Florida Culture for the Week of March 19 by Josh Garrick

Timely – Another World Record for Calle Ocho

Miami's Calle Ocho Street Festival racked up another Guinness world record when over 100 volunteers hoisted a flag (sewn together from 422 flags from around the world). The huge banner was 250 feet long and 36 feet wide – the largest of its kind ever created. That was on Sunday, March 11 – with representatives from Guinness World Records on hand to witness the event, calling it the largest-ever image created by flags. The flag is Calle Ocho's 5th world record: In 1988 – the world’s longest conga line; 1990 – the largest piñata; 2000 – the largest cigar ever rolled; 2008 – the most domino players at an event.

Timely – City of Orlando Employees Raise $445,695 for Florida Charities

Thanks to the generosity of City of Orlando employees, Mayor Buddy Dyer made check presentations totaling $445,695 in donations to 464 charitable organizations. More than 1,200 Orlando city employees participated, surpassing the $400,000 goal. Mayor Dyer said, “I was extremely impressed by the dedicated hard working members of our City family. Through their monetary contributions, our employees are helping address some of the most critical issues facing Central Florida.”  Contributions included donations to:  Orlando’s Hospice of the Comforter, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, and Heart of Florida United Way, among others.

March 21 to April 22 – RED 

The Tony-award-winning play for 2010 is RED, an often disturbing look at fine art painter Mark Rothko. Written by John Logan, nominated for Oscars for writing Avatar and Gladiator, Rothko is seen struggling to create new works. In 90 short minutes, the venomous Rothko embodies the will to create that drives great artists, but in the end, the audience comes to understand a defensive artist struggling with his pride, his legacy, and his will to create. Presented by the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

March 23 – Permanent Sculpture Unveiled

The Museum of Florida Art will unveil sculptor John Wolfe’s Tropical Cascade mobile in the lobby of the Museum on March 23 at 5 pm. The sculpture will be a permanent 18' x 6' hanging sculpture fabricated from steel and aluminum. The unveiling will be part of the Opening of the exhibit Architectural Counterpoints featuring the works of Louise Lieber and architects Roxanne Horvath and Peter Rumpel. Architectural Counterpoints will be on display through July 15. The Museum of Florida Art is located at 600 North Woodland Boulevard in DeLand, Florida. Call (386) 734-4371 or visit museumoffloridaart.org

March 24 – The ‘Enchanted’ Ballet

A ‘family-friendly’ evening of Dance will be presented by the Central Florida Ballet with the first act offering a variety of short pieces ranging from classical to contemporary styles including Tarantella and the romantic La Vivandiere.  Act two will showcase the traditional story ballet The Enchanted Garden from Le Corsaire. Set in King Pasha's palace, the ballet is a dream sequence where the women of the harem dance to celebrate beauty and harmony. Set for March 24 at 7 pm at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, FL. Call 407.849.9948.

Enchanted Garden. Photo Credit: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

March 24 – Maestro JoAnn Falletta Conducts the Orlando Philharmonic

The Orlando Philharmonic will perform Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 under the baton of guest conductor JoAnn Falletta, Music Director of both the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Virginia Symphony. Performed at the Bob Carr PAC, the concert opens with the world premiere of Pulsar, a work by 2009 Young Composers Challenge winner John Callahan.  Acclaimed by The New York Times as “one of the finest conductors of her generation,” Falletta is credited by The Washington Post as having “Toscanini’s tight control over ensemble, Walter’s affectionate balancing of inner voices, Stokowski’s gutsy showmanship, and a controlled frenzy worthy of Bernstein.” Call 407-770-0071, or visit www.orlandophil.org.

March 24 – Chuck Ragan’s Folk-Americana Tour

Folk music was born from a tradition of giving and openness – and no one has done more to bring back that original spirit than Chuck Ragan with The Revival Tour. Ragan explains, “There’s no hierarchy; it’s about sharing music together and bringing it to people in an honest and grassroots fashion.” He adds that the musicians all open the show together, join each other throughout the event and close it with a grand finale all together again. This year's lineup features Chuck Ragan, Tommy Gabel, Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio), and longtime Lucero collaborator Cory Branan in stripped down acoustic form. The Revival Tour will be at The Social on Saturday March 24 at 54 N. Orange Avenue in Orlando. Call 407.246.1419

RAGAN's "Camaraderie of the Commons" was the featured Daily Download on RollingStone recently; the 2nd song off of his most recent album Covering Ground to be featured on RollingStone... 

March 25 – Chocolate Festival in Melbourne

Did someone say Chocolate and Festival in the same sentence?  Serving their community since 1983, the Zonta Club of Melbourne invites us to the 8th Annual Chocolate Festival at the Eau Gallie Civic Center on Highland Avenue in Melbourne where Festival guests are treated to samples of chocolate confections, cakes, and desserts. Beginning with Brevard’s Best Chocolate Fix Competition and the Chocolate Buffet, this Festival will touch your heart and your sweet tooth from 11 am to 4 pm on March 25. Proceeds benefit local scholarship programs and community service projects. Call 321.300.5889 or visit zontaspacecoast.org

March 28 – Cosmic Golf Challenge Benefits Orlando Science Center

The Cosmic Golf Challenge returns for its 29th year with proceeds supporting the educational programs at the Orlando Science Center. Corporate teams and individual players will ‘swing for science’ over 18 holes of best ball tournament play on two separate courses of the Grand Cypress Golf Resort with prizes for achievements like “longest drive,” “hole-in-one” and “closest to the hole.” The event supports unique hands-on learning programs taking place at the Science Center for youth of all ages. Golf event registration includes lunch, dinner, cart rental and 18 holes of golf. To register, contact Kathy Lopus at 407.514.2233 or klopus [at] osc.org or visit osc.org

Grand Cypress Golf Resort Director of Golf Joe Angelino tees up for science in the Cosmic Golf Challenge benefitting the Orlando Science Center. Photo by Marie Relta McDonald

March 30, 31 and April 1 -- Orlando Ballet Presents Black and White Swans

The Orlando Ballet’s newest offering is Swans: Black and White – a new look at the classic Swan Lake. Based on the tale of a princess transformed into a swan by a vengeful sorcerer, this production explores the story’s darker themes of imprisonment and deception. Choreographed by Artistic Director Robert Hill after Marius Petipa, and set to Tchaikovsky’s evocative score, Hill promises to ‘surprise us with an unexpected approach.’ Young ballet enthusiasts may enjoy a similar story – The Swan Princess on March 31 at 11 am in a one-hour performance for young audiences. Performances take place at the Bob Carr PAC (March 30 and 31 at 8 pm and April 1 at 2 pm) Call 407.426.1739 or visit orlandoballet.org

March 30 to April 12   -- Flying Horse – Pressing on for Art

The unique Opening for IMPRINTS: 20 Years of Flying Horse Editions at the Mennello Museum of American Art will be an interactive celebration of fine art printing. The exhibit features limited-edition art objects and fine art books printed by Flying Horse Editions, a 20-year-old non-profit located at the University of Central Florida. Curated by Museum Director Frank Holt and Flying Horse Director Theo Lotz, the Opening night (Friday, March 30 from 6 to 8 pm) will see one of the galleries transformed into a printmaking studio, where guests can create their own art. Visit mennellomuseum.com

Mar 31 & April 1 – Downtown Food & Wine Fest at Lake Eola

20,000 ‘foodies’ and wine lovers will experience local cuisine paired with wines from around the globe at the Downtown Food & Wine Fest on Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1. Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, the two-day Fest features food samplings from 40 restaurants, domestic and international wines, and live entertainment.
Dave Robbins, Sr. VP of CBS Radio Orlando says, "As one of the area's signature events, our talented team is ready to produce an unforgettable experience to bring our community together to indulge in the sights, sounds, and tastes of The City Beautiful."  Visit DowntownFoodAndWineFest.com and "like" Downtown Food & Wine Fest on Facebook.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators