Florida Culture for the Week of June 16 By Josh Garrick

Through June 29 – Elton John's AIDA

Following the story line of Verdi’s famous opera, Elton John and Tim Rice took the timeless love story from Egypt and created a rock musical that won both Tony and Grammy Awards on Broadway. Now Director Derek Critzer has created a new production being presented at The Venue at 511 Virginia Drive through June 29.  This is a special opportunity to see a Broadway musical with extraordinary local talent. Tickets at clandestineorlando.com

Through July 6 – Hair at the Mad Cow Theatre

The tradition-breaking musical from the 60’s, Hair changed the face – and other body parts – of Broadway. With music as exuberant and timely as when it first opened, Hair is about the young Americans searching for peace and love at the time of the Viet Nam war. Featuring the songs – Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, and Good Morning Starshine, Hair plays through July 6 at the Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

Through August 18 – Summer Nights at Orlando Science Center

The Orlando Science Center will stay open late on Friday and Saturday nights this summer giving guests the opportunity to immerse in laser light shows; see planets in the Observatory; explore ‘hands-on’ challenges in Sportsology; see a Hollywood feature-length film; and explore four floors of exhibits. Through August 16, the Science Center will be open until 9 pm (the 28,000 watts of lights and sounds of laser light shows can be experienced at 9 pm-Beatles, 10 pm-Led Zeppelin, and 11 pm-Pink Floyd). Call 407.514.2000 or visit osc.org

June 18 – Recital by Lyric Soprano Lindsay Renee Cash

We are invited to savor songs of the Romantic era by lyric soprano Lindsay Renee Cash at the University Club of Winter Park's Classical Music meeting on June 18 at 1 pm. The recital will include songs in six languages by composers Debussy, Rimsky-Korsakov, Britten, and more. The free concert experience will be accompanied by refreshments. Call 407.629.2125 or visit uclubwp.org

June 19 – Wine Pairing at Taverna Opa

Taverna Opa Orlando, a Mediterranean restaurant on International Drive, celebrated for live entertainment and a family-friendly atmosphere, kicks off its dinner series on June 19 with a five-course wine-pairing menu. The evening begins with an introduction to Greek cuisine by Owner Katerina Coumbaros followed by dinner at 6:45 pm during which the Taverna Opa team will educate guests on the history, pairing choice and ingredients of each dish. Call 407.351.8660 or rsvp to EatGreek[at]OpaOrlando.com

June 19 to July 27 – Rapunzel at Orlando Shakespeare

In a playful adaptation by Brandon Roberts from the story by the Brothers Grimm, Orlando Shakespeare offers a summertime tale for the whole family. Shut away in a lonely tower, Rapunzel grows, and so does her hair! Will Rapunzel escape the clutches of her evil captor? Find out in this contemporary adaptation with an Orlando Shakes twist. Arrive early and ‘Shake Out The Sillies’ as members of the cast offer pre-show fun for the whole family. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

June 21 – World Giraffe Day at Central Florida Zoo

The Central Florida Zoo will celebrate its newest residents in the first ever World Giraffe Day on June 21 beginning at 10 am. The longest day of the year is the perfect day to celebrate the world’s tallest animal, and the celebration will include games, children's crafts, face painting, and animal encounters. Included with Zoo admission, donations support the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Call 407.323.4450x100 or visit centralfloridazoo.org

June 20 – CFAMily Day at the Cornell

The Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College invites Central Florida families to a free event filled with fun and educational activities. From gallery tours to hands-on art-making to scavenger hunts and games, the programs are designed for ages 6+, but all ages are welcome. The first CFAMily Day is June 20 from 2 to 6 pm at the Museum. The event is free; NO RSVP’s necessary. Call 407.646.2526 or visit cfam.rollins.edu

June 20 to Sept 7 – OMART Offers the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art

The Orlando Museum of Art will offer a preview of the new exhibit: Orlando Museum of Art Florida Prize in Contemporary Art in a reception June 20 beginning at 7 pm. The exhibit presents 10 Artists working in diverse mediums, combining materials, and creating work from ‘reclaimed’ materials along with imagery that reflects the dynamic – and challenging – nature of art today. Admission is $5.  Call 407 896 4231 or visit omart.org

June 20 at 8 pm – Calling London: Two Sides of the Best of British Music

More than 100 orchestra and rock musicians will come together to present an eclectic concert featuring some of the best music ever to come out of England as Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) presents Calling London: Two Sides of the Best of British Music. Focused on symphonic compositions of the early 1900’s and rock-and-roll from the late 20th century, this concert features everything from Pomp and Circumstance to the greatest hits of The Beatles. Set for June 20 at 8 pm at Northland Church in Longwood, tickets are $10. Visit cfcarts.com or call 407.937.1800.

June 20 to 30 – Breakthrough Theatre Presents Once On This Island

From the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime) comes the Olivier Award-winning Once On This Island, the musical adaptation of the popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid. Directed by Wade Hair with Musical Direction by Justin Scarlat, Island will be performed from June 20 to 30 at The Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. For reservations call 407.920.4034

June 20 to July 20 – Cock at the Mad Cow Theatre

Cock is the ‘adults only’ story of what happens to John and his troubled relationship with his boyfriend as John meets a woman who is more than the best friend a gay man could hope for. Facing a new kind of guilt, John decides to ‘straighten it out’ in this playful look at one man's sexuality and choices that challenge the status quo. Performed at the Mad Cow Theatre from June 20 to July 20, call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com.

June 20 to July 19 – Back by Popular Demand – SHOUT! The Mod Musical

In one of the funniest musicals ever presented at the Winter Park Playhouse, SHOUT! The Mod Musical returns to the Playhouse from June 20 to July 19. The hit musical tells the story of five women coming of age in 1960’s London and features an incredible collection of 60’s ‘classics’ by Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, LuLu and more. The production features a powerhouse cast and is HIGHLY Recommended. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

clockwise from bottom left: Heather Alexander, Kate Zaloumes, Jill Vanderoef, Sarah-Lee Dobbs, and Natalie Cordone. PHOTO CREDIT: Taylor Glore

June 21 -- GREASE Sing-A-Long

Oh-oh-oh … those Summer Nights. Those crazy time-travelers at The Abbey invite us to embrace our inner T-Bird or Pink Lady at the phenomenon that is the GREASE Sing-A-Long. Part Rocky Horror Picture Show (costumes encouraged and interactive goodie-bags provided) – and part mob-sing, the only rule – apart from the fact that it begins around 9 pm – is “there are no freakin rules,” so break out those leather jackets, poodle skirts, and Sing-A-Long. Call 407.704.6103.

June 21 at 8 pm -- Brian Regan Live at the Bob Carr

Critics and audiences agree that Brian Regan is one of the premiere comedians in the country. With the ‘perfect balance’ of sophisticated writing and physicality, Regan will perform at the Bob Carr PAC on June 21 at 8 pm. Regan, whose fans span generations, recently made his 25th appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, the most of any comedian. Tickets at the Amway Center, Ticketmaster.com, or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000. 

June 21 to 23 – Chicken of the Sea Mermaid Brings ‘Goodness’ to Orlando

Celebrating 100 years as an iconic American brand, Orlando is the next stop on the Chicken of the Sea Great American Gratitude Tour – a 56-city journey honoring local nonprofits. Stops in Orlando include the Florida Mall on June 21 from 10 am to 10 pm and June 22 from 12 noon to 8 pm and on June 23 at Walmart at 11250 E Colonial Drive from 11 am to 2 pm. Visitors can have their pictures taken with the Mermaid and take home themed giveaways. At some point in the tour 10 lucky participants will win $10,000 to use for the community service project of their choice. Visit chickenofthesea.com/100

June 22 – Orlando Jazz Orchestra Presents Big Band Classics

Under Musical Director Greg Parnell, former drummer for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Orlando Jazz Orchestra performs authentic selections from the libraries of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, Harry James, and other luminaries. The Orchestra will perform classics from the 1950's and 60's at the Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby in Orlando on June 22 at 3 pm. Tickets are $15. Visit plazaliveorlando.com.

June 23 at 7 pm -- Sovereign Brass in a New Home

Celebrating 20 years of appearances on the Orlando Philharmonic’s Sounds of Summer Series, the Sovereign Brass will display their ‘sovereign royalty’ as the FIRST of the Philharmonic groups to perform in what will soon be the Orchestra’s new home at Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby. Works to be performed include the group’s “greatest hits,” spanning the brass repertoire from Gabrielli to Bernstein. Join the group for hors d'oeuvres before the performance, welcome them to their new home, and enjoy highlights of their extraordinary 20-year musical journey. Call 407.770.0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators