Florida Culture for the Week of October 7 by Josh Garrick

Now through November 4 – Street Talk – Photos by Gwen Hughes

Gwen Hughes is a world traveler and perpetual student (in the best sense), having studied at 8 colleges and universities. With a home-base near Orlando, Hughes’ varied studies have led to an exhibit of photo-based art, currently on exhibit at the Rose Room Gallery of the Peabody Auditorium (in Daytona Beach) through November 4. A reception, with jazz combo, will be held on October 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Visit RoseRoomGallery.Wordpress.com

Oct 9 to Nov. 10 – Dracula by Shakespeare and Company 

Long before True Blood, Dracula, the original Prince of Darkness reigned over the shadowy world of the undead. Now Orlando Shakes invites us to experience the celebrated gothic thriller in a one-man tour-de-force that uses Bram Stoker’s original text of journal entries and newspaper clippings for an evening of bloody thrills. Dracula’s inventive theatricality will work its dark sorcery from October 9 to November 10 … which includes Halloween night!  Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Oct 10 -- Singer Marc Broussard and Full Sail U. Release Concert Video

Recording artist Marc Broussard, in collaboration with that cauldron of creativity – Full Sail University, will release Marc Broussard LIVE from Full Sail University, the artist’s first live concert video, on October 10. Coming on the heels of Broussard’s latest album, the film documents Broussard’s live performance shot on location at Full Sail on Valentine’s Day 2013. With over an hour of live recordings, featuring 14 tracks, Broussard’s unique sound is described as ‘Bayou Soul.’ Visit marcbroussard.com and fullsail.edu

Oct 11 to 31 – Phantasmagoria IV – Hell Hath Risen

The 4th installment of what has become an annual Halloween Celebration, this year titled Phantasmagoria IV – Hell Hath Risen, will ‘storm’ the Shakespeare Center from October 11 to 31. With new stories and large-scale puppetry inter-acting with live actors, dancers, and ‘haunted’ storytelling, this ‘theatrical’ pays homage to Poe, Dickens, and other literary masters who ‘dabbled in the Dark.’ Under the direction of John DiDonna, Kevin Becker & Seth Kubersky; choreography by Mila Makarova & Dion Smith; fight direction by Bill Warriner; original music by Tod Kimbro & Les Caulfield; this is a Halloween treat created by the finest talents in Central Florida. Call 407.328.9005 or credit card orders online at redchairproject.com.

Oct 12 -- Orlando Philharmonic and the Orlando Gay Chorus

On October 12 the Orlando Philharmonic will open its ‘Pops Series’ with a concert entitled An American Salute featuring the Orlando Gay Chorus and conductor Albert Schram. With all the fervor of American patriotism, the program includes America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. With performances at 2 pm and 8 pm, the Chorus “changes hearts through music,” serving as goodwill ambassadors on behalf of the LGBT community. The performances are set for the Bob Carr PAC. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Oct 12 – Festival Singers of Florida to Premiere New Work

The Festival Singers of Florida will present the Florida premiere of Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest at Winter Park Presbyterian Church on October 12 at 7:30 pm.  Called “peaceful yet exciting, rhythmically strong yet completely comforting,” the Festival Singers will premiere the chamber version of the work which will have its New York premiere at Carnegie Hall in 2014. Call 407-647-1467 or visit winterparkpc.org

Oct 12 and 13 – Winter Park Autumn Art Festival

The ever-popular Winter Park Autumn Art Festival is the only juried art show to feature Florida artists exclusively.  Held annually on the second weekend in October, this sidewalk art-show presents visual arts in all media, live entertainment, children's activities and the opportunity to purchase artworks from your fellow Floridians! Held in beautiful Central Park, along Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park, the Festival is FREE and open from 9 am to 5 pm on both days.

Oct. 13 – Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra to Open 57th Season

The four orchestras which comprise the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra are a major source of pride for Central Florida. The orchestras include: Overture Strings, for performers 7 to 14; Prelude for ages 9 to 15; Philharmonia, featuring 11 to 18-year-olds; and Symphonic, a pre-professional group ages 13 to 20. All four Orchestras will present works from composers Verdi, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky on October 13. The program will also feature Gabriel Faure’s Elegie for Cello and Orchestra with cellist David Bjella. This is our chance to support the orchestral performers of tomorrow. If you’ve never experienced one of their concerts, prepare yourself for a level of professionalism that will give you a whole new appreciation of your favorite music. The concert begins at 4 pm on October 13 at the Bob Carr PAC. Visit fsyo.org.

Oct 13 to 19 – Harriett's Park Avenue Fashion Week

Returning for its 7th season, Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week is a celebration of fashion and design AND a week-long tribute to Central Florida’s greatest (and most stylish) philanthropist – Harriett Lake. For seven days, Winter Park offers trunk shows, designer meet-and-greets and the BIG fashion runway show. ‘Plan your outfit’ for October 19, when we will mingle with Florida’s fashion elite in the tent in Central Park. Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7 pm. Visit parkavenuefashionweek.com

Oct 18 to Nov 17 – Venus in Fur at the Mad Cow

In this sexy, funny hit – direct from Broadway, the Mad Cow Theatre introduces us to Vanda, an ‘unusual’ young actress who arrives to audition for the lead in playwright Thomas’ adaptation of the erotic novel, Venus in Fur. During the audition, Thomas finds himself heading into dangerous territory as this ‘battle of the sexes’ asks the audience, “Does Art imitate Life?” Written by comic master-mind David Ives, this new play will keep you guessing until its comic climax. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

And looking ahead …

Oct 29 to Nov 10 – The Book of Mormon Knocks on Orlando’s Door

Having won the BEST MUSICAL Tony Award, NY Drama Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League Award, and the Grammy for Best Musical, one might think this musical has announced the ‘Rapture’ … if it weren’t for the blasphemy! The Book of Mormon features a book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the animated series, South Park. It’s still difficult to get tickets on Broadway, and now we can get our tickets right here in Orlando for performances at the Bob Carr. Get yours at Ticketmaster.com, Broadway box office at 100 South Eola Drive, the Amway Center Box Office, or by calling 1-800-982-2787.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators