Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now to Jan. 18 – Circus ‘Legends’ at the Amway Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present “Legends” – legendary circus artists from around the globe including Alexander Lacey with his lions and tigers; a dream team of acrobats attempting four consecutive triple somersaults; Cossack trick-riders on the backs of thoroughbred horses; and trainers showing off the treasured Ringling Bros. Asian Elephant’s skills and abilities. Free to all ticketholders, the All Access Pre-show starts an hour before the show. For more, visit Ringling.com. Purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com or at amwaycenter.com or call 800-745-3000.

Now to Jan. 23 – Extended: history-making art exhibit at Henao Center Gallery

Two years ago I had the unprecedented honor of making history as the first non-Greek artist in the world to exhibit in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece – one of the top-10 museums in the world. That exhibit has returned from a two-year tour of Europe to open the beautiful new Henao Contemporary Center in Orlando, and has been extended through Jan. 23. The countdown is on. Please consider this a personal invitation to visit the exhibit at the Henao Center. Call 407-522-3906 or visit henaocenter.com

Jan. 15 to 18 – Otronicon at the Orlando Science Center

If you have a passion for technology, simulators, and video games, the most interactive techno-expo in Florida – Otronicon – takes the world of video games and simulation and transforms them into in-depth immersive experiences. There will be classes in video game creation and sneak-peeks at simulators not yet seen by the public. The doors are open for extended evening hours so you can experience all the newest games, digital media, and workshops at the Orlando Science Center. Visit OSC.org

Jan. 15 – Albert Paley sculptures at Mennello Museum

The Mennello Museum’s first exhibition of the new year, “Albert Paley: Forged Works,” opens Jan. 15 with a reception beginning at 6 p.m. While many are familiar with the two large-scale Paley sculptures on the museum grounds, this exhibit brings other dimensions of this internationally acclaimed artist's work to Orlando. Note: On March 13 Albert Paley will be at the Mennello Museum for an artist-led procession through the galleries and gardens. Call 407-246-4278 or visit mennellomuseum.com

Jan. 15 – The Samurai Warrior at the Ringling Museum, Sarasota

This exhibit features 70 exquisite objects related to the legendary Samurai warriors of Japan. From full suits of armor, swords, and saddles, to lacquered writing boxes, incense trays and foldable chairs, the exhibit opens up the period in which Japan was ruled by the Samurai military class. On Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. and again at 6 p.m., a Walk & Talk about the exhibit will be offered free with the price of admission. Call 941-359-5700 or visit Ringling.org/events

Jan. 15 to April 15 – Big Bugs at Leu Gardens

Beginning Jan. 15, the ever-beautiful Leu Gardens will be invaded by an unforgettable collection of gargantuan-scale bug sculptures created by artist David Rogers. The sculptures were created using all-natural materials such as trees and branches with the effect being a “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” role reversal of dimension and perception. A free Insect Hunt Adventure Guide is available to help discover the Big Bugs hiding throughout the gardens. Visit leugardens.org/bigbugs

Jan 16 – ‘Rise,’ an acrobatic play

Rise is a futuristic coming-of-age story about a group of high school students who dream of being world-class entertainers by winning a role in a famous traveling circus. Through dance and acrobatics we see a new theatrical experience. Written and directed by four-time NCAA Gymnastics Champion Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons, the play includes a special appearance by 2007 World Gymnastics Champion Shayla Worley. At the Dr. Phillips Center at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16, call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Jan. 16 – Orlando Philharmonic: Brahms Symphony No. 2

Acclaimed by The New York Times as “one of the finest conductors of her generation,” JoAnn Falletta and her Buffalo Philharmonic concertmaster Michael Ludwig, will lead the Orlando Philharmonic on a voyage from impressionist France (Ibert’s “Ports of Call”), to soulful Russia (Glazunov’s Violin Concerto in A minor), to the culmination of German Romanticism (Brahms Symphony No. 2) as part of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s Classical Series at Bob Carr Theater. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Jan. 16 to April 3 – Art Legends of Orange County – Doris Leeper

This exhibit, part of the Art Legends of Orange County initiative, brings together a group of paintings created in the 1960s and 1970s by Doris Leeper at the museum on the Rollins College campus. Focusing on the ways in which Leeper's work presents crisp lines and strong geometric forms, “Doris Leeper: Hard Edges” allows the paintings to be seen within a national context emphasizing how, despite Leeper’s choice to live in isolation, she produced work in keeping with major artistic movements of the time. Call 407-646-2526 or visit rollins.edu/cfam

Jan. 16 – The Metropolitan Opera Vocal Competition

Over a period of seven hours on Jan. 16, 40 young, classically trained singers will compete for the opportunity to sing on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. This potentially life-changing experience includes singing in front of an audience – and we are invited to be that audience in this free event. The auditions are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 16, and admission is free at Trinity Prep at 5700 Trinity Prep Lane in Winter Park. Call 407-922-4688 or visit metauditionsflorida.org

Jan. 16 – Pip-Squeak: An Anti-Bullying Magic Show

Award-winning magician Tony Brent returns to The REP with a unique show addressing the issue of bullying in our children’s world. Because of his small size as a child, Tony was bullied in the cafeteria, on the playground, and anywhere there were no adults present. Today Tony uses comedy, magic, and a variety of costumes to teach children how to cope with being bullied. Children learn to recognize the signs of bullying and whether or not they too might be guilty of bullying. The show is Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Jan. 20 – The Winter Park Garden Club presents ‘Radical Raptors’

For thousands of years, raptors (birds of prey) have fascinated all who have had the privilege of seeing them live and up-close. There are two categories of raptors: daytime hunters (hawks, eagles, osprey, etc.) and nighttime hunters (owls). Michael Goldman, education manager for the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey will present a free educational demonstration about “Radical Raptors” (extreme birds of prey), and he will bring several raptors with him to the Winter Park Garden Club at 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park on Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. Call 407-644-5770.

Jan. 21 to Feb. 27 – ‘I Left My Heart: A Salute to Tony Bennett’

This new musical revue features three tenors paying tribute to the man Sinatra called “the greatest singer in the world.” With a thrilling score of 40 standards all recorded by Mr. Bennett, the show includes the hit songs “Stranger in Paradise,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “Rags to Riches,” and his best known hit, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Presented by the good folks at the Winter Park Playhouse (who do this kind of thing very well), call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Jan. 22 – The grand opera: ‘Aida’

When grand opera is mentioned, the first opera that comes to mind is Verdi’s magnificent “Aida.” Ancient Egypt comes to Daytona Beach in Teatro Lirico D’Europa’s “Aida,” one of the most spectacular operas of all time. In the story, Ethiopian princess Aida is captured and forced into slavery in Egypt. There she meets the military commander, Radames, who struggles between his love for Aida and his loyalty to the Pharaoh. This presentation of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society is presented with a 40-piece orchestra and English supertitles. Call 386-671-3460 or visit dbss.org

Jan. 22 to Feb. 21 – ART (a play) at Mad Cow Theatre

In the play titled “ART,” Serge has purchased a peculiar painting for an exorbitant sum of money only to have Serge’s acquisition met with confusion and disgust from his longtime friend. The painting is a white canvas with white diagonal lines. How could Serge have been deceived into valuing something so silly? In this Tony Award-winning comedy, playwright Yasmina Reza digs under the surface of sophistication to find the root of our attractions and obsessions. For tickets, call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Jan. 22 – Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage

Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage brings five decades of Star Trek’s symphonic music to concert halls for the first time in a lavish production that includes a live symphony orchestra. People of all backgrounds will experience the franchise’s wildly popular musical achievements while the most iconic “Star Trek” film and TV footage is beamed in high definition to a 40-foot-wide screen. This never-before-seen concert event is perfect for music lovers, filmgoers, science-fiction fans and anyone looking for a unique concert experience. At the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Jan. 23 – Teresa Chin to Demonstrate Japanese Fish Painting

Artist Teresa Chin will demonstrate Japanese Gyotaku (the traditional art form of fish printing), at the Sanford Seminole Art Association at the library in Sanford at 150 N. Palmetto Ave. To create her art, Chin ‘paints’ ink directly onto the fish, after which she presses rice paper onto the fish to pull a print. In some cases she uses watercolors to embellish the work. Chin is vice president of the Central Florida Watercolor Society and has exhibited her work in numerous juried shows. Admission is free, and the class begins at 1 p.m. Call 407-951-5607 or visit SanfordSeminoleArt.com.

Jan. 23 and 24 – Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival

Activities include arts and crafts booths, face-painting, dancing and rides at the annual Orange City Blue Springs Manatee Festival, but the main attraction at this festival is the manatee viewing at Blue Spring State Park. Ranked one of the best places in the state to see manatees in clear water and in great numbers, each year the festival draws thousands of people to Valentine Park at West French Avenue off of Highway 17-92. Call 407-323-4450 or visit themanateefestival.com

Jan. 23 to April 24 – ‘Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers’

For 125 years, National Geographic has documented the world with stunning photography by a forward-thinking generation of photojournalists as different as the places and the subjects they cover. Curated by photo editor Elizabeth Krist, this all-woman exhibit presents the storytelling experience as seen by millions through the insightful use of a camera. From Africa to the Jersey Shore, these stories explore what it means to be human in the 21st century. At the Orlando Museum of Art, call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

Jan. 23 to June 12 – Disney, Dali and Imagination at the Dali Museum

St. Petersburg’s Dali Museum presents a multi-media exhibition exploring the alliance between two of the most renowned artists of the 20th century – the brilliantly eccentric Salvador Dali and American entertainment innovator Walt Disney. Presented through paintings, sketches, correspondences, film, and photographs, the exhibit showcases two very different icons drawn together through their unique personalities, their collaboration, and their enduring friendship. Visit thedali.org