Show Bizness - 02/02/12

The 2012 Florida Film Festival launched a new contest. Anyone who purchases a 2012 Florida Film Festival ticket package or passes may find themselves in possession of a golden ticket.

Every other Tuesday through March 20, a winner will be drawn at random from the names of all persons who have purchased ticket packages or passes. Ticket winners have the option of choosing between three Enzian VIP experiences.

For more information, visit www.floridafilmfestival.com/tickets/merchandise/ contest on the Web.

Garden Theatre, located at 160 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden, is holding the inaugural StarLite Film Festival from Feb. 2 through Feb. 5. The festival will feature 10 hand-selected microbudget films, as well as a series of workshops that focus on independent and microbudget filmmaking.

Tickets to the films are $5, Sunday’s award-winning films are $7, and attendance is free for the educational workshops and panels. All-access passes are available for $30.

For more information, visit www.starlitefilmfest.com on the Web.

ArtsFest, produced by United Arts of Central Florida and co-presented by Bank of America and Orlando Sentinel, is celebrating its 10th year. The event boasts 302 events in 87  venues across four counties. Performances are held Feb. 1 through Feb. 29, and admission is free.

Although events are free and open to the public, some performances have limited seating and capacity, and there may be a charge for parking.

For more information and a full show schedule, call 407-628-0333, ext. 228; email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or visit www.artsfestfl.com on the Web.

Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras 2012 celebration will be held Saturdays and select nights from Feb. 11 through April 14. The event will combine theme park entertainment with a Mardi Gras parade, dozens of costumed performers, authentic New Orleans bands, Cajun cuisine and live concerts by popular artists.

On Feb. 18, Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson will perform on the Music Plaza Stage. Other featured guests throughout the event include The B-52s, Diana Ross, Boyz II Men, Big Time Rush, Prince Royce, J. Cole, B.o.B. and Hot Chelle Rae, among others.

For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras on the Web.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF will host the 22nd annual conference of the Shakespeare Theatre Association at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center from Feb. 29 through March 3. The conference will bring leading Shakespeare producers, directors, educators and actors from around the world to Orlando for an enlightening and educational assembly.

For more information, call 407-447-1700 or visit www.orlandoshakes.org on the Web.

Ritmos Peru, a nonprofit dance and cultural organization composed of local Peruvian people, celebrated its fourth anniversary. The group’s purpose is to showcase and pass on the tradition of folklore music and dances to generations that are growing up far from Peru. Both children and adults participate in the organization.

Dr. Phillips High School’s marching band performed in a New Year’s Day parade in London. More than 8,000 performers from numerous countries provided more than three hours of entertainment that was televised around the world, as well as viewed online. The parade was the first official event of London’s year of celebrating the city hosting the 2012 Olympic Games and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, a celebration to commemorate her reign of 60 years.

The Social and The Beacham, located on North Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, will host the following performers this month:

On Feb. 7, The Social hosts Mike Doughty’s The Book of Drugs: Reading, Concert, Q&A for adults age 18 and older. Showtime is 8 p.m., and tickets are $15. On Feb. 23, the venue hosts Andy Grammer, with special guests Ryan Star and Action Item. Showtime is 7 p.m., and tickets are $13 in advance and $15 the day of the event.

The Beacham will host Yonder Mountain String Band in concert Feb. 16. Showtime is 7 p.m., and tickets are $20 in advance and $23 the day of the event. The venue hosts Matt Nathanson in concert Feb. 17. Showtime is 7 p.m., and tickets are $20 and $30 in advance.

For more information, call 407-246-1419, or visit www.thesocial.org or www.thebeacham.com on the Web.

Sixty members of Bach Festival Society’s Bach Festival Choir will join Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli for his Central Florida performance Feb. 12 at Amway Center.

For more information, call 407-646-2182 or visit www.bachfestivalflorida.org on the Web.

Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance Company members (front, l. to r.) Helen Blackburn, Cammy Lake, Emily James, Melina D’Argenio, Jaelin Figueroa, Ashley Brinkman, Gabriella Badua, Savannah Couch, (back, l. to r.) Grayson O’Brien, Madison Brinkman, Uma Budhu, Elizabeth Victor, Patrice Binkys, Lauren Mogg, Savannah Spears, Angela Amore, Melissa Blackburn, Caroline Lee, Mandy Nall, Ciana Bello, Sara Beth Burkett, Maria Mandese and McClaine Timmerman perform The Nutcracker at Rosen Shingle Creek.

Southwest Middle School Chorus Director Rebecca Hammac (back, far left) congratulates the students who were selected for the 2012 Treble and Mixed All-State choruses — (front, l. to r.) Tori Torres, Molly Ortiz, Sam Boshears, Suba Chowdhury, (back, l. to r.) Emma Dibble, Kelly Bukovic, Cecilia Giles, Nada Ammagui, Lexi Oskam, Wesley Sweet and Roberto Paredes.

Actress Natalia Leigh Denny was cast in the role of Edith in Noel Cowards’ Blithe Spirit that will be performed at Moonlight Players Warehouse Theatre in Clermont. She is with the agency Brevard Talent Group, and also is the founder of NL Acting Studio, in partnership with Garden Music School in Winter Garden.

As part of United Arts’ ArtsFest 2012, College Park Baptist Church, 1914 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, hosts Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Celebration of Music Education concert Feb. 12. Showtime is 3 p.m., and ticket prices range from $8 to $16. For more information, visit www.artsfestfl.com on the Web.

Jewish Community Center of Southwest Orlando at the Jack & Lee Rosen Campus, 11184 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, presents An Afternoon of Music & Comedy, including music from Broadway and opera, and contemporary and international songs; as well as comedy by Larry Larkin, on Feb. 12. Showtime is from 3:30-5:30 p.m., and ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors. For more information, call 407-387-5330, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.orlandojcc.org on the Web.

UCF Arena, 50 N. Gemini Blvd., Orlando, hosts Celtic Woman in concert Feb. 17. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and ticket prices range from $35 to $65. For more information, call 800-745-3000 or visit www.celticwoman.com or
www.ucfarena.comon the Web.

Dr. Phillips High School’s theater department, 6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, hosts performances of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast from Feb. 23 through Feb. 26. Showtimes are Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Ticket prices vary. For more information, call 407-355-3200 or visit www.dphs.ocps.net on the Web.

UCF Arena, 50 N. Gemini Blvd., Orlando, hosts performances of Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever on March 11. Showtimes are 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and ticket prices begin at $15. For more information, call 800-745-3000 or visit www.ucfarena.com on the Web.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, 8300 Vineland Ave., Orlando, presents the Lent Choir Concert, featuring the Requiem by English composer John Rutter, on March 16. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and ticket prices are $10 for adults and free for children age 11 and younger. For more information, call 407-239-6600, ext. 317; or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, is holding auditions for its third self-produced spring musical, The Music Man, directed by Claud Smith III. Auditions will be held Feb. 13 through Feb. 18 at the theater. The production requires nine adult females, 12 adult males, multiple female and male teenagers, and multiple children age 7 and older. Children will be double-cast and have alternating performances. Several nonsinging roles also are available; however, most performers will be asked to sing and dance during the audition. On Feb. 13, an open call for barbershop quartets will take place from 7-9 p.m.; Feb. 15 and Feb. 16, open calls for children and adults will be held from 5-10 p.m.; Feb. 17, an Equity call for Equity members will be held from 5-10 p.m.; and Feb. 18, callbacks (by invitation only) will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Performances of The Music Man will take place from April 20 through May 27. For more information, visit www.gardentheatre.org/news on the Web.