Florida Culture for the Week of August 6, 2017 By Josh Garrick  

Beginning TODAY – 
August 6, 13 & 27 at 2 pm -- “Opera on Park” -- Opera Orlando’s Summer Concerts 
Opera Orlando’s 2nd season of “Opera on Park” features world-class Artists up-close-and-personal at the University Club of Winter Park at 841 N. Park Ave.  The performers include multi-award-winning Juilliard Grad Soprano Kenneithia Mitchell on August 6; Grammy Award winning Baritone Daniel Belcher on August 13; and Metropolitan Opera Soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer on August 27. Each of the singers enjoys a critically acclaimed career and “the generosity of spirit that only great performers can embody.” Tickets are $30 per recital or $75 for the Series online at Operaorlando.org/opera-on-park or call 407.512.1900 

TODAY – August 6 from 10 am to 4 pm – Maitland Civic Center Coin Show 
Offering FREE admission and Door Prizes, the ‘Coin and Currency Show’ at the Maitland Civic Center at 641 S. Maitland Avenue will be busy with 25 ‘coin dealers’ and vendors buying and selling historical and / or foreign coins. This family-friendly event will find several dealers offering FREE coins to children 12 and under, while other vendors offer FREE appraisals. Call 407.730.3116 or visit orlandocoinexchange.com 

August 7 – “Shattering the Glass Ceiling” from the Orlando Philharmonic 
Enjoy diverse selections from classical to pop as players from the Orlando Philharmonic celebrate the music of female composers and songwriters. Experience the Premiere of a string quartet by American composer Gwyneth Walker, commemorating the coming together of the Central Florida community in support of the Pulse tragedy. Presented by violinist Joni Bjella, along with violinist Olga Ferroni, cellist Maureen May, violist Karen Peters, and soprano Samantha Barnes Daniel at The Plaza Live.  Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

August 8 at 6:30 pm – “Solar Eclipse 101” by Derek Demeter 
The Orange County Library at 101 E Central Blvd in Downtown Orlando will present “Solar Eclipse 101,” a FREE presentation by Buehler Planetarium Director Derek Demeter. Offering “all you need to know” about the rare August 21 Solar Eclipse, Demeter will discuss the science behind eclipses, where the best place to view the eclipse will be, and how to look at it safely. Visit calendar.ocls.info/evanced/lib/eventsignup.asp?ID=322848 

August 10 to 13 – Orlando Light Opera Presents “The Merry Widow” 
The Queen of Light Opera is ‘The Merry Widow,’ and Orlando Light Opera's upcoming production of the up-dated classic will feature an original translation AND direction by Eric Pinder, the Space-Coast Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Aaron Collins, and the finest singers and dancers in Central Florida. In four performances only at The Orlando Rep, please visit orlandolightopera.com for tickets. 

Aug 10 to 13 – Pass the Drawn Butter! It’s Key West Lobsterfest Time
Lobster lovers are invited to sample the savory Florida crustacean as festivities kick off on August 10 at the Sunset Tiki Bar & Grille. Known as ‘spiny’ lobsters, the crustaceans may be steamed, baked, stuffed, or served in a creamy bisque or cold salad. Dishes of all sorts are offered at the Street Fair on August 12 along with a free outdoor concert, and art and crafts for sale. Other events include a catamaran sail, a Pub Crawl and a lobster brunch on August 13. Visit keywestlobsterfest.com

August 11 to Sept 10 – ‘The Amish Project’ Deals with the Inexplicable
The Mad Cow Theater is founded on the belief that “Theatre is a dynamic and powerful means of social understanding.” That belief will be tested to the limit in Jessica Dickey’s ‘The Amish Project,’ which begins with the headline, “Man Enters Amish School-house and Opens Fire.” Ms. Dickey conveys the voices and emotions of people dealing with this unthinkable act and movingly coveys these deeply personal expressions through the voice of a single actor. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

August 11 to 13 – Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival 
We don't need an island vacation to be immersed in Caribbean culture. From August 11 to 13, the ‘Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival’ takes over the city with a colorful, feathered conga line parade of island culture. The parade route offers island foods, art vendors and live musicians offering calypso, soca, steel drums, and hot costumes at Metropolitan Park in a festival that exists to share the history and contemporary realities of Florida's southerly neighbors. The party concludes with a ‘Brunch Fete’ on August 13.  Visit jacksonvillecarnival.com

NOW to August 20 – Rodgers & Hammerstein Revue at Winter Park Playhouse 
The Winter Park Playhouse opened its 15th Season with a “grand night for singing” as they begin the season with a salute to two of the greatest names in musical-theater history. ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ is a revue of the work of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Leaving out the familiar in favor of lesser known melodies like: “The Gentleman Is a Dope” and “Don’t Marry Me,’ serious moments touch the heart with “Something Wonderful,” “Oklahoma!” and “This Nearly Was Mine.” ‘Highly Recommended,’ call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

NOW to August 27 – ‘The Music of Pixar’ – LIVE at Disney 
Celebrate over 20 years of music that made cinematic history. Woody, Buzz and the gang are back at ‘The Theater of the Stars’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a LIVE orchestral retrospective of the most memorable music from Disney•Pixar films. This all-new, nightly concert showcases unforgettable soundtracks from Cars, Finding Nemo, Toy Story and more, performed by a LIVE orchestra, all while giant screens feature movie montages and out-takes. Performances are nightly with valid theme park admission. 

NOW to August 27 -- Mad Cow Theatre presents August Wilson's award-winning ‘Fences’
Winner of the Pulitzer, Tony, and Drama Desk Award among many others, ‘Fences’ is August Wilson’s 1950’s chapter in his 10-play “Pittsburgh Cycle” chronicling the evolving African-American experience through the 20th century. In Mad Cow’s first-ever production of a Wilson play, the universally relevant themes of freedom, family, and the American Dream are conveyed in this landmark production. Tickets online at madcowtheatre.com or by calling 407-297-8788 x1

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators