Josh Garrick: Culture for your Calendar

Now to Aug. 28 – ‘The Big Meal’ at the Mad Cow Theatre

“The Big Meal” is a big-hearted play that spans 80 years in 90 minutes, telling the extraordinary story of an ordinary family. Somewhere in America, Sam and Nicole meet. Sparks fly, and so begins Dan LeFranc’s expansive new play that tells of five generations of a modern family. The Mad Cow Theatre is on the second floor at 54 W. Church St. in downtown Orlando. Recommended. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Now to Aug. 29 – Breakthrough Theatre presents ‘Godspell’

“Godspell” was the first major musical from three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Pippin,” “Children Of Eden”). Led by a parade of hit songs, it took the world by storm. Told through a variety of games, storytelling, and tongue-in-cheek comedy, Jesus' messages of kindness, tolerance, and love come vibrantly to life in this unique production with two casts: a student cast and an adult cast. Call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Now to Sept. 18 – ‘CONSUMADOS’ art exhibit at Henao Contemporary Center

Henao Contemporary Center presents its fifth feature exhibit hosting the work of artists Patrick McGrath Muniz who worked in Orlando before moving to Houston where his career has boomed; Carlos Barberena, printmaker working out of Chicago, recipient of the National Printmaking Award 2012; and Kevin Haran, assistant director of the School of Visual Arts at the University of Central Florida. Each artists’ work reflects their reaction to our consumerist society at the Henao Center at 5601 Edgewater Drive in Orlando. Call 407-272-0317 or visit henaocenter.com

Aug. 12 – A tribute to KC & The Sunshine Band at Daytona Beach

Summer at the Daytona Beach Bandshell means free concerts, and the concert on Aug. 12 is a tribute to KC & The Sunshine Band. KC & The Sunshine Band rocked the discos in the ’70s and have been featured in countless movies, TV shows and on dance floors worldwide. Kip Sweeny and his dancers energize the stage with all of your favorite KC hits because “That’s the way, uh huh, we like it!” The event, which starts at 7 p.m., is free and no tickets are required.

Aug. 13 – All invited to open house at Orlando Shakespeare

The most open of open houses is the annual event at the home of the Shakespeare Festival in Loch Haven Park in Orlando. With on-going activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we can stop by for a cool beverage or we can stay the whole day enjoying family activities. While Princess storytime and craft activities keep young hands busy, creative demonstrations from the theater’s production staff (sound, lighting, costumes) will offer an insider’s view as to how a Shakespearean production makes it from rehearsal to the stage. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org/openhouse

Aug. 14 – A night with Alice Cooper

Known for a Grand Guignol brand of rock designed to shock, Alice Cooper draws from horror movies and vaudeville for a stage show featuring electric chairs, guillotines, (fake) blood and snakes. With his influence on rock and roll long acknowledged, he still tours regularly with platinum albums, sold-out tours and career achievement awards as part of his remarkable career. He will perform at the Dr. Phillips Center on Sunday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. with VIP “Insanity” packages available for the concert. Rock on by calling 844-513-2014 or visiting drphillipscenter.org

Aug. 19 – Actors and professional wrestlers in the ring – together!

A unique theatrical production, about to be presented at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, was written by professional wrestler-turned-playwright Jason Static. It’s the story of a blind wrestling promoter who must produce a one-hour televised tryout to share his vision with the world. The audience gets to witness the promoter’s unique journey from the bottom to … where? Originally titled, “We Don’t Play Fight,” the production brings together “actors who act and (real) wrestlers who wrestle” in this one-night-only performance at 7 p.m. Call 407-590-0822 or visit eventbrite.com/e/conquer-we-dont-play-fight

Aug. 20 – Orlando Public Library celebrates turning 50

It was August 1966 when the Orlando Public Library opened the doors of its modern, new library in downtown Orlando. The building, designed by Harvard Five architect John Johansen, was controversial for its time, criticized as bleak and severe by its detractors. Today it is recognized as a prime example of the “Brutalism” style of all-concrete architecture. On Aug. 20, historian Christine Madrid French will celebrate the building’s 50th anniversary at 101 E. Central Blvd. with a presentation exploring the library’s place in the international Brutalism movement. The talk is at 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Visit ocls.info

Aug. 20 – Maitland’s Baroque Chamber Orchestra

Maitland’s relatively new Baroque Chamber Orchestra will perform at the brand new Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. on Aug. 20, under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez. Gomez promises a musical travel through time with selections from Don Quixote, Boccherini, Vivaldi, Rutter, Coldplay and the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Guest instrumentalists joining the 17-piece chamber orchestra include: Alexia Jowers on flute, Austin Burket on violin/drums, Emily Palmer on electric violin, and Dale Burket on bass guitar. Tickets at bbcfa.ticketleap.com/baroque-chamber-ensemble-8-20-16/

Aug. 20 to Sept. 25 – Art exhibit – ‘Metal Man: New Work by Chris Beck’

Alabama artist Chris Beck describes his work as “making something from nothing.” On Aug. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m., Jeanine Taylor Folk Art welcomes Chris Beck with a free-to-the-public reception that coincides with Sanford’s monthly Art Walk. Beck transforms old metal (e.g. from tin roofs) into three-dimensional wall hangings that resemble clothing and accessories like hats and shoes. You may meet the artist at the opening at 211 E. First St. in Sanford. Call 407-323-2774 or visit jtfolkart.com

Aug. 21 – Amanda Crider in recital in premiere of series

Praised for her “focused, golden-toned voice,” American mezzo-soprano Amanda Crider has been invited to give the first recital in Opera Orlando’s new recital series on Aug. 21. Crider has sung with opera companies across the U.S. including the New York City Opera and Florida Grand Opera. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2007 and currently serves as artistic director of Miami's Vocal Chamber Music series. Pianist Robin Stamper accompanies at the University Club at 841 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park. Visit operaorlando.org/opera-in-the-park

Aug. 26 and 27 – CFCArts Choir presents: ‘Sondheim, Gershwin, & Porter - Oh My!’

On Aug. 26 and 27 the CFCArts Community Choir will present some of the most legendary works of America’s greatest Broadway composers. Enjoy "Someone to Watch Over Me” and "Summertime" by George Gershwin; relive the beauty of the classic "Night and Day" by Cole Porter; and experience the melodic complexities of Stephen Sondheim. “Sondheim, Gershwin, & Porter – Oh, My!” will be presented on both evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Central Christian Church at 250 S.W. Ivanhoe Blvd. in Orlando. Advance tickets are $10. Children age 12 under admitted free. Call 407-937-1800, ext. 710, or visit cfcommunityarts.com.

Aug. 27– Taste of the Nation – Orlando

Taste of the Nation brings together the area's top chefs who donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger in Central Florida. Along with unlimited samplings of extraordinary food, guests sample select wines while enjoying auctions and entertainment. We need to do something about the horrific statistic that one in five children in Central Florida goes to bed hungry. Please know that every dollar raised fights hunger and homelessness in Central Florida. Tickets are $150. Visit tasteofthenation.org/orlando and/or facebook.com/OrlandoTaste. We can all buy a ticket and help.

Current – Orlando Phil’s new executive director arrives

We join in welcoming the Orlando Philharmonic’s new Executive Director Christopher Barton to Orlando. Barton had served as executive director of the Flagstaff Symphony since 2014 and previously worked with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. He holds a master’s degree in arts administration from Winthrop University in South Carolina. Arriving at a propitious time, Barton said, “With Phase 1 renovations at The Plaza Live completed our team has a beautiful and versatile space to work, rehearse, and perform in.” For more, visit orlandophil.org