Florida Culture for the Week of September 25, 2016 by Josh Garrick

TODAY to October 1 – ‘Banned Books Week’ at the Library 
An annual event celebrating the freedom to read, ‘Banned Books Week’ brings together the entire book community; writers, librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types, in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas … even those considered unpopular. ‘Kickoff’ - TODAY at 2 pm at Orlando Public Library; BBW Film Fest daily at 11 am in Public Library Albertson Room. Visit www.ocls.info for complete schedule.

NOW to Oct 9 – ‘West Side Story’ at Orlando Shakespeare
This contemporary Romeo and Juliet story finds idealistic young lovers Maria and Tony caught between rival street gangs. Their struggle to love and survive in a world filled with hatred and violence is one of the most heart-wrenching musical dramas of all time. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, many remaining performances are close to being SOLD OUT. Visit orlandoshakes.org

NOW to Oct 9 – ‘All Hands on Deck’ Brings (Bob) Hope to the Winter Park Playhouse 
Bob Hope’s World War II USO tours for the troops made the man a legend in his own time. Now Mr. Hope is the inspiration for a new all singing, all dancing musical written, directed and choreographed by Jody Madaras at the Winter Park Playhouse. In an evening of classic songs, dances and laughs, join those happy audiences with timeless hits, vaudevillian antics and rousing comedy for audiences of all ages. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

NOW to Oct. 23 – 1776 – the Founding ‘Mothers’ ! at Mad Cow Theatre 
Move over Founding Fathers. The MOTHERS have arrived. Join John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others as they hatch the ‘American Dream.’ Mad Cow presents 1776, a beloved Tony Award-winning musical celebrating the American Revolution… this time with a revolutionary new voice: ALL FEMALE. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

Sept 28 to Oct 9 -- TheatreWorks Florida presents Rock Of Ages! 
It’s the end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party rages at the Sunset Strips' last venue where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and janitor) Drew longs to take the stage. The rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers plan to turn the fabled Strip into a strip mall. Can Drew and the gang save the strip before its too late? Only the music of Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, and Whitesnake holds the answer… Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Sept 30 to Oct 9 – Christopher Durang Takes Us “Beyond Therapy” 
It’ll be interesting to see what Director Wade Hair, of Breakthrough Theater, has up his sleeve with Christopher Durang’s 1981 Off-Broadway comedy “Beyond Therapy.” While Durang’s iconoclastic, smart-mouth humor is always fun, the Therapy in the title is based on a gay man (with lover) wanting to date a woman. In 2016, the big therapy question would be “WHY” as we celebrate Orlando’s ‘Come Out With Pride.’ Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com/tickets 

Picture Credit: (front row) Dina Najjar, Jonathin Vazquez, Barry Wright
(top row) Craig Raymo, Christian Santiago, Kristin Pringle-Marksbury

October 1 at 7 pm – “An Art Exhibit that Began in Athens in 480 BC” 
Your Arts Writer – Josh Garrick – returns to the Henao Center with a Free and open to the Public Opening on October 1. The emphasis stays on Classical Greece, but this year is dedicated to the esteemed European Curator – Iris Kritikou – who curated my exhibit at the Natl Archaeological Museum of Greece. The exhibit will also show the work of 13 sculptors whose work ‘speaks’ to the Classical era. Running through November 20, Henao Center is at 5601 N. Edgewater Drive in Orlando. Call 407.272.0317 or visit Henaocenter.com. 

October 4 to 9 – The Illusionists - Live From Broadway – at Dr. Phillips Center 
This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the talents of nine incredible Illusionists. ‘The Illusionists – Live From Broadway’ has shattered box office records around the globe while dazzling audiences with some of the most outrageous acts ever seen. Packed with sophisticated magic, this show truly must be seen to be believed. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

October 6, 7, 8 and 9 -- GARTH BROOKS’ World Tour at Orlando’s Amway Center 
The Big Guy is back on a “World Tour.” Y’all KNOW Garth Brooks, and you each have your own reasons for wanting to be there, so here is the basic info on HOW to get the tickets that are left. (The first six hours of ticket sales for these four days was un-real). And he’s with Trisha Yearwood! At ticketmaster.com or ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or call Ticketmaster Express 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000 

October 8 – The ‘Pulse Community’ Honored as ‘Marshals’ at 2016 Pride Parade
The 2016 ‘Come Out With Pride Festival,’ presented by Orlando City Soccer Club, will be Orlando’s largest in the City’s history as a symbol of unity after the June 12 tragedy at Pulse. The ‘Pulse Community’ will be honored as Pride Marshals in this year’s parade along with Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and Commissioner Patty Sheehan. “This is a great opportunity for our entire community to come together to celebrate Orlando as a welcoming and inclusive city that embraces diversity,” said Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The event will help send a message of solidarity that Orlando is more united than ever following the Pulse tragedy.” Post-parade, Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Sheehan will participate in a rally at the Disney amphitheater along with celebrity guests Michelle Clunie, Peter Paige, Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris, Matteo Lane, Sabrina Jalees, and Eli Lieb. The Festival concludes with a fireworks display over Lake Eola. Visit comeoutwithpride.com

October 8 from 11 am to 7 pm – The Festival of Bacon at the Dr. Phillips Center 
One day each year, thousands of people descend on Orlando to celebrate all things covered, wrapped, and smothered in bacon. The Dr. Phillips Center’s Great Lawn will be transformed into an 8-hour bacon bonanza featuring top restaurants and food vendors creating bacon-inspired dishes as they compete to win the coveted "Best of Bacon" award. The 2016 Festival anticipates 5,000 pounds of bacon being cooked for more than 8,000 bacon lovers who will travel far and wide to find a new bacon treat. Visit festivalofbacon.com

October 8 at 7:30 pm – Bennett Harmon and the Orlando Big Band 
A staged tribute to the big band greats of the '30s, 40s, and 50s, ‘Swingin’ with the Big Band’ celebrates the generation that boogied to big band rhythms. Hear the music of Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Cab Calloway performed by a full 20 piece orchestra that perfectly recreates the 40's sound with the ‘Andrews Sisters,’ and Swing Dancers on-stage. This show is at the Bob Carr Theater so please allow extra time as there is road construction around the Theater. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct 8 & 9 – Winter Park Autumn Art Festival – ‘Celebrating Florida Artists’ 
The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival each year on the second weekend in October. This family-oriented sidewalk show presents the only juried fine art festival to feature Florida artists exclusively along with live entertainment for the whole family. Artists from across the state apply to showcase their works, and from those talented applicants, 180 artists are selected to exhibit. Held in Winter Park’s beautiful Central Park, the 43rd Annual Festival will be held on October 8 and 9 from 9 am to 5 pm on both days. Admission is FREE. Visit autumnartfestival.org 

Oct 10 to Nov 13 – Rock The Presidents at Orlando Rep 
Orlando Rep’s next show is a high-octane musical revue spanning the entire history of the American Presidency – from George Washington to Barack Obama -- and looking ahead to the future. The Presidents are brought to life through original songs including rock, hip-hop, blues, pop, jazz, reggae, and country in a way for audiences of all ages to learn something about our nation’s history. The book and lyrics are by Dwayne Hartford. Age-Appropriate Note: Lincoln’s legacy and Kennedy’s assassination are included with songs that contain the words ‘pistol’ and ‘bullets.’ Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

October 14 & 15 at 8 pm – Chicago’s ‘Second City’ Hits Orlando
Sponsored by Kathie and Bill Hohns, Chicago’s legendary improv comedy theater comes to the Dr. Phillips Center to celebrate 55 years of satire with a new show of comedy sketches, songs and improvs about Orlando, along with material from the Second City archives. This ‘must-see night’ features Chicago’s brightest comedy stars finding laughs in everything from Orlando’s history to classic sketches created by Second City’s amazing alumni, including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, and more. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators