Florida Culture for the Week of July 29 by Josh Garrick

July 30 through October 27 – The Art of Ursula Schwartz

The artwork and poetry of Ursula Schwartz, to be presented at the Polasek Museum from July 30 to October 27, includes large-scale oil paintings in which the Artist expresses her South African perspective through bold colors and ‘energetic’ brush strokes. Poetry by the Artist and her son accompany select paintings. (Note: Add some extra time so your visit may include the Museum’s magnificent Sculpture Gardens) located at 633 Osceola Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.647.6294 or visit polasek.org

August 1 – Chef John Rivers at the James Beard House in New York City

Fresh from his 4th restaurant opening – with 2 additional locations and a book release coming soon – Chef John Rivers, of 4 Rivers Smokehouse fame, is honored to have been invited to cook at the James Beard House, the most revered culinary kitchen in the country. Using Florida ingredients, Rivers brings his BBQ and ‘low-country’ inspired cuisine to New York City with a ‘Southern menu’ including Shredded Pork with cheese grits and his famous 18-Hour Smoked Angus Brisket. Since 2009, 4 Rivers Smokehouse has become one of the fastest-growing restaurants in Florida with locations in Winter Park, Longwood, Winter Garden and Jacksonville. Gainesville and East Orlando will open soon. Visit 4rsmokehouse.com

August 1 – 1st Thursday with the Florida Artists Registry

The FIRST of the Central Florida “Art Parties” to choose a specific day of the month (each month) is 1st Thursday at the Orlando Museum of Art. On THURSDAY August 1 – from 6 to 9 pm – this on-going event will present a one-night-only exhibit of the work of artists who are members of ArtistsRegistry.com with the work for sale that evening. Food from Maxine's on Shine and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission ($10) includes admission to the Museum's featured exhibit Contemporary American Graphics. Call 407 896 4231 x260, or visit OMArt.org

August 2 to 25 – Death of a Salesman

Mad Cow Theater is THE Theater Company we wish to entrust with the production of great American drama. There are those who say Arthur Miller’s masterpiece may be the greatest American play ever written, and we get to ‘experience’ Mad Cow’s take on Death of a Salesman through August 25. This is serious, award-winning American drama that combines hard-biting realism with magical theatricality in Miller’s visionary take on the ‘American Dream’ rendered to the dumpster. You WANT TO see this one! Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

August 2 to 24 – The Winter Park Playhouse Presents Forever Plaid

The Winter Park Playhouse will open their new season with the musical Forever Plaid, which invites us to return to the 1950's when four starry-eyed, young male singers are miraculously revived for a chance to perform the ‘show that never was.’ Featuring great voices, 4-part harmonies and 30 hit songs of the decade, the show is both funny and enchanting. Creating the ‘Plaid sound’ are Kevin Kelly, Todd Allen Long, Nick Rishel and Michael Swickard. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

August 2 to 19 – Come to ze CABARET

The historical setting of Berlin in 1931 serves as the back-drop for one of Broadway’s greatest musicals as the fearless Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park presents the Kander and Ebb musical CABARET from August 2 through the 19th. With the ominous rise of Nazi power in the background, the musical focuses on nightlife at Berlin’s seedy Kit Kat Klub, cabaret performer Sally Bowles, and her relationship with an American writer. With Dorothy Massey as the irrepressible Ms. Bowles and Direction by Justin Scarlat, this is a welcome addition to our late summer’s performance schedule. For reservations call 407-920-4034

Current – Full Sail Announces Four New Degree Programs

Congratulations are in order for the always-creative and ever-expanding Full Sail University, which last week announced four new degree programs. They include: the Business Intelligence Master of Science and the Mobile Gaming Master of Science (available online), and the Film Production Master of Fine Arts and the Software Development Bachelor of Science degree programs, offered on the University’s Winter Park campus. Visit fullsail.edu

August 5 – Summer Winds Celebrate the Ludwigs

Each of the Orlando Philharmonic’s Sounds of Summer music series serves up something with an interesting theme, and August 5 begins with Beethoven. Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat was among his early hits, and served as a ‘preview’ to the great symphonies to follow. Another Ludwig, Ludwig Spohr, wrote his Grand Nonet along Beethovenian lines, but with a new Romantic spirit. Join the strings and winds for a performance of both works at the Shakespeare Center on August 5 at 7 pm. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

August 6 – A ‘Going-Away-Party’ for Crime

National Night Out is an annual event that builds safer communities by bringing crime and drug prevention awareness to local neighborhoods. Mayor Buddy Dyer invites residents to participate in the 30th Annual National Night Out on August 6th – with community block parties throughout Central Florida. This year’s National Night Out theme is “Lights on mean lights out for crime!” with residents encouraged to turn the lights on outside their homes while joining their neighbors at registered block parties on August 6. For information on hosting a National Night Out event, visit cityoforlando.net/police.

August 8 to 18 – A Clandestine Take on RENT!

Central Florida’s newest theater company – Clandestine-Arts – will open their first season with Jonathan Larson’s rock opera RENT. Directed by Derek Critzer, RENT is the cutting-edge musical – based on Puccini’s opera La Boheme – that tells the story of seven friends in the AIDS-ravaged New York City of the 1990’s where their romantic entanglements struggle with a disease that threatens almost everyone they know. With music direction by Beth Atkins, RENT will run from August 8 to the 18th at the Shakespeare Center. Visit clandestine-arts.com

August 10 – Taste of the Nation Helps END Childhood Hunger

It’s impossible for most of us to comprehend that 1 out of 5 people in Central Florida – that is MORE than 732,000 people – needed food assistance in Central Florida last year. 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 10 when our finest chefs come together to donate their talent to end hunger in America. WE CAN HELP by purchasing tickets at $150 with 100% of proceeds going directly to Second Harvest Food Bank and the Coalition for the Homeless. Visit ce.strength.org/orlando

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators