Florida Culture for the Week of November 5 by Josh Garrick

November 8 to Dec. 15 – The World Premiere of Steppin’ Out with Irving Berlin

10 years ago Winter Park Playhouse Artistic Director Roy Alan created an evening in honor of Fred Astaire that was so successful that it was brought back to the stage a few years later. Now Roy Alan will be joined by mega-talents Chris Leavy and Todd Allen Long to create a show in celebration of the life and career of Irving Berlin. This new song and dance tribute will feature songs including Blue Skies, Puttin' on the Ritz, and Steppin' Out With My Baby in World Premiere performances from November 8 to December 15. The Playhouse is at 711 Orange Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

November 9 and 11 – Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro

The Orlando Philharmonic has done an extraordinary job of creating brilliantly sung opera performances with the Orchestra on the stage. On November 9 and 11, the Philharmonic will present Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro featuring singers who have performed with the world’s most renowned opera companies. This ‘perfect’ opera is filled with seduction, lust, infidelity, love and forgiveness – woven together with some of the most beautiful music ever written. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, the opera will be performed at the Bob Carr PAC.  Call 407.770.0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

November 9 – Greece in Photographs with Josh Garrick            

I invite you to a ‘One Night Only Exhibit’ of my Photography on Friday, November 9 from 6 pm to 9 pm. Honored to begin the new season of Culture & Cocktails at A&H Museums – Maitland, my exhibit is called From Both Sides Now – the Treasures of Greece.  Recently I was blessed with unprecedented access to the Parthenon and the new Acropolis Museum, and I’ve prepared an exhibit that pays homage to the greatness of Greece’s heritage while also showing the Athens of TODAY.  There will be art, music, food truck fare, poetry readings, and the unveiling of a new work to enter the Permanent Collection of A&H - Maitland. Call 407.522.3906 or visit artandhistory.org/?page_id=146

November 9, 10, and 11 – Lakeridge Winery Hosts Holiday Open House

Lakeridge Winery in Clermont will host its annual three-day Holiday Open House with live music, arts & craft, and award-winning Lakeridge Wines on November 9, 10, and 11. The musical lineup includes two bands each day along with solo performances on Saturday and Sunday afternoon in the Hospitality Cellar. There will be food and beverage vendors, along with complimentary winery tours and tastings, where guests have the opportunity to see the fermentation tanks and bottling equipment. Admission and parking are free. Call 352.394.8627 or visit lakeridgewinery.com for the complete schedule.

November 10 to 18 -- Orlando Museum of Art’s 26th annual Festival of Trees

The very best way to get into the true Holiday Spirit is a visit to the Annual Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art.  The year’s theme – Once Upon A Time … A Fairy Tale Festival – from November 10 to 18 – transforms the Museum into a Holiday Wonderland. The Festival, a major fundraiser for the Museum, brings thousands of visitors each year to marvel at (and bid on) the dozens of ‘sponsor trees,’ decorations, and displays as this year’s theme incorporates favorite fairy tales into the décor. We can delight in The Enchanted Boutique, Fairy Tale Toyland, and the Gingerbread Village shopping areas. Special days include Senior's Day: November 14th (10 am to 5 pm); Peter Pans PJ Party: November 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm; and the Holiday Stroll on November 16.  In addition, the Festival offers daily entertainment. Call 407 896 4231 x254 or e-mail councilof101[at]aol.com

November 10 – Complete Beethoven Sonatas to be Performed

Critically acclaimed since his debut recital (at age 12) in his native city of Montevideo, Uruguay, Leonidas Lipovetsky will perform the first in a series of the complete Beethoven Sonatas in performance on November 10.  Presented by the Florida International Piano Competition (of Orlando), Lipovetsky has performed with major orchestras throughout the world. He has recorded for the BBC, Radio Moscow, and PBS. He was the first recipient of the Van Cliburn Scholarship and taught Piano at Florida State University until his recent retirement. The concert, which will include BOTH the Pathetique and the Waldstein sonatas, will take place at the Shakespeare Center at 812 E. Rollins Street in Orlando. Call 407-447-1700 or visit floridapiano.org

November 11 – The Winter Park Concours d’Elegance

This decidedly ‘elegant’ car show has risen in notoriety to become one of the most highly-regarded exotic car shows in the United States. Staged in a setting of Winter Park elegance, six blocks of Park Avenue are closed to traffic to welcome over 120 of the world’s most prestigious automobiles.  Tents of patrons line the tree-shaded avenue showcasing products and services as nationally-recognized judges spend the day examining each show car until the award winners are determined. Then it’s off to the Awards Dinner. Visit winterparkconcours.com

November 17 -- Grammy Winning Pianist with the Orlando Philharmonic

Grammy Award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman will join the Orlando Philharmonic for a performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, under the direction of Maestro Christopher Wilkins. Bronfman, who has wowed critics and audiences worldwide with his recitals, orchestra engagements, and recordings, “… can seemingly play anything,” said the New York Times. The Soviet-born pianist immigrated to Israel in 1973, and studied at Juilliard, Marlboro and the Curtis Institute. Nominated for a Grammy in 2009, he WON the Grammy Award in 1997.  The November 17 at 8 pm concert also features Elgar’s Enigma Variations and will open with the World Premiere of Into Light, a new work by Composer Stella Sung, honoring longtime Orlando Philharmonic supporters Lynn and Charles Steinmetz. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators