Florida Culture for the Week of November 4 by Josh Garrick

Now through Nov 10 – The Book of Mormon Rings Orlando’s Bell

Having won the BEST MUSICAL Tony Award – and every other award you ever heard of – one might think this musical has brought us the ‘Rapture’ … if it weren’t for the blasphemy! The Book of Mormon features a book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, and it’s worth seeing just to see ORLANDO sung about as a teenager’s idea of ‘heaven.’ At the Bob Carr. Visit Ticketmaster.com or call 800-982-2787.

Now through Nov 10 – Jackie and Me at the Orlando Rep

In this play for young people, Joey Stoshack is assigned to write a paper about Jackie Robinson. Joey goes back to 1947 (by holding a magical baseball card), meets the legend in person, and sees Robinson’s determination during that time of segregation. The lessons learned forever change Joey’s definition of courage. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Now through Nov 23 – Orlando Shakes Introduces Young Audiences to Live Jazz

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater is introducing young audiences to jazz in the musical A Night in New Orleans: A Magic Tree House Adventure, with music by legendary Jazz composer Allen Toussaint. In performance through November 23, Magic Tree House follows Jack and Annie as they inspire the young Louis Armstrong to share his talent. Complete with live jazz band, call 407 447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org for tickets.

photo by Landon St. Gordon with actors Damian Barray (the young Louis Armstrong), Jeffrey Todd Parrott (Jack), and Sophie Bell (Annie)

November 8 to 10 – Playfest – A Festival of New Plays

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater will present its annual new play festival – PlayFest – from November 8 to 10 in a weekend featuring seven plays, panel discussions and a keynote speech from award-winning playwright and Pulitzer finalist, Lee Blessing. Several events – including the Blessing speech – are free. The new plays are ‘performed’ by local actors (with script in hand) and are all ‘works-in-progress.’ The Blessing speech is November 9 at 7 pm, and the Playwright’s Panel (also free) is November 10 at 2:15. Tickets to individual PlayFest readings are $5. Visit orlandoshakes.org for the complete schedule. Call 407.447.1700 for tickets.

Keynote Speaker Lee Blessing.

Nov 8 – Art & History Museums – Maitland Creates Culture Pop!

The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) have renamed their Culture & Cocktails series, and the revamped series is now called Culture Pop! In this new creation, “the Art comes off the walls” and pops up around campus, inviting guests to take part in art happenings while enjoying music by Performing Arts of Maitland. Maitland Poets and Writers will present literary readings, as guests are encouraged to extend their stay and enjoy food and wine pairings in A&H’s Courtyard, set up as a lounge for music and mingling. The Series begins November 8 at 7 pm. Call 407.539.2181 or visit artandhistory.org

Nov 8 and 9 – The 3rd Annual Electric Daisy Carnival

An eclectic group of DJs, from today’s most prominent talent to up-and-coming artists, will transform Tinker Field into a “multi-sensory carnival experience” on November 8 and 9. The Electric Daisy Carnival will feature performers on three stages with state-of-the-art theatrics, a ‘re-imagined’ green space, elaborate décor, roaming characters, dancers and performers, carnival rides, and art installations, all-the-while being immersed in sound. Produced by LA’s Insomniac, the musical performers will provide a remarkable soundtrack to accompany the spectacle taking over the festival grounds. Tickets at electricdaisycarnival.com/Orlando/

Nov 8, 9, and 10 – Lakeridge Winery's Holiday Open House

Lakeridge Winery will host its 23rd Annual Holiday Open House on November 8, 9, and 10, an outdoor event featuring live music, an arts and crafts show, and award-winning Lakeridge wines. The musical lineup includes two bands each day; food and beverage vendors serve a variety of treats; and the art show presents over 100 local artists – from painters to jewelers. Guests are invited to attend complimentary tours and tastings and to take advantage of the Wine Shop specials. Admission and parking is free. Visit lakeridgewinery.com or call 352-394-8627

Nov 9 – Orlando’s Finest Chefs Compete at HRC Food Festival

The HRC Cook Orlando Food Festival and Competition combines the fun of watching Florida’s finest chefs compete in a cooking competition with the opportunity to sample their culinary creations with signature cocktails. The event begins at noon on November 9 at the Lake Eola Farmer’s Market with participating restaurants as varied as Fresh, K Restaurant, Maxine’s on Shine, and The Rusty Spoon The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. Visit hrc.org/cookorlando

Nov 9 – ‘A Great Day in the Country’ – in Oviedo

This is the 40th Anniversary for a Great Day in the Country, a huge, family-oriented Arts and Crafts event hosted by the GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club. Along with 350 Arts & Crafts Booths, and Business and Community Booths, there is also entertainment provided throughout the day on 2 stages. There is a children's play area and – of course – food of all kinds. The annual talent show is held from 11 am to 1 pm, and the Arts and Crafts are judged with thousands of dollars in prize money. Located on the grounds of Lawton Elementary School in Oviedo, the event offers free admission, free parking, and a free shuttle. Visit GreatDayOviedo.org

Nov 9 and 10 – Bach Festival Choral Concert

The Bach Festival Society will present A Child of Our Time, by Sir Michael Tippett, in three performances on November 9 and 10. "The world turns on its dark side," the work proclaims, but it remains a work of hope. Presented in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht, other composers on the program include Stephen Paulus, John Williams, and Morton Gould. The works will be performed by the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra with Sharla Nafziger, soprano; Laura Pudwell, alto; Curtis Rayam, tenor; and Michael Dean, baritone. Performances take place at Rollins College in Winter Park. Call 407.646.2182 or visit bachfestivalflorida.org

Nov 11 – Science Center Sculpture to Honor Tuskegee Airmen

The Orlando Science Center (OSC) will erect the first monument in the nation to honor the Red Tail pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen on Veterans Day, November 11at 10 am in a ceremony immediately outside the OSC. The event will be attended by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and 12 surviving Red Tail pilots and their families and will include a flyover by a P-51 Mustang — the plane flown by Red Tail pilots during World War II — courtesy of Fantasy of Flight. To complement the festivities, the OSC will show the film Red Tails, a fictionalized portrayal of the pilots from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11. Call 407.514.2000 or visit osc.org/redtails

Nov 14 – Happy Hour to ‘Fight Hunger’

We can help fight hunger by joining the Winter Park Chamber for a happy hour at Winter Park Village featuring entertainment, drinks and appetizers provided by generous Winter Park Village restaurants. Ticket proceeds benefit Feed the Need Winter Park, a new – and necessary – community effort to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Last year Second Harvest distributed more than 36 million pounds of groceries (that’s 24 million meals) to the thousands of our neighbors who are still struggling to feed their children.  WE CAN HELP on November 14 beginning at 5:30 pm. Contact Ashley Ringler at 407-644-8281 or [email protected]

Nov 14 to Dec 29 -- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Orlando Rep

That shiny red nose leads the way to the Orlando Repertory Theater for the holiday season as all the memorable characters and songs from the classic television special remind us that ‘being different can be a good thing.’ Based on the animated TV special – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, directed and conceived by Jeff Frank, this holiday tradition speaks to all of us. Visit orlandorep.com or call 407.896.7365 

Nov 15 to 24 – Orlando Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees

All That Glitters is the theme of the 27th annual Festival of Trees, running from November 15 to 24. Each year the Council of 101 transforms the Orlando Museum of Art into a Holiday Wonderland, bringing thousands of people to the Museum. Generous and talented businesses, clubs, and designers sponsor trees, decorations and displays to be auctioned off, making this one of the Museum’s biggest fundraisers of the year. The Festival includes The Great (Gatsby) Gala on November 15, Senior's Day on November 19, and the Reindeer Romp on November 20. Call 407 896 4231 x254 or visit omart.org/programs/festival-trees
 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators