Florida Culture for the Week of February 12, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

FEBRUARY 14 – ALL DAY – VALENTINE’S DAY !!!
Here it is, my Brothers – Your once-a-year-reminder of “HOW to be a Hero on Cupid’s Day.” The frilly box of drug-store chocolates is sooo last century. Become HER HERO with tickets to a Broadway show at the Dr. Phillips Center OR The Great Gatsby at the Shakespeare Center OR a wild & crazy play by Steve Martin at Mad Cow. OR take a giant leap and surprise her with tickets to the Orlando Ballet Gala on February 25 – OR take her to the Morse Museum FOR FREE! PLUS – YOU get ‘thanked’ on V-Day when you give her the tickets and AGAIN on the night of the performance. It’s all good – I GIVE you this one. Go ahead – it’s YOUR IDEA. 

Current (and Important) – Fairwinds Broadway Season 2017-2018 Announced 
Beginning with the ‘classic’ Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘The King and I,’ The Dr. Phillips Center has announced the roster of Broadway shows for 2017 – 2018. The second show is ‘On Your Feet!,’ the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Next is ‘Love Never Dies,’ the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. Returning by popular demand, ‘The Book of Mormon’ is followed by the ‘School of Rock,’ featuring a kids’ rock band. A 4-week run of the celebrated Disney musical ‘The Lion King’ is followed by an original comedy ‘Something Rotten!,’ and the Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘RENT’ 20th Anniversary Tour. In addition, the Orlando premiere of ‘Hamilton’ will arrive in the 2018 – 2019 Season. Yay! Visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 14 at 7:30 pm – Dionne Warwick on Valentine’s Day 
One of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time, Dionne Warwick will make this Orlando’s greatest Valentine's Day ever. Her winning partnership with Burt Bacharach and Hal David helped her become one of the world's greatest ‘hit-makers,’ which has seen her chart over 50 singles, win five Grammys and sell one hundred million records. Proceeds from this legendary concert will benefit Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3282. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 15 at 7:30 pm – Upright Citizens Brigade - Touring Company
The Touring Company brings the best improv comedians from the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres to new audiences around the country. Home to many of the biggest stars in comedy today, from TV shows like Broad City and Saturday Night Live, to performers on the Daily Show and Inside Amy Schumer, this not-to-be-missed evening takes its comedy so seriously there will be NO late seating for this show. (for real) (be on time) Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 15 at 7:30 pm – OUC Speakers at Dr. Phillips Center presents Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra, author of eighty books in forty-three languages, is creating a roadmap to ‘higher health’ based on the latest findings in BOTH mainstream and alternative medicine. How does our consciousness enhance our capacity for total well being (physical, emotional, spiritual, social, financial and ecological)? Chopra addresses this question along with ways to experience higher consciousness and healing. A special VIP PACKAGE is offered for this event. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 16 at 8 pm – Dr. Phillips Center presents An Evening with the Piano Guys
The Piano Guys do things to a piano that would make Mozart sit up and take notice. They’re an Internet sensation thanks to their self-made music videos, but it’s their blend of classical music with pop that brought them to their major label debut album on Sony Music Masterworks in 2012. Check out this vid. I can’t wait to see them LIVE. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 17 at 5 pm – Happy Birthday Morse Museum 
The elegantly sophisticated Morse Museum, which opened its doors on the Rollins College campus on February 17, 1942, is generously celebrating its 75th Anniversary with FREE ADMISSION throughout February. The Morse, which began as a small museum presenting loaned objects, is today home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933). On Friday, February 17, the Museum’s anniversary date, he Public is invited to a free champagne reception from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visit morsemuseum.org 

Feb 17 at 7 pm – Erth's Dinosaur Zoo LIVE (from Australia!)
This ‘playdate’ was 65 million years in the making. ‘Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo LIVE’ guides your family on a tour through pre-historic Australia where you’ll interact with an eye-popping collection of realistic dinosaurs. This life-like theatrical performance is brought to life by a team of skilled performers and puppeteers, so you won’t want to miss a minute of this entertaining and educational LIVE show from Sydney, Australia. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 22 at 6:30 pm – The COOP Honors Guest Chef Kathleen Blake 
Add to the list of the “Wonders of Winter Park” the fact that our own Celeb-Chef John Rivers offers a ‘Guest Chef Series’ at his personal ‘chicken’ restaurant, The Coop. These wonderful events are ‘tastings,’ and they are FREE. Coming up on February 22 Chef John will welcome James Beard Foundation-nominated Chef Kathleen Blake, from Downtown Orlando’s ‘Rusty Spoon,’ for a FREE cooking demonstration. The COOP is at 610 W Morse Blvd in Winter Park. 
Info at facebook.com/events/1623138204379252

Feb 24 to 26 – GODSPELL Presented by Encore! Cast Performing Arts
Prepare ye for the tale of love based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. Godspell was the first major musical offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner, Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin). Performed by ‘ENCORE Cast Performing Arts,’ a community-minded group of Disney cast singers, dancers and musicians, who share their passion for music while donating the proceeds from each performance to a local charity. Who better to bring Jesus' messages of kindness, tolerance and love to life. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 25 at 7 pm – Orlando Ballet: A Tribute to Harriett, Best of Broadway 
The ‘Angel of the Ballet,’ Harriett Lake, will be honored in a one-night only show, featuring her favorite show tunes from Broadway, old and new. The dancers of the Orlando Ballet company will be choreographing new works and performing alongside Artistic Director Robert Hill for this ‘Best of Broadway’ dance performance. Call 844.513.2014 or visit orlandoballet.org 

Feb 26 at 7:30 pm – Dr. Phillips Center presents Terry Fator 
“America’s Got Talent” winner Terry Fator recently celebrated his 7th award-winning year at The Mirage in Las Vegas, where he brings a hilarious cast of characters to life. With comedic banter and vocal impressions of musical superstars such as Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks, "Terry Fator: The VOICE of Entertainment" is a one-of-a-kind experience. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 27 at 7:30 pm – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre at Dr. Phillips Center 
When the world’s most popular modern dance company comes to the Dr. Phillips Center, it is sure to be an event that will inspire. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” has performed for over 23 million people in 48 states and in 71 countries, celebrating the African-American cultural experience. This performance will include the Ailey signature work, Revelations, which continues to move audiences around the world. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

And looking ahead … 

March 3 at 8 pm – A Living Legend – Smokey Robinson
With his smooth-as-silk and instantly recognizable voice, the legendary singer/ song-writer/ producer Smokey Robinson has a voice that is the audio equivalent of comfort food for the soul…served up with soul at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

March 24, 25 & 26 – Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Gabriel Preisser 
Opera Orlando presents Mozart's magnum opus ‘Don Giovanni’ set in a present-day college fraternity. The "big man on campus" metaphor works with Mozart's masterpiece, because the tale of too much power in the wrong hands is both timely and timeless. Robert Neu is stage director and our own Gabriel Preisser takes on the title role of ‘frat-brother-gone-wrong’ with players from the Orlando Philharmonic, dancers from the Orlando Ballet and members of the Opera Orlando Chorus all led by Conductor Elaine Rinaldi. Visit operaorlando.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators