Florida Culture for the Week of August 27 by Josh Garrick

ALL of September -- Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month

Even if you have “champagne tastes, and a beer-bottle pocket,” we can all afford to indulge our palates in a month-long celebration of Orlando’s ever-more sophisticated dining universe. The 7th annual Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month will run from September 1 to 30 and will include more than 60 restaurants offering three-course prix-fixe dinners for $30. The month-long event will benefit the Edgewood Children’s Ranch with $1 from every meal donated to the organization. Throughout September, diners can choose from restaurants in locations all across Central Florida. From International Drive to Winter Park, a complete list of participating restaurants is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com or VisitOrlando.com

August 30 to September 20 – Photographer Bob Michaels at Seminole State

The Art Gallery at Seminole State College will open its 2012-2013 season with an exhibit by Orlando-based photographer Bob Michaels. His work presents the lives and rituals of people from other cultures, and his latest series Cuba: People, was created from more than nine trips to Cuba since 2009. We can meet Bob Michaels at the opening on Thursday August 30 at 5 pm in the Gallery in Building G at 100 Weldon Boulevard in Sanford. All gallery exhibits are free and open to the public. Call 407.708.2040 or visit seminolestate.edu/arts

August 31 to Nov 25 – Florida Watercolor Society at Mennello Museum

The 41st Annual Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition will be held from August 31 to November 25 at the Mennello Museum of Art at 900 East Princeton Street in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park. The exhibit, juried by Nicholas Simmons, will feature 100 of the best paintings by Florida’s top watercolor artists. With over 1,100 members, FWS is one of the largest state-based watercolor societies in the United States.  Planned to coincide with the FWS Annual Convention, to be held in Orlando from September 13 to 16, conventioneers may participate in demonstrations by 20 Artists, Critiques from award-winning Artists, and a tradeshow with vendors from across the United States. Awards will be presented at the gala dinner on September 15. For more on the multi-talented Artist and Judge Nicholas Simmons, visit nicholassimmons.com. For more on the exhibit or the conference, visit floridawatercolorsociety.org or call 813.220.5800.

September 5 through 29 – Art Exhibition: Soul Journeys

Through soft impressions and bold strokes, fine-art-lovers are invited to join an ‘Artists’ journey’ as four Artists come together to present a celebration of their Soul Journeys. Open to the public on September 5 with works by Jon Miller, Carson Kapp, Nancy Hagood and Shirley Pittman, the exhibit runs through September 29 with a Free Artist’s Reception on September 12 from 5:30 to 7:30. Miller is known for Florida landscapes, but is shown here with abstract work. An architect by profession, Ms. Kapp exhibits abstract figurative works. Ms. Pittman comes from a background of computers, and paints for “freedom, gratitude, happiness, and mental therapy.” Award winner Nancy Hagood’s pastel impressionist works are like misty dreams that “allow my viewers to take a voyage through romantic colors to places of their own.”  This artistic ‘journey’ is at the Peabody Auditorium at 600 Auditorium Blvd in Daytona Beach. Call 836.736.3039 or email marymcbridearts[at]gmail.com

September 6 – Eclectic Knights at the Orlando Museum of Art

The first of Central Florida’s “choose a specific day of the month for an Art Party and show Art every month” is the Orlando Museum of Art's (OMA's) 1st Thursday event, which falls on September 6 this month. Hosted by the UCF Visual Arts & Design Alumni Chapter, this month’s exhibit is called Eclectic Knights IV and will feature works created by UCF alumni and faculty in a variety of media. We can vote on "Best of Show" as created by our favorite Eclectic Knight artist, watch student performances, have a ‘portrait’ done by Caricatures by Maria, or simply mingle with UCF artists and alumni. Live music will be provided by the Abel Avalos Trio and edibles will be offered by Foodie Catering. Admission is $10, free for OMA Members, and includes admission to OMA's exhibit From Alice to Zeus:  The Art of John Rocco.  Parking is free at Orlando Loch Haven Park. Call 407 896 4231 x260, or visit OMArt.org

September 6 to 30 -- The REP Opens its 10th Anniversary Season

This season the Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP) announces its 10th Birthday Season, and Orlando’s only professional theatre for families and young audiences will kick off this “to-be-congratulated-season” with the musical The Paper Bag Princess.  In performance from September 6 to 30, Princess is based on the picture book of the same name by Robert Munsch. This musical for young people finds a dangerous dragon kidnapping a handsome prince on his wedding day. The dragon’s fiery breath burns up all the clothes in the palace, but our brave Princess finds a paper bag to wear and off she goes to rescue her love, trick the dragon, and save her prince. Instead of being grateful for her bravery and intelligence, however, the Prince questions the Princess’ strange attire – leading to some interesting reactions from our brave Princess. The REP is located in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park.  Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators