Florida Culture for the Week of September 3 by Josh Garrick

Sept 7, 8 and 9 – Disney On Ice

Disney Princesses will unite once again as Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After!, a new show featuring Ariel, Belle, Rapunzel and red-headed Merida from Disney Pixar’s Brave in her ice debut. The all-star lineup includes Sebastian and the Daughters of Triton from The Little Mermaid, the pub thugs from Tangled and the enchanted servants from Beauty and the Beast. Mickey and Minnie will be there, but all eyes will be on Merida and her archery contest. “The most exciting part of bringing a fearless and independent character like Merida to the ice for the first time is knowing that she has a powerful and inspiring message to deliver about finding the courage to determine one’s own fate,” says producer Nicole Feld.  Rockin' Ever After comes to the Amway Center in Orlando with shows from September 7 to 9. Call 800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster.com

September 7 – The 100th Anniversary of the Titanic

The legendary sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912 is the most tragic maritime disaster of the 20th century. Following the stories of the passengers and crew of this ‘unsinkable’ ship, a hauntingly moving Broadway musical wove these stories into song. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, a concert version of Titanic - The Musical will be performed by the Central Florida Community Choir on September 7 at 7:30 pm at Northland Church, a 3000 seat, state-of-the art venue at 530 Dog Track Road in Longwood. Tickets are an affordable $10 each and children age 3 and under will be admitted free. Proceeds from this performance benefit the Central Florida Community Arts' Children & Youth Arts' performance and Summer Camp programs. Visit cfcommunitychoir.com

September 8 to 30 – Rubble Rousers at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery

The exhibit Rubble Rousers will present the central Florida debut of Gainesville artists Lorelei Esser and Susan Nash. This unconventional exhibit will be on display during the month of September, with an Artists’ Reception on September 8 from 1 to 5 pm.  Another opportunity to meet the Artists will be during Sanford’s 4th Friday Art Walk on September 28 from 6 to 9 pm.  The show will feature ‘found and repurposed Art:’ the stray strip of rubber, the rusty funnel, the lost fork, and the bone, whose history has been ‘re-invented’ in the vision of two ‘junk connoisseurs.’ The exhibit is at the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery at 211 East First Street in Sanford. Call 407-323-2774 or visit jtfolkart.com

Lorelei Esser

Susan Nash

September 12 to October 7 – The Complete Works of Shakespeare …  Abridged

Think Shakespeare as performed by the Three Stooges, and you have a handle on what this totally irreverent version of ALL of Shakespeare’s works – performed in one evening is like. Three buffoons in tights, with tongues firmly planted in their respective cheeks, fumble their way through all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in a wild ride that will have you falling out of your seat with laughter. Any prior knowledge of the Bard is unnecessary – and for THIS show – may actually be harmful to your brain. Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, with his bottomless bag of directorial tricks, is the PERFECT Director for The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). This is a family show and is suitable for most audiences. (Note to Teachers: Student matinees are available). At the Orlando Shakespeare Center at Loch Haven Park. Call 407.447.1700 or visit Orlandoshakes.org

Sept 13 to Oct 6 – Pete ‘n’ Keely at the Winter Park Playhouse

The Winter Park Playhouse continues its 10th Anniversary season of professional musical theatre with the Musical, Pete ‘n’ Keely from September 13 to October 6. Originally produced Off-Broadway in 2000 and nominated for Best Off-Broadway Musical, the show ‘re-unites’ America's sweethearts, Pete Bartel and Keely Stevens for a live 1968 television special re-living their illustrious careers. The catch is … they haven't spoken to each other since their big breakup at Caesar's Palace five years ago.  Featuring the hit songs Fever, Black Coffee, Besame Mucho and more, this musical comedy features Playhouse favorites, Heather Alexander and Christopher Alan Norton. "Imagine Steve & Eydie with the antagonism of Sonny & Cher, and you’ll love this hilarious musical send-up of 60’s TV Variety Show Specials,” says Dr. Judith Marlowe. The Playhouse is at 711 Orange Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Photo Credit: Christopher Alan Norton and Heather Alexander – Photo by Tom Marshall Photography

Sept 14 to Nov 25 – Barbara Maxwell at the Eustis Museum

Umatilla Artist Barbara Maxwell has been creating art for six decades as a ‘human camera,’ documenting her life and career, and as a courtroom sketch artist, documenting trials of the notorious and dangerous where cameras were forbidden. Her works include portraits of the infamous killers Ted Bundy and Judy The Black Widow Buenano. Recent additions to her files include actor Wesley Snipes and Lou Pearlman. Ms. Maxwell’s long career also includes commercial and fine art. The exhibit Barbara Maxwell: An Artist’s Eye will be at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art in downtown Eustis at 2201 B East Orange Ave.  Call 352.483.2900

Illustration:  by BARBARA MAXWELL, Ted Bundy, c.1979

September 15 – A Night in Havana

An evening of Latin Love is promised by the Performing Arts of Maitland in their fund-raiser – A Night in Havana – on September 15. This romantic evening of Concert and Dance begins at 7:30 pm with Merengue Lessons by Nanette's Ballroom Dance. The evening continues – from 8 to 10:30 pm with music and dancing as performed by the Performing Arts of Maitland Stage Band.  Then, in true Latin fashion, the music heats up till midnight with Salsa from the Salsa Heat Dance Studio. Performances by professional dancers will be featured throughout the evening as we bid on gift certificates from Maitland’s finest Restaurants. Dress Attire is from a Havana Night Club (jackets are not required), and Cuban Guayabera shirts are suggested. Tickets at $15 per person in advance or $20 at the door may be purchased online at pamaitland.org or at the Maitland Civic Center or by calling 321.303.1404 or 407.375.3915.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators