Cultural Arts 2009-10 Season Preview
Southwest Orlando has a wide range of cultural events that take place throughout the year. There are many local theater groups, museums and more, all of which offer something for everyone. For those looking to learn for themselves, there are numerous music and dance schools, and art and acting studios from which to choose. Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s fifth annual Cultural Arts Season Preview offers an up-close look at many of the area’s most popular venues and experienced schools.
Act III Acting & Performing Arts Studio
Act III Acting & Performing Arts Studio teaches skills that are well worth the investment. Audition Techniques, Acting for Film & TV, and Script Analysis are all classes for adults starting out or getting up to speed on their techniques. Commercial Techniques and Improv Mania classes give children the opportunity to learn for their futures. SMARTARTS is the studio’s new program, using critical thinking to sharpen learning skills. Teens and children also can enjoy the studio’s famous performance groups, Kids Company and Young Arts Company. Private and group voice, piano and dance lessons are available. For more information, call 407-244-1230 or visit www.act3actingstudio.com on the Web.
• • •
Alberto and Selena's LifeDance International Training Center
LifeDance International Training Center, co-owned by Alberto and Selena Hoyos, has been sharing dance since 1979. Fun training is offered in dance; music; and arts of the body, mind and spirit. Dance instruction includes Argentine tango, salsa, bachata, cumbia, merengue, ballroom, swing, flamenco and more. Music training includes guitar, percussion, piano, violin and voice. Instruction in culinary and visual arts, nutrition, fat/weight reduction, tai chi, yoga, chi kung and meditation also is available. All ages, including infants, singles and couples, are welcome. Affordable memberships and a la carte tuition programs are available for group classes and private coaching. Instructors speak Spanish. For more information, call 407-877-4454 or visit www.lifedanceinternational.com on the Web.
• • •
Annie Russell Theatre
Located in the heart of the Rollins College campus in Winter Park, the Annie Russell Theatre embarks on its 77th season this year. Known for its beautiful antique interior and seating for just under 400, the theater promises to provide a sense of romantic nostalgia for the splendor of a time gone by. Upcoming productions for the 2009-10 season include Antigone, Cabaret, How I Learned to Drive and Playhouse Creatures, along with the annual Rollins Dance concert that features guest choreographer Parsons Dance Company. Tickets for shows are $19 for adults and $10 for students with a student ID. Tickets for the Rollins Dance concert are $10, and season subscriptions are available. For more information, call 407-646-2145 or visit www.rollins.edu/theatre on the Web.
• • •
The Art Room
The Art Room, 709 Main St., Windermere, offers classes that meet once a week for eight weeks, and special workshops are held monthly. The studio offers adult classes in acrylic, oil and watercolor. Drawing, painting and mosaic classes are offered for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Painting classes for middle- and home-schoolers are offered weekly. Adult workshops are the first Friday of each month, and children’s workshops are the first and second Saturday of each month. Home-school classes meet Wednesday, and preschool workshops are offered the second Thursday and Friday of each month. The studio also hosts birthday and group parties. The Art Room offers a unique atmosphere for developing students’ creative sides. For more information, call 407-909-1869 or visit www.artroomorlando.com on the Web. Credit cards accepted: DV, MC, V.
• • •
Bach Festival Society of Winter Park
Celebrating its 75th festival this season, the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park has the distinction of being the third-oldest continuously operating Bach festival in the U.S., as well as being Central Florida’s oldest operating performing-arts organization. The society’s offerings include the annual Bach Festival, Visiting Artists Series, Choral Masterworks Series, Fred Rogers Family Series, and a variety of educational and community outreach programs to encourage participation in music at all levels. For more information, call 407-646-2182 or visit www.bachfestivalflorida.org on the Web.
• • •
Bok Tower Gardens
One of America’s finest gardens located near Orlando, with a 205-foot pink marble art deco Singing Tower carillon, Bok Tower Gardens boasts nature trails; geocaching; and the Pinewood Estate, a 20-room Mediterranean-style winter retreat built in the 1930s. Special events include the Boktoberfest Plant Sale, with free admission Oct. 17; Sunset & Symphony, performed by the Orlando Philharmonic on Nov. 7; Christmas at Pinewood holiday home tour from Nov. 27-Jan. 3; Moonlight Concerts; and more. Founded in 1929 by Edward Bok, humanitarian, peace advocate and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, the National Historic Landmark is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The gardens include a cafe, gift shop and free parking. For more information, call 863-676-1408 or visit www.boktowergardens.org on the Web.
• • •
Virginia Trudeau/Deedee Sherman
Central Florida Ballet
Central Florida Ballet presents The Nutcracker on Dec. 19 and Dec. 20 at the Linda W. Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. Highlighted by CNN and USA Today for its innovative use of pyrotechnics, this production of The Nutcracker should not be missed. For more information, call 407-849-9948 or visit www.centralfloridaballet.com on the Web.
• • •
Central Florida Dance Center
Located in Suite 108 at 1220 Winter Garden-Vineland Road in Winter Garden, Central Florida Dance Center is a new 2,500 square-foot facility equipped with mirrors, barres and sprung wood floors. The entire center encompasses state-of-the-art technologies, including plasma TVs for parents to comfortably view their children’s classes without disrupting students or the learning process. The facility also offers live, online video access to view classes while at home or the office. A variety of classes are offered for age 2.5 and older, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, tumbling, lyrical, contemporary, leap-n-learn, poms, barre, ballroom and more. For more information, call 407-656-8131, e-mail frontdesk@cfldance.com or visit www.cfldance.com on the Web.
• • •
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
Located at 445 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, including his art glass and pottery, leaded-glass windows and lamps, and celebrated 1893 chapel interior. The gallery installations are frequently updated to allow visitors to see more of the collection. Special exhibitions now on view include The Virtues of Simplicity — American Arts and Crafts from the Morse Collection, which features more that 50 works from Gustav Stickley, Frank Lloyd Wright, the Roycrofters and others. For more information, call 407-645-5311 or visit www.morsemuseum.org on the Web.
• • •
Columbus Center Dance Academy
Columbus Center Dance Academy and After-School Care Program offers exciting dance classes and performing opportunities, as well as transportation from local schools. As part of the After-School Care Program, dancers from age 3 to professional level take classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, salsa and gymnastics in facilities with experienced, professional teachers. With a Christmas show and June recital, in addition to other performances, dancers can have fun while using skills learned in class. This is the center’s 32nd year of training dancers and helping students develop winning attitudes with discipline. For more information, call 407-422-1800 or visit www.columbusdanceandcare.com on the Web.
• • •
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
The Cornell Fine Arts Museum, located at Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, offers an intimate, stimulating viewing experience in one of the Southeast’s most innovative college museums. Exhibitions and programming of the highest quality engage and educate viewers. The 2009-10 season includes Andy Warhol Personalities, Polaroid photos by one of the seminal figures in the pop art movement; Michael Phillips and The Infernal Method of William Blake, offering a rare glimpse into the famous poet/engraver’s process; the premiere of Soviet Propaganda and American WWI Posters from the Permanent Collection; and more. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 407-646-2526 or visit www.rollins.edu/cfam on the Web. Credit cards accepted: MC, V.
• • •
Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance
Serving the Southwest Orlando area since 1961 and now entering its 29th dance season, Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance has opened registration for fall classes. Under the artistic direction of Elizabeth Parsons, the school, located at 116 W. Sixth Ave. in Windermere, offers a wide variety of dance instruction from professional instructors and guest faculty for all ages, in styles such as classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, acro and hip-hop. Mom & Me and adult classes and workshops also are available. Class sizes are limited and begin Aug. 17. The school will hold its annual Evening of Dance at Lake Eola on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. For more information or to register, call 407-876-4604 or visit www.elizabethparsonsschoolofdance.com on the Web.
• • •
Garden Music School
Garden Music School is the place to connect students of all ages to a love of music and the arts. Located in historic downtown Winter Garden, Garden Music School offers professional, private instruction in piano, guitar, bass, drums/percussion, sitar, and all band and orchestral instruments. Through group classes such as Rock Lab and Jazz Lab, students participate in an ensemble setting where they learn new performance skills. Garden Music School also has partnered with Lights, Camera, Action workshop. These classes introduce the acting skills necessary to audition and perform in front of a camera. For more information, call 407-654-5277 or visit www.gardenmusicschool.com on the Web.
• • •
Hard Rock Live
Hard Rock Live, a 3,000-capacity concert venue located at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, showcases music from national acts to emerging artists and some of today’s biggest names in stand-up comedy. Hard Rock Live and the 600-seat Hard Rock Cafe Orlando are situated in a 140,000-square-foot building designed as a retro interpretation of the Roman Coliseum. It opened and held its first concert, Glenn Frey/Joe Walsh, on Jan. 29, 1999. The grand-opening celebration was March 12, 1999, featuring Elton John. Hard Rock Live is Orlando’s most versatile venue for live entertainment, with seating configurations ranging from all-reserved seating to general-admission standing room. The facility is also the perfect venue for private banquet functions and holiday parties. For concert information, visit www.hardrockliveorlando.com on the Web. For dining and catering information, call 407-351-7625.
• • •
In the Limelight
In the Limelight is an innovative theatrical production company and acting school for children and teens with locations in Gotha, Orlando and Winter Garden. The company’s focus is to present high quality dramatic and comedic plays, featuring children and teens in all roles. Its classes provide the opportunity for children to improve, learn and grow. The 2009 performance schedule includes The Secret Life of Girls, Nov. 12, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14; The Outsiders, Nov. 19, Nov. 20 and Nov. 21; and Anne of Green Gables, Dec. 3, Dec. 4 and Dec. 5. All shows are performed at 7 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees Saturdays. Tickets are $10, and all shows are performed at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church at Windermere’s HopeSpring Campus, 4064 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden. For more information, call 407-340-0920 or visit www.inthelimelightorlando.com on the Web.
• • •
L.A. Acting Workshop
Entering its 29th year, L.A. Acting Workshop offers outstanding professional classes in stage, TV, film, commercials and voice-overs. Professional training for adults is led by Universal Studios show director Lyle Moon in the Working Film Actor class. The L.A. Acting Teen Division is headed by Teri Lynne Bilewitch, and the Youth Division is directed by Sara Rush. Voice-Over Technique classes are instructed by Ginny Kopf, one of the nation’s leading vocal coaches. Fall classes begin Sept. 9, and new students are offered a free introductory class. The L.A. Backstage Tour gives actors the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles to audition for talent agents and casting directors. The program is led by acting coach Bob Luke. For more information, call 407-876-0006, or visit www.laacting.com or www.backstagetour.com on the Web.
• • •
The Maile Image, Modeling & Acting School
Since 1982, The Maile Image, Modeling & Acting School, 999 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, has offered classes in image and confidence development, on-camera acting, professional modeling, and executive image and personal branding for adults. Classes are available for children ages 4-6, 7-10, 11-17 and 18-adult. The school also offers the special Professional Industry Seminar about breaking into the business. It covers agents, booking jobs, auditions, contracts, how to avoid being taken advantage of, and more. This month, the school will have special photo-shoot head shot packages available. For more information, call 407-628-5989 or visit www.lisamaile.com on the Web.
• • •
Master Dance Series
Master Dance Series was formed by Dawn Branch to bring Troy Powell, associate director of Ailey II dance company, and other accomplished dancers to Florida to teach local dance students. By partnering with dance schools in Florida and around the country, Master Dance Series has enhanced the dance educations of hundreds of students. In its workshops, professional teachers offer exceptional training. Onstage, the company’s performers enthrall audiences through electrifying performances. This season’s series will be held Aug. 15 at the Vibe Performing Arts Center, 4833 New Broad St., Orlando; and Aug. 16 at Shooting Stars School of Performing Arts, 16207 State Road 50, Clermont. For more information, call 407-488-6123 or visit www.masterdanceseries.com on the Web. Credit cards accepted: MC, V.
• • •
Nannette’s Inc.
Ballroom dance is defined as any dance done with a partner. This includes the fox trot, waltz, rumba, swing, cha-cha, salsa, merengue, tango, hustle and more. This fun dancing trend is sweeping the nation, and Nannette’s Inc. now is offering ballroom dance classes in six locations, including Dr. Phillips on Tuesdays, Clermont on Wednesdays and Celebration on Thursdays. Each class meets for one 55-minute lesson per week. The cost is $90 per person for the entire eight-week session. For more information or to register, call 386-532-2624 or visit www.nannettes.com on the Web.
• • •
Courtesy of the Paul G. Allen Family Collection
Orange County Regional History Center
The Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, brings 12,000 years of Central Florida history to life and presents special, limited-run exhibitions. The 2009-10 season includes Looking East, a photographic exhibition from Steve McCurry with stunning photographs across Asia, including the famous green-eyed Afghan girl, from Aug. 21-Oct. 4. Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television, from Feb. 6-May 16, 2010, highlights the U.S.’s rich entertainment history through more than 40 costumes and props from popular films and TV shows. For more information, call 407-836-8500 or visit www.thehistorycenter.org on the Web.
• • •
Orlando Ballet
The Orlando Ballet 2009-10 series opens Oct. 16 with Cinderella at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. On March 19, 2010, Battle of the Sexes opens, featuring original choreography by Artistic Director Robert Hill. The final performance of the series is Le Corsaire, which opens April 23, 2010. The Nutcracker returns for the holiday season and runs Dec. 11-20 on various nights. The Family Series for young audiences begins with Cinderella on Oct. 17, followed by The Nutcracker on Dec. 12 and The Persian Princess on April 24, 2010. For more information, call 407-426-1739 or visit www.orlandoballet.org on the Web.
