Culture worthy of your calendar

Guitar in world premiere exhibit

The Orlando Science Center has scored a major coup in the world of museum exhibits by presenting the premiere of the National Guitar Museum’s touring exhibition, “Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World.” Opening June 11, the exhibit explores the history and evolution of the guitar — from lutes and lyres to modern high-tech instruments.

On display at the Science Center until Sept. 11 with displays that entertain while they educate, the show includes historical artifacts, models, posters, video screens, and kiosks that feature everything from how strings create sound to environmental concerns about the wood used to make guitars. Displays include the tanbur from Persia, the oud from Mesopotamia, the lute from Europe, the pipa from China and the sitar from India. Call 407-514-2000.

A ‘Peanuts’ breakthrough!

The comic strip “Peanuts,” created by Charles M. Schulz, has been described as “the most shining example of the American success story in the comic strip field,” based somewhat ironically as it is on its innocent — but inept — main character, Charlie Brown. Young Mr. Brown is meek, lacks self-confidence and has never been able to fly a kite, kick a football, or win at anything he attempts. Eventually the Peanuts characters found their way to the Broadway stage, appearing in the musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Originally successful Off-Broadway (in 1967), a revival opened on Broadway in 1999, and soon became the most-produced musical in American theater.

The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park will present the musical from Friday, June 10, through July 3. The theater is located at 419A W. Fairbanks Ave. Call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

$5,000 for your favorite arts group

United Arts is giving us a vote that could help our favorite arts organization receive extra funding. The new campaign, “The Arts Matter. Your Vote Matters!” runs through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14. In two easy minutes, you can help your favorite arts organization win $5,000. All organizations that have received funding through United Arts within the past three years are eligible to participate. To cast your vote, visit TheArtsMatter.com by June 14 and click on ”The Arts Matter. Your Vote Matters!” You will see a list of organizations. When you click on the organization of your choice, a page will open, and your vote will automatically be counted. The organization with the most votes wins $5,000. Visit TheArtsMatter.com

Derek Gores and Zoé Mac on Third Thursday

Third Thursday (June 16 this month) is the time when all the downtown Orlando art galleries open their new art exhibits. It’s a wonderful way, in one evening, to see what’s new in the fine arts while supporting the artists whose work is shown in a variety of spaces. On Thursday, June 16, from 6-9 p.m., artists Derek Gores and Zoé Mac will share an opening reception at the Gallery at Avalon Island. The opening is free, and the exhibit will be on display through July 15. Gores gained national attention for his collage portraits. He exhibited at the presidential inauguration in Washington and was commissioned to create six new pieces for the new Amway Center, including a 7-foot-tall portrait of Dwight Howard. Ms. Mac has been featured at New York’s International Art Expo and has exhibited throughout the U.S.