Florida Culture for the Week of October 6 By Josh Garrick

Now through Nov 9 – Click, Clack, BOO! at Orlando Rep

It’s Halloween, and Duck, Pig, Cow, and Hen cannot wait to throw a party, complete with apple-bobbing, candy bowls, and a spook-tacular costume contest – against Farmer Brown’s wishes! Based on the book by Doreen Cronin and Betsey Lewink, Farmer Brown is afraid of Halloween, but the barnyard crew save the day as they show Farmer Brown that “a little scare can be big fun” in this new musical. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

 

 

 

Oct 9 -- The Orlando Museum of Art Announces Major Gift

The Orlando Museum of Art is honored to announce the single largest gift of art to be received by the institution in its history. Bequeathed to the Museum by renowned fashion illustrator J. Hyde Crawford, the gift consists of nine (9) post-1945 works of art which will be exhibited in the newly created J. Hyde Crawford and Anthony Tortora Gallery. The gallery will be dedicated on October 9 during the 30th Anniversary Gala of the Museum’s Acquisition Trust. The collection of nine paintings is valued at $8,300,000.  Visit omart.org

 

Bread and Circuses  1984 by Robert Motherwell Collage and acrylic on masonite, 42”x 28”

 

Oct 9 to 12 – The Southern Women’s Show

The Southern Women's Show offers shopping, prizes, celebrity guests, fashion shows, Taste of Home cooking classes, and speakers on everything from beauty to home décor. The show is a ‘pampered experience’ at the Orange County Convention Center from October 9 to 12. This year, guests may join style maven Randy Fenoli from TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress and Randy to the Rescue, and Kevin Harrington from ABC’s Shark Tank while visiting the show’s 500 exhibits on fashion, food, fitness and lifestyle. Call 800.849.0248 or visit SouthernWomensShows.com

 

Randy Fenoli at Southern Women’s Show

 

Oct 10 – Closing Reception for Donna Dowless’ Dresses: Objects of Art

A ‘Closing Reception’ will be held on October 10 for a unique exhibit, produced by contemporary artist Donna Dowless, featuring painting, sculpture, and mixed-media works. Created by award-winning-artists in celebration of women and what they wear, all works are for sale. The public is invited to join the Artists at Gallery at Avalon Island at 39 S. Magnolia Ave in Orlando beginning at 6 pm.  Call 407.257.2415. 

 

 

Oct 10 to 31 – PHANTASMAGORIA V – the 5th All-Original Halloween Celebration

The 5th anniversary of what has become an annual Halloween Celebration – this year titled Phantasmagoria V – Death Comes for ALL, will haunt the Shakespeare Center at Loch Haven Park from Oct 10 to 31. With new stories, LARGE-scale puppets interacting with live actors, dance, music, explosive stage combat and haunted storytelling, I dare you to join this fearsome troupe of storytellers as they present tales of terror from literary giants such as Poe, Carroll, Dickens, and others. Under the inspired direction of John DiDonna, Kevin Becker, & Seth Kubersky, with choreography by Mila Makarova & Dion Leonhard, call 407.328.9005 or order online at OrlandoAtPlay.com

 

 

Oct 10 to 27 – Breakthrough Theatre presents The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Based on Washington Irving's classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow will be performed by Winter Park’s Breakthrough Theatre from October 10 to 27. The arrival of schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, with his hymn-singing and genteel manners, makes him an unwelcome rival to the bachelors of Sleepy Hollow. Timing is such that the superstitious Ichabod is accosted on his ride home by a fiendish apparition … but in what way is this creature fiendish? The play is directed by Wade Hair with Nic Jewell as Ichabod Crane. Call 407.920.4034 for reservations or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

 

 

Nathan Jones as Brom Bones, Kelly McPherson as Katrina Van Tassel, Nic Jewell as Ichabod Crane

 

Oct 11 at 2 pm and 8 pm – The Orlando Philharmonic presents Cirque de la Symphonie

The Orlando Philharmonic’s top-selling show is back! Cirque meets Symphony in this all-new show featuring classical music brought to life by world-class cirque performers. Acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, and strongmen perform amazing feats, and aerialists soar overhead as the orchestra below provides suspenseful music. Selections include works by Strauss, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Kabalevsky as well as Leonard Bernstein and John Williams. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

 

 

Oct 11 to Jan 11 – Renoir to Chagall: Paris and the Allure of Color

On October 11, the Tampa Art Museum will open Renoir to Chagall: Paris and the Allure of Color, an exhibit that offers the opportunity to see vibrantly important 19th and 20th Century works of art by the world’s greatest impressionist and post-impressionists artists. 49 masterpieces from the renowned Dixon Gallery in Memphis, Tennessee explore the emergence of Paris as the center of the art world in the 19th century. Artists include Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Cezanne, Gauguin, Matisse, and Chagall – making this the ‘must-see’ exhibit of the season. Visit tampamuseum.org

 

Renoir ‘The Picture Book’

 

Oct 11 & 12 – Winter Park’s 41st Annual Autumn Art Festival

For one weekend each Autumn, Winter Park’s Central Park celebrates outstanding Florida Artists at the prestigious Autumn Art Festival. With exhibits by 150+ participating artists, live entertainment, children's art activities, a Park Avenue Sidewalk Sale, and a Beer Garden, the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival is the only juried fine art show to showcase Florida artists exclusively. 156 Artists will display works in categories including ceramics, drawings and graphics, fiber, fine crafts, jewelry, painting, photography and sculpture. AND – this year’s prize money will exceed $16,000. Call 407.644.8281 or visit autumnartfestival.org

 

 

Oct 11 and 12 – Wings and Waves Air Show at Daytona Beach

As part of the unique fall festivals that make Daytona Beach into the Festival Capital of Florida, The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and aviator acrobats will take to the skies – with the Wings and Waves Air Show – in front of the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort on October 11 and 12. We may enjoy the free shows from the shoreline daily from 11 am to 4 pm as presented by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

 

 

Oct 15 to 18 – Ringling International Arts Festival

The dynamic and wildly eclectic Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF) will return to Sarasota from October 15 to 18, with artists from around the world on a roster of contemporary dance, jazz, comic puppetry, music, cirque, and sci-fi fantasy adventure. Exec Director Steven High said, “RIAF 2014 will feature diverse, vibrant, and accessible performances, an additional venue, and an environment for dialogue with other festival-goers.” 30 performances of 7 productions are scheduled in 4 venues, all within walking-distance of The Ringling campus. Daily curtain times are 2, 5 and 8 pm, with free jazz concerts, museum tours, and food service available, encouraging day-long visits. Call 941.360.7399 or visit ringling.org

 

 

Oct 15 to Nov 16 – Orlando Shakes Opens The Best of Enemies

Mixing the poison of prejudice with the beauty of friendship, the play The Best of Enemies is based on a true story about the relationship between a hate-filled leader of the KuKluxKlan and an African-American civil rights activist as the unlikely pair find themselves working together during the 1971 desegregation of Durham, NC schools. In performance from October 15 to November 16 by the Orlando Shakespeare Company – with a Free Opening Night Party on October 17 – visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700 x1.

 

 

Oct 16 to Nov 14 – 5th Annual Dia de los Muertos & Monster Factory Exhibit & Party

ARTISTS have a macabre interest in the ‘Day of the Dead’ (and Halloween) which makes the next major exhibit at the City Arts Factory in Downtown Orlando a major treat for all those preparing for that ghostly holiday. On Third Thursday, we’re invited to an opening of original artwork with a deadly theme, but it’s so much more with the Block Party that accompanies the opening. The Opening and Block Party will be held on October 16 from 6 pm to 11 pm, and it all happens on the corner of Orange and Pine. Costumes encouraged. Call 407-648-7060

 

 

Oct 16 to 19 – The Clearwater Jazz Holiday

What began 35 years ago as a series of public concerts on the back of a flat-bed truck is now a world-class gathering of the greatest talents and greatest fans of music and jazz. Offering music and art against a backdrop of brilliant sunsets, the 35th Anniversary concerts feature legendary talents along with innovative jazz stars. Featured artists include Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Downing Jazz All-Stars, Spyro-Gyra, Julie Black, and Belinda. General, reserved, and VIP seating packages are available. Call 727.461.5200 or visit clearwaterjazz.com

 

 

 

Oct 16 to 19 – Biketoberfest Motorcycle Rally

It’s ‘the roar with more’ as Biketoberfest attracts over 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world turning Daytona Beach into motorcycle heaven.  Festivities include rallies, rides, and races, street festivals, shopping and Biker exhibits at various locations throughout Daytona Beach.  For a complete list of times and activities, visit biketoberfest.org

 

 

 

Oct 17 – Business Education Series presents Disney’s Approach to Leadership

Wake up early on October 17 and find your way to the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce at 151 W. Lyman Avenue by 8 am for the Business Education Series’ program featuring leadership lessons from Walt Disney. Author and Disney historian Jim Korkis will share Disney's approach to leadership and how we can follow similar principles – personally and professionally. Free for members / $10 non-members. Call 644-8281 or visit winterpark.org

 

 

Oct 17 – Celebrating the Roaring 20’s for 20th Year of Planned Parenthood

With three health centers – including a new facility in Kissimmee – Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando sees over 21,000 patients each year. 2014 is the organization's 20th anniversary, and they’ll celebrate with a Roaring 20’s fundraiser on October 17 beginning at 7 pm at the Orchid Garden at Church Street. For a suggested donation of a minimum of $100, the evening includes an open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, music, and a special update from PPGO's President. Call 407.246.1788x104 or visit ppgo.org/annualevent to learn more.

 

 

Oct 17, 18 & 19 – The Vampires are Havin’ a Ball with the Orlando Ballet

The Orlando Ballet Company invites us to the Vampire's Ball, a back-by-popular-demand evening of Vampires, Ghouls (and sexy dancing) with tongue-in-cheek references to classical ballets and old-time vampire movies. Think Halloween as these creatures come to life on October 17,18 & 19. The haunting performance is a full-length ballet with choreography by Orlando Ballet’s Artistic Director Robert Hill. Grip your seat as you are ‘glamoured’ into craving more at the NEW DR. PHILLIPS PAC. Call 407.426.1739 or visit OrlandoBallet.org

 

 

Oct 18 & 19 -- Masterful Mozart at the Bach Festival

A concert of ‘Mozart’s Greatest Hits’ will open the season for the Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra on October 18 at 7:30 pm and October 19 at 3 pm. The Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra will be performed with co-concertmasters Routa Kroumovitch-Gomez and Alvaro Gomez as soloists. The brilliantly energetic Overture to The Magic Flute will be presented followed by the hauntingly grandiose Mozart Requiem at the Knowles Chapel on the campus of Rollins College. Call 407.646.2182 or visit bachfestivalflorida.org

 

 

Current – The Maitland Art Center Attains National Historic Landmark Status

The Maitland Art Center at 231 Packwood Ave in Maitland has received the first designation of National Historic Landmark status in Orange County and the 44th in the State of Florida. Such designations apply to places that “exceptionally illustrate or interpret the heritage of the United States.” Known for the ornate Mayan Revival influences of art deco artist/architect and founder J. Andre Smith (1880-1959), the Center was built in 1937 as a colony for artists to exercise creativity and is one of the Southeast’s only remaining examples of “fantasy architecture.”  Call 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

 

 

 

 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators