Culture Worthy of your Calendar

The combined wisdom and technical mastery of Florida artists Maury Hurt, Hal McIntosh and Bill Orr reflect their shared roots in the iconic Andre Smith’s Research Studio, established post World War I as a unique artists’ haven in Maitland. Those artists will be celebrated in “Allegory Echoes: Hal Mcintosh, Maury Hurt, Bill Orr” at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art with an opening on Friday, Nov. 4, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibit runs through Dec. 4. The human-animal connection dominates Hurt’s surreal paintings. McIntosh explores the natural world with an abstract/impressionistic touch, and at 86, Bill Orr creates dramatic, nationally-celebrated paintings of Kentucky Derby-winning fillies. The opening is free to the public. The Lake Eustis Museum of Art is at 200 B E. Orange Ave. in Eustis. Call 352-483-2900 or visit LakeEustisMuseumofArt.org.

Fall Fiesta in the Park

If you haven’t given yourself the opportunity to fully appreciate the magnificent renovation of the Lake Eola fountain in Downtown Orlando, the Fall Fiesta in the Park offers an always beautiful stroll along the beautiful park coupled with more than 400 juried artists in all media from ceramics to painting to handmade clothing. This event is set for Nov. 5-6, and festival promoters tell us to “come hungry,” as the Fiesta offers a variety of food venues along with the art and live entertainment. Admission is free. Visit www.facebook.com/FiestaInThePark.

Signature Chefs auction recipes

Bring together top chefs from across Central Florida to showcase their culinary masterpieces. Mix in a generous sampling of fine wines and signature cocktails. Add in live entertainment and an auction of “one-of-a-kind packages,” and you have the recipe for the March of Dimes Signature Chef’s Auction. Celebrating Central Florida, the event raises important dollars for the March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. The event begins Thursday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. with a tasting event, after which guests are invited to bid on a variety of auction packages. The event will take place at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939 Universal Blvd. (near the new Convention Center) in Orlando. For tickets, visit www.marchofdimes.com/florida or call 407-599-5077 ext. 33.

American Voices … and the Philharmonic

This concert has taken over two years to create, and the one-night-only performance will take place at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. The concert is a collaboration between the Orlando Philharmonic, the Zora Neale Hurston Festival, the Association to Preserve Eatonville, the “Negro Spiritual” Foundation, the Florida Opera Theatre, composer Adolphus Hailstork, librettist Elizabeth Van Dyke and baritone James Brown III. All these talented people join forces to present a night of authentic American music, poetry and song honoring the legacy of author Zora Neale Hurston. The program features Adolphus Hailstork’s “Celebration!,” Frederick Delius’ “Appalachia,” Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and culminates with the premiere of Hailstork’s new work, “Zora! We’re Calling You.” Visit orlandophil.org/american-voices or call 407-770-0071

Culture and Cocktails

Fine art, cocktails, and art-lovers make up the happy mix as the Associate Board of the Art & History Museums – Maitland invites us to Culture and Cocktails, the second Friday of every month event that kicks off Nov. 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Maitland Art Center at 210 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland. Guests are invited to an evening of art, music, poetry, food and fun as the Marvel Building is filled with the fine art photography of Yatin Patel. In his collection, Patel reveals the textures of India, evocative of its ancient society and complex civilization. Big Wheel Provisions will be on hand with their popular food truck. Admission is $5 and includes one drink ticket. Call 407-539-2181 or visit www.ArtandHistory.org.

And not to be missed …

That comically ghoulish Addams Family brings their award-winning Broadway show to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre this week through Sunday, Nov. 6. For tickets, visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787.