Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

May 9 and 11 – The Orlando Philharmonic presents Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’

The Orlando Philharmonic has created a series of brilliantly produced operas – with the unique idea of placing the Orchestra on-stage with the singers performing in front of the orchestra. On May 9 at 8 p.m. and May 11 at 2 p.m., the Philharmonic will present Giuseppe Verdi’s most melodious and popular work – “La Traviata.” Sung in Italian with English subtitles, Elizabeth Caballero and Brian Jadge will perform the lead roles. “Verdi's score contains some of the most beautiful music ever written,” says Conductor Christopher Wilkins. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

May 9 and 10 – CFCArts presents ‘Show Me Some Glee!’

Performed by young artists of the CFCArts’ Children and Youth Arts programs, songs from the beloved hit TV show “Glee” will be presented live on stage as these talented young performers hit the stage – singing and dancing from the top of the charts. “Show Me Some Glee!” will be presented at Cornerstone Academy at 5903 Randolph Ave. in Orlando at 7 p.m. on May 9 and 10. Tickets are $10 each, and children age 12 and younger admitted free. Tickets are on sale at cfcarts.com/show-me-some-glee

May 10 – The School of Rock at BB King’s Blues Club

Demonstrating its concept that gets kids and adults rocking to the classics while performing live with their peers, the performance-based School of Rock will have young Orlando-area musicians rocking on-stage at BB King’s Blues Club on May 10 at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Oviedo School of Rock will give its students the opportunity to show fans what rock ‘n’ roll is all about as 40 students, ages 8 to 18, perform live concerts featuring the music of Queen (1 p.m.) and Jimi Hendrix (2:30 p.m.). BB King’s Blues Club is at Pointe Orlando at 9101 International Drive in Orlando. Visit oviedo.schoolofrock.com

May 10 – The Science of Wine at the Orlando Science Center

I’m a big fan of galas where you learn something … and that’s only one of the more than 100 reasons why I love The Science of Wine at the Orlando Science Center. On May 10 at 7 p.m., we get to drink wine and learn about it too! This oenological odyssey, with presentations on wine growing and tasting, offers us the opportunity to sample 100 fine wines from around the world. Presented by Akerman and Southern Wine & Spirits, and featuring renowned wine educator Luis Torres, gourmet foods will be offered to accompany the wine selections. Call 407-514-2000 or visit osc.org/wine

May 10 – The Chef’s Gala for United Way

An alarming one in five families in Central Florida need help with basic necessities, and the most tasteful way to help United Way help all those thousands of Central Floridians is by purchasing a ticket to the annual Chef’s Gala – United Way’s signature gala. Foodies and philanthropists come together to sample the creations of our region’s top chefs, and thanks to the generosity of host Walt Disney World, 95 percent of all funds raised go directly to help those in need. Call 407-429-2129.

May 11 – The Fab Four – The Ultimate Beatles Tribute

With note-for-note renditions of Beatles' songs, the Fab Four will make you think you’re watching the real thing in an incredible stage show that includes three costume changes representing each era of the Beatles ever-changing career. This loving tribute to the Beatles amazes audiences with record-perfect live performances of such classics as “Can't Buy Me Love,” “Yesterday,” “Penny Lane,” and “Hey Jude.” The show is set for May 11 at 8 p.m. at Plaza Live in Orlando, call 407-228-1220 or visit plazaliveorlando.com

May 12 – Il Divo at Hard Rock Live

Let the swooning begin – Il Divo is headed to Hard Rock Live on May 12 to perform songs from Broadway drawn from their latest album, “A Musical Affair.” The multinational operatic vocal group includes French pop singer Sébastien Izambard, Spanish baritone Carlos Marín, American tenor David Miller, and Swiss tenor Urs Bühler. Having sold more than 26 million albums worldwide, Il Divo toured with Barbra Streisand and released “A Musical Affair” in 2013, giving that name to their current tour. Visit hardrocklive.com or call 407-351-5483.

May 13 to 18 – ‘Ghost the Musical’ at the Bob Carr

For one week only, “Ghost the Musical” delivers a visual experience that allows us to relive the magical moments from the Oscar-winning movie in a Broadway musical. In this adventure with the afterlife, we’ll see holograms and back-screen projections, inanimate objects that move, and other amazing special effects accompanied by an original pop score from Grammy Award-winners Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. Adapted from the hit film by its Academy Award-winning screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin, this “eye-poppingly brilliant” musical is at the Bob Carr from May 13 to 18. Visit orlandobroadway.com

May 14 to 27 – The 23rd annual Orlando International Fringe Festival

The wacky, weird and always-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 of the performing arts takes place at Loch Haven Park in the last two weeks of May offering uncensored performances, an outdoor stage, Visual Fringe (fine art) and Kids Fringe! Note: You’ll want to check the schedule for plays that are adults only and which ones are (age-appropriate) Kids Fringe! Visit orlandofringe.org for a complete schedule.

May 15 to June 14 – Redefine Gallery presents ‘Dualities’

Redefine Gallery, located within the CityArts Factory at 29 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando, will present “Dualities,” a two-person show featuring paintings by artists Loaf Ninja and Chad Pollpeter. Both artists paint subjects of a surrealistic nature with works focusing on concepts of time, life and death, beginnings and endings, religion and science. The public is invited to an opening reception set for May 15 beginning at 6 p.m. Call 407-648-7060 or visit redefinegallery.com

May 16 – Cher comes to the Amway Center

The original one-name diva – Cher – comes to the Amway Center on May 16. ‘Nuff said. When I can write one syllable, and everyone in the world knows exactly who I’m writing about, this is a celebrity who truly needs no introduction. So the simple fact is Cher will appear at the Amway Center in Orlando on May 16. Cher’s special guest Cyndi Lauper (in 2013) became the first solo woman to win the Tony Award for Best Original Score for “Kinky Boots,” itself a Tony Award-winner for Best New Musical. Visit Amwaycenter.com

May 16 to Aug. 29 – ‘Honoring, Gratitude and Guilt’ – The art of Linda Brant

Recent artwork by Linda Brant will be featured in an exhibit at the Winter Park Welcome Center with an opening on May 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. The exhibit, titled “Honoring, Gratitude and Guilt,” showcases Brant’s multi-year investigation into the subject of ‘honoring’ animals. Maps, diagrams, photographs and bone-sculptures coalesce as Brant presents us with the contradictions and inconsistencies in our treatment of non-humans. The Winter Park Welcome Center is at 151 W. Lyman Ave. Visit cityofwinterpark.org

May 16 to June 15 – Star Wars Weekends at Disney

Grab your light saber and join an intergalactic event packed with out-of-this-world entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on the weekends from May 16 to June 15. Guests will encounter “Star Wars” characters for special shows, presentations, and autographs by joining host James Arnold Taylor (the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi). New adventures include intergalactic dining and a state-of-the-art evening finale featuring characters, fireworks and Glow with the Show elements. Visit disneyworld.com

May 17 – The James Gamble Rogers Colloquium on Historic Preservation

Nicole Curtis, star of HGTV Networks' “Rehab Addict,” will headline the eighth annual James Gamble Rogers Colloquium on Historic Preservation set for May 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of Casa Feliz, the morning session will be held at Rollins College with Curtis speaking on the topic “Restore, Repurpose, Reuse!” After lunch, the program will resume with a tour of Winter Park's loveliest remodeled historic homes. (Shuttle buses provided). At $50 per ticket, registration information is available at casafeliz.squarespace.com

May 17 – The music of Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, and Blood Sweat & Tears

May 17 is the date for the always popular Orlando Philharmonic’s annual outdoor concert at The Springs at Woodbridge Road in Longwood. This year the concert features the Orlando Philharmonic rocking to popular hits like Chicago’s “Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?” and “25 or 6 to 4,” Blood Sweat & Tears’ “You’re The One” and “Spinning Wheel” and Earth Wind & Fire hits like “Boogie Wonderland” and “Let’s Groove.” Bring a picnic! Gates open at 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org