Florida Culture for the Week of October 28: Halloween Edition, by Josh Garrick

Oct 29 – American Guild of Organists FREE SPOOKTACULAR Organ Concert

We’re invited to show off our costumes at an organ concert of Halloween thrills on October 29 beginning at 7 pm. The Central Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents 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 will follow. The concert is FREE; call 352.787.3192 for information.

Now through Oct 31 – Phantasmagoria IV – Hell Hath Risen

There could be no better way to spend Halloween than with the 4th installment of what has become an annual Halloween Celebration, this year titled Phantasmagoria IV – Hell Hath Risen— the best version so far. With the best written script, the finest acting and inspired choreography, this homage to Poe, Dickens, and other literary masters is under the inspired direction of John DiDonna, Kevin Becker & Seth Kubersky; with choreography by Mila Makarova & Dion Smith. Call 407.328.9005

Now through Nov 4 – Breakthrough Theatre Enters The Twilight Zone

The Breakthrough Theatre’s Halloween ‘offering’ is four episodes from the classic series The Twilight Zone through November 4. The episodes include Night Call; The Lonely (written by Rod Serling); Shadow Play; and The Living Doll. The terror is up-close and personal at the Breakthrough Theatre at 419 W. Fairbanks Ave in Winter Park. For reservations call 407-920-4034.

Now through Nov 10 – Dracula by Shakespeare and Company

Orlando Shakes invites us to experience the celebrated gothic thriller – Dracula – in a brilliantly acted one-man tour-de-force featuring John P. Keller portraying a dozen characters that can change instantly with the addition of a pair of glasses or a hat. Using Bram Stoker’s original text to create an intense performance of bloody thrills, Dracula’s inventive theatricality works its dark sorcery through November 10 … which includes Halloween night!  Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

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 will bring 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 30 – WELCOME National Airlines

Congratulations all around as we join with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Governor Rick Scott in welcoming National Airlines to their brand-new national headquarters in Orlando. A ribbon-cutting on October 30 will celebrate the official opening. National, a company with more than 250 employees, “thrives on opportunities to accept challenges that push their skills to the limit,” and have handled missions from military urgency to disaster emergencies for companies from General Motors to FEMA. Visit nationalairlines.aero/

Oct 30 and Nov 1, 2, and 3 – 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. Tickets are available for Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Oct 30; the James Knight Center in Miami on Nov 1; Hard Rock Live in Orlando on Nov 2; and the King Center in Melbourne on Nov 3. Visit 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 features history-making music from television commercials with performances on November 1 and 2 at 7:30 pm at the Church at 120 E. Pine Street in Orlando. Tickets $10; 16 and under admitted free. Purchase tickets online at cfcarts.com/after-these-messages/ or at the door.

Nov 2 – Party like a Caveman at the Science Center

Our favorite Gala evening returns when we ‘PARTY like a caveman’ at the Orlando Science Center’s Neanderthal Ball on November 2 beginning at 7 pm. Not only is this Gala filled with fun activities, it is an upscale dining experience featuring gourmet food from Cave Inn BBQ and Puff ‘n Stuff as well as Darden’s fine wines, Orlando Brewing, and Maxine’s on Shine. Examine real fossils, carve out your mark in the silent auction, and applaud the latest in prehistoric fashion in the Harriett Lake Caveman Couture Contest. Harriett Lake, Central Florida’s most generous philanthropist, not only sponsors the contest, she judges it. Proceeds benefit Orlando Science Center’s youth education programs – regardless of ability to pay — to experience the fun and discovery of Orlando Science Center. Call 407.514.2000 or visit osc.org/neanderthalball

Nov 2 and 3 – The Woman’s Club Antiques Show & Sale

Over 25 professional antique dealers will feature a variety of items including jewelry, collectibles, china, art, and more (entrance $5) as the Woman’s Club of Winter Park works to preserve their historic building, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Their Antiques Show & Sale will be held on November 2 from 9 am to 4 pm and November 3 from 11 am to 4 pm at 419 South Interlachen Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407-644-2237 or visit womansclubofwinterpark.com

Nov 4, 5, and 6 – We LOVE the CIRCUS

The all new, 2013 edition of the World’s Largest Circus Under the Big Top, continues the age-old tradition of entertaining American families when the Cole Brothers Circus of the Stars opens in Ocala on November 4 through 6. Hosted by the Ocala Shrine Club, patrons will see Hugo, the 2 year old baby elephant; motorcycles in the Globe of Death; Vicenta Pages with her 6 tigers; and the Human Cannonball shot 90 feet out of the world’s largest cannon. Call 888.332.5200 or visit gotothecircus.com

Nov 5 to April 13 – The Holy Art of Imperial Russia … in Winter Park

The Polasek Museum will present an extraordinary collection of Russian icons in an exhibit that explores sacred works from the 17th to early 20th centuries, the period in which Russia ‘opened up’ to Western influences. Over 50 images, including painted panels, carved items and pieces cast in brass and silver will be on view. For Orthodox Russians, icons were seen as powerful ‘guardians’ that could bring rain, ward off fires, and heal physical ailments. From the collection of Gary Hollingsworth, an art restorer who has collected religious art for the last 30 years, the exhibit runs through April 13, 2014. Visit Polasek.org

The Great Martyr Panteleimon c. 1908, Oil on gold on wood
 

Nov 6 – Jewish National Fund Honors Mayor Buddy Dyer

The Jewish National Fund (JNF) will host its annual Tree of Life Award Dinner at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on November 6 honoring Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.The prestigious award is given in recognition of outstanding community involvement, dedication to American-Israeli friendship, and devotion to peace. Orlando native Buddy Dyer has served Orlando’s residents since 2003, and he says, “The mission of JNF shares my vision in bringing life and prosperity to communities and regions that need support.” To RSVP, call 800.211.1502 or RSVPNorthFL[at]jnf.org or visit jnf.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators