Florida Culture for the Week of January 20, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

Symphony Story-Time presents ‘The Jazz Fly’ at The Plaza Live
January 21, 26, & 27 
The Jazz Fly is on his way to an important performance where he is so inspired by his friends that his performance ‘steals the show.’ Presented by Orlando Philharmonic jazz performers, the Storytime Series at The Plaza Live presents live music for children ages 3 to 7. Performed with narration and illustrations, the music brings children's classics to life. After the concert, the children are invited to ‘play’ instruments with the musicians, act out characters from the story, and color in their own Story-time booklet. Call 407.770.0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

Jackson Browne at the Dr. Phillips Center 
January 23 at 7:30 pm 
Jackson Browne has written and performed some of the most literate and moving songs in popular music. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2007, Browne has released fourteen studio albums and four collections of LIVE performances. Known for his advocacy on behalf of the environment, human rights, and arts education, he is a recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, and received an honorary Doctorate of Music by Occidental College. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Riverdance: 20th Anniversary Tour
January 26 to 28 at the Dr. Phillips Center 
The international Irish dance phenomenon is back in “Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour.” Drawing on Irish traditions, the performers bring Irish dance and music into the present day for audiences of all ages and cultures in an innovative blend of dance, music and song. Referring to the show’s energy and spectacle, The Washington Times called the show, “A phenomenon of historic proportions.” Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

A Celebration of Harry Potter – A Magical 3-Day Event 
Jan. 26, 27 & 28 
It’s three days of magic as Harry Potter fans from around the world come together in Orlando to explore “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” Along with Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and the Escape from Gringotts, fans will ride the Hogwarts Express to film talent Q&A sessions featuring Stanislav Yanevski (Viktor Krum), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) and more. At Universal Orlando, visit universalorlando.com to find the “Celebration of Harry Potter Vacation Package.” 

Musical Thrones: “A Parody of Ice and Fire” at the Dr. Phillips Center 
January 26, 28 & 29
Fans of the most talked about show on television can now get their fantasy fix LIVE on-stage with the hilarious send-up, “MUSICAL THRONES: A Parody of Ice and Fire.” MUSICAL THRONES brings your most be-loved and be-hated characters to life as you journey through all 6 seasons of the series. Blood-thirsty comics leave no joke unturned in serving up Thrones’ violence, power struggles, and sex – (and the horror of a ballad) at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Trevor NOAH (the Guy from the Daily Show) 2ND Show Added 
January 27 at 10 pm at the Bob Carr Theater
Trevor Noah is the host of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central, and he is the most successful comedian in Africa (for real). This year Noah won Best Host at the 2017 MTV Awards, as well as a Creative Arts Emmy Award – and he debuted his 9th comedy special on Netflix. Born in South Africa to a black mother and a white father, in 2016 Trevor released his 1st book “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,” an instant New York Times bestseller. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

“Vice President Joe Biden’s American Promise Tour" 
Jan 29 at 7 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Vice President Joe Biden’s new best seller “Promise Me, Dad” chronicles 2015, the most challenging year in V.P. Biden’s life. For twelve months, Biden balanced his responsibilities to his country and his family while his son Beau battled brain cancer. Biden allows readers to feel the urgency of both roles, the life-altering choices he was forced to make, and the life-lessons that helped him through the challenges. Tickets for the Vice President’s talk include a copy of his book, and VIP tickets are also available. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org. 

“Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in Concert with the OPO 
Feb 1 at 7:30 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center
Star Wars in Concert continues with “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in concert with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. In this episode, the ‘Death Star’ has been destroyed, but the Empire has re-grouped with Darth Vader leading the hunt for Luke Skywalker. Featuring the iconic full-length film on the big screen, John Williams’ inspiring and legendary score is performed LIVE by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

“Piaf -- Voice & Delirium” at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Feb 1 to 4 
Presenting the tormented life of Edith Piaf, this musical takes us from the frail woman who began by singing on the streets of Paris to become an international legend. Suffering from love, drugs, war and sickness, she seduced generations of music lovers, becoming a legacy to the musical memory of the world. Performances are offered in both English and Spanish. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

“The Lieutenant of Inishmore” at the Garden Theatre 
Feb 2 to 25 
Called “Appallingly entertaining” by The New York Times, “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” is a “gleefully gruesome comedy” about an Irish terrorist and his precious black cat. After his cat is found dead, the heartbroken hit-man’s brutal carnage makes for an outrageous, blood-drenched comedy that explores the violence that engulfs our world. This ‘dark’ comedy contains adult language and violence unsuitable for younger audiences, while offering adult audiences something new to experience. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

Orlando Philharmonic Pops Series Presents “Cirque de la Symphonie”
February 3 at 2 pm and 8 pm at the Bob Carr Theater
Conducted by Yaniv Segal, “Cirque de la Symphonie” returns to Central Florida with an all-new program of awe-inspiring physical feats of power and beauty. Paired with music from block-buster movies including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Batman, Titanic and more, this thrill-ride of a concert includes acrobats, jugglers, and aerial flyers soaring high above the heads of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Call 407.770.0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

Diana Krall – “Turn Up the Quiet Tour”
Feb 3 at 8 pm at Dr. Phillips Center 
The only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, five-time GRAMMY-winning jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall kicks off her World Tour featuring fan favorites as well as material from her new album “Turn Up The Quiet.” MOJO Magazine calls the new album “spectacular” as People Magazine writes, “Diana Krall’s new music will have fans falling for her all over again.” Transcending musical style, join Diana Krall at the Dr. Phillips Center by calling 844.513.2014 or visiting drphillipscenter.org

“Flora & Ulysses” at Orlando Rep 
Feb 3 to 25
Flora loves comic books, so it’s no surprise when a squirrel named Ulysses gets sucked up in the vacuum cleaner and pops out as a superhero – who can fly – and write poetry. Doubting adults have lots to learn from Flora, Ulysses, and their friend, William, as they navigate matters of the heart in this 2014 Newbery Medal-winning adventure from Kate DiCamillo, adapted for the stage by John Glore. An American Sign Language Interpreter Show will be presented on Feb 12. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

The Maitland Stage Band in a FREE Concert 
Feb 4 at 4 pm 
Enjoy big band sounds under direction of Trombonist Jimmy Foy as the Maitland Stage Band returns to the Rotary Plaza outdoor stage. The program, called “Battle of the Tenors,” features the trumpets playing jazz, Sinatra and more. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. The Concert begins at 4 pm to get you home before the Super Bowl game. Performing Arts of Maitland sponsors the Concert with their partner, the Maitland Art Center at 231 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland. The event is FREE – NO tickets required. 321-303-1404 

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Central Florida Community Arts
Feb 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm 
Based on the 1831 novel by Victor Hugo and the 1996 film of the same name, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" bursts into life onstage, framed by the memorable music and lyrics of Academy Award-winners Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. This vibrant musical returns to Hugo’s original material in a hard look at humankind, shining a light into the dark truths of the world at Northland Church in Longwood. Tickets start at $10 at CFCArts.com or by calling 407.937.1800. 

“The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” at Mad Cow Theatre 
NOW to Feb 18
From the twisted, comic mind of Charles Busch, Mad Cow offers us a ‘straight-up,’ ‘no-holds-barred’ Manhattan comedy with a “mid-life crisis” at the heart of the play. Leading lady Marjory Taub lives a hollow, but dramatically opulent life in which she yearns to study philosophy but is stuck picking out chandeliers. Her luxuriously depressing life is given a second look, however, upon the arrival of an old friend. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

and looking ahead … 

The LION KING
February 14 to March 11 
Tickets for the most successful musical in history – The LION KING – are on-sale NOW, and even with an extended run, there will be many performances that sell out weeks before the show opens. Twenty years ago, The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and then went on to earn more than 70 major awards in New York and London alone. Seen by more than 90 Million people, The Lion King’s amazing success exceeds that of any Broadway show in history. The music, a fusion of Western popular music and rhythms of Africa, features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from the animated film. Tickets starting at $35 may be purchased at drphillipscenter.org or by calling 844.513.2014 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators