Florida Culture for Your New YEAR, January 8, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

January 9 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm – Valencia College Art Faculty Exhibit 
A reception for accomplished members of the art faculty at Valencia College will be held at the Orange County Admin Center at 201 S. Rosalind Ave in Orlando on January 9. Curated by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, the four-month-long exhibition of artworks in all media includes artists Courtney Canova, David Lee Cumbie, Andrew Downey, Michael Galletta, Rima Jabbur, Nancy Jay, KYLE, Allan Maxwell, Jackie Otto Miller and Dennis Schmalstig. Visit ocfl.net/arts or call 407.836.4450.

Image Credit: KYLE, Untitled #11, from Fighting, Floating and Falling Series, oil on canvas, 48 by 36 inches.

January 9 to 14 – Pip-Squeak: An Anti-Bullying Magic Show at Orlando Rep 
Award-winning magician and comedian Tony Brent returns to the Orlando Rep with ‘Pip-Squeak: An Anti-Bullying Magic Show.’ Because of his small size as a child, Tony was bullied in the cafeteria, the gym, the playground – anywhere there were no adults. NOW – using comedy, magic, and lots of costumes, Tony teaches children how to cope with being bullied, how to recognize the signs of bullying, and whether they themselves might be guilty of bullying. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

January 9 – Orlando Mayor’s City Academy 2017 – Registration Deadline 
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer understands that “Citizen involvement is essential to successful local government,” and offers the ‘Mayor’s City Academy’ as a way to begin your involvement with “the City Beautiful.” The Academy offers a ‘backstage tour’ of Orlando, highlighting the city’s services in a 10-week program of road trips and tours that include Orlando’s City Hall, police headquarters, and a busy fire station. The 2017 Mayor’s City Academy begins on March 9 and will be held the following nine Thursdays beginning at 5:30 pm. Deadline for applications is January 9. Visit cityoforlando.net/mayor/get-involved/

January 11 to 29 – WICKED – For Three Weeks – at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Broadway’s WICKED, one of the greatest Broadway shows of all time, continues to break box office records around the world. Winner of over 100 international awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, WICKED tells the story of two girls in the Land of Oz. One, born with green skin is smart and misunderstood; the other is ambitious and popular. How one becomes the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’ and the other becomes ‘Glinda the Good’ makes for one great Broadway musical. In performance for three VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED weeks at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

January 12 to 16 – Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Present “Circus XTREME” 
Ladieeeeeeeeeees & Gentlemen -- Prepare to be amazed as the Circus XTREME comes to Orlando’s Amway Center. High-wire wizards, strongmen, trick riders, daredevils, contortionists, a human cannonball, a cast and crew of more than 300, and a full menagerie of amazing animals provide two and a half hours of thrilling entertainment. Circus XTREME features Bengal tigers and camels. The party starts an hour before the show at the All Access Pre-show, which is FREE with each ticket purchase. Visit Ringling.com, amwaycenter.com, Ticketmaster locations, or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000. 

Jan 13 to April 20 – The Dinos are Coming! The Dinos are Coming!
There’s a bit of ‘Jurassic Park’ at Leu Gardens as we discover what life was like millions of years ago thanks to the artistry of Guy Darrough, who creates dinosaur figures that look just as the real ones did when they ruled the Earth. Your family can experience these creatures up-close-and-personal as the ‘Dinos’ may be found throughout the 50-acre botanical gardens. Known for their scientific authenticity, they range in size from 14 inches to 33 feet. A free, self-guided ‘DinoHunt Guide’ is available for paleontologists of all ages to find these “fearful lizards” in the Gardens. Visit leugardens.org 

January 13 to 16 – ‘OTRONICON’ at the Orlando Science Center 
Otronicon will celebrate its 12th year as the premiere technology event in Orlando, inviting guests to experience state-of-the-art gaming and simulation technologies including military and medical simulators NOT typically available to the public. Also, interact with industry leaders about STEM careers, experience the future of gaming design, attend workshops, and witness the fusion of art and technology. Open 10 am to 5 pm daily, with a separate age 21-and-up-event, ‘Science Night Live’ on Jan 14 from 8 pm to 11:30 pm, call 407-514-2000 or visit otronicon.org

January 14 at 7:30 pm – Engelbert Humperdink at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Engelbert Humperdink’s unique voice has charmed millions of fans around the globe. He has recorded everything – ballads, movie themes, disco, rock, and gospel in a career spanning 50 years. Mr. Humperkink has sold over 140 million records, including 64 gold albums, 35 platinum, 4 Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe, and his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His music transcends time, but it’s the man himself who inspires emotions that explain his life-long success. At the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Jan 14 at 8 pm – The Annie Moses Band at Dr. Phillips Center 
The Annie Moses Band has entertained audiences on PBS and on stages from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole Opry. With their blend of folk and classical music, this ensemble of singers, songwriters, and musicians offers music-making for roots enthusiasts to classical connoisseurs. On this tour, the Band performs the world’s greatest love songs in one incredible night of music. Call 844.5132014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Jan 14 & 15 – The 40th Annual Scottish Highland Games 
Originating in the Scottish Highlands during the 11th Century, Highland Games have long been an audience-favorite spectacle. Experience the history and culture of these centuries old traditions through Highland athletics, archery, Dance, Piping & Drumming, Border Collies, food, Whiskey tasting and that very special Gaelic spirit. The Scottish-American Society of Central Florida, founded in 1976, hosts the annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs. No reservations required. Visit flascot.com 

Jan 16 at 7 pm – The Orlando Philharmonic Goes to the Birds 
Maestro Eric Jacobsen says of his brother Colin: “I wouldn’t be a musician without my brother. He is one of the great violinists and composers of our time. I can’t wait to share his artistry with Orlando!” The Orlando Philharmonic welcomes Colin to the Philharmonic family to perform Beethoven’s virtuosic concerto, as well as Vaughan Williams’ “The Lark Ascending,” and Colin’s arrangement of a traditional Persian song, “Ascending Bird.” With Eric Jacobsen conducting, the Orchestra will bring the aviary world to life in Respighi’s colorful Gli Uccelli at their new home at The Plaza Live. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

January 20 at 6:30 pm – Opening – The Wyeths and American Artists in Maine
As a child, paintings by the Wyeth family constituted my first understanding of the difference between photography, photo-realism, and ‘realistic’ fine art. The Spring exhibit at the Orlando Museum of Art will honor the Wyeth family, the 100th Anniversary of Andrew Wyeth’s birth, and “American Artists in Maine.” Drawn from the collection at the Farnsworth Art Museum, the exhibit has an extensive collection of American painters and Art from three generations of the Wyeth family. An entrance fee of $10 includes a ‘first-look’ at the exhibit and a lecture by Michael Komanecky, Chief Curator at the Farnsworth. Call 407.896.4231 ext. 230 or visit OMART.org 

Jan 20 to Feb 18 – Why Do FOOLS Fall in Love? … at the Winter Park Playhouse 
Written and created by Roger Bean, this song-fest takes place at a bachelorette party where best friends share their thoughts about love, marriage and the dating game. Featuring hits from the 1960’s including "My Boy Lollipop," "I Will Follow Him," "Hey There Lonely Boy," and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" this musical comedy reaffirms that true friendship is the key to everlasting love. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Jan 20 to Feb 19 - Picasso, Einstein and Steve Martin Walk Into the Mad Cow Theatre …
‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile,’ comic-genius-playwright Steve Martin’s first full-length play, takes place in 1904 at a Paris bar, ‘Le Lapin Agile’ (the nimble rabbit), a popular hangout for artists. The play explores creativity, physics, and one-night stands, as worlds (and words) collide in this fictional meeting between Pablo Picasso (on the verge of creating Cubism) and Albert Einstein (about to publish his Theory of Relativity). With Steve Martin’s off-beat humor, the 20th Century is born through the eyes of a funny man. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

Jan 21 at 8 pm – The Orlando Philharmonic presents Brahms’ 3rd Symphony 
With Eric Jacobsen conducting, the Orlando Philharmonic honors American composer John Adams with performances of two of his best-known works. The first half of this celebratory program also includes the first Orlando Philharmonic performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 3. The second half of the program features 18-year old American pianist Carmen Knoll, presented by Genius of Youth sponsors, Dr. & Mrs. Leonard Dreifus, performing Rachmaninoff’s spectacular Third Piano Concerto. At the Bob Carr Theater, call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

John Adams’ ‘Short Ride in a Fast Machine’

NOW to February 5 – ‘Blackberry Winter’ at Orlando Shakespeare 
Years of success and planning have not prepared Vivienne for her mother's slide into dementia. Vivienne’s memories of her mother and the decisions regarding her care are interwoven with a 21st century Alzheimer's creation ‘myth’ about a White Egret who protects forest animals as they lose their memories. Steve Yockey’s new play ‘Blackberry Winter’ is a moving, sometimes humorous, but always deeply human work being presented at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

NOW to Feb 4 – Lillian Verkins’ Paints BIG at Lake Eustis Museum 
Large-Canvas-Painter Lillian Verkins has received over 20 juried awards, among which are two “Best of Show” and four “1st Place” awards. In 2016 Lillian was the First Place winner in the prestigious ‘Genius of Women’ exhibit presented by Women in the Arts Inc. Born in Bosnia, Lillian’s family immigrated to the US in 1964. Today, Lillian’s large canvases are filled with big, lush brushstrokes that are both “personal and therapeutic” for the Artist. Ms. Verkins’ exhibit, “Atmospheres” is on view through Feb 4 at the Lake Eustis Museum at 1 West Orange Ave in Eustis, Florida. Visit lakeeustisartmuseum.org or call 352.483.2900.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators