Calendar

DEC. 26

Having won the Best Musical Tony Award – and every other award you’ve ever heard of – one might think this musical has brought us the rapture (if it weren’t for the blasphemy). “The Book of Mormon,” playing from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4 at the Dr. Phillips PAC, features a book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, the creators of “South Park,” and it’s worth seeing just to see Orlando sung about as a teenager’s idea of heaven. For more information, call 800-448-6322.

DEC. 29

The city of Winter Park will proudly host the eighth annual Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands, featuring school bands from the University of Oklahoma and Clemson University, on Monday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. As a prelude to the Russell Athletic Bowl game at 5:30 p.m. at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium, school bands, cheerleaders and mascots will march through downtown Winter Park and perform a bandtastic game day preview. From 9:30 to 11 a.m., Interlachen Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Fairbanks and New England avenues, and Lyman Avenue will be closed between Knowles and Interlachen avenues for the band staging area. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues, heading north on Park Avenue through downtown Winter Park. After turning west onto Garfield Avenue, they will proceed to Central Park where they will perform for all fans to enjoy. For specific information regarding the Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands in Winter Park, please call 407-599-3463.

JAN. 1

Get your fresh produce at a mobile farmers market on the first Tuesday and first Thursday of each month. Market to Park is open on the first Tuesday of the month during lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., so residents and working families can pick up fresh produce during their lunch break. On the first Thursday of each month (Jan. 1 this month), the Market to Park is open during the evening commute from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. so working families can easily access fresh vegetables on their way home from work and immediately serve a fresh and healthy dinner. The Market to Park program was started with a grant from Healthy Central Florida with the intent to increase access to fresh vegetables in our community. It’s in Shady Park in Winter Park’s Hannibal Square. For more information, call 407-599-3334.

JAN. 2

The Art & History Museums – Maitland proudly presents Ladies Art Lounge, a program that focuses on friendships and creativity, with a lot of fun thrown in the mix. Ladies’ Art Lounge, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, at the Maitland A&H, is designed for women who want an evening out with friends where they can talk, have a glass of wine, and learn something new in a casual and fun atmosphere. The program is held on the first Friday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each event features one of the A&H’s talented faculty members leading a program in which you can let your creative juices flow. Have fun creating fine art and craft pieces for your home, as a gift, or even to wear. Admission is $20 for A&H members and $25 for not-yet-members. A cash wine bar is available. Outside alcohol is not permitted. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call 407-539-2181.

JAN. 5

The city of Winter Park is proud to announce the 14th annual Dinner on the Avenue will be held Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 6 to 10 p.m. Hosted by the city, this unique, fun-filled dining experience has become the social event of the year. Tables will go on sale Monday, Jan. 5, at 8 a.m. at the Winter Park Community Center, located at 721 W. New England Ave. Gather a table of friends, family, co-workers or neighbors to dine under the stars on beautiful Park Avenue. Tables of eight are available for just $125 each. Only the table, white linen tablecloth and chairs are provided – everything else is up to you. Get creative with table set-up and let your appetites decide whether you bring your own potluck dinner or hire a local caterer to satisfy your palate. Creativity is encouraged and each group is challenged to develop its own unique look and individual décor. Awards will be presented to winners in various categories including most colorful, most elegant, most original, best TV/movie-themed and honorable mentions. The judging will begin at 7 p.m. sharp, and awards will be presented once the judges have decided on the winners. For more information regarding this unique dining experience, please visit

cityofwinterpark.org or call 407-643-1613.

JAN. 8

“America’s Exceptional Heritage: National Historic Landmarks” opens at noon on Thursday, Jan. 8, at A&H’s Maitland Historical Museum. Celebrate America’s exceptional landmarks at this exhibit featuring a selection of historic and architectural monuments. National Historic Landmark listing is the highest designation available for an historic site in the U.S. Only 2,500 American structures are listed, including Walden Pond (home to author Henry David Thoreau), the Empire State Building, and now the Maitland Art Center. The exhibit runs through May 10. For more information, call 407-539-2181.

ONGOING

Of the many ways to experience “A Christmas Carol” this season, the production called Dickens by Candlelight brings us into the action by seating us at tables where we are served tea and cookies as the three actors (who play all the parts) act among us. John DiDonna plays Scrooge (and other characters) through Dec. 28 at the Shakespeare Theater – side-by-side with the production being offered by Orlando Shakes. That’s two different productions in the same theater complex, so be sure which tickets you wish to order. Call 407-222-7669 or visit Dickensbycandlelight.com

This holiday season the city of Winter Park is hosting its sixth annual Winter in the Park Holiday Ice Skating Rink in Central Park now through Jan. 11. There’s a little bit of winter inside the tent – no matter the temperature outside. Join the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue Merchants Association as they spread holiday cheer to skaters and spectators. Visit winterpark.org or call 407-644-8281.

“A Christmas Story the Musical” is the classic account of Ralphie’s hilarious quest to ensure that the most perfect gift ends up under his Christmas tree: a Red Ryder Carbine-Action BB Gun! All the cherished moments are here – the Old Man’s leg lamp, the tongue-on-a-frozen-flagpole, the bunny suit are all there – on-stage for us to enjoy as a Tony-nominated Best Musical. Presented through Dec. 28 at Orlando Rep, call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com for tickets.

Of the many ways to experience the magic of “The Nutcracker” this season, ICE! at Gaylord Palms brings us Clara and her Nutcracker Prince in 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures and four interactive slides. Favorite scenes from the ballet, the beloved music, and ice-carving artists from China are at Gaylord Palms through Jan. 4. New this season, adults 21 and over may chill out at On The Blocks — the exclusive ICE Bar. Call 407-586-2000 or visit ChristmasatGaylordPalms.com