Event Spotlight: ‘Voices of Florida Women’

Florida Clark, born in Gadsden County, worked in the early 1930s at McCrory’s Five and Dime on Monroe Street and the Singer Sewing Center on College Avenue. She taught girls how to sew and made clothes for prominent women in town, including Gov. Reubin Askew’s wife, Donna Lou Harper Askew. Clark is just one of the women whose story is told in “Voices of Florida Women,” a historical exhibit now featured at the Museum of Florida History. The exhibition, which runs through March 23, includes exclusive permanent collections from the museum, telling the stories of how women changed the economic, social and cultural fabric of Florida. Florida natives from throughout the state who have made Florida history include Florida State University benefactor Ruby Diamond, actress Frances Langford, Seminole tribal representative and craftswoman Ethel Santiago, auto test driver and adventurer Betty Skelton, and Florida’s first black woman legislator, Gwen Cherry. Brown-bag lectures, guest speakers, live performances and book signings will be held throughout the exhibition’s five-month run. All events are free and open to the public during regular museum hours. For more information, visit museumoffloridahistory.com/mfh/calendar. The museum is located downtown in the R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough St. The exhibit coincides with Women’s History Month in Florida, which is held throughout March. – Corbin Robinson

Best Bets: February

Feb. 19-20
Annika Experience at WaterSound
Be prepared to break a sweat at this celebration of active lifestyles and wellness education. The weekend’s events – taking place at WaterSound’s Origins Golf Club, Camp Creek Golf Club and the WaterColor Inn and Resort – will include a celebrity golf match with golf superstar Annika Sorenstam, a children’s fitness clinic, a meet-and-greet luncheon, a charity golf tournament, and a food and wine reception. All proceeds will be donated to local charities. “The Annika Experience at WaterSound is a special opportunity to promote St. Joe’s innovative, active-lifestyle communities while raising awareness and funds for local charities and health organizations,” says Britt Greene, president and CEO of the St. Joe Company. Accommodations packages will be available at WaterColor Inn and Resort and at WaterSound Beach, and will include admission to all ticketed events. Visit joe.com/watersound-community for more information. – Aniko Gomory

Feb. 28
Children’s Home Society’s 25th Annual Chef’s Sampler
Mark your calendars and plan to have a good time while supporting a great cause. The Chef’s Sampler is a local tradition that demonstrates all that’s wonderful about our community, as well as giving participants the one and only “True Taste of Tallahassee.” This year will mark its 25th anniversary, with more than 50 of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers generously preparing their culinary creations. All proceeds benefit the North Central Division of Children’s Home Society of Florida, which in 2008 alone provided services for 4,500 children and families in the Big Bend area. The Chef’s Sampler runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Tallahassee Mall. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased either in advance or at the event. To purchase tickets in advance or for sponsorship opportunities, call Children’s Home Society at (850) 921-0772 or visit chstallychefs.com.

Calendar of Events

Through February 26
‘Space Relations: Joelle Dietrich, Owen Mundy, Chad Erpelding’
A look into how individuals react to their own environment within the context of the global community, this exhibition encourages audience participation. Art from the Florida State University Art Students League will be showcased in the Nan Boynton Memorial Gallery. No charge. Opening night 6 p.m.-9 p.m. After that, regular gallery times: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 621 Gallery (Railroad Square), 621 Industrial Drive. (850) 224-6163, 621gallery.org

Through March 14
Figure Drawing Exhibition
Artists Bill Thompson, Ron Yrabedra, John H. Woodworth, B. Harper Frost and Barbara Harrison focus on the artistic tradition of the visual exploration of the human form. Admission: $1 (no charge for members and children). Opening-night times: 6-9 p.m., with a talk at 6:30 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Gadsden Arts Center, 13 N. Madison St., Quincy. (850) 875-4866, gadsdenarts.org

Through March 21
‘The Kinsey Collection’
Florida A&M University alumni Bernard and Shirley Kinsey share art and artifacts from their personal collection. (See story, page 47). Admission is $5 for children, students, seniors, and military, and $10 for adults. Museum hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mary Brogan Museum of Art, 350 S. Duval St. (850) 513-0700, Ext. 229; thekinseycollection.com

Through March 28
FAMU Annual Faculty Art Exhibition
Present and retired faculty of Florida A&M University’s School of Architecture and its Visual Arts Department share their work in all mediums, including printmaking, photography, quilting, ceramics and oil painting. $1 (free for members and children). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Gadsden Arts Center, 13 N. Madison St., Quincy. (850) 875-4866, gadsdenarts.org

Feb. 18
Carla Connors and Timothy Hoekman
Enjoy love songs presented by Carla Connors, proclaimed one of the best sopranos of the decade by the Detroit Free Press. She is accompanied by Timothy Hoekman, who has performed as a soloist and accompanist in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. $35 ($45 nonmembers). 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Gadsden Arts Center, 13 N. Madison St., Quincy. (850) 875-4866, gadsdenarts.org

Feb. 19-21
‘Exploring with Dora & Diego’
Your favorite search-and-find duo, Dora and Diego, will take youngsters on a fun-filled adventure during this performance Call (850) 386-6602 for show times and ticket information. Young Actors Theatre and School for the Performing Arts, 609 Glenview Drive. youngactorstheatre.com

Feb. 26-28 and March 3-7
‘Hamlet’
One of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, “Hamlet” tells the story of a prince’s struggle to avenge his father’s death in the new state of Denmark. $20. Wednesday through Saturday performances, 8 p.m.; Sunday performances, 2 p.m. Lab Theatre, Florida State University, 502 S. Copeland St. (850) 644-6500, tickets.fsu.edu

Feb. 26-March 7
‘The Light in the Piazza’
Theatre A La Carte presents this award-winning musical by Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas. $16 for adults; $14 for students and senior citizens. Friday and Saturday performances, 8 p.m.; Sunday performances, 2 p.m. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. (850) 224-8474, theatrealacarte.org

Feb. 27
8th Annual Winter Garden Symposium
“Infusing the Garden with Your Personality” is the topic of this presentation featuring Tovah Martin and Carleton Woods. $45 per person, which includes lunch. 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Goodwood Museum & Gardens. Carriage House Conference Center, 1600 Miccosukee Road. (850) 877-7592, goodwoodmuseum.org

Feb. 27
Tallahassee Local Authors Day Program
This annual event celebrates local authors and their accomplishments. A poetry contest will be held as a part of the celebration. The event is free to the public; contestants must pre-register. Noon-3 p.m. Amen-Ra’s Bookshop, 812 S. Macomb St. (850) 264-3341, tallahasseelocalauthors.ning.com

Feb. 26-Feb. 28
Thomasville Antiques Show
View antiques and crafts while supporting children’s programs. $15. Call for event times at (229) 225-9354. Tallahassee Antique Show Foundation, 135 N. Broad St., Thomasville, Ga. thomasvilleantiquesshow.com

Source: [Tallahassee Magazine]