Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Final week through Oct. 25 – The Garden Theatre does 'La Cage aux Folles'

The Garden Theatre began its season with Jerry Herman’s brilliant “La Cage aux Folles” – the first show ever to win the Tony Award for Best Musical three times. Considered controversial when it first opened in New York City in 1983, this musical – in which some of the chorus girls are men – exemplifies family, community, acceptance, love, and a forward thinking board of directors. Sensitively directed by Rob Winn Anderson, the show features a glamorous “star-is-born” performance by Matthew Arter as Albin and the swoon-inducing Broadway singing voice of Brian Minyard as Georges. Highly recommended. Call 407-877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Now to Oct. 31 – ‘Phantasmagoria VI: The Darkness Returns’

The FANtastic, MAGical troupe of Phantasmagorians is performing “Phantasmagoria VI: The Darkness Returns” to celebrate the Halloween season. Live performers offer new stories of terror, “Phantastic” dance, large-scale puppetry, aerial performance, and horror as they relate literary tales of terror from around the world. This is theatrical storytelling of the highest order, created with power and magic at the Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Highly recommended. Call 407-328-9005 or visit OrlandoAtPlay.com

Now to Oct. 31 – ‘BatBoy: the Musical’ at the Abbey

Flying into Orlando as a Halloween entertainment and based on a “true” story in The Weekly World News, “BatBoy: the Musical” is a musical-comedy-horror show about a pointy-eared boy discovered in a West Virginia cave. Adopted by the town veterinarian, BatBoy “falls in love” with the vet’s daughter (while struggling to keep his blood thirst under control). In a show consistently praised for its intelligence and wit, this outlandish musical will be at The Abbey through Oct. 31. Visit ticketweb.com

Current – Tiffany lamps at the Morse Museum

Drawing from its world-famous collection of works by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, Winter Park’s Morse Museum spotlights the designer’s lamps in two exhibits that opened Oct. 20. Celebrating the unique creations by Tiffany Studios at the dawn of the age of electricity, the Lamps and Lighting Gallery reopened with a focus exhibit on the career-defining Daffodil reading lamp, circa 1900. While Tiffany was an international success before his first lamp, the lamps greatly extended his popularity from the 1890s to today. At the Morse Museum in Winter Park, call 407-645-5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

Oct. 24 and 25 – Maestro Eric Jacobsen’s debut with Orlando Philharmonic

The most highly anticipated event of the new arts season will happen as the Orlando Philharmonic opens its Classics Series by welcoming newly appointed music director Eric Jacobsen to the podium. His opening concerts – at 8 p.m. on Oct. 24 and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 25 – will be performed at Bob Carr Theater and begin a five-year relationship between the Orchestra and maestro Jacobsen. In a program chosen by Jacobsen, both concerts will feature Beethoven’s “Leonore Overture”; Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by Van Cliburn silver medalist Joyce Yang; a world premiere by Gabriel Kahane; and Ravel’s “Daphnis et Chloe.” Highly recommended. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

Oct. 24 – Masterpiece Moments with the Maitland Symphony Orchestra

Performing Arts of Maitland will sponsor the Maitland Symphony Orchestra in a free classical music highlights concert on the outdoor stage at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 24. Joining MSO in this 10th anniversary celebratory concert is the new Baroque Chamber Orchestra. Please bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy beautiful music in this setting under the stars. The BCO performs at 6:30 p.m. with the MSO performing at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free. Call 321-303-1404.

Oct. 24 – ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ at Hard Rock Live

“So You Think You Can Dance,” the 13-time Emmy Award-winning show that sparked America’s fascination with dance, will celebrate its 12th season with a performance on Oct. 24 at Hard Rock Live at Universal. Introducing their new “Stage versus Street” format, SYTYCD’s top-10 finalists will perform with the competitive intensity that has made the show a consistent Emmy-winner. Call 407-351-5483 or visit Ticketmaster.com

Oct. 24 – Jazz at the Dr. Phillips Center presents Arturo Sandoval

Celebrated musician and 2013 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Arturo Sandoval has 10 Grammy Awards, 19 Grammy nominations, six Billboard Awards, and an Emmy Award. He is also a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer. His dynamic live performances have been seen by millions at the Oscars, the Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and in concerts around the world. This musical paragon will grace the stage at the Dr. Phillips Center at 8 p.m. on Oct. 24. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 – ‘Giselle’ by the Orlando Ballet with the Orlando Philharmonic

The epitome of romantic ballet, “Giselle” is a tale of unrequited love, remorse and forgiveness. Now performing with live music by the Orlando Philharmonic, “Giselle” demands consummate skill and true acting ability to create the character of the innocent, yet noble, village maiden. The Orlando Ballet brings a new generation of artists to this classic ballet as Joseph Gatti and Adiarys Almeida take the stage at the Dr. Phillips Center along with welcoming the Orlando Philharmonic’s new Music Director Eric Jacobsen, who will conduct these performances. Call 407-426-1739 or visit orlandoballet.org

Oct. 31 – Celtic Woman’s World Tour at Bob Carr Theater

Global music sensation Celtic Woman will bring its 10th Anniversary World Tour to Orlando at 3 p.m. on Oct. 31. This musical experience features Celtic Woman performing Irish standards, classical favorites and contemporary pop songs in the group’s signature style. The World Tour stars three angelic vocalists and a dazzling violinist with a full band, the Aontas Choir, bagpipers, and Irish dancers all under the direction of producer David Downes. Celtic Woman’s 10-year journey has entertained millions. For your chance to experience Celtic Woman Live, call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 31 – Baroque Chamber Orchestra Concert in Maitland

Performing Arts of Maitland’s newest musical group — The BCO “brings the Baroque alive” and into the 21st century by performing contemporary compositions in the style of the Baroque. These modern works are contrasted to the masters of the period: Bach, Telemann, and Vivaldi. Enjoy the enchanting sounds of harpsichord and strings under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez at 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Maitland Presbyterian Church at 341 N. Orlando Ave. The cost is $10 admission at the door. Call 321-303-1404 for more information.

Nov. 4 – Applications due for Orlando’s annual Recycled Fashion Show

The city of Orlando seeks local fashion designers and artists to create innovative looks from materials that would otherwise be headed to the landfill (trash). Chosen designs will be featured at the Trash2Trends runway event, (Feb. 6) a fundraiser for Keep Orlando Beautiful. The event brings the fashion and the environmental communities together to inspire Orlando, already one of the most sustainable cities in America, to protect Orlando’s natural resources and amenities for generations to come. Go to cityoforlando.net/trash2trends for an application. Those with questions may call Jody Buyas at 407-246-2752 or email her at [email protected]