NOW to December 16 – La NOUBA Discount for Florida’s First Responders
More timely than ever, our ‘resident’ Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – is thanking those who keep Florida safe by offering First Responders (Florida police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel) tickets at 39% savings for themselves and up to five (5) guests per show. Florida First Responders may book at cirquedusoleil.com/la-nouba (Personnel ID is required) for shows running through December 16. 

Oct 10 to Nov 13 – ‘Rock the Presidents’ at Orlando Rep 

Orlando Rep’s new show is a rock, hip-hop, blues, pop, jazz, reggae, and country musical spanning the history of the American Presidency – from George Washington to Barack Obama. The Presidents are brought to life through original songs including a way for audiences of all ages to learn something about our nation’s history. Parental Age-Appropriate Note: Lincoln’s legacy and Kennedy’s assassination are included with songs that contain the words ‘pistol’ and ‘bullets.’ Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

October 12 at 10 am and at 1 pm – TWO Presentations at the Winter Park Garden Club 
October 12 is a busy day at the Winter Park Garden Club with Lisa Robinette, of the Bromeliad Society of Central Florida, presenting a talk about bromeliads at 10 am. (She will also bring some to sell). Then at 1 pm, Cathy Bowers and Emily Bader will demonstrate how to create autumn arrangements using lanterns as vases. That talk is $25. Both presentations take Winter Park Garden Club at 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park. Reserve for either or both at 407.644.5770 

Oct 12 to Nov 13 -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Orlando Shakes
It’s more than co-incidental that Orlando Shakes will present the Jekyll/Hyde story by Robert Louis Stevenson near All Hollow’s Eve. Frustrated by dull respectability in Victorian London, Dr. Jekyll creates a potion to unleash his inner bestial nature. The potion transforms Dr. Jekyll into the brutish Edward Hyde who lives the ‘high life’ until Hyde's passions lead to murder. Fascinating and deviant, the play captivates audiences who experience the play’s moral lesson while watching the lead actor transform before them. For tickets, call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Oct 13, 14 & 16 – Leonard Bernstein’s CANDIDE with the Orlando Philharmonic 
Voltaire’s satire of innocence and optimism is joined with Leonard Bernstein’s Tony Award-winning score to create Candide, in which a young man sets off with friends to find the ‘meaning of life.’ BUT – their journey includes war, kidnapping, murder and shipwreck. Fully costumed and staged, and sung in English, the October 13 Opening Night performance will be followed by a Q & A with Maestro Eric Jacobsen. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

October 13 to 31 – Phantasmagoria VII: The Cards They Are Dealt
Be VERY afraid. Phantasmagoria’s troupe of ‘Steampunk Survivors’ are more dangerous than gypsy fortune-tellers, and they are joined by dancers, soldiers, puppeteers, and fire-breathers as they embark on new journeys through the dark tales of Poe, Lovecraft, Wilde, and M.R. James. For your Halloween season, trick or treat yourself to the all new PHANTASMAGORIA VII "The Cards They Are Dealt" at the Shakespeare Center. OMG – the October 31 performance is the Troupe’s 100th Main-stage show; not sure my heart could handle that one! … and don’t say I didn’t warn you.  For tickets – visit orlandoatplay.com

 

October 14 & 15 at 8 pm – Chicago’s ‘Second City’ Hits Orlando
Sponsored by Kathie and Bill Hohns, Chicago’s legendary Improv Comedy Theater comes to the Dr. Phillips Center to celebrate 55 years of satire with a new show of comedy sketches, songs and improvs about Orlando, along with material from the Second City archives. This ‘must-see night’ features Chicago’s brightest comedy stars finding laughs in everything from Orlando’s history to classic sketches created by Second City’s amazing alumni, including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner and more. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Oct 15 at 8 pm – Three Voices "From Europe to Broadway” with the Orlando Philharmonic
Three of Europe’s biggest stars come together with the Orlando Philharmonic for one special night at the Dr. Phillips Center. Mario Frangoulis was discovered by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and is best known for his powerful performances. George Perris has performed for sold out audiences around the world and is considered Europe’s next superstar, and soprano Deborah Myers, one of the UK’s most versatile performers, has starred in a variety of musicals including The King and I and The Pirates of Penzance. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct 16 from noon to 3 pm – Classern String Quartet presents ‘Spooky Sounds’ at the Casa
In a ‘fun and FREE’ concert by the Classern String Quartet, the group will play a trick-or-treat mix of Classical and Modern Halloween hits from Danse Macbre, Psycho, Ghostbusters, the Nightmare Before Christmas and more at the Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum at 656 Park Ave North in Winter Park. The Classern combines the elegance of a string quartet with a modern twist by performing pop and rock melodies from yesterday and today, AND they know the Classics. Perfect for weddings and all major events, visit casafeliz.us 

October 18 at 7:30 pm – Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is a genre-busting, rotating collective of musicians and vocalists that re-imagines modern pop hits in the style of jazz, ragtime, and swing classics of the 1920s to 1950s. An act that crosses all musical boundaries and generations, Postmodern Jukebox has developed a niche all its own, and performs a live show unlike any other – a must-see for anyone who loves innovative live performance. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct 21 to Nov 6 – CFCArts’ Metamorphoses
A shallow pool serves as the primary scenic element of Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of the classical myths as recorded by the Roman poet Ovid (43 BC – 17 AD). ‘Metamorphoses’ harkens back to the origins of theater using an ensemble of actors to retell ancient stories of gods and goddesses. Performed on Broadway and around the world, the CFCArts Theatre Program will present Metamorphoses in their ‘Blackbox’ Theatre at 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd in Orlando. Call 407.937.1800 ext.710 or visit cfcarts.com/metamorphoses

Oct 21 to Nov 20 – ‘The God Game’ at Mad Cow 
When running for political office in the US of A, the Public knows or can learn anything about a candidate from his/her work-out routine to religious beliefs. SO – what if your candidate is an atheist? Now, in the final weeks of the Presidential election, playwright Suzanne Bradbeer poses this question in ‘The God Game’ in performance at the Mad Cow Theatre. Bradbeer presents this test of American politics while exploring the limits of truth, ambition, and faith as her witty dialogue induces laughter and sadness. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

October 22 at 2 pm & 8 pm -- Orlando Philharmonic -- "The Great American Songbook"
Audience favorite Albert George Schram conducts the Orlando Philharmonic as Christiane Noll and Doug LaBrecque supply the vocals from "The Great American Songbook.” Performing some of the most popular and enduring songs from the 1920s to the 1950s the audience is invited to luxuriate in classics by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, and others. Performances at 2 pm and 8 pm are at the Bop Carr Theater. Due to road construction, please give yourself extra time for parking. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

Oct 22 – Cows n Cabs – Cowboy Boots ‘Kick It Up’ with Grub & Fine Wines 
Four Rivers Master Chef John Rivers knows fundraisers. When he joined with David Larue of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits to create a ‘new’ fundraiser they wanted the opposite of the tux and tie group. Switching to cowboy gear and Cabernets, Rivers and Larue created the now-annual Cows ‘n Cabs returning for its 6th year on October 22. Featuring cuisine from more than 20 of Florida’s top restaurants, the event benefits the ‘Community Food and Outreach Center’ and ‘Elevate Orlando.’ At Winter Park’s West Meadow, the admission is $110. Visit cowsncabs.com.

Oct 26 – Capital Grille Invites Us to ‘Year of the Steak’ at 2nd Harvest Food Bank 
Executive Chef of Capital Grille Michael LaDuke will present a magnificent 5-course menu celebrating the "Year of the Steak" at 2nd Harvest Food Bank with proceeds benefitting 2nd Harvest’s Culinary Training Program. The program provides the formerly unemployed with skills to obtain a position in food service. Capital Grille, known for comfortable elegance, serves nationally renowned dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood. Now Chef Michael brings that renown into the Community Kitchen to raise funds for a great cause. Tickets are $125. Call 407.514.1048 or email ljarvis[at]feedhopenow.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators