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The write stuff explained

You know the old adage about writing: There’s nothing to it; you just sit at a typewriter and open a vein. Well, there’s a little more to it than that. Get an up-close look at the craft at the Winter Park Writers Festival. It includes workshops and more. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at Valencia College Winter Park, 850 W. Morse Blvd.

Today

♦An Evening with Friends: Proceeds benefit Seminole County Friends of Abused Children. There will be an art display by the children titled “The World through Their Eyes,” hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, silent auction, raffle and entertainment. 6-9 p.m., Mercedes Benz of North Orlando, 1100 Rinehart Road, Sanford, $30, 407-262-2141.

♦Art Glass Guild of Central Florida: Millard and Linda Kirk of Wizard’s of Glass will present a program about glass fusing. 7:30 p.m., Community of Christ Church, 1006 Clay St., Winter Park, free, 407-435-3352.

♦Winter Park Writers Festival: Includes workshops, a poetry/fiction slam and readings by poet Richard Blanco and local writers. 5:30 p.m. today-Friday, Valencia College Winter Park, 850 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, free, 407-299-5000.

♦TOPS FL Chapter 0100 49 year anniversary: Jim Ferri, TOPS Florida Coordinator will be the guest speaker. 7 p.m., Delaney Street Baptist Church, 1919 S. Delaney Ave., Room D-101, Orlando, free, 407-929-6413.

♦Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Garden Theatre, 160 West Plant Street, Winter Garden, $25-$33, information: 407-877-4736.

♦All Hands on Deck!: 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays and select dates (through Oct. 9), Winter Park Playhouse, 711-C Orange Ave., Winter Park, $15-$40, 407-645-0145.

♦Bye Bye Birdie: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays (through Oct. 9), Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, $10-$20, 407-645-5933.

♦Rock of Ages: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays (through Oct. 9), Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando, $26.75-$32.75, 844-513-2014.

♦M*A*S*H: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, State Theatre, 109 N. Bay St., Eustis, $11-$21, 352-357-7777.

♦Clybourne Park: 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, UCF School of Performing Arts Theater, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, $20, 407-823-2251.

Friday

♦Florida Ranch Rodeo Finals and Cowboy Heritage Festival: The annual rodeo by the Florida Cattlemen’s Association will feature 16 ranch teams, each consisting of five members, including at least one woman who represent a working cattle ranch. Events include saddle bronc riding, colt riding, wild cow milking, calf paint-branding, team doctoring, double mugging, cattle sorting and a stampede race. Rodeo performances are at 7 p.m. The Cowboy Heritage Festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will highlight Florida’s history through displays and cowboy art. There will be performers and live actors within the exhibits showcasing the cowboy and ranching way of life. FridaySaturday, Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, admission for the Ranch Rodeo is $10 per person, free for ages 10 and younger; admission to the Cowboy Festival is free, information: 407-846-6221.

♦The Telling Project: Orlando: Local veterans share their personal stories through a dramatic performance. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday, Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St., Orlando, free, 407-447-1700.

♦Stand-Up Showcase: Featuring local comedians. 8:30 p.m., Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar, 444 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando, free, 407-893-4994.