Florida Culture for the Week of June 6, 2016 by Josh Garrick

June 9 at 8 pm – CYNDI LAUPER at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Iconic performer Cyndi Lauper will tour in support of her recently-released album, DETOUR, on a 19-city tour with a performance in Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center on June 9 and concluding June 12 in St. Augustine. Ms. Lauper’s music takes a seriously “Southern turn” on her 11th album, which finds the Grammy, Emmy and Tony-winning singer-songwriter putting her signature on a dozen classic country songs. DETOUR showcases Lauper’s unique voice on country classics and features guest vocals from country music ‘royalty.’ Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

June 9 at 5 pm – Winter Park’s Summertime Sip, Shop & Stroll
Park Avenue in Winter Park is the place to be as the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue Merchants Association invite you to sip, stroll and experience the charm of Park Avenue on a unique ‘Wine Walk’ to your favorite shops and restaurants. While checking out the latest fashions, gifts and menus, you’ll enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres at participating locations. Tickets are $25 each with Online Registration. Check-in on June 9 beginning at 5 pm to receive your wine glass and passport. RSVP to Kristen Quinones at 407.644.8281 

June 9 & 10 at 8 pm – ‘Decades Rewind’ – A Musical Memory Lane
Take a trip down melody lane with ‘Decades Rewind,’ featuring over 60 songs blended into unique medleys from the most prominent decades in music history. This fully LIVE concert experience features an 8-piece band and 6 vocalists surrounded by rock and roll stage lighting, videos of American culture, and over 100 costume changes. From Abba to Zeppelin, ‘Decades Rewind’ will have you dancing in your seats during this magical rock extravaganza. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

June 10 – Mako the Shark Roller Coaster to Open at SeaWorld 
Seaworld tells us that Mako is the longest, tallest and fastest coaster in Orlando. With a track 4,760 feet long and the first lift hill topping out at 200 feet, Mako will reach speeds up to 73 mph. Theme-park guests will be able to board the shark-inspired super-coaster on June 10. Constructed near the Park’s famous Shark Encounter, with the ride in and around an area that was ‘backstage,’ we are told the ride will have a ‘near-pass’ experience with the Park's ‘Kraken’ coaster. Visit seaworld.com/mako and enjoy the test ride experience. 

June 10 to Sept 11 – Opening Night – Pop Art Prints at Mennello Museum 
In 1962 New York Art dealer Leo Castelli first showed Pop Art in his gallery, and it was immediately embraced by the audience who responded to its bright colors and commentaries made on the culture of the time. Printmaking was an ideal medium considering that print editions made the work affordable to a larger audience. ‘Pop Art Prints’ at the Mennello presents 37 prints from the Smithsonian Museum’s permanent collection. The Opening Reception will be held at the Mennello Museum at 900 East Princeton Street in Orlando beginning at 6 pm on June 10. Admission is $5. Call 407.246.4278 or visit mennellomuseum.com

Mel Ramos, "Chic, from the portfolio 11 Pop Artists, Volume I," 1965, screenprint. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Philip Morris Inc. Art © Mel Ramos

June 10 & 11 – CFCArts’ Symphony Orchestra Presents Symphonic Cinema
It’s an epic finale concert for the Central Florida Community Arts’ Symphony Orchestra as they invite you to be swept away by the most beautiful film scores ever composed. Featuring iconic music from unforgettable films such as Back to the Future, The Magnificent Seven, Titanic and many more, this concert offers your favorite music from your favorite movies performed LIVE by Central Florida’s largest Symphony Orchestra. Symphonic Cinema will be performed on June 10 and 11 at 8 pm at Calvary Orlando at 1199 Clay St. in Winter Park. Tickets are $10 and $15 each. Call 407.937.1800 x 710 or boxoffice[at]cfcommunityarts.com

June 10 to July 11 – The Brothers Size at Mad Cow Theatre 
The Chicago Tribune calls ‘The Brothers Size,’ "The greatest piece of writing by an American playwright under 30 in a generation or more." Living in Louisiana, big brother Ogun is hard-working and independent while younger brother Oshoosi is just out of prison and aimless. Elegba, Oshoosi's old prison-mate, is a mysterious complication. Tarell Alvin McCraney crafts symbolism and ritual into a tough/tender drama about the unbreakable bond between brothers. Call 407-297-8788 x 1 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

June 11 – 10 am to 4 pm – ‘Fly Into Summer’ FREE Day at Florida Air Museum
The Aerospace Center for Excellence will host ‘Fly Into Summer’ at the Florida Air Museum in a family-friendly event including FREE admission to Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum. Participants will enjoy STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) based arts and crafts and a scavenger hunt for free Galati Joes. Movies will be shown at 11 am and 1:30 pm; refreshments will be available for purchase. The Florida Air Museum is at 4175 Medulla Road in Lakeland. Visit sun-n-fun.org

June 11 at 8 pm – Chris Botti & Joshua Bell with Members of the Orlando Philharmonic 
Grammy Award-winning musicians Chris Botti and Joshua Bell will create a night that crosses all musical boundaries including classical, rhythm & blues and jazz. After his sold-out concert at the Dr. Phillips Center last year, Chris Botti returns, bringing with him one of the greatest violinists in the world, Joshua Bell. Their one-night only concert is sure to be a highlight of the season. Chris Botti is the largest-selling American instrumentalist while Joshua Bell is considered “the greatest American violinist active today” (The Boston Herald). Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

June 12 at 3 pm – Sounds of Freedom 5th Anniversary Concert
Promoting acceptance, equality and visibility through music, entertainment and visual arts, the Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Color Guard, Orlando’s only LGBTQ+ band, will celebrate their 5th Anniversary with a concert entitled “Looking Back, Marching Forward” at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. The concert will recall favorite music from five years of concerts – from Classical to Broadway and Hollywood to Jazz. Tickets are $10 online at CFSOF.com or call 407.619.5036. Children 12 and under Free. 

June 13 & 19 – Cupcake Lover’s Day & Dad’s Day (Deliciously Close Together) 
National Donut Day was only a few days ago, but National Cupcake Lover’s Day is June 13, and in honor of cupcake lovers everywhere, Sprinkles will kick off two weeks of ‘off-the-menu’ flavors. Beginning June 13, check Sprinkles’ facebook page – facebook.com/sprinkles – to see the special flavor of the day. Then, on Father’s Day, June 19 Sprinkles will offer Dads and Kids who visit the bakery together on Father’s Day, a FREE cupcake, cookie, scoop, sundae or shake with the purchase of any one of these items. Call 407.560.9192

June 16 to July 24 – ‘Beauty and the Beast’ for Young People at Orlando Shakespeare
Based on the traditional fairy tale, and ‘re-interpreted’ by children’s playwright Brandon Roberts, the play is set in an enchanted castle in a far away land. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ tells of a young Beauty locked away by a terrible Beast, but the young woman’s love and caring for the unsightly Beast becomes a gift of kindness that brings magical results. This new telling of the classic tale is 50 minutes in length and is suggested for children age 3+ and their families. We suggest you come a little early and ‘Shake Out the Sillies’ by joining cast-members for some inter-active pre-show fun. For tickets, including group tickets, call 407.447.1700 x 1. 

June 16 to 25 – The St. Augustine (Classical) Music Festival
Now in its 10th year, the St. Augustine Music Festival (SAMF) is the nation’s largest, FREE classical music festival. SAMF was founded in 2007 by Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra members Jorge A. Peña (viola) and Jin Kim-Peña (cello) to “entertain, educate and elevate through Music.” With opening night featuring Bach and Mozart, find all of the season’s programming on the website listed below. The historic Cathedral Basilica at 38 Cathedral Place in St. Augustine provides excellent acoustics and the backdrop for the festival where concerts are Free and no tickets are required. Call 904-347-6260 or visit staugustinemusicfestival.org

June 17 & 18 – The Mascot Games at the Amway Center 
The Mascot Games feature more than 30 mascots from sports teams across the country competing in games that are fun for the whole family. Experience ‘the thrill of pulse-pounding competition’ as mascots from MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA and the Arena Football League battle through gladiator-themed games to support ‘New Hope for Kids,’ an organization that provides support to children and families grieving the death of a loved one and/or grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in Central Florida. Visit newhopeforkids.org

June 18 at 7:30 pm – The WORLD BALLET COMPETITION in Orlando 
ORLANDO has the honor of hosting the 10th Anniversary of the World Ballet Competition (WBC) – the ‘Olympics of Ballet’ – concluding with a Gala Performance to showcase a “not-to-be-missed evening of talent. The 1st part of the evening sets a new level for youthful performance as it consists of the WINNERS from the week of competition. The 2nd half of the Gala presents Guest Artists from around the world in their ‘Star-Turn’ performances. Unique to this season, the WBC Gala is thrilled to announce Orlando’s own beloved Ballet Stars Katia Garza and Israel Rodriguez will – for the first time ever -- perform the Spartacus Love pas de deux. The performance is at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center at 9800 International Drive in Orlando. For Tickets, visit worldballetcompetition.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators