Florida Culture for the Week of October 16 – with – ‘Your Halloween Special’ By Josh Garrick 

October – Orlando is Halloween ‘Capital’ of the World
Halloween comes early to Orlando, and this year its name was MATTHEW.  But the good spirits were with us, and MATTHEW came and went from Orlando, leaving us with plenty of time to change our name (briefly) from "theme park capital of the world", to "Halloween capital of the world.”  There are still 80 Halloween theme event nights left to celebrate ‘All Hallow’s Eve’ ranging from ‘extreme scares’ for adults and teens to ‘not-so-scary-fright-nights’ for the whole family.  Listed below are the google names for each event.  Please check your computer listing for specific dates and details: 

Events for the Whole Family: 
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - select nights through October.
SeaWorld's Halloween ‘Spooktacular' – select days in October. 
LEGOLAND Florida Brick or Treat – weekends in October. 
Central Florida Zoo's Boo Bash – October 22, 23, 29 & 30
Double the ‘Spookiness’ at the Breakthrough Theatre – select nights through October 24 

Very Scary Nights for Teens and Adults: 
Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights – select nights through October.
Phantasmagoria VII: The Cards They Are Dealt – see below
A Petrified Forest – select nights through October 29

October 18 – Morse Museum Begins 75th Anniversary with FREE DAY
The Morse Museum is world-renowned for its peerless collection of masterworks by Louis Comfort Tiffany.  In Celebrating 75 Years, a new exhibit opening with a FREE-to-the-Public-Day – ALL DAY – October 18, the Morse presents 70 art objects that illustrate the breadth of the collection assembled by Jeannette and Hugh McKean. At a media preview on Thursday, the personable Director Laurence Ruggiero, shared a moving tribute to the Museum’s founding values: a belief that art improves lives, a passion for educating, and a respect for all artists.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  Call 407.645.5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

October 18 at 7:30 pm – Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is a genre-busting, rotating collective of musicians and vocalists that re-imagines modern pop hits in the style of jazz, ragtime, and swing classics of the 1920s to 1950s. An act that crosses all musical boundaries and generations, Postmodern Jukebox has developed a niche all its own – a must-see for anyone who loves innovative live performance. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

NOW to October 24 – Double the ‘Spookiness’ at the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park 
The Breakthrough Theatre will present TWO versions of "A Spooky Night at the Breakthrough,” an evening of Halloween shorts by local playwrights, with two completely different shows. One is for a mature audience and the second is family-friendly. Dates, casts, and shows vary so please call 407.920.4034 to be sure you are ordering the show of your choice. Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com/tickets

Pictured: Sophia Beil, Tyler Kreusch, Matthew Huff, Xoe Leach, and Spencer Griffith

NOW to October 31 – Phantasmagoria VII: The Cards They Are Dealt
PHANTASMAGORIA is a troupe of ‘Steampunk Survivors’ more dangerous than a band of gypsies, and they are joined by dancers, soldiers, puppeteers, and fire-breathers as they embark on new journeys through the dark tales of Poe, Wilde, M.R. James and others. Trick or treat yourself to the all new PHANTASMAGORIA VII " at the Shakespeare Center. OMG – the October 31 performance is the Troupe’s 100th Main-stage show!!!  DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU.  For tickets – visit orlandoatplay.com 

NOW to Nov 13 – ‘Rock the Presidents’ at Orlando Rep 
Orlando Rep’s new show is a rock, hip-hop, blues, pop, jazz, reggae, and country musical spanning the history of the American Presidency – from Washington to Obama. The Presidents are brought to life through songs including a way for audiences of all ages to learn something about our nation’s history. Parental Age-Appropriate Note: Lincoln’s legacy and Kennedy’s assassination are included with songs that contain the words ‘pistol’ and ‘bullets.’ Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

NOW to Nov 13 -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Orlando Shakes
The Orlando Shakespeare Theatre will present the Jekyll/Hyde story by Robert Louis Stevenson through All Hollow’s Eve. Frustrated by dull respectability in Victorian London, Dr. Jekyll creates a potion to unleash his inner nature. The potion transforms Dr. Jekyll into the brutish Edward Hyde who lives the ‘high life,’ but leads to murder. Fascinating and deviant, the play captivates audiences who experience the play’s moral lesson while watching the lead actor transform before them. For tickets, call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org  

Oct 21 to Nov 6 – CFCArts’ Metamorphoses
A shallow pool serves as the primary scenic element of Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of the classical myths as recorded by the Roman poet Ovid (43 BC – 17 AD). ‘Metamorphoses’ harkens back to the origins of theater using an ensemble of actors to retell ancient stories of gods and goddesses. Performed on Broadway and around the world, the CFCArts Theatre Program will present Metamorphoses in their ‘Blackbox’ Theatre at 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd in Orlando. Call 407.937.1800 ext.710 or visit cfcarts.com/metamorphoses

Oct 21 to Nov 6 – ‘Glass Menagerie’ at the Garden Theatre 
‘The Glass Menagerie’ is the play that took its author – Tennessee Williams, from obscurity to fame. The man, who would eventually be considered by many to be America’s greatest playwright, based the play on his psychologically damaged mother, his sister, and himself. Premiered in Chicago in 1944, the play moved to Broadway where it won the Drama Critics Circle Award in 1945. In this production, directed by Beth Marshall, the autobiographical role of Tom will be played by Anthony Pyatt Jr. Call 407.877.4736 or visit BethMarshallPresents.com

October 21 to Nov 20 – ‘The God Game’ at Mad Cow 
When running for political office in the US of A, the Public knows or can learn anything about a candidate from his/her work-out routine to religious beliefs. SO – what if your candidate is an atheist? Now, in the final weeks of the Presidential election, playwright Suzanne Bradbeer poses this question in ‘The God Game’ in performance at the Mad Cow Theatre. Bradbeer presents this test of American politics while exploring the limits of truth, ambition, and faith as her witty dialogue induces laughter and sadness. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

October 22 at 2 pm & 8 pm -- Orlando Philharmonic -- "The Great American Songbook,"
Audience favorite Albert George Schram conducts the Orlando Philharmonic as Christiane Noll and Doug LaBrecque supply the vocals from "The Great American Songbook.” Performing some of the most popular and enduring songs from the 1920s to the 1950s the audience is invited to luxuriate in classics by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, and others.  Performances at 2 pm and 8 pm are at the Bop Carr Theater. Due to road construction, please give yourself extra time for parking.Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

October 22 – Cows n Cabs – Cowboy Cuisine & Fine Wines 
Four Rivers Master Chef John Rivers knows fundraisers. When he joined with David Larue of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits to create a ‘new’ fundraiser they wanted the opposite of the tux and tie group. Switching to cowboy gear and Cabernets, Rivers and Larue created the now-annual Cows ‘n Cabs returning for its 6th year on October 22. Featuring cuisine from more than 20 of Florida’s top restaurants, the event benefits the ‘Community Food and Outreach Center’ and ‘Elevate Orlando.’ At Winter Park’s West Meadow, the admission is $110. Visit cowsncabs.com.

October 22 – Ballroom Dance Competition Supports Children in Foster Care 
Community Based Care of Central Florida (CBCCF), the agency overseeing child welfare services in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, will host its annual ‘Dance, Dream & Inspire Ballroom Fundraiser’ to benefit child victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Including foster care, adoption, mentoring and family empowerment, more than 3,000 children and their families are in CBCCF’s care – every day. At Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando, tickets are $23 to $125. Call 321.441.2322 or visit DanceDreamInspire.com

Oct 25 at 7 pm – Central Florida Guild of Organists ‘Halloween SPOOKTACULAR’
Organists sometimes play just for fun, and that is exactly what 11 organists will do as they present the annual FREE Guild of Organists Halloween Spooktacular at the Chapel on the 18th floor of Lutheran Towers at 300 East Church Street in Orlando. And there’s more. Spirits tell me this year an extraordinary Halloween treat will be offered to a lucky organ student attending the concert. Visit cfago.org

October 26 – Capital Grille Invites Us to ‘Year of the Steak’ at 2nd Harvest Food Bank 
Executive Chef of Capital Grille Michael LaDuke will present a magnificent 5-course menu celebrating the "Year of the Steak" at 2nd Harvest Food Bank with proceeds benefitting 2nd Harvest’s Culinary Training Program. The program provides the formerly unemployed with skills to obtain a position in food service. Capital Grille serves nationally renowned dry-aged steaks, and for this event, Chef Michael brings that renown to the Community Kitchen to raise funds for two great causes. Tickets are $125. Call 407.514.1048 or email ljarvis[at]feedhopenow.org 

October 28, 29 & 30 – Orlando Ballet’s DRACULA 
The Orlando Ballet always has fun with Halloween, and choreographer Michael Pink’s celebrated ballet DRACULA combines the horror of Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 story with dramatic choreography, theatrical sets, and a colorful score by Philip Feeney. THIS familiar story of seduction and transformation is on pointe and as expressive as a silent movie. Consider it an invitation you cannot refuse. Call 844.513.2014 or by visit drphillipscenter.org

October 29 beginning at 6:30 pm – “Masterpiece Moments at Mead” 
Bring your lawn chairs and picnic dinners to Mead Botanical Garden to enjoy Performing Arts of Maitland’s premiere event “Masterpiece Moments at Mead,” at 1500 S. Denning Dr. in Winter Park. Now in its’ 4th year, this FREE concert offers music of many styles in a beautiful outdoor setting. This family, community, and “date night” event presents the Baroque Chamber Orchestra at 6:30 PM followed by the Maitland Symphony at 7:30 PM. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Winter Park and Lykes Insurance, call 321-303-1404 for more information.  

October 30 at 8 pm – Magic Men LIVE at the Bob Carr 
“Magic Men LIVE” invites ladies to let loose in a fun-filled environment for a night with thrilling production numbers and sexy choreography set to the hottest music. This ‘sophisticated approach’ to ‘ladies night’ offers an exciting cabaret show filled with comedy, sexy dancing, audience participation, and serious muscle. The experience is enhanced with state of the art lighting and sound to captivate women of all ages. Call 844.513.2014. Contains adult material(Age 18 and up) 

In spite of Matthew … 

GARTH BROOKS -- Hurricane Matthew may have pushed us around some, but it was Garth Brooks that captivated the hearts of his adoring fans at Orlando’s Amway Center. Ensuring guest safety, two of Garth Brooks’ four shows (Oct 6 & 7) were rescheduled, condensing the 4-day schedule into two days. ‘King Garth’ stepped on to the stage and delivered four legendary concerts that blew Matthew further out into the Atlantic. Following an 18-year absence from Orlando, the number one-selling solo artist in US history overtook three Amway Center top spots including highest paid single-show attendance, highest paid multi-show attendance and highest grossing concession sales. Brooks also moved into place as the second highest grossing concert at Amway Center.  That, Mr. Brooks, is “Orlando Strong.” 

DR. PHILLIPS PHILANTHROPY -- On October 14, Chicago’s ‘Second City’ Comedy Troupe came to the Dr. Phillips Center to celebrate 55 years of satire with a show of comedy sketches and improvs about Orlando. Not only were we treated to la crème de la crème of contemporary comedy, but we were able to see REAL PHILANTHROPY in action. The two-performance event was sponsored by Kathie and Bill Hohns, and it happened that October 14 was Bill Hohns’ birthday.  The Hohns are among the finest of philanthropists.  They don’t just give money; they involve themselves in HOW that money can make lives better. Kathie and Bill designated that their support of 2nd City should include a week of workshops from the Troupe with 19 fortunate young people from Central Florida – and then those 19 Central Floridians earned the amazing experience of using what they learned with some “on-stage time” to wonderful applause. After ‘thank yous’ all round, and a beautiful 7-part-harmony ‘Happy Bday’ sung to Bill, Kathy Ramsberger stepped up to remind the ‘students’, their Mothers and Fathers, and the Hohns that this kind of giving allows our beautiful Dr. Phillips Center to live up to its motto of, “Art for All People.”  Happy Birthday, Bill Hohns, and THANK YOU for showing us “how it’s done.” 

 

HORATIO ALGER ASSOCIATION – October 15 was another extraordinary evening at the Doctor Phillips Center as ‘AMOUR-Three Voices from Broadway to the Stars’ introduced many of us to three of the most beautiful voices we ever heard perform live. Mario Frangoulis, George Perris, Deborah Myers and our own Orlando Philharmonic led by Eric Jacobsen presented a performance filmed LIVE for broadcast on PBS. The evening was created by the Horatio Alger Association; a scholarship organization which Host Harvey Massey announced had raised $250,000 for Central Florida students.  Hosts Clarence Otis, Jr. and James Seneff, Jr. added that the Association awards 2000 scholarships annually, and a total of $125 million has been awarded since 1984. Should you wish to donate, please visit horatioalger.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators