Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now through mid-March – Flowers everywhere at Bok Tower

Peak bloom season has officially arrived at Bok Tower Gardens, and this is the best time of year to visit the National Historic Landmark. Visitors observe hundreds of varieties of camellias and azaleas along with orchids, irises, and other flowering plants throughout the Gardens. What began as 50 acres designed by Frederick Law Olmsted has grown to more than 600 acres of woodland gardens around the visual centerpiece of the 205-foot neo-Gothic Singing Tower, an architectural wonder that houses one of the world’s finest carillons. Visit BokTowerGardens.org

March 7 to 29 – ‘Sisters of Swing’ – The story of the Andrews Sisters

The Winter Park Playhouse excels with musicals that follow the lives of famous performers, so we may look forward to the Central Florida premiere of “Sisters of Swing.” The new musical follows Patty, Maxene and LaVerne Andrews from their early days on the road through their rise as recording stars famous for entertaining American GIs during World War II. The score features more than 20 hit songs including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Tickets to “Sisters of Swing” may be purchased by visiting winterparkplayhouse.org or by calling 407-645-0145.

March 7 to April 18 – Legendary abstract painter Harold Garde at Jai Gallery

Artist Harold Garde, a legend of the American abstract expressionist movement, recently celebrated his 90th birthday having added a work to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, as the subject of a major documentary film, and having his work celebrated in a retrospective exhibit at the Museum of Florida Art. Now Jai Gallery will exhibit the bold and vivid creations of this legendary artist in an exhibit opening March 7 at 7 p.m. Jai Gallery is at 47 E. Robinson St. in Orlando. The opening is free to the public with an RSVP to 407-921-0693.

March 8 – Music of the Ballet with the Orlando Philharmonic

Composers including Prokofiev, Ravel and Tchaikovsky are often familiar to contemporary audiences thanks to the music they wrote for ballets. Those composers will be joined by Falla and Weber on March 8 at 8 p.m. at the Bob Carr PAC when dancers from Orlando Ballet will perform to several of the greatest orchestral ballet scores of all time with the music performed live by the Orlando Philharmonic. Excerpts from “La Valse,” “Swan Lake” and “Romeo and Juliet” promise an evening of multiple talents on the stage of the Bob Carr. Visit orlandophil.org or call 407-770-0071.

March 8 and 9 – Nuclear Cowboyz Freestyle Motocross at Amway Center

Vying for the title of “most explosive freestyle motocross touring production,” the Nuclear Cowboyz make their first-ever stop at the Amway Center on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. and March 9 at 2 p.m. in a motorcycle epic of good guyz (the Nuclear Cowboyz) committed to defeating an evil tyrant in this action-filled performance of more than 1,000 gravity-defying tricks. Complete with laser effects and a heavy metal soundtrack, the show also features the acclaimed Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors. Check out the action at nuclearcowboyz.com, and visit ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000 for tickets.

March 9 – Be a part of Florida history

With a spectacular view of the Capitol Dome, the Florida House is the only state embassy in Washington, D.C. Since 1973, the beautifully restored 1891 Victorian Florida House has welcomed visiting Floridians, students and dignitaries to the nation's capital. The annual fundraiser for Florida House will take place March 9 in a private home in Orlando with a lakefront view, cocktails on the dock, locally grown and harvested foods, a silent auction and more. We can be part of Florida history as we support the fundraiser for our unique “home” in D.C. RSVP to Gayle Wirtz at 407-222-5535 or email her at [email protected]

March 12 – Social Media Marketing – The Basics

If you are interested in using social media for your business but don't know how to start, or if you are using social media but aren't sure you're doing it right, an interactive seminar set for March 12 at 6:30 p.m. will demystify the social media marketing basics no business should ignore. Covering strategies and best practices, the seminar will help you to help your business gain visibility, develop relationships and drive sales and responses. Total Wine at 2712 E. Colonial Drive is the host venue, and they will offer a complimentary wine tasting after the seminar. RSVP to Ken Countess at 407-242-4200.

March 13 – A Wine-A-Fare at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art

The Lake Eustis Museum of Art, Lake County’s only dedicated art museum, will hold their annual Wine-A-Fare fundraiser on March 13. Supporting the varied activities of the Museum, the evening offers a wine tasting and heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and fine art sale. This affordable fundraiser is $30 per person and $35 at the door. The Lake Eustis Museum is on the lake at 1 W. Orange Ave. in Eustis. For tickets, contact Caroline Breuché at 352-589-9235.

March 13 at 4 p.m. – Walk-a-Mile – in heels – to Benefit Harbor House

Bringing awareness to the issue of domestic abuse while raising funds for Harbor House of Central Florida, hundreds of walkers (in high heels) will Walk-a-Mile on March 13 beginning at 4 p.m. Domestic abuse knows no boundaries of color or sexual orientation, and the statistics are staggering. Walk a Mile 2014 will begin at the Orange County Courthouse and walk to the Orange County History Museum. Lend your support at facebook.com/groups/WAMOrlando or visit harborhousefl.com

March 14 to 16 – The Orlando Ballet – ‘Some Assembly Required’

“Some Assembly Required” is the name given to the world premiere performances being offered by the Orlando Ballet on the weekend of March 14 to 16 at the Bob Carr PAC. The ballet is the newest creation by Artistic Director Robert Hill, and it promises to showcase the dancers’ physicality in movement as an evolving process. Additional works will be presented by guest choreographer Abdur-Rahim Jackson and Orlando Ballet’s Arcadian Broad and Telmo Moreira. Visit orlandoballet.org or ticketmaster.com for more information.

March 14 to 16 – ‘Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead’ at the Venue

In the unauthorized parody “Dog Sees God,” the popular Peanuts characters are teenagers battling real-life issues. When CB's dog dies, CB questions the existence of an afterlife, but his best friend is “burnt out,” his sister has gone Goth, his girlfriend is in rehab, and other friends are unable to give him any solace. A chance meeting with an artistic kid (the target of the group's bullying) offers CB a friendship that pushes teen angst to the limits. Performed from March 14 to 16 at the The Venue in Orlando, tickets are available at DogSeesGodOrlando.com