Florida Culture for the Week of July 14 By Josh Garrick

 
Through July 28 – Ladies of Eola Heights – a Wanzie Comedy

Director Ken Howard takes 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 along with comic references to a community within walking distance of the theatre that makes for some very funny art-imitating-life moments. In performance through July 28 at The Abbey, visit abbeyorlando.com for tickets.

July 16 at 1 pm – Sister Sopranos at the University Club

Central Florida’s Sister Sopranos Theresa and Danielle Smith, accompanied by pianist Kathy Slage, will perform at the University Club of Winter Park on July 16 at 1 pm singing arias to contemporary works, including compositions of Aaron Copland, Gilbert & Sullivan, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and more. Winners of a variety of awards, the young ladies studied at USF and Rollins and have performed throughout the U.S. and Europe.  The event is Free to the public; refreshments will be served. Visit uclubwp.org

Thru Aug 10 – Maitland Exhibits Recognize 70th Anniversary of D-Day

The Art & History Museums – Maitland has devoted its museums to exhibits related to war and conflict in a manner unique to each museum’s core experience with highlights including:
• Battlefield at Maitland Art Center: This thought-provoking exhibit brings together works by J. André Smith and his experience as an artist sent to the front lines, in contrast to a broad range of artworks by contemporary artists.
• Veterans Remembered at Maitland History Museum: Remembering local Maitland veterans, this exhibit features letters, photos and oral histories.
• Signal Corps Phones at Telephone Museum: Signal Corps phones are vital to troops during major conflicts, and this exhibit shows how this technology has saved lives.
• Waterhouse at War at Waterhouse Residence Museum: Five generations of the Waterhouse family lived in this home before it became a museum. Guests discover these early inhabitants’ service and sacrifices for their country. Visit artandhistory.org or call 407-539-2181.

Thru Sept 7 – Curious George ‘Live’ at the Orlando Science Center

The insatiable curiosity of Curious George – the little monkey who has captured the hearts of millions of children for 65 years – is at the Orlando Science Center in the exhibit Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! Leading young visitors on a fun math-science-and-engineering-based adventure, the exhibit is on display through Sept 7. Call 407-5142000 or visit osc.org

July 18 to Aug 3 – Crazy for You at The REP

Populated with Follies girls, cowboys, and urban socialites, the Orlando REP’s Youth Academy (grades 7 through 12) will present the Tony-Award winning musical Crazy For You from July 18 to August 3. A huge hit from the Gershwin brothers, Crazy For You is packed with favorite Gershwin tunes including Nice Work if You Can Get It, Embraceable You, and I Got Rhythm. To check out these ‘triple-threat’ young performers, call 407.896.7365 x 1 or visit orlandorep.com. You may also wish to mark your calendar for the weekend of July 26 - 27 for The REP's Birthday Celebration! Single tickets for Crazy For You are $15, and The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful (and Her Dog!) and Leslie and Lolly Make Stuff Up! are $10. Multiple Show Summer Passes are also available. 

July 19 at 7 pm – Jazz Jams Uptown (in Altamonte Springs)

WLOQ and the city of Altamonte Springs bring an impressive array of music to Crane’s Roost Park including a FREE concert on July 19 at 7 pm by Bass player Gerald Veasley. With a resume' including tours with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, Gerald also shares his talent as a teacher and artist-in-residence while building the audience for his own band in Europe and the States. Visit jazzjamsuptown.com

July 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. The July 21 concert is called There’s Nothing Like A Dame! – an evening of music composed by women and performed by women. Joni Hanze Bjella, Olga Ferroni, Karen Peters, and Maureen May perform piano and string 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

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators