If you live in Central Florida or plan to visit sometime in the next few months, be sure to pay a visit to the Orlando History Centre, which is hosting a bunch of fantastic puppetry between now and then end of April. It all kicks off next week with the grand opening of Jim Henson’s Fantastic World with Heather Henson next Thursday, followed by Look Both Ways, a special behind-the-scenes presentation by Jane Henson exploring the creation of the Muppets (this, alas, is already sold out).

There’s lots more planned for the coming months, including:

• Muppets, Music & Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy – A remounting of the original program that ran at the Brooklyn Academy of Music several years ago
• The Dark Crystal Redux: Klakk smaithh Skwee Kreh – A exhibit of 12 works by photographer John Lawrence Jones that attempt to capture the world of the Dark Crystal (March 14 – May 10).
• Muppets 101 – Heather Henson hosts a special screening of rare Muppet material that includes early TV appearances, commercials, and guest spots on The Dick Cavett Show.
• Puppetry in Central Florida – An exhibit that explores the history of puppetry in Central Florida (March 14 – May 10).
• Family puppetry workshops (selected weekends, February – April)

Many of these events require advanced registration and are likely to sell out. Visit www.thehistorycenter.org for more information and reservations.