Culture worthy of your calendar

Man vs. monster

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater continues its repertory season with an imaginative one-man adaptation of the ancient English epic ”Beowulf.” If the name sounds familiar, it’s because we all read “parts of” Beowulf in high school lit. This one-man version features actor/writer Charlie Bethel in a one-hour performance that is both a faithful adaptation and accessible for those who only remember the story as “medieval literature.” Based on the classic morality tale, the hero Beowulf saves a kingdom from Grendel, a man-eating monster (and his equally unpleasant mother) only to die in battle with a dragon.

Bethel’s solo performance is presented through Sunday, March 20, at the Shakespeare Center at 812 E. Rollins St. in Loch Haven Park. A post-show talkback is scheduled for the March 17 performance. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Heaven for ‘chocaholics’

They can talk about the scientific properties of chocolate as long as they wish, but the real reason to put March 5 and 6 on your calendar is the return of the Festival of Chocolate to the Orlando Science Center. Now that is my kind of research!

This year’s festival returns with expanded hours and taste-treats of everything chocolate. Truffles, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, crepes, chocolate drinks and even chocolate spa treatments will be offered. Orlando’s finest chocolatiers and award-winning pastry chefs will be at the Science Center selling a variety of chocolate decadence reasonably priced from $1 to $5 payable in “chocolate chip coins.” Kids can design edible masterpieces, and adults will be invited to play with their food with hands-on chocolate experiences and competitions. The Festival of Chocolate is included with admission to the Orlando Science Center. Call 407-514-2000 or visit www.osc.org

Orlando Ballet presents “¡Bailamos!”

Under the direction of Robert Hill, the Orlando Ballet has been exhibiting Hill’s original choreography. On Saturday, March 12, in a one-night-only fundraising performance, the company will perform at the Linda Chapin Theatre at the Orange County Convention Center. The performance, called “¡Bailamos!,” promises hip-shaking Latin music and spicy choreography to huapango, danzon, tango and hot, hot salsa! With a company of dancers from around the globe (including several from the Caribbean), these dancers are ready to “bring sexy back” at 8 p.m. on March 12. Hill’s choreography moves from “slow and sexy” to “hot and sexy.” Add the intensity of Latin music, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find the audience dancing in the aisles. For tickets, call 407-426-1739 or visit orlandoballet.org

Disney’s Flower Festival

The 18th Annual Flower and Garden Festival — hosted at Epcot — adds HGTV design celebrities and Disney character heroes to this year’s ultimate “green” festivities. The festival runs through May 15. HGTV design gurus will provide tips on style while Woody and Buzz, the lead toys of Disney’s ”Toy Story 3”, take the art of Disney topiary “to infinity and beyond.” HGTV’s Genevieve Gorder, Vern Yip and colleagues will bring their design flair to weekend appearances, while floral facsimiles of favorite Disney characters welcome guests to Epcot.

Also new to this season’s Festival, Disney fairies will pose for photos at the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, and A Hundred Acre Wood wildflower display will feature topiaries of Winnie the Pooh and pals, set to appear in the ”Winnie the Pooh” movie this summer. “Flower Power” music is always part of the joy of this festival, with Jose Feliciano raising the curtain at the America Gardens Theatre from March 4-6. With shows each weekend, the March-April lineup includes Feliciano, The Guess Who, Chubby Checker & The Wildcats, Melissa Manchester, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., Juice Newton, Ricky Nelson Remembered, and Paul Revere & The Raiders. For a complete schedule, call 407-934-7639 or visit disneyworld.com/flower