Florida Culture for the Week of March 9 by Josh Garrick
 
March 10 to 15 – MOTOWN THE MUSICAL at the Dr. Phillips Center

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul. His vision launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and many more. Featuring more than 50 classic hits such as My Girl and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, the Musical tells how Motown shattered barriers, shaped lives, and made us move to the beat. Call 844.513.2014 or visit orlandobroadway.com

March 11 to 28 – VarieTEASE Presents New Show Carnies

Orlando favorite Blue Star brings her renowned VarieTEASE to The Abbey with a brand new show, Carnies.  VarieTEASE is an innovative music and art-dance company that has performed in Orlando for over 10 years with its provocative exploration of life through dance and multimedia. Carnies is perfect for this ‘unconventional exploration’ of what happens when the lights go down and the vagabond Carnies live their loves and lives in the shadows -- just this side of the spotlight. Visit TicketWeb.com or call 866.468.7630

March 12, 13, & 14 – The Three Musketeers at Winter Park High School 

We may all mix pride with romance as the Winter Park High School Drama Department invites us to the French romantic classic, The Three Musketeers. See the legendary D’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis ‘swash and buckle’ their way through Ken Ludwig’s updated translation of the Dumas novel. Running March 12 to14 at 7 pm at the Winter Park Campus Auditorium, tickets are $10 at the door. Write to winterparkdrama[at]gmail.com

March 13 – Carlos Vega: See You Now

In his new art exhibit at the Orlando Museum of Art, Carlos Vega celebrates the period in Spanish history when Christianity, Judaism, and Islam coexisted -- and flourished -- on the Iberian Peninsula while exploring ways the golden age is relevant to issues we deal with today. Opening Night will begin at 7 pm with an Artist Talk followed by the Exhibition Preview at 7:30. The event is Free for Museum Members; $5 for Visitors. Please RSVP to 407.896.4231 ext. 302

Carlos Vega, Just Discovered, 2012, stamps and oil paint on lead, 83 x 81 in. Collection of Dr. Robert B. Feldman

March 14 & 15 – Annual Plant Sale at Leu Gardens

Leu Gardens’ Annual Plant Sale offers the largest variety and quality of plants in Central Florida with experts on hand to help us choose the right plants for our gardens. Growers sell everything from azaleas to camellias, herbs to orchids, and palms to plumerias with admission to the gardens FREE. (There will be food to purchase too). The event runs from 9 am to 5 pm on March 14 and 15.  Call 407.246.2620 or visit leugardens.org 

March 15 – Casa Feliz’ 10th Anniversary

The Friends of Casa Feliz invite friends and neighbors to a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Casa Feliz as a historic home museum on March 15 from noon to 3 pm. The house will be open for tours and the Don Soledad Group, an authentic flamenco band, will provide live music and dance. Cake and sparkling cider will be served, and a retrospective slide show, celebrating the museum's history, will be shown. Casa Feliz is at 656 N Park Avenue in Winter Park. Visit casafeliz.us

March 15 at 3 pm – FSYO Children Helping Children Concert

The annual Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Children Helping Children Concert showcases the pre-professional Symphonic Orchestra in a performance created to introduce young people to classical music. Presented at Edgewater High at 3100 Edgewater Drive in Orlando, tickets are $8 to $16 and may be purchased at fsyo.org or by calling 407.999.7800 or by donating 5 to 10 canned goods per person to Second Harvest Food Bank. Visit fsyo.org or call 407.999.7800

March 15 – Orlando Philharmonic FREE Concert in Central Park

The City of Winter Park will host the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra as the Orchestra presents a Free Pops Concert on March 15 at 6 pm in Central Park. Conductor Nate Beversluis will lead the Orchestra in a program of light classics including works by Richard Rodgers, Aaron Copland, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Georges Bizet as featured soloist Marina Jurica performs I Dreamed a Dream, The Trolley Song, Blue Moon, and I’ll be Seeing You. Free and open to the public, bring blankets and lawn chairs for an evening of popular music under the stars. Visit cityofwinterpark.org

March 19 – A Conversation with Eric Spiegel at Rollins College

Siemens USA is responsible for $25 billion in global sales and 53,000 employees in the U.S. As President and CEO of Siemens, Eric Spiegel will share his views on global concerns including affordable healthcare, the nation's infrastructure, and cleaner sources of energy in ‘A Conversation’ at the Tiedtke Concert Hall at Rollins College on March 19 beginning at 7 pm. The event is part of the Rollins Winter Park Institute, which hosts a series of lectures ALL of which are FREE and open to the public. Visit www.WinterParkInstitute.org or call (407) 691-1995.

Mar 19 to April 26 – James and the Giant Peach

Based on the children’s’ classic by Roald Dahl, a young orphan named James runs away from his conniving aunts only to find himself in the center of a giant peach?!? Surrounded by human-sized insects, James is joined by a wise old Grasshopper and a pessimistic Earthworm on his wild adventure. Arrive early to join Shakes cast-members for interactive pre-show activities that help young audiences to Shake Out The Sillies. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Mar 20 to April 4 – Boeing Boeing on the Runway in Winter Garden

It’s the 1960s, and swinging bachelor Bernard couldn’t be happier. He has a flat in Paris and three gorgeous stewardesses all engaged to him without knowing about each other. But a life like that gets bumpy when friends ‘drop in’ and a speedy new Boeing jet throws off his careful planning. This ‘slightly naughty’ farce has enjoyed hit revivals in London and New York, so lift your tray tables and fasten your seat belts – Boeing Boeing is ready for take-off on the Garden Theatre stage. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Mar 20 to April 19 – The Philadelphia Story at Mad Cow

When main-line Philadelphia’s Tracy Lord decides to get married (again), her ex-husband and a tabloid reporter turn up just before the ceremony in this classic satire of ‘Society meets tabloid journalism.’ The romantic comedy was written in 1939 by Philip Barry only to become a film classic starring Cary Grant and Kathryn Hepburn in 1940. As timely today as when it was first written, call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Mar 20, 21 & 22 – The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

One of the nation’s oldest and largest juried outdoor Art Festivals, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival currently features 225 Artists creating in categories including Clay, Digital Art, Drawing and Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metal, Mixed Media - 2D and 3D, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Watercolor and Wood. The Artists compete for 63 awards totaling over $72,000 in prize money. The Festival – with Free admission – will run from 9 am to 6 pm on March 20, 21, and 22.  Visit wpsaf.org

Mar 21 and 22 – Fort Christmas FREE Bluegrass Festival

Construction of the aptly named Fort Christmas began on December 25, 1837. During the Historical Park's Bluegrass Festival, guests are invited to visit the full-size replica of Fort Christmas and seven restored historic 'Cracker' homes that exemplify Florida pioneer life. On March 21 and 22 from 10 am to 4 pm, the Park’s FREE Bluegrass Festival will feature Moonlite Express, Seminole Ridge, Pine Creek, and the Gary Mackey Band. (You’ll want to bring chairs). The Park is at 1300 Fort Christmas Road in Christmas, Florida. Call
407-254-9312 or visit parks[at]ocfl.net

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators