IN THE SPOTLIGHT
‘Scalia/Ginsburg: Harmony and Discourse’
WHAT: “Scalia/Ginsburg” is an opera that celebrates the unlikely friendship between Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia. This event, created specifically for the Beacon College Salon Speaker Series, mixes performance with discussion. Alex Mansoori, Jacquelyn Pileckas and Kenneth Nisbett will perform arias from Opera del Sol’s 2024 Orlando production of the piece. Following each aria, directors David Bracamonte, McKenzie Pollock and Philip King will discuss the music’s impact on our communities.
WHEN: Sept. 8.
WHERE: Lake Deaton United Methodist Church, 6500 Wesleyan Way in Wildwood
INFO: This free program includes a meal; register at beaconcollege.edu/news-events/salon-series
YOUR SEASON PLANNER
Schedules are subject to change, so always double-check before heading to an event.
BEACON COLLEGE
Except where noted, events in the college’s Salon Speaker Series take place at the Venetian Center, 1 Dozier Court in Leesburg, except as indicated. The programs are free, and include a catered meal by reserving a ticket at beaconcollege.edu/news-events/salon-series
SCALIA/GINSBURG: HARMONY AND DISCOURSE: Sept. 8 at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church in Wildwood. Selections from the opera, Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, with discussion on the music’s impact.
A MOTION PICTURE PARADISE: Oct. 30. A history of Florida’s film and television industry, presented by David Morton
CULTURAL PASSPORT: Nov. 6 at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church in Wildwood. Red Cedar Chamber Music discusses and performs new works inspired by global folk music.
RIDERS ON THE STORM: Dec. 3. William Nesbitt discusses rock music of the 1960s and what made it special.
KLANSMAN TO BEST-SELLING NEW AGE AUTHOR: Jan. 29, 2026. Dan T. Carter speaks on the strange life of Asa “Forrest” Carter, a violent member of the KKK who rebranded himself later in life and made an impact on American political culture.
BREACH OF PEACE: Feb. 12, 2026, at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church in Wildwood. Mike Wiley’s one-man play is based on true accounts of surviving participants of the Freedom Rides and others involved in the early struggle for Black equality.
BLUEPRINTS OF LIFE: BUILDING OUR WORLD, ONE VALUE AT A TIME: March 26. Zachary Isrow’s talk invites you to become an architect of your life and the larger cultural and political landscape, with your values as the foundation.
CASA FELIZ
The historic home museum, at 656 N. Park Ave in Winter Park, is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays with guided tours available during those times. It also presents a music series. More information: casafeliz.us
Fall 2025 Parlor Series
SHAPING A CULTURAL LEGACY — CHARLES MORSE AND THE MCKEANS IN WINTER PARK: Sept. 17 at Winter Park Farmers’ Market, 200 W. New England Ave. Winter Park historian Rick Baldwin and Morse Museum executive director Jennifer Thalheimer explore how Charles Hosmer Morse, Hugh McKean and Jeannette Genius McKean helped define Winter Park’s cultural identity.
Billy Collins, a former U.S. poet laureate, will read poetry at Casa Feliz in Winter Park. (Courtesy Laura Wilson via Caza Feliz)
ADVENTURES IN POETRY — AN EVENING WITH BILLY COLLINS: Oct. 29. A former U.S. poet laureate, Collins has published more than a dozen books of poetry. He will read from “Aimless Love” and share new poems from his forthcoming collection “Dog Show.”
1933 REWIND — WHAT THE WORLD LOOKED LIKE WHEN CASA FELIZ WAS NEW: Nov. 18. Local historians and authors Joy Wallace Dickinson, Rick Kilby and Bonnie Hansen explore life in 1933, the year Casa Feliz was completed.
CENTRAL FLORIDA MINERAL & GEM SOCIETY
More information on the nonprofit educational organization: cfmgs.org
ROCK, MINERAL, GEM, JEWELRY & FOSSIL SHOW: Sept. 13-14 at the Florida Armory National Guard, 2809 S. Fern Creek Ave. in Orlando. Vendors offering rocks, minerals, gemstones, fossils, beads, jewelry, artifacts and metaphysical stones. Demonstrations, auction and family activities.
FLORIDA FOSSIL HUNTERS
More information on the nonprofit organization: floridafossilhunters.com
34TH ANNUAL FOSSIL FAIR: Oct. 4-5 at the Sanford Civic Center, 401 E. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. Children’s activities, educational displays, raffle and auction.
HANNIBAL SQUARE HERITAGE CENTER
The center, run by the Crealdé School of Art, is at 642 W. New England Ave. in Winter Park. Hours are noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. More information: 407-539-2680 or hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org
Exhibits
HANNIBAL SQUARE ELDERS TELL THEIR STORIES: Opens Sept. 19 at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center. Phase III of the 13-year Sage Project brings 10 new portraits and stories of longtime Winter Park residents to the exhibit, including first-ever portraits of Heritage Center chief historian Fairolyn H. Livingston and docent historian Mary R. Daniels, two women who have spent decades telling others’ stories.
Historical photos and oral histories are on display at Hannibal Square Heritage Center in Winter Park in 2023. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
THE HERITAGE COLLECTION: PHOTOGRAPHS AND ORAL HISTORIES OF WEST WINTER PARK: Ongoing. Photography and writing document the Black experience in the neighborhood.
Events
UNITY HERITAGE FESTIVAL IN HANNIBAL SQUARE & OPEN HOUSE: Jan. 18-19, 2026. Annual celebration of the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King in a festival that promotes community and family heritage.
THE SPIRIT OF SANKOFA — JUNETEENTH AT THE HERITAGE CENTER: June 19, 2026. A celebratory commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States through storytelling, music, art and other cultural expressions.
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL RESOURCE & EDUCATION CENTER OF FLORIDA
The center is at 851 N. Maitland Ave. in Maitland. More information: 407-628-0555 or holocaustedu.org
Exhibits
SPOTS OF LIGHT — TO BE A WOMAN IN THE HOLOCAUST: Sept. 4-Dec. 19. The exhibition reveals poignant personal stories behind historical events, providing faces and voices within the darkness and silence, and features nine aspects of Jewish women’s daily lives during the Holocaust. Opening reception: Sept. 4.
STORIES WE WERE NEVER TOLD — VISUALIZING THE HOLOCAUST IN BULGARIA AND BEYOND: Jan. 22-July 2, 2026. Maps, archival images, voices and art by Martha Aladjem Bloomfield give form to the lived experiences of Greek, Serbian, Macedonian and Bulgarian victims, all through the curatorial vision of Jacky Comforty, who spent decades collecting oral histories and researching archives. Opening reception: Jan. 22.
Events
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS — FOUNDER’S DAY COMMUNITY NIGHT: Sept. 10. A family-friendly event to celebrate the center’s founding with food and activities.
CRUCIAL CONVERSATION — FIGHTING HATE CRIMES WITH EARLY EDUCATION: Sept. 18. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, a survivor of the Bosnian Genocide and associate professor of practice at Teachers College, Columbia University, discusses a program that helps educators promote inclusiveness and combat divisiveness, especially among young students.
BOOK CLUB — MEMORIES OF MY LIFE IN A POLISH VILLAGE: Oct. 8. Toby Knobel Fluek’s book, recounting her childhood in Poland before and during the Holocaust, is discussed.
KRISTALLNACHT COMMEMORATION: Nov. 9. Annual observance of “The Night of Broken Glass” that marked the intensification of terror against Jews under Germany’s Third Reich.
INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY: Jan. 27, 2026. A commemoration that underscores the enduring importance of remembrance while promoting tolerance, empathy and justice.
MAITLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The museum is at 221 W. Packwood St. in Maitland and run by the Art & History Museums — Maitland, which also operates the Waterhouse Residence Museum, a restored Victorian house, and the Maitland Telephone Museum. Details: 407-539-2181 or artandhistory.org
MAITLAND’S ATTIC — A JOURNEY THROUGH A SMALL CITY’S PAST. Ongoing. A collection of artifacts that tells the story of Maitland and some of its citizens.
This wreath is made from the hair of a family’s deceased members — a Gilded Age fad that has, if you’ll pardon the expression, died off. It’s on view at the Maitland Historical Museum as part of the “Maitland’s Attic” exhibition. (Matthew J. Palm/Orlando Sentinel)
ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER
The history center has various ongoing exhibitions focused on Central Florida, including its first peoples, the cattle and citrus industries, African American life, aviation and tourism. The center is at 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando. Details: 407-836-8500 or thehistorycenter.org
Special exhibits
THE 85ERS: Through Oct. 26. The 17 athletes of the first U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team helped lay the foundation for the global success the sport enjoys today. Randy Bacon’s portraits of them capture the authenticity, strength and tenacity of these groundbreaking athletes.
ORLANDO COLLECTED: Through Jan. 11, 2026. In honor of Orlando’s 150th anniversary, this exhibit displays rarely seen items from the city’s history.
Events
LUNCH & LEARN — COLONIAL PLAZA AND THE ERA OF MALLS: Sept. 5. Historian Rachel Williams discusses the rise and fall of shopping malls in Central Florida.
HISTORY ALIVE — OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: Sept. 6. Explore Florida’s natural history through family activities.
Items displayed in “Orlando Collected,” an exhibit created by the Orange County Regional History Center as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Orlando. Pictured: Signs from Ivey’s Drug Store and Dandelion CommuniTea Cafe in front of a dress that belonged to Brownie Wise, the woman who revolutionized Tupperware sales techniques. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
PRESERVING YOUR HISTORY: Sept. 17. Learn about documenting your family through oral histories.
LUNCH & LEARN — SECESSION TO SCANDAL: Oct. 3. The Civil War and Lincoln’s assassination are explored.
HISTORY ALIVE — COMMUNITIES AROUND ORLANDO: Oct. 4. Family-friendly activities explore the region.
TRICK OR TREAT SAFE ZONE: Oct. 12. Halloween fun at the history center and the downtown library.
SENSORY SUNDAY — SPOOKY SENSES: Oct. 19. Hands-on gooey children’s Halloween activities.
ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER
The science center features live shows and hands-on activities for children in such areas as DinoDigs, Food Heroes, KidsTown, Life and Flight Lab. The center is at 777 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. Details: 407-514-2000 or osc.org
Special exhibits
DC SUPER HEROES: Through Sept. 7, 2025. Engage in hands-on challenges in Gotham City, master your abilities in the Hall of Justice, and use your skills to fight crime alongside Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman.
2THEXTREME: Sept. 28, 2025-Jan. 5, 2026. Ride in a live-action snowboard race, control a Mars rover, record your own weather telecast, capture your image in a 360-degree freeze-motion video and more.
MISSION ASTRONAUT: Jan. 24-May 3, 2026. Immerse yourself in astronaut training and tackle STEM challenges that stimulate real space missions.
PHENOMEMA: May 17-Sept. 7, 2026. Uncover the science behind illusions and explore the mechanisms that govern human perception through hands-on experiences and exhibits. Discover how your brain can be tricked.
Events
SOLAR SATURDAY: Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13. Safely view the sun.
SCIENCE NIGHT LIVE: Oct. 25, 2025; Feb 14 and May 30, 2026. Adults-only nights.
DINOS IN LIGHTS: Nov. 8-Dec. 31. The dinosaurs participate in a music and light show with a wintry surprise.
ASTRO FEST: Nov. 15-16. Astronomy fun with telescope viewing, activities and talks.
“DC Super Heroes: Discover Your Superpowers” exhibit is at Orlando Science Center through Sept. 7. (Jennifer Dummett/The Children’s Museum)
FOSSIL FEST: Dec. 27-28. Paleontologists, hands-on fossil digs, interactive activities and more.
SCIENCE ON TAP: Jan. 24, 2026. Sample brews and ciders from local breweries.
SPARK STEM FEST: Feb. 13-16, 2026. The annual celebration of interactive technology and entertainment, formerly known as Otronicon, showcases state-of-the-art video games, digital media and military and medical simulators typically not available to the public. A Science Night Live party for adults takes place on Feb. 14.
MAKE FEST: March 14-15 and June 20-21, 2026. Hands-on celebration of creativity with interactive workshops and DIY stations.
13TH ANNUAL SCIENCE & WINE FUNDRAISER: April 25, 2026. A wine and gourmet food tasting, with wine selections from all regions of the world.
OSCEOLA HISTORY
The organization runs the Osceola History Welcome Center and History Museum, 4155 W. Vine St. in Kissimmee, as well as Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, 2491 Babb Road in Kissimmee. More information: 407-918-9478 or osceolahistory.org
Exhibits
OUT OF THE PARK: Opens Oct. 1 at the Welcome Center. Stories, memorabilia and other sports history from Osceola County.
¡HOLA HISTORY!: Ongoing at the Welcome Center. Explore the contributions of Spanish-speaking people to Osceola County.
PIONEER VILLAGE: Ongoing. See actual historic structures, including a church, general store, citrus-packing plant, schoolhouse and more, that have been preserved.
Events
CIDER & SHOWDOWNS: Oct. 4 at Pioneer Village. Children’s activities, pioneer games, crafts, music and vendors.
PIONEER DAY: Nov. 8. A free event at Pioneer Village featuring live music, a children’s craft zone, a real Florida market, and pioneer and Seminole life demonstrations. Learn how Florida Seminoles and early pioneer families lived off the land long before electricity and air conditioning.
SEMINOLE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Unless otherwise indicated, events are at the Museum of Seminole County History, 300 Eslinger Way in Sanford. More information: seminolecountyhistoricalsociety.com
HAUNTED TOURS AT THE MUSEUM: Oct. 16-19. New stories and scares, with a one-hour guided walking tour and paranormal investigation.
EMPIRE ON THE EDGES — BRITISH FLORIDA AND THE BIRTH OF SEMINOLE COUNTY: Nov. 13, at IAFS Auditorium, 250 W. County Home Road in Sanford. Free lecture by Deborah L. Bauer.
ST. LUCIA FESTIVAL: Dec. 13. Holiday festival celebrates the history of Seminole County’s Swedish settlers with children’s activities, food, dance and choral performances.
WINTER PARK HISTORY MUSEUM
The free museum is at 200 W. New England Ave. in Winter Park. Information: wphistory.org
Exhibition
ECHOES OF EXPRESSION: Ongoing. The story of the very early Art Colony established in Winter Park, the influence of Rollins College as an arts incubator, and the multitude of organizations that have contributed talent and commitment to developing the city’s cultural venues and programs.
Event
PEACOCK BALL: Oct. 4 at the Rice Family Pavilion at Rollins College. Cocktails, dinner and dancing to benefit the museum. Hosted by publisher Randy Noles and actor Tom Nowicki, the ball this year honors lifelong Winter Park resident Rick Baldwin.
— Listings compiled by Matthew J. Palm
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/29/orlando-sentinel-2025-26-season-preview-museums/
