Florida Culture for the Week of March 31 By Josh Garrick

The Broadway Series’ New Season at the NEW Dr. Phillips Center PAC

The first Fairwinds Broadway Season at the NEW Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts was unveiled in glittering Broadway fashion on March 18 with Mayor Buddy Dyer and Ron Legler sharing the news along with cast members singing and dancing from Motown. World-class theater is coming to our NEW world-class stage, headlined by The Phantom of the Opera, Newsies, MOTOWN the Musical, PIPPIN, the Tony Award - winning Anything Goes, and I LOVE LUCY. And back by popular demand – the season will also offer the record-breaking The Book of Mormon along with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. It’s an incredible season, and it’s your first chance to ‘subscribe’ for seats in the new Performing Arts Center. Visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 800.448.6322.

Now through April 20 – Shakespeare Takes On Julius Caesar

Shakespeare’s version of the death of Julius Caesar explores the link between patriotism and personal ambition at a time when the world was brought to the brink of anarchy. In an already brilliant season for the Shakespeare Center, Julius Caesar is another timeless classic. Visit OrlandoShakes.org or call 407.447.1700

April 1 to 6 – FRLA Celebrates the International Fly-In and Expo

250,000 people are expected to attend events at Lakeland Linder Airport from April 1 to 6 as the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) presents the 40th Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo. Air-shows will showcase aerobatics and precision flying as guest speakers highlight the history of aviation. As a highlight, the United States Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will participate in this year’s Expo. Visit sun-n-fun.org/FlyIn.aspx

April 3 – Bad Kitties Return – from Patty Sheehan

From running to raise money for charities to throwing out the ‘first pitch’ for a softball team, Commissioner Patty Sheehan is an exemplary public servant.  Somehow she’s found time to pick up paint brushes and has created a series of Pop-Art works called Bad Kitties. More Bad Kitties have been ‘born,’ and they want to party beginning at 6 pm on April 3 at The Hammered Lamb at 1235 N. Orange Ave in Orlando. Patty would like us to bring a bag of cat or dog food as a donation to Pet Rescue by Judy, and 20% of all sales will benefit the SPCA of Central Florida. Ms. Sheehan will be there … herding kittens. Visit Bad Kitty Returns Art Show on Facebook.

April 4 to 13 – The 23rd Annual Florida Film Festival

The Florida Film Festival at the Enzian in Maitland, includes cutting-edge cinema, while indulging in food and wine events, ‘industry’ parties, and a star-packed attendee list. The Festival plays host to more than 100 visiting directors, producers and award-winning talent – this year including events and appearances by Susan Sarandon, Paul Sorvino, Giancarlo Esposito, and Shawn Christensen. For a complete list of films and events, visit floridafilmfestival.com

April 4 – The CFCArts String Orchestra Presents Baroque to Beatles

In this somewhat classical concert, the CFCArts String Orchestra will take the audience on a journey that varies from the Baroque era to the music of the Beatles. From Vivaldi and Mozart to McCartney and Lennon, the concert will include 30 string musicians, violin soloists and a Concerto Grosso trio. Baroque to Beatles will begin at 7:30 pm on April 4 at Central Christian Church, 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd in Orlando. Tickets are $10. Call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcarts.com

April 4 to 6 – The Central Florida Home and Garden Show

Spring is finally here (YAY!), which means it’s time for home-owners to get started on home-projects (yay?). You’ll find inspiration and expertise at the Home & Garden Show from April 4 to 6 at the Orange County Convention Center. This all-things-about your home weekend offers new products and great deals in remodeling, home improvement and gardening with hundreds of experts all under one roof. Look for appearances by celebrity landscaper Ahmed Hassan, Chef Demos, ‘how-tos’ by Chris Tice, and designer rooms. Visit CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com or call 877.871.7469.

April 4 to June 29 – Crealdé presents Paul Kwilecki’s Four Decades of Photographs

Paul Kwilecki was born in Bainbridge, Georgia and died there in 2009. In between, he raised a family, ran a hardware store, and spent decades with a camera collecting images around his home. “I know of no single body of work with a reach and resonance of what Paul accomplished in Decatur County,” says Tom Rankin of Duke University. The exhibit of 48 silver gelatin prints will be presented at two Winter Park locations: Crealdé’s main campus and at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center. Call 407-671-1886 or visit crealde.org

Dress in the Rain, 1961; by Paul Kwilecki

April 5 – Oliveira Plays Brahms

Violinist Elmar Oliveira is among this generation's most honored artists. Oliveira is the first and only American violinist to win the Gold Medal at Moscow's Tchaikovsky International Competition and the first violinist to receive the Avery Fisher Prize, in addition to capturing First Prize at the Naumburg International Competition. Oliveira will take on Brahms’s towering Violin Concerto with the Orlando Philharmonic on April 5 at 8 pm. Call 407.896.6700 or visit Orlandophil.org

April 5 – CFCArts Presents Summon the Heroes

A concert featuring the Wind Ensemble of the CFCArts Orchestra will celebrate – through music – the many facets of heroism in a concert featuring patriotic film scores, to brass fanfares, a reflection on Abraham Lincoln by Aaron Copland, a tribute to the Olympics, and more. Summon the Heroes will begin at 7:30 pm on April 5 at Cornerstone Charter Academy at 5903 Randolph Ave in Orlando. Tickets are $10 at cfcarts.com.

April 6 – Gold Medal Stars on Ice Tour

The United States’ first ice dancing gold medal in history was won this winter by Meryl Davis and Charlie White at the Olympic Winter Games in Russia. On April 6, Stars on Ice will visit the Amway Center, and for the first time ever, the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating team will headline the tour. Davis and White, along with their teammates, will bring the spirit of the Winter Olympics home to the U.S. along with a star-studded cast of champions. Stars on Ice offers us the chance to celebrate the accomplishments of these historic skaters. Visit amwaycenter.com

April 7 – Film-Maker Ken Burns at Rollins College

As part of a series of talks offered FREE to the Public, the Winter Park Institute at Rollins College will present the celebrated film-maker Ken Burns on April 7 at 7:30 pm. For the last three decades, Ken Burns has directed and produced the most acclaimed historical documentaries of all time, and he will speak about the value and beauty of America’s national parks in the Alfond Sports Center. The event is free and open to the public. Call 407.691.1995 or visit winterparkinstitute.org

And looking ahead …

April 11 to 13 – Carmen – the Ballet

Returning by popular demand, Carmen (the ballet) brings the most famous love triangle of all time to the Bob Carr PAC. With blazing intensity and an ironic twist of fate, the free-spirited Carmen tempts fate again and again until she dies at the hands of her beloved. Performed to the music of Georges Bizet and choreographed by Robert Hill, this tragic love story brings the Orlando Ballet’s season to a finale on April 11 and 12 at 8 pm and April 13 at 2 pm. Call 407.426.1733 or visit Orlandoballet.org

Dr. Phillips Center Announces Preferred Caterers

Showing once again that some good decisions are being made at the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, it was announced this week that the Center has selected four local companies as preferred caterers for the Center.  Known for creative menus and exceptional service, Arthur’s Creative Events & Catering; Food Glorious Food Catering; Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, and Puff ’n Stuff Catering will comprise the catering options for events at the Center – from weddings to conventions. The Dr. Phillips Center will celebrate its grand opening on November 6! Visit drphillipscenter.org
 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators