Florida Culture for Your Family and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! By Josh Garrick  

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s NEW “School of Rock” -- The Musical
Final Performance – December 31 
Decades after Andrew Lloyd Webber’s elegantly romantic “Phantom of the Opera,” his NEW musical is based on the scruffy hit movie – “School of Rock.”  Like the movie, this laugh-out-loud musical follows a ‘wannabe’ rock star (posing as a substitute teacher) who turns a class of straight-A students into a mind-blowing rock band. With 14 new songs from Lloyd Webber and a real ‘Kids Rock Band’ playing their instruments LIVE on-stage at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

“Now Snowing” at the Celebration Town Center 
NOW to Dec 31 
There IS Snowfall in Florida – EVERY night through Dec 31, nightly at 6, 7, 8 and 9 pm at the Celebration Town Center as the “Dickens Carolers” perform. Highlights include photos with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, Ice Skating, and the ‘Celebration Express Train.’ Parking and admission is FREE. Visit celebrationtowncenter.com 

“Shamu Christmas Miracles”
NOW to Dec 31 
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is “where holiday memories are made.” As “Shamu’s Christmas Miracles” sends killer whales soaring into the air, Holiday music rings out, and a story of friendship is told. Even the hardest heart, inspired by Shamu’s family, is enhanced during this Holiday Season. Visit seaworld.com/Orlando/events 

“Gingerbread Lane” at the Orlando Science Center 
NOW to Jan 7 
At the new “Gingerbread Lane” at the Orlando Science Center, families gaze in wonder at dozens of ‘gingerbread structures’ created entirely from edible (cookie) materials. The creator of “Gingerbread Lane” is New York chef Jon Lovitch, who spends his entire year baking and decorating to bring this wintry wonderland to life. Call 407.514.2000 or visit osc.org 

Holidays at Bok Tower Gardens 
NOW to Jan 7 
The Holiday Season is a special time to visit the natural beauty of the Bok Tower Gardens. The ‘Home Tour’ at the Pinewood mansion is a highlight, along with poinsettia, bromeliad and amaryllis displays; walking tours; and educational programs. The ‘event of the day’ takes place at 1 pm and 3 pm every Thursday through Sunday as Christmas music peels out from the beautiful, 60-bell Singing Tower carillon. Visit boktowergardens.org/Christmas 

Downton Abbey in Saint Augustine 
NOW to Jan 7
Downton Abbey is one of the most honored series on television, having received 12 Emmys, 3 Golden Globes and countless other awards. Now 36 costumes from the TV show are ‘posed’ in vignettes among the art and furniture at the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine. As the costumes reflect fashions from 1912 to the mid-1920’s, the Lightner Museum, renowned for its collection of Victorian Era fine and decorative art, is particularly suited to ‘welcome’ this unique exhibit. Call 904.824.2874 or visit lightnermuseum.org/dressing-downton 

… and for the NEW YEAR 

Fantashique: “The Starting 20”
January 6 at 3 pm and 7:30 pm 
Central Florida’s Fantashique Dance Company presents “The Starting 20” featuring the Orlando Strikers in a showcase of talent, passion and dedication on the dance floor. Performing a variety of dance styles, including lyrical, jazz, and hip hop, these pre-professional dancers ‘bring it’ to the dance-floor as they share their talent for the whole family. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Lillian Verkins’ Abstract Art -- “From Whence We Came”
Jan 11 to Feb 1 with Opening Reception Jan 11 from 5 pm to 7 pm 
In her art exhibit “From Whence We Came” at Seminole State College Fine Art Gallery, one of Central Florida’s great abstract painters refers to Carl Sagan’s expression, “We’re made of star stuff.” Her large works ‘explode’ with visions of clouds of stars and our quest for the creation of the universe. Lillian begins with a ‘big-bang’ of vibrant colors, swirling and re-forming into new creations, which she calls ‘Spacescapes,’ and she promises some 3-D works as well. At 100 Weldon Blvd in Sanford, call 407.708.2040

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators