Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Sept. 26 to 28 – Walt Disney World announces the Disney Fit Challenge

The first-ever Disney Fit Challenge will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from Sept. 26 to 28 – open to elite, intermediate and recreational participants. Athletes will test their fitness against peers of the same or similar ages and skill levels by completing a variety of movements and workouts. With professional facilities as the backdrop, each competitor will be tested for speed, strength, skill, endurance, balance and power. Call 407-939-7211 or visit disneyworld.disney.go.com

Sept. 26 and 27 – Sunburst Showcase of Celebrity Impersonators

Guests of the Florida Hotel and Conference Center at 1500 Sand Lake Road in Orlando will be doing a series of double-takes as they say, “Isn’t that … ?” over and over again until they learn the annual Sunburst Showcase of Celebrity Impersonators is staking their claim to the hotel on Sept. 26 and 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. Think variety show with many of the most famous performers in history. Marilyn, Elvis and Cher are always represented, and there are wonderful surprises as well. The performances are open to the public. Visit sunburstconvention.com

Sept. 27 to Jan. 4 – Orlando Museum of Art opens dual exhibit

The Orlando Museum of Art will open a dual exhibit with titles “David Rathman: Stand by Your Accidents” and “Lama Peterson: Suburbia Sublime” on Sept. 27. The exhibits run through Jan. 4. David Rathman explores icons of masculinity – from the American West to football with protagonists caught in moments of introspection and/or defeat. Lamar Peterson animates a cast of candy-colored characters through works that examine American middle-class culture, racial stereotypes, and icons of masculinity. “Suburbia Sublime” includes painting, collage, drawing, and a newly commissioned outdoor sculpture. Call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

Sept. 27 – Casselberry’s Latin Jazz & Art Festival

Legendary jazz guitarist Marc Antoine will headline Casselberry’s Latin Jazz & Art Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Lake Concord Park. Food vendors, art demonstrations, Latin dance presentations and children’s activities will be included. Bring a blanket, chairs and friends to the lakefront – admission and parking is free. Call 407-262-7700, ext. 1507, or visit Casselberry.org

Sept. 28 – Free organ concert at Rollins College

Princeton University Organist Eric Plutz will perform a free concert as part of the Conger Visiting Organist Concert Series on Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. in the Knowles Chapel at Rollins College. Plutz “performs with gusto, flair, clarity and strong yet pliant rhythmic control,” according to James Hildreth of The American Organist. Mr. Plutz has four solo recordings on the Pro Organo label. Call 407-646-2233.

Sept. 28 – Violinist Lisa Ferrigno at Casa Feliz

Violinist Lisa Ferrigno will perform a free concert on the Casa Feliz music series on Sept. 28 beginning at noon. Ferrigno has been concertmaster of the Brevard Symphony since 1999, and received her musical training at the New England Conservatory, the Eastman School of Music, and Florida State University. Lisa has helped brides orchestrate their dream weddings as a soloist for Disney’s Fairytale Weddings since 1995 and has appeared on “Disney’s Weddings of a Lifetime “on TV. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum is at 656 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-628-8200.

Sept. 28 – Bigus dealus collision of cartoon families – “D’oh”

Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin are finally going to share a cold one. The supposed rivalry between two legendary animated TV shows will have its finest hour in a landmark event airing on Fox on Sept. 28 (the season premiere of Family Guy) when the Griffins find themselves in the Simpson’s hometown – Springfield (cue the music) for an hour of animated comedy history. My only spoiler alert – there will be an epic fight – over the merits of Pawtucket Patriot Ale and Duff Beer. Ya gotta be there.

Current – Orlando’s Maryah Sullivan is 2014 National Youth of the Year

Two weeks ago I reported that Orlando’s Maryah Sullivan would travel to Washington, D.C. to vie for the title of National Youth of the Year competing for a $60,000 scholarship. Maryah won, and for the coming year will be the national teen spokesperson for the nation’s 4 million Boys & Girls Club members. In D.C., Maryah participated in community service, attended a congressional breakfast and a gala. Maryah’s chosen message is “knowledge is power.” She’s set to be the first of her family to go to college, planning to attend the University of South Florida where she will major in pre-med. Congratulations, Maryah!

And looking ahead …

Oct. 4 – GLBT Community Center’s Black & White Gala

The GLBT Community Center will host their annual Black & White Gala on Oct.4 this year at the Orlando Museum of Art. The Museum is going through a facelift and will have two new exhibits open, plus the soon to open J. Hyde Crawford and Anthony Tortora Gallery. The new gallery is special, not only because it comes with $8.3 million dollars of art (the largest bequest the Museum has ever received), but it is appropriate that the gallery is named for men who were in a loving relationship. The Gala features VIP cocktails, a string quartet, food by John Michaels Events, live and silent auctions, dessert stations, entertainment and a preview of the Museum’s new art exhibit. Visit thecenterorlando.org/BW for tickets.