Florida Culture for the Week of April 13, 2015 by Josh Garrick

Florida Culture for the Week of April 13, 2015 by Josh Garrick

April 15 – 30th Annual Taste of Winter Park

With over 45 of Winter Park’s top chefs, caterers and confectioners participating, the 30th Annual Taste of Winter Park will tempt palettes with restaurants as diverse as 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Hamilton’s Kitchen, and Cocina 214, and desserts and beverages from Barefoot Wine, Carmel Kitchen, Javatino, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, The Wine Barn, and Umi. Competing for bragging rights in 7 categories including best entrée, healthy dish, beverage, and dessert, this ‘foodie’ event is set for April 15 beginning at 5 pm at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market. Tickets are $40 in advance. Call 407.644.8281 or visit winterpark.org.

 

30th Annual Taste of Winter Park

 

April 16 to May 9 – Putting It Together with Stephen Sondheim

This not-to-be-missed musical revue mixes the famous Sondheim wit, word-play and sophistication to celebrate Stephen Sondheim's incomparable career in musical theatre. Set in a chic Manhattan cocktail party, the musical features 30 of Sondheim’s most-loved songs including numbers from Into the Woods, Company, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, and much more.  Presented at the Winter Park Playhouse, call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

 

Putting It Together with Stephen Sondheim

 

April 17 at 8 pm – A Night In Rio with Sergio Mendes and Eliane Elias

Grammy award-winner and undisputed master of Brazilian jazz pop, Sergio Mendes brings his unique musical blend to the Dr. Phillips Center. Mendes’s fusion of Brazilian roots with American jazz and R&B combine to create an all new sound. Mendes will be joined by Grammy-nominated pianist, singer and composer Eliane Elias, who blends her Brazilian roots and sultry vocals with her impressive instrumental piano jazz. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

 

 A Night In Rio with Sergio Mendes and Eliane Elias

 

April 17 to 25 – Guys and Dolls at Rollins College

Frank Loesser’s Tony Award-winning musical – Guys and Dolls – introduces audiences to the ‘most gentlemanly’ mobsters you’ll ever meet, but ‘players’ like Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit are no match for the ‘Dolls’ who hold their hearts. With songs like Luck Be a Lady and Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat, this all-American musical will be performed by talented students at the jewel-box Annie Russell Theater at Rollins College from April 17 to 25. Call 407.646.2145 or visit Rollins.edu/annierussell

 

Guys and Dolls at Rollins College

 

April 17 & 18 at 7 pm – CFCArts Presents Disney's The Jungle Book KIDS.

The jungle is jumpin’ with jazz in Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS. Adapted from the classic film, the musical includes favorite Disney tunes – Bare Necessities and I Wan’na Be Like You performed by CFCArts members of the Intermediate Program (3rd through 6th grades). Tickets are $10 each, with children 12 and under admitted free with proceeds going to support the CFCArts orchestra, community choirs and School of Performing Arts. Jungle Book will be performed at Calvary Assembly at 1199 Clay Street in Winter Park, Florida. Visit cfcarts.com/disneys-the-jungle-book-kids or call 407.937.1800.

 

CFCArts Presents Disney's The Jungle Book KIDS.

 

April 18 – A Free Book Festival at UCF

The UCF Book Festival is an annual event held at the University of Central Florida to bring a literary experience to the Central Florida community for ages infant to senior. Held this year on April 18 from 9 am to 3 pm, the Festival draws thousands of readers, and features internationally recognized authors and illustrators, book signings, sales, exhibitors, book appraisals, author panel discussions, and readings. Hosted by UCF’s College of Education, this is a Free event. Call 407.823.2465 or visit education.ucf.edu/bookfest

 

A Free Book Festival at UCF

 

April 18 – Free Outdoor Family Concert at Loch Haven Park

Join the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for Music of the Movies, its 3rd annual FREE outdoor Family Concert in Loch Haven Park. The event will include food trucks, an instrument petting zoo, pre-concert entertainment by Mr. Richard at 4 pm, the REP Power Chords at 5 pm, followed by a 6 pm concert of movie themed music. Conducted by Chad Shoopman, the concert will offer themes from Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars and The Incredibles, as well as classical music popularized by movies. No ticket required. Visit orlandophil.org

 

Free Outdoor Family Concert at Loch Haven Park

 

April 19 – Earth Day in Winter Park and Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

This Free family event, presented by the City of Winter Park, will be held from 11 am to 4 pm in Central Park. Events include a Green School Grant Award, the kick-off of the Green Workplace Challenge, live music, food & beverage vendors, and an electric car show. A kid’s zone will offer games, face painting, a ‘slime challenge,’ and t-shirts from Rollins College. In celebration of Arbor Day, the Urban Forestry Division will host a live oak tree planting at 1 pm with Arborists on site to give away one-gallon containerized trees for residents to plant at home. Call 407.599.3364 or visit cityofwinterpark.org/earthday

 

Earth Day in Winter Park and Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

 

April 19 – BOB DYLAN

BOB DYLAN will perform in Orlando on April 19 at 8 pm.  
You now have one more reason to be thankful that we have a NEW Performing Arts Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

 

Bob Dylan

 

April 19 to 25 – The 7th Annual Winter Park Paint Out

This FREE week-long event to support the Polasek Museum celebrates the art of painting done en plein air (French for “in the open air”). Back for its 7th Season, the Winter Park Paint Out features new events, 25 artists, and even more artist-demos. Throughout the week, Artists can be spotted all over town creating original artwork reflecting the beauty of life in Winter Park. The paintings are immediately displayed and available for purchase in the galleries of the Polasek Museum at 633 Osceola Ave in Winter Park. Call 407.647.6294 or visit winterparkpaintout.org for a complete schedule of events.

 

The 7th Annual Winter Park Paint Out

 

The 7th Annual Winter Park Paint Out

 

April 21 – Tony Award Winning PIPPIN at the Dr. Phillips Center

PIPPIN is a high-flying, death-defying hit musical filled with acrobatics, feats of magic, and songs from the composer of Wicked. Winner of four Tony Awards – including Best Musical Revival, PIPPIN follows one young man’s perilous journey as he chooses between a simple, happy life or risking all he has for a single flash of glory. This revival of a much-loved Broadway classic is filled with circus tricks and acrobatic routines at the Dr. Phillips Center from April 21 to 26. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

 

Tony Award Winning PIPPIN at the Dr. Phillips Center

 

April 21 – Story of Klimt Masterpiece in Free Public Lecture

Anne-Marie O’Connor, author of The Lady in Gold, will be the featured speaker at the Morse Museum’s 2015 Hugh F. McKean Public Lecture on April 21. Entitled The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt’s Masterpiece, the talk will share details of the life of the Viennese Jewish society lady who was the subject of this important painting. Confiscated by the Nazis, the decade-long legal battle that led to its recovery has had ramifications throughout the art world. The lecture will begin at 7:30 pm in the Tiedtke Concert Hall at Rollins College. Admission is free. Visit morsemuseum.org or call 407.645.5311

 

Story of Klimt Masterpiece in Free Public Lecture

Photo of Anne-Marie O’Connor by Phoebe Ling and the book cover of The Lady in Gold (below and above)

Photo of Anne-Marie O’Connor by Phoebe Ling

 

April 24 – The 50-Plus Resource Expo

Service providers, health care agencies, and housing consultants are all under one roof on April 24 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm when the Orange County Commission on Aging presents a Free Resource Expo to bring us together with professionals who work with the 50-Plus community. Entertainment – and a ‘Meet and Greet’ – will be offered by jazz legend Jacqueline Jones at the Renaissance Senior Center at 3800 Econlockhatchee Trail. Visit 50plusfyi.org or call 407.265.0534

 

The 50-Plus Resource Expo

 

April 24 to May 10 – Mad Cow Theatre’s 13th Annual Cabaret Festival

Over the course of 17 days, Mad Cow Theatre will present 25 Cabaret performances of jazz, pop, and Broadway. Along with headliners including The Broadway Boys, Will & Anthony Nunziata, and Orlando’s own The Edge Effect, the perennial favorite It Was a Very Good Year will transport audiences back to 1968 and 1978 with music from the Beatles to Marvin Gaye. Mad Cow Theatre is at 54 West Church Street in downtown Orlando. Call 407.297.8788 or visit orlandocabaret.com for the complete schedule.

 

Mad Cow Theatre’s 13th Annual Cabaret Festival

 

Current – Kissimmee Dog on Milk-Bone's Dogs Who Changed the World

For Tober, a four-year-old golden retriever, saving lives is all in a day's work. During a party, Tober detected a guest beginning to have a seizure. Tober alerted party-goers and got help in time for doctors to administer medical care. A Top Dog graduate of the Canine Assistants School, Tober is the canine ‘guardian’ of Kissimmee’s Lori Eagen, and was one of nine dogs chosen by Milk-Bone in a nation-wide search for 4-legged heroes. A special Hero Dog Card (think doggie baseball card) was created to recognize Tober's achievements. Visit sharethecare.milkbone.com

 

Kissimmee Dog on Milk-Bone's Dogs Who Changed the World

 

Kissimmee Dog on Milk-Bone's Dogs Who Changed the World

 

 

 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators