Florida Culture for the Week of April 15 by Josh Garrick

April 16 to 21 – Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The first national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert finds a trio of friends (who happen to be drag queens) aboard a battered bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback. With over 500 Tony Award-winning costumes, Priscilla features a hit parade of 20 disco favorites including It's Raining Men and I Will Survive. Along with the 2011 Tony Award for Best Costume, Priscilla received three Best Musical award nominations, and is the most successful Australian musical of all time. With performances from April 16 to 21, tickets may be ordered at OrlandoBroadway.com or by calling 1-800-982-2787

April 17 to 20 – Florida Music Festival

Florida Music Festival is a multi-day celebration of up-and-coming musicians held in downtown Orlando. The festival lets fans experience live music, film, visual arts and the cultural community, welcoming more than 250 performers from alternative, pop, country, urban, hip hop and acoustic formats, along with hundreds of filmmakers and dozens of visual artists. Admission varies. Visit floridamusicfestival.com for the complete schedule.

April 18 to May 11 – The All Night Strut

‘Swing’ is the thing in this musical celebration of the 1930's and 40's. The All Night Strut is a musical celebration that carries us through the Depression and World War II, filled with jazz, blues, bebop and standards to keep our toes tapping to legendary songwriters Frank Loesser, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and the Gershwins. From the funk-jive of Harlem to the sophisticated El Morocco, All Night Strut is a combination of harmony and unbeatable energy opening at the Winter Park Playhouse on April 18. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

April 18 to May 26 – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

This special Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) version of the Broadway musical finds Tom Sawyer matching wits with Aunt Polly and taking the adventure of his life with Becky and Huckleberry Finn. Based on the characters created by Mark Twain and filled with foot-stomping songs, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer has thrills, comedy, and a bit of American history for the whole family. Opening April 18, call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com for tickets.

April 19 to May 26 – The Wizard of Oz

Enough with sequels and prequels; each year the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden produces a BIG musical, cast from local talent, and each year they do a great job producing Broadway on-stage. This season, from April 19 to May 26, the Garden Theatre presents The Wizard of Oz – the one we grew up with – the one that exists “somewhere over the rainbow.” Here’s our chance to – once again -- join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the TinMan, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel with Dorothy to the Emerald City. In some clever casting, this production has Terry Olson, Orange County's Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in the role of the Wizard. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

April 21 to 27 – Paint Out Winter Park 

Throughout the week, beginning April 21, twenty-five “plein air” artists will ‘paint’ throughout Winter Park, capturing landscapes and landmarks with oils, acrylics, and watercolors – and we are invited to watch their creative process. Visitors may watch artists painting in the gardens and attend free painting demonstrations. Artwork will be for sale in the Polasek Museum’s ‘wet room’ with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Museum. (Plein air describes artworks painted outdoors with the subject directly in view). Hosted by the Polasek Museum, call 407 647 6294 or visit Polasek.org or winterparkpaintout.org

April 25 to May 12 – Mad Cow’s 12th Annual Cabaret Festival 

Mad Cow’s Cabaret Festival – the best in town – will be even better this season in their new home on Church Street in downtown Orlando. The Festival is host to over 40 performances of soul, pop, Broadway, comedy, and Cabaret Headliners including Tony Award Nominee Emily Skinner; soul-singer Shoshana Bean; renowned singer/pianist Tony Desare; baritone Lee Lessack (channeling Johnny Mercer); comedy team Mel & El; celebrity impersonator Michael L. Walters; and former Mouseketeer Lindsey Alley in evening and lunchtime performances. The Festival runs from April 25 through May 12 at 54 West Church Street in Orlando. Call 407.297.8788 or visit orlandocabaret.com

April 26, 27 and 28 – The Annual 100 for $100 Multi-Artist Gallery Show

Art Collectors – get ready to rumble! Sanford’s Gallery on First will offer the 4th installment of 100 4 $100, a 3-day group show of 100 pieces of art for $100 or under. Coinciding with the Sanford Art Walk, the opening (and the best buys) will be held on April 26 from 6 to 9 pm. The Opening is free and open to the public. Arrive early for the best selections. Each year they offer a variety of styles, including mixed media, watercolors, sculpture, acrylic paintings and drawings. Gallery on First is at 211 East 1st Street in Downtown Sanford. Call 407.323.2774 or visit galleryonfirst.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators