Florida Culture for the Week of January 18, 2016 by Josh Garrick

NOW to April 15 -- BIG BUGS at Leu Gardens, Orlando
Beginning January 15, the ever-beautiful Leu Gardens will be invaded by an unforgettable collection of GARGANTUAN-scale-bug-sculptures created by artist David Rogers. The sculptures were created using all-natural materials such as trees and branches with the effect being a “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” role reversal of dimension and perception. A free Insect Hunt Adventure Guide is available to help discover the Big Bugs hiding throughout the gardens.  Visit leugardens.org/bigbugs

Jan 20 at 10 am – The Winter Park Garden Club Presents ‘Radical Raptors’
For thousands of years, raptors (birds of prey) have fascinated all who have had the privilege of seeing them live and up-close. There are two categories of raptors: daytime hunters (hawks, eagles, osprey…) and nighttime hunters (owls). Michael Goldman, Education Manager for the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, will present a Free educational demonstration about ‘Radical Raptors’ (extreme birds of prey), and he will bring several raptors with him to the Winter Park Garden Club at 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park. Call 407.644.5770

Jan 21 -- Monster Jam Trucks On Display in O-Town January 21
Monster Jam’s real stars – the giant monster trucks – will be on display in Orlando on January 21 giving fans a chance to see the trucks before they roar into the Citrus Bowl on January 23. Monster trucks are custom machines that sit on 66-inch-tall tires, weigh over 10,000 pounds, and are capable of speeds up to 100 mph. On Jan 21, ‘Monster Energy’ will be at the WalMart on Princeton Ave from noon to 4 pm.  ‘Soldier Fortune’ will be at the Circle K at 700 S. Kirkman; and Max-D will be at MetroPCS at 1453 Sand Lake Rd from 3 pm to 7 pm… and it’s all FREE.
Monster Energy    1.21.16     noon to 4 pm     Wal-Mart 3101 Princeton Ave. Orlando 32808
Soldier Fortune    1.21.16     3 pm to 7 pm     Circle K - 700 S. Kirkman Rd. Orlando 32825
Max-D    1.21.16     3:pm to 7pm     MetroPCS -1453 Sand Lake Road Orlando 32809

Jan 21 to Feb 27 – I Left My Heart: A Salute to Tony Bennett 
This new musical revue features three tenors paying tribute to the man Sinatra called “the greatest singer in the world.” With a thrilling score of 40 standards, all recorded by Mr. Bennett, the show includes the hit songs “Stranger in Paradise,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “Rags to Riches,” and his best known hit, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Presented by the good folks at the Winter Park Playhouse, who do this kind of thing very well, call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

Jan 22 at 7 pm – THE Grand Opera – AIDA
When GRAND Opera is mentioned, the first opera that comes to mind is Verdi’s magnificent AIDA. Ancient Egypt comes to Daytona Beach in Teatro Lirico D’Europa’s AIDA, one of the most spectacular operas of all time. In the story, Ethiopian princess Aida is captured and forced into slavery in Egypt. There she meets the military commander, Radames, who struggles between his love for Aida and his loyalty to the Pharaoh. This presentation of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society is presented with a 40-piece orchestra and English supertitles. Call 386.671.3460 or visit dbss.org 

Jan 22 to Feb 21 – ART (a play) at Mad Cow Theatre 
In the play titled ART, Serge has purchased a peculiar painting for an exorbitant sum of money only to have Serge’s acquisition met with confusion and disgust from his longtime friend. The painting is a white canvas with white diagonal lines. How could Serge have been deceived into valuing something so silly?  In this Tony Award-winning comedy, playwright Yasmina Reza digs under the surface of ‘sophistication’ to find the root of our attractions and obsessions.  For tickets, call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

Jan 22 at 8 pm – Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage
Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage brings five decades of Star Trek’s symphonic music to concert halls for the first time in a lavish production that includes a live symphony orchestra. People of all backgrounds will experience the franchise’s wildly popular musical achievements while the most iconic Star Trek film and TV footage is beamed, in high definition, to a 40-foot wide screen. This never-before-seen concert event is perfect for music lovers, filmgoers, science-fiction fans and anyone looking for a unique concert experience. At the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Jan 22 to Feb 8 – Breakthrough Theatre’s Annual ‘Best of Broadway’ Revue
This year celebrating musicals that opened on Broadway from 2011 to 2015, this 7th Annual ‘Best of Broadway’ from the Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park will feature songs from The Book of Mormon, Sister Act, Catch Me If You Can, Wonderland, Once, Newsies, Kinky Boots, A Christmas Story, Matilda, Motown the Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Aladdin, An American in Paris, Fun Home, and Something Rotten. The Cast will include both students and professionals. Purchase online at breakthroughtheatre.com or ca$h at the door at 419A W. Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park.

Pictured: The cast of Best of Broadway  Photo Credit: Valerie Sims

Jan 23 to April 24 – Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers 
For 125 years, National Geographic has documented the world with stunning photography by a forward-thinking generation of photojournalists as different as the places and the subjects they cover. Curated by Photo Editor Elizabeth Krist, this all-woman exhibit presents the story-telling experience as seen by millions through the insightful use of a camera. From Africa to the Jersey Shore, these stories explore what it means to be human in the 21st Century. At the Orlando Museum of Art, call 407.896.4231 or visit omart.org 

Jan 23 at 7 pm – Public Invited to ‘End of Exhibit Party’ at Henao Center
The exhibit that toured Europe for two years and gave Josh Garrick the unprecedented honor of being the ‘first non-Greek Artist in the World’ to exhibit in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece will end Jan 23. Having ‘Opened’ the new Henao Contemporary Center in Orlando, a FREE Closing Party – Public Invited – will be held on January 23 at 7 pm. Please consider this your invitation to visit the exhibit and attend the Party at the Henao Center at 5601 N. Edgewater Drive in College Park. Call 407.522.3906 or visit henaocenter.com

Jan 23 & 24 – Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival  
Activities include arts and crafts booths,  face-painting, dancing and rides at the Annual Orange City Blue Springs Manatee Festival, but THE MAIN attraction at this Festival is the manatee ‘viewing’ at Blue Spring State Park. Ranked one of the best places in the state to see manatees in clear water and in great numbers, each year the Festival draws thousands of people to Valentine Park at West French Avenue off of Highway 17-92.  Call 407 323 4450 or visit themanateefestival.com

Jan 23 at 1 pm – Teresa Chin to Demonstrate Japanese Fish Painting 
Artist Teresa Chin will demonstrate Japanese Gyotaku (the traditional art form of fish printing), at the Sanford Seminole Art Association at the library in Sanford at 150 N. Palmetto Avenue. To create her art, Chin ‘paints’ ink directly onto the fish, after which she presses rice paper onto the fish to pull a print. In some cases she uses watercolors to embellish the work. Ms. Chin is vice president of the Central Florida Watercolor Society and has exhibited her work in numerous juried shows. Admission is Free. Call 407.951.5607 or visit SanfordSeminoleArt.com. 

Jan 23 to May 1 – ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Orlando Science Center 
The Wizard of Oz Educational Exhibit is a journey of discovery at the Orlando Science Center. Guests travel from the Farm to the Land of Oz to explore Munchkinland, the Witch’s Castle and the Emerald City before heading back home. Create a tornado in Dorothy’s bedroom, explore Munchkin houses, and enter the Emerald City to create a ‘Horse of a Different Color.’ Climb the mountain to the Castle of the Wicked Witch to capture her broom and finally, click your heels three times remembering ‘There’s no place like home.’ Call 407.514.2000 or visit osc.org

