Culture worthy of your calendar

By Josh Garrick

'Waiting for Godot'

The Relevant Theatrics Theatre Company has decided to take on one of the most perplexing and 'moving' plays of the last century — Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot".

In the middle of the 20th century, the New York Times called the play "One of the true masterpieces of the century," and yet it is a play in which "nothing happens." Two apparently homeless men wait — and wait — for someone (Godot) while they play word games. Those word games — often comical, sometimes tragic, and always poetic — represent man's quest for the meaning of life and are recognized today as one of the prime examples of existential writing in all of literature. In other words, this is not traditional summer theatre fare. This classic will be performed from Aug. 6-15 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center with a cast that features Alan Sincic, Brett Carson, Cory Boughton Kimberly Luffman and Toni Clair directed by Joshua Baggett. To purchase tickets in advance, please visit redchairproject.com; reservations may be made by calling 407-809-5266.

The hot summer boat show

Yes this is an arts column, but try and tell the owners of those big (and not-so-big) boats that their 'floating palace' is not a form of art. "All things boating" will be on display from Friday-Sunday, Aug. 6-8 at the Orange County Convention Center with the return of the Summer Boat Show. Boats offered by exhibitors from across Central Florida will be on display, as well as family activities on the show floor, including a new Kids Zone featuring "The Pirates of the Treasure Coast." Joe Pozo, president of Boat Tree, says "The marine industry is slowly rebounding from one of the worst recessions in memory. The Hot Summer Boat Show is an important step in the turnaround process for many of the exhibitors at the show." The fun comes from the dozens of boats on the show floor, ready to be boarded for a closer look and a dream or two of lazy afternoons on the water. Admission is $5; children 15 and younger are free. For advance ticketing, visit www.boatshowflorida.com

Ms. Jacqueline Jones at Winter Park Playhouse

The ever-popular Ms. Jacqueline Jones will showcase the vocal styling which has made her a true diva in her cabaret act "Hello Darlings", as part of the Winter Park Playhouse Cabaret Series on Friday, Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Ms. Jones has performed around the world and is performance royalty here in Orlando. Her high-energy blend of jazz, rhythm and blues and contemporary music delights audiences whether she is performing in an intimate club or on the concert stage. Captivating her audiences at The Winter Park Playhouse with her voice, wit and showmanship will come naturally for this dynamic performer. Seating is limited to 50, so reservations are recommended. Tickets are $15 and include a drink from the bar. The Playhouse is located at 711-C Orange Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org.

Sir Tamas Kocsis' final (local) performance

Orlando Philharmonic Concertmaster Sir Tamas Kocsis returns for a final performance with the Orchestra in a concert titled "Tamas and Family" on Monday, Aug. 9 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. "Tamas and Family" features Kocsis along with Alexander Stevens, William Goodwin, Grace Bahng and Mark Fischer. Works include Haydn's "String Quartet op. 3, No. 5"; Mozart's "Horn Quintet K. 407" and Dvorak's "String Quartet No. 12 American". Kocsis studied at the Liszt Academy before coming to the U.S. in 1989, where he later attended the Juilliard School. His departure is based on Kocsis' recent acceptance of the position of Concertmaster of the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast, Ireland. Sir Tamas was recently honored with a Knighthood in Budapest where he was accepted at the highest possible rank of "Commander." For tickets, call 407-770-0071, or visit www.OrlandoPhil.org