In an email to the Orlando Sentinel, De Groft said he was “going to war to get my good name back, my professional standing and personal and professional exoneration.”

De Groft was fired by the museum’s board in June 2022, shortly after the FBI raided the “Heroes & Monsters” exhibition and seized art purportedly by acclaimed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat as part of a fraud investigation. The museum’s lawsuit, filed in August against De Groft and the owners of the artwork, claims they colluded to use the exhibition to raise the value of the art and thereby increase personal profits by selling the art later.

Orlando Museum of Art, defendants negotiating lawsuit settlement

“I have kept my head down and suffered slings and arrows and humiliations when I did nothing wrong and all everyone else did was lie, misreport, make things up, get so much wrong,” De Groft wrote to the Sentinel.

In his countersuit, De Groft strikes at the center of the museum’s case: That he and the owners knew the artwork was fraudulent.

“OMA’s lawsuit against Defendant is based on the false premise that the 25 Basquiat paintings in the exhibition Heroes & Monsters (“Exhibition”) were fakes, Defendant actually knew they were fakes, but Defendant nonetheless represented to OMA that they were authentic because he wanted to sell them and receive a hefty sales commission from the owners,” his filing begins. “There is not a kernel of truth to this absurd allegation.”

Despite lawsuit’s claims, Orlando Museum of Art tight-lipped about how much damage it has suffered

De Groft goes on to accuse the museum of firing him illegally and orchestrating a campaign “to destroy him.”

A museum spokeswoman told the Sentinel, “At the advice of counsel, the Orlando Museum of Art is not offering any comment on this pending litigation.”

While the museum’s original suit says De Groft breached his fiduciary duty to the museum by failing to follow the proper procedures to authenticate the art, his countersuit points the finger at former board chair Cynthia Brumback, who left the organization last December.

De Groft says Brumback never told the board of trustees about an FBI subpoena received by the museum —  a claim that has been corroborated by several former trustees.

“As a result, the Board was completely in the dark about such an extraordinary, unprecedented and dangerous situation,” De Groft’s suit says. “The Board should have been immediately informed by Brumback. Brumback outrageously breached her fiduciary duty in masterminding this cover-up.”

The countersuit, filed Tuesday, also takes aim at Akerman, the law firm retained by the museum to investigate the affair and currently representing the institution in the lawsuit. De Groft says Akerman — as well as the FBI — advised him and Brumback there was no reason to cancel the “Heroes & Monsters” exhibition, thereby fortifying his belief the paintings were authentic.

The countersuit notes the original legal filing shows that Akerman was aware the firm had been engaged to investigate the exhibition without the knowledge of the full board.

“Akerman thus became a co-conspirator with Brumback in the coverup and flagrantly breached its fiduciary duty to OMA,” De Groft’s countersuit states.

The countersuit calls for Akerman to recuse itself from the lawsuit because Florida ethics laws prohibit lawyers from being both witnesses to the issue at hand as well as advocates for one party in the dispute.

“If Akerman does not immediately withdraw, Defendant will file a motion for their disqualification,” De Groft’s suit threatens.

Orlando Museum of Art said it filed its suit because the actions of De Groft and the owners harmed both its reputation and finances. De Groft’s countersuit says he has suffered the same fate because of the museum’s failings.

“OMA’s lawsuit is a transparent public relations stunt intended to save face and to wrongfully make Defendant a scapegoat for the FBI’s seizure of the 25 paintings,” the countersuit states.

While De Groft did not specify what sort of damages he sought beyond the legal category of “in excess of $50,000,” the countersuit indicates big money could be in play.

“Defendant’s conclusion that the 25 Basquiats are authentic will be proven at trial, thereby dealing a much-deserved, fatal blow to OMA’s lawsuit and exposing [the museum] to tens of millions of dollars for its outrageous treatment of [De Groft] and deliberately trashing his excellent reputation,” the suit says. “Acts have consequences, and intentionally malicious acts are punished harshly. An Orlando jury will teach OMA a lesson that it will never forget.”

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.

“R-Evolution,” a kinetic sculpture depicting a nude standing woman known for appearing at the Burning Man festival, was unveiled on the 400 block of Lincoln Road on Tuesday morning ahead of Miami Art Week next month.

The artwork, designed by artist Marco Cochrane, was brought to Miami Beach by the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District in partnership with the City of Miami Beach. It is on view until April 2024.

In recent years, Lincoln Road publicly exhibited works by Colombian artist Fernando Botero and French artist Richard Orlinski on its promenade.

“We wanted something that was monumental, that was large and could be a conversation piece that wouldn’t get lost in the breadth of Lincoln Road,” said Lyle Stern, the Lincoln Road BID president. “We also wanted something that signaled a major statement for conversation, and I think we can all agree that this did it.”

Cochrane, an American sculptor, debuted “R-Evolution” at Burning Man in 2015. The sculpture, which was modeled after singer and dancer Deja Solis, was the third sculpture in Cochrane’s series.

Unlike most California girls, “R-Evolution” traveled from the west coast to Miami on two semi trucks. The work features 16 motors inside the chest to make it look like she’s breathing. It was designed to shine brightly during the day and glow with LED lights at night.

Outgoing Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber thanked Stern, the BID and Miami Beach residents for supporting the arts. (Last year, residents voted to approve $159 million in bonds to fund local cultural institutions.)

“The best kind of art is free art, and the very best kind of free art is public art,” Gelber said. “Because you can walk down the street and just see something that gives you a sense of place and a sense of marvel, and that’s what we’re aiming for in our city.”

In between interviews with press, Cochrane stopped to take selfies with some residents who saw the sculpture for the first time. Luz Cevallos, a longtime Miami Beach resident, shook his hand and congratulated him.

“How beautiful,” Cevallos said in Spanish as she took photos on her phone. She enjoys coming to Lincoln Road to walk and said the artwork is a great addition.

“Precious, divine,” she added, describing the sculpture. “There are no words.”

Cochrane said it’s thrilling to have his work seen by residents and visitors, especially during Art Week.

“I really didn’t know it was going to be like this,” he said. “There’s a lot of people here. It’s by far the most people she’s ever been around. I feel like it really fits in here.”

Cochrane said “R-Evolution” was inspired by female empowerment and humanity.

“It’s just about how powerful it is to be — just to be,” he said. “The world is really busy and crazy right now, crazier than ever. I want to remind people that being, just being, is enough.”

Want to check out the “R-Evolution” sculpture? It’s located outside on the 400 block of Lincoln Road, next to the 407 Lincoln Road building and until April.

This wasn’t just any book: It marked the first time all of Shakespeare’s works were published together — no mean feat back in those days when many of his plays existed only in his drafts or the bits and pieces handed out to actors.

In fact, without this remarkable book, there would have been no published script for “Macbeth,” “Twelfth Night,” “Julius Caesar,” “The Tempest,” “Antony and Cleopatra” or “As You Like It,” just to name a few. Nearly half of Shakespeare’s output would have been lost.

And without his complete body of work to awe and inspire, Shakespeare likely would never have reached the cultural heights he has.

On Friday, Nov. 17, PBS’s “Great Performances” celebrates the 400th anniversary of the book in “Making Shakespeare: The First Folio.”

“The First Folio” is the name of this book of 36 plays. Well, actually, it’s not. The proper title is “Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies.” But it’s commonly called the First Folio by modern scholars; folio is a publishing term that indicates the way the book was printed, resulting in large-size pages.

Early in the program, narrated by Broadway superstar Audra McDonald, a participant describes the First Folio as “the most important secular book in the history of the Western world.”

Hyperbole? Well, the speaker is renowned Shakespeare scholar Jonathan Bate, so clearly, he has a bias toward its cultural significance. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t speaking accurately.

The First Folio is certainly the most expensive book going. In 2020, a copy auctioned by Christie’s sold for $10 million — the highest price ever paid for a work of literature at auction.

It’s estimated about 750 copies of the First Folio were printed. Today, 235 are known to still exist. PBS looks at a famously stolen copy, a recently discovered copy — in a public library in a small French town, no less — and a very royal copy.

In that latter segment, King Charles III examines a First Folio owned by his predecessor of some 15 generations, King Charles I, which is still in royal hands at Windsor Castle. That first Charles came to an unhappy end: His forces were defeated in the English Civil War, and he was executed in 1649 as the monarchy was abolished.

But, some comfort, we are told that even while imprisoned before his execution, Charles I was allowed to keep his copy of the First Folio. The copy contains his notes, in which he has written character names in the margins, perhaps to highlight his favorites — or maybe to keep the various comedy couples straight: “Is this the one with Beatrice and Benedick or the one with Helena and Bertram?”

There is something satisfying in learning that it was Shakespeare’s friends, two actors, who were the driving force in organizing whatever source material they could round up, collecting the plays and getting them published for posterity; after all, Shakespeare has been creating work for actors ever since.

(Side note: As a “Macbeth” fan, I also enjoyed learning that Shakespeare’s rough drafts are known as “foul papers” while the later, cleaned-up versions are called “fair copies.” “Fair is foul, and foul is fair…”)

In their effort to pay tribute to their deceased friend and preserve his legacy, John Heminges and Henry Condell also had to deal with some legalese that still exists in the modern arts world: Obtaining the rights to the works. The rights to many of Shakespeare’s plays were owned by those who had first printed them individually in various other formats, and the pair had to do some wheeling and dealing.

Lest you think the program has its eye solely on ancient history, it should be noted that the amusing stories of the First Folio are interspersed (sometimes smoothly, sometimes more clunkily) with the inspiring way Shakespeare impacts the world today, especially through the efforts of the Public Theater of New York City.

There’s “The Comedy of Errors” as a bilingual musical, Kenny Leon’s version of “Hamlet” for Shakespeare in the Park, a student production of “Romeo & Juliet” with children learning English as a second language. It’s all heartening to lovers of classical theater.

A favorite quote from the program comes from Oskar Eustis, artistic director of the Public, as he ponders why Shakespeare endures. When the playwright creates his tales, whether comic or tragic, Eustis says, “he sees the worth of every human being.”

How to watch

• On TV: 9-11 p.m. Nov. 17, on WUCF-TV, Channel 24
• Online streaming: At pbs.org/show/great-performances

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.

“We catalogued them as women’s,” Massey said. “But we recently talked to a fashion historian who is convinced one is a men’s suit … The other could have been unisex. A lot of the suits then were androgynous.”

The 1920s are described as roaring, but there was little skin at the beach, the most risqué dance was the foxtrot, and, while liquor — or hooch as it was called back then — was bountiful, one sip put you on the wrong side of the law.

So, is roaring accurate?

Absolutely, Massey said, when compared to the previous Victorian generation. “They were rebelling against the more conservative environments that they grew up with.”

That story is told through the history center’s new exhibit, “Decade of Change: Florida in the 1920s.” It features the music of the time as well as displays about prohibition, Pentecostalism and those sexy androgynous bathing suits.

To understand why shorts and tank tops as beachwear were considered provocative, look to the style from a few years earlier, which sometimes included sleeves.

“In 1917, anything that was two inches above the knee basically defied regulations by the American Association of Park Superintendents,” Massey said. “At some beaches, the police would come and get you.”The younger generation pushed back with less fabric covering their bodies. Men still hid their chests behind tank tops, but women dared to show more leg.

“When everyone was dressed on the beach like that, it became normal,” Massey said, “and there wasn’t much the decency police could do.”

Inspired by the new jazz music hitting the scene, women’s nightlife fashion changed, too.

While the foxtrot seems tame by today’s standards, the upbeat dance music with horns was radical for the 1920s. The old Victorian-style gowns were not conducive for those who wanted to cut a rug. So those were replaced with ballroom gowns, or “glad rags,” as the exhibit calls them.

“If you look at the ballroom attire of the 1920s,” Massey said, “it’s not much different than it is today.”

The history center has an interactive exhibit with dance steps to teach the foxtrot to visitors, but don’t let 1920s-era Pentecostals see you practicing the devil’s steps.

The growth of the Pentecostal movement in the 1920s and their tent revivals was, in part, in reaction to the rebellious ways of that decade, Massey said. By 1926, Florida had over 500,000 Pentecostal church members.

“Holy Rollers … argued that all the historical teachings told in the Bible were accurate,” reads a placard in the exhibit hanging near a model of the type of tents used for worship centers throughout the country. “Many also abstained from drinking alcohol, dancing, going to the movies and engaging in other popular modern amusements.”

But they couldn’t keep nonbelievers from those amusements, especially alcohol, nor could the state and federal governments.

“Florida goes dry early. By 1904, there are 26 dry counties,” Massey said. “Then in 1915, we outlaw saloons. Hillsborough is one of the few counties that is still wet at the time of statewide prohibition in 1919, a year before nationwide prohibition.”

The Tampa Bay area didn’t seem to care. Speakeasies replaced bars and moonshiners in the rural areas delivered the illegal alcohol in jugs, some of which are on display at the history center.

“And a lot of booze that comes to Florida gets smuggled from the Bahamas,” Massey said. “The year prohibition goes into effect, the imports of liquor to the Bahamas increased by 20 times … It’s not as if the Bahamian people decided that they’re going to start hammering down drinks. Almost all of that ends up in Florida.”

In August, the museum sued former director Aaron De Groft and the consortium of individuals who owned the art attributed to Basquiat, an acclaimed artist who died in 1988. The nearly century-old Loch Haven Park institution alleged a conspiracy in which the defendants planned to use the museum show to give the art credibility so it could later be sold for personal profit — despite not knowing for certain if the works were authentic.

De Groft, who was fired by the museum, and defendant Pierce O’Donnell, a Los Angeles attorney, have said the charges are baseless but have not yet filed a formal response to the suit. In the most recent court filing this month, the museum disclosed it had given the defendants more time for their response, partly because several of them — including De Groft — still had not obtained Florida legal counsel.

The filing with Orange County circuit court was necessary because a standard pre-trial conference with the case’s presiding judge had been scheduled for Nov. 14. Last week, the museum and the defendants asked for a postponement of that conference, which Judge John E. Jordan approved Monday.

Postponements of that nature are routine as cases are being prepared, said Ginny Childs of Akerman, the law firm representing the museum, and don’t represent a substantive shift by either party in the case.

Despite lawsuit’s claims, Orlando Museum of Art tight-lipped about how much damage it has suffered

In its lawsuit, the museum claimed its finances and reputation were grievously injured by the 2022 “Heroes & Monsters” exhibition, which closed abruptly in June of that year when FBI agents seized the paintings as part of an investigation into fraudulent art. Authentic Basquiat works sell for millions of dollars.

Later, California auctioneer Michael Barzman told the FBI he helped create some of the exhibition’s art years after Basquiat’s death. O’Donnell and De Groft maintain Barzman was lying to avoid jail time; he received only probation and a fine at his sentencing in August.

The museum sought a jury trial in its lawsuit, but the recent court filing indicates the case won’t get that far if a deal can be reached.

‘A truth stranger than fiction’: Basquiat lawsuit details secrets, threats and conspiracies at Orlando Museum of Art

One of the factors cited in postponing the conference with the judge states: “The parties are currently engaged in settlement negotiations, the outcome of which has the potential to dispose of further litigation proceedings.”

As is customary, neither representatives of the museum nor the defendants would comment on any behind-the-scenes settlement negotiations.

Late last month, Orlando Museum of Art settled a lawsuit in which it had been sued by singer Sisaundra Lewis, who claimed her reputation had been damaged by use of her photo on the museum’s website after the Basquiat scandal. Details of that settlement were not revealed.

In the ongoing case, the pre-trial conference between the judge and lawyers for the museum and defendants is now scheduled for Jan. 2.

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.

P!nk, known for chart-topping hits such as “Raise Your Glass,” “Get This Party Started” and “So What,” kicks off the Florida leg of her current tour in Miami on Tuesday, with a performance in Sunrise on Wednesday before arriving in Orlando for a pair of concerts Saturday and Sunday.

At her South Florida stops, the singer announced Monday, 2,000 copies of four books that have been banned by various public schools will be given away in partnership with PEN America and Books & Books, a bookseller founded in 1982 by Miami Beach native Mitchell Kaplan.

There are currently no plans to give books away at P!nk’s Orlando shows.

“Books have held a special joy for me from the time I was a child, and that’s why I am unwilling to stand by and watch while books are banned by schools,” P!nk said in the announcement.

Book banning has resurfaced as a hot-button issue in political and educational circles, with the practice rising dramatically in recent times.

PEN America says it has seen a 33% spike in book bans across the United States, and Florida now ranks first in the nation, with its bans accounting for more than 40% of the nation’s total. Florida overtook Texas during the past school year after Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature implemented new legislation and policies about what topics could be taught and discussed in public schools.

Government officials particularly zeroed in on LGBTQ issues and anything they deemed to be part of critical race theory, a collection of ideas that considers racial bias to be inherent in many institutional aspects of society.

The four books to be distributed in South Florida each have appeared on PEN America’s Index of Banned Books. They are Todd Parr’s “The Family Book,” a book for young children that celebrates different types of families, including those with step-parents and those with two same-gender parents; Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” the Black writer’s spoken-word poem performed at President Joe Biden’s inauguration; Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer prize-winning “Beloved,” which in part explores the lasting trauma of slavery; and a book from Reshma Saujani’s “Girls Who Code” series, which aims to encourage girls to consider careers in technology.

PEN International — the acronym standing for Poets, Essayists and Novelists — was founded in London in 1921, with the American branch established the following year. The organization has a long history of fighting censorship and book bans. In 1933, as the Nazis rose to power, the German branch was expelled from the organization.

“We are thrilled to be working with P!nk on this important cause,” said Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read Program, in making the announcement. “Every child deserves access to literature that reflects their lives. Rampant censorship is depriving kids of the chance to see themselves in books and learn about the world and its history.”

In her statement, P!nk said the increased number of book bans was a step backward for the nation.

“It’s especially hateful to see authorities take aim at books about race and racism and against LGBTQ authors and those of color,” she said. “We have made so many strides toward equality in this country, and no one should want to see this progress reversed. This is why I am supporting PEN America in its work and why I agree with them: no more banned books.”

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.

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  Artist Max Sansing's "scribble grid" to help him scale up his mural design on to the wall at Trinity Lutheran Church during the Shine Mural Festival on Oct. 16, 2023. Tampa Bay Times

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  Max Sansing selects an orange spray paint while working on his mural from a bucket lift at Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay Times

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  Artist Max Sansing's mural comes to life at Trinity Lutheran Church during the Shine Mural Festival in St. Petersburg on Oct. 16, 2023. Tampa Bay Times

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  Max Sansing applies black paint to his mural at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 5th St N, while participating in the Shine Mural Festival, Oct. 13-22, in St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay Times

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  Max Sansing works on his mural from a bucket lift while participating in the Shine Mural Festival, Oct. 13-22, in St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay Times

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  Max Sansing dials into Radiohead while working on his mural on T at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 5th St N in downtown St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay Times

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  A detail of a flower, from Max Sansing’s mural on Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was participating in the Shine Mural Festival, Oct. 13-22, in St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay Times

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  The mural by Chicago-based artist Max Sansing on the north facing exterior wall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 Fifth St. N, on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023 in St. Petersburg. The mural, which faces Fifth Ave N, was completed last week as part of the Shine Mural Festival, which happened in St. Petersburg Oct. 13-22. Tampa Bay Times

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  The mural by Chicago-based artist Max Sansing on the north facing exterior wall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 Fifth St. N in St. Petersburg. The mural, which faces Fifth Ave N, was completed last week as part of the Shine Mural Festival, which happened in St. Petersburg Oct. 13-22. Tampa Bay Times

ST. PETERSBURG — On a gloomy, rainy Monday, Max Sansing had to prime the wall on the back of the church facing Fifth Avenue North. A rainbow of spray paint cans sat inside a storage pod, waiting to be used.

Sansing didn’t come to Florida with a complete plan for what he would paint.

The Chicago-based portrait artist had a figure of a woman and a palette in mind when he arrived for the Shine Mural Festival, which happened Oct. 13-22. He was invited to participate by the festival organizers in May.

He’d made a mock-up of the mural using an app that let him map out the “scribble grid” that helps him scale it onto the wall. That map was on a tablet attached to a railing on the lift, keeping his hands free to work.

Criss-crosses of blue painter’s tape made up the grid — it looked like a jumble to the untrained eye, but there was a hint of an outline of the figure.

Over the next five days, Sansing would use spray paint to create a mural featuring a photorealistic figure. His background as a classically-trained painter and a graffiti writer made this possible.

He was creating the mural for Trinity Lutheran Church (401 Fifth St. N), and was apprehensive about working at a church because he was afraid of being micromanaged or creating something cliché. But the folks at Trinity Lutheran were grateful to finally have a mural in the festival after years of applying. They not only gave him free artistic reign, but the church’s mission of feeding people became an inspiration for the mural.

The nature he saw and conversations he had during his stay in St. Pete would become details.

Here’s how it went down.

Day One

With the grid in place, it was time to sketch the outline on the wall with a grayish-toned spray paint. The wind was whipping the tape off the wall, but he was able to keep the sketch on track, using his map to know just where to apply dashes of paint.

In just 30 minutes, an outline of the face and body started taking shape. The next step was to refine the face, so Sansing started with a deep red paint. This would be the basis of the color palette for the face, which used red-orange, primary orange, red and yellow.

He called the deep red his “sketching can.” Before he began, he took the pressure out of the can by flipping it over and pressing it down. This helped him make quick strokes to define the features. He switched out nozzles frequently depending on what kind of effect he wants to get — a fatter nozzle will make wide swaths of color called shadow shapes, a smaller nozzle creates fine lines.

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Painting with such precision depends on timing — knowing how fast the paint will come out and when it will stop, and how fast to move your hand, he said.

Eventually the woman’s face came into detail. His model is a friend of Sansing’s who is also an artist. He commissions a friend to photograph portraits of his subjects, creating a file of references for his paintings. This woman has been in Sansing’s murals across the world.

After the figure was mapped out, Sansing took the rest of the tape off of the wall and called it a day.

Day Two

By late morning on Tuesday, the face had layers of rich red and orange. People were dropping by to check on Sansing and take photos.
As he worked, Sansing started feeling sick. He powered through, adding “color waves” near the face, which now had the appearance of a shaft of light coming across it. He ended up coming down with a bug — it wasn’t COVID-19 — that passed overnight.

Day Three

Wednesday morning, Sansing was feeling better. More progress was made, including background blues and greens. One of the abstract color waves became the leaves of an orange and purple “psychedelic hibiscus” that melted down the wall.

Now that the difficult job of rendering the face was over, Sansing moved into abstract shapes, playing with color and pattern the way the jazz musicians he often listens to on his headphones riff on notes.

While he worked, onlookers offered words of advice and encouragement, like, “you can’t rush art” and “you have a gift from God.”

Day Four

Sansing was in the groove, adding more flowers and color waves. He made a scene that paid homage to the church, with its arched red doors flanked by a silhouette of the building and palm trees, framed by an orange and purple cotton-candy sunset sky.

Day Five

Now on the home stretch, he moved onto the adjacent wall, where the figure’s arm holds a bag of fruit, Sansing’s version of a cornucopia. The pieces of fruit gleam with the light of a still life oil painting. His final touch? Gray silhouettes of ibises in flight.

Central Florida art exhibits reflect on femininity, grief, nature

For Sansing, finishing the mural is also the finale of his mural season for the year, which has taken him from Minneapolis to Hawaii to Panama among other places.

As he packed up the storage pod, Sansing said he was happy with the outcome, despite seeing a few things he wanted to fix. But he had to turn that off, he said.

He was still thinking of its title, which came to him a few days later: “Shining Hope.”

The 47th annual Maitland Rotary Art Festival features more than 130 artists from as far away as Arizona and New York showing all kinds of art during the show Nov. 10-12.

“We have a huge variety of art. We have everything from fiber and leather to fine crafts, sculpture, glass, mixed media and painting. It’s a lot of very talented artists,” said Kimberly Carroll, the art festival chairperson.

The after-dark hours are part of what sets this festival apart, as patrons can browse and buy until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

“People enjoy having the nighttime hours and our festival is very family-oriented,” Carroll said. “The setting is absolutely beautiful for the festival.”

For participating artists, $14,000 in prize money is up for grabs with $5,000 going to the Best in Show winner.

Aside from the art, visitors can enjoy live music, sip and taste the offerings from food and beverage vendors and explore a kid’s zone open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.

Last year, the Maitland Rotary Club gave away an estimated $60,000 to Central Florida charities and organizations including Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, the Central Florida YMCA, Lighthouse Central Florida, Meals on Wheels, United Against Poverty and Infinite Zion Farms.

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“This is our big fundraiser every year,” Carroll said. “I think the Rotarians play a huge part in making it outstanding.”

If you go

The 47th annual Maitland Rotary Art Festival is open 5-9 p.m. Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 11 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 12 at 701 Lake Lily Drive in Maitland. The festival is free and open to the public. For more information, visit maitlandartfest.org.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.

Art In The Alley:  6 p.m.; Nov. 10; 138 E. Fifth Ave. in Mount Dora; mountdora.com

“Common Threads” Art Exhibit: 9 a.m.; Nov. 10, Nov. 13-16; Casselberry Art House, 127 Quail Pond Circle in Casselberry; free; 407-262-7700, ext. 1122; casselberry.org

“Elemental Landscapes”: Womyn’s Alternative Photography Society International: 9 a.m.; Nov. 10-11, Nov. 13-16; Crealdé School of Art, 600 Saint Andrews Blvd. in Winter Park; free; 407-671-1886; crealde.org

“American Visions: Recent Acquisitions to the Collection”: 10 a.m.; Nov. 10-12, Nov. 14-16; Rollins Museum of Art, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park; free; 407-646-2526

“Beyond the Medici: The Haukohl Family Collection”:  10 a.m.; Nov. 10-12, Nov. 14-6; Rollins Museum of Art, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park; free; 407-646-2526

“The Voice of the People: Freedom of Speech”: 10 a.m.; Nov. 10-12, Nov. 14-16; Rollins Museum of Art, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park; free; 407-646-2526

“Fascinating Clutter: American Taste during the Reign of Victoria”: 9:30 a.m.; Nov. 10-12, Nov. 14- 16; The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, 445 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park; $1-$6; 407-645-5311; morsemuseum.org

Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibit: Nov. 10-13; Orlando City Hall, 400 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando; orlando.gov

It’s a Wonderful Life in Winter Garden: 9 a.m.; Nov. 10, Nov. 13-16; City Hall, Art in Public Places Gallery, 300 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden; free; 407-671-1886; crealde.org

Maitland Rotary Art Festival Patron Party: 6 p.m.; Nov. 10; Cottage at Lake Lily Park, 701 Lake Lily Drive in Maitland; eventbrite.com

Patrick Noze: Renaissance Artist of the Americas: 9 a.m.; Nov. 10-11, Nov. 13-16; Crealdé School of Art, 600 St. Andrews Blvd. in Winter Park; free; 407-671-1886; crealde.org

Sanford Seminole Art Association Exhibition: Opening reception is 6-8 p.m. Nov. 10. 9 a.m.; Nov. 10, Nov. 13-16; Casselberry Art House, 127 Quail Pond Circle in Casselberry; free; 407-262-7700; calendar.unitedartscfl.org

Tour, The Voice of the People: Freedom of Speech: 11 a.m.; Nov. 10; Rollins Museum of Art, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park; free; 407-646-2526

Artists in Resonance No. 6: The Greenjays, John Study and Jordan Jones: 7 p.m.; Nov. 11; Timucua, 2000 S. Summerlin Ave. in Orlando; timucua.com

National Historic Landmark Tour: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11, Nov. 16; Art & History Museums of Maitland, 210 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland; up to $6; 407-539-2181; artandhistory.org

Weekend Tours: Docent-led highlight tours are offered on Saturdays. 1 p.m., 3 p.m.; Nov. 11; Rollins Museum of Art, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park; free; 407-646-2526

Mount Dora Plein Air Exhibition: 11 a.m.; Nov. 12; Mount Dora Center for the Arts, 138 E. 5th Ave. in Mount Dora; free; 352-383-0880; mountdora.com

“Raices” (Roots) Art Exhibition: 9 a.m.; Nov. 13-16; Casselberry City Hall, 95 Triplet Lake Drive in Casselberry; free; 407-262-7700; calendar.unitedartscfl.org

Arte y Cafe Con La Curadora (Art and Coffee with the Curator): 6 p.m.; Nov. 14; Rollins Museum of Art, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park; free; 407-646-2526

All Access DIY Content Creator Photography and Filmmaker Event: 8 p.m.; Nov. 15; OptiView Entertainment, 855 N. U.S. Highway 17-92 in Longwood; eventbrite.com

Artist Demonstration Series: 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 16; Wekiva Island, 1014 Miami Springs Drive in Longwood; $10; 407-862-1500; wekivaisland.com

Benji Brown: 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 10-12; Orlando Improv, 9101 International Drive in Orlando; $32; theimprovorlando.com

Comedian Mickey Bell and David Phelps: 7 p.m.; Nov. 11; Aloma Church, 1815 State Road 436 in Winter Park; bandsintown.com

Chris D’Elia: 8 p.m.; Nov. 10; Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando; 407-246-2555; drphillipscenter.org

Karlous Miller, At the End of the Day: 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 10; Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando; $39.50; 407-358-6603; drphillipscenter.org

Harsh Gujral: 7 p.m.; Nov. 15; PAC, Edgewater High School, 3100 Edgewater Drive in Orlando; orioleproduction.ticketleap.com

FOOD

Family Meal Box Giveaway: 1 p.m.; Nov. 10; 4520 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 100 in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Senior Turkey Giveaway: 3 p.m.; Nov. 14; Orlando Family Physicians by InnovaCare Health, 810 N. Nowell St. in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Food Trucks: 6 p.m.; Nov. 10; Lake Concord Park, 95 Triplet Lake Drive in Casselberry; 407-262-7700; calendar.unitedartscfl.org

Cuisine Corner Junior: Turkey-Themed Cupcakes: This online event is recommended for families with children ages 6-8. 4 p.m.; Nov. 16; Orange County Public Library; free; 407-835-7323; attend.ocls.info

Sunday Brunch with Saxophonist Vicente Belen: 11 a.m.; Nov. 12; Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen, 494 State Road 436 in Altamonte Springs; eventbrite.com

Paint and Fete: Enjoy painting, Caribbean food and drinks. 4 p.m.; Nov. 11; D&J Ballroom, 4300 Clarcona Ocoee Road, #407 in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Weekend Brunch Fiesta with Live Music: Enjoy Mexican brunch specialties, margaritas, OJ mimosas and live music. 11 a.m.; Nov. 12; Solita Tacos & Margaritas, 222 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando; 520-440-4916; eventvesta.com

Local Live Music and Meals: Mexican specialist serves tacos, wood-fired dishes and craft cocktails. 6 p.m.; Nov. 10-11; Solita Tacos & Margaritas, 222 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando; 520-440-4916

Farm to Table Class: Time for a Corn Fiesta: 10 a.m.; Nov. 15; Great Scott Farms, 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora; $3; 352-343-4101; longandscottfarms.ticketspice.com

Pasta-Making with Executive Chef Dan: 3 p.m.; Nov. 10; Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, 1200 Epcot Resorts Blvd. in Lake Buena Vista; $110; brownpapertickets.com

Flamenco Fridays:  Enjoy Spanish tapas and shareable pans of paella while flamenco dancers entertain. 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 10; Jaleo Disney Springs, 1482 E. Buena Vista Drive in Orlando; free; jaleo.com

Beehive Glam Pamper Brunch: 1 p.m.; Nov. 12; 3086 Costa Club Drive in Ocoee; eventbrite.com

Beads4Beats 3rd Annual Breakfast Celebration: 8 a.m.; Nov. 14; First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 John Young Parkway in Orlando; free; 321-663-5916; beads4beats.org

Food Bank Volunteers Needed: Help sort food and pack boxes for Thanksgiving food distribution. 9:30 a.m.; Nov. 11; Southeastern Food Bank Warehouse, 655 N. Kissimmee Ave. in Ocoee; eventbrite.com

FESTIVALS & FAIRS

Craft Beer and Blues Festival: 5 p.m.; Nov. 10; Lake Concord Park, 127 Quail Pond Circle in Casselberry; free; calendar.unitedartscfl.org

Maitland Rotary Art Festival:  5 p.m. Nov. 10; 10 a.m. Nov. 11-12; Lake Lily Park, 701 Lake Lily Drive in Maitland; eventbrite.com

Meet Florida Meat Market and Family Day: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11-12; Long and Scott’s Farms, 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora; $2; fun4lakekids.com

OEatz Fall Pop-Up Shop: 2:30 p.m.; Nov. 12; 1515 Lee Road in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Plaid in the Park: 4 p.m.; Nov. 11; Sunset Park, 230 W. Fourth Ave. in Mount Dora; free; 904-334-4923; mountdora.com

GROWvember Fall Plant Sale: The event features plant vendors and exhibitors, kids activities, live music, food and a beer garden. 2 p.m.; Nov. 10-11; Mead Botanical Garden, 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park; bungalower.com

Cows ‘n Cabs: This is an open-air, country-western-themed event with live music and dancing. 6 p.m.; Nov. 11; West Meadow, 300 N. New York Ave. in Winter Park; $-$325; cowsncabs.com

Fall EggFest: 9 a.m.; Nov. 11; Wekiva Island, 1014 Miami Springs Drive in Longwood; $30-$40; 407-399-2443; centralfloridafalleggfest.com

Daisy’s Carnival Afterglow – EDM Orlando Late-Night Celebration: 9 p.m.; Nov. 10; OptiView Immersive Art Museum, 855 N. U.S. Highway 17-92 in Longwood; eventbrite.com

Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival: 11 a.m.; Nov. 10-12; 16651 Schofield Road in Clermont; $21.95-$24.95; 407-986-5806; fun4lakekids.com

Veterans Day Parade: 11 a.m.; Nov. 11; Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave. in Orlando; downtownorlando.com

CosFaire Orlando:  10 a.m.; Nov. 11; Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando; $5-$10; 407-274-7404; lunattix.com

Fall Festival and Corn Maze: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11-12; Long and Scott’s Farms, 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora; 352-383-6900; fun4lakekids.com

Fall Fling Craft and Vendor Fair: 11 a.m.; Nov. 11; First Baptist Church of Pine Castle, 1001 Hoffner Ave. in Orlando; free; fbcpinecastle.churchcenter.com

Veterans Resource Fair: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11; Veteran’s Park, 1201 13th St. in St. Cloud; 407-957-7300; stcloudfl.gov

Wicked World Indoor Market: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11; Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando; $5; facebook.com

Water Lantern Festival: 3 p.m.; Nov. 11; Lakefront Park, 104 Lakeshore Blvd. in St. Cloud; $25.99-$55.99; waterlanternfestival.com

Audubon Park Community Market: 5 p.m.; Nov. 13; Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 Winter Park Road in Orlando; stardustvideoandcoffee.wordpress.com

Fall Craft Fair: 11 a.m.; Nov. 11; Town Park, 3651 Avalon Park East Blvd. in Orlando

Seniors Farmers Market: 2 p.m.; Nov. 10; Orlando Family Physicians, 811 N. Nowell St. in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Community Day:  8 a.m.; Nov. 11; True Health Lake Underhill, 5730 Lake Underhill Road in Orlando; free; 407-322-8645; mytruehealth.org

Lake Mary Farmers Market:  9 a.m.; Nov. 11; Central Park at City Hall, 100 N. Country Club Road in Lake Mary; free; 407-585-1460; facebook.com

Mount Dora Village Market: 10 a.m.; Nov. 12; 230 N. Alexander St. in Mount Dora; mountdora.com

Orlando Farmers Market: 10 a.m.; Nov. 12; Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave. in Orlando; downtownorlando.com

Orlando Outdoor Market: 7 a.m.; Nov. 11-12; Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando; centralfloridafair.com

Clermont Farmers Market: 9 a.m.; Nov. 12; Montrose Street in downtown Clermont

Maitland Farmers Market: 9 a.m.; Nov. 12; Independence Square, 1776 Independence Lane in Maitland; 407-539-6223; itsmymaitland.com

FUNDRAISERS

“Mamma Mia” Movie Singalong – Orlando Gay Chorus Fundraiser: 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 10; Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave. in Sanford; $20; 407-321-8111

Turn a Pen for a Veteran:  All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Help Heal Veterans organization. 11:30 a.m.; Nov. 11; Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 515 E. Altamonte Drive, Suite 1018 in Altamonte Springs; $15; eventbrite.com

“Threads of Hope” Fashion Show: 10:30 a.m.; Nov. 15; Country Club of Orlando, 1601 Country Club Drive in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Lyles Brothers Fundraiser Brunch: 11 a.m.; Nov. 11; Overlook at Hamlin, 7709 Lake Hancock Blvd. in Winter Garden; eventbrite.com

Canstruction: The event raises awareness about hunger while providing resources to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida for relief efforts. 9 a.m.; Nov. 11; The Wheelhouse at ICON Park, 8371 International Drive in Orlando; free; canstruction-orlando.org

Dancing for Diabetes:  7:30 p.m.; Nov. 11; Steinmetz Hall, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando; 407-358-6603; drphillipscenter.org

Audubon’s Talons and Tidings: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11; Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, 1101 Audubon Way in Maitland; $15; 407-644-0190; cbop.audubon.org

42nd Annual Holiday Marketplace: 8 a.m.; Nov. 11-12; St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Drive in Orlando; st.lukes.org

MOVIES

Orlando West Movie on the Lawn: 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 11; 3005 N. Powers Drive in Orlando; eventbrite.com

“The Heartbreak Kid”: The movie is for ages 18 and older. 12:30 p.m.; Nov. 15; St. Cloud Community Center, 3101 17th St. in St. Cloud; stcloudfl.gov

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”: 9:30 p.m.; Nov. 14; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave. in Maitland; 407-629-1088; enzian.org

“The Act of Killing”: 11 a.m.; Nov. 12; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave. in Maitland; 407-629-1088; enzian.org

LITERARY ARTS

Story Time: 11 a.m.; Nov. 10; Minneola Library, 100 S. Main Ave. in Minneola; 352-432-3921; fun4lakekids.com

“Gator Country” Book Launch: Rebecca Renner With James Chapin and Mistie R. Watkins:  6 p.m.; Nov. 11; Zeppelin Books, 885 North Orange Ave., Suite B in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Local Author Festival: 2 p.m.; Nov. 11; Orange County Library, Alafaya Branch, 12000 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando; free; 407-835-7323; attend.ocls.info

Baby and Me Story Time: 10:30 a.m.; Nov. 13; Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive in Clermont; free; 352-536-2275; fun4lakekids.com

Little Creatives and Me: Songs, stories, and art time for babies, toddlers and their special person. Pre-registration required. 10 a.m.; Nov. 15; Art & History Museums of Maitland, 210 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland; free; 407-539-2181; jcohen@artandhistory.org, artandhistory.org

“The Purest Bond” Book Signing With Author Jen Golbeck: 4:30 p.m.; Nov. 14; Writer’s Block Bookstore, 316 N. Park Ave. in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Christmas Countdown Event With Author Viola Shipman: 6 p.m.; Nov. 13; Quantum Leap Winery, 1312 Wilfred Drive in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Toddler Sensory Story Time: 10:30 a.m.; Nov. 14; Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive in Clermont; free; 352-536-2275; fun4lakekids.com

Mayor Buddy’s Book Club: “Stuck” By Jennifer Swender: Ages 8-12 can engage in a discussion and fun activities with the author in this online event. 4 p.m.; Nov. 15; Orange County Public Library; free; 407-835-7323; attend.ocls.info

Shake, Rattle and Read: 11 a.m.; Nov. 16; Cagan Crossings Community Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks in Clermont; 352-243-1840; fun4lakekids.com

FAMILY

Free Family Funday: The event is every second Sunday of the month and includes a free miniature fine-art project and docent touring. Noon; Nov. 12; Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 E. Princeton St. in Orlando; members.hispanicchamber.net

Family Studio: Ages 5-10 and their families enjoy art and exploration. 10 a.m.; Nov. 11; Rollins Museum of Art, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park; free; 407-646-2526; rollins.edu

Holiday Nights: 6 p.m.; Nov. 10-12, Nov. 16; Island H20 Water Park, 3230 Inspiration Drive in Kissimmee; $29.99-$34.99; 407-910-1401; IslandH2OWaterPark.com

Saturday Night Out: Parents can plan a night out or a quiet night at home while kids enjoy games, playtime, pizza and a movie. 6 p.m.; Nov. 11; Rosen Event Center, 11184 S. Apopka-Vineland Road in Orlando; 407-387-5330; rosenjcc.org

How to Talk With Your Child: 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 14; Lake Brantley High School Media Center, 991 Sand Lake Road in Altamonte Springs; eventbrite.com

Woofie’s Grand Opening Celebration and Pet Pampering Party: 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 15; Home State Brewing Company, 16016 New Independence Parkway, #100 in Winter Garden; eventbrite.com

Christmas Pet and Family Photo Day: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11; Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, 13524 Summerport Village Parkway in Windermere; eventbrite.com

KIDS

JCPenney Kids Zone: 11 a.m.; Nov. 11; 2345 S. Highway 27 in Clermont; free; fun4lakekids.com

Kids Hour:  4 p.m.; Nov. 15; Orlando Cat Café, 532 Cagan Park Ave. in Clermont; $8-$10; fun4lakekids.com

Kids Open Studio: 5 p.m.; Nov. 16; Studio ArtFarm, 120 E. Fourth Ave. in Mount Dora; $12; fun4lakekids.com

Kids Paint and Ice Cream Party: Kids paint Mister Moose or Snow Pals. 1:30 p.m.; Nov. 12; Nan & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop, 351 N. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Suite 1005 in Longwood; eventbrite.com

Gabby’s Dollhouse: Gabby on the Go: 10 a.m.; Nov. 12; Universal CityWalk, 6000 Universal Blvd. in Orlando; free; eventbrite.com

OUTDOOR RECREATION

November Eco Paddle: Learn how to benefit waterways and see the Wekiva River firsthand on a canoe tour. 9 a.m.; Nov. 10; Wekiva Island, 1014 Miami Springs Drive in Longwood; eventbrite.com

NXL Paintball World Cup: 8 a.m.; Nov. 10-12; 5990 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee; nxl.ticketleap.com

Outdoor Yoga in the Sculpture Garden: In partnership with Full Circle Yoga, the event is every Sunday. 11:30 a.m.; Nov. 12; Mennello Museum of American Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando

The Florida Run: Four distances are available: Mile kids run, 5K, 10K, half-marathon. 7:30 a.m.; Nov. 11; Lake Louisa State Park, 7305 U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont; trailrunner.com

Intro to Birdwatching for Junior Naturalists: 9 a.m.; Nov. 11; Johns Lake Conservation Area, 880 Avalon Road in Winter Garden; eventbrite.com

PURSUITS & HOBBIES

Cornhole Tournament: Six games are guaranteed. 6 p.m.; Nov. 10; Orlando Elk Lodge, 12 N. Primrose Drive in Orlando; 407-894-1079

Fired-Up Fridays:  All makes, models and years of show-car quality are welcome. 5 p.m.; Nov. 10; The Promenade at Sunset Walk, 3251 Margaritaville Blvd. in Kissimmee; free; 407-338-4811; sunsetwalk.com

Friday Night Muscle Car Show and Cruise: 3 p.m.; Nov. 10; Old Town, 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee; carsandcoffeeevents.com

Cars and Coffee: The event is every second Saturday and open to all makes and models. 9 a.m.; Nov. 11; Porsche of Orlando, 9590 Highway 17 in Maitland; carsandcoffeeevents.com

Ukulele Club: The club meets every Tuesday. Registration not required. 5 p.m.; Nov. 14; Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive in Clermont; 352-253-6180; mylakelibrary.org

Trunk Show: Discover trendy frames and exclusive deals. 10 a.m.; Nov. 10; New Vision Care, 15508 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 102 in Winter Garden; eventbrite.com

Symmetry Financial Group – Sales Bootcamp: 3 p.m.; Nov. 10; Hard Rock Hotel, 5800 Universal Blvd. in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Sustainability Gathering: Learn to press olives into olive oil, followed by a screening of the Palestinian film “Forager.” 10 a.m.; Nov. 11; 317 Teakwood Lane in Altamonte Springs; eventbrite.com

Mindful Beauty Mini Retreat: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11; Au Naturale Spa and Wellness, 16201 State Road 50, Suite 305 in Clermont; eventbrite.com

Monthly Plant, Seed Swap and Sale: 10 a.m.; Nov. 12; Deltona Garden Club, 1270 Doyle Road in Deltona; free; brownpapertickets.com

Handle Turning: Learn woodturning basics and use a wood lathe to craft a custom wooden handle for an ice-cream scoop, bottle opener or pizza cutter. Noon; Nov. 14; Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 515 E. Altamonte Drive, Suite 1018 in Altamonte Springs; eventbrite.com

Not Another D+D Podcast: 8 p.m.; Nov. 15; Hard Rock Cafe, 6050 Universal Blvd. in Orlando; $56.50-$120

Latte Art Throwdown: 6 p.m.; Nov. 11; Stemma Craft Coffee, 328 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Paint a Pumpkin Bouquet With Alcohol Inks: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11; Artisans of Mount Dora, 139 E. Fourth Ave. in Mount Dora; eventbrite.com

Chigiri-e on Canvas Tote – Japanese Collage Technique on Fabric: 10 a.m.; Nov. 14; Hummingbird Studio, 930 N. Donnelly St., Suite B in Mount Dora; eventbrite.com

Exploring Watercolors (Intermediate/Advanced): Challenge yourself with new techniques and sharpen your skills. 1 p.m.; Nov. 14; Mount Dora Center for the Arts, 138 E. Fifth Ave. in Mount Dora; $130-$160; 352-383-0880; mountdora.com

Art and Sip: 6 p.m.; Nov. 14; Café Tu Tu Tango, 8625 International Drive in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Glamorous Legends Duets Pageant: 6 p.m.; Nov. 13; The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive in Orlando; amorevents-llccom.ticketleap.com

Wood Finishing Basics: 10:30 a.m.; Nov. 12; Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 515 E. Altamonte Drive, Suite 1018 in Altamonte Springs; eventbrite.com

Orlando Scrabble Club: The group meets on Mondays. 7 p.m.; Nov. 13; Wirz Park Recreation Building, 806 Mark David Blvd. in Casselberry; free; orlandoscrabble.com

Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night: 7 p.m.; Nov. 14; The Corner Pizza Bar, 150 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando; free; eventvesta.com

Trivia at Pups Pub: 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 14; 317 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando; 407-246-2555; downtownorlando.com

Trivia Night: 7 p.m.; Nov. 16; World of Beer, 431 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando; 407-246-2555; downtownorlando.com

Pastors Conference 2023: 4 p.m.; Nov. 14-16; Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Drive in Orlando; eventbrite.com

DIY Holiday Tablescaping: 6 p.m.; Nov. 15; LiveTrends Boutique, 279 Tremaine St. in Winter Garden; eventbrite.com

Neo Soul Paint and Sip (Season Finale): 8 p.m.; Nov. 10; 1032 W. Robinson St. in Orlando; eventbrite.com

Sell your camera gear: 10 a.m.; Nov. 10; The LensPal, 213 S. Dillard St., Suite 330 in Winter Garden; eventbrite.com

Musical War Car Show/Sound Competition: 10 a.m.; Nov. 11-12; Plastic Tubing Industries, 2346 Vulcan Road in Apopka; eventbrite.com

Intro to Dance: Designed to inspire even the most self-conscious to discover their inner dancer. 2 p.m.; Nov. 13; Orange County Library, West Oaks Branch, 1821 E. Silver Star Road in Ocoee; free; 407-835-7323; attend.ocls.info

Genealogy Conversations: Thanksgiving is the perfect time to jump-start your genealogy and family tree research. Learn how to discover information while sitting around the table in this online class. 6:30 p.m.; Nov. 15; Orange County Library; free; 407-835-7323; attend.ocls.info

Working with CNCs: This class is an introduction to CNC routing and offers guidance with V-Carve. Noon; Nov. 15; Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 515 E. Altamonte Drive, Suite 1018 in Altamonte Springs; eventbrite.com

Third Thursday Orlando: Celebrate arts, culture and history on the third Thursday of every month. 6 p.m.; Nov. 16; CityArts Orlando, 39 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando; free; 407-648-7060; downtownartsdistrict.com

Third Thursday at The Museum: The history center is open late on the third Thursday of each month with three hours of free admission. 5 p.m.; Nov. 16; Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando; free; thehistorycenter.org

Basic Watercolor Painting: 1 p.m.; Nov. 13; Mount Dora Center for the Arts, 138 E. Fifth Ave. in Mount Dora; $130-$160; 352-383-0880; mountdora.com

Coffee Club Nona: 8:30 a.m.; Nov. 16; Sam’s Club Lake Nona, 11920 Narcoossee Road in Orlando; free; eocc.chambermaster.com

Community Bingo: 6:30 p.m.; Nov. 16; Rosen Event Center, 11184 S. Apopka-Vineland Road in Orlando; $20; 407-387-2743; rosenjcc.org