Florida Culture for the Week of April 23 by Josh Garrick

April 25 to 29 – Photography is for the Birds
St. Augustine is the place to be from April 25 to 29 for the 10th Annual Florida's Birding & Photo Fest. With ‘something for everyone,’ 110 activities and workshops for nature photographers and birdwatchers will celebrate the mix of Florida's bird life along with the historic natural beauty of St. Augustine. Birders and outdoor photographers will experience nature tours, excursions, bird walks, kayak trips and technical workshops at the Whitney Lab for Marine Bioscience at Marineland. Visit FloridasBirdingAndPhotoFest.com for a complete schedule.

April 29 – One HUGE Unveiling
One of the most highly anticipated “Openings” in the Florida Fine Art world will take place when legendary Artist ’s huge 8 foot by 24 foot masterpiece Iconoclass will be unveiled to the public on April 29 from 2 to 5 pm. The mural was recently ‘re-discovered’ by collectors and patrons Bill and Kathie Hohns and has NOT been shown publicly in over 35 years. The colorful original has been copied and laminated on aluminum panels which will be attached to the outside of the building at the Museum of Florida Art. The event will coincide with a ‘Strappo’ exhibit opening and will feature the original Iconoclass inside the Museum. The Museum of Florida Art is at 600 North Woodland Boulevard in DeLand. Call 386.734.4371 museumoffloridaart.org

April 28 & 29 – Diet – What diet?  It’s time for the 11th Annual Great American Pie Festival (and Championships). Last year 447 commercial, 142 professional, 301 amateur and 6 junior bakers competed for the title of America's top pie baker, BUT the big news is that 32,000 (of us pie lovers) will descend upon the Disney-created town of Celebration on April 28 and 29 for the Pie Fest and the Never-Ending-Pie-Buffet. Last year 87,000 slices of pie as well as ice cream and toppings from America's best known bakers were served. The buffet and the children activities are the only paid events; all stage entertainment and demonstrations are free. Tickets for the Pie Buffet are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 5 to enjoy ALL WE CAN EAT!

April 29 to May 2 – Biotech at the World’s Happiest Place
We wish them health and wisdom as the world’s largest biotech conference comes to Orlando April 29 to May 2. The Gaylord Palms Convention Center will be the home of BIO’s 9th Annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. And if you think their title is a mouthful, remember these business leaders will be making serious decisions about WHAT goes into our mouths over the next decades. “Some of the most widely used consumer products are joining the biobased economy,” says Brent Erickson, BIO’s Exec VP. They’ll be discussing everything from Human Genome Sciences to getting ethanol into our fuel tanks. Visit bio.org/worldcongress/

May 3 – Full Sail at the Orlando Museum of Art 
The ORIGINAL once-a-month day on the calendar (devoted to Art) is First Thursday at the Orlando Museum of Art.  On May 3 from 6 to 9 pm, the Museum will honor another extraordinary home of the Arts in Central Florida – Full Sail University. Full Sail is so much more than a college; it has literally educated some of the most celebrated Arts technicians in the country – in every medium from computer gaming to music videos.  On May 3 we may enjoy an eclectic mix of various art forms created by Full Sail Students, Faculty and Alumni. These young people make up the cutting edge of what’s happening in the Arts today. Call 407 896 4231 x260 or visit OMArt.org

May 3 – Winter Park Sip & Stroll
The clever folks at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce have come up with The Winter Park Sip & Stroll, a concept event that encourages us to “have a glass of wine or two” while we visit stores and restaurants at our own pace.  We can enjoy a wine tasting and appetizer at each participating location including Bajalia, Bayhill Jewelers on Park, Breakaway Bicycles, Charyli, Cocina 214, Downeast, Gary Lambert Salon, Kilwin's Chocolates, Lilly Pulitzer, Luma on Park, Luxury Trips, Park Plaza Gardens, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Sultre, Synergy, Ten Thousand Villages, Bistro on Park, The Doggie Door, Things & FASHION, Through the Looking Glass, Timothy's Gallery and Tolla's Italian Cafe. The date is May 3 from 5 to 8:30 pm, and the tickets are $30 in advance. Call 407.644.8281 or visit www.winterpark.org

May 3 to 13 – Mad Cow’s Herd of Cabaret Talent … And We Can Hear Them Too.
Gimme a break – How often do I use a lousy pun?  And it’s all in the name of fun as Mad Cow Theatre in Downtown Orlando hosts the 10th Annual Orlando Cabaret Festival from May 3 to 13 including 25 performances of jazz, pop, Broadway, comedy – AND a few surprises. Eight vocalists team up to present four unique shows including It Was A Very Good Year – 1962, An Animated Night of Cabaret, A Gay Night for Singing!, AND And The Tony Goes To... The Festival also offers weekday ‘lunchtime performances’ that last 45 minutes so we can make it back to the office within an hour. Call 407.297.8788 or visit orlandocabaret.com

And Not to be Missed … Now to May 13 -- Disney’s The LION KING has leapt onto the stage of the Bob Carr PAC with all its stunning theatricality and beloved musical score. Africa comes to life as the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation features Elton John’s Oscar-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and Circle of Life. Themes of love, family and the strength of friendship are woven into this perfect ‘family’ musical. Visit OrlandoBroadway.com.