Florida Culture for the Week of September 4, 2016 by Josh Garrick

NOW to October 2 -- Visit Orlando’s ‘Magical Dining Month’ 
Even if you have “champagne tastes, and a beer-bottle pocket,” we can all afford to indulge our palates in this glorious, month-long celebration of Orlando’s sophisticated dining universe. The annual Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month includes more than 90 !! restaurants offering three-course meals for $33. The month-long event benefits The Russell Home for Atypical Children, with $1 from every meal donated to the Home. A complete list of restaurants is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com

Sept 7 to Oct 9 – West Side Story Opens Orlando Shakes Season 
The most famous of the contemporary Romeo and Juliet stories 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 beautiful and heart-wrenching musical dramas of all time. Based on the original concept by Jerome Robbins, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story's Latin and classical-inspired score features the treasured songs "Maria," "Tonight," and "America." An interesting side-note is that the West Side of Manhattan as depicted in the musical really was dangerous and was ‘ruled’ by street gangs. It was determined that the only way to ‘civilize’ the area was to tear down the slums and build something of stature. That something is known to us today as … Lincoln Center.   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Visit orlandoshakes.org

Sept 8 at 5 pm -- Winter Park Garden Club Offers Free Open House and Plant Clinic
The Winter Park Garden Club invites the Public to an Open House & Plant Clinic at their Mead Garden location at 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park. Tom MacCubbin, Florida’s foremost garden expert, will be on-hand to identify plants in your yard and diagnose diseases they might have. (Bring a clipping if you have questions). Founded in 1922, the Club’s mission is to educate members about gardening, landscape design, and conservation. This program is Free, and the Public is invited. Call 407-644-5770 or visit winterparkgardenclub.com

September 8 & 9 at 7:30 pm – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Biblical story of Joseph and his ‘coat of many colors’ comes alive onstage this fall as the young Joseph, favored by his father, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Featuring a fantastic choir, live music by the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra and many of the finest actors in Central Florida, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless musical offers an adventure of family and faith at Northland Church, 530 Dog Track Road in Longwood. Assigned seats are $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Priority and Premium seating is available. RECOMMENDED Call 407.937.1800 x710 or visit cfcommunityarts.com

September 8, 9, & 10 -- The 3rd Annual Florida Local Food Summit 
Florida's top food and farming entrepreneurs, chefs and ‘foodies’ will present a weekend Summit to celebrate all things ‘food and farming’ with farm tours, farm-to-table meals, a Grower's Festival and classes. The Farm Tours are FREE; and the ‘Summit,’ including breakfast and lunch ($50) will be held on Sept 9 from 8 am to 5 pm at East End Market. Recognized throughout the world as a leader in humane animal husbandry and environmental sustainability, the Keynote Speaker is 4th generation cattleman Will Harris. His presentation is Free and open to the Public on Sept 9 at 6 pm in the East End Market Courtyard. Visit eastendmkt.com/events/florida-local-food-summit/  -- photos by Amy Robb

Sept 9, 10 & 11 -- Billie Holiday’s Story and Songs at the Dr. Phillips Center 
“Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill” recounts Billie Holiday's life through the songs that made her famous. It’s 1959 in a small bar in Philadelphia, and Holiday puts on a show that leaves the audience witness to one of the last performances of her life. Through her poignant delivery, one of the great jazz artists of all-time shares her loves and losses. For this performance the Pugh Theater will be transformed into a 1950s era nightclub with ‘cocktail tables for 4’ at stage level so that patrons will feel as though they are in the Club. Produced by Cultural Fusion Productions, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Sept 9 to 19 – The Breakthrough Theatre presents "Dearly Departed"
In the David Bottrell/Jessie Jones comedy, "Dearly Departed", (set in the Baptist backwoods of the Bible Belt), the beleaguered Turpin family attempts to pull themselves together for their father's funeral. The Turpin's other problems, however, keep overshadowing the occasion. In desperation, the Turpins turn to their neighbors, an ‘eccentric’ community of misfits, who pull together in their ‘hour of need.’ The Breakthrough Theatre is located at 419A W. Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com/tickets/

Sept 9 to Oct 2 – Central Florida Premiere of ‘Bonnie & Clyde,’ the Musical 
With a ‘White Trash’ craving for excitement and ‘fame,’ two nobodies in Depression-era Texas meet, feel a ‘spark,’ and set out to chase a dream. Too quickly that ‘spark’ leads the young lovers’ to robbery and murder. This musical, infused with blues, gospel and rockabilly, was nominated for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding New Score in 2012. While “everyone loves a bad boy,” the musical’s mature subject matter may not be suitable for all audiences. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Sept 9 thru Sept 30 – Sanford Seminole Artists at the Cassleberry Art House
The Art exhibit, "The Wonder of Art," will show the diversity of the members of the Sanford Seminole Art Association (SSAA) with works including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and mixed-media. An Opening Reception, beginning at 6 pm on September 9, is Free and open to the Public. Light refreshments will be served. Showcased at the Casselberry Art House, the exhibit may be seen during regular Art House hours of 10 am to 5 pm weekdays. The Art House is located at 127 Quail Pond Circle. Call 407.262.7700 x 1122 or visit SanfordSeminoleArt.com 

Watercolor painting by Mike Bisceglia, SSAA president

Sept 11 at 2 pm – Central Florida Ballet Honors 9/11 with Benefit Performance
The Central Florida Ballet commemorates the 15th Anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center with “9/11 An American Moment,” a ballet to be presented at Northland Church in Longwood. Created in 2006, “9/11” honors and re-creates the American patriotism, courage, faith, and pride in response to the attack. During the hour-long performance various types of dance are featured with a sound track that includes news-broadcasts. Audience favorite Israel Rodriguez is featured in the production that received recognition in 2007 by the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Call 407.849.9948 or visit centralfloridaballet.com

Sept. 11 – ONE Voice Orlando – Opera’s Response to the Pulse Tragedy in Orlando 
‘ONE Voice Orlando: A Celebration in Song,’ is the benefit Gala Concert from the opera community in response to the ‘Pulse Tragedy’ in Orlando with the performance taking place in Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center. “National stars and musicians have joined in this outpouring of support and generosity for the victims, families and those impacted by this horrific shooting,” said Gabriel Preisser, Executive Director of Opera Orlando. “Internationally-renowned David Charles Abell will conduct and legendary baritone Sherrill Milnes will be one of the evening’s hosts.” All performers are donating their services with tickets at $25 to $125 available at operaorlando.org or by calling 844.513.2014. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

Sept 14 at 7:30 pm – Singer–Songwriter Bebel Gilberto at Dr. Phillips Center 
World-renowned singer-songwriter Bebel Gilberto has earned multiple Grammy nominations while captivating fans with her trademark electronic bossa nova. One of the top-selling Brazilian artists in the U.S., Gilberto transports listeners to Brazil with her bossa nova-infused melodies and performance style. In addition to living and breathing all types of Brazilian music as a child, she was exposed to the greats, from Debussy to Billie Holliday. After Bebel moved to New York City in 1991, “I learned what I wanted musically,” she says. “I think there I became a New Yorker – with a Brazilian heart of course!" Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Sept 15 to Oct 14 – The “ArtistsRegistry.com Small Works Show" at CityArts Factory
The CityArts Factory will host the ‘ArtistsRegistry.com Small Works Show’ with an opening reception on September 15 beginning at 6 pm. With a diversity of artwork including painting, drawing, photography and sculpture, the Public is invited and the event is Free. City Arts Factory Gallery hours are open from 11 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Saturday. You’ll find the CityArts Factory is at the corner of Orange Ave and Pine in Orlando. Call 407.648.7060 or 407 312.0708 or visit ArtistsRegistry.com 

September 16 to January 1 – Highlights from the James Cottrell and Joseph Lovett Collection
The Orlando Museum of Art continues its relationship with James Cottrell and Joseph Lovett who have been, over a period of 40 years, building an exceptional collection of contemporary art that not only represents prominent artists, but also reflects the collector’s passion for discovering new talent before it is critically proven. Their regard for artists is demonstrated by their practice of collecting an artist’s work in depth. Cottrell and Lovett began collecting in the late 1970s with acquisitions including works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, David Hockney, and Robert Mapplethorpe. Call 407.896.4231 or visit omart.org 

September 16 at 8 pm – Stand-up Comedian Gary Gulman 
Originally from Boston, Gary Gulman has been a college football player, an accountant, a barista, a doorman, a waiter, and a high school teacher. Now he is one of the most popular touring comics and one of only a handful of comedians to perform on every late night comedy program. He's made three TV specials, three albums, and marked his 20-year anniversary in stand-up with the "Its About Time Tour," (because) the New York Times wrote, "Gary is finally being recognized as one of the country's strongest comedians."
Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

September 17 at 8 pm – Musical Gala of Mexican Independence at Dr. Phillips Center 
Casa de México invites the Public to their traditional Gala Concert to celebrate Mexican Independence. Presented for the first time at the Dr. Phillips Center, this year’s concert features Opera Orlando performing with the Orlando Philharmonic under the baton of Maestro Kensho Watanabe. Opera Orlando will be represented by tenor Leonardo Villegas, soprano Ana Villeda, and baritone Gabriel Preisser performing aria highlights. In addition, the Gala will feature Mariachi Cobre with the Orlando Philharmonic in a presentation created exclusively for Casa de México. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

… And Looking Ahead 

Sept 21 to 25 – Cirque du Soleil presents OVO 
The ‘now-legendary’ Cirque du Soleil returns to Orlando presenting its newest touring show, OVO, never before performed in Florida. Thrilling more than 4.5 million people worldwide since the show premiered in 2009, OVO (‘egg’ in Portuguese), offers up a colorful ecosystem where insects work, eat, crawl, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. As with all Cirque shows, the cast of OVO is comprised of 50 performing artists, from 12 countries, specializing in a variety of acrobatic acts. Visit cirquedusoleil.com; cirqueclub.com, AmwayCenter.com, or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000. 


 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators