Florida Culture for the Week of October 15 by Josh Garrick

Now through October 20 – Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week

Named for our Number One Arts Philanthropist and renowned fashionista, Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week brings high fashion to Winter Park. Each fall, Winter Park is transformed into a fashionista’s paradise, complete with trunk shows, designer meet-and-greets, sales and parties hosted by Winter Park’s boutiques and salons. The grand finale is a champagne-enhanced runway show on October 20 at 7 pm as Central Park is transformed into fashion paradise featuring a 20,000-square-foot, air-conditioned tent with a runway and lounge area (modeled after New York Fashion Week’s Bryant Park) on the corner of Morse Boulevard and New York Avenue. Visit ParkAvenueFashionWeek.com

October 19, 20, and 21 – The Vampires are Havin’ a Ball!

The Orlando Ballet Company invites us to the Vampire's Ball, a back-by-popular-demand evening of Vampires, Ghouls (and sexy dancing) with tongue-in-cheek references to classical ballets and old-time vampire movies. Just in time for Halloween, and with a musical score ranging from Bach to Adele, these creatures of the night come to life on October 19, 20, and 21. The haunting performance is a brilliant full-length ballet with choreography by Orlando Ballet’s own Artistic Director Robert Hill. Grip your seat as you are ‘glamoured’ into craving more at the Bob Carr PAC. Visit OrlandoBallet.org

October 20 – Macy’s Millenia Presents We The Kings in Free Performance

Macy’s (the department store in Millenia Mall) invites you to a LIVE performance by We The Kings on October 20 at 2 pm. We The Kings, a pop-punk group from Bradenton, Florida hit the charts with their self-titled debut album (2007) that included the Platinum single Check Yes Juliet. The band's latest release Sunshine State of Mind (2011) features the MTV Music Award winner for Most Innovative Music Video of the Year for Say You Like Me. The band just completed a worldwide tour and has performed across the US as a main stage headliner on the Vans Warped Tour. Visit macys.com or call 305.577.6791

October 20 – Free “Star Spangled Birthday Concert”

The Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP) and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will celebrate their respective 10th and 20th seasons with a FREE outdoor concert on October 20 from 5 to 9 pm in Loch Haven Park. The celebration includes food trucks and an instrument petting zoo at 5 pm, entertainment by Mr. Richard & The Pound Hounds at 6 pm, and a 7 pm concert of patriotic music by the Orlando Philharmonic featuring The REP’s Power Chords. The concert is funded by Dr. Phillips Charities as a family-friendly, alcohol-free event with attendees encouraged to bring picnics and seating. Call 407.770.0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org/Birthday

October 20 to November 17 – A Year With Frog and Toad at Orlando Shakes

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater continues its Theater for Young Audiences Series with the whimsical tale A Year with Frog and Toad. Based on the books of Arnold Lobel, this musical adventure is recommended for families with children ages 4 and older. A Tony Award Nominee for Best Musical, Year celebrates the friendship between an always-optimistic Frog and a grumpy Toad. Their friendship flourishes, sending a heart-warming message to the whole family. A fun addition is that following each weekend performance, children have the opportunity to meet and get autographs with the cast. Orlando Shakes also offers weekday matinees for schools. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org. Performances are at the Shakespeare Center at 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park.

Nathan Sebens (Toad) and Brandon Alert (Frog) Photo by Betsy Dye.

October 24 and 25 – Christopher Leavy in Cabaret

Singer, pianist, music director, accompanist, vocal coach, and actor Christopher Leavy will present his cabaret They Don't Write 'Em Like That Anymore at the Winter Park Playhouse on October 24 and 25. Leavy, a performer and vocal coach at Disney World, now enjoys his tenure as resident Music Director at the Playhouse. Showtime is 7:30 pm and tickets are $20 and include a drink from the bar. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

October 25 – Electile Dysfunction with The Kinsey Sicks

Billboard calls them "one act that should not be missed,” and the San Francisco Chronicle says, "Their mangling of hit songs hits genius level.” This ultra-funny benefit performance for the Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival presents Electile Dysfunction: The Kinsey Sicks for President in their own (warped) version of a presidential campaign - all in glorious 4-part harmony. The performance is set for Tampa on October 25 at 8 pm at the Tampa Theatre – just blocks from the site of the recent convention. This performance is not appropriate for children. Call 813.274.8981, 813.417.1225 or visitTicketmaster.com

October 27 – Historic Places with Photographer Peter Schreyer

Travel to historic Florida sites along the ‘Yearling Trail’ with photographer Peter Schreyer while exploring architectural and cultural treasures in the communities immortalized by Florida writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. From 8 am to 6 pm on October 27, this photography workshop will provide a window on our region’s rich heritage. Photographic opportunities include natural landscapes, local landmarks, and interiors of historic buildings. Demonstrations and lunch are included. Call 407.671.1886

Oct 30 to Nov 4 – The Million $ Quartet

Inspired by the true story of an electrifying recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, the story was turned into a Broadway musical. On December 4, 1956, these four musicians were brought together by Sam Phillips in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life from October 30 to November 4 with its irresistible tale of broken promises, betrayals and timeless Number One hit songs. At the Bob Carr PAC. Call 800.448.6322 or visit OrlandoBroadway.com

October 30 -- Central Florida Guild of Organists Halloween SPOOKTACULAR

Rick Robinson is the Director of Music at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mt. Dora; he is their organist; and he is a bit of a showman. “We don’t just play in church and at funerals,” he says. “We play and have fun, too.”  That is exactly what he’ll be doing – along with 11 other Organists – as they present the FREE Guild of Organists Halloween Spooktacular on October 30 at 7 pm at the Chapel at the Towers on the 18th floor of Lutheran Towers at 300 East Church Street in Orlando. We can look forward to that Halloween perennial – the scary Toccata and Fugue in d minor by J.S. Bach, music from Star Wars, a little Adams Family and a whole lot more. The concert is free and the public is invited. A ‘Meet the Artists’ reception will conclude the evening. Visit dougspike.com/cfago/index.html or call 321-946-6518.

Looking Ahead – November 3 -- Orlando Science Center’s Neanderthal Ball

Time to ‘go huntin’ for your new Caveman Couture and step out in Paleolithic style as the Orlando Science Center welcomes you to the 6th Annual Neanderthal Ball on November 3. As the Science Center’s premier fundraising event, the Neanderthal Ball is also the wackiest (and most fun) Gala of the season. Visit osc.org or contact Kathy Lopus at [email protected]

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators