Florida Culture for the Week of March 12 by Josh Garrick

March 14 – An Evening with Israel Rodriguez

One of the finest dancers ever to perform on the stage of the Bob Carr PAC recently returned from Kosovo where he choreographed a production of the ballet Don Quixote for the Kosovo National Ballet. On March 14, beginning at 6:30 pm, we are invited to view a documentary on Israel’s adventures in Kosovo, along with a showing of the premier performance. The evening is free with donations going to offset the cost of travel expenses for Israel’s return to Kosovo to teach classes for the Ballet. Hosted by Momentum Live at 116 Highline Drive in Longwood, FL, we are requested to R.S.V.P at 407.701.4929.

March 17 – Fossil Fest at the Science Center

March 17 is a ‘Scientific Saturday’ event at the Orlando Science Center as OSC hosts Fossil Fest 6 – a celebration of dinosaurs. Unearth your inner paleontologist as you experience presentations from fossil experts, bones on display and ‘dino-riffic’ activities. Technology will present Peter Larson, founder of Black Hills Institute of Geological Research (of South Dakota) who will conduct a seminar – via Skype – on extinction theories about what killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. You can also interact with Florida Fossil Hunters, who will share specimens of huge bones and teeth from mega-beasts that thrived here during the ice ages. A new hands-on activity called the Jr. Paleontologist program will be premiered at this event as well.  Call 407.514.2000 or visit osc.org 11 am to 4 pm

March 17 -- Mayor Dyer Hosts a Neighborhood Summit

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is a man who understands the importance of meeting his constituents, and he invites all Orlando residents to attend the 7th Annual Neighborhood & Community Summit on Saturday, March 17 from 7:30 am to 2 pm. The Summit brings together neighborhood, arts and cultural, civic, community and faith-based leaders to share information on community partnerships while offering the opportunity to learn about City programs. Some of the many workshops include: Ask Your Mayor, Event Planning, OPD: Your Safety Connection, Mayor’s Matching Grants, and Creating a 501c3. At the DoubleTree Hotel (near Universal Orlando) at 5780 Major Boulevard. A $10 registration fee includes workshops, continental breakfast, lunch, and conference materials. Call 407.246.2500 or visit cityoforlando.net/summit.

March 16, 18, and 20 -- OPERA at UCF

As Central Florida continues its search for opera performances, the UCF Opera has been expanding its program leading to three performances of Otto Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor.  The three performances are free and open to the public and will take place on March 16 at 7 pm and March 18 at 3 pm in the Pegasus Ballroom in UCF’s Student Union Building. The third performance will be held on March 20 at 7 pm at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden. Under the direction of Thomas Potter, UCF Opera will perform a musical adaptation of the Shakespearean comedy, which explores themes of love and marriage and jealousy and revenge as one of Shakespeare’s most famous comic characters – Falstaff – simultaneously courts two married women … and gets caught. The opera will be sung in English, and will feature the UCF Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Laszlo Marosi. Call 407.823.2869 or visit music.ucf.edu 

Mar 19 – Nordwest Deutsche Philharmonic

You know it’s a new millennia when a German Orchestra, an American Conductor, and an Israeli Soloist bring together their artistry to create over 100 recordings AND a world tour. The venue is the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach; the Nordwest Deutsche Philharmonic is the orchestra; Edward Tzigane is the Conductor; and they will be joined by the charismatic Amit Peled for Victor Herbert’s 2nd Cello Concerto on a program with Brahms’ 1st Symphony.  Call 386.253.2901 or visit peabodyauditorium.org.

March 21 to April 22 – Seeing RED

The Tony-award-winning play for 2010 is RED, a seductive and often disturbing look at painter Mark Rothko. Written by John Logan, who was nominated for Oscars for writing Avatar and Gladiator, Rothko is seen struggling to create new works for The Four Seasons restaurant in New York's then-new Seagram building. The play’s two characters – the angry and impassioned Rothko and his timid assistant Ken fling thoughts and philosophy around the stage like random drops on a Jackson Pollock painting. In 90 short minutes, the venomous Rothko embodies the will to create that drives great artists while timid Ken blooms into someone able to fight Rothko as equals. In the end, the audience sees through the psychobabble to understand a defensive artist struggling with his pride, his legacy, and his will to create. Presented by the Orlando Shakespeare Festival at their home in Loch Haven Park. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

March 24 – pARTicipation at the Art & History Museums – Maitland

Step up and be amazed! The Art & History Museums – Maitland will dazzle you at their upcoming fundraiser called pARTicipation, Circus of the Surreal, set for Saturday, March 24 at 5:30 pm at the A&H’s Maitland Center at 231 W. Packwood Avenue. This wondrous evening of ART, dining and diversions begins with cocktails and performers in the Mayan Courtyard, where guests will mingle with acclaimed artists. The Ringmaster then parades the crowd into the Main Garden, where the Artistic Hosts will each create a table that expresses their artwork. In addition to an ‘artistic dining experience,’ guests will enjoy performances featuring the Empty Spaces Theatre Co., John DiDonna, Director. The evening concludes with a Finale of decadent desserts, libations and performances and a Silent Auction of Art created and donated by the Artists. Call 407.539.2181x262 or visit artandhistory.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators