Fun things for the whole family to do throughout Greater Orlando in May

Orlando Ballet: A Cinderella Story
Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
May 5-7
Remember when families gathered around the television set on a Saturday night? That era, the 1950s, is the setting for Val Caniparoli’s A Cinderella Story, a retro retelling of the classic fairy tale. The show includes vintage couture-inspired costumes and choreography melded with Richard Rodgers’ music, all arranged for a live jazz orchestra by Winnipeg bandleader Ron Paley, with live music from the Central Florida Community Arts Big Band. OrlandoBallet.org

Princess Ball
Hyatt Regency Orlando
May 6
The 5th annual Princess Ball highlights the positive relationship between fathers and daughters, while giving back to a local children’s charity. The event features food and music, as well as entertainment and special activities. Proceeds benefit Florida Hospital’s children’s services through a donation made by the A. Jones Family Foundation. PrincessBallOrlando.org

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra: Season Finale
Bob Carr Theater
May 7
The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra (FSYO) concludes its 60th concert season with all four FSYO orchestras, along with a concerto competition winner who will be accompanied by the symphonic orchestra. FSYO.com

Matilda
Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
May 9-14
Fairwinds Broadway in Orlando presents this winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards. Matilda the Musical, based on the novel by Roald Dahl, is the story of a girl who dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. DrPhillipsCenter.org

Popcorn Flicks
Central Park, Winter Park
May 11
Bring a blanket and snacks for a movie experience under the stars as Enzian Theater presents North by Northwest. This free event is one of the theater’s Popcorn Flicks, which take place the second Thursday of each month. Enzian.org

Murder For Two
Winter Park Playhouse
May 11-21
Everyone is a suspect in this murder-mystery musical comedy with a twist. One actor plays the investigator, the other plays 13 suspects, and both play the piano throughout. WinterParkPlayhouse.org

Taste of Soul
Orlando Festival Park
May 13
This family festival features soul food vendors, live music, arts and crafts, and a kids’ play area, plus a Soul Train line dance, classic games and more. GoPartyLive.com/TasteOfSoul

Mother’s Day at Leu Gardens
Harry P. Leu Gardens
May 14
Free admission for all moms to explore 50 acres of gardens, including Florida’s largest rose garden, which is in full bloom during the month of May. Plus, visit the butterfly garden, where you can see many different species fluttering by, and stop at the historic Leu House, a restored 1880s home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. LeuGardens.org

Mother’s Day at the Polasek Museum
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
May 14
Albin Polasek dedicated his chapel at the museum to his mother, and used her likeness as the Virgin Mary in his artwork. Learn this and other facts about the women in the Polasek story when you take your mom for a tour and stroll through the gardens. Mothers will be honored with free admission. Polasek.org

Orlando Fringe Festival
Loch Haven Park
May 16-29
Taking place in various venues throughout Orlando’s Loch Haven Park, the Orlando Fringe Festival is a celebration of the theatrical and performing arts. Back for its 25th year, it is the longest-running fringe festival in the U.S. This event is uncensored and unjuried, and 100 percent of ticket sales are given back to the artists. OrlandoFringe.org

Sound Bytes
Oak Ridge High School, Orlando
May 20
The Central Florida Community Arts Young Artists Orchestra comes together with the Youth Vocal Ensembles for this concert based on the music of popular video games, including orchestral sections from Fallout 4, Pokemon Go and Civilization, plus vocal performances of Hotyru Koi and selections from the Japanese game Fire Emblem Fates. CFCArts.com/events

Hair of the Dog: New Work by Matt Sesow
Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, Sanford
May 20 – Jun 11
Contemporary artist Matt Sesow says painting has become the meaning of his life. A childhood accident left him with one arm, and his art is an expressive outlet for him every day. This show will include themes that Sesow returns to again and again: his accident and injury, current events and dogs on the loose. JTFolkArt.com

Sea and Sky: Watercolors and Drawings by Paul Signac
Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Rollins College, Winter Park
May 25 – Sep 10
The watercolors and drawings of late 19th- and early 20th-century French artist Paul Signac are the focus of this exhibition of views of harbors and gardens, historic towns and Paris streets. These works come from a collection of Signac’s graphic art—133 works that were presented to the Arkansas Arts Center in 1999. Rollins.edu/CFAM

Into the Woods
Garden Theatre
Through May 28
Follow a baker and his wife as they journey into the woods striving to lift a witch’s curse. Along the way, they encounter other fairytale characters, each of whom possesses something necessary to reverse the curse. Winner of the 1988 Tony Award for best original score and best book of a musical, Into the Woods explores the consequences of wishes and the responsibility that comes with getting what you want. GardenTheatre.org

Orlando Carnival
Camping World Stadium
May 28
Orlando Carnival celebrates its 30th year with a parade, bands and themed costumes. OrlandoCarnivalDowntown.com

An abridged version of this article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s May 2017 issue.