Florida Culture for the Week of October 20 By Josh Garrick

Now through Oct 26 – CANSTRUCTION at the Orlando Fashion Square

A remarkable demonstration of creativity from the architectural and engineering communities will also provide food for Central Floridians in need. Combine a team of architects, engineers, and contractors with 3,000 canned goods, and you have Canstruction – a competition where teams build ‘artworks’ from canned foods with the results on view this week at the Orlando Fashion Square Mall. All food products used in the designs will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which provides more than 70,000 meals a day for struggling families. Visit canstruction-orlando.org

Now through Nov 10 – Taste Your Way Around the World at Epcot

Take your family (and your taste-buds) on an adventure of food and wines at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival through November 10.  Each fall, Disney’s Epcot offers the flavors of 30 global marketplaces along with cooking demos, tastings, wine-pairings, and decadent desserts. Meet and talk with celebrity chefs as you sample, sip and learn. Then – each evening, visitors end their day with a live performance by chart topping bands – ranging from the Pointer Sisters to Smash Mouth. Visit disneyworld.disney.go.com

Florida Editor Josh Garrick meets with Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless at an Epcot Food & Wine event.

Oct 23 to Nov 22 – Orlando Shakes presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley

Young audiences are invited to a whirlwind, musical travelogue as Orlando Shakes opens its Fall Children’s Series with The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley through November 22. Based on the character created by Jeff Brown, Stanley Lambchop makes a wish to be as flat as a pancake… and his wish comes true! Stanley becomes the ultimate exchange student, teaching young audiences that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. A printable Flat Stanley is available at orlandoshakes.org.  Call 407.447.1700 x 1 or visit orlandoshakes.org.

Photo by Landon St. Gordon features Michael Sheehy as Flat Stanley, John DeLisa as Arthur, and Sarah Caroline Billings as Samantha.

Oct 24 to Nov 19 – High Fidelity, an Art Exhibit by James Cornetet

Orlando-based artist James Cornetet began his career as an architect, but his interest in the arts has resulted in his artwork earning recognition at international levels. Cornetet’s High Fidelity series represents the culmination of his skills as the images feature “butterflies at an unprecedented fidelity,” photographed by a custom CNC camera that enables him the ability to create the 1,000 mega-pixel images of these beloved insects. An Opening reception will be held October 24 beginning at 7 pm at Jai Gallery in downtown Orlando. RSVP by calling 407.921.0693 or by email to Coralie[at]jaigallery.net

Oct 24 to 26 – Fright and Fun at Spooky Empire’s Horror Convention

The Ultimate Horror Weekend at the DoubleTree at Universal Studios from October 24 to 26 will offer events including the iconic Zombie Walk (Oct 24 from noon to 5 pm) for a quick dose of the undead, a Costume and Cosplay Contest (Oct 26 at 4 pm) for cash prizes , live performances and celebrity appearances, and the Freak Show Film Fest culminating in The Freakys Red Carpet Awards (Oct 26 at 5 pm) In addition, more than 200 vendors will offer horror merchandise: art, movies, toys, props, action figures, comic books, fantasy swords, clothing, jewelry and more. Visit spookyempire.com

Oct 24 & 25 – CFC’s Cabaret Celebrates ‘The Golden Age of Musical Theater’

CFC’s Cabaret will revisit Broadway’s Golden Age – when iconic musicals such as Anything Goes, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, The King and I, and Oklahoma made their mark in musical-theater history. Directed by Donald Rupe, Golden Age will be performed on October 24 and 25 at 8 pm and October 26 at 7 pm at Central Christian Church at 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd in Orlando. Parking is behind the church. Tickets are $10 at the door. Call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcarts.com

Oct 25 – ‘Saddle up’ for the 4th Annual Cows 'n Cabs

Dust off those fancy Western boots and get-on-down to Winter Park's West Meadow on October 25 for the 4th Annual Cows ‘n Cabs to benefit the Community Food & Outreach Center. At this Western-themed event, guests may expect ‘fancy’ food, music and spirits from more than 18 of Central Florida's top restaurants including 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Kres, and K Restaurant, alongside newcomers such as Soco and P is for Pie Bakeshop. You can guess about the cows; the cabs are cabernets. Visit cowsncabs.com

Oct 25 – Mr. Richard and the Pound Hounds

Orlando’s favorite ‘rock band for children’ will rock out at the Orlando Repertory Theater for some Halloween fun. With sing-along tunes about fish, skunks, snakes, and Halloween, Mr. Richard & The Pound Hounds play great music for hip kids, who can preview their costumes by wearing them to the concert. Tickets are $5.  Call 407.896.7365 or visit Orlandorep.com

Oct 25 – The 13th Annual College Park JazzFest

The Annual College Park Jazz Fest is a Street party along 6 blocks of Edgewater Drive in College Park’s Main Street District. On October 25 beginning at 6 pm, JazzFest will present 10 bands on 3 stages featuring Miss Jackie Jones; 80’s pop star Tiffany; and Sisaundra Lewis, Top 10 contender on The Voice. Other entertainers include Dr. Otto Jazz Band, Bill Allred All-Stars, Dave Capp Project and more. Presented by College Park Partnership, a $5 donation is suggested. Call 407.579.0023 or visit collegeparkpartnership.com

Oct 25 – Double the Orchestras at Mead Garden

In a rare opportunity to enjoy our cooler weather while listening to TWO Orchestras performing classical music, the Florida Young Artists Orchestra and the Maitland Symphony Orchestra will each perform on October 25.  Both concerts are FREE – and family-friendly – and will be performed at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park – at 5:30 and 7:30 pm. Call 321.303.1404 or visit PAMaitland.org

Oct 25 – Festival Singers ‘Open Our Eyes’ with FREE Concert

The Festival Singers of Florida will open their 7th season on October 25 at 7:30 pm with a concert entitled Open Our Eyes. Featuring works by contemporary composers, the FREE concert will be presented at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church. Works by composers Moira Smiley, Michael Engelhardt, Philip Silvey, Ola Gjeilo, and Troy Robertson will be performed along with Swahili and Zulu songs from the group’s recent concert tour with the Nairobi Chamber Choir in Kenya. Artistic Director Dr. Kevin Fenton will conduct. Visit fsof.org

Oct 25 to Nov 1 – Park Avenue FASHION Week

Winter Park’s Park Avenue FASHION Week offers an unparalleled series of events and trunk shows concluding with the PAFW Runway Show as the biggest fashion event of the year. A 20,000 square foot, air-conditioned tent is placed in Central Park with a runway and lounge area for VIP guests. PAFW’s Runway Show takes place on November 1 with an ‘Interactive Red Carpet’ encouraging guests to disclose “who are you wearing?”; the announcement of the winner of the Emerging Designer Competition; and a check presented to the Foundation for Foster Children. Call 772.222.7614 or visit parkavenuefashionweek.com

Oct 25 & 26 – The Central Florida ZOO BOO Bash

The kids will love trick-or-treating in the ‘wildest neighborhood’ in town during ZOO Boo Bash at the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford. It's a safe, fun, and not-too-scary event where kids in costume can fill their goody-bags at the Zoo’s trick or treat stations. No costume - no problem; the Zoo’s face painter will help you out. A Costume Contest will be held at 1 pm each day. Event included in general Zoo admission. Call 407.323.4450 ext 100

Oct 28 – The Front Porch Partnership - Kenneth Murrah and Fairolyn Livingston

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce will launch the Front Porch Partnership, a group of institutions committed to discussions around issues such as growth, urban planning, healthy communities, sustainability, historic preservation and more in a non-political environment. The 1st Talk will be held on October 28, at 12 noon at Casa Feliz with Kenneth Murrah and Fairolyn Livingston reflecting on moments in Winter Park’s history “when the community wrestled with tough decisions that are applicable today.” Call 407.644.8281 or visit winterpark.org/content

Oct 28 – The American Guild of Organists presents Free Organ Spooktacular

The 5-manual-Trexler-Ruffatti-Beast (Organ) LIVES at Lutheran Towers at 300 E. Church Street in Orlando where the annual Organ Spooktacular will take place on October 28 at 7 pm. Featuring American Guild of Organists musicians and student scholarship winners, music from Phantom of the Opera will find Ben Lane on the organ with tenor John Murray. A silent film starring Buster Keaton will be accompanied by Dr. William Picher along with other bone-chilling musical experiences. The event is FREE, costumes are encouraged, and the public is welcome. Email clavier[at]cfl.rr.com

Oct 29 – Taverna Opa Celebrates 7th Anniversary Fundraiser

On October 29 our favorite Greek restaurant – Taverna Opa – will be transformed into a haunted house featuring belly dancers, contortionists, magicians, and casino games for the Lucky 7 Haunted Casino charity event. Complimentary cocktails by EG Spirits and Opa cuisine will be served with all funds generated from the suggested $7 door donation and silent auction benefitting Give Kids The World. Visit opaorlando.com and/or RSVP to eatgreek[at]opaorlando.com

Oct 31 – Feed the Need Kick-Off with Mayor Bradley

Join Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley, Rollins College President Craig McAllaster, and Winter Park Chamber of Commerce President Patrick Chapin as the community launches Feed the Need Winter Park, a community-wide effort to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. The event will recognize sponsors and the individuals, businesses and organizations that have committed to raising $500 for the cause. Set for October 31 at 10 am at Winter Park’s City Hall, the kick-off will also feature a can-stacking competition between the Winter Park Police and Fire-Rescue Departments. Interested in becoming a Community Champion?  Call Ashley Ringler at 407-644-8281 or visit feedtheneedwp.org

And looking ahead …

Nov 1 – The Neanderthal Ball to Benefit the Science Center

It’s time to ‘go huntin’ for your new Caveman Couture and step out in Paleolithic style as the Orlando Science Center welcomes you to the 7th Annual Neanderthal Ball. As the Science Center’s premier fundraising event, the Ball is also the wackiest (and most fun) Gala of the season. It may be held in a Museum, but there is nothing ‘stuffy’ about the coolest event this side of the Ice Age! It’s a benefit for children’s programming at the Science Center, AND it’s an upscale dining event with gourmet food selections, themed music, and silent auction items. Visit osc.org

Orlando Science Center President JoAnn Newman, Fl Editor Josh Garrick, and Wendy Wallenberg go Neolithic for the Neanderthal Ball

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators