Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Final week through May 25 – ‘Freckleface Strawberry – The Musical’

Closing out Orlando Rep’s season of theater for young audiences is “Freckleface Strawberry – The Musical.” Based on a children’s picture book, Freckleface Strawberry will do anything to get rid of her freckles – from scrubbing to wearing a ski mask to school. With the help of lovable schoolmates (and a kooky teacher), Freckleface learns that everyone is different – and that’s what makes everyone special. Now in its final week, visit orlandorep.com or call 407-896-7365.

Now through May 27 – The 23rd annual Orlando International Fringe Festival

The wacky, weird and wonderful festival of plays called Fringe will present 100 performance groups in Fringe 2014. The oldest, non-juried festival in the United States, the Orlando International Fringe Festival’s philosophy is to be 100 percent uncensored, 100 percent non-juried, and 100 percent accessible. This celebration offers uncensored performances, an outdoor stage, Visual Fringe (fine art) and Kids Fringe! Visit orlandofringe.org for a complete schedule.

Now to Sept 7 – Curious George ‘live’ at the Orlando Science Center

The insatiable curiosity of Curious George – the little monkey who has captured the hearts of millions of children and adults for 65 years – is at the Orlando Science Center in the exhibit, “Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!” Leading young visitors on a fun and meaningful math, science and engineering-based adventure, the exhibit will be on display through Sept. 7. Through hands-on, interactive play, children design and construct buildings, join George on his rocket ship, pose for pictures, and climb a fire escape like a fireman. For more information, call 407-5142000 or visit osc.org

Now through June 2 – Breakthrough Theatre presents ‘Children's Letters to God’

Based on the international best-selling book by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall, “Children's Letters To God” is a musical that follows the lives of young people as they voice beliefs, desires and questions as expressed by children. The family-oriented musical will be presented by Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park from May 22 to June 2. Sixteen songs and scenes are based on actual letters that explore timeless issues. Not specifically religious in nature, the musical is about kids’ questions – some funny, some serious and some surprising. For reservations, call 407-920-4034.

May 23 to 25 – 62nd annual Florida Folk Festival

Since 1953, folk artists have come together for one of the oldest state folk festivals in America. The 62nd annual Florida Folk Festival will feature performances by more than 150 groups celebrating Florida’s diverse cultural heritage. More than 300 performances by national recording artists and musicians of swing, folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean and zydeco music will take place at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park on Memorial Day weekend in White Springs, on the banks of the Suwannee River. Gates open daily at 8 a.m. For more information, call 877-569-7767 or visit FloridaFolkFestival.com

May 23 – CFCArts presents A Gospel Celebration with The Pine Hills Singers

With selections from Brooklyn Tabernacle, Georgia Mass Choir, Israel Houghton and more, Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) will present A Gospel Celebration with The Pine Hills Singers. The celebration, presented jointly by CFCArts and the Pine Hills Performing Arts Center, will bring the message of joy, inspiration, and unity among all people through gospel and spiritual music. The celebration will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on May 23 at Pine Hills Performing Arts Center, at 5600 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando. Purchase tickets online at cfcarts.com

May 29 to June 1 –Davis Gaines’ ‘Double Standards’ – An intimate cabaret

Orlando’s homegrown Broadway star Davis Gaines will take the stage at The Abbey to present his one-man cabaret called “Double Standards.” The new show offers fresh and unexpected takes on familiar standards from the Great American Songbook. Best known for his lead role on Broadway in “The Phantom of the Opera,” where he starred in more than 2,000 performances, Gaines will perform on May 29 at 8 p.m.; May 30 at 7 and 10 p.m.; and June 1 at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale at TicketWeb.com and at AbbeyOrlando.com

Beneficent fundraiser results:

United Way’s 22nd annual Chef’s Gala

Twenty-three top chefs from Central Florida’s finest restaurants collaborated for the region’s premier food and wine pairing event on May 10 at Epcot World Showplace. Out of every dollar raised, 95 cents will benefit United Way partner agencies providing services to the one in five people who are in need in the community. The Chef’s Gala raised $300,000 to benefit local nonprofit programs that support education, income, health and basic needs for thousands of Central Floridians. For more information, visit hfuw.org or call 407-835-0900.

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

Serving more than 187,000 students and 13,000 teachers in 184 schools throughout Orange County, the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools focuses community resources on the success of students and teachers in our community. The Foundation raised more than $40,000 as a result of its third Orange County’s Top Talent Competition held on May 10 at the Orange County Convention Center. The countywide talent show featured 18 acts – including singers, dancers and musicians – by OCPS students and staff. The first place winner, Khamryn Elise Hammonds of Ocoee Middle School, sang “Tattooed Heart.” Visit foundationforocps.org or call 407-317-3261.