Florida Culture for the Week of June 23 By Josh Garrick

Tonight – 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 –from Gabrielli to Bernstein. Join the group for hors d'oeuvres before the performance. Call 407.770.0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

FINAL Week thru 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 for The Venue at 511 Virginia Drive, and this is the final week to see a Broadway musical with extraordinary local talent. Tickets at clandestineorlando.com

FINAL Week thru June 30 – Breakthrough Theatre’s 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 story of a peasant girl on a tropical island who uses the power of love to bring together people of differing social classes. This is the final week of performances thru June 30 at The Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. For reservations call 407.920.4034

Thru August 31 – The Allure of Ancient Rome

Showcasing prints, drawings, and an illustrated book from the Cornell Museum’s permanent collection, the Cornell’s new exhibit highlights the significance of Roman antiquities in Europe and the role played by printed images in sharing knowledge about those antiquities. This exhibit coincides with the loan of a Roman sarcophagus to the Cornell with the print-works dating from 1540 to 1750. Admission is FREE. Call 407.646.2526 or visit Rollins.edu/cfam

June 27 – Summer Family Programs Begin at the Morse Museum

Each summer the Morse Museum organizes Free programs for elementary-school-aged children. The series begins Friday, June 27 with a family film showing including ‘clips’ from the documentaries Expo—Magic of the White City (The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893) and The World’s Greatest Fair:  Saint Louis 1904. After the films, children and parents will take guided tours of the galleries to see objects actually exhibited at these fairs. How cool is that? Reservations required. Call 407.645.5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

June 28 at 8 pm – Priscilla Bagley ‘Channels’ Linda Ronstadt’s Victory Tour

Direct from New York City, local songstress Priscilla Bagley presents When Will I Be Loved?: The Linda Ronstadt ‘Hall of Fame’ Victory Tour celebrating the hits of her vocal icon Linda Ronstadt. Like Ronstadt, Ms. Bagley is a ‘cross-over diva’ who can sing folk, rock and pop hits, Big Band classics and even a touch of operetta. Ms. Bagley will be at the Abbey for one-night-only on June 28 at 8 pm.  Visit AbbeyOrlando.com

June 27 – Despicable Me 2 at Lake Eola

Movieola combines the beauty of Lake Eola Park and the fun of family movies. On the last Friday of every month, a Free family movie will be shown on Lake Eola’s East Lawn. Festivities begin at 6:30 pm with games, music and food available for purchase, with the movie starting at 8:30 pm. Despicable Me 2 will be shown on June 27, and Muppet’s Most Wanted is slated for July 25. The series will conclude on Aug. 29 with Lego Movie. Visit cityoforlando.net/parks/movieola

June 27 – Wine Dinner at Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster

The peerless Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster will join with Republic Natl. Distributing for a 5-Course Dinner and Wine Tasting on June 27 for an intimate group of 20 food and wine enthusiasts. For $115, guests will gather in a private dining room for an interactive wine experience led by Sommelier Dan Colgan. The dinner, introduced by Alice Christner, will highlight the history of the food and wine pairings. Visit christnersprimesteakandlobster.com or call 407.645.4443

June 29 – Classical Guitar at Casa Feliz

Described as "smooth jazz on caffeine,” classical guitarist Luis Alfredo Garcia will perform at Casa Feliz in a Free program of classical guitar on June 29 at 12 noon. Garcia received his formal training at the Conservatory in Puerto Rico and has performed in Central Florida for nearly 20 years, offering the full range of classical guitar, while developing his unique sound of Latin-Jazz-Flamenco fusion. Casa Feliz Historic Home is at 656 Park Ave North in Winter Park. Visit casafeliz.squarespace.com

JUN 29 – Comedian Artie Lange at Plaza 'LIVE'

The words comedian, actor, writer, producer, entrepreneur, and radio personality describe the prolific Artie Lange, a member of The Howard Stern Show for a decade, followed by his current gig on The Artie Lange Show. Lange sold out Carnegie Hall in 3 hours, his book Too Fat to Fish debuted at number one on the New York Times best-seller list, and he recently starred in his own special – Jack and Coke. Lange will perform at Plaza Live in Orlando on June 29 at 7:30 pm. Visit plazaliveorlando.com

And looking ahead …

August 9 – Taste of the Nation – Orlando

“For 25 years, Taste of the Nation has provided a meaningful outreach for hungry kids and families across Central Florida,” says Dave Krepcho, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. On August 9 at 6:45 pm, Taste of the Nation will bring together the area's top chefs who donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger in Central Florida. Along with extraordinary food, guests sample select wines while enjoying auctions and entertainment. Please know that every dollar raised fights hunger and homelessness in Central Florida. Tickets are $150. Visit tasteofthenation.org/orlando and/or facebook.com/OrlandoTaste

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators