Florida Culture for the Week of March 5 by Josh Garrick

Now through April 29 – Presses & Prints at the Art Museum

Back in 1974, when Congress allowed the National Endowment for the Arts to actually HELP the Arts in our country, the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) received a grant from which 27 works were purchased. That collection is a prime example of why enlightened governments HELP the Arts as the collection has increased tenfold (to include over 270 works) by major Artists including Jasper Johns, James Rosenquist, Louise Nevelson and Elizabeth Peyton. Since then printmaking has introduced fine art – and collecting – to a huge, new, Art-loving audience. Now OMA presents Presses, Publishers and Prints: Selections from the Contemporary American Graphics Collection, running through April 29. Featuring the finest of OMA's lithographs, silk-screens, etchings, woodblocks, and works on paper, this is the strongest group of works within the Museum's holdings. The OMA is located in Loch Haven Park in Orlando. Call 407 896 4231 or visit omart.org.

Mar 7 to 18 – Festival of the Arts BOCA

“From a showing of Casablanca - an all-time film classic – with live orchestra - to an evening of operatic favorites, this year’s program reflects a bit of Hollywood glamour,” says Charlie Siemon, Festival Chair of the 6th Annual Festival of the Arts BOCA, set for March 7 to 18. This multi-culti Festival is presented at the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater & Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center in Boca Raton, bringing music, dance, and film to South Florida.  From one of the world’s great tenors, José Carreras, who kicks off the Festival on March 7, to Cuban-born jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríquez, and a presentation of Casablanca with LIVE Orchestral accompaniment by the Boca Raton Symphonia, this Festival packs opera, dance, category-shattering musical acts, and “Ideas” by leading authors into one unique Festival. Call 866.571.ARTS or visit festivaloftheartsboca.org for tickets and complete schedule.

Mar 8 & Mar 13 -- Sisaundra & Wynton Marsalis

Last week I told you about Billboard Chart Topper and ‘voice’ of La Nouba – Sisaundra – performing at the Garden Theatre’s annual fund-raiser.  She was even MORE sensational than we hoped. Now we have two more chances to hear this Florida sensation as she ‘opens’ for trumpeter, composer, bandleader, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and all-around jazz giant Wynton Marsalis.  The event is a benefit for the Women’s Resource Center of Central Florida set for March 8 at 6 pm at Polk State College.  Sisaundra will follow THAT engagement by singing the national anthem on March 13 when the Orlando Magic take on the Miami Heat. If I sound like an unabashed fan – I AM!  Sisaundra is one of the great talents ever to emerge from Central Florida – home-grown and trained in her family’s Church Choirs. Ya gotta see this talent.

Mar 9 – Parker Sketch at Culture & Cocktails

He’s the ‘hottest’ young painter in Central Florida, and his contributions to the Arts community include museum shows, gifts to silent auctions, and a free discussion group (about Fine Art, of course) that continues to grow and grow. He is Parker Sketch, and if you have NOT seen his work, it’s time to emerge from your cave and view the work this Friday – March 9 – at the always fun Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H)’s monthly Culture & Cocktails event. Culture & Cocktails takes place the second Friday of every month from 6 to 9 pm at 210 W. Packwood Avenue in Maitland. The evening’s activities include music by Cure for Caska, poetry readings, works by A&H’s Sketch Club, and food from Fork in the Road Food Truck. Admission is $5 (which includes one drink ticket). Visit ArtandHistory.org or call 407-539-2181

Mar 14 – Kathy Ireland and the Women’s Leadership Council

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and super-model Kathy Ireland will ‘headline’ Heart of Florida United Way’s 5th Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon on Wednesday March 14. Co-chaired by Helen Donegan and Karen Dee, The Women’s Leadership Council raises awareness, funds and volunteer support for women and children dealing with domestic violence and poverty. A heart-breaking 65% of clients served by United Way partner agencies are women. Ms. Ireland is the CEO of a $1.9 billion design empire and works diligently to improve education, reduce poverty and help families prosper. The luncheon will take place at the Hilton Orlando (Convention Center) at 6001 Destination Parkway. Tickets at hfuw.org or by calling 407-429-2111

Mar 15 -- If He Likes It Then He Oughta Put a Ring on It

The Heaven Event Center is the ‘perfect home’ for Orlando’s first-ever NotWedding, an aptly-named ‘alternative bridal show’ which takes the form of a big (fake) WEDDING. Complete with emotional ceremony, full dinner, and a dance-party reception, brides-to-be are offered a unique way to see wedding vendors in action. The goal is to inspire brides, promote local businesses, and encourage solid marriages – while having a great time.
This is NotWedding’s first year in Orlando, and the event is scheduled for March 15. With Valentine's Day just a few weeks ago, engagement season is in full swing. If your hand is sporting some shiny new bling, you can visit (and buy your ticket) at thenotwedding.com

Mar 16 to April 1 – The Foreigner

The Jester Theater Company has a kind of ‘second home’ at the beautiful Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, and they will produce the comedy The Foreigner there from March 16 to April 1. In this comedy, Charlie Baker considers himself to be the “world’s dullest man,” but his friend Sgt. Froggy LeSueur has a plan to change all that. Froggy takes his friend on a vacation where the scheme includes making Charlie appear as a foreigner who can’t speak English. Their plan backfires when lodge guests share with Charlie their deepest secrets and most sinister plans. Starring Keith Smith as “the foreigner” and Bill Warriner as his friend Froggy, the theater is on Plant Street in the heart of historic downtown Winter Garden. Call 407.877.GRDN (4736) or visit gardentheatre.org

Mar 16 – Lord of the Dance

Sixteen years after Michael Flatley created Lord of the Dance, it is selling out arenas as the world’s highest grossing dance show. We can join the 60 million people who have already seen this hit show when the tour arrives in Orlando at the Bob Carr PAC on March 16 for two performances only. Visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787 or 407-704-6116

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators