Florida Culture for the Week of June 22, 2015 by Josh Garrick

TONIGHT – June 22 – The Sovereign Brass Begins Summer Concert Series 

This summer the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will perform its Sounds of Summer concert series at The Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave in Orlando. The always popular chamber music concerts will begin with the Sovereign Brass performing a program entitled May I Have This Dance? with the ensemble performing dance music that highlights composers Copland, Bernstein, Piazzolla, de Falla, Dilorenzo, Tchaikovsky, and more. The group includes Thomas Macklin and Michael Fee, trumpets; Kathy Thomas, horn; Jeff Thomas, trombone; and Robert Carpenter, tuba. Visit OrlandoPhil.org or call 407.770.0071.

June 23 to 28 – I Love Lucy Live on Stage 

It’s 1952 and we are part of the studio audience waiting for the filming of two I Love Lucy episodes. Our host enlightens us about this new thing called ‘television’ as singers perform advertising jingles (including the dancing Alka-Seltzer tablet) while the early TV performances by Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel – complete with back-stage antics – are all presented LIVE on-stage. This ‘ode’ to the great comedienne (and ALL who “Love Lucy”) is at the Dr. Phillips Center through June 28.  Call 800.448.6322 or visit OrlandoBroadway.com 

June 25 to July 19 – Theatre UCF offers Two Comedies in Repertory 

UCF’s Main Stage will offer Oscar Wilde’s classic The Importance of Being Earnest, opening June 25 and the musical Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? opening June 26. The Importance of Being Earnest, usually recognized as Wilde’s best play is a witty satire on Victorian manners, while Patent Leather Shoes chronicles a group of elementary school kids as they progress through Catholic school AND their ten year reunion. The two shows will be performed in repertory. Showtime is 7 pm on Main Stage on the UCF Campus. Call 407-823-1500 or visit theatre.ucf.edu

June 26 at 7 pm – Middle School Actors Give Us Shakespeare

Following a 2-week Summer Camp at the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, a cast of middle school performers will showcase their work in a Free performance on June 26 at 7 pm. Popular local actress Jennifer Bonner, Love’s Labour’s Lost Director and Children’s Series Coordinator says, “The final performance will be a celebration of their collaboration and of Will Shakespeare himself!” and promises we will ‘LOL’ at this Free, modern adaptation of Love’s Labour’s Lost.  Open to the public, the performance will take place at the Shakespeare Center. Visit orlandoshakes.org/education or call 407.447.1700

June 26 – Sanford Art Walk in Historic Downtown Sanford

On the 4th Friday of each month, Sanford’s Downtown Historic District hosts the Sanford Art Walk, showcasing local talent and visiting artists. The trailblazer – and most recommended – is Gallery on First, showcasing Dlynn Roll’s feline portraits, “What’s Up Pussycat?” (galleryonfirst.com). Other venues include the Welcome Center, Hyder Gallery, Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, String Theory Creations, and Tony’s Deli. A visit to Sanford is like a visit to ‘Old Mayberry’ with a pedestrian-friendly shopping corridor offering live music, upscale bars and award winning restaurants. Call 407-323-2774 or visit jtfolkart.com

Cat portrait Nina by Dlynn Roll at Gallery on First

June 26 & 27 – Honoring the USO in Song 

The Orlando Circle of Friends Chorus, begun in 2008, has grown into a large group that works with local charities to help raise money and awareness. Since 1941 the USO has provided valuable services and entertainment to our armed service members. The Chorus will honor the USO with a nostalgic ‘tour’ on June 26 at 8 pm and June 27 at 4 pm at the Orlando Museum of Art Auditorium with proceeds to benefit New Horizons Service Dogs. Call 321-345-6263 or visit ocofchorus.com 

June 27 – Broadway’s Mary Poppins to Perform at The REP

Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP) will present a one-night-only concert starring Ashley Brown, Broadway’s original Mary Poppins! The concert is set for June 27 at 7 pm. Ms. Brown originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway, for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League, and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. She starred on Broadway as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast and made her concert debut at The Kennedy Center. She is here in Orlando as a special guest working with the young ‘camp’ students at The Rep.  For tickets, call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

June 29 – 12 noon to midnight – Florida’s Best Break Dancers at City Hall 

12 hours of the best Break Dancing in North America will bring Florida’s best B-Boys to compete at Orlando’s City Hall in the Florida Finals of a national competition sponsored by Red Bull BC One. This season’s line-up will include Orlando dancer Bboy Keebz, who competed in the 2013 Nationals and judged the 2014 Red Bull BC One qualifier in Orlando. That’s a lot of power-spins over 12 hours, and it’s all FREE. No tickets required. City Hall is at 400 S Orange Ave in Orlando. Visit redbullbcone.com/en/

June 26 to Sept 27 – Folk Art by Southern Women at the Mennello Museum

The new Folk Art exhibit at the Mennello Museum begins with pieces by master folk artists such as Clementine Hunter and includes new Artists who come from a folk tradition, including Lucy Hunnicutt and Laurie Popp. From traditional painting to found-object sculpture, the exhibit teams curators Jeanine Taylor, Frank Holt, and Genevieve Bernard to create this Storytellers of the South: Voices of Women Exhibit.  Call 407.246.4278 or visit Mennellomuseum.com

Bernice Sims, "Wash Day"

Laurie Popp, "Millie, Mollie & Moonbeam"  

June 27 – ARRGH – T’is the Cocoa Beach Pirate Fest 

From 10 am to 6 pm on June 27, it’s a fun-filled-family-friendly Day of Piracy at the International Palms Resort in Cocoa Beach. The Cocoa Beach Pirate Fest will feature Arts & Crafts, vendors, food & drink, a living-history Pirate encampment, Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship, Mermaids, Live Music, a 150,000 gallon kiddie pool, Water Balloon Battles, Weapon Demonstrations, and a Pirate’s Ball on Saturday evening. Admission is Free along with Free parking. Call 561.792.9260 or visit cocoabeachpiratefest.com

June 30 – MOVE LIVE on TOUR with Julianne and Derek Hough 

Superstar Dancers – Sister and Brother Julianne and Derek Hough will star in their own all-new dance spectacular MOVE LIVE on TOUR with sets, costumes, and a cast of talented dancers. Derek, the Emmy Award winning choreographer and ‘winningest champion’ of Dancing with the Stars, and Julianne, two-time professional champion before making her feature film debut in Burlesque, will headline in duet and group performances in styles ranging from ballroom and tap to salsa and hip-hop at the Dr. Phillips Center on June 30 at 7:30 pm. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

June 30 to July 31 -- Free Summer Family Programs at the Morse Museum 

Families are invited to learn how museums build their collections in two Free programs for elementary-school-age children at the Morse Museum in Winter Park. Home to the world’s largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the Museum will offer child-friendly tours on Tuesdays and a film series on Fridays: On Tuesday’s Tours –June 30, July 7, 14, 21, and 28, the program includes ‘supplies needed for an art project inspired by collecting.’ Fridays will include a short film, gallery tour, and art activity inspired by collecting on July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. Call 407.645.5311 x136 to reserve a place for you and your child.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators