Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Dragons circus.
Dragons at the Circus
Leading the world in all things spectacular, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has searched the world-over to create “Dragons”, a once-in-a-millennium event honoring The Year of the Dragon. The cavalcade of circus champions brings together dragon lore with circus feats in a never-before-seen blend of myth and real-life legends. The circus comes to the Amway Center in Orlando from Jan. 12-16. “Children of all ages” will see acts including Kung Fu Warriors, Cossack riders, Asian elephants and the frenzied Globe of Steel. Glimpses of the elusive Dragon will be seen, but will the dragon emerge from its lair? The Dragons pre-show opens an hour before show time. Tickets are available at ringling.com or ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office, 407-440-7900.
WinterFest in Daytona Beach
The Daytona Beach Symphony Society, currently celebrating their 60th season of incredible concerts, will present the only fully staged opera to take place in Central Florida this season, and they’ve chosen the original “bad boy” of opera. “Don Giovanni” is the story of Don Juan, history’s most famous lover (and seducer). It’s by Mozart, it’s fully staged, and it’s one of the greatest operas ever written. Since Mozart conducted the first performance, audiences have found the roguish romancer so intriguing that they root for him even as his dark side takes over. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” comes to the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach on Jan. 27 with orchestra, sets, costumes and singers drawn from Europe’s great opera houses. And to make it even better, English supertitles are projected above the stage. Call 386-253-2901 or visit peabodyauditorium.org
Virtuosity takes the stage
Virtuoso pianist William Wolfram joins the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Brahms’ powerful 1st Piano Concerto on Jan. 14 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in Orlando. Savaged by critics at its first performance, the Concerto has since joined the ranks of the finest of classical music creations. Reflecting Brahms’ decision to combine the piano with the orchestra as ‘equal’ partners, award-winning pianist William Wolfram is the perfect pianist to fulfill the composer’s intent. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org
Les Mis’ 25th Birthday
The epic Broadway musical “Les Miserables” celebrates its 25th anniversary as the most successful musical of all time with a brand new production, including new staging and re-imagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The New York Times calls the new version “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish,” and NY1-TV says “this new production actually exceeds the original. The storytelling is clearer, the perspective grittier and the motivations more honest. ‘Les Miz’ is born again.” Les Mis will inspire audiences Jan. 17-22 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at OrlandoBroadway.com and at the Orlando box office at 100 South Eola Drive, Suite 101. To charge by phone, call 1-800-982-2787.
Handpicked by Billy Joel
The “New Voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook,” Michael Cavanaugh was handpicked by Billy Joel to star in his Broadway musical “Movin’ Out”. Evoking a voice and talent to rival the Piano Man himself, Cavanaugh will be joined on-stage by the entire Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bob Carr PAC on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2-8 p.m. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org
The Art of Missionary Mary Proctor
Tallahassee-based Missionary Mary Proctor is a self-taught African-American artist who has exhibited her work nationally in galleries, festivals and museum exhibits. Her work will be celebrated at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center (in Winter Park) from Jan. 20 to April 21. The exhibit includes work from Ms. Proctor’s personal collection as well as from the collection of the Mennello Museum. Ms. Proctor began her career as an artist by painting on an old door lying in her yard, inspired by Bible scriptures and memories of her childhood. The Hannibal Square Center is at 642 New England Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-539-2680 or visit hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org
Valentine’s Day with Andrea Bocelli
If you had trouble finding the perfect holiday gift for your sweetheart, then I’ve got the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. We need a word bigger than “superstar” for the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who will make a very special Valentine’s Day weekend appearance at the Amway Center for an evening of romance on Sunday, Feb. 12. The performance will include Bocelli's lushly romantic repertoire of classical arias along with the world’s most famous love songs. This is Bocelli’s first-ever performance in Orlando, and this tenor sells out, so I’m alerting you to his performance early. You can buy tickets at amwaycenter.com, Amway Center box office, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 or at Ticketmaster.com