Josh Garrick: Culture for your Calendar

Now to Oct. 9 – ‘West Side Story’ at Orlando Shakespeare

This contemporary “Romeo and Juliet” story finds idealistic young lovers Maria and Tony caught between rival street gangs with their struggle to love and survive in a world filled with hatred is as moving as Shakespeare’s original. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, many remaining performances are close to being sold out. You do not want to miss this. Visit orlandoshakes.org

Now to Oct. 9 – ‘All Hands on Deck’ brings (Bob) Hope to the Winter Park Playhouse

Bob Hope’s World War II USO tours for the troops made the man a legend in his own time. Now Mr. Hope is the inspiration for a new all-singing, all-dancing musical written, directed and choreographed by Jody Madaras at the Winter Park Playhouse. Join the happy audiences with timeless hits, vaudevillian antics and comedy for audiences of all ages. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Now to Oct. 9 – TheatreWorks Florida presents ‘Rock of Ages!’

It’s the end of the 1980s in Hollywood, and the party goes on at the Sunset Strip’s last venue where Stacee Jaxx rules the stage. Aspiring rock star (and janitor) Drew longs to take that stage, but the rock and roll fairy-tale will end if developers turn the fabled “Strip” into a strip mall. Can Drew and the gang save the Strip before it’s too late? Duh – well – only the music of Styx, Journey, and Whitesnake holds the answer. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

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

Sept. 30 to Oct. 9 – Christopher Durang takes us ‘Beyond Therapy’

It’ll be interesting to see what Director Wade Hair, of Breakthrough Theater, has up his sleeve with Christopher Durang’s 1981 Off-Broadway comedy “Beyond Therapy.” While Durang’s iconoclastic, smart-mouth humor is always fun, the therapy in the title is based on a gay man (with lover) wanting to date a woman. In 2016, the big therapy question would be “why?” as we celebrate Orlando’s “Come out with pride.” Call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com/tickets

Oct. 1 – An art exhibit that began in Athens in 480 B.C.

Your Arts Editor – Josh Garrick – returns to the Henao Center with a free and open to the public opening on Oct. 1 beginning at 7 p.m. The emphasis stays on Classical Greece, but this year is dedicated to the esteemed European curator – Iris Kritikou – who curated my exhibit at the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. The exhibit will also show the work of 13 sculptors whose work “speaks” to the Classical era. Running through Nov. 20 at the Henao Center at 5601 N. Edgewater Drive in Orlando. Call 407-272-0317 or visit Henaocenter.com

Oct. 4 to 9 – ‘The Illusionists - Live from Broadway’ – at Dr. Phillips Center

This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the talents of nine incredible illusionists. “The Illusionists – Live From Broadway” has shattered box office records around the globe while dazzling audiences with some of the most outrageous acts ever seen. Packed with sophisticated magic, this show truly must be seen to be believed. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 6, 7, 8 and 9 – Garth Brooks’ World Tour at the Amway Center

The big guy is back on a world tour. Y’all know Garth Brooks, and you each have your own reasons for wanting to be there, so here is the basic info on how to get the tickets that are left. (The first six hours of ticket sales for these four days was un-real). And he’s with Trisha Yearwood! Get tickets at ticketmaster.com or ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or call Ticketmaster Express 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000

Oct. 8 – The Pulse community honored as marshals at 2016 Pride Parade

The 2016 Come Out With Pride Festival, presented by Orlando City Soccer Club, will be Orlando’s largest in history as a symbol of unity after the June 12 tragedy at Pulse. The Pulse community will be honored as Pride Marshals in this year’s parade along with Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and Commissioner Patty Sheehan. “This is a great opportunity for our entire community to come together to celebrate Orlando as a welcoming and inclusive city that embraces diversity,” said Mayor Dyer. “The event will send a message of solidarity that Orlando is more united than ever following the Pulse tragedy.” Post-parade, Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Sheehan will participate in a rally at the Disney amphitheater along with celebrity guests Michelle Clunie, Peter Paige, Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris, Matteo Lane, Sabrina Jalees, and Eli Lieb. The Festival concludes with a fireworks display over Lake Eola. Visit comeoutwithpride.com

Oct. 8 – The Festival of Bacon at the Dr. Phillips Center

On Oct. 8 thousands of people will descend on Orlando to celebrate all things covered, wrapped, and smothered in bacon. The Dr. Phillips Center’s Great Lawn will be transformed into an 8-hour “Bacon Bonanza” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. featuring top restaurants and food vendors creating bacon-inspired dishes as they compete to win the coveted "Best of Bacon" award. Festival leaders anticipate 5,000 pounds of bacon being cooked for more than 8,000 bacon lovers who travel far and wide to find a new bacon treat. Visit festivalofbacon.com

Oct. 8 – Bennett Harmon and the Orlando Big Band

A staged tribute to the big band greats of the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s, “Swingin’ with the Big Band” celebrates the generation that boogied to big band rhythms. Hear the music of Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Cab Calloway performed by a full 20-piece orchestra that perfectly recreates the ’40s sound with the Andrews Sisters, and swing dancers on-stage. This show is at the Bob Carr Theater at 7:30 p.m. Please allow extra time as there is road construction around the Theater. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 8 & 9 – Winter Park Autumn Art Festival – celebrating Florida artists

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival each year on the second weekend in October. This family-oriented sidewalk show presents the only juried fine art festival to feature Florida artists exclusively along with live entertainment for the whole family. Artists from across the state apply to showcase their works, and from those talented applicants, 180 artists are selected to exhibit. Held in Winter Park’s beautiful Central Park, the 43rd annual festival will be held on Oct. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Admission is free. Visit autumnartfestival.org

Oct. 10 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

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 improvs 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