Florida Culture for the Week of January 29, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

RESCHEDULED – the Jan 31 Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Concert will be performed on May 21, 2017. 
The Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons concert scheduled for January 31, 2017 has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 21, 2017. Tickets issued for the January 31 date will be honored at the rescheduled date. Guests holding tickets for the original date are encouraged to use them for the new date; no exchange necessary. For more, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org. 

FINAL WEEK -- NOW to February 5 – ‘Blackberry Winter’ at Orlando Shakespeare 
Years of planning have not prepared Vivienne for her mother's slide into dementia, and Vivienne’s decisions regarding her care are interwoven with a 21st century ‘myth’ about a White Egret. Steve Yockey’s new play ‘Blackberry Winter’ is moving, sometimes humorous, but always deeply human. At the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

NOW to Feb 18 – Why Do FOOLS Fall in Love? … at the Winter Park Playhouse 
This song-fest takes place at a bachelorette party where best friends share thoughts about love, marriage and the dating game. Featuring hits from the 1960’s including "I Will Follow Him," "Hey There Lonely Boy," and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" this musical comedy reaffirms that true friendship is the key to everlasting love. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

NOW to Feb 19 - Picasso, Einstein and Steve Martin Walk Into the Mad Cow Theatre …
‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile,’ comic-genius-playwright Steve Martin’s first full-length play, explores creativity, physics, and one-night stands, as worlds (and words) collide in this fictional meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein. With Steve Martin’s off-beat humor, the 20th Century is born through the eyes of a very funny man. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

Feb 1 at 7:30 pm – Spend the Night with Billy Crystal
Tony and Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, producer, writer and director Billy Crystal brings the first show of his American tour to the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb 1 to 4 – ‘Tables Extraordinaire’ at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Over 4 special days – from 10 am to 8 pm – this unique event showcases 30 creatively exquisite table settings while offering ‘hand-made-with-love’ Greek culinary delights for lunch, dinner or take-out. You can bid on auction items, purchase internationally acclaimed artwork, and attend a fabulous gala dinner. The Gala caps off a marvelous FUN-raising week benefiting the Florida Hospital Transplant Institute, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. For tickets and information, visit Tables-Extraordinaire.com

Feb 1 to 28 – Month-long Celebration of the Morse Museum 
I’m sure the Morse Museum will set some kind of record for generosity in February. To commemorate the Morse Museum’s 75th Anniversary, entrance to this gem of a Museum will be FREE throughout the month. In addition, the Museum will debut a new audio tour, AND we are invited to a FREE Celebration Party on February 17 from 5 to 7:30 pm. Visit morsemuseum.org 

 
Feb 1 to April 1 – The Central Florida Watercolor Society’s Annual Members Exhibit 
The CFWS is proud of its heritage of being open to anyone interested in watercolor, regardless of expertise. The organization’s Annual Members Exhibit will be held at the SoBo Gallery at 127 S. Boyd St. in Winter Garden, featuring recent works by CFWS members. The Opening on Feb 2 at 5:30 pm includes an awards ceremony and is open to the Public. Visit centralfloridawatercolor.org
 
Feb 2, 3, & 5 – The Elixir of Love – Opera with the Orlando Philharmonic 
Celebrate an early Valentine’s Day with Donizetti’s romantic comedy opera L’elisir d’amore in which the romantic Nemorino purchases a love potion to get the Lady Adina to fall in love with him. Will the potion work? Director Mary Birnbaum brings the Orlando Philharmonic, under Maestro Eric Jacobsen, ON-STAGE in this specially-designed version of L’elisir d’amore, for its home on The Plaza Live stage. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

Feb 3 at 8 pm – The Boston Pops Plays The Beatles
Fifty years ago, four Lads from Liverpool changed the course of music forever. Now hear the music of The Beatles in breathtaking symphonic orchestrations performed by "America's Orchestra" - the Boston Pops conducted by Keith Lockhart. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb 3 to 26 – Garden Theatre presents 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 
Tony Award-Winner Kenny Howard will direct the Tony and Drama Desk Award winning musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” for the Garden Theatre. This whimsically humorous musical presents six pubescent young people who candidly disclose private stories from their home lives. Played by adults, the “tweens” spell their way through a series of off-the-wall words grounded in the knowledge that ‘the losers get a juice box.’ Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

Feb 4 at 8 pm – The One and Only – Lily Tomlin at the Dr. Phillips Center 
America's foremost comedienne brings her seven Emmys; two Tony Awards, a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critic’s Circle Award; a CableAce Award; a Grammy; two Peabody Awards, a Mark Twain Award, and (in 2014), the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C. And through it all – she is still one very funny lady. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb 4 at 7 pm – Trash 2 Trends – an Evening of Recycled Fashion 
Trash-2-Trends is a ‘Keep Orlando Beautiful’ Fundraiser that brings Orlando’s Fashion Designers and local Artists together with the Environmental Community “to promote sustainability” by asking designers to create runway looks from items headed to the landfill. Held at SeaWorld’s Ports of Call, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-trash-2-trends-recycled for tickets or contact jody.buyas[at]cityoforlando.net

Feb 4 at 6:45 pm – The 25th Annual Chef’s Gala Supporting United Way
The funds raised at this exemplary fund-raiser support United Way’s work in education, income, and health programs that serve thousands of Central Floridians in need. A premiere food and wine pairing event, Heart of Florida United Way Chef’s Gala features exquisite cuisine from more than 20 of Central Florida’s top chefs, along with fine wines, live music and a silent auction. Hosted by Walt Disney World Resort, 2017’s list of participating restaurants is amazing. Tickets are $275 (Individual) and $500 (Couples). Call 407.835.0900 or message hfuwcontact[at]hfuw.org 

Feb 5 at 7 pm – Shen Yun – Experience a Divine Culture at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Chinese culture has 5,000 years of folktales, which are now told through the magical world of Shen Yun’s dance. Known for its incredible flips, spins, and elegance, it is one of the most rigorous and expressive art forms in the world. In Shen Yun’s 2017 tour, its heroes – a monk, a general, and a monkey – fly to the heavens and dive into the sea in action-filled stories that embody the wisdom and virtues of ancient China. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb 6 – The Foley Awards at the Parliament House 
On February 6 the Parliament House Footlight Theatre will host the first-ever Foley Awards named for Charles ‘Chuckles’ Foley, who for over 30 years served as the tech director and ‘voice’ of the theatre. He passed away in 2016, but his spirit of dedication will remain in the annual awards show. With performances by Carla DelVillaggio as Barbra Streisand, Michelle Knight, Sarah Lee Dobbs, Vox Audio, and the cast of ‘Naked Boys Singing,’ a cocktail reception will follow. For tickets, visit phouse.ticketleap.com.

Feb 7 to 12 – Broadway in Orlando presents ‘A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder’
According to this 2014 Tony-Award-Winning-Musical, “Getting away with murder can be so much fun,” and there’s no better proof than the knock-‘em-dead show that earned unanimous raves AND the 2014 Tony Award for BEST Musical – “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.” What a relief to know there is such a highly rewarded Guide for us novices. This new musical will have you dying with laughter! (I couldn’t resist). Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 8 to March 26 – ‘The Great Gatsby’ On Stage 
Taking on another work of the world’s great literature, our Shakespeare Theatre will stage “The Great Gatsby,” drawn from what is arguably America’s greatest novel. Played in movies by Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio, one understands the regard for this book in libraries and in Hollywood. Exploring themes of love, morality, identity, and the (corruption of) the American Dream, this work is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Feb 10 – Artist Donna Dowless, Ambassador of Love 
The Grand Bohemian Gallery will present their annual “HeArt & Soul” exhibit featuring ‘Heart-Artist’ Donna Dowless’s mixed media works and Canadian aArtist Amber Higgins’ stellar glass jewelry designs. Each year thousands of fans celebrate the arrival of Valentine’s Day with Orlando’s ‘Ambassador of Love’ – Donna Dowless as this heavenly being makes us all better humans for having shared her creations. Opening from 6 to 9 pm, the Gallery is at 325 S. Orange Ave in Orlando. Call 407.581.4801 or visit heartartist.com

Feb 11 from noon to 5:30 pm – The ‘Baroque & Beyond Bash’ -- An Afternoon for Strings to Play Together 
Adult string players are invited to come out and play for fun. Meet other string players as you play selections of Baroque Chamber Music under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez. A $20 registration fee will be collected upon arrival. Please email DeneseRichmond[at]gmail.com with your name, instrument and phone number. Music will be mailed to you in advance. Meet at Venue on the Lake at 641 S.Maitland Ave in Maitland. Wine and refreshments provided. Visit PAMaitland.org

February 14 at 7:30 pm – Dionne Warwick on Valentine’s Day 
One of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time, Dionne Warwick will make this Orlando’s greatest Valentine's Day ever. Her winning partnership with Burt Bacharach and Hal David helped her become one of the world's greatest ‘hit-makers,’ which has seen her chart over 50 singles, win five Grammys and sell one hundred million records. Proceeds from this legendary concert will benefit Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3282. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators