Florida Culture for the Week of June 17 by Josh Garrick
June 20 to July 28 – Theater for Young Audiences’ Sleeping Beauty
Princess Rose is celebrating her birthday and the whole kingdom is there to celebrate, but a terrible curse causes the young princess to fall asleep for 100 years. Complete with a handsome prince and a magical kiss, this quirky retelling of Sleeping Beauty introduces the classic fairy tale to a new generation of kids and families -- complete with “autograph session” with the cast after every performance. At the Shakespeare Center, call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org
June 20 – FASHION LOUNGE at Jai Gallery
The fusion of Art and Fashion had its debut at Jai Gallery and continues as the 2nd FASHION LOUNGE struts its stuff on June 20 from 7 to 11 pm. The collaboration between Jai Gallery and Awaken Magazine features established and emerging artists in Design, Art Direction, Fashion Photography, Illustration, Makeup, Hair, Modeling, Jewelry, DJing and VJing. The monthly event invites Fashion creatives to network and showcase their designs. Industry Professionals are invited to scout new talent or simply enjoy an evening of glamour, art, and music. There is no dress code, so “dress to impress or dress to observe.” Visit jaigallery.net or call 407-921-0693
June 20 -- B-Side Artists Return to City Arts Factory
The annual B-Side Artists’ exhibit returns to the City Arts Factory with new works, a larger roster, a pop-up shop, and its special brand of no-holds-barred ART experience. On June 20, from 6 to 10 pm, the official Opening is part of the Downtown Orlando Arts District 3rd Thursday Art Stroll (and it will be packed). For those who wish to avoid the crowds and view the artwork in comfort, June 21st from 6 to 10 pm will be a 2nd Opening event offering the same experience (without the literal shoulder rubbing and body heat). There will be live music as well as a special ‘Meet the Artists’ segment with new B-Side members: Boy Kong, Wolfrich, Chris Reason, and Kittens of Industry. Call 407.648.7060 or 407.927.9321 or visit cityartsfactory.com.
June 20 – West Side Story Goes East to Daytona Beach
More than fifty years ago, one musical changed theatre forever. From the first note, West Side Story – based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – soars as the greatest love story of all time, and this revival remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics as Tonight, America, I Feel Pretty, and Somewhere. In performance for one-night-only at the Peabody in Daytona Beach, it’s worth the drive to experience this classic of Broadway history. Call 386.671.3462 or visit peabodyauditorium.org
June 21 -- Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes
The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce invites us to a panel discussion – Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes – on June 21 from 8 am to 9:30 am at the Winter Park Welcome Center at 151 W. Lyman Ave. Panelists Edward Alexander, Esq. and Jennifer K. Birmingham, Esq. will speak and answer questions about how to protect your business from potentially costly legal mistakes concerning employment issues, franchising, technology and contract agreements. (free for Chamber members; $10 for non-members) Call 407.644.8281 or visit winterpark.org
June 21 – Of Stories and Songs – An Orchestral Concert
The Central Florida Community Orchestra’s performance Of Stories and Songs will feature Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, music from Jurassic Park and Harry Potter, and other selections that bring to life the characters of great literature such as Moby Dick and The Odyssey. Employing dramatic staging and lighting, the performance will be held June 21 at 7:30 pm at Northland Church in Longwood. General Admission tickets are $10; children ages 16 and under admitted free. (CFCArts’ philosophy is to keep ticket prices low to make the arts accessible and affordable) Tickets online at cfcarts.com/of-stories-and-songs, at the door, or by calling 407.949.7170
June 21 to July 20 – 8 Track: Sounds of the 70’s
The Winter Park Playhouse wants us to raid the attic to dig out our leisure suits and platform shoes (as if we could still fit into them) as we ‘boogie down’ with the propulsive rhythms of 8-Track: Sounds of the 70's, a musical romp that promises to be a Baby Boomers’ dream come true. Featuring music of The Carpenters, Patty Labelle, Barry Manilow, Marvin Gaye, The Bee Gees, and Helen Reddy, we can re-discover the heart and soul of the 70’s with this joyful, and often hilarious musical. Roy Alan will direct and choreograph as Chris Leavy serves as Music Director. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org
Photo by Tom Marshall Photography
June 21, 22, 23 – Lakeridge Winery Harvest Grape Stomp
While the Lakeridge Winery offers free winery tours seven days a week, we are all invited to their Harvest Grape Stomp on June 21, 22, and 23. The Festival features live music (2 bands each day), an arts-and-crafts show, and Lakeridge Wines. Guests are invited to test their fortitude in grape stomping competitions as ‘Stompers’ race against one another and the clock. Winners of each 2-minute stomp-off receive a prize. The Wine Shop will offer ‘specials,’ and we can take a free winery tour. The Winery is at 19239 US 27 N in Clermont. A $2 donation is accepted at the gate to benefit the Cornerstone Hospice Fdtn, and parking is free. Visit lakeridgewinery.com or call 352-394-8627
June 22 – For the Kids and For the Environment
Here’s a cause we can all get behind. Shoes4Kids helps local kids AND the environment by collecting used shoes – any kind – any condition – and the organization is aiming at a “record breaking” number of shoes to be collected on June 22 from 10 am to 6 pm at the parking lot at 1199 Clay Street in Winter Park. Let’s get into those closets and donate the shoes and sneakers we’ll never use again to an organization that re-uses them, gives them to local kids in need, and keeps them out of landfills. If you can’t make the June 22 event, check shoes4kidsusa.com for drop-off locations throughout the month of June.
June 24 – The Sovereign Brass at the Shakespeare Center
There could be no more “splendid” opening for the Orlando Philharmonic’s Summer Music Series than a program called Brass Splendor featuring Orlando’s most popular musical ensemble – the Sovereign Brass. Highlighting the royal sounds that make brass music so stirring and uplifting, the Sovereign Brass will perform works by Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Corelli, Beethoven, and Purcell. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org
And looking ahead …
June 29 – A Rhinoceros Birthday Party … For Two
The Central Florida Zoo “knows how to party,” and now that the Zoo has received a 2nd rhinoceros, PJ, who joins the Zoo's other rhinoceros, Jahi, it happens that both PJ and Jahi turn two years old this summer. So, those “party animals” at the Zoo invite us to the Rhinos’ double birthday party on June 29 from 9 am to 3 pm. The Birthday with the BIG Boys will be celebrated with music, games, children's crafts, face painting, and animal encounters. Both rhinoceros’ can reach up to 5,000 pounds when fully grown, so I suggest we take this unique invitation – seriously! Visit centralfloridazoo.org or call 407.323.4450
Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators