Culture worthy of your calendar

Morse Museum expansion

The Morse Museum in Winter Park, honored home to treasures by Louis Comfort Tiffany, will open new galleries on Feb. 19, providing first-time access to the Daffodil Terrace and 250 art objects from the artist’s estate, Laurelton Hall. This month the museum completed the 12,000-square-foot expansion, creating 11 new galleries with the public opening planned in conjunction with Tiffany’s birthday — Feb. 18. The $5 million addition increases exhibit space by 50 percent and showcases the restored Daffodil Terrace — an 18-by-32-foot outdoor room with marble columns topped with glass daffodils. Also featured are surviving objects from Laurelton Hall, including leaded-glass windows, Tiffany lamps and art glass and pottery.

The Morse Museum, at 445 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park, was founded in 1942 by Jeannette McKean as a gift to the community. In 1957, when a fire destroyed Laurelton Hall, the McKeans rescued surviving art and architectural objects. Since then, the Morse has been dedicated to preserving Tiffany’s work and is renowned as the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Call 407-645-5311 x100 or visit morsemuseum.org

Art & Living downtown

Each year this free downtown event gets bigger, better and includes the work of more Central Florida artists. This year the Orlando Downtown Art & Living Expo will be held on Feb. 19 and 20 along the streets of Lake Eola Park, showcasing more than 200 artists and exhibitors. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days, the expo features exhibiting artists who vie for thousands of dollars in art awards, prizes and ribbons. Art Expo will also feature acoustic musicians, street performers, children’s activities and — of course — food. On Saturday, the free event features Eric Darius and the Robert Harris Group live in concert, and on Sunday, it’s Ambrosia performing their hits “Biggest Part of Me” and “You’re the Only Woman.” Visit downtownorlandoproperties.com or call 407-592-0002.

‘Wicked’

Long before Dorothy arrived in Munchkinland, two girls became rivals in the Land of Oz. The “smart” one was born with green skin, leading to a life of feeling “different and misunderstood.” The other was beautiful and as popular as a homecoming queen. How these two ladies grew to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good has turned into “the most complete and completely satisfying, new musical in a long time,” according to USA Today. Around the world, the musical “Wicked” has worked its magic on critics and audiences alike. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, ”Wicked” is a huge Broadway hit, and that tornado of creativity is about to touch down in Orlando, at the Bob Carr, for five weeks from Feb. 23 through March 27. If this is your first time, you won’t want to miss your chance to be — uh, see — “Wicked.” Visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 800-982-2787 or 407-423-9999 extension 17.

‘Diary of Anne Frank’

In a new adaptation, written with a new generation in mind, the words from the diary of Anne Frank will be presented by the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park from Friday, Feb. 25, to March 13. With Jenny Ornstein in the title role, this new adaptation, by Wendy Kesselman, presents Anne Frank as an intensely gifted young girl who confronts the increasing horrors of her time with honesty, wit and determination. Anne Frank wrote in her diary every day of those two dark years. She said, “When I write, I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death!” Directed by Tanya Roller, the play will present two industry night performances on Monday, Feb. 28, and Monday, March 7. The Breakthrough Theatre is located at 419A W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-920-4034.