Florida Culture for the Week of March 26, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

TODAY – FINAL PERFORMANCE – The Orlando Ballet in MasterWorks
The Orlando Ballet sets up its own challenge taking on one work each from what may be the three GREATEST CHOREOGRAPHERS of the 20th Century. ‘MasterWorks’ includes choreography by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Twyla Tharp. I predict greatness and urge you to be there to experience it. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

March 29 to April 30 – Orlando Shakes’ Antony and Cleopatra 
The victors of Rome’s civil war have divided the ancient world between themselves with Marc Antony traveling to Egypt to take up his rule. His impassioned affair with the irresistible Cleopatra ultimately pits Roman against Roman, thereby changing the face of the world forever. Featuring Michael Dorn, best known as Lt. Worf in Star Trek, as Antony, call 407.447.1700 X1 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Michael Dorn stars as Antony in Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s production of Antony and Cleopatra. Photo by Luke Evans 

March 31 from 5 pm to 10 pm – The 2017 BACCHUS BASH!
It’s a Mardi Gras celebration with food, drinks, live entertainment, and shopping – at its home at the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. It’s also a fund-raiser for hospitality education through the CFHLA Foundation. (Last year’s Bash grossed over $123,000 for Hospitality Scholarships and Grants). There’s a Raffle (lots of prizes), a Silent Auction (imagine the hotel room stays), and a Spin-To-Win Wheel. Entrance is Free. Visit bacchusbashorlando.com 

March 31 at 8 pm – Steve Miller Band at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Steve Miller was an icon of the San Francisco music scene in the late '60s with a psychedelic blues sound that drew on American roots while articulating a vision of what music – and society - could be. Then, in the '70s, Miller crafted a brand of pure pop that was polished and irresistible - Rock'n Me, Fly Like an Eagle, Jet Airliner and Jungle Love dominated our radios with an endless flow of instantly recognizable hits. Enjoy them again at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

April 1 at 2 pm & 8 pm – The Orlando Philharmonic Honors Marvin Hamlisch
The Orlando Philharmonic will honor the legacy of Marvin Hamlisch in two concerts featuring his most beloved songs, including Through the Eyes of Love, The Way We Were, and What I Did For Love. Joining the Philharmonic on stage will be three true Broadway Stars including Tony award-winning Donna McKechnie from the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line; Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid; and Doug LaBrecque, Broadway actor and frequent Hamlisch collaborator. Two performances on April 1 will be performed at the Bob Carr Theater. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

April 4 to 9 – “Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In” with the Blue Angels in Lakeland 
The 6-day SUN ‘n FUN FLY-In is the 2nd largest event of its kind in the world and is Florida’s largest annual convention. Covering 2200 acres, the event offers jet teams, aerospace exhibits, educational forums, day and evening air-shows including aerobatics, veterans, women in aviation, and youth activities. Sport aircraft fly above parking areas as visitors from more than 80 countries come together at the Lakeland Linder Airport in Lakeland, Florida resulting in the event providing $430,000 in scholarship funds annually to students entering the Aerospace Industry. Visit flysnf.org

April 6 to May 6 – Pinkalicious: The Musical at Orlando Shakes 
Based on the wildly popular children’s book, ‘Pinkalicious’ can’t stop eating pink cup-cakes despite warnings from her parents. Her indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with ‘pinkititis’ in a musical sure to strike a chord among parents and picky eaters alike. “Pinkalicious is nonstop fun and packed with great messages,” said Anne Hering, Director of Ed. at Orlando Shakes. “The audience learns important lessons about healthy eating habits as they go on a ‘pinktastic’ adventure.” Call 407.447.1700 x1 or visit orlandoshakes.org

April 7 to 14 – UCF Celebrates the Arts at Dr. Phillips 
‘UCF Celebrates the Arts’ is an ‘explosion’ of youthful talent that is often worth the hassle of getting a ticket. The annual showcase features student artworks and performances that range from a fully staged ‘Oklahoma’ to panel discussions, workshops, and a Percussion Festival. Many tickets are FREE, (which makes some events APPEAR sold out); some tickets are for sale at 407.823.1500, and/or a wait line forms in the lobby one hour before each event. For ticketing, call Heather Gibson at 407-823-5095.

April 8 at 8 pm – Orlando Philharmonic Presents the Mahler ‘Resurrection’ Symphony 
Join the Orlando Philharmonic and Conductor Eric Jacobsen as the music of Mahler is brought to life in order to “conquer Death.” With a huge orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists, Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony tells the story of life and a universal expression of hope. This quest can best be summed up in this excerpt from the final movement text: O Pain, You piercer of all things, from you, I have been wrested!
O Death, You masterer of all things, now, you are conquered! At the Bob Carr Theater, call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

April 8 & 9 – Spring Fever in (Historic Downtown Winter) Garden 
The whole family will enjoy the two-day Winter Garden Festival called “Spring Fever.” There will be live entertainment, food vendors, a silent auction, a raffle, and loads of plants for sale. The ‘Kidzone’ will educate children about the environment as they climb on an old fire truck, jump in the bounce house, have their face painted and take photos. Visitors may "Ask the Experts" booth for information about landscaping and water conservation. Visit springfeveringarden.com or ‘watch’ vimeo.com/208517190

April 8 & 9 from 10 am to 5 pm -- Florida Mosaic: A FREE Festival of the Arts
Presented by Osceola Arts, this two-day Festival transforms Historic Downtown Kissimmee into an outdoor art gallery with fine arts and crafts from 100 local and national Artists. There will also be live entertainment, student art, food, drink and free parking along with the FREE admission. Call 407.749.6607 or visit floridamosaic.org 

April 10 to May 14 – Nancy Drew at Orlando Rep for Her ‘Biggest Case’
Missing this show would be a crime! In “Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever,” Nancy must solve the biggest mystery of her young career, and only Nancy can save the day. Clues are found, and motives revealed, but will Nancy solve the mystery in time? Based on the classic mystery series by Carolyn Keene, the original super-sleuth Nancy Drew and friends are ready to find the answers. Call 407.896.7365 X1 or visit orlandorep.com 

NOW to April 9 – Destiny of Desire, a Satire in Winter Garden 
If you are a soap opera fan, this outrageous modern comedy is for you. With the music, drama and burning passions of a Mexican telenovella, one stormy night in Mexico, two baby girls are born – one into wealth; the other into poverty. When the babies are maliciously swapped, the stage is set for outrageous misfortune and/or remarkable destiny at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

NOW to April 16 – Chekhov’s “The Three Sisters” at Mad Cow 
“To Moscow” Yearning for their former lives preoccupies Masha, Irina, and Olga as boredom takes over their lives – far from Moscow. In this masterwork, Anton Chekhov paints a portrait of the eternal struggle to work, love, hope, and – live. Chekhov’s plays have helped create Mad Cow’s ensemble-based performance process, as seen in prior productions of ‘The Cherry Orchard’ and ‘The Seagull.’ The Theatre is at 54 West Church Street in Downtown Orlando. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators