Florida Culture for the Week of August 13, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

TODAY -- FINAL PERFORMANCE -- August 13 at 2 pm -- “The Merry Widow” 
The Queen of Light Opera is ‘The Merry Widow,’ and Orlando Light Opera's cleverly up-dated production of the classic features an original translation AND direction by Eric Pinder; the Space-Coast Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Aaron Collins; and the finest singers in Central Florida. At the Orlando Rep, visit orlandolightopera.com for tickets. 

TODAY – August 13 & 27 at 2 pm -- “Opera on Park” -- Opera Orlando Concerts 
Opera Orlando’s 2nd season of “Opera on Park” features world-class Artists up-close-and-personal at the University Club of Winter Park at 841 N. Park Ave. The performers include Grammy Award winning Baritone Daniel Belcher (TODAY - August 13); and Metropolitan Opera Soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer (August 27). Both singers enjoy critical acclaim and appear in Orlando as special guests of Opera Orlando. Tickets are $30 per recital online at Operaorlando.org/opera-on-park or call 407.512.1900 

August 19 – Orlando Shakespeare’s FREE Open House and Movie Night 
Including an Open Rehearsal of the season-opener “Man of La Mancha,” this Orlando Shakes’ FREE event is a whole day of fun for all ages. The family-friendly event is open to the public with activities from 2 pm to 11:30 pm at the Shakespeare Center (812 E. Rollins Street) and on the lawn in Loch Haven Park. Lighting & sound demos, ‘story times’ with costumed characters, craft activities, a ‘props and costume museum,’ and a free screening of “Shakespeare in Love,” make this your FREE ‘backstage-pass’ to the actors and production team of our brilliant Shakespeare company. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

August 19 at 6:45 pm – “TASTE” for Childhood Hunger Relief 
The region’s premiere food event, TASTE! brings the area’s finest culinary experience to our community in an evening featuring celebrity chefs, signature tastes and specialty drinks. Childhood hunger touches thousands of residents in Central Florida, and Taste! will direct every dollar raised to those who need it most in our community.” This volunteer-driven event benefits Second Harvest Food Bank and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida – the leading non-profits fighting childhood hunger. At the Orlando World Center Marriott, tickets are $150 each. Visit centralfloridataste.org/taste/

August 19 & 20 – Annual Harvest ‘Grape Stomp’ at Lakeridge Winery
The grape harvest has arrived and it's time for ‘Old World’ grape-stomping competitions (for all ages). Think ‘Lucy and Ethel’ as this family-friendly weekend offers continuous live music; Lakeridge wine, beer, soft drinks and food for purchase; complimentary tours and tastings; and the ‘Wine & Cheese’ Bar on the 19th from 10 am to 5 pm and the 20th from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is $3; children 12 and under FREE with proceeds supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties. Call 1.800.768.9463 or visit lakeridgewinery.com 

August 20 at 5:30 pm – ‘Divas & Dudes Tribute Show’ for Steinway Society 
The Steinway Society’s fundraiser, ‘Divas and Dudes Tribute Show’ will include performers Jacqueline Jones; Linda Cole as ‘Pearl Bailey;’ Eric Richardson as ‘Dean Martin;’ Shenina Beaman as ‘Aretha Franklin’; Jim Carter as ‘Fats Domino’ and Cyndi Fraser as ‘Marilyn Monroe.’ Hosted by (real) TV Anchor Bob Frier, the event includes a cocktail reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 pm followed by the concert at 6:30 pm. Proceeds support music lessons for disadvantaged children. At the Orlando Museum of Art, tickets are $50 to $75. Call 407.339.3771 or visit steinwaysocietyorlando.com

August 21 – The Orlando Philharmonic Presents “Rimma & Friends” 
Summer Romance is in the air as we travel back to the Romantic Era with the Orlando Philharmonic’s extraordinary concert-master ‘Rimma Bergeron-Langlois & Friends’ for an evening of music charged with emotion. Be part of the Era’s artistic awakening with music from composers Bruch, Dvořák and Schumann. Joining Rimma will be violinist Alexander Stevens, violist Mauricio Céspedes, cellist Grace Gavin, pianist Keiko Andrews, and bassoonist Gabriel Bergeron-Langlois. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

August 22 at 7:30 pm – Andrew Dice Clay: Live in Concert 
“Proud to be one of America's most controversial comics,” Andrew Dice Clay released his debut album with the parental advisory, “This album is offensive.” Clay became the first comedian to sell out Madison Square Garden two nights in a row and was the only performer ever “Banned For Life from MTV.” Recently, Clay’s career has seen him featured in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine, on Entourage, and in Martin Scorsese’s Vinyl. See him now in his Showtime series, Dice, and LIVE at Plaza Live in Orlando. Tickets at plazaliveorlando.org 

August 25 & 26 – “Titanic the Musical: In Concert”
Presented by CFCArts Community Choir and Symphony Orchestra, the Tony Award-winning “Titanic the Musical: In Concert,” follows the powerful and moving stories of the people on-board the legendary ship’s fateful voyage. Featuring a stellar cast of Central Florida actors, a 100-voice choir, a 45 piece orchestra, and the unique staging only Central Florida Community Arts can create, tickets are $50, $25, $15, $10. Call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcommunityarts.com

August 25 to 27 – The Orlando Home & Garden Show 
With thousands of square feet of exhibits, a visit to the Orlando Home & Garden Show offers seminars, designer rooms, a lighting showcase, contractors, a ‘New Products Zone,’ decks, pools, spas, storage, plants, landscaping, and kitchenware. Celebrity guests include Ahmed Hassan from DIY Network's "Yard Crashers;” Skip Bedell of Spike TV's "Catch a Contractor;” and Garden Guru Tom MacCubbin. There’s no need for a baby-sitter thanks to the Kid's Zone and Pet Zone, and Walgreens will be on-hand to offer flu shots and ‘Healthy Choices.’ Visit orlandohomeandgardenshow.com

NOW to August 20 – Rodgers & Hammerstein Revue at Winter Park Playhouse 
The Winter Park Playhouse opened its 15th Season with a “grand night for singing” as they begin the season with a salute to two of the greatest names in musical-theater history. ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ is a revue of the work of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Lesser known melodies like: “The Gentleman Is a Dope” and “Don’t Marry Me,’ provide the fun while serious moments touch the heart with “Something Wonderful,” “Oklahoma!” and “This Nearly Was Mine.” ‘Highly Recommended,’ call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

NOW to August 27 -- Mad Cow Theatre presents August Wilson's award-winning ‘Fences’
Winner of the Pulitzer, Tony, and Drama Desk Award among many others, ‘Fences’ is August Wilson’s 1950’s chapter in his 10-play “Pittsburgh Cycle” chronicling the evolving African-American experience through the 20th century. In Mad Cow’s first-ever production of a Wilson play, the universal themes of freedom, family, and the American Dream are front and center in this landmark production. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407-297-8788 x1. 

NOW to Sept 10 – ‘The Amish Project’ Deals with the Inexplicable
The Mad Cow Theater is founded on the belief that “Theatre is a dynamic and powerful means of social understanding.” That belief is tested to the limit in Jessica Dickey’s ‘The Amish Project,’ which begins with the headline, “Man Enters Amish School-house and Opens Fire.” Ms. Dickey conveys the voices and emotions of people unprepared to deal with this unthinkable act and movingly conveys these singularly personal emotions through the voice of a single actress. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators