Florida Culture for the Week of August 20 by Josh Garrick

August 24 – Historic Downtown Sanford Art Walk

One more day in the month – dedicated to Art – is the 4th Friday of each month when Art Galleries and other ‘venues’ in Sanford showcase local talent along with opportunities to meet visiting artists. The monthly event is free and runs from 6 to 9 pm. On that evening, downtown Sanford becomes a pedestrian shopping corridor enhanced by live music and award winning restaurants. Participating venues include Art Affair Gallery, Framing 508 Gallery of Art, Gallery on First, Historic Sanford WelcomeCenter,, Hyder Gallery Center for Fine Art, Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, little fish HUGE pond, and the Sanford Flower Shop. All venues are within walking distance of one another and will be open “at least until 9 pm.” Special CONGRATULATIONS go to the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery at 211 East 1st Street, celebrates Taylor’s 15th year in business this month. Jeanine’s famous Southern hospitality invites us to stop by for a slice of anniversary cake and punch. Call 407-323-2774 or visit jtfolkart.com or sanfordartwalk.com

August 24 – HippieFEST in Daytona

Pull out those tie-dye t-shirts and check out the psychedelic fun at the Hippiefest Street Festival on Auditorium Boulevard in front of the Peabody Auditorium on August 24 beginning at 4 pm. The street festival is FREE and open to everyone. There will be live music, food, merchandise vendors and more. Parents, grandparents and kids will have a blast and get in the mood for the star-studded concert to follow at 7:30 pm at the Peabody Auditorium.  The Concert will feature the multi-talented Edgar Winter Band whose early recording of Tobacco Road propelled him into the national spotlight; Savoy Brown’s Kim Simmonds, who is heading into 4 decades of playing the Blues; and guitar great and vocalist Rick Derringer, who was just 17 when his band The McCoys recorded the No.1 hit Hang On Sloopy in the summer of 1965. Purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com or in-person at the Peabody Box Office. Call 386.671.3460 or visit PeabodyAuditorium.org

August 25 – The 8th Annual Red Chair Affair

It’s known as the ‘kick-off’ of the Central Florida arts and culture season, and whether you are new to the area, a Patron of the Arts, or you simply want to know more about the Arts in Central Florida, this one evening serves as a not-to-be missed fund-raiser and variety performance. Moved along at a brisk pace by Director John DiDonna, the evening is your ‘sampler ticket’ to this season’s cultural offerings. Performances and entertainment will be provided by Art & History Museums, Maitland, ArtistsRegistry, Empty Spaces Theatre Collaboration, the Bach Festival, Enzian, Florida Opera Theatre, the Orlando Ballet, the Orlando Philharmonic, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, and SAK Comedy Lab among others. The evening is a fund-raiser for the Red Chair Project, a collaborative involving more than 360 arts organizations working to promote the arts. The 8th Annual Red Chair Affair will be held at the Bob Carr PAC. VIP and general admission tickets are available. Call 407.872.2382.

August 25 – Taste of the Nation – Great Food for the Most Important Cause

It breaks my heart to report that 1 out of 5 people in Central Florida – that is MORE than 732,000 people needed food assistance in Central Florida last year – a 152% increase from 2006. But it gladdens my heart to know that in the past year Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida distributed more than 35 million pounds of food to our hungry neighbors.  That is 732,000 reasons to support Taste of the Nation Orlando on Saturday, August 25. Those of us fortunate enough to be able to lend our support may savor the finest food and wine with our finest chefs coming together to donate their talent and passion to end hunger in America. 100% of ticket sales support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger, so please join Honorary Chair Mayor Buddy Dyer as we enjoy culinary sensations from Central Florida's leading restaurants at the World Center Marriott on August 25.  VIP Tickets are $150 with 100% of ticket proceeds going directly to Second Harvest Food Bank and the Coalition for the Homeless.
Visit facebook.com/nokidhungry or ce.strength.org/Orlando.

August 28 at 6 pm – FREE Artist Critiques & Conversation with the Public Invited

I am grateful – every day – that my life is filled with Art and Artists, and one of the joyful ways I’ve found to ‘give back’ is to lead an ‘introductory’ Artist Critiques & Conversation evening on every 4th Tuesday of the month at The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H). The next 4th Tuesday is August 28. Not only does the series ‘help’ emerging Artists with a professional critique, but it also allows the Public to meet and be introduced to these Artists. At each session works of Art have been purchased directly from the presenting Artists WHILE they were being critiqued – and that is some REAL HELP to these Artists – especially in this economy.  Each month I am joined by two fellow panelists. On August 28 I am honored to report that I will be joined by Artist Robin Maria Pedrero and Orlando Sentinel columnist and Artist Terry Hummel. That’s the 4th Tuesday of every month at A&H at 210 W. Packwood Avenue in Maitland.  The program is FREE and the public is encouraged to attend. Visit ArtandHistory.org or call 407.539.2181

August 28 – Big Time Rush in Big Time Summer Tour

Recently chosen as the world’s most popular ‘boy-band’ by Parade magazine, and in response to their first tour which sold-out thanks to their popular TV series, Big Time Rush will come to the Amway Center on August 28. The series follows four best friends from Minnesota who trade in hockey sticks for music stardom in Los Angeles (averaging 3.6 million viewers). Their new album Elevate includes “Music Sounds Better With U,” “All Over Again” and “Elevate.” plus new music that will debut on the TV series. The soundtrack for their recently released movie, Big Time Movie, features covers of Beatles songs including “Help,” and “Hard Day’s Night.” Visit BigTimeTour.com. Buy tickets at amwaycenter.com, at Amway Center box office, or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.  

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators