Florida Culture for the Week of June 8, 2015 by Josh Garrick

Current – Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Continues to Build 

The Dr. Phillips Center, already more popular and successful with the Public than any projections could have hoped, announced the glorious news that a new, lead gift of $12 million from Chuck Steinmetz and Margery Pabst Steinmetz has assured the ground-breaking of the Center’s planned third theater to be named Steinmetz Hall. Center President Kathy Ramsberger announced construction will begin on the 1700-seat ‘acoustical’ hall next May. Both existing theaters rely on amplified sound while the new theater will be designed to transmit sound to all listeners without amplification and will be home to the Orlando Ballet and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. We send out a huge THANK YOU to Chuck and Margery Pabst Steinmetz for their extraordinary philanthropy, which will benefit Central Florida for generations to come. 

Extended through June 19  – Shrek the Musical at Orlando Rep

So popular that it has now been extended for an additional MONTH of performances, Shrek the Musical TYA brings the story of everyone’s favorite Ogre to life on-stage. In a faraway kingdom, that ‘should be’ the happiest place on earth, (wink wink) the magic is turned upside down when an ogre rescues a feisty Princess! Throw in a cast of fairy tale ‘misfits’ and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a hero. Luckily, there’s a potential hero stomping around the Forest, and his name is Shrek. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

June 8 to 13 – World Ballet Competition with All Stars of Dance Gala

The World Ballet Competition – founded here in Central Florida – brings together an impressive array of international talent (ages 10 to 22), all of which culminates – at the end of a week of competition – on June 13 at 7:30 pm for a not-to-be-missed All Stars of Dance Gala. Held at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center , the audience is treated to brilliant performances from visiting dance stars who share the spotlight with 2015 medal-winners from the week-long competition. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED For Gala tickets, call 407.849.4669 or visit worldballetcompetition.com

June 11 – Winter Park’s Summertime Sip, Shop & Stroll!

Experience the very best of Winter Park’s charming Park Avenue during a relaxing summer ‘Wine Stroll’ on June 11 beginning at 5 pm. Visit local merchants for appetizers and wine tastings while checking out fashions, gifts and menus. From Bebe's Baby Boutique to California Closets and from Lilly Pulitzer to The Doggie Door, participating merchants will welcome you. $25 includes your passport and wine glass with check-in at the corner of Park Avenue and Morse Boulevard beginning at 5 pm. For reservations call 407.644.8281, or visit winterpark.org

June 12 to Sept 6 – Orlando Museum of Art Florida Prize 2015

In the Orlando Museum of Art’s second Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, the exhibit features 10 of the “most progressive and exciting artists working in the State today.” And – one of these artists will be selected to receive a significant monetary award. This invitational exhibit recognizes both the achievement and potential of these Florida Artists, thereby encouraging their continued innovation, while celebrating the cultural life of our beautiful State. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED  Visit omart.org or call 407.896.4231

June 12 & 13 – Central Florida Community Arts Symphony Presents Colors 

In Colors – the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra will present symphonic masterpieces in an immersive concert that embraces special lighting, projection, and visual art, bringing both familiar and unexpected music to life before our eyes (and ears). This creative, collaborative, and colorful concert will be performed at Calvary Assembly, 1199 Clay Street in Winter Park at 8 pm on June 12 and 13. Tickets are $10 / children 12 and under free. Call 407-937-1800 or contact [email protected]

June 13 – Blockbuster Mummies Exhibit Opens at Orlando Science Center 

The Blockbuster Exhibit of the Summer will open at the Orlando Science Center on June 13. Mummies of the World is the largest exhibit of mummies (and related artifacts) ever assembled, showing how science can shed light on history, medicine and world cultures. Real human and animal mummies from South America, Europe and Egypt demonstrate that mummification – through natural and intentional processes – has taken place around the globe. Presented with solemn dignity, the exhibit provides a window into the lives of our ancestors and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Visit osc.org or call 407.514.2000  

June 13 & 14 – The Orlando Gay Chorus Sings in ONE Voice 

The concert, entitled One Voice, by the Orlando Gay Chorus marks the landmark 25th Anniversary of this multi-talented group.  People from all walks of life are invited to … “Please join us as we share in the friendship, family, pride, and above all else, the love that has been created and shared among our Chorus and our audiences and community for the past 25 years.” Performances are June 13 at 7:30 pm and June 14 at 4:30 pm at Plaza Live in Downtown Orlando.  Visit orlandogaychorus.org 

June 14 – Saxophonist Matt Festa in Music at the Casa 

This series of Free music events invites the Public to visit the historic Casa Feliz Home Museum on Sunday afternoons from noon to 3 pm, listen to live music, and take a tour of the museum and the James Gamble Rogers II Studio, led by trained docents. The June 14 event presents Matt Festa, who “cut my musical teeth around the likes of Bobby Millitello (Dave Brubeck) and Jay Beckenstein (Spyro Gyra),” pursued his dream and became an accomplished Saxophone player and band leader here in Central Florida. Free  Visit casafeliz.squarespace.com or call 407.628.8200. 

June 16 at 8:30am – Free Seminar: Build Your Marketing Toolkit 

Small businesses and organizations find themselves seeking strategies to make their marketing efforts effective, but with so many marketing activities available, this Free presentation uncovers core concepts to show that a little bit of marketing knowledge can go a long way. Attendees will learn: what marketing really is; how marketing has changed in ways that benefit small businesses; the importance of setting goals and The 4 Pillars of Marketing Success. This Free Seminar is run by Ken Countess of Constant Contact and will take place at the Microsoft Store at the Mall at Millenia. Call 855.783.2308     

June 17 to July 12 – The Flick at the Dr. Phillips Center 

Winner of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Flick by Annie Baker, is a comedic drama about three misfits working in a run-down movie theater in rural Massachusetts. These underpaid employees tend to the last 35 millimeter film projector in the state where their cares and heartbreaks turn out to be more interesting than the second-run movies on screen. The Flick will have its Florida premiere at the Dr. Phillips Center from June 17 to July 12. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

June 18 to July 12 – B-Side Artists Group Exhibit at CityArts Factory

As part of Orlando’s 3rd Thursday Art Celebration, the much celebrated and always original B-Side Artists will present their Annual Group Art Exhibit, this year entitled B-Side Artists’ Awareness Month. Opening with a Free Public reception on June 18 from 6 to 9 pm at the CityArts Factory in Downtown Orlando, this year’s roster features core members with large works and the ‘wow-factor’ that has brought this group to the attention of Cosmo and the Huffington Post. Expect new works from Swamburger, Chris Tobar, SKIP, Lucy Fur, Peterson Guerrier, G Lemus, Peter Van Flores III, Tr3 and Jon Glassman. RECOMMENDED  Visit facebook.com/thebsideartists

June 18 to July 26 – The Frog and the Princess at Orlando Shakespeare 

Based – loosely – on the story by the Brothers Grimm, and adapted by Orlando’s own very clever Brandon Roberts, Prince Gerwyn wants to marry the beautiful princess – BUT her evil stepmother casts a spell that turns Gerwyn into a frog forever. Is this happily ever after? Children will love this ‘interactive’ fairy tale packed with magic … and slime and a ‘character meet and greet’ after each performance.  Orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700 

June 19 – The Abbey Presents a Double GREASE Sing-a-Long

Back by popular demand, The Abbey presents the Newton-John/Travolta fan craze -GREASE Sing-a-Long on June 19 at 7:30 pm. Enhance your Pink Lady or T-Bird wardrobe with prizes for best costume while you and your plus-one sing along to the MOST SUCCESSFUL movie musical of all time. Tickets $15 & $20 are at TicketWeb.com. Visit AbbeyOrlando.com

June 19 – Rodney Carrington at the Bob Carr Theater

Rodney Carrington has been making audiences laugh for almost twenty years with his unique brand of ‘countrified’ singer-songwriter comedy. He’s sold more than two million copies of his eight comedy albums and recently started his own record label Laughter’s Good and a new YouTube series in 2014 called Bit By Bit. Carrington will be at the Bob Carr Theater on June 19 at 7 pm with an audience ‘Meet & Greet’ after the performance. For tickets, visit drphillipscenter.org 

June 21 is Father’s Day – Just a Friendly Reminder 

Good Deeds – Chipotle Donates to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS 

This week Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a partnership with (RED) to support the fight against AIDS. For the month of June, Chipotle will offer a (RED) gift card, available for purchase in restaurants. Chipotle will donate a portion of the sales value of every (RED) gift card purchase of $25 or more to the Global Fund, up to $100,000. The company has also partnered with 11 celebrity chefs to create special recipes to support the EAT (RED) DRINK (RED) SAVE LIVES campaign. Each unique recipe is inspired by Chipotle’s ingredients and will be featured online at chipotle.com/RED. Also visit red.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators