The allure of Orlando’s family friendly attractions such as Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios are undeniable, but beyond the theme parks, the city has much to offer visitors, especially those looking for art and culture. Next time you find yourself in town, with or without kids in tow, consider visiting some of these local treasures.
Art
In the late 1800s, Louis Comfort Tiffany embarked on a career as an interior decorator, using art glass inspired by techniques that were thousands of years old. He approached the creation of his glass works as a painter, melting raw materials with metallic oxides to create vivid colors, carefully working the hot glass to give it texture and creating a leaded “cartoon” as a blueprint to fit the pieces into. Best-known for his Tiffany lamps and stained-glass windows, Tiffany and his workshop also created furniture, ceramics, metalwork and jewelry — which he created for Tiffany & Co. (he became its art director after the death of his father, the company’s founder). The largest comprehensive collection of Tiffany’s work is on display at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park. In addition to windows from Tiffany’s Laurelton Hall estate, an exquisite chapel Tiffany created for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago is on display. From November through April, admission on Fridays is free from 4 to 8 p.m.; otherwise it’s $3 for adults and $1 for students. morsemuseum.org
Also in Winter Park is the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. Polasek was a Moravian sculptor who immigrated to America when he was 22. After studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia and becoming an American citizen, he won the prestigious Prix de Rome sculpture competition in 1910. He helmed the Art Institute of Chicago’s sculpture department for nearly three decades before retiring to Winter Park to build a home for his “children” — life-size sculptures that he arranged in a garden setting overlooking Lake Osceola. What’s remarkable about the museum’s collection is that many of the large sculptures on display were created by Polasek after he suffered a stroke, which left him wheelchair-bound and with the use of only one arm. The museum offers guided tours of Polasek’s historic residence, the gardens and galleries. Garden access is free; admission to the museum is free for children age 12 and under, $3 for students, $4 for seniors and $5 for adults. polasek.org
Theater
The Orlando Shakespeare Theater is the only professional, classical theater company in Central Florida. In addition to Shakespeare, they also produce new plays and theater for young audiences in its mainstage and blackbox theaters. The 2009-2010 season includes Every Christmas Story Ever Told (Dec. 2-27), Hamlet (Jan. 27-March 13), All’s Well That Ends Well (Feb. 10-March 14) and Schoolhouse Rock Live! (March 23-April 18). orlandoshakes.org
Another well-respected professional theater company is Mad Cow Theatre, which presents a season of contemporary American plays, classic comedies and new musicals. Highlights of the 2009-2010 season include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Jan. 29-Feb. 28), Topdog/Underdog (Feb. 19-March 4), The Cradle Will Rock (June 4-July 4) and a stripped-down version of Macbeth (Aug. 6-29). The theater also hosts an annual cabaret festival in the spring. Last year’s festival attracted talents such as Christine Andreas and Andrea Marcovicci. madcowtheatre.com
Music
The Orlando Philharmonic is in its 17th season of performing symphonic music. Classics and pop music are featured in its Super Series; and a three-concert Focus Series presents a variety of composers’ works unified by a common theme. There also is a five-concert Sounds of Summer chamber music series. New for 2010 is a Concert Opera Series, featuring performers from the late Orlando Opera. In the stripped-down series, costumed opera singers interact with each other onstage in front of the orchestra and chorus to put the focus on the music instead of opulent sets. Carmen will be performed Feb. 26 and 28 and Porgy & Bess, directed by Mad Cow Theatre Artistic Director Alan Bruun, will be performed April 9 and 11. orlandophil.org
Dance
Led by Robert Hill, a former principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater, Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet, the Orlando Ballet is a 35-year-old professional resident company that presents full-length classical ballets and modern pieces. Battle of the Sexes, a contemporary ballet primarily choreographed by Hill, plays March 19-21; and the classic Marius Petipa ballet Le Corsaire takes to the stage April 23-25. orlandoballet.org
From June 7-12, dancers from around the world will converge in Orlando for the World Ballet Competition 2010, held at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Competitors of all skill levels, age 10 to 22, perform for the opportunity to win cash prizes, scholarships and job offers from leading dance companies. Individuals, ensembles, pas de deux couples and choreographers are encouraged to apply before Feb. 15. wbcorlando.com
Artful accommodations
In 1996, Peabody Hotel Group President and CEO Allan Villaverde and Director of Public Relations Maureen Bridget Gonzales founded the Orlando/Peabody Alliance for Art and Culture to promote Orlando as a cultural destination. The hotel concierge and front desk staff are trained to inform guests about local cultural attractions and management is actively engaged in supporting local arts organizations. So, if you’re looking for a hotel that truly supports the cultural side of Orlando, the Four-Star/Four-Diamond Peabody Orlando is a natural choice. Plus, there are the famous Peabody ducks. Twice a day, they march down a red-carpet: to the lobby fountain at 11 a.m. and to their Mezzanine-level Duck Palace at 5 p.m. There’s a different Honorary Duckmaster every day, so if you or another member of your party is interested, mention it to the concierge. Fall rates start at $95/night and are good through Dec. 31. peabodyorlando.com
