Florida Culture for the Week of June 20, 2011 by Josh Garrick

TRULY Groundbreaking!
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites the entire Central Florida community to three days of celebration in honor of the Official Groundbreaking for the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. After 20 years of dedicated work (and fund-raising) by hundreds of Arts-lovers, the official groundbreaking will take place from 5:30 to 7:15 pm on June 23 with live entertainment from Broadway singer (and Orlando native) Davis Gaines, as well as performances from the Orlando Ballet, Orlando Philharmonic, the Orlando Rep, and the cast of the national tour of HAIR.  The celebrations continue with an open house on June 24 from 11 am to 2 pm and June 25 from 12 to 4 pm, where the community is invited to enjoy performances from local performing artists and groups. Funded entirely by community donations, the events are free and open to the public, and will take place in an air-conditioned tent located on Magnolia Avenue between Anderson and South Streets … the future front door of the Dr. Phillips Center.

Orlando Mayor Bud Dyer

Davis Gaines

Orlando Draws Record Breaking 51 Million-Plus Visitors
Becoming the first U.S. ‘Destination’ to ever top 50 million visitors in one year is GREAT news for the economy here in Central Florida.  That announcement was made in simultaneous bi-coastal events in which Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in Orlando and Visit Orlando President Gary Sain in San Francisco announced the record-breaking 51.455 million visitors in 2010, while sharing that this number is up 10.5% from 2009. This makes Orlando the first destination in the country to welcome more than 50 million visitors in one year. “Orlando offers visitors something they can’t get anywhere else - world famous attractions, value for their money and an experience they will never forget,” said Gary Sain.  “Travel and Tourism is our number one economic engine by far,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “It also gives back to our community through support of the arts, education and community organizations. These numbers are tremendous.”  To attract visitors, Visit Orlando, the marketing organization responsible for positioning Orlando for the economic benefit of the community, initiated new marketing campaigns with the tagline, “Orlando Makes Me Smile.”

OMA Opens Cut Glass Exhibition
Antique collectors will not want to miss the Orlando Museum of Art’s new exhibit, Expressions in Glass: American Brilliant Cut Glass 1876-1914, which promises America’s finest examples of cut and engraved glass from the period.  The new OMA exhibit may be viewed from June 25 to August 21, timed to coincide with the American Cut Glass Association’s National Convention to be held in Orlando in late July. Organized by William Meek, the works in the exhibit are from the 1860’s to the 1920’s and come from private collector-members of the American Cut Glass Association. The OMA is located in Orlando Loch Haven Park at 2416 North Mills Avenue. Parking is free. Call 407 896 4231 or visit omart.org

FREE Programs at the Morse Museum
The Morse Museum in Winter Park, home to treasures and architectural objects by Louis Comfort Tiffany, recently opened new galleries in a 12,000-square-foot expansion. This summer the Morse invites families to continue the celebration of its new Tiffany wing through two FREE programs designed especially for children. Highlights include leaded-glass windows, iconic Tiffany lamps, as well as art glass and custom furnishings. Beginning on Tuesdays June 21 and 28; July 5, 12, 19, and 26; and August 2; families may enjoy a 45-minute museum tour and take-home art activity. On Fridays June 24; July 8 and 22; and August 5; participants will see a short film on architecture, visit the Tiffany exhibits, and produce a work of art. Space in these free programs is limited, reservations are required, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 407.645.5311x136. The Morse Museum is at 445 North Park Avenue in Winter Park. Visit morsemuseum.org

My Family at Sommesville, at the Morse Museum

Orlando Philharmonic’s ‘Sounds of Summer’
Fulfilling their ‘destiny’ to bring music to Central Florida all year long, the Orlando Philharmonic will begin its 2011 Sounds of Summer Series on Monday, June 27 at 7 pm with a program called ‘Baroque and Blues.’  The program features Philharmonic musicians Mark Goldberg, percussion and group leader; Olga Ferroni, violin; Paul Strasshoffer, bass; Colleen Blagov, flute; Tom Macklin, trumpet; and Krystof Srebrakowski, piano. The “suite-filled” program includes Trio Sonata in D-Minor, by Georg Telemann, in addition to Suite for Trumpet and Jazz Piano, Suite for Flute and Piano, Suite for Violin and Jazz Piano and Suite for Trumpet and Jazz Piano, all by French jazz pianist and composer Claude Bolling.  Known for ‘crossover’ compositions combining classical and jazz music, Bolling has composed for over 100 films. The concert will be presented at the Shakespeare Center at 812 East Rollins Street in Loch Haven Park. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

Mark Goldberg, Orlando Philharmonic

And not to be missed … 
‘HAIR’ – the 2009 Tony Award Winning Musical, will play the Bob Carr from June 21 to June 26. With a score including Let the Sun Shine In, Aquarius, and Hair, HAIR depicts the cultural un-rest of the 60’s that changed America forever. Purchase tickets at OrlandoBroadway.com or call 800-982-2787.

Will Swenson as Berger and the cast of the Broadway revival of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical directed by Diane Paulus and choreographed by Karole Armitage.  HAIR features a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. Photo credit:  Joan Marcus 

Central Florida’s most celebrated painters (who happen to be men) are featured in an exhibit at the new Gateway Center in DeBary, Florida.  The title of the exhibit – Men Painting Men – is created by male Artists whose subject is the male figure. The exhibit runs through July 14, and is appropriate for viewing by children. Visit gatewaycenterforthearts.org or call 386.668.5553.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators