Florida Culture for the Week of July 22 by Josh Garrick

July 25 – Toad the Wet Sprocket at Hard Rock Hotel

Formed in 1986, Toad the Wet Sprocket enjoyed early success in the 1990’s with Walk on the Ocean, All I Want, and Fall Down. They broke up in 1998 but began touring again in 2006, released a greatest hits album in 2011, and last month they released their first new single in 16 years called New Constellation. The new single will be celebrated when the band appears on the Hard Rock Hotel’s Velvet Sessions series on July 25 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $29 online or $35 at the door. Call 407.503.2401 or visit hardrockhotelorlando.com

July 26 to October 6 – Artists’ Views of the Research Studio

The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H)’s new exhibit – Artists’ Views of the Research Studio will open July 26 at their home in Maitland. Founded by artist and architect André Smith in 1937, the Research Studio was a lively colony that hosted artists of national prominence. The new exhibit is a visual tour of its gardens and unique buildings as depicted by artists visiting, working and teaching at A&H. Featured artists include Odilie Donis, Brenda Hoffeiter, Barbara Tiffany, Cynthia Edmonds, and Glen Ward. The exhibit also includes a work by André Smith, in which he depicts artist Milton Avery being sketched by Arnold Blanch. Visit ArtandHistory.org or call 407.539. 2181

July 27 – The Amazing Dr. Wonderful Saves the World!

The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful (and Her Dog!), a young person’s musical, will be presented at The REP from July 27 to August 4. Dr. Wonderful and her ‘adventure team’ of Newton (the dog) and Ben (the human) save the solar system when the team receives a distress call causing them to leap into action from their laboratory - bedroom into outer space. Saving a star from disappearing can be tough, especially when the star is 1.3 million times the size of Earth and 93 million miles away, but with Dr. Wonder on the case, all ends happily. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

July 27 to August 18 – Stay Prayed Up: The Art of Ruby C. Williams

The ‘art career’ of folk artist Ruby C. Williams began when people noticed her brightly painted signs advertising fruits and vegetables. With coaxing, this spiritual business-woman, minister and grandmother embarked on the journey that has led her into classrooms, galleries and museums nationally. "I've been ministering since I was a kid; I do everything from the bottom of my heart, whether shelling a bucket of beans or making a painting,” she says. "I like when people look at it and smile." The opening reception, on July 27 from 11 am to 3 pm, is free and will be presented at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art at 211 E. 1st Street in Sanford. Call 407-323-2774 or visit jtfolkart.com

July 30 through October 27 – The Art of Ursula Schwartz

Vibrant and thought provoking, the artwork and poetry of Ursula Schwartz, to be presented at the Polasek Museum from July 30 to October 27, includes large-scale oil paintings in which the Artist expresses her South African perspective through bold colors, ‘energetic’ brush strokes, and figurative work. Poetry written by the Artist and her son accompany select paintings. (Add a little extra time so your visit may include the Museum’s magnificent Sculpture Gardens.) Located at 633 Osceola Avenue in Winter Park, call 407.647.6294 or visit polasek.org

August 1 – American Idol LIVE at the Amway Center  

Big news for all you American Idolators!  American Idol Live! hits the Amway Center on August 1 with the tour that gives fans the opportunity to be up close and personal with Season 12 Finalists plus Aubrey Cleland (you voted him back). And I’m pleased to report the tour has partnered with the Melanoma Research Alliance (curemelanoma.org). For every ticket purchased, American Idol Live! will donate $1 to Melanoma Research. We live in FLORIDA! Need I say more? Tickets at 800.745.3000 or amwaycenter.com

August 1 – 1st Thursday with the Florida Artists Registry

The FIRST of the Central Florida “Art Parties” to choose a specific day of the month (each month) is 1st Thursday at the Orlando Museum of Art. On THURSDAY August 1 – from 6 to 9 pm – this on-going event will present a one-night-only exhibit of the work of artists who are members of ArtistsRegistry.com with the work for sale that evening. Food from Maxine's on Shine and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission ($10) includes admission to the Museum's featured exhibit Contemporary American Graphics. Call 407 896 4231 x260, or visit OMArt.org

August 2 to 25 – Death of a Salesman

Mad Cow Theater is THE Theater Company we wish to entrust with the production of great American drama. There are those who say Arthur Miller’s masterpiece may be the greatest American play ever written, and we get to ‘experience’ Mad Cow’s take on Death of a Salesman through August 25. This is serious, award-winning American drama that combines hard-biting realism with magical theatricality in Miller’s visionary take on the ‘American Dream’ rendered to the dumpster. You WANT TO see this one! Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

August 2 to 24 – The Winter Park Playhouse Presents Forever Plaid

The Winter Park Playhouse will open their new season with the musical Forever Plaid, which invites us to return to the 1950's when four starry-eyed, young male singers are miraculously revived for a chance to perform the ‘show that never was.’ Featuring great voices, 4-part harmonies and 30 hit songs of the decade, the show is both funny and enchanting. Creating the ‘Plaid sound’ are Kevin Kelly, Todd Allen Long, Nick Rishel and Michael Swickard. Steven Flaa will direct, with musical direction by Christopher Leavy. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

And Looking Ahead …

August 10 – Taste of the Nation Helps END Childhood Hunger

It’s impossible for most of us to comprehend that 1 out of 5 people in Central Florida – that is MORE than 732,000 people – needed food assistance in Central Florida last year. But it gladdens my heart to know that in the past year Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida distributed more than 35 million pounds of food to our hungry neighbors.  That is 732,000 reasons to support Taste of the Nation Orlando on Saturday, August 10 when our finest chefs come together to donate their talent to end hunger in America. WE CAN HELP by purchasing tickets at $150 with 100% of proceeds going directly to Second Harvest Food Bank and the Coalition for the Homeless. Visit ce.strength.org/orlando

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators