Florida Culture for the Week of October 22 by Josh Garrick

Now through October 28 – Legally Blonde: The Musical in Winter Garden

There is only one weekend left to enjoy the musical fun that only a Harvard-bound homecoming queen can provide. Produced by the innovative TheatreWorks Florida, Legally Blonde has performances on October 26, 27, and 28 at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. This is the Central Florida Regional Premiere of Legally Blonde: The Musical and our pretty-in-pink homecoming queen has beauty, brains, and a Chihuahua named Bruiser - this girl has it all. It’s the most fun you can have and still be legal.  Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Now through January 6 – Highlights of Morse Museum’s Season

The new exhibit at the Morse Museum features a recent gift, an Orientalist painting by Lockwood de Forest. De Forest’s oil painting The Wreck (1880) is a large Saharan landscape which is accompanied by oil studies of other desert scenes and explanatory wall panels. In addition, the Museum will update Secrets of Tiffany Glassmaking, a popular exhibit that explains the techniques and processes Louis Comfort Tiffany’s designers and artisans used to create blown-glass vases, leaded-glass windows and lamps. Public programs will include free admission, live music, and more during Friday Nights at the Morse through April. Visit morsemuseum.org

The Wreck, 1880 oil painting by Lockwood de Forest

October 26 – Art Walk in Historic Downtown Sanford

There are two days in the month that ALL Florida Art-Lovers should keep in mind.  They are Third Thursday in Orlando and Fourth Friday in Sanford.  On those days multiple venues in Orlando and Sanford’s downtown districts showcase artistic talent – both local and visiting artists. The events are free and run from 6 to 9 pm. This Friday – October 26 – is Sanford’s Art Walk … including 9 Galleries. All venues are within walking distance of one another and will be open late. Downtown Sanford is pedestrian-friendly and enhanced by live music and award-winning restaurants, all just blocks from the scenic RiverWalk along the St. Johns River. Visit sanfordartwalk.com or call 407.323.2774

October 27 and 28 -- Bach Festival Features Visiting Composers

The opening program of the 2012 Bach Festival Society Choral Masterworks series will present music by six contemporary composers who represent the most accomplished choral and orchestra composers working today. Three of the six composers will be present at the performances including pre-concert talks for the public. The performances will take place on October 27 at 7:30 pm (talk at 6:15) and October 28 at 3 pm (talk at 1:45) at the Chapel on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park. Call 407.646.2182 or visit BachFestivalFlorida.org

November 3 – National Symphony of CUBA in AMERICAN DEBUT 

Perhaps the most important – and historic – orchestral performance of the season will take place in Daytona Beach on November 3 when the National Symphony of CUBA makes its American debut – right here in Central Florida. And the auspicious occasion is made even more important as the Orchestra presents a blockbuster program that includes pianist Nachito Herrera performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue followed by Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. In this not-to-be-missed performance, an Orchestra that could not travel to the United States a few years ago opens the Daytona Beach Symphony Society’s 61st season with a glorious program that honors a great American composer and the world’s greatest composer in the same evening. Call 386.253.2901 or visit dbss.org.

Oct 30 to Nov 4 – The Million $ Quartet

Inspired by the true story of a once-in-a-lifetime 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 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 not only the Director of Music at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mt. Dora, he is also their organist and a bit of a showman. “We don’t just play in church,” 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. The program includes that Halloween perennial – the Toccata and Fugue by 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

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. 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 or contact Kathy Lopus at [email protected]

November 4 – Brooklyn Rider Quartet Returns to Central Florida

The Bach Festival Society will bring the renowned string quartet Brooklyn Rider to Central Florida for a residency reaching over 3000 Orange County Public School children. Known for its creative programming, the Quartet is devoted to the interpretation of existing literature and to the creation of new works, including a newly commissioned work by jazz pianist and composer Vijay Iyer.  The new work will be part of the Quartet’s public Performance on Sunday, November 4 at 3 pm at the Tiedtke Concert Hall on the Rollins College campus. Call 407.646.2182 or visit BachFestivalFlorida.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators