Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now through March 23 – Orlando Shakespeare presents Steve Yockey’s ‘Pluto’

Participating in National New Play Network’s 35th season of Rolling World Premieres, the Orlando Shakespeare Theater presents Steve Yockey’s “Pluto” through March 23. In the play, single mother Elizabeth Miller is having a bad day. A tree has crashed through her ceiling, the fridge is not functioning, and mother and son choose today to confront each other across the breakfast table, turning this dysfunctional family into dark comedy. For tickets to “Pluto,” call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

March (the whole month) – A&H Museums – Maitland presents Art31

The Art & History Museums – Maitland invites us to 31 days of artistic experimentation – throughout the month of March – focusing on the legacy of the Research Studio. Highlights include wrapping the Maitland Art Center, an Art Car creation with Andrew Spear, workshops, performance art, Culture Pop!, artists’ critiques, exhibitions, artists’ talks and the culminating event: Participation Dinner Affair. All programs take place at 231 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland where Art31 opens on March 1. Visit Art31.org or call 407-539-2181.

March 1 – Appetite for the Arches

On March 1, Central Florida’s finest chefs showcase their creativity for a great cause at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida’s Appetite for the Arches fundraising event. At this event, celebrated chefs from more than a dozen restaurants will use McDonald’s ingredients to create palate-pleasing dishes for guests to sample. In addition to food, guests will enjoy drinks, live music, a silent and a live auction. Ronald McDonald House provides a home and care to families with children receiving treatment at local hospitals in Orlando. Visit ronaldmcdonaldhouseorlando.org/events

March 1 – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer hosts eighth annual Blues B-Q

Blues music, barbeque and fun are all on tap as Mayor Buddy Dyer invites residents and visitors to the eighth annual Blues B-Q in downtown Orlando. This free Blues festival features national and local acts as well as Orlando’s finest barbecue (available for purchase). The event features Blues Hall of Fame singer Denise LaSalle and the Miami-based Lee Boys, a funk and gospel band. Barbeque will be available from Bubbalou’s, Serena’s, the Cave Inn, and Smokey Jay’s on the corner of Garland Avenue and Central Boulevard beginning at 4 p.m. Visit CityofOrlando.net/BluesBQ

March 2 – Spring welcome: Maslenitsa Day at the Polasek

The Polasek Museum will offer free admission on Maslenitsa Day (Pancake Day) in conjunction with the exhibit “The Holy Art of Imperial Russia: Icons from the 17th century to Early 20th century.” The Museum offers a day of Russian culture; pancakes, activities, art and icons for a holiday that owes its existence to the tradition of pancakes (or ‘blini’), which represents new birth and the coming spring. We are invited to decorate our blini with Russian toppings and then eat our artwork. Russian dances will be offered, along with a presentation by Dr. Alexander Boguslawski. Event begins at 1 p.m. Visit polasek.org or call 407-647-6294.

March 6 – Books and Cooks to benefit the Winter Park Public Library

The Alfond Inn is the setting for an evening of celebrity chefs signing their books to support the Winter Park Public Library. Featuring John Rivers of 4 Rivers, Brandon McGlamery of Prato and Luma on Park, Norman Van Aken of Norman's, Richard Gonzmart of Columbia Restaurants, and Hollis Wilder of Sweet! By Holly. The $25 ticket includes the authors’ panel, a bourbon cocktail (recipe by John Rivers), and gourmet snacks by Luma and Sweet! By Holly. Contact P. Corkum at [email protected] or call 407-623-3277.

March 7 to 29 – ‘Sisters of Swing’ – The Story of the Andrews Sisters

The Winter Park Playhouse excels with musicals that follow the lives of famous performers, so we may look forward to the Central Florida Premiere of “Sisters of Swing.” The new musical follows Patty, Maxene, and LaVerne Andrews, from their early days on the road through their rise as recording stars famous for entertaining American GIs during World War II. The score features more than 20 hit songs including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Tickets to “Sisters of Swing” may be purchased by visiting winterparkplayhouse.org or by calling 407-645-0145.

March 7 to April 18 – Legendary abstract painter Harold Garde at Jai Gallery

Artist Harold Garde, a legend of the American abstract expressionist movement, recently celebrated his 90th birthday having added a work to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, as the subject of a major documentary film, and having his work celebrated in a retrospective exhibit at the Museum of Florida Art. Now Jai Gallery will exhibit the bold and vivid creations of this legendary artist in an exhibit opening March 7 at 7 p.m. Jai Gallery is at 47 E. Robinson St. in Orlando. The opening is free to the public with an RSVP to 407-921-0693.

March 8 – Music of the Ballet with the Orlando Philharmonic

Composers including Prokofiev, Ravel and Tchaikovsky are often familiar to contemporary audiences thanks to the music they wrote for ballets. Those composers will be joined by Falla and Weber on March 8 at 8 p.m. at the Bob Carr PAC when dancers from Orlando Ballet will perform to several of the greatest orchestral ballet scores of all time with the music performed live by the Orlando Philharmonic. Excerpts from “La Valse,” “Swan Lake” and “Romeo and Juliet” promise an evening of multiple talents on the stage of the Bob Carr. Visit orlandophil.org or call 407-770-0071.

March 8 — Mennello Museum ‘Walk & Talk’ with Curator Valerie Ann Leeds

The Mennello Museum is turning over the year 2014 to experience the art of the American southwest in its on-going exhibit – “Southwestern Allure: The Art of the Santa Fe Art Colony.” On March 8 at 2 p.m. Dr. Valerie Ann Leeds, a New York City-based curator, writer, editor and art historian, will lead a ‘walk and talk’ through the exhibit. Ms. Leeds will share her insights into the artists and the time period that made Santa Fe into the art colony that is so much a part of our American art history. Visit mennellomuseum.com or call 407-246-4278.

March 9 – Be a part of Florida history

With a spectacular view of the Capitol Dome, the Florida House is the only state embassy in Washington, D.C. Since 1973, the beautifully restored 1891 Victorian Florida House has welcomed visiting Floridians, students and dignitaries to the nation's capital. The annual fundraiser for Florida House will take place March 9 in a private home in Orlando with a lakefront view, cocktails on the dock, ‘locally grown and harvested foods,’ a silent auction and more. We can be part of Florida history as we support the fundraiser for our unique “home” in D.C. RSVP to Gayle Wirtz at 407-222-5535 or email her at [email protected]