Orlando Sentinel 2023-24 Arts Season Preview: Museums & Learning

⇒ IN THE SPOTLIGHT

LITERARY LUMINARIES

Two big names from the world of books — and beyond — will be in town this fall, thanks to the Orange County Library System.

In September, “Bridgerton” author Julia Quinn will speak at an event titled “Romance, Wine & Chocolate.” Quinn has written eight novels in her “Bridgerton” series, which follows the romantic entanglements and travails of eight siblings trying to navigate London society in the early 19th century.

With such torrid titles as “The Viscount Who Loved Me” and “When He Was Wicked,” the book series spawned an equally popular Netflix series that debuted on Christmas Day in 2020. More seasons are expected, and the streaming series already has produced a spinoff series, “Queen Charlotte.”

Quinn will speak Sept. 8 at the Chickasaw branch of the library system in Orlando, and tickets include a signed copy of “Queen Charlotte,” along with the wine and chocolate referenced in the event’s title. For more information, go to ocls.info/rwc.

Later this year, Neil Gaiman will visit Orlando to hold a conversation with Art Spiegelman. The pair will discuss cartooning and writing, how they work across artistic mediums, friendship, identity and more.

Born in the U.K., Gaiman is a novelist, comic-book writer and screenwriter. He is known for “The Sandman” comics series, and his fiction includes “Coraline” and “Stardust,” both adapted as films. His “Good Omens,” written with Discworld author Terry Pratchett, was adapted into a TV series, as was his bestseller “American Gods.”

With “The Graveyard Book,” Gaiman became the first author to win both the Newbery and Carnegie medals for the same work. His other honors include Hugo, Nebula and Bram Stoker awards, and his novel “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” was named Book of the Year in the British National Book Awards and later adapted into a play.

Spiegelman is an American cartoonist and editor best known for the graphic novel “Maus.” He has edited comics magazines Arcade and Raw, and spent a decade as a contributing artist for The New Yorker. The National Book Foundation selected him for its Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Their event, part of the celebration of the Orange County Library System’s centennial, will be Nov. 6 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. For more information, go to ocls.info/signatureauthors.

⇒ YOUR SEASON PLANNER

Schedules are subject to change, so always double-check before heading to an event.

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

VENERATED, PERSECUTED, FORGOTTEN: VICTIMS OF NAZISM AT FC BAYERN: Through Sept. 10. The stories of nine soccer players and officials who were affected by National Socialism in Germany.

AFTER THE END OF THE WORLD: DISPLACED PERSONS AND DISPLACED-PERSONS CAMPS: Opening Sept. 28. The exhibit looks at how in the aftermath of catastrophic loss, Holocaust survivors navigated their new lives in displaced-persons camps.

HOLOCAUST IN HISTORY: Ongoing. Holocaust stories told through artifacts, videos, text, photographs and artwork.

DISPLACED PERSON: Ongoing. Follow the journey of Oswald “Valdik” Holzer, a Czech Jewish doctor who made a harrowing escape from the Nazis.

BEHIND THE BOOKCASE: THE SECRET ANNEX THROUGH ANNE’S EYES: Ongoing. Using virtual-reality goggles, explore the attic where Anne Frank hid, guided by Anne’s words.

SPECIAL EVENT

KRISTALNACHT: Nov. 9. A commemorative program remembering the night of attacks by Nazis against Jews, considered the tipping point of when the Holocaust turned violent.

MAITLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM

The museum is at 221 W. Packwood St. in Maitland. The museum is run by the Art & History Museums – Maitland, which also operates the Waterhouse Residence Museum, a restored Victorian house, and the Maitland Telephone Museum. More information: 407-539-2181 or artandhistory.org

MAITLAND’S ATTIC: A JOURNEY THROUGH A SMALL CITY’S PAST: Ongoing. A collection of artifacts that tell the story of Maitland and some of its citizens.

ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY

Events take place at various locations. The library system’s main website is ocls.info.

ROMANCE, WINE & CHOCOLATE: Sept. 8 at Chickasaw branch, 870 N. Chickasaw Trail in Orlando. “Bridgerton” author Julia Quinn will speak. Tickets include a signed copy of “Queen Charlotte,” along with wine and chocolate. More info: ocls.info/rwc

NEIL GAIMAN IN CONVERSATION WITH ART SPIEGELMAN: Nov. 6 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. As part of the library system’s centennial, the acclaimed authors will discuss cartooning and writing, working across artistic mediums, friendship, identity and more. More info: ocls.info/signatureauthors

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 EXHIBIT

FIGUREHEAD: MUSIC & MAYHEM IN ORLANDO’S UNDERGROUND: Through Dec. 31, 2023. Explore the musical journey of Orlando concert promoter Figurehead and music scene between 1985 and 2001 through posters promoting Black Flag, Drivin’ N Cryin’, Seven Mary Three, Rob Thomas and others. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Sept. 9.

