Podcast appearances and mentions of orlando shakes

Send us a textThis week I had the pleasure of having a fascinating conversation with Allison Gregory on this recent episode of Playwright's Spotlight and her approach of writing about historical and mythological characters and exploring outside their known stories. We delved into the philosophy of "when we are", letting the story find us, the power of the #2 pencil and writing longhand, stealing from the best, obtaining the rights to other's works and public domain. We also discuss commissioning adaptations, tried and true material, embracing constructs, and knowing the audience of children's theatre. It's a wonderful chat I hope everyone feels motivated and inspired by. Enjoy!Allison Gregory's work has been produced nationally and internationally for multigenerational audiences by a fusion of professional theaters, academic stages, and nontraditional spaces. She has received commissions and development from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Kennedy Center, South Coast Repertory, Indiana Repertory Theatre, the Playwrights' Center, the Skirball Foundation, Geva Theatre, Seattle Rep, ACT Theater, Orlando Shakes, the National New Play Network (NNPN), Hedgebrook, the New Harmony Project, and Banff Playwrights Lab. Her plays range from satires centering on underrepresented historical figures to contemporary interpretations of mythology, intimate dramas, and exuberant, innovative theatre for young people. Her plays are published by Dramatic Publishing, Playscripts, Concord Theatricals, Smith & Krauss, and Rain City Press and include – Not Medea, Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook, and Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt.To watch the video format of this episode, visit -https://youtu.be/B9pW5OH7L14Links to resources mentioned in this episode -Child's Play -https://www.childsplayaz.orgSeattle's Children's Theare -www.sct.orgWebsite and Socials for Allison Gregory - Website-www.allisongregoryplays.comFacebook-https://www.facebook.com/allison.gregory.71Websites and socials for James Elden, PMP, and Playwright's Spotlight -Punk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show

Thursday – Do you get enough alone time? What is your ICK? Date Night Guide with Dani Meyering with date night ideas including: Orlando Shakes, Light up the Lake Pig Roast, Apopka Amphitheater, Xmas Pus Crawl, Fit Dog Jingle Jog, Cirque Mechanic, pop-up bars and more. Attorney Glenn Klausman is Santa Klausman for Colbert Court. Plus, JCS News, JCS Trivia & You Heard it Here First.

Date Night Guide with Dani Meyering with date night ideas including: Orlando Shakes, Light up the Lake Pig Roast, Apopka Amphitheater, Xmas Pus Crawl, Fit Dog Jingle Jog, Cirque Mechanic, pop-up bars and more. See the list: https://www.orlandodatenightguide.com/things-to-do-22853/

Through the support of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Elissa & Melissa invite us to there time watching two of Orlando Shakes PlayFest shows. The first being 'Bite Me' written by Eliana Pipes. And the second being 'Repossessed' written by Greg Lam, who you can also hear in our recent episode from the Orlando Shakespeare Theater.If you'd like to catch any of Orlando Shakes events, check out there website at https://www.orlandoshakes.org/.

We're talking everything PlayFest 2022, a celebration of new theater works hosted by Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF. In this episode we chat with Roberta Emerson, Director of New Play Development at Orlando Shakes, about the work that goes on behind the scenes. We also connected with Greg Lam, the playwright behind “Repossessed,” which was featured during PlayFest. Special thanks to Michael Laderman from Orlando Shakes for his assistance with this episode. You can find out more about Orlando Shakes via their website https://www.orlandoshakes.org/. For more information about Greg Lam and his work as a playwright, check out his website at https://greglam.wixsite.com/home.

What We Know about Broadway’s Reopening, NYC’s City Artist Corps, Matt on Orlando Shakes’ ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ “Today on Broadway” is a daily, Monday through Friday, podcast hitting the top theatre headlines of the day. Any and all feedback is appreciated:  Ashley Steves ashley@broadwayradio.com | @NoThisIsAshleyGrace Aki grace@broadwayradio.com | read more

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Scott Maxwell: Another million square feet and $700 million debt for giant convention center? No freaking way. | Commentary (:42) Florida’s Common Core replacement ‘weak,’ in need of revisions, new study says (4:39) Orlando Shakes to stream shows online for first time (9:23)

Francisco Solorzano | Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Father to Mateowww.franciscosolorzano.comFrancisco is an award winning filmmaker and actor who most notably wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed, first ever stage adaptation of DOG DAY AFTERNOON (Theatre Row Theatres). He's also known for his leading role in the two-act drama, SINS OF THE MOTHER (developed w/ Ethan Hawke, Chris Cooper, Bobby Cannavale, and Michael Stuhlbarg). Francisco has acted in and directed many productions with prolific companies such as The Flea Theatre, 59E59, INTAR, The New Ohio, LAByrinth, Rattlestick, Dixon Place, HERE Arts, Florida Stage, EST, Orlando Shakes, Stella Adler Theater, Art of Acting Studio in LA and many others. He has led the Barefoot Theatre Company as Founder/Producing Artistic Director for the past 18 years as well as co-founding the sister co., Barefoot Studio Pictures (recipient of several awards). Proud member of The Actors Studio's Playwright/Directors Unit, Actor's Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, Francisco currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Hollywood, CA.SELECT FILM: Cyclone (Austin Chang), Lesson #9 (w/ Olga Merediz), The Riverside Bench (Austin Chang, Dir.); Lesson # 1 (w/ Shirley Rumierk; Alberto Ferreras, Director); Leash (Jennifer Derwingson, director), Love Simple (HBO Latino Film Festival), Between Something & Nothing (Berlin Film Festival), with Barefoot Studio Pictures, THE GIRL WITH THE JACKET written and directed by Caitlin FitzGerald, award winning FLOATING SUNFLOWERS (also dir.) w/ Anna Chlumsky, Lynn Cohen & Christopher Whalen. Most recently wrote and directed A NORTHERN STAR starring Lynn Cohen, Mateo Solorzano and the Barefoot Theatre Company Ensemble (Best Short Film at Barcelona International Film Fest; Best Screenplay Semi-Finalist at Hollyshorts Film Festival). Currently developing the short film, CONSENT as screenwriter (Finalist/Semi-Finalist Screenplay competition: HollyShorts Film Festival, LA Cinefest, Reel Erotic Film Festival). Training: Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, HB Studio, LAByrinth Theater Company; Advanced On-Camera Classes with Risa Bramon Garcia; Lyle Kessler's Acting Masterclass. BFA in Acting: CUNY. Recipient of the Brooklyn College Department of Theater Alumnus of the Year Award.

Orlando is so much more than a city for tourists. We're a city for ARTISTS! Connect with Orlando's artistic institutions 'This Week In Art'.- Friday & Saturday, UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival Concert I, an amazing weekend of jazz currated by UCF professor Jeff Rupert, takes place at the UCF campus.- Emotions Dance Inc. uses contemporary dance to tell personal stories of courage and perseverance at 'Untold Stories' this Friday & Saturday at Orlando Shakes.- Opening Friday at Garden Theatre, see the epic Ben Hur like never before ... as a comedy. Struggling actors rehearse the grand tale of the fictional Jewish prince and merchant, offstage rivalries and romances interfere with their chariot races and sea battles.Get out and experience your city!

Orlando, experience three classics like never before happening 'This Week In Art'.- Opening Wednesday, Orlando Shakes hosts the classic adventure, The Three Musketeers, running through March 22.- Friday, lOrlando Ballet Company and School starts their run of the Disney classic Cinderella presented by the Orlando Ballet, running through Sunday.- This Saturday, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performs 'Hansel & Gretel' as part of their Symphony Storytime Series at The Plaza Live series.You've know them all. Now get out and experience a new take on these classics.

Orlando's theater scene is one of the most prominent in the country. This week, we explore 20+ plays happening around the city. No matter what you're into, there's something for everyone to connect to.- Starting Thursday, enjoy the best of Orlando Fringe at Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest. 22 wildly different plays stretching across genres until Sunday.- Saturday, Crealdé School of Art hosts the 9th annual Night Of Fire, featuring a variety of art created in-part with fire.- Becoming Dr. Ruth opens this Wednesday at Orlando Shakes. The play is filled with the humor, honesty, and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became “Dr. Ruth”, Americaʼs most famous sex therapist.- An extension of 2019's sold out performances, Theater On The Edge presents 'TALK RADIO'.Get out and see something amazing this week!

We don't often remember individual Christmases. It's the Christmas traditions that make the holidays so magical. Start a new tradition this year with one of these Orlando events happening this week!Friday through Sunday, Opera Orlando presents All is Calm, a poignant and moving musical set during World War I at the Western Front, Christmas 1914.- Phantasmagoria's "A Christmas Carol" - Orlando Performances opens this Friday and runs through Monday at Orlando Shakes.- This week is 3rd Thursday Orlando in the Downtown Arts District. There's open galleries all along the streets.- Saturday, The 502s host their Christmas Special at the Timucua Arts Foundation.- Sunday, The Buzzcatz Holly Jolly Christmas Show is a Christmas matinee happening at Blue Bamboo Center For The Arts.

Start your week by planning to experience all that Orlando's creative communities have to offer. It's 'This Week In Art'.- This Friday, the 2019 Tree Lighting Celebration takes place at Lake Eola. Enjoy the annual lighting of the tree, The Daily City's Food Truck Bazaar, and a performance from the Orlando Concert Band.- Wednesday, Mad Cow Theatre opens The Spitfire Grill, a musical about a restaurant raffled-off and love that sprouts out of this contest.- Also opening Wednesday, experience the sequel to 'Pride & Prejudice' Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Orlando Shakes.- Friday, Harry P. Leu Gardens hosts their monthly Movie Night featuring 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"- Sunday, kick-off the holiday season as Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras hosts FSYO's Miracle at Mead Garden.Get out and experience your city.

Connect with your Orlando arts communities and live a more creative life. Here's what's happening "This Week In Art".- This Saturday & Sunday, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park presents Haydn's "The Creation", described as the “chaos” of a non-existent world, the bliss of Adam and Eve, and the humor of a creeping lowly worm.- Saturday, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra presents Beethoven's 5th, Rei Hotoda, leads your Orlando Philharmonic in the most iconic piece in all of classical music.- Friday & Saturday, Central Florida Community Arts performs A Hero’s Journey. Place yourself in the center of the story as we reflect on what it means, how it sounds, and how it feels to be a hero.- Starting Saturday, Orlando Shakes opens Miss Nelson is Missing!, a musical about a classroom in peril after their teacher goes missing, running through November 16.- Starting Wednesday, Mad Cow Theatre opens Boesman and Lena. The human need for kindness, hope, and compassion is on display during a particularly violent era of governmental racism and suppression, running through November 17.Don't forget, IMMERSE's The Worlds Of CORKCICLE & Architects Of Air are open all this week. Get your ticket at creativecityproject.com/corkcicle2019

Orlando is full of artists doing cool stuff. Join the community. Here's what's going on 'This Week In Art'.- Wednesday, Orlando Shakes opens the classic Macbeth, running through November 24.- Friday, a two-part Halloween event at Harry P. Leu Gardens. Haunting Tales starts with family-friendly stories then, after intermission, continues with wicked, hair-raising tales.- All this week at Enzian Theater, the South Asian Film Festival celebrates the Eastern culture with five selected films.- Opening Friday, Orlando Repertory Theatre hosts How I Became A Pirate, a pirate-themed musical, running through November 10.- Also opening Friday, Central Florida Community Arts hosts the thrilling musical Sweeney Todd about a barber turned serial killer.Do something this week! And don't forget Immerse 2019, October 18 & 19.

We're here to connect you with Orlando's creative communities. It's 'This Week In Art'.- Wednesday, Orlando Shakes opens 'Evita'. Set in Argentina between 1934-1952, the Tony Award-winning musical follows Eva Duarte on her journey from poor illegitimate child to ambitious actress to, as the wife of military leader-turned-president Juan Peron, the most powerful woman in Latin America. It runs through October.- Tuesday, Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Floridaopens 'Let Me Be Myself', an exhibit covering the life of Anne Frank.- Friday is Movie Night at Harry P. Leu Gardens. This month they're showing 'Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom'.- Saturday & Sunday, Orlando Science Center opens Bubble Bash! Love Mess Fest at Orlando Science Center? Then you’ll love the squeaky clean sister event.Get out and do something new!

Into dance? Theater? Museums? Farmers markets? Food trucks? No matter what you're into, there's something happening in Orlando this week for you. And better yet, a lot of it is free!- This Wednesday, Cornell Fine Arts Museum presents Happy Hour Art Tours at The Alfond Inn, a free tour of the Museum’s Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art.- Also Wednesday, Mad Cow Theatre opens Once, a powerful love story, underscored by emotionally charged music.- Friday & Saturday, Emotions Dance presents Blur at Orlando Shakes, a performance that examines social media, pop culture, and asks the question, "Are we really connected?"- Sunday, The Daily City presents the Indoor Farmers Market, featuring many local creatives selling their goods.- Also Sunday, The One Orlando Alliance hosts Love and Kindness on the Lawn, a free event to enjoy local music, food trucks, share some hugs and create happy memories while remembering those who continue to need our love and support.Get out and do something new and exciting!

A conversation with Francisco Solorzano on acting and building a business around your craft. Francisco is an award winning filmmaker, actor who most notably wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed/sold-out, first ever stage adaptation of DOG DAY AFTERNOON (Theatre Row Theatres). He's also known for his leading role in the two-act drama, SINS OF THE MOTHER (developed w/ Ethan Hawke, Chris Cooper, Bobby Cannavale, and Michael Stuhlbarg). Francisco has acted in and directed many productions with prolific companies such as The Flea Theatre, 59E59, INTAR, The New Ohio, LAByrinth, Rattlestick, Dixon Place, HERE Arts, Florida Stage, EST, Orlando Shakes, Stella Adler Theater, Art of Acting Studio in LA and many others. He has led the Barefoot Theatre Company as Founder/Producing Artistic Director for the past 18 years as well as co-founding the sister co., Barefoot Studio Pictures (recipient of several awards). Proud member of The Actors Studio's Playwright/Directors Unit, Actor's Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. Film work includes The Riverside Bench (Austin Chang, Dir.); Lesson # 1 (w/ Shirley Rumierk; Alberto Ferreras, Director); Leash (Jennifer Derwingson, director), Love Simple (HBO Latino Film Festival), Between Something & Nothing (Berlin Film Festival), with Barefoot Studio Pictures, THE GIRL WITH THE JACKET written and directed by Caitlin FitzGerald, award winning FLOATING SUNFLOWERS (also dir.) w/ Anna Chlumsky, Lynn Cohen & Christopher Whalen. Most recently wrote and directed A NORTHERN STAR starring Lynn Cohen, Mateo Solorzano and the Barefoot Theatre Company Ensemble (Best Short Film at Barcelona International Film Fest; Best Screenplay Semi-Finalist at Hollyshorts Film Festival). Currently developing the short film, CONSENT as screenwriter (Finalist/Semi-Finalist Screenplay competition: HollyShorts Film Festival, LA Cinefest, Reel Erotic Film Festival).

Orlando is a city rich with culture. Culture that you should experience. Here's what's happening "This Week In Art."- This Sunday, celebrate Florida Cowboy Heritage Day at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens.- Friday, Opera Orlando opens Pagliacci/Pulcinella, an emotionally charged show that ranges from high comedy to intense tragedy. It runs until the 26th and features Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.- Friday and Saturday, UCF Jazz presents the UCF Orlando Jazz Festival, featuring clinics, master classes, and performances by internationally acclaimed artists.- This is your last week to see Hamlet & Gertrude and Claudius at Orlando Shakes.There's a ton happening this week. Go out and experience something amazing!

Are you into classical music? How about rock bands? Dark comedies? Shakespeare? No matter what you like, Orlando has a creative event you need to attend "This Week In Art."- This Friday & Saturday, experience the four season through classical music with Concertos by Candlelight: Four Seasons Around the Globefrom Bach Festival Society of Winter Park.- Saturday, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performs the classic Beethoven's 7th at Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.- Also Saturday, Vienna Boys Choir perform at Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration.- ALSO Saturday, see tons of local musicians at Rockin' Robinson in The Milk District.- Saturday & Sunday, stuff your face at Lake Eola for the Downtown Food & Wine Fest 2019.- Opening Wednesday, Orlando Shakes hosts Gertrude and Claudius, the prequel to the classic 'Hamlet'.- Opening Thursday, Mad Cow Theatre hosts Gloria, a dark comedy about the opportunistic culture of modern media.- Opening Friday, Central Florida Community Arts presents My Favorite Year, the story of Benjy Stone, and his dream to be TV writer.Get out and experience something new!

ORLANDO! Whether you're a fan of plays, painting, photography, orchestra, big bands, or musicals, there's something going on for you "This Week In Art."- Orlando Shakes opens the classic, Hamlet, this Wednesday.- Friday, Snap! Orlando opens Snap! Space presents: 'Duane Michals: The Portraitist', featuring more than 125 portraits from his 60-year career.- Also this Friday, award-winning artist Donna Dowless opens the 15th Annual Heart & Soul exhibition at Grand Bohemian Gallery.- Saturday is SAM FLAX Wall Project 2019. The Orlando art supply store gives their walls to the city's artists. There will be food and music to celebrate Sam Flax of Orlando's new look.- See one of the country's most popular jazz bands this Friday at the Flying Horse Big Band Concert.- Monday, Central Florida Vocal Arts opens A Tale of Two Cities, the musical, based on Charles Dickens's classic novel.- Sunday, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park presents Spiritual Spaces: A Musical Retreat.- Sunday, see Maitland Stage Band Free Concert at Art & History Museums - Maitland.- Sunday, guitarist Bill Mize performs at Timucua Arts Foundation.There's too much happening this week to stay home. Get out and enjoy your city.

Start 2019 off right by getting out and experiencing all that Orlando's arts communities has to offer. Here's what's happening 'This Week In Art.'- Orlando Shakes opens A Doll's House, Part 2 this Wednesday, running through February 3. The play is a sequel to the classic A Doll's House, happening concurrently at Central Florida Community Arts.- Theatre nerds rejoice! This weekend, Orlando Fringe hosts the third-annual Orlando Fringe Winter MIni-Fest. Take a look at their Events Page for a list of all the performances involved.- See some local music! Timucua Arts Foundation has two shows happening this week : Duo Beaux Arts Piano & Monroe Crossing.

2019 is looking to be a bright year for the Orlando arts community! Here's what's happening 'This Week In Art.'- A NYE for the whole family, Noon Year's Eve Celebration, is this Monday at the Orlando Science Center. There will be lights, activities, and even a ball drop!- Central Florida Community Arts and Orlando Shakes are teaming up for A Doll's House & A Doll's House, Part 2. The original is a timeless play from the 1800s with Part 2 being a modern sequel to the original. The two are running concurrently, starting January 2.- This Saturday, Valencia College's President takes the Garden Theatre stage at Sandy Shugart in Concert. Come see Sandy perform folk-influenced, acoustic coffeehouse-style music and share personal stories.Happy New Year everyone! Get out and enjoy something new!

Orlando's theater scene is bursting with creativity this week. Be sure to catch at least one of these three spectacular shows!- It's your last week to catch The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Mad Cow Theatre, starring Cole himself. This interactive play allows the crowd to pick the ending.- You have until December 30 to see the timeless holiday classic, A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes.- And don't miss this modern classic brought to the stage as Orlando Repertory Theatre hosts Elf The Musical.Get out and support your local arts community!

It's a big week for jazz, theatre, and holiday concerts. Orlando has gone overboard with the events happening "This Week In Art."- Blue Bamboo Center For The Arts is Orlando's hub for some of the best jazz in the country. Here's two happening this week to get you into their world : Wednesday is Jeff Rupert Quartet at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts and Sunday is Central Florida Jazz Society Presents Scott Silbert.- This weekend, The Mystery of Edwin Drood opens at Mad Cow Theatre; Orlando Shakes presents A Christmas Carol, and Central Florida Community Arts hosts On Golden Pond.- Two FREE holiday concerts : Brass Band of Central Florida at the 21st Annual Holiday Craft Fair and Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras play News 6 Holiday Concert at Lake Eola.There's no excuse to not do something this week!

There is SO SO much going on in the Orlando area this week. Get out and experience something new!- This Wednesday, the Latin American Musical In the Heights opens at Orlando Shakes. Fun fact, this musical was written by Lin Manuel Miranda before he crafted 'Hamilton'.- Running through September 24, go see Shrek the Musical at Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park where the green one invites you to "Stay off my swamp!"- Get your salsa shoes. Bachata Downtown is Friday night at The Balcony Orlando. Dance classes start at 8!- Lastly, the award-winning Gypsy is at Garden Theatre continues its run until September 16.✌️

we talk shakespeare, public bathrooms & a bunch more with LISA HARDT, from THE SHITTY BEAUTIFUL & ORLANDO SHAKES. just some of the conversation: downtown & the tragic smell of vomit, pee, poo & sex. being on the cover of a magazine. checking double nerd boxes. the orlando theater scene. the orlando bathroom scene. pretending things […]

Cole delivers three art events happening this week in Orlando with a little help from William Shakespeare. - This Saturday, The Little Mermaid opens at Orlando Shakes (not the Disney classic, but the Hans Christian Andersen original). - Hear iconic music from Jurassic Park, La La Land, and more this Friday & Saturday as Central Florida Community Arts Orchestra presents Symphonic Cinema: The Sequel.- Finally, Wells' Built Museum of African American History and Culture celebrates Immancipation Saturday with the 2018 Juneteenth Jazz Jam.Did we miss anything? Drop other events happening this week in the comments.

We're back with four Orlando events happening this week. Musicals, big bands, movies, and dance. There's something for everyone.- This Friday, the Tony-winning musical Fun Home opens at Mad Cow Theatre.- Thursday, Vivacity Cd Release Party! at Timucua Arts Foundation. Orlando big band Vivacity Music features musicians on horns, saxophone, and even xylophone.- Friday, Harry P. Leu Gardens hosts it's first Friday movie night featuring 'Jumanji'. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for kids.- Lastly, this Friday & Saturday Emotions Dance Company present Twist- The Color Wheel at Orlando Shakes. Twist is a fun and funky performance using contemporary, jazz, modern, and ballet dance.Got your own event coming up? Let us know in the comments.Get out and experience something new!

Our Orlando arts community continuously proves we're more than our theme parks. And Creative City Project is here to break down this week in art, music, and more.- This Friday at The MEZZ, Opera del Sol presents Mozart's Muses: An evening of Opera & Burlesque, a mashup of two beautiful artforms. - This week (Wednesday - Sunday) is your last chance to see The Luckiest People from Orlando Shakes. - UCF Director of Jazz Studies and huge talent Jeff Rupert and his quartet perform at Blue Bamboo Center For The Arts this Thursday. - Saturday, the Orlando Science Center hosts Science of Wine Fundraiser! 150 different wines and bites from restaurants throughout Central Florida. Get out and live a life of creativity and adventure!

Live from the Orlando Science Center, Cole brings you this weeks can't miss events.Keep the conversation going by dropping the events your attending this week in the comments.- This Friday and Saturday, OSC hosts Star-Studded Evenings. Peek into the universe through Florida's most powerful telescopes.- Also in Loch Haven Park, Orlando Shakes is hosting two concurrent plays, Shakespeare in Love and Twelfth Night.- Sunday, be a part of a cultural celebration at Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival, happening all day in the MIlls 50 district.Get out and experience something creative!

In this week's episode, I talk to the memoirist, novelist, and journalist Marya Honrbacher, Photo © Mark Trockman (trockstock.com) plus J.J. Anselmi reads his personal essay, "Atrophy," and I offer a tribute to the late Philip Levine. TEXTS DISCUSSED Read Marya Hornbacher's wonderful Smithsonian profile of Oscar Peterson here. NOTES J.J. Anselmi's "Atrophy" first appeared online in Cleaver Magazine. Rest in peace, Philip Levine. Abe Chang with Phil Levine. Read Aaron Belz's discussion of his correspondence with Philip Levine here. Check out Orlando Shakes' wonderfully colorful production of Merry Wives, which runs from February 4 to March 7, 2015. Photo by Tony Firriolo.

In this week's episode, I talk to the novelist Darcey Steinke, plus I share a spoken word poem by Wilson Santos, and a brief interview about his crowdfunding project for literacy in the Dominican Republic. TEXTS DISCUSSED http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkrDE5oYjRs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPhp5M3n0O0 NOTES Check out more about Wilson Santos' Domican Republic project, including how to donate, here. Check out Orlando Shakes' wonderfully colorful production of Merry Wives, with runs from February 4 to March 7, 2015. Photo by Tony Firriolo. Michael Chabon is a lyricist for Mark Ronson's new album, Uptown Special, as covered by The Guardian. Harper Lee's lost novel, Go Set a Watchman, will be published later this year. The Atlantic reports on the story of its discovery. In an attempt to allay fears of Lee's competence, she has apparently released a statement through her lawyer, saying, "“I'm alive and kicking and happy as hell with the reactions to ‘Watchman,' ” according to The New York Times.

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF – what exactly does that mean? Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director of Orlando Shakes and UCF Theater Instructor, explains. Also, a sneak peak at “The Big Bang”, a two-person musical hoping to tell the history of the world in 90 hilarious minutes.