Calendar

JAN. 26

It’s a night of networking, hors d’oeuvres, wine and winning at the Ovations Awards. Each year the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, Park Avenue Merchants Association and Winter Park/Maitland Observer celebrate the local businesses and organizations that make our community so exceptional through the annual Ovations Awards. Thursday, Jan. 26 we find out who the community has voted the “best of” for dining, shopping, business services, arts and culture and health and wellness via an online poll. Come out from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center at 1050 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park for a fun evening celebrating the Winter Park area’s best. Visit winterpark.org for more information and for tickets ranging from $10-15.

Our world today is divided, bifurcated between the zero-sum binaries of win/lose, good and evil, either/or, profane and holy. Franciscan activist Richard Rohr invites us to see beyond these social entrapments toward the beauty of paradox, a hopeful horizon of unitive consciousness where everything belongs, at the Gladdening Light Symposium 2017. He will be joined by Haitian surrealist painter Frantz Zephirin. It will begin with an opening reception Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. and will run through Jan. 29. All events will occur within close proximity to downtown Winter Park and Rollins College. The cost is $330 for the entire weekend, although some lectures are priced separately. The Ó Súil-leabháin brothers will give a free performance Saturday at 8 p.m. in Tiedtke Concert Hall on the Rollins College campus. For a complete schedule of events and registration details, call 407-647-3963 or visit gladdeninglight.org

JAN. 27

Come out to “Side by Side: a celebration to pause and honor the gifts of our community” presented by First Congregational Church of Winter Park and Rollins College in partnership with city of Winter Park and Winter Park Chamber of Commerce from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at Knowles Memorial Chapel, located at 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park. Enjoy refreshments outside the chapel near the rose garden at 9:30 a.m.

Nature and photography merge for Winter Park native Leslie Ramey’s exhibit, “Beauty Beneath My Boots.” Ramey’s debut exhibit will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, and will feature a collection of photographs all taken within 30 miles of Ramey’s home. The exhibit is free and will take place at the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, located at 1400 S. Denning Drive. For more information, contact Dawn Murphy at [email protected], or call 407-647-7016.

The Mennello Museum of American Art is pleased to announce the solo exhibition “Bo Bartlett: American Artist.” The exhibition, which runs from Jan. 27 through May 5, presents large-scale oil paintings that are figurative, psychologically imbued, beautifully rendered, and wonderfully sublime by one of the most significant American Realist painters of his generation. Bo Bartlett is widely renowned for his multi-layered complex image making rooted in narrative, story telling, art history, literature, poetry, and every day life. For more information, call 407-246-4278.

JAN. 28

Come out to the Edgewater High School alumni soccer game at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Edgewater High School stadium. Alumni players need to be there by 9:30 a.m. to check in. It is free to watch and $20 to play (proceeds go to EHS soccer program). Players must be Edgewater High alumni (didn't have to play soccer for the school team, open to all alumni and all years). Contact Vance Guthrie at 407-921-6234 or email [email protected]. There will be EHS shirts, hats and more for sale, and an after party at Ollie’s Public House Restaurant.

Repticon, a recognized leader in hosting reptile and exotic animal expos throughout the United States, is coming back to Orlando with an outstanding mixture of vendors, breeders, and educators on Jan. 28 and 29. This family-oriented, fun-filled event offers guests the opportunity to learn about animals not normally seen in local pet stores. Breeder-vendors are always willing to teach; and, throughout the event, there will be seminars on animal-related topics by experts in the field of herpetology. This event, held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, offers a unique family outing suitable for all ages and for a very diverse range of enthusiasts. The doors open to the general public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, closing at 5 p.m. On Sunday, the show hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. At the door, tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-12, and children under 5 are admitted free. VIP and advance tickets may be purchased at repticon.com/florida/orlando

New York City indie band For Trees and Birds is bringing their eclectic alternative rock and jazz sound to Orlando on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Blue Bamboo Art Center located on 1905 Kentucky Ave. Influenced by groups like Radiohead and the second Miles Davis quintet, For Trees and Birds have a large repertoire of original music bound to grab your attention. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. For more information, visit bluebambooartcenter.com

Thinking about adopting a pet into your family? Pookie’s ninth annual RescueFest is almost here to help you find your new family member from among many homeless pets. Presented by the Rescue Relief Fund, people will also have a chance to see merchandise from vendors and see what veterinary services and other pet services are available in the area. The RescueFest will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Lake Lily Park located at 900 S. Orlando Ave. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, call 321-287-0390 or visit pookiesrescuefest.org

Ladies, get fit, feel pretty and help local, uninsured women get free mammograms! Step out with your girls to run or walk the Florida Hospital Lady Track Shack 5K at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Loch Haven Park, located at 777 E. Princeton Street in Orlando. By participating in this 3.1-mile run/walk, you’ll be helping provide free mammograms to women in our community. Registration required at LadyTrackShack5k.com

If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back to your community, consider volunteering to help pick up litter around Lakes Sues and Chelton. Sponsored by Rollins College and Covanta, volunteers will receive breakfast, snacks, water and a T-shirt for their work. Kayakers and paddleboarders are also encouraged to help out. The group will meet at 8 a.m. at North Chelton Circle. To sign up, contact Abby Gulden at 407-599-3364 or at [email protected]

JAN. 29

Olga Kern is recognized as one of her generation’s great pianists, and she’ll be performing at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Tiedtke Concert Hall in Rollins College. With her vivid stage presence, passionately confident musicianship, and extraordinary technique, the striking pianist continues to captivate fans and critics alike. She jump-started her U.S. career with her historic Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the first woman to earn this distinction in more than 30 years. Tickets are between $35 and $55. For more information, call 407-646-2559.

The 13th annual Maj Madness Tournament runs from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, located at 851 N. Maitland Ave. in Maitland. Join this annual tournament featuring four rounds of play following National Mah Jongg League rules of play, for great prizes! Light breakfast, morning coffee and lunch is included in the tournament entry fee of $36 ($30 for JCC members). Participants are encouraged to bring a Mah Jongg set and/or table cover. Registration starts at 9:15 a.m. and games start at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Julie Levitt at 407-492-9890 or visit orlandojcc.org

JAN. 30

Learn how to cope with stress with Dr. Nick Hall, who will help people discover how to make stress a positive thing, rather than a negative one during his lecture “Stress Recovery.” His research has made its way to programs like the BBC’s Nova Series and CBS’ 60 minutes. The lecture is free and begins at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, at the Bush Science Center Auditorium located inside the Rollins College campus at 1000 Holt Ave. For more information, call 407-646-2000.

On Sept. 24, 2016, the Smithsonian Institution opened its newest museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The celebration will reach beyond Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida, as the City of Orlando Public Art presents “A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History and Culture.” The commemorative poster exhibition will be on view at Terrace Gallery at Orlando City Hall from Jan. 30 through March 3. For more information, visit nmaahc.si.edu

FEB. 2

Calling all former educators! The Orange County Retired Educators Association is inviting anyone who has worked in education to come watch a musical presentation by the Winter Park High School Men’s Chorus and enjoy a pot luck luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, at the College Park United Methodist Church located at 644 W. Princeton St. For more information, call 407-677-0446.

FEB. 3

The Centre for Aging and Wellness presents Dr. Kenneth Krumins, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in arthroscopic knee surgery. On Friday, Feb. 3, Dr. Krumins will be speaking about the important role of bone health for total knee replacement and robotics. The event starts at noon inside the conference room at the Centre for Aging and Wellness at Florida Hospital, located at 133 Benmore Drive. To RSVP, call 407-303-1700.

FEB. 4

Arts for All Day is a new, must-see event for all Central Floridians with a focus of introducing new communities to local arts and cultural organizations throughout Central Florida. The event was created by United Arts of Central Florida and will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Loch Haven Cultural Park in Orlando. Arts for All Day is a free, family-friendly, taste-of-the-arts style event, taking place in Loch Haven’s multiple theaters and indoor and outdoor exhibit spaces, throughout the Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Orlando Science Center and Orlando Shakespeare Theater venues.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Dommerich Elementary PTA will host their ninth annual Chiefs on the Run 5K and Dommerich Dash. The family-friendly race will begin and end at Dommerich Elementary School, and a safe race route will extend through the Dommerich neighborhood in Maitland. Endurance Sports Timing will be the official timekeepers for the race. All registrants affiliated with an organization or school are encouraged to list the group’s name when registering online. The organization or school with most participants will be awarded $100. For more information about the race and to register online, visit dommerichpta.com/programs/chiefs-on-the-run/

The second annual Saturday Soup Sampler, presented by CSHD and Marc Monteson Promotions, will take place during Super Bowl weekend on Saturday, Feb. 4, from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy sampling soups from a dozen eateries in the Canal Street Historic District in downtown New Smyrna Beach. Tickets are $8 until Feb. 3 and $12 the day of the event at the information booth only. You may purchase your tickets now on Canal Street at Rosey Wray’s Roost (227), Southern Trends Home Furnishings (334), and Allstate Insurance (512) as well as at Publix Liquor beachside on Third Avenue. For more information on the sampler or to get tickets by mail, call 386-423-9760.

24 Hour Fitness landed in Winter Park at the recently renovated shopping center now called The Grove at Winter Park, bringing the physically active community a new fitness club. The club offers an indoor option to the many parks and trails Winter Park residents enjoy, offering the latest in training equipment and studio-style classes that are usually only found in boutique studios. The community is invited to the grand opening event scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 4270 Aloma Ave., Suite 164. This free celebration includes club tours, prize drawings, group training demonstrations, innovative group exercise studio classes and more.

FEB. 5

The Hoedowners Square Dance Club is hosting a free introductory dance at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Casselberry Recreation Center in Secret Lake Park, located at 200 N. Triplet Lake Drive in

Casselberry. Families, couples and singles age 10 and up are welcome. Classes start on Feb. 12 and are $6 each. They will be accepting new students through Feb. 19. Square dancing in fun exercise for your body and your mind! For more information, please visit hoedowners.net, email [email protected], or call 407-339-2359 or 407-273-2561.

FEB. 8

If you’re passionate about orchids, or maybe just curious, “Orchids 101 — Their Mystery and Majesty” starts at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the Winter Park Garden Club, located at 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park. Doug Watson, general manager of Worldwide Orchids, has grown orchids personally and professionally for 30-plus years. He will speak about the beauty of orchids and the many aspects of getting the plant from seed to a gorgeous and exotic flower. Orchid plants will be available for sale. Call 407-644-5770. 

FEB. 9

Popcorn Flicks in the Park continues with a free screening of “Harold and Maude” in Winter Park’s Central Park from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. Presented by Winter Park CRA and produced by Enzian Theater, this film series features classic films for the whole family. Bring a blanket, a picnic or snacks, and some family and friends. Free popcorn is available for everyone! For more information, call 407-629-0054.

FEB. 11

Single? Married? It’s Complicated? The Run 4 Love 4 Mile is for everyone that has the love of running and walking or may just be discovering it. Bring your loves and experience the euphoria of a healthy lifestyle at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Showalter Field, located at 2525 Cady Way. The event will include a best outfit contest, SoleMate Challenge and more. Cost is $33 to $40. Discounts available for youth and seniors. Kids run free. This event will benefit the Track Shack Foundation. For more information, call 407-599-3397.

FEB. 12

The Roth Family JCC’s Science Spectacular is a hands-on day of interactive discovery for families of toddlers at the age of 5 (older siblings are welcome too) in partnership with Orlando Science Center and Maker Faire. It runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 851 N. Maitland Ave. in Maitland. Cost is $25 for the first child and $15 for siblings. Contact Karen Duncan at 407-645-0923 or [email protected] or visit orlandojcc.org/science

ONGOING

The Winter Park Playhouse, Central Florida's only professional musical theatre, announces their 2017-2018 Mainstage Series of musical productions! Current annual subscription renewals are going on now, new annual six-show series subscription sales begin Feb. 14 and "You Pick Three" mini-subscriptions, as well as single tickets, go on sale March 10. In honor of the 15th Anniversary of The Winter Park Playhouse, all six-show series subscribers will receive 15 percent off of the established price with a six-show annual subscription priced at only $214 for Adult Evening and $199 for Senior Evening (62 years and older). Matinee series subscriptions are all priced at $163 for all 6 shows. In an ongoing effort to serve the community, accommodate demand and make their popular musicals accessible, The Playhouse will offer two preview shows – one evening and one matinee prior to opening night – at a reduced $20 per ticket price. Visit winterparkplayhouse.org

“Anne Frank – A History for Today” tells the story of Anne Frank against the background of the Holocaust and World War II. It shows photographs of Anne Frank’s childhood in Frankfurt and in Amsterdam, and portrays the rise of the Nazis, the persecution of the Jews and the way the people responded to this. In a consequent way the exhibition shows the impact of the Nazi policy on one particular family. Throughout the exhibit, Anne’s own candid writing provides a central voice to the exhibit narrative, bringing a poignant and truly beautiful perspective to the story. The exhibit will be on display from Jan. 16 through March 18 at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center, located at 851 N Maitland Ave. in Maitland. For more information, call 407-628-0555.

NAMI Greater Orlando is offering a free 12-session education program for family, partners, friends and significant others of adults living with mental illness. The course is designed to help all family members understand and support their loved one, while maintaining their own well-being. Taught by trained teachers with a loved one living with mental illness, this class includes information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions. Learn the biology of the brain, information about medication and treatment options, communication and problem solving skills and self-care. Educational classes begin in January and are currently offered in southwest Orlando, downtown Orlando, Lake Mary and St. Cloud. Call the NAMI Greater Orlando office at 407-253-1900 or email us at [email protected] for more information.

The Florida Blue Center at 434 N. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park has several ongoing classes. Tai Chi classes are every Monday at 3:30 p.m. Zumba classes are every Wednesday at 6 p.m. For more information, call 407-441-2020.

Come join a six-week horticulture program with lectures, demonstrations, and participation starting in January 2017 at the Orlando Garden Club, located at 710 E. Rollins Street in Orlando. Attend one program or all six! Units two, three, four and six are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $90 for six classes or $20 for individual classes. To sign up or to receive a list of the classes offered, email [email protected]

MicheLee Puppets and Venue on the Lake are partnering up once again for a year’s worth of Sunday Family Fun Days in 2017. Sunday Family Fun Days will take place on the last Sunday of selected months at Venue on the Lake in Maitland, and will feature special guests, themed events, and puppet performances. MicheLee Puppets is Florida’s leader in educational puppetry and focuses on early childhood education, health and wellness, STEAM, and several other important issues. Each Sunday Family Fun Day will have a different theme that reflects these topics. Some of the upcoming themes include “World Day of Puppetry Celebration,” “Film Festival,” and “Back to School.” It’s open to the public and a donation of $5 per family is suggested. Visit brownpapertickets.com/event/2736502