Jan 23 to June 12 – Disney, Dali, and Imagination at the Dali Museum
St. Petersburg’s Dali Museum presents a multi-media exhibition exploring the alliance between two of the most renowned artists of the 20th century – the brilliantly eccentric Salvador Dali and American entertainment innovator Walt Disney. Presented through paintings, sketches, correspondences, film, and photographs, the exhibit showcases two very different icons drawn together through their unique personalities, their collaboration, and their enduring friendship. Visit thedali.org

January 24 at 8 pm – The Temptations AND the Four Tops at Dr. Phillips Center 
Stars of Berry Gordy’s Motown music factory, the history of The Temptations and the Four Tops is the history of contemporary American pop. The Temps began their musical life in Detroit in the early 60’s, achieving stardom in 1964 when Smokey Robinson wrote “The Way You Do the Things You Do.” The Four Tops spent years on the road until Berry Gordy heard they had hustled a national “Tonight Show” appearance. He signed them without an audition, and their first Motown hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving” in 1964, made them stars. Both groups followed with hits that turned these men into cultural heroes. BOTH GROUPS continue to make history as they perform LIVE at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Jan 25 to Feb 21 – Oh, Brother! Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing 
In this “real-life-concerns” play, presented by Orlando Rep, Peter has an attention-stealing little brother who makes Peter feel like a fourth-grade nothing. From the story by Judy Blume, adapted for the stage by Bruce Mason, Fudge is a toddler terror who gets away with anything. The way in which Peter deals with this ‘problem’ is presented as a humorous look at family life and the troubles that can only be caused by a younger sibling. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

Jan 25 at 8 pm – The Abbey Presents Anthony Johnson’s ‘Unadulterated’
Direct from New York City, Anthony Johnson sings his way through stories of falling apart, making a mess, and picking up the pieces in ‘Unadulterated, an evening of sex, drugs, and musical theater.’ Anthony returns to Orlando after performing in Blue Lagoon: A Musical. Recently, he performed in Gypsy; in 3 regional productions of West Side Story; and in the National Tour of Hairspray. Tickets are $12 advance / $15 at the door and may be purchased at TicketWeb.com or by calling 1-866-468-7630 or visit AbbeyOrlando.com

Jan 27 at 6 pm – First GREEN Bank & Capital Institute Host Florida Economy Panel 
First GREEN Bank and Capital Institute join to invite civic officials, business owners, students and community members to a FREE panel discussion titled “Let’s Regenerate the Central Florida Economy.” The panel will discuss ways to create a thriving economy while also protecting the native ecosystem. Panelists include Founder First GREEN Bank, Ken LaRoe; Prof. Vincent Stanley, Carol Stanford; and Founder Capital Institute, John Fullerton. Program:  6 to 6:30 pm – Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and networking; 6:30 to 8 pm: Panel at Bush Auditorium, Rollins College, 599 South Interlachen Ave in Winter Park.

Jan 29 -- Side by Side: A Celebration to Honor Our Community
It’s time to “stop and smell the roses,” as the community joins together for “Side by Side: A celebration to pause and honor the gifts of our community” as presented by First Congregational Church of Winter Park and Rollins College in partnership with the City of Winter Park and Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. The celebration begins at 8:30 am inside Knowles Chapel at Rollins College and is followed by refreshments near the College rose garden. Call 407-644-8281 or visit tinyurl.com/wpside to register. 

Jan 30 at 7:30 pm – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
The original Jersey boy, Frankie Valli is an American legend. His incredible career with the Four Seasons, as well as his solo success, has spawned countless hit singles including ‘Sherry,’ "Walk Like A Man," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," "Oh What A Night," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," and "Grease."  His songs have been part of iconic movies such as The Deer Hunter and Dirty Dancing, while an unprecedented 200 artists have done cover versions of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.’ Cheer on this living legend on January 30 at 7:30 pm by calling 844.513.2014 or visiting drphillipscenter.org for tickets. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators