Clemente for his profound commitment to helping others. January 21 to March 18 at the Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando. Call 407.836.8500 or visit thehistorycenter.org

I Love You Because
The Winter Park Playhouse will present the Central Florida Premiere of the musical I Love You Because, a hit with New York audiences who loved its contemporary score and its hysterical love story. Directed and Choreographed by the multi-talented Playhouse Director, Roy Alan, the cast includes Belinda Johnson, Todd Allen Long, Todd Mummert, Christopher Norton, Lulu Picart and Kate Zaloumes.  "This is the perfect show for our Valentine’s Day slot!  It's a modern-day telling of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, with a wonderfully sweet and witty take on contemporary dating." says Musical Director Christopher Leavy. I Love You Because will run from January 20 to February 11. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org. 
                                                                                 

PINKalicious: The Musical.

With a not-at-all-subtle message about nutrition and “We are what we eat,” the lead character of the musical Pinkalicious – named Pinkalicious Pinkerton – loves pink so much she wants everything in her life to be pink. After over-indulging in pink cupcakes, she awakens the next morning – PINK! Afflicted with ‘pinkititis,’ she must eat geen and healthy foods to return to normal. But one person’s ‘normal’ is another person’s candy, so the question remains … Can she resist all those pink desserts and candies?!  Directed by Steve MacKinnon, Sarah Daniels will star as Pinkalicious in a new production running from January 19 to February 19 at the very kid-friendly Orlando Repertory Theater. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com. The Orlando Repertory Theatre is at 1001 East Princeton Street in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park.

The Wall that Heals
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is bringing The Wall that Heals, a traveling half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to downtown Orlando through January 22. The traveling museum will be at the northeast corner of Lake Eola Park. We are invited to visit the seven-day exhibit to remember loved ones, bring photos of friends or loved ones who perished in Vietnam, share experiences with others and learn more about the Vietnam War era. Since 1996, The Wall that Heals has visited over 350 cities throughout the United States. The Wall also features a mobile museum including pictures and stories of the men and women who served in the Vietnam, as well as displays chronicling the history of the war. Visit vvmf.org

Italian Artists at Gallery at Avalon Island
On April 20th 2010 crude oil began to leak from BP's oil rig Deepwater Horizon into the Gulf of Mexico. Over 5 million barrels of oil polluted the water, animals, and shores, destroying the environment and the economy of the region. One year after the accident, the Italian artistic movement Meduses took inspiration from the disaster to reflect on the environment and on the consequences of human error. The “black sea” also represents the pollution of the soul that, pushed by greed, forgot safety and dignity, culminating in the catastrophe.  Now, the Gallery at Avalon Island will present "Black Sea (Mare Nero) -- A Group Exhibit of Italian Artists opening with a reception on January 19 from 6 to 9 pm and running through February 10.  The artists include: Giovanni Cerri, Maurizio Cariati, Jaya Cozzani, Emanuele Gregolin, Anna Madia, Lorenzo Manenti, Iacopo Raugei, Massimiliano Galliani with American Robin Van Arsdol.  The Gallery at Avalon Island is at 39 S. Magnolia Avenue in downtown Orlando. Call 407-803-6670 or visit GalleryatAvalonIsland.com

Alarmed, by Jaya Cozzani

Civetta, by Anna Madia

Zalisko Abstracts at Eustis Museum of Art
Pat Zalisko’s vibrant abstract paintings explore textures and relationships while evoking powerful memories. This former lawyer has built a distinctive reputation – and following -- since emerging on the art scene in 2007. Zalisko is deeply influenced by the Abstract Expressionist movement, always trying to capture the essence of things. She says, “It all works out in the end. It’s that simple. My art comes from a place that’s visceral; recalling, exploring, recording thoughts and responses to poignant events. I allow powerful perceptions or memories to bubble up.”  The Lake Eustis Museum of Art starts the new year with Abstract Attitude – Works by Pat Zalisko opening with a reception and ‘artist talk’ between 6 and 9 pm on January 20 and closing on Feb. 25.  The Museum is at 200 B East Orange Ave in Eustis. Call 352-483-2900.

Greek Monuments in Exhibit by American Photographer Josh Garrick
Should you find yourself near the Atlantic coast on Friday, January 20, I invite you to an exhibit of my photography of ancient Greek Monuments called No Stone Unturned.  I’m pleased to be among the first Artists to exhibit at the beautiful new EGAD! Art Lab at 1405 Highland Avenue in Melbourne. My images document the on-going re-construction of the iconic Parthenon in Athens, Greece as I’ve been privileged to be the only American allowed by the Greek Ephorate of Antiquities to photograph this hallowed building from the roof and scaffolding during the re-building. Several of the images are printed with a unique, new process in which the image is printed directly onto aluminum.  The Opening Reception is Friday, January 20 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, which is preceded by a “Dinner with the Artist” at 5:30 pm on the night of the opening.  The Opening is FREE, but reservations are required for the dinner. Call (321) 258-2119 to reserve for the dinner. In addition, a FREE Art Talk is scheduled for Saturday, February 11 at 2 pm at the Gallery. EGAD! Art Lab, located in the Historic Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne, Florida, is curated by Derek Gores. Visit EGADartlab.com or call (321) 258-2119.
 

Ladies of the Erechthion

Looking Backward Looking Forward

Three blessings

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators