Florida Culture for the Week of May 4, 2015 by Josh Garrick

May 6 to August 1 – Art in Chambers presents Art by Thomas Thorspecken

Beginning with a free public reception on May 6 at 5:30 pm, the Art in Chambers project at Winter Park City Hall will present the colorful, urban sketches of Thomas ‘Thor’ Thorspecken. The illustrator and journalist began his website, Analog Artist Digital World in 2009 to become part of our community – one sketch at a time. City Hall is at 401 S. Park Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.599.3498 or visit cityofwinterpark.org

May 7 – Scott Maxwell at the Celebrate Motherhood Breakfast 

The leading journalist of Central Florida, a man who embodies courage, integrity, vision and compassion – Scott Maxwell – will be the very appropriate featured speaker at the Celebration of Motherhood Breakfast on May 7 at 8:30 am. Presented by the Healthy Start Coalition of Orange County, the event benefits their work to ensure that all babies have a ‘healthy start.’  RSVP to 407.741.5242. 

May 7 & 8 – Ladies and Gents in Concert presented by CFCArts 

Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) will present Ladies and Gents in Concert, the inaugural performance of the organization’s Women’s and Men’s Chorale on May 7 and 8 at 7 pm. A mix of spirituals and hymns through contemporary Broadway showstoppers, the Chorales will join forces to present When I Fall In Love, arranged by Derric Johnson. This beautiful night of song will be performed at the Central Christian Church at 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd in Orlando. Visit cfcarts.com

May 8 to 24 – The Osceola Center Theater presents Legally Blonde the Musical

In this charming and surprisingly powerful musical, Elle Woods has her life turned upside-down when her boyfriend dumps her so he can ‘get serious’ and attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle uses her charms to get into Harvard only to struggle with ... everyone. Watching Elle prove herself to the world is the real joy of this contemporary fairy-tale at the Osceola Center for the Arts from May 8 to 24. Call 407.846.6257 or visit ocfta.com 

May 9 – Nation's Largest Food Drive to STAMP OUT HUNGER 

The National Association of Letter Carriers will head-up the nation’s largest single-day food drive on May 9.  Called Stamp Out Hunger, this drive is held as school programs close for summer, leaving millions of children to find alternative sources of food. Please leave a bag of non-perishable foods next to your mailbox on May 9. Letter Carriers will collect the donations for Second Harvest Food Bank, which will distribute the food to families in need. Locally, one in five people who receives food assistance is a CHILD. Please remember May 9. Visit FeedHopeNow.org

May 9 – Florida Blue presents Thomas McClary in Free Show at Dr. Phillips 

As a force for change, this Motown Icon made his mark on the music industry – and society at large. Thomas McClary, co-founder of the Commodores, created a sound that captured America with seven number 1 songs; a treasury of top 10 Billboard hits and more than 50 albums. He’s back with a new band in a FREE SHOW at the Dr. Phillips Center on May 9 at 4 pm. No ticket needed. 

May 9 -- Science of Wine at Orlando Science Center

The 5th Annual Science of Wine, at the Orlando Science Center, is a unique wine and gourmet food tasting event with a fun and educational twist. More than 150 of the finest wines from all of the major wine regions of the world will be presented for tasting, and a seminar on wine-making will be offered. Gourmet restaurants and caterers will pair the wines with a variety of delectable dishes as you celebrate and network with others who enjoy the culture of wine. HIGHLY Recommended. Call 407.514.2112 or visit osc.org and click events. 

May 10 is Mother’s Day – just a friendly reminder !!

 
May 10 – The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra's Season Finale 

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra closes its 58th remarkable season of young people making classical music with a concert at the Bob Carr Theater in Downtown Orlando. All four FSYO Orchestras will be featured in this finale, set for May 10 at 4 pm, with the friendly invitation of complimentary admission to all academic and music educators to this concert. Call 407.999.7800 or visit fsyo.org 

May 10 – PBS Hit Dinosaur Train – Live! at the Dr. Phillips Center

In two performances on May 10 at 1 pm and 4 pm, Dinosaur Train – Live! brings the stars of the hit PBS series to the Dr. Phillips Center. Kids can join Buddy, Tiny, King, and Don in a fun-filled trip back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth....and rode in trains! This musical story is created for the stage, with special effects, a full-sized Dinosaur Train and costumed puppet characters. Kids will love this “pre-hysterical” experience from Jim Henson & Co. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

May 11 – Breakfast with the LGBT Center and the Harvey Milk Foundation 

Sometimes the early bird gets the award as the LGBT Center joins with the Harvey Milk Foundation for the Diversity Breakfast on Monday, May 11 at 8 am at the Orlando Museum of Art. This year’s recipients include the Honorable Bob LeBlanc, the Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell, Wes Fetherston, Gina Duncan, and a special Lifetime Achievement Award (name withheld until the event). Tickets are $45. Call 407.228.8272 or visit thecenterorlando.org 

May 12 to 17 – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Dr. Phillips Center 

It’s a tale as old as time – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to the Dr. Phillips Center. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, this musical spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide – filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including Be Our Guest. Let the whole family experience the enchantment – Beauty and the Beast is appropriate for all ages. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

May 13 to 26 – Orlando International FRINGE Theatre Festival

The often wacky, sometimes weird, and always wonderful Festival of Plays and Musicals called FRINGE will present 100 performance groups in Fringe 2015. The oldest, non-juried Fringe Fest in the United States, the Orlando International Fringe Festival’s ‘philosophy’ is to be 100% uncensored, 100% non-juried, and 100% accessible. In addition to those uncensored performances, Fringe also offers an outdoor stage, Visual Fringe (Art-for-sale) and Kids’ Fringe! Tickets are Free to $11. Visit orlandofringe.org for a complete schedule.

May 14 to August 30 – A Cabinet of Curiosities at A & H Museums – Maitland

What is it? and how did it get here? are questions behind the newest exhibit at A & H Museums – Maitland. Highlighting the most unusual artifacts in their permanent collection, from a piece of granite inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphs to a 19th-century funeral plaque, the mystery items have been collected over the years by a series of Artist/Curator visionaries. This will be more fun than sneaking into your Grandma’s attic. Call 407.644.1364 or visit artandhistory.org 

May 14 & 15 -- CFCArts Presents Rockin' the Seventies

Dig out those bell bottoms and tie-dyes – the 300-Voice Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) Choir and Orchestra will present an original musical experience – Rockin’ the Seventies. From mood rings and water beds to hippies and war-protesters, disco was king, and CFCArts will present a musical revue of that history-changing decade with songs from ABBA, Motown, the Bee Gees and more at Northland Church at 7:30 pm on May 14 and 15. Tickets (at an affordable $10) are on sale at cfcarts.com

May 15 – Ballet Stars of Tomorrow at the Bob Carr 

We can watch young ballet dancers ‘grow up’ before our eyes in an evening of performances by award-winning dancers from the Orlando Ballet School. Featuring excerpts from Sleeping Beauty, the evening will also include performances by Youth American Grand Prix competitor Austen Acevedo. Performing the thrilling Flames of Paris, Acevedo recently competed in the international competition, where he placed among the top 10 male dancers in the world. Set for the Bob Carr Theater on May 15 at 7:30 pm, call 407.426.1739 or visit drphillipscenter.org

May 15 – Jason Isbell Live at Plaza Live 

In 2014, Alabama native Jason Isbell earned 3 Americana Music Awards – Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (Cover Me Up), and Album of the Year (Southeastern). Inspired by the soulful rock and blues of his birthplace, his sound is equal parts Southern and worldly. As a lyricist, Jason tells stories of vulnerability and loss inviting his listeners to share the intensity of his emotions. Isbill will perform at Plaza Live in East Orlando on May 15 at 8 pm with special guest Craig Finn.  Visit plazaliveorlando.com or call 877.435.9849

May 16 – New Baroque Chamber Orchestra for Maitland

With an invitation to ‘Come back to the 1600’s,’ Performing Arts of Maitland’s newest musical group – a Baroque Chamber Orchestra – will perform at 3 pm on May 16 at the Maitland Presbyterian Church. Under direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez, selections include the Albinoni Adagio, Mozart’s Divertimento in D Major, Telemann’s Don Quixote Suite, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #3.  The $10 fee at the door also offers a chance to win a prize with your ticket.  Call 321.303.1404 or visit pamaitland.org

May 16 – Chef’s Gala to Support Heart of Florida United Way 

Twenty-three Top Chefs from Central Florida’s finest restaurants will create the region's premiere food and wine pairing event on May 16 at Disney’s Epcot World Showplace. 95 cents of every dollar raised will benefit United Way partners providing services to the 1 in 5 of our neighbors who are in desperate need. Last year the Chef’s Gala raised $300,000 to benefit local programs for thousands of Central Floridians. Buying a ticket will help – more than you can imagine. Visit hfuw.org or call 407.429.2129

Central Florida’s Top Chefs work their magic for Heart of Florida United Way 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators