Florida Culture for the Week of May 11, 2015 by Josh Garrick

May 12 to 17 – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Dr. Phillips Center 

It’s a tale as old as time (or at least 1756 when it was written), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to the Dr. Phillips Center. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, this musical spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide – filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including Be Our Guest. Let the whole family experience the enchantment – Beauty and the Beast is appropriate for all ages. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Now through May 31 – A Magical Peter Pan in Winter Garden 

It really is a magical flight with Peter, Wendy, Michael and John as they bring a ‘first time in the world magic’ to this Broadway musical that now combines live action with digital sets that have YOU flying along with the cast. Thanks to the extraordinary talents of the Theatre's digital partners – headed up by nthdegreefx.com – we follow Peter Pan out the nursery window on a trail of pixie dust to Neverland. This uniquely new theatre magic is happening at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Visit gardentheatre.org or call 407.877.4736

May 13 to 26 – Orlando International FRINGE Theatre Festival

The often wacky, sometimes weird, and always wonderful Festival of Plays and Musicals called FRINGE will present 100 performance groups in Fringe 2015. The oldest, non-juried Fringe Fest in the United States, the Orlando International Fringe Festival’s ‘philosophy’ is to be 100% uncensored, 100% non-juried, and 100% accessible. In addition to those uncensored performances, Fringe also offers an outdoor stage, Visual Fringe (Art-for-sale) and Kids’ Fringe! Tickets are Free to $11. Visit orlandofringe.org for a complete schedule.

May 14 to 24 – Sarah Lee Dobbs in Tell Me On a Sunday … PLEASE!

For those who think huge Broadway block-buster when you hear the name Andrew Lloyd Webber, this year’s Fringe Festival offers the chance to experience his ‘small-but-mighty’ Tell Me on a Sunday. It’s a one-act/one-character musical about an English girl who comes to the United States and her romantic adventures in New York and Hollywood. It contains some of the best music Webber ever wrote, AND it will be performed by one of the finest singing actresses ever to grace the Fringe stage – the super-talented Sarah Lee Dobbs. This comes with my DON’T-MISS-IT RECOMMENDATION.  In seven performances only, visit tellmemusical.com 

May 14 to August 30 – A Cabinet of Curiosities at A & H Museums – Maitland

What is it? and how did it get here? are questions behind the newest exhibit at A & H Museums – Maitland. Highlighting the most unusual artifacts in their permanent collection, from a piece of granite inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphs to a 19th-century funeral plaque, the mystery items have been collected over the years by a series of Artist/Curator visionaries. This will be more fun than sneaking into your Grandma’s attic. Call 407.644.1364 or visit artandhistory.org 

May 14 & 15 -- CFCArts Presents Rockin' the Seventies

Dig out the bell bottoms and tie-dyes – the 300-Voice Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) Choir and Orchestra will present an original musical experience – Rockin’ the Seventies. From mood rings and water beds to hippies and war-protesters, disco was king, and CFCArts will present a musical revue of that history-changing decade with songs from ABBA, Motown, the Bee Gees and more at Northland Church at 7:30 pm on May 14 and 15. Tickets (at an affordable $10) are on sale at cfcarts.com

May 15 – Ballet Stars of Tomorrow at the Bob Carr 

We can watch young ballet dancers ‘grow up’ before our eyes in an evening of performances by award-winning dancers from the Orlando Ballet School. Featuring excerpts from Sleeping Beauty, the evening will include performances by Youth American Grand Prix competitor Austen Acevedo. Performing the thrilling Flames of Paris, Acevedo recently competed in the international competition, where he placed among the top 10 male dancers in the world. Set for the Bob Carr on May 15 at 7:30 pm, call 407.426.1739 or visit drphillipscenter.org

May 15 -- The Abbey’s Summer Nights Series 

The Abbey has announced the lineup of shows and events that will make up the all-new Summer Nights #attheAbbey, and it all kicks off this Friday – May 15 – with an 80’s Night. Orlando's favorite 80’s Night is back with no cover, drink specials all night, and our favorite music and videos from that crazy, sexy decade. Featuring live music by local favorites Shadow Cabinet, call 407.704.6103 or visit abbeyorlando.com

May 15 – Jason Isbell Live at Plaza Live 

In 2014, Alabama native Jason Isbell earned 3 Americana Music Awards – Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (Cover Me Up), and Album of the Year (Southeastern). Inspired by the soulful rock and blues of his birthplace, his sound is equal parts Southern and worldly. As a lyricist, Jason tells stories of vulnerability and loss inviting his listeners to share the intensity of his emotions. Isbill will perform at Plaza Live in East Orlando on May 15 at 8 pm with special guest Craig Finn.  Visit plazaliveorlando.com or call 877.435.9849

May 16 – The Bostwick Blueberry Festival 

The Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the Bostwick Blueberry Festival is ‘legendary’ good and is served from 8 am to noon as the rest of the Festival goes on until 4 pm. Throughout the day there is blueberry ice cream to go on top of your homemade blueberry pie, blueberry plants (to purchase), arts and crafts, a used-book sale, pet adoptions, live entertainment, and fresh Miller blueberries by the pound. Miller Blueberries is one of the largest blueberry farms, nurseries and ‘U-Pick opportunities’ in the country. Held at the Bostwick Community Center, call 386-937-1794 or visit bostwickblueberryfestival.com 

May 16 – OR … If You’d Prefer a Watermelon Festival

This is a BIG year for Newberry, Florida as the 70th annual Newberry Watermelon Festival will be held on May 16 beginning with a Parade and a Beauty Pageant. Since 1946 the town has supplied fun and enjoyment for the whole family with food, watermelon ‘activities’ (including a melon eating and seed spitting contest), a free concert and more at the Destiny Community Church at 202nd Street at SR 26. Call 352.316.6628 or visit newberrywatermelonfestival.com

May 16 -- Endangered Species Day at the Zoo 

On May 16 (10 am to 3 pm) all ages can learn while celebrating Endangered Species Day at the Central Florida Zoo. The importance of protecting endangered plants and animals and actions that can be taken to preserve the future are brought into focus as we get up close to the endangered species at the Zoo, including the clouded leopard pair from Thailand. Learn about Florida's endangered species through games, crafts, and animal encounters. Visit centralflzoo.com or call 407.323.4450 x100. 

May 16 – New Baroque Chamber Orchestra for Maitland

With an invitation to ‘Come back to the 1600’s,’ Performing Arts of Maitland’s newest musical group – a Baroque Chamber Orchestra – will perform at 3 pm on May 16 at the Maitland Presbyterian Church. Under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez, selections include the Albinoni Adagio, Mozart’s Divertimento in D Major, Telemann’s Don Quixote Suite, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #3.  The $10 fee at the door also offers a chance to win a prize with your ticket.  Call 321.303.1404 or visit pamaitland.org

May 16 – Chef’s Gala to Support Heart of Florida United Way 

Twenty-three Top Chefs from Central Florida’s finest restaurants will create the region's premiere food and wine pairing event on May 16 at Disney’s Epcot World Showplace. 95 cents of every dollar raised will benefit United Way partners providing services to the 1 in 5 of our neighbors who are in desperate need. Last year the Chef’s Gala raised $300,000 to benefit local programs for thousands of Central Floridians. Buying a ticket will help – more than you can imagine. Visit hfuw.org or call 407.429.2129

Central Florida’s Top Chefs work their magic for Heart of Florida United Way 

May 22 to 24 – 63rd Annual Florida Folk Festival

Since 1953, folk artists have come together for the Florida Folk Festival, a celebration of the music, dance, stories, crafts and food that make Florida unique. From Irish fiddle tunes and kumquat pie, to the varieties of music brought by immigrants, Florida’s cultural heritage reflects the lives of generations of families and communities. Throughout the Memorial Day weekend more than 300 performances give voice to Florida's heritage at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, on the banks of the Suwannee River. Call 850.245.2157 or visit FloridaFolkFestival.com for a complete schedule. 

May 26 to 31 – Cole Porter’s ANYTHING GOES at the Dr. Phillips Center 

One of the greatest musicals in theater history, Cole Porter’s musical comedy Anything Goes will sail into the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando in a production USA Today calls “glorious and exuberant!” When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette is tossed overboard as two sets of lovers prove that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors. Filled with musical theatre’s greatest hits, including I Get A Kick Out Of You, You’re the Top, and Anything Goes, this winner of three 2011 Tony Awards comes with our HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Current – Eric Jacobsen Announced as New Music Director for Philharmonic

It's official.  On May 4, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra opened the envelope to share with us the Musician/Conductor who literally 'won' the trifecta as the First Choice of the Board, the Orchestra Musicians, and the Audience in its two-year quest for the Orchestra’s new Conductor. Orlando will now have a world-class Conductor to go with our world-class Orchestra. The drum rolled and the trumpets sounded -- Eric JACOBSEN will celebrate his Debut as the new Music Director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra on October 24, 2015. My recommendation -- get your tickets NOW -- for what will most assuredly be -- The Concert of the Year.  Call 407. or visit orlandophil.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators