Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Final week through Feb. 4 – ‘Tables Extraordinaire’ at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., this unique event showcases 30 creatively exquisite table settings while offering “handmade-with-love” Greek culinary delights for lunch, dinner or take-out. You can bid on auction items, purchase internationally acclaimed artwork, and attend a fabulous gala dinner. The gala caps off a fun-raising week benefiting the Florida Hospital Transplant Institute, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. For information, visit Tables-Extraordinaire.com

Final week through Feb. 5 – ‘Blackberry Winter’ at Orlando Shakespeare

Years of planning have not prepared Vivienne for her mother's slide into dementia, and Vivienne’s decisions regarding her care are interwoven with a 21st century ‘myth’ about a White Egret. Steve Yockey’s new play “Blackberry Winter” is moving, sometimes humorous, but always deeply human. At the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Now to Feb. 18 – ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love?’ at the Winter Park Playhouse

This songfest takes place at a bachelorette party where best friends share thoughts about love, marriage and the dating game. Featuring hits from the 1960s including "I Will Follow Him," "Hey There Lonely Boy," and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" this musical comedy reaffirms that true friendship is the key to everlasting love. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Now to Feb. 19 - Picasso, Einstein and Steve Martin walk into the Mad Cow Theatre …

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” comic-genius-playwright Steve Martin’s first full-length play, explores creativity, physics and one-night stands as worlds (and words) collide in this fictional meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein. With Steve Martin’s offbeat humor, the 20th Century is born through the eyes of a very funny man. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Now to Feb. 28 – Month-long celebration of the Morse Museum

I’m sure the Morse Museum will set some kind of record for generosity in February. To commemorate the Morse Museum’s 75th Anniversary, entrance to this gem of a museum will be free throughout the month. In addition, the museum will debut a new audio tour, and we are invited to a free Celebration Party on Feb. 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Visit morsemuseum.org

  Now to April 1 – The Central Florida Watercolor Society’s annual Members Exhibit

The CFWS is proud of its heritage of being open to anyone interested in watercolor, regardless of expertise. The organization’s annual Members Exhibit will be held at the SoBo Gallery at 127 S. Boyd Street in Winter Garden, featuring recent works by CFWS members. The opening on Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. includes an awards ceremony and is open to the public. Visit centralfloridawatercolor.org

Feb. 2, 3, & 5 – The Elixir of Love – Opera with the Orlando Philharmonic

Celebrate an early Valentine’s Day with Donizetti’s romantic comedy opera “L’elisir d’amore” in which the romantic Nemorino purchases a love potion to get the Lady Adina to fall in love with him. Will the potion work? Director Mary Birnbaum brings the Orlando Philharmonic under Maestro Eric Jacobsen on stage in this specially designed version of “L’elisir d’amore” for its home on The Plaza Live stage. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Feb. 3 – The Boston Pops plays The Beatles

Fifty years ago, four lads from Liverpool changed the course of music forever. Now hear the music of The Beatles in breathtaking symphonic orchestrations performed by "America's Orchestra" – the Boston Pops at 8 p.m. conducted by Keith Lockhart. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 3 to 26 – Garden Theatre presents ‘25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ 

Tony Award-winner Kenny Howard will direct the Tony and Drama Desk Award winning musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” for the Garden Theatre. This whimsically humorous musical presents six pubescent young people who candidly disclose private stories from their home lives. Played by adults, the “tweens” spell their way through a series of off-the-wall words grounded in the knowledge that the losers get a juice box. Call 407-877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Feb. 4 – The one and only Lily Tomlin at the Dr. Phillips Center

America's foremost comedienne brings her seven Emmys; two Tony Awards, a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critic’s Circle Award; a CableAce Award; a Grammy; two Peabody Awards, a Mark Twain Award, and (in 2014), the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C. And through it all – she is still one very funny lady. The show is at 8 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 4 – Trash 2 Trends – an evening of recycled fashion

Trash 2 Trends is a Keep Orlando Beautiful fundraiser that brings Orlando’s fashion designers and local artists together with the environmental community “to promote sustainability” by asking designers to create runway looks from items headed to the landfill. Held at 7 p.m. at SeaWorld’s Ports of Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-trash-2-trends-recycled for tickets or contact [email protected]

Feb. 4 – The 25th annual Chef’s Gala supporting United Way

The funds raised at this exemplary fundraiser support United Way’s work in education, income, and health programs that serve thousands of Central Floridians in need. A premiere food-and-wine-pairing event, Heart of Florida United Way Chef’s Gala features exquisite cuisine from more than 20 of Central Florida’s top chefs, along with fine wines, live music and a silent auction. Hosted by Walt Disney World Resort at 6:45 p.m., 2017’s list of participating restaurants is amazing. Tickets are $275 (individual) and $500 (couples). Call 407-835-0900 or message [email protected]

Feb. 5 – Shen Yun – Experience a divine culture at the Dr. Phillips Center

Chinese culture has 5,000 years of folktales, which are now told through the magical world of Shen Yun’s dance. Known for its incredible flips, spins, and elegance, it is one of the most rigorous and expressive art forms in the world. In Shen Yun’s 2017 tour, its heroes – a monk, a general, and a monkey – fly to the heavens and dive into the sea in action-filled stories that embody the wisdom and virtues of ancient China. The show is at 7 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 6 – The Foley Awards at the Parliament House

On Feb. 6 the Parliament House Footlight Theatre will host the first-ever Foley Awards named for Charles ‘Chuckles’ Foley, who for over 30 years served as the tech director and “voice” of the theatre. He passed away in 2016, but his spirit of dedication will remain in the annual awards show. With performances by Carla DelVillaggio as Barbra Streisand, Michelle Knight, Sarah Lee Dobbs, Vox Audio, and the cast of “Naked Boys Singing,” a cocktail reception will follow. For tickets, visit phouse.ticketleap.com

Feb. 7 to 12 – Broadway in Orlando presents ‘A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder’

According to this 2014 Tony-Award-Winning-Musical, “Getting away with murder can be so much fun,” and there’s no better proof than the knock ‘em dead show that earned unanimous raves and the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical – “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” What a relief to know there is such a highly rewarded guide for us novices. This new musical will have you dying with laughter! (I couldn’t resist). Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 8 to March 26 – ‘The Great Gatsby’ on stage

Taking on another work of the world’s great literature, our Shakespeare Theatre will stage “The Great Gatsby,” drawn from what is arguably America’s greatest novel. Played in movies by Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio, one understands the regard for this book in libraries and in Hollywood. Exploring themes of love, morality, identity, and (the corruption of) the American Dream, this work is highly recommended. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Feb. 10 – Artist Donna Dowless, ‘Ambassador of Love’

The Grand Bohemian Gallery will present their annual “HeArt & Soul” exhibit featuring “Heart-Artist” Donna Dowless’ mixed media works and Canadian artist Amber Higgins’ stellar glass jewelry designs. Each year thousands of fans celebrate the arrival of Valentine’s Day with Orlando’s “Ambassador of Love” Donna Dowless as this heavenly being makes us all better humans for having shared her creations. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m., the gallery is at 325 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando. Call 407-581-4801 or visit heartartist.com

Feb. 11 – The ‘Baroque & Beyond Bash’ – An afternoon for strings to play together

Adult string players are invited to come out and play for fun. Meet other string players as you play selections of Baroque Chamber Music under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez. A $20 registration fee will be collected upon arrival. Please email [email protected] with your name, instrument and phone number. Music will be mailed to you in advance. Meet at Venue on the Lake at 641 S. Maitland Ave. in Maitland. The event will run from noon to 5:30 p.m. Wine and refreshments provided. Visit PAMaitland.org

Feb. 14 – Dionne Warwick on Valentine’s Day

One of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time, Dionne Warwick will make this Orlando’s greatest Valentine's Day ever. Her winning partnership with Burt Bacharach and Hal David helped her become one of the world's greatest hit-makers, which has seen her chart over 50 singles, win five Grammys and sell one hundred million records. Proceeds from this legendary concert will benefit Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3282. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org