Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Now through July 28 – Theater for Young Audiences’ ‘Sleeping Beauty’

Princess Rose is celebrating her birthday and the whole kingdom is there to celebrate, but a terrible curse causes the young princess to fall asleep for 100 years. Complete with a handsome prince and a magical kiss, this quirky retelling of “Sleeping Beauty” introduces the classic fairy tale to a new generation of kids and families – complete with an autograph session with the cast after every performance at the Shakespeare Center. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

June 20 – Fashion Lounge at Jai Gallery

This fusion of art and fashion had its debut at Jai Gallery and continues as the second Fashion Lounge struts its stuff on June 20 from 7 to 11 p.m. The collaboration between Jai Gallery and Awaken Magazine features established and emerging artists in design, art direction, fashion photography, illustration, makeup, hair, modeling, jewelry, DJ-ing and VJ-ing. The monthly event invites fashion creators to network and showcase their designs. Industry professionals are invited to scout new talent or simply enjoy an evening of glamour, art and music. There is no dress code, so dress to impress or dress to observe. Visit jaigallery.net or call 407-921-0693.

June 20 – B-Side Artists return to City Arts Factory

The annual B-Side Artists’ exhibit returns to the City Arts Factory with new works, a larger roster, a pop-up shop and its special brand of no-holds-barred art experience. On June 20 from 6 to 10 p.m., the official opening is part of the Downtown Orlando Arts District 3rd Thursday Art Stroll (and it will be packed). For those who wish to avoid the crowds and view the artwork in comfort, on June 21 from 6 to 10 p.m. there will be a second opening event offering the same experience (without the literal shoulder rubbing and body heat). There will be live music as well as a special meet-the-artists segment with new B-Side members: Boy Kong, Wolfrich, Chris Reason and Kittens of Industry. Call 407-648-7060 or 407-927-9321, or visit cityartsfactory.com

June 21 – Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce invites us to a panel discussion – Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes – on June 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center at 151 W. Lyman Ave. Panelists Edward Alexander Esq. and Jennifer K. Birmingham Esq. will speak and answer questions about how to protect your business from potentially costly legal mistakes concerning employment issues, franchising, technology and contract agreements. The event is free for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Call 407-644-8281 or visit winterpark.org

June 21 – Of Stories and Songs – An orchestral concert

The Central Florida Community Orchestra’s performance Of Stories and Songs will feature Mussorgsky’s ”Night on Bald Mountain,” music from ”Jurassic Park” and “Harry Potter,” and other selections that bring to life the characters of great literature such as ”Moby Dick” and “The Odyssey.” Employing dramatic staging and lighting, the performance will be held June 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Northland Church in Longwood. General admission tickets are $10 and children ages 16 and younger are admitted free. CFCArts’ philosophy is to keep ticket prices low to make the arts accessible and affordable. Tickets are available online at cfcarts.com/of-stories-and-songs, at the door, or by calling 407-949-7170.

June 21 to July 20 – ‘8 Track: Sounds of the 70’s’

The Winter Park Playhouse wants us to raid the attic to dig out our leisure suits and platform shoes (as if we could still fit into them) as we boogie down with the propulsive rhythms of ”8 Track: Sounds of the 70’s,” a musical romp that promises to be a Baby Boomers’ dream come true. Featuring music of The Carpenters, Patty Labelle, Barry Manilow, Marvin Gaye, The Bee Gees, and Helen Reddy, we can re-discover the heart and soul of the ‘70s with this joyful, and often hilarious musical. Roy Alan will direct and choreograph as Chris Leavy serves as music director. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

June 21, 22, 23 – Lakeridge Winery Harvest Grape Stomp

While the Lakeridge Winery offers free winery tours seven days a week, we are all invited to their Harvest Grape Stomp on June 21, 22 and 23. The Festival features live music (two bands each day), an arts-and-crafts show, and Lakeridge Wines. Guests are invited to test their fortitude in grape stomping competitions as stompers race against one another and the clock. Winners of each 2-minute stomp-off receive a prize. The Wine Shop will offer specials, and we can take a free winery tour. The Winery is at 19239 N. U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont. A $2 donation is accepted at the gate to benefit the Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, and parking is free. Visit lakeridgewinery.com or call 352-394-8627.

June 22 – For the kids and for the environment

Here’s a cause we can all get behind. Shoes4Kids helps local kids and the environment by collecting used shoes – any kind – any condition – and the organization is aiming at a record breaking number of shoes to be collected on June 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot at 1199 Clay St. in Winter Park. Let’s get into those closets and donate the shoes and sneakers we’ll never use again to an organization that reuses them, gives them to local kids in need, and keeps them out of landfills. If you can’t make the June 22 event, check shoes4kidsusa.com for drop-off locations throughout the month of June.

June 24 – The Sovereign Brass at the Shakespeare Center

There could be no more splendid opening for the Orlando Philharmonic’s Summer Music Series than a program called Brass Splendor featuring Orlando’s most popular musical ensemble – the Sovereign Brass. Highlighting the royal sounds that make brass music so stirring and uplifting, the Sovereign Brass will perform works by Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Corelli, Beethoven and Purcell. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

And looking ahead …

June 29 – A Rhinoceros Birthday Party … For Two

The Central Florida Zoo knows how to party, and now that the Zoo has received a second rhinoceros, PJ, who joins the Zoo’s other rhinoceros, Jahi, it happens that both PJ and Jahi turn two years old this summer. So, those party animals at the Zoo invite us to the Rhinos’ double birthday party on June 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Birthday with the BIG Boys will be celebrated with music, games, children’s crafts, face painting and animal encounters. Both rhinoceros’ can reach up to 5,000 pounds when fully grown, so I suggest we take this unique invitation seriously! Visit centralfloridazoo.org or call 407-323-4450.

Josh Garrick is a writer, photographer, educator, and fine art curator. He is a member of the Curatorial Council for the Museum of Florida Art. Garrick can be reached at [email protected] or 407-522-3906.