Florida Culture for the Week of May 13 by Josh Garrick

Now Open – Clifford the Big Red Dog at the Science Center

Inspired by Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford The Big Red Dog on PBS, the Science Center’s newest exhibit offers “paws-on” adventures that reinforce Clifford’s Big Ideas – 10 simple life lessons designed to help children share, be a good friend and help others. Children get to board the Birdwell Island ferry, play drums from around the world (including Clifford’s giant xylo-bone), find “bone”-ifide treasures at T-Bone’s Beach, and slide down the tail of the 9-foot-tall Clifford that is the centerpiece of the exhibit. Parents can browse the Normal Bridwell Art Retrospective of 40 years of stories by the award-winning author of Clifford The Big Red Dog. Visit osc.org

May 14 to 19 – ‘Memphis’ to Orlando – Direct from Broadway

It won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Orchestration, and now Memphis – the Broadway musical – is heading to Orlando. From the ‘underground dance clubs’ of 1950s Memphis, Tenn., comes this hot new musical bursting with explosive dancing, songs and a tale of forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, Memphis dances into the Bob Carr PAC from May 14 to 19. Tickets are available online at OrlandoBroadway.com or by calling 1-800-982-2787.

May 15 to 28 – The Fringe Festival Arrives

That wacky, often-weird, and always-wonderful Festival of plays called Fringe will present 100 performance groups in Fringe 2013. Fringe’s ‘philosophy’ is to be 100% uncensored, 100% non-juried, 100% accessible, while giving 100% of $ from ticket sales back to the Artists. This celebration of the arts takes place at Loch Haven Park in the last two weeks of May offering a host of original performances, a lively outdoor stage, Visual Fringe (fine Art) and Kids Fringe! The Orlando Fringe is the longest-running Fringe Festival in the U.S! Remembering that Fringe plays are ‘uncensored,’ you’ll want to check the schedule for plays that are adults only and which ones are (age-appropriate) Kids Fringe! Visit orlandofringe.org for a complete schedule.

May 16 and 23 – Carol Stein in I Love a Piano

Native Floridian Carol Stein returns to The Winter Park Playhouse with her new solo cabaret, I Love A Piano on May 16 and 23. Carol’s travels as a musician have spanned the globe including Carnegie Hall in New York, The Oasis Lounge in Hong Kong, and Disney World. She has recorded four solo albums, ‘spontaneously arranges’ musical pieces during live performances, and currently performs as the Hat Lady Pianist at the Rose and Crown Pub at the United Kingdom Pavilion in EPCOT. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org  

May 17, 18 and 19 – CFC Arts Cabaret Series

The Central Florida Community Arts’ Cabaret Series presents Katy Reinsel Willis in a “Mother’s Day themed show" entitled Mother Knows Best. Katy has spent the past decade entertaining from theme parks to theaters in Minnesota and New York, to a 3-year stint as a singer on the Disney Cruise Line. Katy took on her most recent (and favorite) role – that of being a mother – when her son Ethan John, the inspiration for her cabaret show, was born. Katy will perform on May 17, 18 and 19 at the Dr. Phillips Building at 1111 N. Orange Avenue in Orlando. Call 407.949.7170 or visit cfcarts.com

May 17 to January 5, 2014 – New Exhibits at the Mennello Museum

The Mennello Museum offers two new exhibits, both of which open on May 17.  The first, called Never No More: Storter’s Southwest Florida showcases the memoirs of Rob Storter (1894-1987), which were published in 2000 as the book Crackers in the Glade. This self-taught artist sketched pictures of his rural environment, and annotated them with stories, often bemoaning the wilderness that was being lost to development. The second exhibit is Art and Artifacts of the Seminole: Selections from the Collection of I.S.K. Reeves V and Sara W. Reeves which features the history and culture of the Florida Seminoles as seen through their art, jewelry and more. Call 407-246-4278 or visit mennellomuseum.com

May 17 to August 10 – University Student Exhibition at Atlantic Center for the Arts

The Opening Reception on May 17 is a big ‘first step’ in the Fine Art careers of Aleisha Breter (University of Central Florida); Fabi Jimeno (Florida Intl. University); Sebastian Muñoz (Florida Intl University); and Filipe de Sousa (University of West Florida). The reception opens the ACA’s 24th Annual University Student Exhibition in which the ACA honors outstanding work being produced by Florida university art students. This year, Diana Cooper juried the work of 23 students from 9 universities, acknowledging the high level of creative work being produced at the college level. The exhibit runs through August 10. Call 386.427.6975 or visit atlanticcenterforthearts.org

May 18 – Orlando Philharmonic Honors James Taylor

This year the Orlando Philharmonic’s annual outdoor concert at The Springs (in Longwood) features a tribute to American singer/songwriter James Taylor.  Shower the People is a presentation of more than two dozen James Taylor classics from Fire And Rain to You’ve Got A Friend. Featuring the voice and guitar of Neil Donell, the “man of a thousand voices,” Donell’s meticulous performance of Taylor’s songbook appeals to the same wide demographic audience as JT’s music. This family event invites you to pack a picnic, close your eyes, and be amazed at what you hear. Set for May 18 at 8 pm, call 407.770.0071 for tickets.

 
May 18 – Orange County’s Top Talent at Hard Rock Live

115 acts ‘strutted their stuff’ for a chance to compete at Orange County’s Top Talent Competition to be held May 18 at Hard Rock Live at Universal. Top Talent is a county-wide show featuring singers, dancers, comedians, and musicians drawn from Orange County Public Schools’ students and staff with proceeds supporting literacy, quality teaching, and OCPS visual and performing arts programs. 18 finalists have been chosen to perform at the Hard Rock venue. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. Visit foundationforocps.org

May 18 – Flower Power Family Days at Art & History Museums – Maitland

The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) invite us to Family Days on May 18 at 1 pm to celebrate May Flower Power! Families will learn about traditions including May Day flowers, dance around the May Pole, and create a bouquet of tissue flowers to share. The program is 45 minutes in length, after which families are encouraged to stay and enjoy the A&H museums. Call 407.539.2182 or visit ArtandHistory.org

May 18 and 19 – Orlando Comic Expo

Featuring guest of honor Drake Bell, winner of 9 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, the Orlando Comic Expo welcomes the voice of Peter Parker / Spider-Man in the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man. The convention also offers comic books, toys, games, anime, manga, artwork and apparel along with appearances by Artists Dennis Calero, Jim Fern, Paul Gulacy, Bob Hall, Rob Hunter, Alex Maleev, Cary Nord, Keith Pollard and Rodney Ramos. Admission is free for children at this family-friendly convention at the DoubleTree Hotel near the Orlando airport. Visit orlandocomicexpo.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators