Free, pay-what-you-can events offer music, theater, self-care
Among this week’s entertainment options are multiple events that are free or allow viewers to pay what they can. Here’s a look:
‘Women in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA’: The Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Festival will host a free screening of the film that tells the inspiring true story of how ‘Star Trek’ actress Nichelle Nichols sparked NASA’s program of recruiting women and people of color in the 1970s and
‘80s.
The screening of the award-winning film is part of the city of Orlando’s celebration of Women’s History Month. It will be shown at 7 p.m. March 11. Former senator and astronaut Bill Nelson, former astronaut and NASA Deputy Administrator Frederick Gregory, Nicole Stott — the first astronaut to live Tweet from space — and other special guests are expected.
Tickets are free, but those interested should RSVP at drphillipscenter.org/ woman-in-motion.
City Lights concert: John Cavazos, a former Voices of Liberty and Dapper Dans singer at Walt Disney World, will perform the next City Lights concert from Opera del Sol.
Now a Rollins College adjunct voice professor, Cavazos will be accompanied by Charles Stevens for the free concert. It’s at 7 p.m. March 11 at facebook.com/ operadelsol.
Resilience: Central Florida Community Arts will offer a “Music Therapy Resilience Session” on Facebook Live at 9:30 a.m. March 12 to mark one year since COVID-19 shut down arts organizations across the country.
The one-hour Resilience and Self-Compassion Practice will be led by CFCArts music-therapy coordinator Ashley Lewis, a board-certified music therapist with certifications in neurologic music therapy and neonatal intensive-care unit music-therapy practices.
“Artists are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed,” says Lewis, a Florida State graduate. “The uncertainty of when theaters will fully reopen, and then the uncertainty of when you as a performing artist will take the stage again, is taking a toll.”
The hourlong session, at facebook.com/centralfloridacommunityarts, does not require registration; participants can expect to learn how their unique skill sets can build personal resilience in times when it’s needed most.
Deliverance: Orlando writer Joseph Hayes’ latest play, “Deliverance,” debuts with two performances at 7 and 8:30 p.m. March 14. Set during a time of social isolation — sound familiar? — “Deliverance” focuses on how life has changed now that food comes straight to our doors.
Among the characters are Danny (Katy Williams), a food deliverer who’s puzzled by the new world; Amy (Alison Burns), a mother of 5-year-old twins who might be more than a little stir crazy; Mr. Santine (Ron Schneider), a 99-year-old, retired Pittsburgh ex-mobster … allegedly; and Megan (Lulu Picart), who has been home alone for far too long.
The play, written for in-person and online audiences, will be streamed while being performed at Timucua Arts Foundation.
For tickets, by donation, go to Timucua. com/events.
One that got away: The city of Winter Park’s annual free Spring Pops concert, featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, is “sold out.” Attendance is limited at the March 14 event to maintain social distancing, and all spots have been taken.