Florida Culture for the Week of May 7 by Josh Garrick

May 10, 11, and 12 – Rocky Horror ON-STAGE

The ULTIMATE cult musical and rock n’ roll entertainment, The Rocky Horror Show, will open at The Abbey on May 10 and run for 5 performances until May 12. The cast of over 30 artists promises to “engulf the mind and ensnare the senses with an unforgettable evening of mayhem, fishnets, and total rock n’ roll attitude.” This spectacle of humor and depravity follows a pair of squeaky-clean sweethearts on an adventure of seduction, sexual confusion, zany fun, AND the Time Warp. Audience Participation IS Encouraged. Visit ticketweb.com or call 866.468.7630.

May 11 -- 9 Muses – All Painters

Today’s women have found their voice in Art, and as innovators, they have experimented with new techniques, new materials and subjects to bring unique creations to the world of fine Art. This exhibit pays homage to those women and the roles they play as mother, sister, wife and communicator. Artists include Vickie Wilson, Tracy Burke, Donna Frank, Ana Caravias, Robin Maria Pedrero, Patricia Byron, Maureen Hudas, Deby Star, and Mirjana Cesar. The public is invited to an opening on May 11 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Maitland Chamber of Commerce at 110 North Maitland Avenue. Visit maitlandchamber.com

Big Yella for Muses by Robin Pedrero

Cows in the Olive Orchard for Muses by Maria Pedrero

May 11 and Monthly – Summer Concerts at the Art & History Museums – Maitland

Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) will present a Summer Concert Series in A&H’s beautiful Gardens at 231 W. Packwood Avenue. The series is called Art. Music. Food. Architecture. and will take place the second Friday of every month from May to September. The Series is perfect for summer evenings under the stars with music, poetry, and an array of Food Truck fare, AND A&H’s Main Galleries will be open. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs, and a bar is available for those who would like to purchase alcohol. The Series begins Friday, May 11 at 7 pm, featuring The Hindu Cowboys, known for their traditional string band, retro-country sound. Call 407.539.2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

May 12 – The Florida ‘Cracker’ Lifestyle
Anyone with a taste for fried chicken and fish fries is sure to love The Cracker Kitchen: A Cookbook in Celebration of Cornbread-Fed, Down-Home Family Stories and Cuisine. More than a simple cook-book, Janis Owens brings together memories, history, and recipes to celebrate the ‘Cracker’ culture at the Orange County Regional History Center on May 12. A meet and greet and food sampling with Owens begins at 1 pm followed by a book signing and Q&A. The History Center is at 65 E. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando. Visit thehistorycenter.org or call 407.836.7010.

May 12 – Zucchini Festival and Pageant
It’s easy ‘being green’ in Windsor, FL where the zucchini (yes, the vegetable) will celebrate its own 28th ANNUAL Zucchini Festival including everything from an Art & Crafts Show to a Cook-A-Zuke Contest to events that test contestant’s carving abilities for the biggest and the ugliest zucchinis.  There is fried zucchini AND zucchini ice cream. It all concludes with the Windsor Zucchini Festival Pageant for children and teens which names the ‘Duke of Zuke’ and his ‘Zuqueenie.’  Run by the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department on May 12 from 9 am to 5 pm, admission is FREE.  Call 352.372.7814

May 12 & 13 -- Stuart Craft Fair

The ARTS take over Downtown Stuart, FL from 10 am to 5 pm on May 12 and 13 as the 15th Annual Stuart Craft Fair transforms Osceola Street into an outdoor showcase.
Collectors can purchase one-of-a-kind gift items as well as meet the crafters who will be available to discuss their work and take commissions. Artworks include folk art, paintings, pottery, and handmade jewelry and clothing, with prices ranging from $3 to $3,000. A Green Market complements the weekend with plants and orchids. Admission is FREE, and the Navigational Address is 26 SW Osceola Street in Stuart, FL 34994. Visit artfestival.com

May 19 and 20 -- Orlando Gay Chorus Presents

The challenges of changing hearts (and minds) are not easy ones, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered community has chosen the theme of Changing Hearts for its next concert.  The theme reflects how far the Orlando GLBT community has come on its journey as the Orlando Gay Chorus shares musical stories that illustrate its struggles and victories. Songs include Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror, Eric Clapton's Change The World, and Lady Gaga's Born This Way. Performances are May 19 at 7:30 pm and May 20 at 4:30 pm at Plaza 'LIVE' in Orlando. Call 888.868.3208 or visit plazaliveorlando.com.

Now through June 10 – A much-anticipated exhibit called Treasures of the Chrysanthemum Throne is at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach through June 10. The exhibit features Japanese bronzes, intricate ivories and paper-thin porcelains created during the reign of Mutsuhito, the Meiji Emperor who ascended the Japanese throne in 1867 at the age of fifteen. He ruled -- with the aid of Samurai advisors -- until his death in 1912. MOAS is located at 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach. Call 386.255.0285 or visit moas.org

And Not to be Missed ... Mad Cow Theatre presents its 10th Annual Orlando Cabaret Festival through May 13 including 25 performances of jazz, pop, Broadway, comedy – AND a few surprises. Call 407.297.8788 or visit orlandocabaret.com

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