Josh Garrick: Culture for your Calendar

Now through Aug. 13 – Diner-friendly prices during “Main Street Restaurant Week”

Showcasing Orlando’s eclectic culinary scene, the Orlando Main Street Restaurant program is offered now through Aug. 13 with 50 restaurants from Orlando’s unique Main Streets offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at diner-friendly prices. Each restaurant offers a Main Street Restaurant Menu in conjunction with their everyday menu encouraging residents to dine out in one of Orlando’s Main Street restaurants. The menus are offered until Aug. 13 featuring $5, $10, $20 or $30 dishes, and are available online at orlandomainstreets.com/restaurantweek.

Final week – Now to Aug. 7 – Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ at Orlando Rep

The Rep goes “Under the Sea” with the full Broadway version of this classic musical. Based on the story by Hans Christian Anderson and one of the most beloved animated films of all time, the mermaid Ariel sees Prince Eric and wants to be “Part of Your (His) World.” Making a bargain with a witch, Ariel becomes human, but loses something precious. This love story features a brilliant score including “She’s In Love,” “Kiss the Girl,” and more. Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Aug. 5 to 28 – ‘The Big Meal’ at the Mad Cow Theatre

“The Big Meal” is a big-hearted play that spans nearly 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

Aug. 5 to 29 – Breakthrough Theatre presents world favorite musical, ‘Godspell’

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

Aug. 5 – Guys With Ties Philanthropy’s 11th annual White Party

Central Florida’s fab and philanthropic night returns as the Guys with Ties Philanthropy kicks things up a notch by presenting their annual White Party in combination with a Summer Fashion Show. Returning to 180 Skytop Lounge in the Amway Center, Melanie Pace will host with personalities and local celebs walking the runway. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Guests will enjoy one hour of select complimentary cocktails with event proceeds benefitting Street Team Movement, whose mission is to help individuals impacted by homelessness. Visit guyswithties.org

Aug. 6– The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses – Master Quest

The acclaimed Symphony of the Goddesses returns to the Dr. Phillips Center with new inclusions from “A Link Between Worlds” and new game-play imagery. Those new to ‘Symphony’ will also have the opportunity to experience the beautifully orchestrated four-movement symphonic work from last season which chronicles fan-favorite moments from the franchise's rich history, expertly timed with a larger-than-life video presentation. A special meet-and-greet package is available for this concert. The show begins at 8 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Aug. 8 – Duo Sole: Music and Dance – Tangos & Flamencos

In this smoldering concert with dance, Duo Solé (Alexander Stevens and Mauricio Céspedes, principal second violin and principal viola) will “showcase some of the most beautiful Bolivian, Argentinean, and Spanish music ever written,” says Cespedes. “The first half of the program will showcase Bolivian music and Argentinean Tangos, with dancers Ernesto and Jenny Caballero from Alborea Dances. The second half showcases Spanish music, with Argentinean Tangos by Alberto and Selena Hoyos from Tango Orlando. The concert represents a diverse community coming together to build something great.” The show begins at 7 p.m. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Aug. 11 – Open House at third Ronald McDonald House in Orlando

The vision has become a reality. With the addition of the third house, Orlando becomes one of only six cities in the country to have three or more Ronald McDonald Houses. The public is invited to celebrate the new Ronald McDonald House on the campus of Nemours Children's Hospital in a celebration that begins at 10 a.m. with house tours available until 6 p.m. The new house is at 13551 Nemours Parkway in Orlando. Important: Please get parking and shuttle information when you RSVP to Kayla Jones at 407-206-0957, ext. 110.

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 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

And looking ahead ….

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.