Josh Garrick: Culture for your Calendar

October – Orlando is Halloween capital of the world

Halloween comes early to Orlando, and this year its name was Matthew. But the good spirits were with us, and Matthew came and went from Orlando without scaring us too much, leaving us with plenty of time to change our name (briefly) from "theme park capital of the world," to "Halloween capital of the world.” There are over 100 Halloween theme park event nights left to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve ranging from extreme scares for adults and teens to not-so-scary-fright-nights for the whole family. Listed below are the Google names for each park’s events. Please check the computer listing for specific dates and details:

Events for the whole family:

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - select nights through October.

SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular – select days in October.

Legoland Florida Brick or Treat – weekends in October.

Central Florida Zoo's Boo Bash – Oct. 22, 23, 29 & 30.

Very scary nights for teens and adults:

Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights – select nights through October.

Phantasmagoria VII: ‘The Cards They Are Dealt’ – see below; beginning today.

A Petrified Forest – select nights through Oct. 29.

Today – Oct. 13, 14 & 16 – Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Candide’ with the Orlando Phil

In our mini-Bernstein festival (see Orlando Shakes’ “West Side Story”), Voltaire’s satire of innocence and optimism is joined with Leonard Bernstein’s Tony Award-winning score to create “Candide,” in which a young man sets off with friends to find the meaning of life. But, their journey includes war, kidnapping, murder and shipwreck. Fully costumed and staged, and sung in English, the Oct. 13 opening night performance will be followed by a Q&A with Maestro Eric Jacobsen. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Today – Oct. 13 to 31 – Phantasmagoria VII: ‘The Cards They Are Dealt’

Be very afraid. Phantasmagoria’s troupe of “Steampunk Survivors” are more dangerous than gypsy fortune-tellers, and they are joined by dancers, soldiers, puppeteers, and fire-breathers as they embark on new journeys through the dark tales of Poe, Lovecraft, Wilde, and M.R. James. For your Halloween season, trick or treat yourself to the all-new Phantasmagoria VII "The Cards They Are Dealt" at the Shakespeare Center. OMG – the Oct. 31 performance is the Troupe’s 100th mainstage show; not sure my heart could handle that one! And don’t say I didn’t warn you. For tickets, visit orlandoatplay.com

Oct. 14 & 15 – Chicago’s ‘Second City’ hits Orlando

Sponsored by Kathie and Bill Hohns, Chicago’s legendary improv comedy theater comes to the Dr. Phillips Center to celebrate 55 years of satire with a new show of comedy sketches, songs and improv about Orlando, along with material from the Second City archives. This must-see night features Chicago’s brightest comedy stars finding laughs in everything from Orlando’s history to classic sketches created by Second City’s amazing alumni, including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner and more. The show starts at 8 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 14 to 24 – Double the ‘spookiness’ at the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park

The Breakthrough Theatre will present two versions of "A Spooky Night at the Breakthrough,” an evening of Halloween shorts by local playwrights, with two completely different shows. One is for a mature audience and the second is family-friendly. Dates, casts, and shows vary so please call 407-920-4034 to be sure you are ordering the show of your choice. Vicki Wicks directs the mature audience show, and Wade Hair directs the family friendly show. Call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com/tickets

Now to Oct. 23 – ‘1776’ – the Founding Mothers at Mad Cow Theatre

Move over Founding Fathers. The mothers have arrived. Join John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others as they hatch the “American Dream.” Mad Cow presents “1776,” a beloved Tony Award-winning musical celebrating the American Revolution this time with a revolutionary new voice: all female. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Now to Dec. 16 – ‘La Nouba’ discount for Florida’s first responders

More timely than ever, our resident Cirque du Soleil – “La Nouba” – is thanking those who keep Florida safe by offering first responders (Florida police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel) tickets at 39-percent savings for themselves and up to five guests per show. Florida first responders may book at cirquedusoleil.com/la-nouba (personnel ID is required) for shows running through Dec. 16.

Now to Nov. 13 – ‘Rock the Presidents’ at Orlando Rep

Orlando Rep’s new show is a high-octane musical spanning the history of the American presidency – from George Washington to Barack Obama – and looking ahead to the future. The presidents are brought to life through original songs including rock, hip-hop, blues, pop, jazz, reggae and country in a way for audiences of all ages to learn something about our nation’s history. The book and lyrics are by Dwayne Hartford. Parental age-appropriate note: Lincoln’s legacy and Kennedy’s assassination are included with songs that contain the words “pistol” and “bullets.” Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Now to Nov. 13 – ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ at Orlando Shakes

It’s more than coincidental that Orlando Shakes will present the “Jekyll/Hyde” story by Robert Louis Stevenson near All Hollow’s Eve. Frustrated by dull respectability in Victorian London, Dr. Jekyll creates a potion to unleash his inner bestial nature. The potion transforms Dr. Jekyll into the brutish Edward Hyde who lives the “high life” until Hyde's passions lead to murder. Fascinating and deviant, the play captivates audiences who experience the play’s moral lesson while watching the lead actor transform before them. For tickets, call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Oct. 15 – Three voices ‘From Europe to Broadway’ with the Orlando Phil

Three of Europe’s biggest stars come together with the Orlando Philharmonic for one special night at the Dr. Phillips Center. Mario Frangoulis was discovered by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and is best known for his powerful performances. George Perris has performed for sold out audiences around the world and is considered Europe’s next superstar, and soprano Deborah Myers, one of the UK’s most versatile performers, has starred in a variety of musicals including “The King and I” and “The Pirates of Penzance.” Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 16 – Classern String Quartet presents ‘Spooky Sounds’ at the Casa

In a fun and free concert by the Classern String Quartet, the group will play a trick-or-treat mix of classical and modern Halloween hits from “Danse Macbre,” “Psycho,” “Ghostbusters,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and more at the Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum at 656 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park. The Classern combines the elegance of a string quartet with a modern twist by performing pop and rock melodies from yesterday and today, and they know the classics. This event is free. Visit casafeliz.us

Oct. 18 – Scott Bradlee's ‘Postmodern Jukebox’

Scott Bradlee’s “Postmodern Jukebox” is a genre-busting, rotating collective of musicians and vocalists that re-imagines modern pop hits in the style of jazz, ragtime, and swing classics of the 1920s to 1950s. An act that crosses all musical boundaries and generations, “Postmodern Jukebox” has developed a niche all its own, and performs a live show unlike any other – a must-see for anyone who loves innovative live performance. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 21 to Nov. 6 – CFCArts’ ‘Metamorphoses’

A shallow pool serves as the primary scenic element of Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of the classical myths as recorded by the Roman poet Ovid (43 BC – 17 AD). “Metamorphoses” harkens back to the origins of theater using an ensemble of actors to retell ancient stories of gods and goddesses. Performed on Broadway and around the world, the CFCArts Theatre Program will present “Metamorphoses” in their black box theater at 250 S.W. Ivanhoe Blvd. in Orlando. Call 407-937-1800, ext. 710, or visit cfcarts.com/metamorphoses

Oct. 21 to Nov. 6 – ‘Glass Menagerie’ at the Garden Theatre

“The Glass Menagerie” is the play that took its author – Tennessee Williams – from obscurity to fame. The man, who would eventually be considered by many to be America’s greatest playwright, based the play on his psychologically damaged mother, his “fragile” sister, and himself. Premiered in Chicago in 1944, the play moved to Broadway where it won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1945. In this production, directed by Beth Marshall, the autobiographical role of Tom will be played by Anthony Pyatt Jr. Call 407-877-4736 or visit BethMarshallPresents.com

Oct. 21 to Nov. 20 – ‘The God Game’ at Mad Cow

When running for political office in the U.S. of A, the public knows or can learn anything about a candidate from his/her work-out routine to religious beliefs. So, what if your candidate is an atheist? Now, in the final weeks of the presidential election, playwright Suzanne Bradbeer poses this question in “The God Game” in performance at the Mad Cow Theatre. Bradbeer presents this test of American politics while exploring the limits of truth, ambition, and faith as her witty dialogue induces laughter and sadness. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Oct. 22 – Orlando Philharmonic and ‘The Great American Songbook’

Audience favorite Albert George Schram conducts the Orlando Philharmonic as Christiane Noll and Doug LaBrecque supply the vocals from "The Great American Songbook.” Performing some of the most popular and enduring songs from the 1920s to the 1950s the audience is invited to luxuriate in classics by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, and others. Performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. are at the Bob Carr Theater. Due to road construction, please give yourself extra time for parking. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Oct. 22 – Cows ‘n Cabs, where cowboys kick it up with cuisine grub and fine wines

4Rivers master chef John Rivers knows fundraisers. When he joined with David Larue of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits to create a new fundraiser they wanted the opposite of the tux and tie group. Switching to cowboy gear and cabernets, Rivers and Larue created the now-annual Cows ‘n Cabs returning for its sixth year on Oct. 22. Featuring cuisine from more than 20 of Florida’s top restaurants, the event benefits the Community Food and Outreach Center and Elevate Orlando. At Winter Park’s West Meadow, the admission is $110. Visit cowsncabs.com.

Oct. 26 – Capital Grille invites us to ‘Year of the Steak’ at Second Harvest Food Bank

Executive chef of Capital Grille Michael LaDuke will present a magnificent five-course menu celebrating the "Year of the Steak" at Second Harvest Food Bank with proceeds benefitting Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program. The program provides the formerly unemployed with skills to obtain a position in food service. Capital Grille, known for comfortable elegance, serves nationally renowned dry-aged steaks, and for this event, Chef Michael brings that renown to the Community Kitchen to raise funds for a great cause. Tickets are $125. Call 407-514-1048 or email [email protected]