Florida Culture for the Week of June 1, 2015 by Josh Garrick

June 4 – 1st Thursday at OMART Goes Dreamy

The original Orlando themed Art Party –1st Thursdays at OMART, offers an opportunity to discover local artists, listen to live music and mingle with an eclectic mix of people. There is food and drink for purchase, and June 4th’s theme – The Illustrated Dream – gives the Artists a literally surreal opportunity to interpret their dreams on canvas. The $10 admission includes the museum and gift shop – where you can purchase ART by that guy named Josh Garrick among others. 

June 5 – The Rico Monaco Band in Free Performance at Dr. Phillips Center 

The Florida Blue Concert Series, Free and open to the public, will present the red hot Rico Monaco Band (RMB) at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 5 on the Seneff Plaza in front of the Dr. Phillips Center. Based in Florida, while performing around the world, RMB performs original songs and stylized Latin remakes. Monaco performs on guitar and vocals, and is the songwriter for the band. The concert is Free with no ticket required. 

June 5 to July 5 – Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Mad Cow Theater

Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Mad Cow Theater is a musical tribute to the black musicians of the 1920s and '30s who were part of Harlem’s great era of creativity and ethnic pride. The title is from the 1929 ‘Fats’ Waller song ‘Ain't Misbehavin', and this five-person musical revue won the 1978 Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Musical. It’s an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs that reflect Waller's view of life as a journey meant for pleasure and play. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

June 6 – Live from Orlando, It’s Science Night Live!

Please wear your best pocket protector for this ‘nerdy-fun’ take on Saturday Nite Live in an evening reserved for adults, (so we can drink) AND enjoy everything WE LOVE about the Orlando Science Center with grown-up programming. View stars through a giant refractor telescope, watch 3D films, blow things up in Dr. Dare's Laboratory, and play Science Trivia while ‘delighting in’ food and adult beverages (for purchase) on June 6 from 8 to 11 pm. Admission is $15; must be 21 and older. Visit osc.org or call 407.514.2000 

June 7 – Performing Arts of Maitland’s 10th Anniversary Concert My Favorite Things

The Maitland Symphony Orchestra will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with a Free concert program of favorite selections from concerts of the past 10 years. Including the Shostakovich Festival Overture, Elgar’s Nimrod, and Schumann Concerto in A Minor, with pianist Ian Levitan, other favorites include Star Trek and, of course, The Sound of Music. The Free concert will be presented on June 7 at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary of Maitland Presbyterian Church at 341 N. Orlando Avenue in Maitland. Donations appreciated. Visit PAMaitland.org

June 7 – The Dr. Phillips Center Applause Awards 

Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the Dr. Phillips’ Applause Awards celebrate outstanding achievements by Florida high school teachers and students in musical theater. Through the year, School Theater productions are reviewed leading to the Dr. Phillips Center’s Awards Showcase featuring excerpts from select high school performances. You can add to the encouragement provided by the nomination and awards by being a part of the audience cheering on these young performers on June 7 beginning at 6 pm.  Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

June 8 to 13 – World Ballet Competition with All Stars of Dance Gala

The World Ballet Competition – founded here in Central Florida – brings together an impressive array of international talent (ages 10 to 22), all of which comes together – at the end of a week of competition – on June 13 at 7:30 pm for a not-to-be-missed All Stars of Dance Gala. Held at the Bob Carr, the audience is treated to brilliant performances from visiting dance stars who share the spotlight with medal-winners from the week-long competition. For Gala tickets, call 407.849.4669 or visit worldballetcompetition.com

June 11 – Winter Park’s Summertime Sip, Shop & Stroll!

Experience the very best of Winter Park’s charming Park Avenue during a relaxing summer ‘Wine Stroll’ on June 11 beginning at 5 pm. Visit local merchants for appetizers and wine tastings while checking out fashions, gifts and menus. From Bebe's Baby Boutique to California Closets and from Lilly Pulitzer to The Doggie Door, participating merchants will welcome you. $25 includes your passport and wine glass with check-in at the corner of Park Avenue and Morse Boulevard beginning at 5 pm. For reservations call 407.644.8281, or visit winterpark.org

June 12 to Sept 6 – Orlando Museum of Art Florida Prize 2015

In the Orlando Museum of Art’s second Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, the exhibit features 10 of the “most progressive and exciting artists working in the State today.” And – one of these artists will be selected to receive a significant monetary award. This invitational exhibit recognizes both the achievement and potential of these Florida Artists, thereby encouraging their continued innovation, while celebrating the cultural life of our beautiful State. Visit omart.org or call 407.896.4231

June 13 – Blockbuster Mummies Exhibit Opens at Orlando Science Center 

The Blockbuster Exhibit of the Summer will open at the Orlando Science Center on June 13 and run through the summer. Mummies of the World is the largest exhibit of mummies (and related artifacts) ever assembled, showing how science can shed light on history, medicine and world cultures. Real human and animal mummies from South America, Europe and Egypt demonstrate that mummification – through natural and intentional processes – has taken place around the globe. Presented with solemn dignity, the exhibit provides a window into the lives of our ancestors and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Visit osc.org or call 407.514.2000  

June 13 & 14 – The Orlando Gay Chorus Sings in ONE Voice 

The concert, entitled One Voice, by the Orlando Gay Chorus marks the landmark 25th Anniversary of this multi-talented group.  People from all walks of life are invited to … “Please join us as we share in the friendship, family, pride, and above all else, the love that has been created and shared among our Chorus and our audiences and community for the past 25 years.” Performances are June 13 at 7:30 pm and June 14 at 4:30 pm at Plaza Live in Downtown Orlando.  Visit orlandogaychorus.org 

June 13 – Bluegrass Series Kickoff in Winter Garden 

The Helen Highwater StringBand, composed of four Masters of the tradition, Missy Raines on bass, Mike Compton on mandolin, David Grier on guitar and Shad Cobb on fiddle, break stringband boundaries and forge their own path through high-energy American roots, creating their own brand of contemporary music. These Master string-players will kick off the new Bluegrass Series at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden on June 13 at 8 pm. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Visit gardentheatre.org or call 407.877.4736

Current: SuperStar Chef John Rivers Receives Award for Architecture

It’s not even a stretch to say that Chef John Rivers’ may add an award for architecture to his list of achievements. The concept for the renovation and re-use of the building that was once Hage’s Market in Winter Park, given new life as Chef Rivers’ The Coop, was acknowledged by the Winter Park Historic Preservation Board at the recent James Gamble Rogers Colloquium on Historic Preservation. The ‘adapted’ building was singled out for the manner in which it “preserves the character and honors Hannibal Square history.”  NOW – as you enjoy some of the finest ‘Southern’ cooking anywhere, you can linger a little longer in an award-winning building … and order another helping of ‘Old School Banana Pudding.’  Visit asouthernaffair.com or call 407.843.2667

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators