Florida Culture for the Week of May 6 by Josh Garrick

Now through …

This is a great time to check our calendars for some outstanding performances moving into their final weeks, and while we do that – let’s count ourselves lucky for having such outstanding talent right here where we live …

Now through May 11 – The All Night Strut

'Swing’ is the thing in this musical celebration of the 1930's and 40's. The All Night Strut is a musical celebration that carries us through the Depression and World War II, filled with jazz, blues, and bebop to keep our toes tapping to legendary song-writers Loesser, Ellington, Calloway, and the Gershwins. From the funk-jive of Harlem to the sophistication of El Morocco, All Night Strut is a combination of harmony and rhythm at the Winter Park Playhouse. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Now through May 12 – Mad Cow’s 12th Annual Cabaret Festival 

Mad Cow’s Cabaret Festival is even better this season in their new home on Church Street in downtown Orlando. The Festival is host to over 30 performances of Broadway, comedy, and Cabaret Headliners including soul-singer Shoshana Bean; renowned singer/pianist Tony Desare; baritone Lee Lessack (channeling Johnny Mercer); and former Mouseketeer Lindsey Alley featured in evening and lunchtime performances. The Festival runs through May 12. Call 407.297.8788 or visit orlandocabaret.com

Now through May 26 – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

This special Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) version of the Broadway musical finds Tom Sawyer matching wits with Aunt Polly and taking the adventure of his life with Becky and Huckleberry Finn. Based on the characters created by Mark Twain and filled with foot-stomping songs, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer has thrills, comedy, and a bit of American history for the whole family. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com.

Now through May 26 – The Wizard of Oz

Each year the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden produces a BIG musical, cast from local talent, and each year they do a great job producing Broadway on-stage. This season’s presentation is The Wizard of Oz – the one we grew up with – the one that exists “somewhere over the rainbow.” The performers are brilliantly cast, and the production includes Terry Olson, Orange County's Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs, doling out wisdom in the role of the Wizard. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

May 8 and May 11 – The A & H Museum’s Artist-In-Residence Program

Honoring the legacy of founder André Smith, the Art & History Museums – Maitland have invited Josette Urso to be the first Artist-In-Residence since Smith's program hosted famous Artists from 1937 through 1957. At that time, The Studio hosted artists including Milton Avery, Ralston Crawford, and Doris Lee. Ms. Urso’s residency continues through June 2, affording visitors an opportunity to see her create. Ms. Urso will lecture on May 8 followed by an official Plein Air Paint Day on May 11 with the public invited.  Call 407.539.2181 or visit ArtandHistory.or

May 8 – Historical Honors for Rita Bornstein

Rita Bornstein, President Emeritus of Rollins College, will receive the Historical Society of Central Florida's highest honor at the Annual John Young History Maker Celebration on May 8. The Award is given each year to a Floridian whose achievement has made an historic impact on the community. The History Maker Celebration is the Society's largest fundraiser of the year with funds raised from the event supporting educational programs for thousands of children. For tickets call 407.836.8370.

May 10, 11, and 12 -- Arts & Music Festival at Walton Beach

The 2013 ArtsQuest Fine Arts & Music Festival returns to South Walton for its 25th annual celebration over Mother’s Day weekend May 10 to 12. This year’s event will take place at WaterColor Inn & Resort, featuring fine arts and crafts booths, live music performances, kids’ art activities, demonstrations, workshops and more. The Festival poster is designed by South Walton artist Justin Lyons. Visit ArtsQuestFlorida.com 

May 11 at 2 pm & 8 pm – How to Succeed … with the Orlando Philharmonic

Fresh from their brilliant production of the Opera Madama Butterfly, the Orlando Philharmonic will take on the classic Broadway show How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Christopher Wilkins will conduct and Frank McClain directs the musical, in which window-washer J. Pierrepont Finch scratches his way to the top at World Wide Wickets. This Frank Loesser musical won both the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize in 1962. Presented in two performances on May 11 at the Bob Carr PAC, reserve your tickets by calling 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org.

May 11 – The Science of WINE at the Orlando Science Center

The LARGEST collection of wines of any Orlando event comes to the Orlando Science Center on May 11 beginning at 7 pm with presentations on many aspects of wine as well as the opportunity to sample more than 100 fine wines from the world’s great wine regions. This fundraiser for the Science Center, presented by Akerman Southern Wine & Spirits, will offer gourmet foods to accompany the wine selections, and Tim’s Wine Market will offer wine education stations. Call 407-514-2233 or visit osc.org/wine. 

May 13 – The Orlando Camera Club Begins Fine Art Group

The 2nd Monday of each month – from 5:30 to 6:30 pm – is the meeting time for the new Fine Art Group formed within the ever-growing Orlando Camera Club. Founded by Susan Pelteson, the meetings, which promote Photography as Fine Art, are free and open to the public. The speaker on Monday, May 13 is Painter and media guru Robin Pedrero, who will speak on The Feat of Capturing Creativity. Seating is limited, so RSVP to Susan Pelteson at 407.694.5328 to reserve your seat.

May 14 to 19 – MEMPHIS to Orlando – Direct from Broadway

It won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Orchestration, and now MEMPHIS is heading to Orlando. From the ‘underground dance clubs’ of 1950’s Memphis, Tennessee, comes this hot new musical bursting with explosive dancing, songs and a tale of ‘forbidden love.’ Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS dances into the Bob Carr PAC from May 14 to 19, tickets are available online at OrlandoBroadway.com or by calling 1-800-982-2787.

May 15 to 28 – The Fringe Festival !!!

That wacky, often-weird, and always-wonderful Festival of plays called Fringe will present 100 performance groups in Fringe 2013. Fringe’s ‘philosophy’ is to be 100% uncensored, 100% non-juried, and 100% accessible. This celebration of the performing arts takes place at Loch Haven Park in the last two weeks of May offering uncensored performances, a lively outdoor stage, Visual Fringe (fine Art) and Kids Fringe! Remembering that Fringe plays are ‘uncensored,’ you’ll want to check the schedule for plays that are adults only and which ones are (age-appropriate) Kids Fringe! Visit orlandofringe.org for a complete schedule.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators