Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Final performances – Now to Feb. 12 – ‘A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder’

According to this award-winning-musical, “Getting away with murder can be so much fun,” and there’s no better proof than the knock-’em-dead show that earned unanimous raves and the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical – “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.” What a relief to know there is such a highly regarded ‘guide’ for us novices. This new musical will have you dying with laughter! (I couldn’t resist). Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 10 – Artist Donna Dowless, Ambassador of Love

The Grand Bohemian Gallery will present their annual “HeArt & Soul” exhibit featuring ‘Heart-Artist’ Donna Dowless’s mixed media works and Canadian artist Amber Higgins’ stellar glass jewelry designs. Each year thousands of fans celebrate the arrival of Valentine’s Day with Orlando’s ‘Ambassador of Love’ Donna Dowless as this heavenly being makes us all better humans for having shared her creations. Opening from 6 to 9 p.m., the Gallery is at 325 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando. Call 407-581-4801 or visit heartartist.com

Feb. 11 – The ‘Baroque & Beyond Bash’ – Strings playing together

Adult string players are invited to come out and play for fun from noon to 5:30 pm on Feb. 11. Meet other string players as you play selections of Baroque chamber music under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez. A $20 registration fee collected upon arrival. Please email [email protected] with your name, instrument and phone number for music mailed to you in advance. At Venue on the Lake at 641 S. Maitland Ave. in Maitland; wine and refreshments will be provided. Visit PAMaitland.org

Feb. 14 – All day – Valentine’s Day!

Here it is, my brothers: Your once-a-year-reminder of “How to be a hero on Cupid’s Day.” The frilly boxes of ‘what-are-they’ chocolates is sooo last century. Become her hero with tickets to a Broadway show at the Dr. Phillips Center or “The Great Gatsby” at the Shakespeare Center or a wild and crazy play by Steve Martin at Mad Cow. Or take a giant leap and surprise her with tickets to the Orlando Ballet Gala on Feb. 25 – or take her to the Morse Museum for free! Plus – play your cards right, and you get ‘thanked’ on V-Day when you give her the tickets and again on the night of the performance. It’s all good. I give you this one. Go ahead, it’s your idea.

Feb. 14 – Dionne Warwick on Valentine’s Day

One of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time, Dionne Warwick will make this Orlando’s greatest Valentine's Day ever with a show at 7:30 p.m. Her winning partnership with Burt Bacharach and Hal David helped her become one of the world's greatest hit-makers, which has seen her chart over 50 singles, win five Grammys and sell 100 million records. Proceeds from this legendary concert will benefit Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3282. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 15 – Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company

The Touring Company brings the best improv comedians from the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres to new audiences around the country. Home to many of the biggest stars in comedy today, from TV shows like “Broad City” and “Saturday Night Live,” to performers on “The Daily Show” and “Inside Amy Schumer,” this not-to-be-missed evening takes its comedy so seriously there will be no late seating for this show (for real) (be on time). The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 15 – OUC Speakers at Dr. Phillips Center presents Deepak Chopra

Deepak Chopra, author of 80 books in 43 languages, is creating a roadmap to higher health based on the latest findings in both mainstream and alternative medicine. How does our consciousness enhance our capacity for total wellbeing (physical, emotional, spiritual, social, financial and ecological)? Chopra addresses this question along with ways to experience higher consciousness and healing. A special VIP package is offered for this event. The talk starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 16 – Dr. Phillips Center presents ‘An Evening with the Piano Guys’

The Piano Guys do things to a piano that would make Mozart sit up and take notice. They’re an Internet sensation thanks to their self-made music videos, but it’s their blend of classical music with pop that brought them to their major label debut album on Sony Music Masterworks in 2012. I can’t wait to see them live. The show starts at 8 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 17 – Erth's Dinosaur Zoo LIVE (from Australia!)

This ‘playdate’ was 65 million years in the making. “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo LIVE” guides your family on a tour through pre-historic Australia where you’ll interact with an eye-popping collection of realistic dinosaurs. This life-like theatrical performance is brought to life by a team of skilled performers and puppeteers, so you won’t want to miss a minute of this entertaining and educational live show from Sydney, Australia. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Ongoing …

Now to Feb. 18 – ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love?’ at the Winter Park Playhouse

This songfest takes place at a bachelorette party where best friends share thoughts about love, marriage and the dating game. Featuring hits from the 1960s including "I Will Follow Him," "Hey There Lonely Boy," and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" this musical comedy reaffirms that true friendship is the key to everlasting love. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Now to Feb. 19 - Picasso, Einstein and Steve Martin walk into the Mad Cow Theatre…

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” comic-genius-playwright Steve Martin’s first full-length play explores creativity, physics, and one-night stands, as worlds (and words) collide in this fictional meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein. With Steve Martin’s offbeat humor, the 20th century is born through the eyes of a very funny man. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Now to Feb. 28 – Month-long celebration of the Morse Museum

I’m sure the Morse Museum will set some kind of record for generosity in February. To commemorate the Morse Museum’s 75th anniversary, entrance to this gem of a Museum will be free throughout the month. In addition, the Museum will debut a new audio tour, and we are invited to a free Celebration Party on Feb. 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Visit morsemuseum.org

Now to March 25 – ‘Mardi Gras’ at Universal Studios Florida

Gotta grab those beads! The best Mardi Gras celebration east of Nawlins’ is every evening at Universal Studios with floats, dancers, musicians, and beads in a feel-good parade through the streets of Universal. Toss in some Cajun food favorites, and – on select evenings – stars of the music world – all included in the price of park admission. Too cool for school. Call 407-363-8000 or visit UniversalOrlando.com

Now to March 26 – ‘The Great Gatsby’ on stage

Taking on another work of the world’s great literature, our Shakespeare Theatre will stage “The Great Gatsby,” drawn from what is arguably America’s greatest novel. Played in movies by Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio, one understands the regard for this book in libraries and in Hollywood. Exploring themes of love, morality, identity, and (the corruption of) the American Dream, this work is highly recommended. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org