Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

TONIGHT – Jan. 16 – 2014 Ovations Awards

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue Merchants Association invite us to ‘kick off the New Year’ with networking, food and drinks at the 2014 Ovations Awards Ceremony. The Chamber has joined with the Winter Park/Maitland Observer for this second annual 'best of' guide to Winter Park as voted by Chamber members, readers and the local community. Awards will be presented in 50 different categories beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center at 151 W. Lyman Ave. in Winter Park. Visit winterpark.org

TONIGHT – Jan. 16 – ‘I Believe’ at the City Arts Factory

‘What do you believe?’ is a fundamental question that shapes the world in which we live. Art for All Spaces will present an art exhibit about believing; through words and images, artists will share the beliefs that inform and inspire them. In addition, poets will present verses based upon the “I Believe” titles. Hosted by the CityArts Factory (29 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando), Downtown Arts District, and Art for All Spaces, call 407-450-2255 or email [email protected]

Jan. 17 to 27 – Breakthrough Theatre Presents Their Annual Best of Broadway

In what has become an annual musical revue featuring the songs from Broadway musicals that opened (within a given time-frame), Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park hits it out of the park by choosing Broadway shows from 1975 to 1984. Proving that you “can please all the people some-of-the-time,” this year's revue features songs from “The Wiz,” “A Chorus Line,” and “Chicago” to “Evita,” “42nd St,” and “Cats.” With performances from Jan. 17 to 27, call 407-920-4034 to reserve your seat.

Jan. 17, 18, 19 – CFCArts’ Spotlight Presents Melissa Braillard

Resolutions, featuring the effervescent Melissa Braillard, is an evening of music about “risks we take, decisions we make, and resolutions we break.” A singing actor in Central Florida for over 10 years, Melissa has performed with Orlando Shakespeare, the Orlando Philharmonic, Walt Disney World and more. Resolutions will be performed on Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 18 at 5 p.m., and Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Central Christian Church at 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. in Orlando. Visit cfcarts.com

Jan. 18 – 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Parade and Sound Showcase

The Birthday celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will begin with a Parade which ‘steps off’ at 10 a.m. on Jan. 18 and follows Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando. The celebration continues at 1 p.m. with The Sound Praise Team Showcase at the Lake Eola Amphitheater. This musical showcase features Central Florida church singers and residents as they perform before a panel of judges to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. The event is free. Call 407-246-2122 or visit cityoforlando.net.

Jan. 18 – Festival Singers – Singing the Scriptures

With a repertoire ranging from Brahms to Bernstein, the Festival Singers of Florida will present a choral concert, Singing the Scriptures at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church at 400 Lakemont Ave. on Jan. 18. Incorporating Biblical texts as well as hymns, selections will include Lead, Kindly Light, Fairest Lord Jesus, The Lord’s Prayer, and more. The performance is free. Visit fsof.org

Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. – The Orlando Ballet … Uncorked

The second ‘in-formance’ of Orlando Ballet's popular behind-the-scenes look at the creative process is an ‘up close and personal’ visit with Artistic Director Robert Hill and his company of dancers. This is our chance to learn how the Choreographer converts creative concepts into fluid movement – resulting in choreography. At The Abbey in Downtown Orlando, $30 gets you in the door and puts a glass of wine in your hand. Call 407-704-6261.

Jan. 22 to March 9 – ‘The Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby’ Parts I and II

In the Florida theater-event-of-the-season, a cast of 27 actors will play over 150 characters in this unique, two-part, dramatic and comic masterpiece that captures the genius of Charles Dickens. Combining outrageous characters with theatrical spectacle, “The Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” Parts I and II won both the Tony Award and The Olivier Award for Play of the Year. Nickleby’s adventures lead the way to a must-see theatrical event for Florida audiences. Visit Orlandoshakes.org or call 407-447-1700.

Jan. 23 – The Winter Park Institute at Rollins College

In a series of talks offered free to the Public, the Winter Park Institute at Rollins College will begin its 2014 season with Sharon Robinson, daughter of major league baseball player Jackie Robinson. On Jan. 23 at 7 p.m., Ms. Robinson will discuss her father’s legacy, highlighting his now-legendary values in sports and in life. Over the years, the Institute has brought renowned speakers, poets and Pulitzer Prize winning authors to Florida. This season’s featured speakers include former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Filmmaker Ken Burns. Events are free and open to the public. Call 407-691-1995 or visit winterparkinstitute.org

Jan. 23 to Feb. 23 – ‘The Magical Adventures of Merlin’ at Orlando Repertory

“The Magical Adventures of Merlin,” to be presented from Jan. 23 to Feb. 23 at the Orlando Rep is an imagined tale about how young Merlin meets young, soon-to-be King Arthur in mythical, ancient England. Young Merlin faces serious life-choices before becoming the greatest wizard in the land as surprises abound in this musical adventure for the whole family. Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Jan. 24 and 25 – The 90th Birthday of the Orlando Museum of Art

The Orlando Museum of Art is celebrating 90 Years in Orlando, and the Opening of the Museum’s 90th birthday celebration will be very special as it features the exhibit – Rembrandt, Rubens, Gainsborough and the Golden Age of Painting in Europe from the Speed Art Museum. Between 1600 and 1800 (the years in which these paintings were produced), popular subjects included portraits, religious paintings, landscapes, still-lifes, and classical antiquity that illustrated the people and objects that made the two centuries a rich cultural age. An opening reception will be held on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. The exhibit opens to the public on Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. Call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

Jan. 24 to 26 – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

Enter a world where magic is real on the weekend of Jan. 24 as “the world” descends on Orlando. Universal Studios will celebrate the adventures of Harry Potter at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in three days of fun set against the backdrop of two amazing theme parks. It will feature Q&A sessions with cast members, a wand master-class, a film tribute and time to explore Hogwarts castle. Stock up on wizard supplies at the shops of Hogsmeade, and experience pulse-pounding rides in a world of magical excitement. Visit universalorlando.com

Jan. 24 to Feb. 15 – ‘Breakin' Up Is Hard To Do’ at the Winter Park Playhouse

Set in a 1960s Catskills resort, “Breakin’ Up Is Hard To Do” is a musical comedy about two friends in search of romance over one “wild and crazy” Labor Day weekend. The score features 18 Neil Sedaka classics including “Where the Boys Are,” “Sweet Sixteen,” “Calendar Girl,” and of course the chart-topping title song. Directed and choreographed by Roy Alan with musical direction by Christopher Leavy, the production features a cast of Playhouse favorites. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org.

And looking ahead …

Nov. 6 – The Dr. Phillips Center Sets official opening date

In my year-end wrap-up of 2013, I included the thrill of watching our new Performing Arts Center rise before our eyes. This week Center President Kathy Ramsberger announced the ribbon-cutting on the theater complex will be Nov. 6 with an Opening Night Gala the following evening. The opening will include an “open house and free performances in a celebration that will last for days,” she said. The $514 million Center will begin performances in the 2,700-seat Disney Hall with the musical “Newsies.” The 300-seat Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater will also open this fall with the third theater in the complex expected to be completed in 2018.