EVENTS

LUNCH & LEARN – ECHOES OF ETERNITY: UNVEILING THE HISTORY OF GREENWOOD CEMETERY: Sept. 1. Learn about one of Orlando’s most famous resting places.

HISTORY ALIVE: FLORIDA’S PIONEERING SPIRIT: Sept. 2. Themed, hands-on family activities.

FIGUREHEAD ENCORE WEEKEND: Sept. 8-10. Includes a downtown walking tour of locations related to Orlando’s music scene, a celebratory concert and a morning-after brunch.

ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER

The science center features live shows and hands-on activities for children in such areas as DinoDigs, Food Heroes, KidsTown and Flight Lab. In the spring of 2024, a new exhibition hall about conservation and animals titled “Life” will open. In addition, the center’s Dr. Phillips Cinedome shows movies on an 8,000-square-foot screen. The center is at 777 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. More information: 407-514-2000 or osc.org

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

DOGS! A SCIENCE TAIL: Through Sept. 5. Explore the bond between humans and canines.

EUREKA SQUARED: Sept. 9-Jan. 7, 2024. Art exhibit in the center’s Fusion: A STEAM Gallery featuring artwork informed or inspired by science that celebrates the magical ‘ah ha!’ moments that accompany breakthroughs.

BACKYARD ADVENTURES: Oct. 1-Jan. 9, 2024. Explore the outdoors from the perspective of a bee, take a swing at garden golf and try night-vision goggles.

GOING PLACES: Jan. 21-May 5, 2024. Explore the technology behind different modes of transportation that transport humans to the farthest reaches of the world.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SCIENCE NIGHT LIVE: Aug. 26 and Oct. 21, 2023; Feb 17, April 6 and June 8, 2024. Adults-only nights.

FAIRY TALE WEEKEND: Sept. 16-17. STEM learning inspired by favorite fables.

SPOOKY SCIENCE MONTH: October weekends. Hands-on activities and a live stage show full of seasonal spookiness.

OSC AFTER DARK: Oct. 25. Young Professionals group’s Halloween event.

SCI-FI WEEKEND: Nov. 18-19. Explore the science behind favorite sci-fi and pop-culture icons with hands-on activities and live shows.

DINOS IN LIGHTS: Dec. 1-31. The dinosaurs participate in a music and light show with a wintry surprise.

PALEONTOLOGY PARTY: Dec. 16-17. Take a safari into the prehistoric past, watch live shows and participate in activities.

SCIENCE ON TAP: Jan. 20, 2024. Sample brews and ciders from local breweries.

SCIENCE FOR ALL CELEBRATION: Jan. 27-28, 2024. A STEM event with guest presentations and workshops.

SPARK STEM FEST: Feb. 16-19, 2024. 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. 17.

SUPERHERO WEEKEND: March 16-17, 2024. Learn about everyday heroes working to make our community a better place, discover the science behind favorite superhero characters, and check out heroic activities and shows.

11TH ANNUAL SCIENCE OF WINE: April 27, 2024. A wine and gourmet food tasting with more than 150 global wine selections.

MESS FEST: May 11-12, 2024. An ooey-gooey science lesson about colorful chemistry, flashy physics and splat-tacular science. Dress for the mess.

MAKE FEST: June 15-16, 2024. Learn a new skill and meet expert craftspeople.

OSCEOLA HISTORY

The organization runs the Osceola History Welcome Center and History Museum, 4155 W. Vine St. in Kissimmee. More information: 407-918-9478 or osceolahistory.org

EXHIBITS

BUSTER KENTON: Through Aug. 31. Artwork depicting vibrant scenes of Osceola County as artist Buster Kenton captures the essence of the Florida cowboy.

¡HOLA HISTORY!: Ongoing. Explore the contributions of Spanish-speaking people to Osceola County in this new permanent exhibit.

PIONEER VILLAGE: Ongoing. See actual historic structures, including a church, general store, citrus-packing plant, schoolhouse and more, that have been preserved.

— Listings compiled by Matthew J. Palm