Florida Culture for the Week of April 9, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

TODAY – April 9 – Spring Fever in (Historic Downtown) Winter Garden 
The whole family will enjoy the ‘Spring Fever’ Winter Garden Festival with live entertainment, food vendors, silent auction, raffle, and loads of plants for sale. The ‘Kidzone’ educates children about the environment while grown-ups ‘Ask the Experts’ for information about landscaping and water conservation. Visit springfeveringarden.com 

TODAY – April 9 -- Florida Mosaic: A FREE Festival of the Arts
Presented by Osceola Arts, this two-day Festival transforms Historic Downtown Kissimmee into an outdoor art gallery with fine arts and crafts from 100 local and national Artists. In addition – live entertainment, student art, food, drink and free parking along with FREE admission. Call 407.749.6607 or visit floridamosaic.org 

April 10 to May 14 – Nancy Drew at Orlando Rep for Her ‘Biggest Case’
In “Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever,” Nancy must solve the biggest mystery of her young career. Clues are found and motives revealed, but will Nancy solve the mystery in time? Based on the classics by Carolyn Keene, super-sleuth Nancy Drew and friends find the answers. Call 407.896.7365 X1 or visit orlandorep.com 

April 11 beginning at 5:30 pm – Artist Reception with K. Brodeur & E. Campos
The Downtown Arts District has joined with Bloomingdale's in a unique way to exhibit Art by providing ‘gallery space’ in the store’s 3rd Floor Furniture Showroom. Proceeds go to the Artist with a portion as a fund-raiser for DAD. On April 11 meet Kathleen Brodeur and Edson Campos, enjoy a champagne toast, and consider “displaying their original Art in YOUR home.” Call 407.648.7060 or visit facebook.com/events/610918985778410/ 

April 11 to 20 – DIS-enchanted! Princesses Tell Their Side of the Story 
THE Princesses have broken out of their “small, small world,” and led by Snow White, the ‘royal renegades’ bring this hilarious not-for-the-kiddies musical to you. DIS-enchanted! began with an award-winning run at Orlando’s Fringe Festival 2011 and has now been performed across the country. This adult parody of the Disney princesses will be performed at Plaza Live Orlando. Call 877.987.6487 or visit plazaliveorlando.org. 

April 15 at 2 pm & 8 pm – The Orlando Philharmonic in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Science fiction – or hyper-space? The Orlando Philharmonic will launch you into space from the comfort of your theater seat in this salute to movies from outer space, sci-fi, and superheroes. Experience favorite moments from “Star Trek” and “Star Wars”with introductions by ‘Commander Jonathan Frakes’ of the Starship Enterprise. In two performances on April 15 at the Bob Carr Theater, call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

April 16 at 7 am – Easter Sunrise Service at the Bok Tower Gardens 
You and your family will feel ‘close to Heaven’ on Easter morning as guests are offered FREE admission to the magnificent Bok Tower Gardens. The ‘Sunrise Service’ includes the choir of the Lake Wales Chorale, a carillon performance by Geert D’hollander and an Easter message by Pastor Jeffrey Kantz of First United Methodist Church. Breakfast served in the Café following the service for an additional fee. Gates open at 6 am; Service begins at 7 am; and FREE admission ends at 8 am. Visit boktowergardens.org

April 16 & 17 – Chris ROCK - Total Blackout Tour 2017
Actor, director, producer, and comic genius Chris Rock is praised by peers and critics alike as one of our generation’s great comedic voices. In two performances at the Dr. Phillips Center, he will create more memorable moments – LIVE. Note: No cell-phones or recording devices allowed inside the theater; VIP PACKAGES are available. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

April 21 at 8 pm – BERNADETTE PETERS at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Bernadette PETERS, Broadway's brightest STAR, comes to Orlando with an evening of songs from her Broadway shows, Carnegie Hall, and from her Grammy Award-winning albums. Including standards from Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, and others, Ms. Peters will be joined by the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra in their Disney Theater debut. Enjoy Broadway glamour and outrageous talent in one unforgettable performance by calling 844.513.2014 or visiting drphillipscenter.org 

April 22 beginning at 11 am – The Official Celebration of ALL Things BACON 
On April 22 the Plaza at the Dr. Phillips Center will be transformed into a ‘BACON Bonanza’ featuring more than 30 restaurants and food vendors creating bacon-inspired dishes. Live music, bacon ‘beverages,’ and 5000 pounds of bacon will be there to cheer on the restaurants competing to win the coveted "Best of Bacon" award. Ya gotta love it. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

April 22 from 2 to 6 pm – The Annual “Wine Women & Shoes” Event 
Second Harvest Food Bank’s 7th annual “Wine Women & Shoes” event takes place on April 22 at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Attendees will experience fantastic food, Napa Valley wines, shopping and a fashion show by designer Diana Simaan. Tickets are $125 or $185 per person with 100% of the proceeds helping Second Harvest Food Bank eradicate hunger in our community. Experience how good shopping can feel when combined with charitable giving. Visit winewomenandshoes.com/Orlando

April 22 – Direct from Broadway – Alton Brown’s ‘Eat Your Science’ 
Alton Brown’s Foodie-Science Fans can expect new songs, multimedia, and (potentially) dangerous food demonstrations that bring together his talent for mixing science, music and food into entertainment. He promises “this time we’re going to play a game where you’ll see things I’ve never been allowed to do on TV.” Note for folks in the first few rows: ‘Bring your ‘protective gear.’ Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

April 23 from 1 to 5 pm – Ice Cream Social Returns to Winter Park Civic Center 
Its friends and family time in a celebration full of ice cream and sweets to benefit the families served by Ronald McDonald House Charities. Guests enjoy ice cream creations, live entertainment, face painting, games, prizes, a silent auction and more. All this sweetness provides a ‘home away from home’ for families who stay at Ronald McDonald Houses to be close to their critically ill children. Tickets on sale at Ronald McDonald Houses in Orlando: $7 advance / $10 at door / children under 3 FREE. Visit ronaldmcdonaldhouseorlando.org

NOW to April 30 – Orlando Shakes’ Antony and Cleopatra 
The victors of Rome’s civil war have divided the ancient world between themselves with Marc Antony traveling to Egypt to take up his rule. His impassioned affair with the irresistible Cleopatra ultimately pits Roman against Roman, thereby changing the face of the world forever. Featuring Michael Dorn, best known as Lt. Worf in ‘Star Trek,’ as Antony, call 407.447.1700 X1 or visit orlandoshakes.org Michael Dorn stars as Antony in Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s production of Antony and Cleopatra. Photo by Luke Evans 

NOW to May 6 – Pinkalicious: The Musical at Orlando Shakes 
Based on the popular children’s book, ‘Pinkalicious’ can’t stop eating pink cup-cakes. Her indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with ‘pinkititis’ in a musical sure to strike a chord among parents and picky-eaters. Pinkalicious is packed with great messages as the audience learns important lessons about healthy eating habits on this ‘pinktastic’ adventure. Call 407.447.1700 x1 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators