Culture worthy of your calendar

Give your maid the day off

The always-adventurous Mad Cow Theatre will follow their audience-friendly production of “Company” by visiting the opposite side of the dramatic pendulum with the classic French thriller “The Maids” opening on Friday, Oct. 1. The play is loosely based on two real murders in which a pair of maids brutally murdered their employer (in 1933). Written by Jean Genet, the play introduces us to Solange and Claire, a pair of housemaids who “act out” sadistic rituals while their employer (Madame) is away. Unfortunately for Madame, she is the main character in their role-playing, as they take turns portraying ways in which Madame will be killed. As the line between fantasy and reality disintegrates, their games turn to jealousy, sexual tension and murder! The Maids will be performed from Oct. 1-24 at the Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Delicious discoveries at Disney

Forget those diets; the 15th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens Oct. 1 for six weeks of culinary surprises. And, whether you’ve experienced this Epcot version of ‘sipping and nibbling’ or you are a ‘newbie’ to this food and fun experience, the Festival promises to combine the familiar with foods from countries yet unexplored. This year, Belgium and South Korea join 27 international markets, along with wine seminars (and tastings), cooking demonstrations, book signings and celebrity musical entertainment. The Eat to the Beat Concert Series — included in Epcot admission — begins with Taylor Dane. And each evening, the famous Disney fireworks offer IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth providing you and your family a sweet finish to your Festival day. Running from Oct. 1 to Nov. 14, information may be found at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine. For reservations call 407-939-3378.

‘Giselle’ opens ballet season

One of the not-to-be-missed performances of the new season is the Orlando Ballet production of “Giselle” on Oct. 22-24. In addition to the fact that this is one of the great ballets of the world repertoire, the dancers recently had the unprecedented opportunity to be coached by one of the greatest dancer-teachers in the world. In his determination to make the Orlando Company into a world-class troupe, Artistic Director Robert Hill called upon his personal friend Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre Kevin McKenzie, inviting Mr. McKenzie to Orlando to work with the dancers. American Ballet Theatre is arguably the finest ballet company in the world today, and Mr. McKenzie could spend his time with great companies around the globe, but he chose to come here — to Orlando — to work with our dancers. A great way to thank Robert Hill for once again exemplifying the strength of our local performing arts scene and making this fantasy into a reality for Orlando is to buy a ticket to “Giselle”. Call 407-426-1739.

Literature inspires art at Orlando Museum of Art

The Orlando Museum of Art was the first to come up with a special ‘named’ day for art, and now practically any day that ends in Y has a special attribution. The OMA has been coming up with inventive ideas for their (now famous) First Thursday every month for some time. The event set for Thursday, Oct. 7 has great possibilities with the title “From Words to Works — Works About the Written Word” featuring paintings and artistic works inspired by plays, poems, novels and children’s books. The Kerouac Project and Orange County Public Library along with several performance groups will provide poetry readings, ‘Roving Ravings,’ and gypsy jazz music along with tours of OMA’s featured exhibit, “Elegant Enigmas: The Art of Edward Gorey”. Handcrafted beers and food samplings complete the evening. Parking is free at Orlando Loch Haven Park. Call 407-896-4231 extension 260 or visit www.omart.org

And not to be missed …

‘Toxic Audio’ in Winter Garden

One of Central Florida’s most joyful entertainment success stories — the ‘wild-and-crazy’ vocal group Toxic Audio — will perform four shows at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden on Oct. 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Call 407-877-GRDN (4736) or visit gardentheatre.org