Florida Culture for the Week of October 17 by Josh Garrick

The Vampires are Havin’ a Ball!
The 24-member Orlando Ballet Company invites us to the Vampire's Ball, an evening of “humorously-convoluted, serious exploitation” of Vampires, Ghouls (and sexy dancing) with sly references to existing classical ballets and old-time vampire movies. Just in time for Halloween, and with a musical score ranging from Bach to Adele, ‘creatures of the night’ come to life on October 21, 22, and 23. The haunting performance promises a new full-length ballet with original choreography by Artistic Director Robert Hill. The ballet finds an innocent couple in a power-struggle between a Mad Scientist and an evil Vampiress. Will anyone come out ALIVE?!?!  Grip your seat as you are ‘glamoured’ into craving more at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Visit OrlandoBallet.org

Vampire's Ball Orlando Ballet

Zooloween
For those who prefer their zombie dancing out-doors – among the animals – the Central Florida Zoo presents Zooloween on October 22 from 7 pm to Midnight.  Are you brave enough for a fright-filled evening of adult potions, bizarre foods, zombie laser-hunting, dead music by live bands, a wicked costume contest, and a GHOST TRAIN!?!?  Creatures of the Night must be 21 or older to attend. Call 407.323.4450x100 or visit CentralFloridaZoo.org. The Zoo is at 3755 NW Hwy 17-92 in Sanford (I-4 Exit 104)

Frankenstein … for a Good Cause
80 Artists celebrate 8 decades of the Frankenstein Monster by presenting 80 uniquely, ‘re-imagined,’ life-size Boris Karloff Frankenstein Busts in the "Its Alive Project” running through November 15th at the City Arts Factory in Downtown Orlando. Each Artist was asked to unleash their creative demons to create the Monster in their own style. In a benefit for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, creations from local artists as well as ‘Monster Makers’ from across the country will be on display and available for purchase with all proceeds going to St. Jude’s. To view the works online, visit orlandoslice.com. The CityArts Factory is a collective of art galleries showcasing both local and international works of art, rotated on a monthly basis. Admission is Free. Visit cityartsfactory.com or call 407.648.7060.  CityArts is located at 29 South Orange Avenue in Orlando.

Frankensith - D Colonna

It's Alive Project

Puppets as ART
Another ‘fun’ Art Exhibit opens on October 20 when the Gallery at Avalon Island presents the "Orlando Puppet Festival" through November 10.  Once again Artists were asked to unleash their most creative – and playful – sides as they created Art Puppets from the very small to life-size.  Guest Curator Benjamin Sawinski says, “It's a fun show that everyone can enjoy. Every person has a connection to a puppet of some sort. Every artist I talk to has at least one that they want to paint. The show will be a very diverse mix of styles and interpretations.” The Opening Reception is scheduled for Thursday, October 20 from 6 to 9 pm. Artwork is for sale and the public is invited. The Gallery at Avalon Island is at 39 S. Magnolia Avenue in Orlando. Call 407-312-0708 or visit
GalleryatAvalonIsland.com

Celebrity Photographs   
In 200 ‘Super-Star’ images, this ‘glamorous’ exhibit presents portraits of Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, 'Coco' Chanel, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and hosts of other celebrities by a photographer who had the luxury of having his ‘clients’ choose him as their photographer and then pose for him. Photojournalist Douglas Kirkland is renowned for his work with the world’s most famous celebrities AND for his movie stills from the world’s most celebrated films. The exhibit may be viewed from October 21 to February 19 at the Southeast Museum of Photography in Daytona Beach. Admission is FREE.  Call 386.506.4475 or visit smponline.org

Marilyn Monroe

Silver Alert …
Miss Nelson's boisterous students are misbehaving AGAIN! But the students are in for a surprise when Miss Nelson is replaced by Viola Swamp, the scariest substitute teacher ever. Where did Miss Nelson go?  Will she ever return?  Kids love this witty musical while teachers and parents appreciate the values of respect and generosity it teaches. The Orlando Shakespeare Theater continues its Young Audiences Series with the ‘good-at-being-bad’ kids of Room 207.  Head back to school with Miss Nelson is Missing in performance through November 19.  The Shakespeare Theater is at 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando’s Loch Haven Cultural Park.  Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

The ADDAMS Family National Tour
Now in its 2nd year on Broadway, The Addams Family makes its Orlando debut from November 1 to 6. Based on the quirky characters created by illustrator/cartoonist Charles Addams, Gomez, Morticia and their ‘family’ combine the twisted and macabre with charm and wit. The Addams Family musical features an original story –  The Addams’ young ‘princess of darkness,’ Wednesday (that’s her name), has fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family. Everything changes on the fateful night the Addams Family hosts a dinner for Wednesday's ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents. Called a “classic, full-tilt, fast paced, old-fashioned musical comedy!” by the Chicago Tribune, we can join the Addams Family in their “glitzy-gloomy” new musical at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Visit OrlandoBroaway.com or call 1-800-982-2787.

Addams Family

Feminists at Rollins College
It’s been 45 years since the founding of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and the Winter Park Institute at Rollins College will celebrate that anniversary with a series of FREE events on October 28 and 29. Open to the public, the events feature author Gloria Steinem, Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, and Rollins College alumna and co-founder of NOW Muriel Fox. Events include:
Women Today: An Evening with Gloria Steinem
Friday, October 28 at 7:30 pm at Rollins College, Alfond Sports Center
Still Moving That Mountain: Feminism, Past and Future
Saturday, October 29 at 8:30 am at Rollins College, Tiedtke Concert Hall
A conversation between Gloria Steinem and Patricia Schroeder, and panel discussions including Veteran Feminists and student-led oral history projects.
Gloria Steinem and Patricia Schroeder — “Our Journey to Equality”
Saturday, October 29 at 2 pm at Rollins College, Tiedtke Concert Hall
Guerilla Girls on Tour — “Feminists are Funny”
Saturday, October 29 at 8 pm at Rollins College, Tiedtke Concert Hall
-- a collection of skits, songs and parodies addressing women’s issues.
Visit rollins.edu/wpi or call (407) 691-1995.

Gloria Steinem

Rising STAR
“The lovely and talented” may be an overused expression, but it’s the perfect description of singer/actress Natalie Cordone, who returns to the Winter Park Playhouse in a solo cabaret act on October 26 and 27. AND she’s witty (which is pretty much a requirement for a cabaret act), but we can tell HOW witty by the title of her show -- ‘I’m Not Here to Take Naps; Tales of a Preschool Perfectionist.’  Natalie’s success story includes an MFA from UCF followed by coast to coast work as an actress, singer and spokesperson. Sharing time with work Off-Broadway in New York City and here in Winter Park, audiences have been fortunate to see Natalie featured in several musicals at the Playhouse. “Natalie’s gorgeous soprano voice combined with her charm, wit and comedic timing promise an unforgettable night at the Playhouse!” says Artistic Director Roy Alan. Advance reservations are recommended. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org.  The Playhouse is located at 711 Orange Avenue in Winter Park.

Natalie Cordone

The Painting in the Attic
You’ve seen those moments on TV – Mrs. John Q. Public walks in with an old painting she picked up at a garage sale, and the TV appraiser tells her she’s the owner of an original painting worth BIG BUCKS!  It’s time to pull out all those ‘forgotten’ pieces and take them to the Cornell Fine Art Museum on the campus of Rollins College on October 29.  For $10 per item (the $ benefits the Museum), they will have appraisers on-hand to tell us what our forgotten treasure is worth. Someone is going to have one of those “It’s a treasure” moments, and I only hope I’m in the room at that time to enjoy the hoopin’ and hollerin! The fun begins at 10 am.  Call 407.646.1526

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators