Florida Culture for the Week of February 15, 2016 by Josh Garrick

Current – ‘Kids House’ of Seminole Wins Victory Cup Initiative and $20,000
The inaugural event of The Victory Cup Initiative in Winter Park took place on February 4 when ten Florida non-profits were asked to share their message (in less than 3 minutes) to an audience of Central Florida business leaders. The audience vote awarded Kids House of Seminole the First Place grant of $20,000. The aim of the Victory Cup is to celebrate the much-needed work being performed by non-profits in Central Florida every day. Kids House is a safe environment where child victims of abuse find the services they need. Visit kidshouse.org

Feb 17 at 5:30 pm – Chili for Charity at the Winter Park Farmers Market
It’s year five for the Rotary Club of Winter Park’s Chili for Charity event featuring creative chili dishes by popular restaurants and some unlikely contenders. Favorites including 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Francesco’s, and Hamilton’s Kitchen will be there along with competitors from Rollins College to the Title Boxing Club of Winter Park. They compete for the ‘Peoples’ Choice Award’ as guests enjoy unlimited chili tastings, live music, drinks, and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s Foundation. Held at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market, tickets are $25 each. Visit chiliforcharity.org or call 407.702.2014. 

Feb 18 & 19 – Encore Cast Performing ‘In the Wee Small Hours’
Exemplifying the unique versatility of our new Performing Arts Center, ‘In the Wee Small Hours’ is a jazzy cabaret event celebrating the Great American songbook. While transforming the Pugh Theater into a 1940’s speakeasy and transporting guests to an after-hours party, ‘club guests’ will dine on assorted hors d'oeuvres and small dessert plates, while a 4-piece band and club vocalists perform an assortment of Jazz Classics. This might just be – ‘Your Momma’s Cabaret Experience.’ Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb 19 to March 20 – ‘Painting Churches’ at the Mad Cow Theatre 
In Tina Howe’s prize-winning comedy ‘Painting Churches.’ artist Mags Church returns home to paint a portrait of her aging parents … while she still has them around, but her canvas may not be big enough to capture the poetry, outrage, and zest of Fanny and Gardner Church. An Obie winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist, the play has been described by The New York Times as “A theatrical family portrait that has the shimmer and depth of Renoir portraits." Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com.

Feb 19 to 21 – Antiques Vintage & Garden Show 
Presented by the Museum’s Council of 101, the Antiques Vintage & Garden Show has been raising funds for the Museum since 1983. Featuring dealers offering an array of fine antique furniture, paintings, silver, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, rugs and vintage decorative objects, the three-day event also includes inspiration from garden and floral designers as well as an opening Preview Party (Feb 18), Guest Speaker & Book Signing, Appraisal Days, Mystery Home Tour (Feb 20), Tea Room and daily show features. Call the Council of 101's office at 407.896.4231 ext. 254 or email councilof101[at]omart.org

Feb 19, 20 & 21 – Silver Spurs - A Weekend of Ride ‘em Cowboy Fun
Round up your little doggies and come see the country’s top Rodeo professionals at the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee. The spectacular events include bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and bareback riding, along with the crowd-favorite cowboy clowns. Fans and cowboys alike enjoy the climate-controlled facility boasting 8,300 extra-wide seats, AND when you purchase a Rodeo ticket you’ll receive Free admission to the Osceola County Fair located right next to the Silver Spurs Arena. Call 321-697-3495 or visit silverspursrodeo.com 

Feb 19 to 29 – The Breakthrough Theatre presents ‘The Heidi Chronicles’
In a series of interrelated scenes, ‘The Heidi Chronicles,’ by Wendy Wasserstein, follows the life of art historian Heidi Holland as she watches her friends move from the idealism of their college years through feminism and then back to the materialism they had sought to reject. The play won the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, N.Y. Drama Critics Circle Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. The Theatre is located at 419A W. Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Pictured: Marcus Davila, Marcie Schwalm, BeeJay Clinton  Photo Credit: Ryan Karnemaat

Feb 20 – 9 am to 3 pm – Orlando Wetlands Festival 
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites Friends and Families to the 16th Annual Orlando Wetlands Festival, a Free event including bus tours, photo hikes, bird and plant identification excursions and other wilderness tours. There will be live country music by Homer Stiles, and the City of Orlando Parks and Recreation Dept. will give away Free trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Youngsters will enjoy live animal demonstrations, face painting, games, bounce houses and more at Fort Christmas Historical Park at 1300 Fort Christmas Road in Christmas, Florida. Call 407.568.1706 or visit cityoforlando.net/wetlands.

Feb 20 – 11 am to 6 pm – Windermere Art Affair
The Town of Windermere will host its 1st Annual Windermere ‘Art Affair’ in their Town Square on February 20 featuring both local and fine artists from around the world. The event is Free and open to the Public with over 50 exhibit booths from renowned artists to event sponsors. Live music, food, “and a fine glass of wine” will be available throughout the day at this pet-friendly event. The ‘Art Affair’ is organized by the Windermere Downtown Business Committee. Call 407-448-0244 or visit windermereartaffair.com

Feb 20 at 8 pm – Patti LaBelle at the Dr. Phillips Center 
The incomparable Patti LaBelle is a soulful songbird whose name is synonymous with grace, style and class. The amazing vocal range that allows her to belt out classic rhythm and blues, pop standards and spirituals has created the unique performance versatility for which Ms. LaBelle is known and revered. Save February 20th for this special evening filled with classic songs, incredible vocals, and inspiring energy at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 20 at 8 pm – ‘Science Night Live’ at the Orlando Science Center 
Live from Orlando, It’s Science Night Live! This evening is reserved for adults to enjoy OUR Orlando Science Center with grown-up-inspired programming. We get to view stars and planets through the giant refractor telescope, catch the films in the CineDome, ‘experiment’ in Dr. Dare’s Laboratory, play Science Trivia, and enjoy food and adult beverages from Hard Rock Café.  There’s even a guest speaker – Derek Demeter – who will present “Our Sky, Our Universe” at 9 pm and 10 pm. Admission is $15 / Members Free. Call 407.514.2000 or visit osc.org/snl

Feb 21 at 2:30 pm & 7 pm – The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Anna in the Tropics
‘Anna in the Tropics’ by Nilo Cruz, winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is set in Ybor City, a section of Tampa and the center of the cigar industry at the turn of the 19th  century. In the play, a reading of Anna Karenina, deeply affects the characters' lives, leading their relationships to spin out of control. In two performances at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

Feb 22 at 6:30 pm -- National Margarita Day at Cocina 214 
I’ll have mine “shaken, stirred or blended” on Feb 22 when I join several ‘judges’ for the 2016 Margarita Madness Competition at Cocina 214 at 151 East Welbourne Ave in Winter Park. We’re all invited to imbibe and participate as we seek the “best original margarita recipe of 2016.” The winner receives a $100 Cocina 214 gift card, and the drink will be the featured Margarita on the restaurant’s menu. Have the winning ingredients? Pick up entry forms at the restaurant or visit cocina214.com. Finalists will compete in the live margarita contest on February 22. 

Feb 23 to 28 -- Broadway in Orlando presents KINKY BOOTS 
Inspired by true events, the musical KINKY BOOTS tells the story of Charlie Price, who is looking to save the family shoe business. Charlie turns to a fashionable friend — cabaret star Lola — who gives Charlie the idea that could change both of their destinies. Featuring a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, a book by Tony-winner Harvey Fierstein, and Tony-winning choreography and direction by Jerry Mitchell, the musical turns out to be about finding friendship and inspiration where you least expect it. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org. 

Feb 24 at 2:30 pm – Free Lecture at the Morse Museum
In the first in a series of Free lectures at The Morse Museum of American Art, we will learn about the famous lamps produced by the Tiffany Studios and which make up a large part of the Museum’s comprehensive collection of works by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. Margaret Hofer, Vice Pres. & Museum Director of The New-York Historical Society will speak on: A Collecting Odyssey: The Tiffany Lamps of Egon and Hildegard Neustadt on Feb 24 at 2:30 pm. The Museum is at 445 N. Park Ave in Winter Park. Admission is Free and the event will be followed by a reception. Call 407.645.5311 or visit morsemuseum.org 

Feb 24 – The Jerusalem Symphony in Daytona Beach 
In a rare opportunity to hear music performed by the Jerusalem Symphony, the Orchestra celebrates its 80th year on American shores. Presented by the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, this one-performance-only event will include works by Tchaikovsky and Saint-Saens, in which the Grammy-nominated Conductor Dmitry Yablonsky will also perform as soloist. The program will conclude with the thrilling Brahms 2nd Symphony. This event comes with my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION. Call 386.671.3460 or visit peabodydaytona.com 

Feb 26 – The Moscow Festival Ballet to Present GISELLE in Daytona Beach 
Merging the highest classical elements of acting and dance from the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies, the Moscow Festival Ballet presents the most perfect of Romantic ballets – Giselle in one performance only at the Peabody in Daytona Beach. Poor Giselle dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover is betrothed to another. Summoning Giselle from her grave, a group of supernatural spirits targets Giselle’s lover for death, but her great love – and forgiveness – frees him from their grasp. Call 386.671.3460 or visit peabodydaytona.com 

Feb 27 at 6 pm – The 13th Annual Gala to Benefit the Mennello Museum
‘The Friends’ of the Mennello Museum invite you to their annual Gala to benefit the exhibitions and education programs of the Museum. Along with celebrating the Museum, the evening honors community leaders Susan Porcaro Goings and Rick Goings, Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands. Tickets to the Gala start at $375. Call 407.246.4278, x4113 or visit facebook.com/MennelloMuseum

Feb 27 & 28 -- 9:30 am to 4:30 pm – Scribes of Central Florida present CalligraFaire 
In the Free two-day CalligraFaire event we are invited to watch the learned members of the Scribes of Central Florida as they demonstrate the ancient, and the NEW, Art of Calligraphy. Members will write your name on free bookmarks, discuss the history of calligraphy, offer items for sale – along with a pop-up store for calligraphic supplies, and offer 50 minute intro-classes so you can try your hand at calligraphy. Classes, geared to beginners, are $5 and include all materials. CalligraFaire will take place at the Maitland Civic Center in Maitland. Visit ScribesOfCentralFlorida.com   

Current – New Health Care Business Offers New Health Care Options
myDirectMD, a new health care firm with a unique business model, has picked Orlando for its first location. myDirectMD is a doctor's office that provides traditional primary care services, BUT instead of relying on insurance, myDirectMD enrolls patients who pay a set monthly fee for continuous primary care services from board-certified doctors. By eliminating overhead costs from insurance companies, myDirectMD charges $10 per month for children and from $50 to $214 per person per month depending upon age. There are also affordable options for businesses.  myDirectMD is at 7350 Sandlake Commons Blvd.  Visit mydirectmd.com   

And Looking Ahead … 
March 2 at 8 pm – An Evening with Josh Groban at the Dr. Phillips Center 
We’re sharing this news early, because if I waited, there wouldn’t be any tickets left. The Dr. Phillips Center invites you to an evening with the incomparable Josh Groban. This international singing phenomenon has more than 25 million albums sold worldwide, including five multi-platinum albums and huge hit songs such as ‘You Raise Me Up,’ ‘You Are Loved,’ and ‘The Prayer.’ Groban’s latest album – Stages quickly reached the top of the charts and features a collection of some of the greatest music theatre songs of all time. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators