Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now to Jan. 10 – ‘The Sound of Music’ at the Dr. Phillips Center

Fifty years after the film version of this musical made it one of the most beloved musicals of all time, a brand new production of “The Sound of Music” is at the Dr. Phillips Center. Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, the musical story of Maria and the Von Trapp family are once again thrilling audiences with its Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award-winning score. Audiences in Central Florida are among the first to see this all-new production. Call 800-448-6322 or visit OrlandoBroadway.com

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 now been extended through Jan. 23. Please consider this a personal invitation to visit the exhibit in its new home. Call 407-522-3906 or visit henaocenter.com

Now to Feb. 7 – ‘Dancing Lessons’ at Orlando Shakespeare

When a socially awkward professor is forced to attend an event with dancing, he seeks an injured Broadway performer for help. As their relationship grows, both loners are caught off guard by the discoveries they make about one another. Presented at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Mark St. Germain’s very contemporary odd couple tells a love story mixed with the reality of human disabilities. Note: “Dancing Lessons” contains strong adult language. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Now to June 5 – ‘Behind Closed Doors: The Collection Revisited’

The Maitland Historical Society was founded in 1970 as a result of a Women’s Club initiative to preserve Maitland’s history. Early members of the Society collected stories and artifacts from local pioneer families and in 1977, the Maitland Historical Museum opened its doors. As the Society grew, it opened three additional museums to better serve its goal of bringing Florida history to life. See rarely displayed pieces in this exhibit filled with historical treasures. Call 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

Jan. 7 to Dec. 31 – Zora Neale Hurston at 125: A Yearlong Celebration

The most significant interpreter of Southern African-American culture, Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) is the dominant female voice of the Harlem Renaissance era. In her works, she celebrates her hometown, Eatonville, as representative of the dignity and beauty of rural African-American life. A consummate folklorist and anthropologist, Hurston’s works educated the public about Eatonville’s cultural significance. “Zora Neale Hurston 125” is a special opportunity to remind a national audience of the impact of her writings. Call 407-647-3307 or visit zorafestival.org

Jan. 8 – The Toronto Symphony at Daytona Beach

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canada’s foremost symphonic ensemble, celebrates its 94th season in 2016. Five million Canadians tune in to concert broadcasts on CBC Radio each year while the Orchestra’s international presence, built by a history of touring, is enhanced by programs such as the one to be presented at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona. Peter Oundjian conducts and Jan Lisiecki is the piano soloist in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto, No. 4. The program concludes with Rimsky-Korsakov’s brilliantly sensual “Scheherazade.” Call 386-671-3460 or visit PeabodyDaytona.com

Jan. 8 to 17 – Breakthrough Theatre presents Scott Burns’ drama ‘The Library’
In the bold and chilling play “The Library,” Caitlin Gabriel survives a deadly shooting at her high school. Caitlin struggles to tell her story to her parents and authorities, but other narratives in the media call Caitlin’s story into question. Hollywood screenwriter Scott Burns returns to the stage with a drama that asks us to examine our relationship to the truth. Directed by Bridget Lindsey Morris, Breakthrough Theater presents Allie Novell as Caitlin Gabriel. Call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Jan. 9 – Ballet stars of today meet the stars of tomorrow

The jewel of dance galas returns for a spectacular evening featuring star dancers from the world’s best companies and the award-winning “wunderkinds” from the Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest international student ballet competition. Included in this collection of exceptional ballet talent including Orlando’s own Austen Acevedo, a true star of tomorrow. Watch as he shares the stage with a glittering array of ballet stars of today. It’s all at the Straz Center in Tampa. Call 813-229-7827 or visit strazcenter.org

Jan. 9 – ‘Beatlemania Now’ at the Bob Carr Theater

The Beatles changed the world in the ’60s and now we can flash back to that historic time of space exploration, protests in the streets, the war in Vietnam, “flower power,” and “peace and love” as “Beatlemania Now” performs incredible note-for-note renditions of Beatles' classics from throughout their career. In performance at the Bob Carr Theatre on Jan. 9, call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Jan. 9 and 10 – Central Florida Railroad Modelers open house

Guests usually write ahead for a reservation, but on Jan. 9 and 10, the Central Florida Railroad Modelers will hold a free open house at their clubhouse at 2500 Silver Star Road at John Young. Established in 1947, the Club operates detailed scale models of cities, mountains, and industrial sites over 29 scale miles of track in a layout that portrays West Virginia from 1945 to 1965. The layout is 48 inches above the floor for easy viewing. For additional hours of operation call 407-417-1096 or visit centralfloridarailroadmodelers.org.

Jan. 14 – Paul Anka

Born in 1941 into a tight-knit Canadian family, Paul Anka began his life in music in the church choir. By 13 he had his own vocal group, and soon won a trip to New York by collecting soup can labels. In 1956, he convinced his parents to let him travel to Los Angeles, and by 1957, he scored a meeting with Paramount Records. The enormous success of “Diana” – his first number one hit – made him a star. “They are all autobiographical,” says Anka of his early hits. This legendary performer will appear live at the Dr. Phillips Center on Jan. 14. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Jan. 14 to 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.

Jan. 15 – Albert Paley sculptures at Mennello Museum

The Mennello Museum’s first exhibition of the new year, “Albert Paley: Forged Works” will open 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 with this exhibition. 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 – Ani DiFranco at Plaza Live

As a singer, songwriter, activist and independent producer, Ani DiFranco has grown beyond her acoustic roots to embrace jazz, soul, electronica and melodies reflecting her life in New Orleans. A strong belief in human rights runs through her work, reflecting how DiFranco stood ahead of the curve launching her own Righteous Babe Records. Some stellar New Orleans musicians contributed to “Allergic To Water,” which will be featured at Plaza Live. “I think that my one grain of wisdom in my life is that when I meet a great teacher, I follow them,” she says. “It’s made my life pretty great along the way.” Visit plazaliveorlando.com

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 paid understudy role in a famous traveling circus. Through dance and acrobatics we see a new theatrical experience that electrifies and inspires. 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, 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 living in isolation, Leeper produced work in keeping with major artistic movements of the time. Call 407-646-2526 or visit rollins.edu/cfam