(L-R) Briana Berrios, Alyssa Fazekas, Jessica Assef, Arcadian Broad, Blake Kessler, Adrianna Duda, Austen Acevedo and Sarah Wicorek at the Youth America Grand Prix, April 22-28.

“With young dancers from around the world all competing for the top prizes, the talent at this years Youth America Grand Prix was particularly high,” said school director Dierdrie Miles Burger. “I’m very proud of all of our students for performing as amazingly well as they did.”

The Youth America Grand Prix, founded in 1999, is the world’s largest ballet competition that awards full scholarships and job contracts to dancers age 9 to 19.

Many of the students that competed from the Orlando Ballet School in this year’s Youth America Grand Prix will also be perfoming in the Orlando Ballet’s Family Series performance of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM on Saturday, May 19 at 11 a.m. Tickets are $22 and $30.

All performances are at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Orlando Ballet box office at 407-426-1739 or online at orlandoballet.org.

After an exhilarating season filled with vampires, mad scientists and an edgy battle between the sexes, the Orlando Ballet continues to push the envelope with a new twist on a classical favorite. Swans: Black and White promises an enchanting look at the classic romance Swan Lake. The performance takes place March 30 – April 1 and closes the Ballet’s season,

Based on the Russian folk tale of a young princess transformed into a swan by a vengeful sorcerer, Swans: Black and White illustrates the undying love between two childhood friends and the curse which threatens to tear them apart. The production will further explore some of the original story’s darker themes of imprisonment, manipulation and deception, while demonstrating the Orlando Ballet’s excellence in classical dance.

Choreographed by Artistic Director Robert Hill after Marius Petipa, and set to Tchaikovsky’s powerful Swan Lake score, Swans: Black and White blends a beloved classical tale with innovative choreography.

All performances take place at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre (March 30 and March 31 at 8 p.m., April 1 at 2 p.m.). Tickets for regular season performances range from $15-75.

For tickets or more information on the Orlando Ballet’s 2011-2012 season call 407.426.1739 or visit www.orlandoballet.org.

Theatre South students (Photo courtesy: Theatre South)

Dr. Phillips resident and professional actress Hillary Brook founded Theatre South in December 2008. “I moved to Manhattan to work in theatre after receiving my BFA in musical theater from the Boston Conservatory,” Book said. “In New York, I acted in several productions, including ‘Tony and Tina’s Wedding.’ I supported myself in between shows by acting in operas at the Met. In 2006 I got married and moved to Dr. Phillips and worked at Disney. It was always my dream to start my own company.”

Brook saw a great opportunity when she heard the JCC was building a campus in the Southwest. She began e-mailing the JCC South about her theatre before its staff was even hired. “I e-mailed the JCC once a week for months,” Brook says. “When Branch Director Bonnie Rayman came on board we discussed my proposal and agreed to work together.”

Theatre South is officially the theatre company in residence at the Rosen Center. Brook staffs and manages all of the arts classes and programs. They offer classes in traditional arts like ballet, acting, and musical theatre, as well as hip hop dance. Classes and performances are open to the entire community, although JCC members receive a discount.

Brook produces staged readings and live performances featuring the professional staff and the students. “I create all the theatre pieces,” Brook says. “For ‘Enchanted Broadway’, which has music from Tangled, Enchanted, and Shrek, the Musical,’ I selected the songs and wrote the scenarios to tie them together.” ‘Enchanted Broadway’ will premiere on Saturday, April 21 at 7:00 PM at the South JCC Campus.

Brook and the professional staff donate their time to help establish Theatre South’s presence in the area. They give back to the community by presenting free performances at local school Teach-Ins, fairs, and for senior groups.

Brook is pleased the demand for performance in the Dr. Phillips area led Theatre South to grow. “We now operate a satellite program at The New Academy in Windermere,” Brook said. On May 21st at The New Academy, the students will perform a show Brook created called ‘Journey to Oz,’ featuring music from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘The Wiz’ and ‘Wicked’.

Brook said, “most of our performance classes at the JCC have doubled in size since we opened. Parents like seeing their children develop their creativity, and the students like the fact that after class their teachers will perform at Disney, Universal, or some other venue.” Theatre South is already accepting sign-ups for Camp Wicked, their summer theatre camp.

Brook expanded her programs by offering private voice and music lessons, and creating a Talent and Event group to provide performers for individual and corporate events. The funds that the Talent and Event group receive go back to help the theatre grow.

Brook says, “Dr. Phillips is a great neighborhood for theatre. My goal is to produce full-length plays and musicals employing theater professionals right here in Southwest Orlando.”

You can learn more about Theatre South’s programs at their web site, www.TheatreSouthOrlando.com.

A Choreographers’ Showcase with dancers from Orlando Ballet and Cirque du Soleil, courtesy of Michael Cairns.

The evening consisted of nine inspiring acts highlighting creativity via collaboration upon an experiential platform minus the pressure typically associated with a “Choreographers’ Showcase.” Leaping directly into the action, imagination true to life was exemplified during the second act, “Prayer.” This love story, designed by destiny, was watched over by a tender and oversized moon spreading a warm comforter throughout the land, where a caricature of two rabbits eventually gravitated each other’s hold.

“Doll Tricks” toyed and threaded fancy brilliantly in front of Winston Wolfe’s remix of Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” One of the highlights of the evening, again proving light, obscurity, stillness, and sound can merge into unbridled fulfillment.

Minutes later, dancers Telmo Moreira and Lamin Pereira mirrored reflection on the stage, teasing vulnerabilities until the reality of isolation entered face to face. Chorded by equilibrium, this remarkable balance verified dualities symbiotic necessity along with a dreamer’s allusive power (and potential destruction) for all to bear witness… where belonging requires no doorway.

Though all acts exemplified enchantment, the final two, “Tango Roxanne” and “Swan Puddle: The Extraordinary Untold Story” substantiated constant applause and an eventual standing ovation. Sorrow, pain, laughter, joy, and freedom transcended into an inviting audience; all becoming one throughout this ambitious voyage.

Supported by the direction of Orlando Ballet’s Robert Hill and La Nouba’s Daniel Ross, this one of a kind presentation succeeded on all levels. My only complaint, why ONLY once a year?

In addition to bringing dance, music, and story to high intensity, tonight benefited the Scholarship Training for the Enrichment of Primary Students (STEPS) program. For those unfamiliar with STEPS, this program reaches at-risk children through ballet, giving them an opportunity to learn about the performing arts.

Taken directly from the Orlando Ballet website, STEPS is designed to inspire children to stay in school and possibly even discover a career path. The program has been shown to limit the incidence of at-risk related behavior with academic schoolteachers reporting an 80% marked memory and behavioral improvement, 82% in motor skills, 85 % in academics, and 92% in self-esteem. Orlando Ballet School is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and its professional staff teaches STEPS participants in a structured syllabus that recognizes cognitive, emotional and physical development.

For additional information regarding the STEPS program, visit www.orlandoballet.org/school/outreach.html.

Courtesy note: For those texting during the performance, really?

Looking forward to Orlando Ballet’s “Swans: Black & White” on March 30^th, March 31^st, and April 1^st, I hear from a reliable source that artistic director Robert Hill will be taking a new look at this romantic saga. Without hesitation, I encourage you to purchase tickets early as the classic tale of the struggle between beauty and betrayal, and the duality of human nature, told though the elegant ballet and Tchaikovsky’s stirring score  promises to be a must see.

Heading to the box office, I am,

Danny Huffman, MA, CEIP, CPRW, CPCC
Got Twitter? Shadow me @dannyatecs

Orlando Chili Cook-Off, Official Entertainment Sponsor, Gregory & Clark, PLLC (Photo courtesy: Gregory & Clark, PLLC)

“As a local business, we have a responsibility to support continual improvements in our community and give back to those in need. This was a great event for a great cause. I am proud that our firm was able to take part in its success,” said firm partner, Justin R. Clark.

This year’s Chili Cook-Off brought out approximately 10,000 chili lovers and 70+ chili cooks. Celebrity judges included: former Orlando Magic Player, Bo Outlaw, ‘N Sync member, Chris Kirkpatrick, Commissioner for City of Orlando, Robert F. Stuart, Orlando Sentinel Columnist, Scott Maxwell, Founder/President of Nature’s Table, Dick Larsen, Earth Trivia Creator, Curtis Earth, and many more.

The winners of this year’s Chili Cook-Off in their respective categories included: Brenda Smith-McKenzie’s “Granny B” from Ft. White, FL (CASI winner); Stephen Spicer’s “Rajun Cajun” from Sarasota, FL (Vegetarian winner, Open winner, and recipient of this year’s Showmanship Award); Teak Neighborhood Grill in Orlando, FL (Restaurant winner), and Marc Dobbs’ “Yes, Deer Chili” from Orlando, FL (People’s Choice Winner).

The 3rd Annual Orlando Chili Cook-Off was presented by RP Funding and coordinated by local not-for-profit, Events for Change, Inc. and the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI).

The first of its kind in a commercial location in the United States, the momument of Dr. Sun was donated and unveiled by his granddaughter, Dr. Lily Sun, who came from Hawaii to perform the honors.

Without Dr. Sun, there would be no modern China, Dr. Lily Sun told the gathering of mayors, government officials and representatives of the Asian American community.

“Dr. Sun’s legacy resides in his developing of the political philosophy known as the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy and the people’s livelihood,” she said.

Dr. Sun added that she hoped the monument will serve as a symbol of the Chinese people’s desire for world peace.  She urged study of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s speeches by scholars and experts, so as to find solutions to the many problems currently being faced by democratic political systems.

Today’s ceremony was attended by Mayors Scott Vandergrift, of Ocoee and Jim Swan, of Kissimmee, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and Orange County Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell (District 6).

All expressed their appreciation for the Dr. Sun’s monument and underscored the bonds and diversity it symbolizes between the peoples of China and Central Florida, including Orange County.

Born in 1866, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen was considered one of the greatest leaders of modern China and was the first provisional president when the Republic of China was founded in 1912. He played a leading role during the 1911 Revolution which led to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty.

Today marked the 87th anniversary of Dr. Sun’s passing. He died in Beijing on March 12, 1925.

Others in attendance at the unveiling ceremony included, Mr. Ray Mou, Director General of Economic and Cultural Office in Miami; Mr. Paul Liau, President of Taiwan Benevolent Association of Kissimmee and member, Board of Directors, Orlando Chinatown; Ms. Zoraida Velasco, representing Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs; Special Assistant to Mayor Jacobs, Ms. Carol Clarke; Dr. Kim Springsteen, Commissioner of Asian American Affairs and Mr. Bryon Sutton, President of the World Trade Center in Orlando.

Green characters read: “The best baseball player!!”

While Clemente was an inspiration to Hispanic communities, the exhibition’s interactive board tells a larger story – a story of sports history, ethnic pride, and a profound commitment to helping others that resonated around the world. From the way he lived his life, helping others with free baseball clinics and other services, to the way he died, flying relief supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims, visitors have been inspired by his legacy.

The exhibition, developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the Smithsonian Latino Center, the Clemente family, and the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, will be at the History Center through March 18.

The History Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $9, seniors (60+), students and military with I.D. $7, and children ages 5-12 $6. Historical Society Members and children ages 4 and under are free. Parking is available at the adjacent Orlando Public Library garage on Central Blvd. A self-guided Audio Tour of the museum’s permanent exhibits is available free of charge with admission into the museum. For general information, call (407) 836-8500 or visit www.thehistorycenter.org.

Heritage Square and the Orange County Regional History Center are located at 65 E. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando. For more information visit www.thehistorycenter.org or call (407) 836-7010.

City Beautiful recognizes the efforts, commitment, and distinctive sponsors who are making this weekend a successful one.

Stella Luca Salons
With a total of 38 stylists, Stella Luca Salons is home of the Orlando Magic Dancers. Locally owned and operated, Joy and Bill established the salon seven years ago on the foundation of identifying and exceeding client needs and expectations. Knowing there is nothing more frustrating for clients to sit around and wait beyond their appointment time, Stella Luca Salon stylists are committed to being on time.

Together for over 20 years, Bill handles business operations while Joy remains on the floor. Their stylists include two of the first three Yuko certified stylists in Florida while several were the first in Florida to be Inoa certified. I’ve seen firsthand how beautiful our Orlando Magic dancers are; now I know why.

Community Connection: There are two Stella Luca Salons located in Winter Park, for directions and appointments, visit www.stellaluca.com.

Croton Watches
Demonstrating the benchmark of quality, style, precision, and value, Croton Watches took an active part in making sure all athletes, entertainers, and guests were well taken care of. Established more than 130 years ago, their innovative watches quickly captivated attendees. Fair priced and fashionable, Croton watches made a huge impact during the NBA All Star event.

Displayed were five styles showcasing diversity without compromising high quality. Croton watches are widespread among college students, the New York Giants, and highly recognized entertainers such as Miley Cyrus, Natalie Cole, and Josh Groban. After this weekend’s NBA All Stars event, I too will be among the many proud owners.

Community Connection: Represented by Irene Helen Bogdin, UCF student majoring in pre-dental with a focus to become an orthodontist. A recipient of Bright Futures, Irene’s presence charmed all attendees fortunate enough to be present.

Godiva Chocolatier
Catering to the sweeter side of elegance, Godiva provided premium chocolate samples to those throwing New Year’s resolutions to the side. Begging forgiveness, I rapidly took advantage of selective amnesia as temptation crowned victory after hearing a double-dipped strawberry call my name. The coat was light, the fruit juicy, and the bliss remains… if only I dared for two.

Community Connection: Patricia and Sarah handled the sponsor area wearing Orlando pride true to form as both were born and reared from the area. For history buffs out there, Patricia’s father developed Pine Hills in the 1950’s and 1960’s; one of the first suburbs of Orlando. Fast-forwarding time, Sarah shared her story of her and nine siblings adventures of being home schooled.

Tracy Stern SalonTEA
Celebrating the civilized serving of tea, Tracy Stern SalonTEA and beauty teas are handpicked from the finest private estates throughout the world. Though I was unable to discuss her inspiration, I did welcome a sample (or two). Instantly I welcomed a smooth and distinct taste reserved to the most special of times. Additional information is found at www.salontea.com.

Time’s running short as there are scores of NBA All Star events needing coverage. As such, I’ll continue highlighting organizations doing Orlando proud tomorrow morning. On this note, you best check it out; I hear mega-goliath stars are on their way, and I don’t want you to miss out!

With camera and pen in hand, I am

Danny Huffman, MA, CEIP, CPRW, CPCC
Got Twitter? Shadow me @dannyatecs

Community Connection: Erica Berman, founder and heart behind Jane Layne Events, is headquartered in Orlando and is available for local as well as global occasions.

Originally from New York, Erica recognized the need for Orlando to have a boutique event planning ensemble offering distinctive, personal, and stylish support. Available for private as well as public undertakings, Jane Layne Events bring the feel and excitement of the Big Apple to City Beautiful. Nothing highlights more clearly her artistic abilities and vision than the Ballroom conversion.

Given the difficulties inherent to a shortened NBA season, Erica and group displayed to the world how Orlando not only can compete on the court, but also in the entertainment arena. With only a few months to prepare, her team brought together a diverse group of committed sponsors, including:

Peroni, Millenia Salon and Spa, Stella Luca Salon, Croton Watches, Godiva, Stephanie Wood, YYL Public Relations, Tracey Stern Salon Tea, Pepsi, and Heather on Earth.

During the next few days we’ll expand and recognize many of the above organizations who have dedicated time, money, and resources to ensure Orlando City Beautiful is well represented.

Community Connection: During our conversation, I asked Erica what attracted her to Orlando. Without hesitation, her response was that Orlando embraced her instantly; infusing a sense that Orlando was home… that Orlando is where she belonged.

On a personal note, I saw and felt the passion in her words… her desire to ignite culture, elegance, and connection was palatable. Orlando is fortunate to home this All Star formally recognized as Jane Layne Events. For additional information, visit her website at www.janelayne.com (impressed with her coordinating efforts and website, navigate to the services page and scroll through the plate-setting image to view the services offered).

Though the Big Game does not begin until Sunday evening, Erica and team controlled the tip seamlessly, proving once again that she truly is “a dynamic planning powerhouse.”

Danny Huffman, MA, CEIP, CPRW, CPCC
Got Twitter? Shadow me @dannyatecs

Battle of the Sexes III (Photo: Michael Cairns)

For those who can’t make any of the performances, NOW is time to panic, reshuffle your schedule, do what it takes to become part of the action.

As the title infers, a battle is brewing, promising to transcend each audience member on their own personal buzz ride where beauty, brilliance, and brawn collide. Energetically, Artistic Director, Robert Hill, effectively transfers his unconventional interpretations of dance and ballet, bringing Hegel’s dialectic full circle (and I thought studying philosophy would never come in handy) onto a medium previously not considered.

No doubt about it, Battle of the Sexes III is not grandma’s ballet… this is not a sport… this is not a game… this is the balance between love and sex where friction and frolic sway to an endless metrical strum.

Central Florida is fortunate to home one of the most dynamic, aggressive, and pushing-the-line ballet companies/schools in the country. It is with the upmost pride and confidence that I encourage our city beautiful to show appreciation and support to an artistic and cultural group worthy of global respect.

On this note, a quick shout out to Douglas, your progress is officially recognized… now if we can only do something about your obnoxiously striped shorts; psyche, always keep it real.

For those holding onto the belief that ballet is just a game, check out the upcoming battle. I have no doubt that by the end of the performance you will be looking forward to supporting Robert Hill’s next Orlando ballet’s magical creation.

While on the topic and for those holding onto an excuse, you don’t need two nets and a bouncing ball to believe in magic. Sorry Dwight, just saying on this stage, Douglas and his team of pure athletes take the game to a new level.

For ticket information, visit http://orlandoballet.org/performances/battle-of-the-sexes-iii/.

P.S. Dwight, this is for you, I’ll be covering the Clippers game Monday so if you got a beef, meet me after the game and we’ll settle it the old fashioned way… at the free-throw line.

Danny Huffman, MA, CEIP, CPRW, CPCC
Education Career Services
Got Twitter? Shadow me @dannyatecs