“Josh Recommends” for February 14, 2020 by Josh Garrick 

CINDERELLA by the Orlando Ballet 
Feb 14 to 16 
The whole Orlando Ballet Company is feeling like Cinderella these days having opened their “dream facility” a few weeks ago. How fitting to celebrate the idea that “DREAMS really do come true” than with CINDERELLA, presented by the Orlando Ballet. You’ll have a Ball (wink) with the notorious Stepsisters and the charming Fairy Godmother, (as a pumpkin turns into a carriage right before your eyes!) With choreography by Victoria Morgan, Prokofiev’s haunting score, and LIVE music provided by the Orlando Philharmonic, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org
 

“Weekend of the Arts Open House” at the Morse Museum 
Feb 14 from 9:30 am to 8 pm
Feb 15 from 9:30 am to 4 pm 
Feb 16 from 1 pm to 4 pm 
That beautiful jewel of a museum – the Morse Museum of American Art will provide FREE admission during the City of Winter Park's Weekend of the Arts with LIVE music by the “Beautiful Music Paint It Black Quartet” (cello, flute, and violins) beginning at 5 pm on Friday. The Weekend of the Arts is an invitation to discover and re-discover the arts and culture to be found in Winter Park while being inspired with performances, exhibits, and activities at more than 20 arts organizations. The Museum is at 445 N Park Ave in Winter Park. Visit cityofwinterpark.org/arts-culture 

Rick Singh’s Property TAX SAVINGS Expo
Feb 15 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Orlando Public Library 
Tax SAVINGS! What a concept!! Did you know the Homestead Exemption can reduce the taxable value of your primary residence by as much as $50,000? Join our friendly Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh at the “2020 Property Tax Savings Expo” to file before the deadline. Download the OCPA App to stay on top of updates and learn about other tax-saving benefits. You may also plan to attend a Web Demo. The Expo is FREE and open to the Public. Pre-register at attendify.co/2020-property-tax-savings 

“Pop Art Pop Up” Exhibit at City Arts Factory
Feb 20 to March 15 with “3rd Thursday Opening” Feb 20 from 6 pm to 9 pm
With what may be the most “fun” exhibit of the year, City Arts is celebrating “Pop Art” and the Pop Artists who celebrate commonplace objects (like a Campbell’s soup can) and seek to elevate ‘pop culture’ to the level of ‘fine art.’ The Pop art movement blurred the boundaries between "high" art and "pop" culture with the concept that Art may borrow from any source -- one of the most influential characteristics of Pop art. This is a FREE event at CityArts at 39 S. Magnolia Ave in Downtown Orlando. 

“If the Bees Go, We Go” hosted by Mills Gallery 
Feb 21 beginning at 6:30 pm to Feb 28 
The harsh reality is if the bees disappear from the earth, mankind would lose all the plants that bees pollinate, all the animals that eat those plants, and so on up the food chain. Artist Kristy Lee Green brings awareness to our fragile eco-system through her encaustic art, a mixed media technique that uses heated beeswax to which colored pigments have been added. She will be joined by members of the ‘Florida Wax Group’ at 1650 Mills Ave in Orlando. Visit thegalleryatmillspark.com 

BEEHIVE -- The 60's Musical at the Winter Park Playhouse 
NOW to Feb 22 
Created by Larry Gallagher and told from the perspective of six women who came of age in the 1960s, this Off-Broadway musical recalls the days of miniskirts, transistor radios and flower power! In a semi-concert format, with comments about the period between songs, the show celebrates iconic female singers like Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Connie Francis and Lulu, and over 30 of the most memorable songs of the era including “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “Where the Boys Are,” “One Fine Day, and so many more! Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

Dancing with the Stars – LIVE at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Feb 23 at 3 pm & 7 pm 
For one day only this show will feature the professional dancers from “Dancing with the Stars” in a brand-new production showcasing every type of dance from Tango to Foxtrot, Cha-Cha to Waltz – and everything in between. Experience the glitz, glamour and excitement you see every Monday night LIVE on-stage in our beautiful Dr. Phillips Center. The all-new production is already wowing audiences by performing fan-favorite routines from the TV series and new numbers choreographed for live audiences. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Spamilton: An American Parody
Feb 25 to March 5 at the Dr. Phillips Center 
This “convulsively funny” (NY Times) parody was created, written, and directed by 
Gerard Alessandrini, the comic mastermind behind the long-running hit “Forbidden Broadway.” After tearing it up in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, Spamilton: An American Parody will stage a singing, dancing, comedy revolution in Orlando for a limited time. And the best part is, “you don’t have to have seen Hamilton to have side-splitting fun at Spamilton.” (Huffington Post) Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Anne of Green Gables at Orlando Repertory 
NOW to Feb 23 
This beautiful story, based on the beloved novel of an orphaned girl who finds not only a home, but a family, is a faithful dramatization of the beloved classic. Marilla and her brother request an orphan boy to help work their farm, but they are mistakenly sent the high-spirited red-head named Anne Shirley. Trials and tribulations come and pass, but Marilla and Matthew come to admit that Anne is the best thing that ever happened to them … AND Anne comes to understand she is a loved and a worthwhile person. Visit orlandrep.com or call 407.896.7365x1 
 

The Three MUSKETEERS, from the novel by Alexandre Dumas
NOW to March 22 at Orlando Shakespeare
Get ready to “swash your buckles” as Orlando Shakes presents “The Three Musketeers,” adapted from the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. This often-comic, action-packed, ‘swashbuckler’ follows young d’Artagnan and his band of Musketeers as they fight to protect the ones they love from evil. This story of double crossings, kidnappings, and secrets comes with lavish sword fights and the “romance” of a time when love and honor (supposedly) ruled the world. Visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700 x1 

“Last Train to Nibroc” by Arlene Hutton 
NOW to March 8 at Mad Cow Theatre 
“Last Train to Nibroc” is the first in a trilogy of plays by Orlando native, Arlene Hutton. Set in December 1940, an east-bound train carries the bodies of two great American writers Nathanael West and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Also on board is May, who shares her seat with a young man who is unable to enlist because of a medical condition. Raleigh wants to be a writer. May wants to be a missionary. In this boy-meets-girl romance, two young people navigate the tough times of a country at war while discovering what they have to give up to get what they really want. Tickets start at $15 at madcowtheatre.com 
 

“Spring Bloom” at the Pinewood Estate at Bok Tower 
NOW to March 31 -- 10 am to 4 pm 
Truly “gilding the lily” of Central Florida’s most beautiful historical mansion, experience Pinewood Estate in full bloom with fresh floral displays throughout each of the 20 magnificent rooms of the home created for the Charles Austin Buck family. Tour the home and learn about the estate’s history including its Mediterranean-Revival architecture, furnishings, gardens and the cultural impact of the 1930s, 40s and 50s told through the stories of the first owner and family. Tickets: $5 members/ $7 non-members
Visit boktowergardens.org 

“End of the Road - An Evening with Jack Kerouac" at Penguin Point in Oviedo Mall 
Feb 28 & Feb 29 at 7:30 pm 
This one-man show finds American literary legend Jack Kerouac in the green room of William F. Buckley’s “Firing Line,” drinking and arguing with his ghosts as he prepares to give his final televised appearance. He – and his ghosts – recall his life from the childhood loss of his brother to his failed marriages and on to taking care of his mother. Performed by David McElroy, who has a very special talent for the one-man-show format, the Orlando Sentinel called this play “a solid representation of American literature’s antihero.” Call 407.310.8908 or visit penguinpointproductions.com

Windermere Fine Art Show – a FREE Event 
Feb 29 and March 1 
Please join the good citizens of Windermere as they celebrate their 5th Annual Windermere Fine Art Show. In addition to perusing the works of over 100 Fine Artists from around the country, the day will also feature Irish Dancers, singers, food and wine trucks and more. This FREE event has entertainment for the entire family in beautiful Downtown Windermere. Visit windermerearts.com or call 407.808.0665. 
 

“Nature of the Game” at Leu Gardens
Now to April 5
Educational Game Time! Both you and the kids will have fun with the interactive exhibit at Leu gardens --“Nature of the Game.” This exhibit, created by Iowa State University’s Reinaldo Correa, uses childhood games to “discover the wonders of nature.” Play with giant chess pieces, challenge a friend to a life-size Connect4 with a twist. There are scavenger hunts inspired by I-Spy, a new form of Kerplunk and games for all ages. Admission included with garden ticket: $10 adult & $5 child. Visit LeuGardens.com 
 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators