Culture Worthy of your Calendar

‘South Pacific’

The Rodgers and Hammerstein Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “South Pacific” comes to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre from Tuesday, Dec. 6, to Sunday, Dec. 11. Based on the 2008 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater production, the musical takes place on a Pacific island during World War II, focusing on two very different love stories. The score includes the classics “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “Bali Ha’i” and “There is Nothin’ Like A Dame.” This production features the operatically trained Marcelo Guzzo as Emile de Becque, adding a special resonance to his performance of “Some Enchanted Evening.” Visit www.OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787.

A Tuna Christmas

In the holiday sequel to “Greater Tuna,” the outrageous characters of Tuna, Texas, are back to cope with the traumas and dramas of the “holidaze” where festivities are in jeopardy and no nativity scene is safe, because a phantom is destroying holiday displays before the annual prizes are awarded. With amazing comedic timing (and split-second costume changes), comedians Michael Kevin Baldwin and Mark Lainer portray all 24 citizens of this mythical town. The play runs through Friday, Dec. 30, at the Shakespeare Center at 812 E. Rollins St. in Loch Haven Park in Orlando. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

The gift of art

The most unique holiday gift you could offer — one that benefits not only the person to whom you give it, but also benefits our local arts community — is original art created by the talented artists who are our neighbors, and who are working to maintain their art at this time of economic hardship. Let’s consider the gift of original art as a new tradition of giving and sharing.

First Thursday at the Orlando Museum of Art helps with their Art Under $200 exhibit, shown (and available to buy) for one-night-only on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6 p.m-9 p.m. Museum curators are picturing “a buying frenzy for original works of art all priced under $200.” Carolers, Santa Claus and a cupcake sampling will be part of the evening. Admission is $10, and parking is free at Orlando Loch Haven Park. Call 407-896-4231 ext. 260 or visit OMArt.org

One of the most rewarding shopping trips of your year will be to the artists open house at the McRae Art Studios. Tucked away in Winter Park is a studio warehouse filled with award-winning artists. Each season, the McRae artists open their studios to the community selling their gallery-worthy art at discounted prices. The open house is Friday, Dec. 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free. McRae Art Studios are at 904 Railroad Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-599-9956 or visit mcraeartstudios.com

Pottery lovers may join dozens of potters as they show (and sell) their ‘wares’ at the first Orlando Pottery and Ceramic Festival to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 at Loch Haven Neighborhood Center. The Festival will feature all forms of ceramic art, from plates and mugs to piggy banks to abstract sculptures. The Center is at 610 N. Lake Formosa Drive, near Loch Haven Park. Free parking. Call 407-900-7687.

Holidays at Waterhouse

The Art & History Museums – Maitland invites us to spend our holidays with the Waterhouse family at the annual Holidays at the Waterhouse through Sunday, Jan. 15. The historic Waterhouse Residence Museum is at 820 Lake Lily Drive in Maitland. Built in 1884 by pioneer William Waterhouse, the house has been beautifully restored to reflect the way of life enjoyed by a middle class family during the late Victorian period. We can journey back in time as each room features Victorian-era holiday decorations and historical facts about the season. Call 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

December at the Mennello

While the must-see Eight From Florida exhibit continues through Sunday, Jan. 1, the Mennello Museum offers several fun days to enhance the experience. The exhibit features works by Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Jose Bedia, Margaret Tolbert, Sandy Winters, Dan Gunderson, Leslie Neuman and John Chamberlain, all artists who created significant bodies of work while living in Florida. For your calendar:

• Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. join Museum Director Frank Holt for a tour of the Eight From Florida exhibit. The night begins with wine and cheese, followed by the program at 6 p.m. Admission $10; reservations required.

• Saturday, Dec. 10, from 7 a.m. to noon is the “Donut Drive-Thru and Garage Sale” where we get to pick up hot donuts for sale and browse through bargain-priced treasures from the Museum's basement.

• Sunday, Dec. 11, is Family Day where kids make a holiday craft project while grown-ups get in free from noon to 4:30 p.m. Kids’ activities from 12:30 to 2 p.m. are free! Call 407-426-4278 or visit mennellomuseum.com