Florida Culture for the Week of October 21 by Josh Garrick

October 23 – Emanuel Ax and Johannes Brahms

Emanuel Ax is, without a doubt, one of the great pianists of our time. This four-time guest artist with the Bach Festival Society will perform a program centered on the works of Brahms including his Piano Sonata No. 2 at the Tiedtke Concert Hall on the Rollins College Campus. Set for October 23 at 7:30 pm, call 407.646.2182 or visit bachfestivalflorida.org

Oct 24 & 25 – Christopher Leavy in Cabaret at the Winter Park Playhouse

Feels Like Home is a perfect title for the Cabaret performances by Christopher Leavy in his one man cabaret act set for October 24 & 25 at 7:30 pm. Having performed in over 35 musicals, dozens of cabarets, and as music arranger for the Playhouse’s original musical tributes for the past seven years, Leavy certainly “feels like home” at the Playhouse. Feels Like Home will offer songs from Broadway and film that inspired Christopher’s personal musical journey. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Oct 24 – From Christie's Auction House

Before the exhibit closes on October 27, A Passion for Collecting at the Orlando Museum of Art will present Christie's Michael Bass, who will discuss "What's Hot and What's Not" on October 24 at 1:30 pm. After the talk, Bass will lead the group in a gallery walk through the exhibit. Free with paid admission, call 407 896 4231 or visit omart.org

October 25 to November 17 – “Got ART?”

Sanford’s Gallery on First Artists will hold their 2013 Got Art? Holiday Extravaganza from October 25 through November 17 with an opening reception Oct 25 from 6 to 9 pm. Offering art objects (suitable for gift-giving), including jewelry, ornaments, mixed media pieces, sculptures and paintings, it’s good to arrive early for this selection of popularly priced works from the resident artists. Free and open to the public, Gallery on First is at 211 East First Street in Sanford. Call 407 323-2774 or visit galleryonfirst.com

October 25 – Mother-in-Law’s Day

Did you know that we actually have a Mother in Law's Day? Celebrated the 4th Sunday in October, it’s curious that the day should show up (coincidentally) one week before HALLOWEEN!  Draw your own conclusions; I’m just the reporter …

Oct 25 and 27 – OPERA in Orlando Thanks to the Philharmonic

Entering its 21st season, the Orlando Philharmonic will produce Rossini’s comic opera The Barber of Seville with performances on October 25 at 8 pm and October 27 at 2 pm. The Barber of Seville is funny even when you don’t understand Italian (there will be English translations above the stage) with a story that tells of how Figaro (the barber) helps the young Rosina escape an unwanted marriage to her elderly guardian, Dr. Bartolo while helping Count Almaviva win Rosina’s heart through a series of disguises. Everyone will recognize Figaro’s aria, Largo al factotum, one of the most popular in all of opera.  Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org/opera.

Oct 26 – The Winter Park Museum Hop

Proving once again that Winter Park is a treasure trove of art and cultural institutions, we are invited to take a guided tour of seven outstanding museum and art spaces on the Winter Park Museum Hop on October 26 beginning at 8:30 am. Tour stops include the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, Winter Park History Museum, Casa Feliz, the Polasek Museum, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Winter Park Public Library (home of the Sidewalk Art Festival Best of Show Collection), and The Alfond Inn Collection of Art. $20 includes bus transport, breakfast, lunch and snacks. Registration is required; call 407-623-3279

Oct 26 – Cows ‘n Cabs -- a Charity Culinary Festival

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits’ David Larue and celebrity chef John Rivers return with the 3rd edition of Cows ‘n Cabs, with its signature rustic theme. Inspired by local cuisine, and working to break the cycle of poverty in Central Florida, 100% of ticket sales benefit the Community Food & Outreach Center and Elevate Orlando. Along with top culinary talent, attendees enjoy live music; a photo booth; a game of “Wine Ring Toss” (where guests can win bottles of wine) and a silent auction. Admission is $110, and reservations are required. Visit cowsncabs.com or E-mail tina[at]cowsncabs.com

Oct 27 – Breakthrough Theatre’s Cabaret Series

Breakthrough Theatre’s new Cabaret Series will present The Songs of Stephen Schwartz in their ‘overflowing-with-talent’ format that brings together the voices of many Breakthrough ‘alumni.’ For one night only – October 27 – Josh Breece, Maria Cavanaugh, Emily Dykes, Krystal Gillette, Wade Hair, Lori Babson Jessup, Jon Jimenez, Babetta Popoff, Justin J. Scarlat, and Rachael West will perform their favorite Stephen Schwartz songs from classic Broadway and film titles including Godspell, Pippin, Wicked, Children of Eden, The Baker's Wife, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and others. Call 407-920-4034 for reservations.

Oct 29 – American Guild of Organists Free SPOOKTACULAR Organ Concert

We’re invited to get into costume and get a ‘preview’ of Halloween’s thrills on October 29 (beginning at 7 pm). The Central Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present the ‘Spooky’ aspects of the Trexler Memorial Organ in the Chapel on the 18th floor of the Lutheran Towers at 300 E. Church Street in Orlando. A reception, hosted by the Chapel, will follow. Call 352.787.3192 for information.

Oct 29 -- The Traveling One Show Heads Back To Orlando

The international One Show Awards are headed back to Central Florida with a special screening and gallery exhibition of the year's best in creative advertising from across the globe. The Traveling One Show Orlando will be held October 29 beginning at 5:30 with a ‘creative party’ with live Jazz, appetizers and a cash bar at The Orange Studio at 1121 Mills Avenue in Orlando. Featured guests will include One Show award-winners David Suarez, former UCF student from Oviedo, and Dan Gonzalez, former FSU student from Miami. Both won three gold and two silver awards for their work on Ragu. Register to attend at orlando.aiga.org or call 407-895-5360.

Oct 29 to Nov 10 – The Book of Mormon Knocks on Orlando’s Door

Having won the BEST MUSICAL Tony Award, NY Drama Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League Award, and the Grammy for BEST MUSICAL, 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. It’s still difficult to get tickets on Broadway, and now we can get our tickets right here in Orlando for performances at the Bob Carr. Get yours at Ticketmaster.com, Broadway box office at 100 South Eola Drive, the Amway Center Box Office, or by calling 1-800-982-2787.

Oct 29 & continuing – Lullaby and Goodnight – at the Morse Museum

On October 29 the Morse Museum in Winter Park will open an exhibit based on three author/illustrators noted for their early contributions to children’s literature. Lullaby and Goodnight—Children’s Literature from the Morse Collection shows how the whimsical prose of late 19th-century children’s literature had a grand plan “to instill beauty from the earliest years.” Kate Greenaway (1846–1901), Mary Dow Brine (1836–1925), and Eulalie Osgood Grover (1873–1958), members of the Aesthetic movement of the late 1800’s, sought to infuse all objects with beauty, thereby elevating the readers’ quality of life. Sounds good to me. Call 407.645.5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

‘Boy Holding Apple Pie,’ 1886 woodblock print from the Kate Greenaway book A Apple Pie.

Oct 30 and Nov 1 and 2 – So You Think You Can Dance … Dances Into Florida

So You Think You Can Dance, the 11-time Emmy Award-winning show that sparked America’s fascination with dance, is celebrating its landmark 10th season. As part of the celebration the season’s Top 10 finalists are dancing across America showing off their most popular routines as well as original pieces created for the tour. Dancers Aaron Turner, Amy Yakima, “Fik-Shun,” Hayley Erbert, Jasmine Harper, Jenna Johnson, Makenzie Dustman, Nico Greetham, Paul Karmiryan, and Tucker Knox recently earned SYTYCD seven 2013 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Tickets are available for Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Oct 30; the James Knight Center in Miami on Nov 1; and at Hard Rock Live in Orlando on Nov 2. Get your tickets at fox.com/dance.

Nov 1 and 2 – After These Messages... Music that Made Television History

If you remember that “Diamonds are forever” or understand the connection between a pint-sized Darth Vader and a Volkswagen, then this concert by Central Florida Community Arts is for you. Called After These Messages, the concert will feature history-making music from television commercials with performances on November 1 and 2 at 7:30 pm at the Baptist Church at 120 E. Pine Street in Orlando. Tickets are $10; children ages 16 and under are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased online at cfcarts.com/after-these-messages/ or at the door on the night of the performance.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators