This holiday season there are plenty of events happening all over Central Florida from The Nutcracker to the various performances of A Christmas Carol  and even a few wonderful non-holiday themed events too.

For a calendar of events check out RedChairProject.com

In the mean time The Arts Connection Blog will be taking a break until the new year.

But don't forget to watch our program, The Arts Connection, TONIGHT at 8 featuring the Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker plus we take a look back at the Central Florida arts scene of 2008.

And if you can't watch it on WMFE-TV tonight you can always check it out online at wmfe.org/arts.

Happy Holidays!

Saturday December 20th from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. check out Homegrown for the Holidays a Artisan Market and Winter Solstice Celebration.

There will be live music, a community drum circle, belly dancing plus an array of locally made gifts ranging from pottery to jewelry.

Find out more at their website.

Tonight, Thursday December 18th at 7:30 p.m. make your way to the Orlando Library in Downtown Orlando for a special performance by the Orlando Opera Studio Artists.

They have a few songs up their sleeves for tonight's performance that are sure to warm your heart.

Click here to find out more.

Tonight starting at 6 p.m. the opening reception to the 4th Annual Artists Registry.com Members Juried Exhibit will take place at the Gallery at Avalon Island and Guinevere's in Downtown Orlando.

Refreshments will be served along with the musical entertatinment provided by Joseph Martens.

The Gallery at Avalon Island is located at 39 S. Magnolia Ave. You can fine out more information by visiting galleryatavalonisland.com

Saturday December 20th travel out to Lakeland to the Polk Museum of Art for a lesson in the principles of Kwanza.

Starting at 1 p.m.the festivities begin featuring a performance by the energetic Kuumba Dancers and Drummers of Tampa.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 863-688-77433 or visit polkmuseumofart.org

This weekend The Galmont Ballet presents Frank Galvez's original production of The American Nutcracker.

This performance features the classic music of Tchaikovsky along with the original choreography of Frank Galvez. Plus you'll see over 60 dancers, 100 beautiful costumes and wonderful sets.

This all takes place at the Historic Cocco Villiage Playhouse December 19th through Sunday December 21st.

Visit galmontballet.com for more information.

This weekend, December 19th and 20th, make your way to the Plaza Theatre in Orlando for Michael Andrew's Swingin' Christmas.

This holiday show features the 18 piece Atomic Band and the Park Avenue Dancers.

This is a night that everyone can enjoy, there will be singing, dancing, comedy, and even juggling?! Audiences over the past five years have come to expect the unexpected from this high energy show.

Here are the show times:
Dec. 19th 2 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 20th 4 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Get your tickets by visiting www.theplazatheatre.com

Congratulations to Deltona artist Lloyd Marcus for his work on the district 24 Florida ornament now on display in the White House.

Mr. and Mrs. Marcus attended the White House reception and even entertained the crowd with an impromtu performance of "The Christmas Song" with the help of the White House pianist.

Click here to see the ornament on the White House website.

This Thursday night is the 30^th Annual Morse Museum Christmas in the Park. Every year the museum brings light, beauty and cheer to the residents of Central Florida when it lights up the Tiffany Windows in Winter Park’s Central Park.

Ruth Seely Dunning Memorial Window, c. 1897

The free event begins at 6:15 p.m. and includes not only 9 amazing Tiffany windows but also performances by the Bach Festival Choir, Youth Choir, and Brass Ensemble.

Bach Festival Choir

Last year we were able to make it to the event. Click here for a personal tour.

For more information about Christmas in the Park and the Morse Museum visit their website at www.morsemuseum.org.

This Thursday night is the 30th Annual Morse Museum Christmas in the Park. Every year the museum brings light, beauty and cheer to the residents of Central Florida when it lights up the Tiffany Windows in Winter Park’s Central Park.

Ruth Seely Dunning Memorial Window, c. 1897

The free event begins at 6:15 p.m. and includes not only 9 amazing Tiffany windows but also performances by the Bach Festival Choir, Youth Choir, and Brass Ensemble.

The Bach Festival Choir

Last year we were able to make it to the event. Click here for a personal tour.

For more information about Christmas in the Park and the Morse Museum visit their website at www.morsemuseum.org.

This Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. make your way to UrbanThink! Bookstore for the premiere and book signing of EAST OF POURING, with author William Drew Weinbrenner.

              Author William Drew Weinbrenner and friend

EAST OF POURING is a collection of 8 chapbooks (according to Merriam-Webster: a small book containing ballads, poems, tales, or tracts) developed between 1980 and 2007.

This local author from Ormond Beach describes his work (poetry) as a search for love and peace across seven continents during the advent of the 21^st century.

UrbanThink! Bookstore is located at 625 East Central Blvd. Orlando, FL 32801

And you can find out more information at www.urbanthinkorlando.com

So you know the story of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol right? Well David McElroy of Southern Winds Theatre sure does … every line of it. In fact this is his 11^th year performing the holiday classic.

But this performance is slightly different; Mr. McElroy plays all 37 characters! That’s correct 37 different characters including Tiny Tim, Bob Crachit, Marley, The Three Ghosts and of course Ebenezer Scrooge himself! Talk about memorization!

He may be alone on stage but he has had the help of director Marylin McGinnis for the last nine years helping shape this Charles Dickens classic and choreography of Pam Killiger who was part of the original crew.

This is the second year Southern Winds Theatre has brought the one man Christmas Carol to Seminole Community College.

There are only a few dates to see this production:

December 4 – 6 at 8 p.m.

December 7 at 2 p.m.

The Seminole Community College Fine Arts Theatre is located at:

100 Weldon Blvd.

Sanford, FL 32773

And you can always find out more info by calling the box office at 407-708-2040.

This Thursday night starting at 6:30 p.m. don’t miss this unique opportunity to get to know the Orlando Opera a little bit better.

The evening will begin with social networking and then lead into a short presentation on opera’s current cultural significance.

Plus there will be a live performance by the Orlando Opera Studio. This all takes place at the Orange County Public Library in Downtown Orlando in the Albertson Room located at 101 E. Central Blvd. Orlando, FL 32801.

For more information contact the Orlando Opera Company at 407-426-1700 or orlandoopera.org

Unbridled Spirit: Wonder by Mindy Z. Colton

Sculpt your Thursday night around music, food and … well, sculptures. The Orlando Museum of Art’s First Thursday event “Sculpture from House to City” is December 4^th from 6 - 9 p.m.

The night will be filled with the jazz and pop sounds of the Marc Clermont Duo. Plus at 7 there will be a lecture given by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Director Terry Olson titled "Sculptures as Public Art."

And as always 1^st Thursdays is always free to OMA members and just ten dollars otherwise. Parking is free at Orlando Loch Haven Park; overflow parking is available at the Orlando Science Center parking garage.  For more information, call 407 896 4231 x260, or visit www.OMArt.org. 

Need to fill your calendar for 2009?

The Daytona Beach International Festival single person tickets are on sale now! Any ticket purchased through Jan 31^st 2009 are discounted  at 15%, with single ticket prices as low as 9 dollars.

With performances from jazz legend Chris Botti, illusionist Mike Super, Irish favorite Celtic Crossroads, and many more, the 2009 season is looking very promising.

Tickets to DBIF events may be purchased, at the discounted prices, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. through December at DBIF365 Live, located at 212 S. Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach, by calling the Box Office (386) 257-7790 or toll-free at (866) 849-0731, or online at www.dbif.com. 

The Museum of Florida Art’s latest exhibition, Chrome and Leather – Art on the Road of Good and Evil, is ready to go full throttle, but first they need the art!

This ‘Call for Artists’ seeks art of all forms: painting, sculpture, photography, film, and mixed media. All styles will be considered as long as there is some connection to motorcycles or the “life on the road.”

Artist: Jacob Cordell

The deadline for art submissions is December 20^th, 2008.

Chrome and Leather will open Friday February 27th 2009, and will be currated by Josh Garrick, in association with famed motorcycle painter Chris Cruz.  

Contact Josh Garrick at joshgarrick9@aol.com for more information and your application.

The famous Lippizzaner Stallions are galloping through Orlando, December 26^th, for their acclaimed “Dancing White Stallion” performance. The Lippizzaner Stallions are world renowned, being viewed by 26 million people over four different continents. Come watch these dazzling horses dance and leap at the Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee.

Even with two show times, 3 and 7:30 p.m. the Lippizzaner Stallions are sure to draw a big crowd, so get your tickets now!

Tickets may be purchased at the Silver Spurs Arena box office and all Ticketmaster Offices.

And if you want a sneak peek at their performance click here to check out our story on the performance last year. Kristen Kenney has more ...

The Doctors take on The Lawyers in Dexter's 2nd Annual Battle of the Bands this Saturday.   Who will prevail? Come find out at the Hannibal Square Street Party, November 15, 4 - 10 p.m.

If you are looking to get your holiday shopping out of the way, then come to Crealde this weekend for the Crealde Holiday Art Sale.

The Crealde faculty will be selling a selection of personal paintings, drawings, photographs, ceramics, sculpture and more!

The sale begins this weekend, November 15 - 16. 

The Maitland Art Center and the Consulate of Mexico in Orlando are proud to announce the special presentation and free concert of classic accordionist Antonio Barberena. 

His music is well known in Mexico City. He has performed with the Opera Orchestra of Bellas Artes and as a soloist with the Classical Orchestra of Mexico. 

The free concert is Sunday, November 16, 6 p.m. in the Maitland Art Center's Mayan Courtyard. 

For information or directions to the Maitland Art Center call 407.539.2181 or visit this website.