Florida Culture for the Week of November 13, 2016 By Josh Garrick 

TODAY – FINAL Day – Nov 13 – The Maitland Rotary “Art Under the Stars” Festival
The Rotary Club of Maitland produces the only art festival in Florida with night-time hours. With original Art surrounding beautiful Lake Lily, families and friends enjoy the Art, the lights and the live entertainment from two stages. The 40th season’s Poster Artist is Ed Myers, who is on-hand to sign your poster. Call 407.777.8515 or visit maitlandrotaryartfestival.com

TODAY – Nov 13 at 12:30 pm -- National Young Composers’ Composium
The Young Composers’ Composium is a concert and a master class and a competition. It's also ‘competition-dramatic’ as this FREE event invites you to hear winning compositions by America's top young composers discussed and conducted by Maestro Christopher Wilkins and performed LIVE by an orchestra. From chamber compositions to full symphonic works, this is the top competition for young composers. The event is presented here in Orlando, and it’s FREE … so we’re ALL Winners.  Visit youngcomposerschallenge.com

TODAY – Nov 13 – The Festival of Bacon at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Originally scheduled for October, tickets for the much-anticipated Festival of Bacon are valid TODAY – November 13 as thousands descend on the Dr. Phillips Center as it becomes an 8-hour ‘BACON Bonanza.’ Top restaurants create bacon-inspired dishes as they compete to win the coveted "Best of Bacon" Award. Over 5,000 pounds of bacon is being cooked right now for the bacon lovers who travel far and wide to find a new bacon treat. Visit festivalofbacon.com

NOW to Nov 20 – The World Premiere of ‘Grimmly Ever After’ 
Central Florida Vocal Arts invites us to the World Premiere of a new operetta that explores “the dark side of the fairy-tale forest” in “Grimmly Ever After.” Betrayal, prophecies and love are twisted together in this operatic fairytale, featuring Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel & Gretel and the Evil Queen. Written by Nishaa Carson, Cristyn Schroder and Justin Morrison, this World Premiere begins TODAY.  Call 863.510.7236 or visit cflvocalarts.com 
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NOW to Nov 20 – The 30th Annual Festival of Trees presented by Council of 101 
This annual event transforms the Orlando Museum of Art into a Holiday Wonderland filled with sparkling trees and fantasy décor for visitors of all ages. Activities include musical performances and special programs for children with the trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, and gifts available for purchase. This delightful event allows the joy of the season to become a way to support the Orlando Museum of Art. Call 407.896.4231 x 254 or email [email protected]

NOW to Nov 20 – ‘The God Game’ at Mad Cow 
We can all be quite sure that when running for political office in the US, the Public knows anything about a candidate from his/her work routine to religious beliefs. SO – what if your candidate is an atheist? Playwright Suzanne Bradbeer poses this question in ‘The God Game’ in performance at the Mad Cow Theatre. For tickets to this outrageously timely exploration of ‘out-there’ politics, call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

NOW to November 30 – ‘Sea Creatures’ – The Photography of Ruth Petzold 
Inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame in April 2016, Ruth Petzold has devoted her life to exploration, conservation and photographing nature and wildlife – both above and below the water. From Africa to Antarctica, Petzold has pursued the beauties of nature on seven continents. Her exhibit is on view at the Orange County Administration Center at 201 S. Rosalind Ave in Orlando. Visit RuthPetzold.com or call 561-351-7904.


Image credits: Dolphins: A family of wild dolphins in the Bahamas; Photograph by Ruth Petzold; Great White Shark Australia: Photograph by Ruth Petzold

NOW to Dec 4 – Breakthrough Theatre Presents Cy Coleman Musical, ‘The Life’
Presenting a musical somewhat out of the norm for the Breakthrough Theatre, ‘The Life’ depicts the ‘pay-for-play’ sex life around Times Square in the 1980’s. For mature audiences only, scenes take place in topless bars, transvestite hang-outs, and with hookers working the streets. Directed and choreographed by Angela Cotto, please visit breakthroughtheatre.com or call 407-920-4034

Pictured: Damany Riley and Yara Williams  Photo Credit: Mo Noubani

NOW to Dec 11 – A Marvelous Party!  The Noel Coward Celebration 
When Noel Coward reigned supreme, High Society meant hats and gloves, and the brilliance of the English language. Now The Winter Park Playhouse invites you to “A MARVELOUS PARTY” in Celebration of Noel Coward. As sparkling as a newly-popped bottle of champagne, this party is a musical romp featuring thirty-three tunes and a bevy of anecdotes and musings by the incomparable Noël Coward. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

NOW to Dec 18 – Harry Connick Jr’s The Happy Elf at Orlando Rep 
From the Grammy-winning musician, this joyous new musical is about the happiest elf at the North Pole. He is SO HAPPY that his constant exuberance wears others out. Still he believes if he can restore ‘JOY’ to the town of Bluesville, he will win a spot on Santa’s sleigh. Faith and teamwork are gifts to be shared in this story of elf magic, and Harry Connick, Jr. has written a wonderful score for the story. Experience it by calling 407.896.7365 or visiting orlandorep.com 

Nov 14 at 7 pm – Orlando Philharmonic’s ‘Glorious Schubert'
With Eric Jacobsen conducting, the Orlando Philharmonic presents the first concert in its ‘Focus Series’ of 2016 (a series of Classical Music performed by ensembles smaller than the full Orchestra).  The concert begins with the ethereal Overture to Mendelssohn’s music to Shakespeare’s ‘Midsummer Night's Dream’ and ends with the dramatic ‘Tragic’ Symphony by Schubert. Performed in the Orchestra’s new home at The Plaza Live at 425 N Bumby Avenue in Orlando, call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org   

Nov 15 at 7:30 pm -- An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson at the Dr. Phillips Center
In this evening with the brilliant Neil deGrasse Tyson entitled “An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies,” the friendly scientist ranges from Star Wars to Frozen with his entertaining ‘review’ of the science the movies got wrong … and sometimes right.” Born and raised in New York City, Tyson was educated in public schools eventually earning his BA in Physics from Harvard and his PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia. A VIP Meet & Greet is offered at a ticket up-charge. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Nov 16 at 7:30 pm – The Doobie Brothers at the Dr. Phillips Center
The Doobie Brothers have been delivering roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll for over four decades, selling more than 48 million albums and winning four GRAMMY Awards. Beginning with their multi-million-selling sophomore collection Toulouse Street (1972), the Doobies have 3 multi-platinum, 7 platinum and 14 Gold albums. Join them LIVE at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.5132014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Nov 16 at 7:30 pm – Billy Collins at the Winter Park Institute at Rollins  
Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003), and Senior Distinguished Fellow of the Winter Park Institute, will present a reading, “The Rain in Portugal” in the Tiedtke Concert Hall on November 16.  “Hometown bard” Billy Collins won the 2014 Norman Mailer Prize for Poetry and was recently inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. This event is FREE with premium seating available at $25. Call 407.691.1995 or visit Winterparkinstitute.org 

Nov 16 & 17 – Laura Hodos Cabaret at the Winter Park Playhouse
Another “feel-like-you’re-in-New York” entertainment option at The Winter Park Playhouse is their Cabaret Series where the charming Laura Hodos is the featured cabaret performer for November. A three-time Carbonell Award nominee, Laura is thrilled to be the first performer to create a solo cabaret show for Walt Disney World. Tickets are $20 with reservations strongly recommended. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

Nov 17 at 10 am – ‘Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.’
University Club member and OBSERVER columnist Chris Jepson reviews Hillbilly Elegy by R. D. Vance, a book that describes the author’s journey from an addiction-torn Appalachian family to Yale Law School. A provocative look at America’s oft-hidden white poverty, the talk is set for the University Club at 841 N. Park Ave in Winter Park. Free to members; a $5 donation is requested from guests. Call 407-644-6149. 

Nov 18 & 20 – Donizetti’s Don Pasquale by Opera Orlando 
Opera Orlando’s first full season opens with “Don Pasquale,” a delightful comedy, with the clever sub-head "Pride and Foolishness." This comedy from the 19th Century features Metropolitan Opera singer Peter Strummer and Dennis Jesse as Malatesta. David Margulis and Bridgette Gan play the young lovers. Laughter mixed with the beauty of Bel Canto from Opera's Golden Age is a great way to begin a Series. Call 844.513.2014. 

Nov 18 to Dec 18 – George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ at the Mad Cow Theatre 
Yes – this is the George Bernard Shaw play that gave us ‘My Fair Lady’ – this time performed as Shaw wrote it. Without the songs, we get to more clearly see Shaw’s observations on the British class system, gender stereotypes, and ‘middle-class morality.’ Shaw’s most popular play – that gave us Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle – is an entertaining Holiday treat from the elves at Mad Cow Theatre. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

November 19 & 20 at 2 pm – Arcadian Broad’s Beauty & the Beast
Presented by the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, the Orlando Ballet's Beauty & the Beast is a re-interpretation of the classic tale, illustrating the power of love through inventive choreography and a cast of mythic characters. With original music composed by Orlando’s own Arcadian Broad, young Mr. Broad literally made history as he created both the MUSIC and the CHOREOGRAPHY for this ‘highly recommended’ new ballet. Call 407.877.4736 x0. The Garden Theatre is at160 W Plant St in Winter Garden. 

Nov 20 at 12 noon – Singer Holly Sahmel in Free Program at Casa Feliz 
Local singer and educator Holly Sahmel returns to the Casa, joined by several friends, to sing and pay tribute to some of the most influential female artists of yesteryear. With a B.A. in Voice from USF, Ms. Sahmel teaches voice and piano, serves as an adjudicator for Vocal Festivals, and was recently a featured soloist in CFCArts' “Night on the Red Carpet.” The Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum is at 656 Park Avenue North in Winter Park. Visit casafeliz.us

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators