Florida Culture for the Week of July 30 by Josh Garrick

Now through Sept. 19 – A&H Explores the Maitland Art Center

The brilliant new exhibit at A&H Museums – Maitland is called A Day in the Life of the Research Studio, and it takes viewers back in time to explore the Center during the life of founder André Smith (1880 – 1959), who invited artists to live and create within its walls. From 1938 to 1959, 70 Artists participated in this ‘artistic experiment,’ including Milton Avery and Ralston Crawford. The exhibit makes that classic period come alive with treasures around every corner. From the painted door that invites you into this wonderful exhibit to the ‘rain-god’ fountain in the final room, visitors are offered a first-hand view of the creativity that marks the real history of the Maitland Art Center. It’s a great exhibit and an important part of Central Florida’s cultural legacy. Call 407.539.2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

August 18 – “And in a Related Story ….”

We are fortunate to have found eight (8) large Andre Smith paintings – YES, the same Andre Smith who founded the Maitland Art Center.  This is Florida and those wonderful paintings need some serious restoration work, so the Andre Smith Restoration Project has been created.  The Project will, appropriately, hold a silent auction to support the restoration on Saturday, August 18 from 6 to 9 pm at the Maitland Art Center at 231 W. Packwood Avenue. The paintings were donated to the St. Lawrence AME Church in the 1930’s and are of historical significance to the town of Eatonville as well as the Maitland Art Center. Along with the silent auction, there will be music and refreshments. Artist Kevin McNamara, will create individual portraits for $20 and Bonnie McNamara, art restorer, will give a discussion on the project. All funds raised will benefit the Restoration Fund with an exhibit, highlighting the restored paintings, set to take place in 2013 at The Maitland Art Center. For information – or to contribute – call Jerry Bell at 407.672.1001 or email him at jbtennisbum[at]gmail.com

August 2 to 25 – The Winter Park Playhouse Opens Its 10th Anniversary Series

It’s hard to believe, but the Winter Park Playhouse will open its 10th Anniversary season of professional musical theatre on August 2.  In that 10 years, they’ve earned a well-deserved reputation for bringing musical comedy fun to Central Florida often followed with a chaser of wackiness.  That is certainly the case with Nunsense, the winner of 4 Outer Critics Circle Awards including “Best Off-Broadway Musical.” It’s about the Little Sisters of Hoboken who discover their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, (get it?) has accidently poisoned 52 of the Sisters, and those Sisters – left standing – have to ‘put on a show’ to raise funds for their burials. Directed and choreographed by Roy Alan, this ‘wacky’ musical comedy features some of Central Florida’s strongest singing talent including Cami Miller, Lorri Key, Kate Zaloumes, Natalie Cordone, and Kayla Kelsay with Musical Director Christopher Leavy. The musical runs through August 25. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

August 3 to 26 – Mad Cow Theatre Times Two

The Mad Cow Theatre in Downtown Orlando invites us to leave the heat of August and step inside their intimate theaters for two very different plays, BOTH of which open on August 3 and run through August 26. The first is the American classic Twelve Angry Men set on an August night in New York City as a jury files into the deliberation room to decide the fate of a young man accused of killing his father. The men must face themselves, their personal prejudices, and their sense of justice knowing the life or death of the young man hangs in the balance.

The second is Billy Bishop Goes to War – about an unlikely hero (the worst student in the Royal Military College) who goes on to become the most decorated officer of the Royal Canadian Flying Corps in World War I. Both funny and poignant, the play tells of high-flying escapades and the front lines of battle. This two-man show features a piano player who accompanies Billy as he regales the audience with tales of the war. Mad Cow Theatre is at 105 South Magnolia Avenue in Orlando. Call 407.297.8788 x12 or visit madcowtheatre.com.

August 4 through October 28 -- Jimm Roberts Photography Exhibition

For more than 30 years, Orlando-based photographer Jimm Roberts captured Florida's most accomplished personalities in portraits. The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) will share a collection of Roberts' portraits in the exhibit Southernmost Art and Literary Portraits: Fifty Internationally Noted Artists and Writers in Florida by Jimm Roberts on view through October 28. Roberts traveled throughout Florida to meet, photograph and interview prominent artists living in the state. Among the notable artists featured in the exhibit are Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and James Rosenquist. Related OMA events include a Gallery Talk by Jimm Roberts on August 15 and a book signing by James Rosenquist on September 22. The OMA is located in Orlando Loch Haven Park at 2416 North Mills Avenue. Call 407 896 4231 or visit omart.org

August 10 from 9 am to 12 noon – The East Orlando Small Business Expo is presented as an opportunity to showcase your business, network with chamber members, and learn some business tips to help you grow your business. There will be two (2) thirty minute workshops each hour for a total of 6 workshops from which to choose.  They include topics like Enhancing Your Social Media Strategy to The Five Most Important Legal Tips You Should Know.  The East Orlando Sun will have a table, so we invite you to stop by and say hello. Admission is $5 for Chamber Members and $10 for Non-Chamber Members. Donations of school supplies equal to the ticket price will be accepted for admission. Contact [email protected] for information or fill out the Registration Form found at EOCC.org

August 11 – Living Healthy through Organics

We all know that ‘organics’ have special benefits that can help our families to healthier lifestyles, but HOW do we use organics in our diets?  On August 11, Dr. Dan Thomas, noted authority on healthy living, will answer these and other questions about the benefits of incorporating organics into our lives. A sampling of energy-providing smoothies (with all natural 100% organic ingredients) will be part of the program. We will also learn about the benefits of regular exercise and have the opportunity to participate in exercise demonstrations with Seminole CROSSFIT as part of this healthy program. The presentation takes place at the Central Florida Zoo at 3755 NW Hwy 17-92 in Sanford. Call 407.323.4450 x100 or visit centralfloridazoo.org

Planning Ahead – August 25 – The 8th Annual Red Chair Affair

It’s known as the ‘kick-off’ of the Central Florida arts and culture season, and whether you are new to the area or a Patron of the Arts here in Central Florida, this one evening serves as a not-to-be missed fund-raiser and variety performance. Moved along at a brisk pace by Director John DiDonna, the evening is your ‘sampler ticket’ to this season’s cultural offerings. Performances will be provided by Art & History Museums, Maitland, ArtistsRegistry, Empty Spaces Theatre Collaboration, the Bach Festival, Enzian, Florida Opera Theatre, the Orlando Ballet, the Orlando Philharmonic, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, and SAK Comedy Lab among others. The evening is a fund-raiser for the Red Chair Project, a collaborative of more than 360 arts organizations working to promote the arts. The 8th Annual Red Chair Affair will be held at the Bob Carr PAC. VIP and general admission tickets are available. Call 407.872.2382.

Red Chair Affair- photo by Josh Garrick 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators