Florida Culture for the Week of October 31 by Josh Garrick

Free ‘Chat’ with the ADDAMS FAMILY
While that comically ghoulish Addams Family brings their award-winning Broadway show to the Bob Carr Theater this week, the Florida Theatrical Association invites us to get as up-close and personal as we dare with cast members from the show at a “chat-back” on Thursday, November 3 at the Orlando Repertory Theatre (1001 East Princeton Street). The Addams Family will be there to answer all our questions about the show and life as a performer in a show about the quirkiest family to ever be enshrined on Broadway. THE ADDAMS FAMILY is playing at the Bob Carr from November 1 to 6.  The ‘chat’ is FREE.  For tickets to the show, visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787

Icons of Art in Lake Eustis
The combined wisdom and technical mastery of Florida Artists Maury Hurt, Hal McIntosh and Bill Orr reflect their shared roots in the iconic Andre Smith’s Research Studio, established post WW I as a unique artists’ haven in Maitland, Florida. Those Artists will be celebrated in ALLEGORY ECHOES: HAL McINTOSH, MAURY HURT, BILL ORR at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art with an Opening on November 4, from 6 pm to 9 pm. The exhibit runs through December 4. The human-animal connection and evolution of life dominate Hurt’s magical, surreal paintings. McIntosh explores the natural world with an abstract/impressionistic touch that reveals the beauty in nature’s forms and colors. At 86, Bill Orr creates dramatic, nationally-celebrated paintings of Kentucky Derby-winning fillies and harness racers. The November 4 Opening is FREE to the Public. The Lake Eustis Museum of Art is at 200 B East Orange Avenue in Eustis, Florida. Call 352.483.2900 or visit LakeEustisMuseumofArt.org

Divisions by Hal McIntosh

Genghis Khan and Bill O'Donnel by Bill Orr

Galactic Family by Maury Hurt

Fall Fiesta in the Park
If you haven’t given yourself the opportunity to fully appreciate the magnificent renovation of the Lake Eola Fountain in Downtown Orlando, the Fall Fiesta in the Park offers an always beautiful stroll along our beautiful park along with more than 600 juried Artists in all media from ceramics to painting to hand-made clothing. This something-for-everyone-in-the-family event is set for November 5 and 6, and Festival promoters tell us to “come hungry” as the Fiesta offers a variety of food venues along with the Art and live entertainment. Admission is FREE. The main event is along Rosalind Avenue. Visit facebook.com/FiestaInThePark

Lake Eola Fountain

Signature Chefs Auction Recipe
Bring together top chefs from across Central Florida to showcase their culinary masterpieces. Mix in a generous sampling of fine wines and signature cocktails. Add in live entertainment and an auction of “one-of-a-kind packages,” and you have the recipe for the March of Dimes Signature Chef’s Auction. Celebrating Central Florida, the event raises important dollars for the March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. The event begins Thursday, November 10 at 6 pm with a tasting event after which guests are invited to bid on a variety of auction packages including fine dining, hotel/resort stays, weekend getaways, spa vacations and more. The event will take place at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939 Universal Blvd (near the new Convention Center) in Orlando. For tickets, visit marchofdimes.com/florida or call 407-599-5077 ext. 33

American Voices … AND the Philharmonic
This ‘epic concert’ has taken over two years to create, and the one-night-only performance will take place at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, November 12 at 8 pm.  The concert is a collaboration between the Orlando Philharmonic, the Zora Neale Hurston Festival, the Association to Preserve Eatonville, the “Negro Spiritual” Foundation, the Florida Opera Theatre, Composer Adolphus Hailstork, Librettist Elizabeth Van Dyke and Baritone James Brown III. All these talented people join forces to present a night of authentic American music, poetry and song honoring the legacy of author Zora Neale Hurston. The program features Adolphus Hailstork’s Celebration!, Frederick Delius’ Appalachia, Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, and culminates with the premiere of Hailstork’s new work, Zora! We’re Calling You. Visit orlandophil.org/american-voices or call 407.770.0071

Fundraiser for Community Leader Michael Wright
The Enzian Theater is host venue for “Save Ferris—Party with a Purpose,” a benefit fundraiser for Michael Wright, Co-Founder of the Golden Rule Foundation on Saturday, November 12 from 7 pm to 11 pm. Michael Wright, a Central Florida business and community leader who has dedicated his life to helping others, has been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis. Without extensive surgery, Michael’s disabling pain will continue and lead to paralysis. “Approximately 450,000 people live with Spinal Stenosis in the U.S.,” said Shanon Larimer, co-chair of the fundraiser. “This time it hits home.  Michael has been an integral part of shaping our community and now it’s time to give back by helping his personal cause.”  Tickets may be purchased at jwrightorlando[at]yahoo.com. Admission includes food, drinks a live auction and entertainment. For information, contact rachelwright[at]cfl.rr.com

Culture and Cocktails
Fine Art, cocktails, and Art-lovers make up the happy mix as the Associate Board of the Art & History Museums – Maitland invites us to Culture and Cocktails, the second Friday of every month event that kicks off on Friday, November 11 from 6 to 9 pm at the Maitland Art Center’s Germaine Marvel Building at 210 W. Packwood Avenue in Maitland. Guests are invited to an evening of art, music, poetry, food and fun as the Marvel Building is filled with the fine art photography of Yatin Patel.  In his collection, Patel reveals the ‘textures’ of India, evocative of its ancient society and complex civilization. The evening also features music by Gruda & Yoho, a 2-man band of guitars and beat-boxes. Big Wheel Provisions will be on hand with their popular Food Truck. Admission is $5, and includes one drink ticket. Call 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

Door by Yatin Patel

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators