Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Aug. 22 – ‘Lengua Materna’ offers ‘messages’ by Hispanic artists

Art & History Museums – Maitland gives voice to the Hispanic community in its new exhibit “Lengua Materna” opening Aug. 22 at A&H’s Maitland Art Center. Translated as “mother tongue,” the exhibit presents universal ideas through the unique vision of Hispanic culture with artists representing diverse communities in a variety of media. The exhibit features Maria Albornoz (Venezuela), Roberto Gonzalez (Mexico), J. Tomas Lopez (Cuba), and David Figueroa and Edgar Sanchez Cumbas (Puerto Rico). An opening reception – public invited – will take place on Aug. 22. Visit artandhistory.org

Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. – The Orlando Urban Music Fest

R&B superstar Anthony Hamilton is coming to the CFE Arena on Friday, Aug. 22, at 8 p.m. as part of The Orlando Urban Music Fest. Headlined by the Grammy award-winning Hamilton, the Urban Music Fest also features R&B stars Lyfe Jennings, Jazmine Sullivan and Mali Music. Comedian Kevin “Damn Fool” Simpson will host this night full of urban music’s greatest talent. CFE Arena is at 12777 Gemini Blvd. in Orlando. Visit cfearena.com or ticketmaster.com

Aug. 22 – ‘Bottle Trees & Whirligigs’ at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art invites the public to the opening reception for the exhibit “Bottle Trees, Haints & Whirligigs” on Aug. 22 beginning at 6 p.m. The event is free. “I’ve handpicked the six artists for this show because of their affinity for depicting the things we love about the South,” Taylor said. The artists include Bethanne Hill and Stephanie Dwyer, Lucy Hunnicutt, Pat Juneau, R.A. Miller and Alyne Harris. The opening coincides with the Sanford Art Walk, which occurs on the fourth Friday of each month. Jeanine Taylor Folk Art is at 211 E. First St. in Sanford. Visit jtfolkart.com or call 407-323-2774.

Aug. 23 – Disney’s Villains Unleashed

For the first time ever – on Aug. 23 – the deliciously evil Disney Villains will hold sway as they roam around the Disney Hollywood Studios beginning at 8 p.m. Guests will get up close and personal with some of the most heinous Disney villains at this one-night-only event while they party together at Hades Hangout, Oogie Boogie’s Variety Show, the Star Wars Villain Zone, and the new Villainy In The Skies fireworks spectacular. Guests may purchase tickets at DisneyVillainsParty.com or call 407-939-1933.

Aug. 23 – Spring Roll Workshop with Chef Francis Biondi

Beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 23, the Demonstration Kitchen at the East End Market will be abuzz with rollin’ your own – spring rolls, that is – in a workshop by Chef Francis Biondi. This half-Italian, half-Filipino chef appeared on Season 5 of Fox’s chef competition show, “MasterChef.” Chef Francis will share cooking secrets – particularly how to roll with locally sourced ingredients and create the perfect dipping sauce. Then, stay and eat your creations. The Kitchen is at 3201 Corrine Drive in Orlando. Call 321- 236-3316 or visit eastendmkt.com

Aug. 23 –Lecture and Gallery Walk with artist Agustina Woodgate

Agustina Woodgate, who recently won the first-ever Florida Prize at the Orlando Museum of Art, will present a lecture and gallery walk on Aug. 23 beginning at 1 p.m. Woodgate’s objects and collaborative events consider behavior patterns and systems across time and invite people to interact with them in new ways. Woodgate graduated from the National University of Visual Arts in Argentina in 2004 and has exhibited extensively in U.S. and abroad. She now makes her home in Miami. The event is free with paid gallery admission of $8. Visit omart.org or call 407-896-4231.

Aug. 23 – Give Kids the World’s first-ever MacDown Competition

The first ever MacDown (mac and cheese) Competition will benefit Give Kids the World – the 70-acre resort for children with life-threatening illnesses. The competition is open to everyone – from professional chefs to home cooks – on Aug. 23 at the Orange County Convention Center. There will be lots of fun prizes, but the best prize is knowing your efforts will help a tragically sick child achieve a dream. To participate or attend the event, visit otownmacdown.org

Current – Full Sail University earns top honors – Including school of the year

Full Sail University, a leader in degree programs in the fields of entertainment and media, received two of the highest honors given by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC). The first went to Full Sail student Harmony Jones, named 2014 Graduate of the Year for her civic contributions and educational success. Full Sail University was named 2014 School of the Year, recognized for its many unique offerings including the Global Professional Standard program, which tracks students throughout their education to ensure they are proficient in the technical and professional skills sought by potential employers. Visit fullsail.edu

Current – A birth announcement from the Central Florida Zoo

Born to Nimbus (female) and Cirrus (male), the Central Florida Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a female clouded leopard cub who was born on April 25 will now be on view. The cub will be on exhibit daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as she acclimates to the zoo experience. Clouded leopards are one of the species in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, a breeding program for species that are vanishing from the wild. The zoo is located at Interstate 4 exit 104 in Sanford and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit centralfloridazoo.org or call 407-323-4450.

And looking ahead …

Beginning Aug. 25 – September is Orlando’s Magical Dining Month

More than 75 restaurants are serving up savings this September during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. With the greatest number of restaurants in the program’s nine-year history, this year’s event includes more dates thanks to the addition of a special preview week starting Aug. 25. Following three-course dinners for $33 at some of Orlando’s most renowned restaurants, savvy diners can turn an evening out into an overnight stay-cation with one of several Magical Nights dine-and-stay packages. A full list of restaurants, menus and hotel packages is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com. Discounted hotel rates, deals on theme parks, and dining can be found at VisitOrlando.com/September