• • •
Orlando Repertory Theatre
Entering its seventh season, the Orlando Repertory Theatre, located in Loch Haven Park, is committed to bringing Central Florida families the finest in family theater. A professional theater company for young audiences, The REP provides affordable, educational family entertainment for all ages. Its award-winning REP Youth Academy offers children’s classes, camps and workshops that foster self-confidence, creative thinking, problem-solving skills, collaboration and discipline. The REP also is committed to promoting arts education by providing professional development workshops with easy, interactive, arts-based strategies sure to enhance classroom learning for local teachers. For more information about The REP’s 2009-10 main-stage season or educational programs, call 407-896-7365 or visit www.orlandorep.com on the Web.
• • •
Orlando Shakespeare Theater In Partnership with UCF
Orlando Shakespeare Theater In Partnership with UCF is celebrating its 21st anniversary season with The Big Bang (Sept. 16-Oct. 11), Yankee Tavern (Oct. 14-Nov. 8), Every Christmas Story Ever Told (Dec. 2-27), Hamlet (Jan. 27-March 13, 2010), All’s Well that Ends Well (Feb. 10-March 14, 2010), and Shotgun (March 17-April 11, 2010). The Theater for Young Audiences presents performances of If You Give a Cat a Cupcake (Oct. 22-Nov. 21) and Schoolhouse Rock Live (March 23-April 18, 2010). PlayFest, The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays (April 2-11, 2010), brings the biggest celebration of new plays to ever hit Central Florida; and the new free Sunday Reading Series features The Greatest of the Greeks on select Sundays at 7 p.m. All performances take place at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 Rollins St., Orlando. For more information, call 407-447-1700 or visit www.orlandoshakes.org on the Web.
• • •
The Right Combination Dance Studio
The Right Combination Dance Studio in Winter Garden is the right place for beginner dancers and those who are Broadway-bound. The studio’s instructors are professionals, performing in national and regional shows and tours. The facility offers everything from ballet to hip-hop, drama, voice, piano, guitar and violin. An open house Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include a special “Pillow Performance” at 11 a.m.
Joseph Corella from the national tour of Grease teaches a master class Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 407-656-0731 or visit www.therightcombinationdance.net on the Web.
• • •
Spotlight Dance Center
Celebrating 14 years in Southwest Orlando, Spotlight Dance Center offers instruction for age 3-adult, beginners and professionals. Dance classes include hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, jazz, pointe, tap, ballroom, belly dance, modern and break dancing. In addition, gymnastics, private voice and musical theater classes are offered, as well as beginner adult classes. Spotlight Dance Center is located in Suite 102 at 7751 Kingspointe Parkway in Orlando. Classes are taught by seasoned professionals in a large 7,000-square-foot facility. For information about the fall class schedule and prices, call 407-370-9411 or visit www.spotlightdancecenter.com on the Web.
• • •
St. Luke’s School of the Arts
Located at 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road in Orlando, St. Luke’s School of the Arts offers a convenient location for a variety of fine-arts classes for beginner and advanced students. Classes include quality instruction in art, photography, dance, musical instruments and more in a nurturing, nonjudgemental environment, where students’ creativity and talents can grow. The school employs a professional staff, and this fall, it will introduce Footprints, a dance program of affordable classes. Footprints is $48 for a full 16-week session. For more information, call 407-876-5226 or visit www.st.lukes.org/soa on the Web.
• • •
Theatre South Inc., A Center for the Arts
Located at the new Jewish Community Center of South Orlando at the Jack & Lee Rosen Campus, Theatre South offers the best in theater, dance, music and art classes for age 3-seniors. Teaching artists, with résumé credentials from Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, The Metropolitan Opera, Broadway, national tours, SAK Comedy Lab and Blue Man Group, have the tools and experience to teach everyone the very best skills. The theater also offers Broadway-themed birthday parties at JCC or other venues. Party themes include Wicked, Mamma Mia, High School Musical and Hairspray. Sunday workshops with a Broadway or WDW performer also are offered, and patrons are invited to enjoy one of the theater’s many performances and concerts. For more information, call 407-387-2743 or visit www.theatresouthorlando.com on the Web.
• • •
UCF Conservatory Theatre
The University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre, an award-winning theater, presents its 2009-10 season, including Cole, with a collection of Cole Porter’s hit songs; Doubt and Proof, two contemporary Tony Award-winning plays; The Pirates of Penzance; The Learned Ladies; From Sun to Sun, in collaboration with the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities; Antigone; a cutting-edge musical; and the theater’s fourth annual Dance Concert. Free transportation is provided from parking to the theater. For the box office, call 407-823-1500; and for more information, visit www.theatre.ucf.edu on the Web.
|
|
