Florida Culture for the Week of June 19, 2016 by Josh Garrick

Open NOW – Mayor Dyer Opens Family Assistance Center for PULSE Families 
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando, in partnership with federal, state, local and community agencies has opened the Family Assistance Center (FAC) to address the immediate needs of those families directly affected by the Pulse tragedy. Services include: Air Travel, Child Services, Consulate Services, Counseling, Crime Victim Services, Funeral Services, Health Care Assistance, Identification Documents, Language Translation, Legal Aid, Lodging, and Senior Services. Visit Cityoforlando.net/FamilyAssistanceCenter or call 407-246-4357. 

NOW to June 26 – Spring Awakening at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Spring Awakening is based on Frank Wedekind's 1891 expressionist play of the same name. Featuring a pop/rock score by Duncan Sheik, this Broadway ‘musical’ follows the angst-ridden lives of a group of adolescents as they grow to adulthood in a confusion of morality and sexuality. Winner of the 2007 Tony Award for Best Musical, this play is still controversial in 2016 for its depiction of children and sexuality.  Note:  Serious Adult themes.  Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

NOW to July 11 – The Brothers Size at Mad Cow Theatre 
The Chicago Tribune calls ‘The Brothers Size,’ "The greatest piece of writing by an American playwright under 30 in a generation or more."  Set in Louisiana, big brother Ogun is hard-working and independent while younger brother Oshoosi is just out of prison and aimless. Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney crafts symbolism and ritual into a tough/tender drama about the unbreakable bond between brothers and family. Call 407-297-8788 x1 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

NOW to July 24 – ‘Beauty and the Beast’ for Young People at Orlando Shakespeare
Based on the fairy tale, and ‘re-interpreted’ by children’s playwright Brandon Roberts, the play is set in an enchanted castle where a beautiful young girl is locked away by a terrible Beast. But the young woman’s love and caring for the unsightly Beast becomes a gift of kindness that brings magical results. This new telling of the classic tale is 50 minutes long and is suggested for children age 3+ and their families. Arrive a little early and ‘Shake Out the Sillies’ by joining cast-members for some inter-active pre-show fun.  For tickets, call 407.447.1700 x 1. 

June 22 at 8 pm – Maks and Val Live on Tour – ‘Dancing Our Way’ 
Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, the super-hot stars of ABC’s hit show ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ bring to life the smash hit dance event they’ve dreamed about by combining a narrative of their life story with dancing and passion. Working with the greatest choreographers in the business and supported by a cast of professionals, this show is a fusion of Old-World elegance and steamy seduction. Maksim says, “We want to connect with our audience; there will be no holding back.” VIP packages may be purchased at vipnation.com. For tickets, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

June 22 and June 25 – Lucky’s Market Grand Opening Celebrations 
Lucky’s Market, a natural, organic, specialty market, founded by two chefs in Boulder, Colorado, will open its 18th organic grocery store nationwide on June 22 at 10 am at the Alafaya Village Shopping Center.  Events include a bacon-cutting (they actually cut a huge slab of bacon) and presentations of $10,000 in grants to two local non-profits – Hebni Nutrition Consultants and the Adult Literacy League. Then, on June 25 from 11 am to 3 pm – Lucky’s will offer a “Food Sample Tasting Fair” featuring some of Lucky’s favorite vendors with food samples and gift basket giveaways. The new Orlando store will employ 150 people. Visit luckysmarket.com 

June 23 at 7:30 pm -- Winter Park Playhouse Hosts OneOrlando Fundraising Concert 
With 25 of the finest voices performing in Central Florida today, The Winter Park Playhouse will host a OneOrlando Fundraising Concert to benefit victims and families of the Pulse tragedy.  In their dedication, they say, “In honor of the lives lost, in support of the families and friends of the victims, and in union with our great community, The Winter Park Playhouse stands as one with Orlando as we uplift, inspire and help heal by offering our gift of musical theatre.”  THIS is going to be one incredible evening.  Tickets are $25, all of which will goes to the Fund. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org. 

 
June 23 at 6 pm – Chef’s Night at Second Harvest Food Bank
Where can we dine where the menu not only tastes good but also DOES good? The answer is Chef's Night at Second Harvest Food Bank where celebrated Chefs work with ‘students’ in 2nd Harvest’s Community Kitchen Culinary Training Program. That special program helps men and women become self-sufficient through culinary training and higher paying jobs with a record of 125 graduates and 100% job placement. One lucky guest will win a Table Top Grill, compliments of the Chefs of Longhorn Steak House.  Call 407 514 1048.  Your enjoyment of a gourmet meal can mean a life-changing experience for those who need it most.  

June 24, July 15 & 29 & Aug 26 – FREE MoviEola Film Series 
The FREE outdoor movie series in Orlando’s Lake Eola Park begins each evening at 6 pm with activities and music from Mix 105.1. Bring blankets, chairs, snacks and the whole family to enjoy this year’s movies including June 24: Cinderella; July 15: Inside Out; July 29: Jurassic World; and August 26: Minions. You’ll want to arrive early to secure your spot and enjoy some of the pre-movie activities. Movies begin promptly at 8:15 pm. Call 407.246.4484.or visit cityoforlando.net/parks/movieola 

June 25 at 7:30 pm – The St. Augustine (Classical) Music Festival Closing Night
Now in its 10th year, the St. Augustine Music Festival (SAMF) is the nation’s largest, FREE classical music festival. The Festival will close its season on June 25 with ‘Celebrating a Decade,’ a program including Richard Wagner’s   Siegfried Idyll, Symphonic Poem for Chamber Orchestra, Copland’s Appalachian Spring for 13 instruments, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for String Orchestra, Op.48, and a World Premiere by Bob Moore. The historic Cathedral Basilica at 38 Cathedral Place in St. Augustine provides excellent acoustics and a home where concerts are Free. Call 904-347-6260 or visit staugustinemusicfestival.org

June 29 & 30 – Justin Bieber Heats Up Florida in June 
With back-to-back world-wide hit singles and his new album ‘Purpose’ hitting an all-time high, Justin Bieber is in the middle of a 58-date concert tour which concludes on July 18 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. His hit “What Do You Mean?” hit #1 at iTunes within five minutes of its release, and reached #1 at iTunes in more than 90 countries. At 7:30 pm on June 29, Bieber will take the stage at the Jacksonville Veterans Arena in Jacksonville, and the following evening, Bieber will bring the show to the Amway Center in Orlando. Visit ticketmaster.com/justin-bieber

June 30 at 8 pm – Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen to Benefit OneOrlando Fund 
In light of the horrific attack at Pulse Nightclub, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will present a special LIVE benefit AC2 show at the Dr. Phillips Center with 100% of proceeds raised to benefit the OneOrlando Fund (oneorlando.org).  AC2 is an unscripted and unpredictable night of laughs and conversation with the multi-Emmy Award winning personalities, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen (ac2live.com) both donating their services for the one-night-only benefit. Created by Mayor Buddy Dyer, the OneOrlando Fund will respond to the needs of the Orlando community, now and in the future.  Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.  #OrlandoUnited

July 2 to 4 – Key Lime Pie to Flavor Key West Festival 
While tiny Key limes have flavored Florida cuisine since the 1800s, contemporary lime lovers can celebrate the indigenous fruit and the dessert it inspired -- the signature Key lime pie -- during the Key Lime Festival set for July 2 to 4.  Highlights of the weekend include a Key lime pie-eating contest, culinary tasting stroll, and samplings of Key lime rum, beer and cocktails. Events kick off with a tour of the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery at 105 Simonton Street in Key West. Reservations are required. Call 305-741-7443 or visit keylimefestival.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators