Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Oct. 10 – Closing reception for Donna Dowless’ ‘Dresses: Objects of Art’

A closing reception will be held on Oct. 10 for a unique exhibit produced by contemporary artist Donna Dowless featuring painting, sculpture, and mixed-media works. Created by award-winning artists in celebration of women and what they wear, all works are for sale. The public is invited to join the artists at Gallery at Avalon Island at 39 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando beginning at 6 p.m. Call 407-257-2415.

Oct. 10 to 31 – Phantasmagoria V – the fifth all-original Halloween celebration

The fifth anniversary of what has become an annual Halloween celebration – this year titled “Phantasmagoria V – Death Comes for ALL,” will haunt the Shakespeare Center at Loch Haven Park from Oct. 10 to 31. With new stories, large-scale puppets interacting with live actors, dance, music, explosive stage combat and haunted storytelling, I dare you to join this fearsome troupe of storytellers as they present tales of terror from literary giants such as Poe, Carroll, Dickens and others. Under the inspired direction of John DiDonna, Kevin Becker and Seth Kubersky, with choreography by Mila Makarova and Dion Leonhard, call 407-328-9005 or order online at OrlandoAtPlay.com

Oct. 10 to 27 – Breakthrough Theatre presents ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’

Based on Washington Irving's classic tale, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” will be performed by Winter Park’s Breakthrough Theatre from Oct. 10 to 27. The arrival of schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, with his hymn-singing and genteel manners, makes him an unwelcome rival to the bachelors of Sleepy Hollow. Timing is such that the superstitious Ichabod is accosted on his ride home by a fiendish apparition, but in what way is this creature fiendish? Wade Hair directs and Nic Jewell stars as Ichabod Crane. Call 407-920-4034 for reservations or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Oct. 11 – The Orlando Philharmonic presents Cirque de la Symphonie

The Orlando Philharmonic’s top-selling show is back! Cirque meets symphony in this all-new show featuring classical music brought to life by world-class cirque performers. Acrobats, contortionists, jugglers and strongmen perform amazing feats, and aerialists soar overhead as the orchestra below provides suspenseful music. Selections include works by Strauss, Rimsky-Korsakov and Kabalevsky as well as Leonard Bernstein and John Williams. Shows are at 2 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 11. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Oct. 11 to Jan. 11 – Renoir to Chagall: Paris and the Allure of Color

On Oct. 11, the Tampa Art Museum will open “Renoir to Chagall: Paris and the Allure of Color,” an exhibit that offers the opportunity to see vibrantly important 19th and 20th century works of art by the world’s greatest impressionist and post-impressionists artists. Forty-nine masterpieces from the renowned Dixon Gallery in Memphis, Tenn., explore the emergence of Paris as the center of the art world in the 19th century. Artists include Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Cezanne, Gauguin, Matisse, and Chagall – making this the must-see exhibit of the season. Visit tampamuseum.org

Oct. 11 and 12 – Winter Park’s 41st annual Autumn Art Festival

For one weekend each autumn, Winter Park’s Central Park celebrates outstanding Florida artists at the prestigious Autumn Art Festival. With exhibits by 150-plus participating artists, live entertainment, children's art activities, a Park Avenue Sidewalk Sale, and a Beer Garden, the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival is the only juried fine art show to showcase Florida artists exclusively. One hundred and fifty-six artists will display works in categories including ceramics, drawings and graphics, fiber, fine crafts, jewelry, painting, photography and sculpture. And this year’s prize money will exceed $16,000. Call 407-644-8281 or visit autumnartfestival.org

Oct. 11 and 12 – Wings and Waves Air Show at Daytona Beach

As part of the unique fall festivals that make Daytona Beach into the Festival Capital of Florida, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and aviator acrobats will take to the skies – with the Wings and Waves Air Show – in front of the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort on Oct. 11 and 12. We may enjoy the free shows from the shoreline daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as presented by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Oct. 15 to 18 – Ringling International Arts Festival

The dynamic and wildly eclectic Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF) will return to Sarasota from Oct. 15 to 18, with artists from around the world on a roster of contemporary dance, jazz, comic puppetry, music, cirque, and sci-fi fantasy adventure. Executive Director Steven High said, “RIAF 2014 will feature diverse, vibrant, and accessible performances, an additional venue, and an environment for dialogue with other festival-goers.” Thirty performances of seven productions are scheduled in four venues, all within walking-distance of The Ringling campus. Daily curtain times are 2, 5 and 8 p.m. with free jazz concerts, museum tours, and food service available, encouraging day-long visits. Call 941-360-7399 or visit ringling.org

Oct. 15 to Nov. 16 – Orlando Shakes opens ‘The Best of Enemies’

Mixing the poison of prejudice with the beauty of friendship, the play “The Best of Enemies” is based on a true story about the relationship between a hate-filled leader of the Ku Klux Klan and an African-American civil rights activist as the unlikely pair find themselves working together during the 1971 desegregation of Durham, N.C., schools. In performance from Oct. 15 to Nov. 16 by the Orlando Shakespeare Company – with a free opening night party on Oct. 17 – visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407-447-1700, ext. 1.

Oct. 16 to Nov. 14 – Fifth annual Dia de los Muertos & Monster Factory Exhibit & Party

Artists have a macabre interest in the Day of the Dead (and Halloween), which makes the next major exhibit at the City Arts Factory in downtown Orlando a major treat for all those preparing for that ghostly holiday. On Third Thursday, we’re invited to an opening of original artwork with a deadly theme, but it’s so much more with the Block Party that accompanies the opening. The opening and block party will be held on Oct. 16 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and it all happens on the corner of Orange and Pine. Costumes are encouraged. Call 407-648-7060.

Oct. 16 to 19 – The Clearwater Jazz Holiday

What began 35 years ago as a series of public concerts on the back of a flatbed truck is now a world-class gathering of the greatest talents and greatest fans of music and jazz. Offering music and art against a backdrop of brilliant sunsets, the 35th anniversary concerts feature legendary talents along with innovative jazz stars. Featured artists include Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Downing Jazz All-Stars, Spyro-Gyra, Julie Black and Belinda. General, reserved, and VIP seating packages are available. Call 727-461-5200 or visit clearwaterjazz.com

Oct.16 to 19 – Biketoberfest Motorcycle Rally

It’s “the roar with more” as Biketoberfest attracts over 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world turning Daytona Beach into motorcycle heaven. Festivities include rallies, rides, and races, street festivals, shopping and biker exhibits at various locations throughout Daytona Beach. For a complete list of times and activities, visit biketoberfest.org

Oct. 17 – Business Education Series presents Disney’s Approach to Leadership

Wake up early on Oct. 17 and find your way to the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce at 151 W. Lyman Ave. by 8 a.m. for the Business Education Series’ program featuring leadership lessons from Walt Disney. Author and Disney historian Jim Korkis will share Disney's approach to leadership and how we can follow similar principles – personally and professionally. The event is free for members and $10 non-members. Call 407-644-8281 or visit winterpark.org

Oct. 17 – Celebrating the Roaring ’20s for 20th year of Planned Parenthood

With three health centers – including a new facility in Kissimmee – Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando sees over 21,000 patients each year. 2014 is the organization's 20th anniversary, and they’ll celebrate with a Roaring ’20s fundraiser on Oct. 17 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Orchid Garden at Church Street. For a suggested donation of a minimum of $100, the evening includes an open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, music, and a special update from PPGO's president. Call 407-246-1788, ext. 104, or visit ppgo.org/annualevent to learn more.

Oct. 17, 18 and 19 – The vampires are havin’ a ball with the Orlando Ballet

The Orlando Ballet Company invites us to the Vampire's Ball, a back-by-popular-demand evening of vampires and ghouls (and sexy dancing) with tongue-in-cheek references to classical ballets and old-time vampire movies. Think Halloween as these creatures come to life on Oct. 17,18 and 19. The haunting performance is a full-length ballet with choreography by Orlando Ballet’s Artistic Director Robert Hill. Grip your seat as you are glamoured into craving more at the Bob Carr PAC. Call 407-426-1739 or visit OrlandoBallet.org

Oct. 18 and 19 – Masterful Mozart at the Bach Festival

A concert of Mozart’s greatest hits will open the season for the Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. The Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra will be performed with co-concertmasters Routa Kroumovitch-Gomez and Alvaro Gomez as soloists. The brilliantly energetic “Overture to The Magic Flute” will be presented followed by the hauntingly grandiose Mozart “Requiem” at the Knowles Chapel on the campus of Rollins College. Call 407-646-2182 or visit bachfestivalflorida.org

Current – The Maitland Art Center attains National Historic Landmark Status

The Maitland Art Center at 231 Packwood Ave. in Maitland has received the first designation of National Historic Landmark status in Orange County and the 44th in the state of Florida. Such designations apply to places that “exceptionally illustrate or interpret the heritage of the United States.” Known for the ornate Mayan revival influences of art deco artist/architect and founder J. Andre Smith (1880-1959), the Center was built in 1937 as a colony for artists to exercise creativity and is one of the Southeast’s only remaining examples of “fantasy architecture.” Call 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org