Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Now through Jan. 6 – Highlights of Morse Museum’s season

The new exhibit at the Morse Museum features a recent gift, an Orientalist painting by Lockwood de Forest. De Forest’s oil painting “The Wreck” (1880) is a large Saharan landscape that is accompanied by oil studies of other desert scenes and explanatory wall panels. In addition, the museum will update Secrets of Tiffany Glassmaking, a popular exhibit that explains the techniques and processes Louis Comfort Tiffany’s designers and artisans used to create blown-glass vases, leaded-glass windows and lamps. Public programs will include free admission, live music and more during Friday Nights at the Morse through April. Visit morsemuseum.org

Oct. 27 and 28 – Bach Festival features visiting composers

The opening program of the 2012 Bach Festival Society Choral Masterworks series will present music by six contemporary composers who represent the most accomplished choral and orchestra composers working today. Three of the six composers will be present at the performances including pre-concert talks for the public. The performances will take place on Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. (talk at 6:15 p.m.) and Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. (talk at 1:45 p.m.) at the Chapel on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park. Call 407-646-2182 or visit BachFestivalFlorida.org

Nov. 3 – National Symphony of Cuba in American debut

Perhaps the most important – and historic – orchestral performance of the season will take place in Daytona Beach on Nov. 3 when the National Symphony of Cuba makes its American debut – right here in Central Florida. And the auspicious occasion is made even more important as the orchestra presents a blockbuster program, which includes pianist Nachito Herrera performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” followed by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. In this not-to-be-missed performance, an Orchestra that could not travel to the United States a few years ago opens the Daytona Beach Symphony Society’s 61st season with a glorious program that honors a great American composer and the world’s greatest composer in the same evening. Call 386-253-2901 or visit dbss.org

Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 – The Million Dollar Quartet

Inspired by the true story of a once-in-a-lifetime recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, “Million Dollar Quartet” turns the story into a Broadway musical. On Dec. 4, 1956, Sam Phillips brought these four musicians together in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. “Million Dollar Quartet” brings that legendary night to life from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 with its irresistible tale of broken promises, betrayals and No. 1 hit songs at the Bob Carr PAC. Call 800-448-6322 or visit OrlandoBroadway.com

Nov. 3 – Orlando Science Center’s Neanderthal Ball

Time to go huntin’ for your new caveman couture and step out in Paleolithic style as the Orlando Science Center welcomes you to the sixth annual Neanderthal Ball. As the Science Center’s premier fundraising event, the ball is also the wackiest (and most fun) gala of the season. It may be held in a museum, but there is nothing stuffy about the coolest event this side of the Ice Age! It’s a benefit for children’s programming at the Science Center, and it’s an upscale dining event with gourmet food selections, themed music and silent auction items. Visit osc.org or contact Kathy Lopus at [email protected]

Nov. 4 – Brooklyn Rider Quartet returns to Central Florida

The Bach Festival Society will bring the renowned string quartet Brooklyn Rider to Central Florida for a residency reaching more than 3,000 Orange County Public School children. Known for its creative programming, the quartet is devoted to the interpretation of existing literature and to the creation of new works, including a newly commissioned work by jazz pianist and composer Vijay Iyer. The new work will be part of the Quartet’s public performance on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m. at the Tiedtke Concert Hall on the Rollins College campus. Call 407-646-2182 or visit BachFestivalFlorida.org