Florida Culture for the Week of February 5, 2017 By Josh Garrick 
 
Feb 7 to 12 – Broadway in Orlando presents ‘A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder’
According to this Award-Winning-Musical, “Getting away with murder can be so much fun,” and there’s no better proof than the knock-‘em-dead show that earned unanimous raves AND the 2014 Tony Award for BEST Musical – “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.” What a relief to know there is such a highly regarded ‘Guide’ for us novices. This new musical will have you dying with laughter! (I couldn’t resist). Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 8 to March 26 – ‘The Great Gatsby’ On Stage 
Taking on another work of the world’s great literature, our Shakespeare Theatre will stage “The Great Gatsby,” drawn from what is arguably America’s greatest novel. Played in movies by Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio, one understands the regard for this book in libraries and in Hollywood. Exploring themes of love, morality, identity, and the (corruption of) the American Dream, this work is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Feb 10 – Artist Donna Dowless, Ambassador of Love 
The Grand Bohemian Gallery will present their annual “HeArt & Soul” exhibit featuring ‘Heart-Artist’ Donna Dowless’s mixed media works and Canadian aArtist Amber Higgins’ stellar glass jewelry designs. Each year thousands of fans celebrate the arrival of Valentine’s Day with Orlando’s ‘Ambassador of Love’ – Donna Dowless as this heavenly being makes us all better humans for having shared her creations. Opening from 6 to 9 pm, the Gallery is at 325 S. Orange Ave in Orlando. Call 407.581.4801 or visit heartartist.com 

Feb 11 from noon to 5:30 pm – The ‘Baroque & Beyond Bash’ -- Strings Playing Together 
Adult string players are invited to come out and play for fun. Meet other string players as you play selections of Baroque Chamber Music under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez. A $20 registration fee collected upon arrival. Please email DeneseRichmond[at]gmail.com with your name, instrument and phone number for music mailed to you in advance. At Venue on the Lake at 641 S.Maitland Ave in Maitland; wine and refreshments provided. Visit PAMaitland.org 

FEBRUARY 14 – ALL DAY – VALENTINE’S DAY !!!
Here it is, my Brothers – Your once-a-year-reminder of “HOW to be a Hero on Cupid’s Day.” The frilly boxes of ‘what-are-they’chocolates is sooo last century. Become HER HERO with tickets to a Broadway show at the Dr. Phillips Center OR The Great Gatsby at the Shakespeare Center OR a wild & crazy play by Steve Martin at Mad Cow. OR take a giant leap and surprise her with tickets to the Orlando Ballet Gala on February 25 – OR take her to the Morse Museum FOR FREE !! PLUS – play your cards right, and you get ‘thanked’ on V-Day when you give her the tickets and AGAIN on the night of the performance. It’s all good – I GIVE you this one. Go ahead – it’s YOUR IDEA. 

Feb 14 at 7:30 pm – Dionne Warwick on Valentine’s Day 
One of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time, Dionne Warwick will make this Orlando’s greatest Valentine's Day ever. Her winning partnership with Burt Bacharach and Hal David helped her become one of the world's greatest ‘hit-makers,’ which has seen her chart over 50 singles, win five Grammys and sell one hundred million records. Proceeds from this legendary concert will benefit Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3282. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org  

February 15 at 7:30 pm – Upright Citizens Brigade - Touring Company
The Touring Company brings the best improv comedians from the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres to new audiences around the country. Home to many of the biggest stars in comedy today, from TV shows like Broad City and Saturday Night Live, to performers on the Daily Show and Inside Amy Schumer, this not-to-be-missed evening takes its comedy so seriously there will be NO late seating for this show. (for real.) (be on time.) Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 15 at 7:30 pm – OUC Speakers at Dr. Phillips Center presents Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra, author of eighty books in forty-three languages, is creating a roadmap to ‘higher health’ based on the latest findings in BOTH mainstream and alternative medicine. How does our consciousness enhance our capacity for total well being (physical, emotional, spiritual, social, financial and ecological)? Chopra addresses this question along with ways to experience higher consciousness and healing. A special VIP PACKAGE is offered for this event. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 16 at 8 pm – Dr. Phillips Center presents An Evening with the Piano Guys
The Piano Guys do things to a piano that would make Mozart sit up and take notice. They’re an Internet sensation thanks to their self-made music videos, but it’s their blend of classical music with pop that brought them to their major label debut album on Sony Music Masterworks in 2012. Check out this vid. I can’t wait to see them LIVE. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Feb 17 at 7 pm – Erth's Dinosaur Zoo LIVE (from Australia!)
This ‘playdate’ was 65 million years in the making. ‘Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo LIVE’ guides your family on a tour through pre-historic Australia where you’ll interact with an eye-popping collection of realistic dinosaurs. This life-like theatrical performance is brought to life by a team of skilled performers and puppeteers, so you won’t want to miss a minute of this entertaining and educational LIVE show from Sydney, Australia. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Ongoing … 

NOW to Feb 18 – Why Do FOOLS Fall in Love? … at the Winter Park Playhouse 
This song-fest takes place at a bachelorette party where best friends share thoughts about love, marriage and the dating game. Featuring hits from the 1960’s including "I Will Follow Him," "Hey There Lonely Boy," and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" this musical comedy reaffirms that true friendship is the key to everlasting love. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

NOW to Feb 19 - Picasso, Einstein and Steve Martin Walk Into the Mad Cow Theatre …
‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile,’ comic-genius-playwright Steve Martin’s first full-length play, explores creativity, physics, and one-night stands, as worlds (and words) collide in this fictional meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein. With Steve Martin’s off-beat humor, the 20th Century is born through the eyes of a very funny man. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

NOW to Feb 28 – Month-long Celebration of the Morse Museum 
I’m sure the Morse Museum will set some kind of record for generosity in February. To commemorate the Morse Museum’s 75th Anniversary, entrance to this gem of a Museum will be FREE throughout the month. In addition, the Museum will debut a new audio tour, AND we are invited to a FREE Celebration Party on February 17 from 5 to 7:30 pm. Visit morsemuseum.org

NOW to March 25 – ‘Mardi Gras’ at Universal Studios Florida 
Gotta grab those beads!!! – The best Mardi Gras celebration East of ‘Nawlins’ is EVERY evening at Universal Studios with floats, dancers, musicians, and BEADS in a ‘feel-good’ parade through the streets of Universal. Toss in some Cajun food favorites, and – on select evenings – Stars of the music world – all INCLUDED in the price of park admission. Too cool for school – Call 407.363.8000 or visit UniversalOrlando.com 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators