Florida Culture for the Week of June 30 By Josh Garrick

July 1 -- Terry Olson Hosts Charles Dickens Trivia Night

While it’s not all about Dickens, it is fun to see how something about SunRail can be related to something about Dickens in this Charles Dickens Trivia Night Fundraiser for the homeless, hosted by Terry Olson. Each table of 4 forms a team with an entry of $10 per team. Half the money goes to the homeless and the other half goes to the winning team. Mr. Dickens would be proud. Trivia Night is July 1 at 7 pm at the Stardust Coffee Shop at 1842 E Winter Park Road in Orlando. Visit WhattheDickensOrlando.com

July 2 – Encore for the GREASE Sing-A-Long

Oh those Summer Nights. ‘Popular demand’ has made the time-travelers at The Abbey invite us to embrace our inner T-Bird or Pink Lady at the phenomenon that is the GREASE Sing-A-Long. Part Rocky Horror Picture Show (costumes encouraged and interactive goodie-bags provided) – and part mob karaoke, the only rule – apart from the fact that it begins around 9 pm – is “there are no freakin rules,” so break out those leather jackets, poodle skirts, and Sing-A-Long.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at TicketWeb.com or by calling 866-468-7630

July 3 – 1st Thursdays: Sculpture Heavy Metal

While the 3-dimensionality of sculpture makes it a favorite for Art-Lovers, most art patrons have little concept of the steps necessary to bring a metal sculpture to a finished state. This inter-active 1st Thursday – on July 3 beginning at 6 pm – will include demonstrations of Clay Sculpting by Steve Pi, Lost Wax Display by Kent Arblaster; Wax Carving by Rebecca Rose & David Ramos; Steel Welding by Marcos Cruz; and even Chocolate Sculpting by Paul Joachim. OMART’s ‘original art party’ is at the Orlando Museum of Art in Orlando. Call 407 896 4231 or visit OMART.org

July 3 to 8 – columbinus (the play) Recalls Columbine H.S. Massacre

columbinus, a play based on the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, is a mix of fact and fiction dealing with the angst of adolescent culture. Exploring the events surrounding the shootings, actual discussions with parents, survivors, community leaders and police reports come together to reveal the dark recesses of American adolescence. Directed by Wade Hair, this play is for mature audiences and will be presented from July 3 to 8 at The Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. For reservations, call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

July 4 – Orlando’s Fireworks at the Fountain

Orlando’s Fireworks at the Fountain is the largest and longest running 4th of July fireworks display in Central Florida. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites all Central Florida residents and visitors to attend the Fireworks on July 4 at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando.  New this year, guests may enjoy a performance by the Orlando Philharmonic before and accompanying the spectacular 20-minute fireworks finale. Entertainment begins at 4 pm throughout the park; the Philharmonic begins performing at 8:30 pm, and the Fireworks begin at 9:10 pm. Visit cityoforlando.net/fireworks

July 7 and 21 – The Orlando Philharmonic Sounds of Summer Concert Series

With each concert featuring a different theme of instruments, composers, and musicians, this season’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series will be performed at the Orchestra’s new home at Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave in Orlando. July Concerts include:

July 7 – Prevailing Winds! – Chamber ensembles drawn from the wind and string sections of the Orchestra perform the Beethoven Trio, op. 38, the Poulenc Sextet, and more.

July 21 – There’s Nothing Like A Dame!
In an evening of music composed by women and performed by women, Joni Hanze Bjella, Olga Ferroni, Karen Peters, and Maureen May perform piano music by Jennifer Higdon, Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, and Cecile Chaminade, along with the songs of Barbra Streisand and Carole King. Visit OrlandoPhil.org or call 407.770.0071

July 10 to 28 – Ladies of Eola Heights – a Wanzie Comedy

Director Ken Howard has taken on this‘re-envisioning’ of Michael Wanzie’s wildly successful comedy with a cast of Central Florida’s favorite actresses including Peg O'Keef, Beth Marshall, Blue Star, and ‘Miss Sammy’ Singhaus. “There is more than steel to these Magnolias” in this story of sisters who come together after years of being apart, while the comic references to a community within walking distance of the theater should make for some very funny art-imitating-life moments. In performance from July 10 to 28 at The Abbey, visit abbeyorlando.com for tickets.

And looking ahead …

August 9 – Taste of the Nation – Orlando

On August 9 at 6:45 pm, Taste of the Nation brings together the area's top chefs who donate their time, talent, and passion to END childhood hunger in Central Florida. Along with extraordinary food, guests sample select wines while enjoying auctions and entertainment. Please know that every dollar raised fights hunger and homelessness in Central Florida. Tickets are $150. Visit tasteofthenation.org/orlando and/or facebook.com/OrlandoTaste.  We can all BUY a ticket and HELP.

Aug 23 – Give Kids the World’s First-Ever MacDown Competition

Another ‘foodie’ event of a very different sort is the 1st-ever MacDown (mac & cheese) Competition created to benefit Give Kids the World – the 70-acre resort for children with life-threatening illnesses. The competition is open to everyone -- from professional chefs to home cooks -- on August 23 at the Orange County Convention Center. There will be lots of fun prizes, but the best prize is knowing your efforts will help a tragically sick child achieve a dream. To participate or attend the event, visit otownmacdown.org
 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators