Florida Culture for the Week of April 9 by Josh Garrick

April 13 and April 15 – Busy, Successful Art & History Museums Maitland

With a string of recent successes, the Art & History Museums Maitland continues the renaissance of that revered organization as Artist Andrew Spear highlights the Culture & Cocktails event on April 13 from 6 to 9 pm.  Then, on April 15 at 1 pm Artist Molly Chism conducts a gallery walk of her exhibition in the Art Center Galleries. The Walk is Free and open to the public. Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) has gone through 2 years of profound change to emerge as a model for the manner in which cultural institutions and city government can work together – marking off successes as if to provide founder Andre Smith with a new legacy.  Highlights include new ‘branding’ including a new name, logo and website; a 51-year lease with the City of Maitland; a pair of fund-raising events (both of which exceeded last year’s revenue); much-needed Gallery renovations; and the first ever permanent exhibition of André Smith, founder of the A&H’s Maitland Art Center.  Congratulations to all. Visit ArtandHistory.org or phone 407-539-2181

April 14 – Youth Sports Festival
The University of Central Florida’s Youth Sports Festival returns April 14 (10 am to noon) offering students grades K to 5 athletic clinics led by UCF athletes and coaches. Held at the Jay Bergman Field, the cost is $5 per child and includes one clinic and lunch. Young athletes learn about a sport of their choice including baseball (bring a glove), football, cheerleading, and soccer (bring a ball).  After lunch, Youth Sports Fest participants and their families are invited to stay on campus to watch the UCF Football team in their annual spring game. Visit ucfathletics.com or call 407.823.2586.

April 18 – Serious “Foodies” need to bring serious appetites to the 27th Annual Taste of Winter Park presented by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 18 from 5 to 8 pm. Held at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market (200 W. New England Avenue in Winter Park) Taste of Winter Park is a food indulgence featuring ‘tastings’ from a virtual “Who’s Who” of popular Winter Park restaurants, chefs, and catering venues. Along with maxing out on the food and drink, live entertainment will be provided by Johnny Mag Sax. For information – including a complete list of participating restaurants – call 407.644.8281 or visit winterpark.org

April 19 – Artists to Benefit CityArts Factory
My Art-collecting heart loves the fund-raiser dreamed up by Sam Flax Orlando to support the Artist-filled CityArts Factory.  Called the 2012 Collection, artworks (in the collection) are all 20 X 20 or 12 X 12 canvasses created by 31 local artists who ‘painted live’ at Sam Flax. These works will be exhibited (and sold) at CityArts beginning April 19 at 6 pm – with 50% of all proceeds going to benefit the CityArts Factory. April 19 is also 3rd Thursday – when downtown galleries open their new exhibits – making this a win-win situation for us to see a lot of new work, PURCHASE some of that new work, AND support the noble efforts of the CityArts Factory at the same time.  CityArts is at 29 South Orange Avenue. Trust me; I’ll be there with my checkbook at the ready.

April 20 through May 27 – The Music Man
The Garden Theater (in Winter Garden) has already produced an impressive string of ‘self-produced musicals’ in which the community comes together to act in and create major musicals on-stage. Adding a ‘76-trombone salute’ to that theatrical history is The Music Man, running from April 20 to May 27. Led by Dustin Cunningham, as ‘Prof’ Harold Hill, a cast of over 60 performers and dozens of stage-crew volunteers ranging in age from 5 to 65 will bring this musical to life. Recommended for all ages, the Garden Theatre is at 160 West Plant Street. Call 407-877-GRDN (4736) or visit gardentheatre.org

April 20 -- There’s something about Rick Springfield that is and always has been … real. His songs about love and loss and greed and envy speak to generations. Lately the Grammy-Award-winner is more upbeat and fun than dark and introspective, marking a return to Rick’s pop/rock roots. To date, Rick Springfield has sold over 19 million records with 17 top-40 hits.  He’ll be at Plaza 'LIVE' in Orlando on April 20 at 8 pm.  Visit plazaliveorlando.com

April 21 – Casa Feliz is Back to the Future 
The Friends of Casa Feliz, who work to preserve our community's historic resources, have announced the 6th Annual JGR II Colloquium on Historic Preservation. With the title Back to the Future, the colloquium will be held Saturday, April 21 at the Winter Park Community Center. This year's event celebrates mid-century modern architecture with a panel discussion beginning at 10 am. Following the discussion will be a food truck lunch and a tour of mid-century modern homes in Winter Park. Call 407.628.8200 x1 or visit casafeliz.us

April 23 -- In the wildly-popular Broadway show STOMP, the 8 - member troupe uses brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, and hubcaps – to fill the stage with ‘beautiful noise.’ Perfect for audiences of all ages, you can “see what the noise is all about” on April 23 at 7:30 pm at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach. Visit peabodyauditorium.org

And not to be missed … on April 17 Disney’s The LION KING leaps onto the stage of the Bob Carr PAC in Orlando with all its stunning theatricality and beloved musical score. This perfect family musical is here through May 13. Visit OrlandoBroadway.com.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators