Florida Culture for the Week of June 6 by Josh Garrick 

GUITAR in World Premiere Exhibit
The Orlando Science Center has scored a major coup in the world of Museum exhibits by presenting the premiere of the National GUITAR Museum’s touring exhibition, "GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World.”  Opening June 11, the exhibit explores the history and evolution of the guitar – from lutes and lyres to modern high-tech instruments. Along the way it also shows how the guitar became the cultural symbol it is today. On display at the Science Center until September 11 with displays that entertain while they educate, the show includes historical artifacts, models, posters, video screens, and kiosks that feature everything from how strings create sound to environmental concerns about how the wood used to make guitars is disappearing. Displays include precursors to the guitar, such as the Tanbur from Persia, the Oud from Mesopotamia, the Lute from Europe, the pipa from China and the sitar from India. Call 407-514-2000

A ‘Peanuts’ Breakthrough!
The comic strip Peanuts, created by Charles M. Shulz, has been described as “the most shining example of the American success story in the comic strip field,” based somewhat ironically as it is on its innocent – but inept – main character, Charlie Brown. Young Mr. Brown is meek, lacks self confidence, and has never been able to fly a kite, kick a football, or win at anything he attempts. It was perhaps inevitable that the Peanuts characters would find their way to the Broadway stage, appearing in a musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Originally successful Off-Broadway (begun in 1967), an updated revival opened on Broadway in 1999, and soon became the most produced musical in American theatre. The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park will present the musical from Friday June 10 through July 3. With direction by Keith Newhouse, Charlie Brown and his faithful Snoopy are joined by friends Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Pig Pen, Peppermint Patty, and Woodstock at the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park.  The theater is located at 419A W. Fairbanks Avenue. Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Fantasy of Flight for DAD
Fantasy of Flight is Central Florida's premiere aviation attraction, showcasing vintage aircraft from the world's largest private collection. June is a special month at this attraction as Guests are invited to hear first-hand accounts from Pacific War Veterans, AND bring Dad for Free during Father's Day Weekend. In the first of these two action-packed weekends (Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11), Fantasy of Flight presents "The Pacific War: Power and Pursuit,” where guests will have the opportunity to hear first-hand from veterans who participated in World War II. Speakers include Lt. Col. Doug Canning, hand-picked for a mission to take down the top military strategist of Japan; Ray Albritton, a radar operator; and Bruce Gamble of The History Channel and four-time author – each veteran offering a glimpse into what it was like to be a part of our nation’s history. Then, in honor of Father's Day weekend (June 16 to 19), Fantasy of Flight will offer free admission to ‘Dad’ when accompanied by any paid youth or adult. General Manager Kim Long says, "Whether you're a history buff, collector, aviation enthusiast, or a Dad who simply loves planes, come and spend a few hours learning more about America's proud aviation history." Biplane rides and hot air balloon rides are available for an extra charge. Call 863-984-3500 or visit fantasyofflight.com

MEN Painting MEN
Central Florida’s most celebrated painters (who happen to be men) will be featured in an exhibit set to open June 5 at the new Gateway Center in DeBary, Florida.  The title of the exhibit is succinctly “Men Painting Men,” and the testosterone-filled exhibit is created by male Artists whose subject is the male figure. Artists include photo-realist painter Douglas Bloodworth; mixed-media artist Victor Bokas; contemporary “urban” artist Asaan ‘Swamburger’ Brooks; photo-surrealist painter Jacob Cordell; renowned creator of the “strappo” technique Harold Garde; watercolorist Bob Hague; urban landscape painter Bryce Hammond; abstract figurative painter Terry Hummel; “musical mood” artist Bill Moran; portraitist Arnold Munroe; New Age POP Artist Parker Sketch; urban ‘cross-over’ artist Chris Tobar; and portraitist Steve Vanderwolk;
and is curated by yours truly. The exhibit opens on Sunday, June 5 with
a Reception from 2 pm to 4 pm and runs through July 14. (The exhibit is appropriate
for viewing by children). The Gateway Center for the Arts is located at
880 N. Highway 17-92 in DeBary, Florida. Visit
gatewaycenterforthearts.org or call 386.668.5553.

$5000 for Your Favorite Arts Group
United Arts is giving us a Vote that could help our favorite Arts organization receive extra funding. Recently United Arts announced a new campaign, The Arts Matter. Your Vote Matters!, which runs through 11:59 pm on Tuesday, June 14. In two easy minutes, you can help your favorite local arts organization win $5,000. All organizations that have received funding through United Arts within the past three years are eligible to participate. To cast your vote, visit TheArtsMatter.com by June 14 and click on The Arts Matter. Your Vote Matters! You will see a list of organizations. When you click on the organization of your choice, a page will open that takes you directly to the organization’s portrait-page. Your vote will automatically be counted when you click on the organization of your choice. The organization with the most votes wins $5,000. Visit TheArtsMatter.com

Derek Gores and Zoé Mac on “Third Thursday”
‘Third Thursday,’ (which is June 16 this month) is the time when all the Downtown Orlando Art Galleries – and other venues – open their new Art exhibits. It’s a wonderful way – in one evening – to see what’s new in the Fine Arts while supporting the Artists whose work is shown in a variety of spaces. On Thursday June 16, from 6 to 9 pm, Artists Derek Gores and Zoé Mac will share an Opening Reception at the Gallery at Avalon Island – one of the ‘anchor’ galleries of the Central Florida Art scene. The Opening is free, and the exhibit will be on display through July 15th.  Gores has gained national attention for his collage portraits, recycling magazines, labels, and found materials to create his works on canvas. In 2010, Gores was named ‘one of the 40 important artists of the New Contemporary Movement’ while in a show at London Miles Gallery in the UK. In 2009, Gores was honored to be one of fifteen artists asked to show in an exhibit at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, and he was recently commissioned to create 6 new pieces for the new Amway Arena, including a 7-foot-tall portrait of Dwight Howard. Zoé Mac’s works have been published in the United States and Europe, and marketed to collectors in all fifty states of North America. Ms. Mac has been featured at New York's International Art Expo and has exhibited throughout the U.S.

Millie's Run by Zoe Mac

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators