Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now through Oct. 25 – The Garden Theatre presents ‘La Cage aux Folles’

The Garden Theatre has begun their season with Jerry Herman’s brilliant “La Cage aux Folles” – the first show ever to win the Tony Award for Best Musical three times. Considered “controversial” when it first opened in New York City in 1983, this musical – in which some of the chorus girls are men – exemplifies family, community, acceptance, love, and a forward thinking Board of Directors. Sensitively directed by Rob Winn Anderson, the show features a glamorous star-is-born performance by Matthew Arter as Albin and the debonair charm and swoon-inducing Broadway singing voice of Brian Minyard as Georges. This show is highly recommended. Call 407-877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Now through Oct. 11 – Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ at Orlando Shakespeare

With a book and lyrics by Eric Idle (yes, the Monty Python guy), Mr. Idle certainly “found his Grail” as his musical version travelled to Broadway where it won three Tony Awards – including Best Musical! Now Orlando Shakes has brought “Spamalot” to Orlando complete with Knights “who run away,” flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and a bevy of musical numbers that elevate silliness to an art form. If you’ve ever followed my recommendation, this is the must-see event of the season. Highly recommended. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Now through Jan. 3 – 'Harold Garde: Mid-Century to This Century'

Harold Garde is a living legend. A brilliant working artist who still paints every day, Garde’s extraordinary career spans over 70 years. Graduating from Columbia University in 1951, Garde was immersed in the New York art world just as abstract expressionism brought the world’s attention to New York City. Garde’s paintings reflect his engagement with this movement as the spirit of creativity and discovery have remained central to Garde’s work. Harold Garde: Mid-Century to this Century brings together 35 paintings that highlight the breadth of Garde’s career – now at the Orlando Museum of Art. Call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

Now through Oct. 10 – Corey Volence’s ‘Realms of the Untold’ at the Venue

“Realms of the Untold” by Corey Volence will make its world premiere at The Venue at 511 Virginia Drive in Orlando from Oct. 1 to Oct. 10. “Realms of the Untold” is an anthology of short plays by Corey Volence, 2013 Orlando Fringe award-winner. The six new plays are written in a style meant to evoke classic horror and science fiction shows such as “The Twilight Zone” and “Outer Limits.” Produced by Dark Side of Saturn, the plays are directed by Kent Vanderberg, Samantha Malloy, and Corey Volence. For tickets, visit sideofsaturn.com or call 209-479-9923.

Oct. 2 to 18 –‘Into the Woods’ with the new CFCArts theater group

Quality work at $10 a ticket has been the gift of Central Florida Community Arts to our community, and that gift was recently acknowledged with a donation of over $20,000 to support CFCArts’ new theatre program. The donation allows CFCArts to offer a season of five fully staged productions beginning with Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” from Oct. 2 to 18. A Broadway hit and recent movie, the witty Sondheim do-over of Grimm’s Fairy Tales is a perfect opener as it appeals to audiences of all ages. Congratulations to Joshua Vickery and Donald Rupe of CFCArts for yet another gift to Central Florida. Visit cfcarts.com or contact [email protected].

Oct. 2 – Nephew Tommy’s “Got People Inside My Head” tour

Thomas ‘Nephew Tommy’ Miles has built a career in radio, television, and film. As co-host of the “Steve Harvey Morning Show,” he reaches 8 million listeners daily, and Nephew Tommy plays a key role in the show. As a stand-up comedian, he’s been the featured act with Beyoncé, Janet Jackson and Kanye West. In 2011 and 2013, Thomas traveled to military bases with the USO, sharing his humor with thousands of military men and women. His interaction with American soldiers inspired Thomas to establish Miles of Giving, a foundation created to assist wounded veterans. Nephew Tommy will share that humor at the Dr. Phillips Center on Oct. 2 at 8 pm. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 3 – Book signing – Three lovely ladies and food

The Ancient Olive will host cookbook authors, Heather McPherson (Orlando Sentinel food critic), Pam Brandon (Edible Orlando editor) and Katie Farmand (food and prop stylist) for a book signing of their health-oriented and much-more-than-cookbooks. “Field to Feast” and “Good Catch” will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 3. You can meet the ladies, and they will autograph your book with $5 from the purchase of each book donated to the 306 Foundation. Your purchase will assist women and children in need, helping them rebuild their lives. Call 321-972-1899 or visit theancientolive.com

Oct. 3 – The GLBT Center’s 1920s fundraiser

Up the glam with spats, flappers, pinstripes, and fedoras – and practice your Charleston, because the GLBT Center of Central Florida will present their big event of the year on Oct. 3 with 100 percent of monies raised benefitting the Center. The evening will include a four-course dinner, open bar all night, Vegas-style casino, live and silent auctions, jazz band entertainment and dancing. Help the Center grow and strengthen their counseling, medical and other services provided to the community by calling 407-228-8272 or visiting TheCenterorlando.org

Oct. 3 to 25 – Corn maze and more in Elkton

With over 50 years of farming experience, Sykes and Cooper Farms continue to grow now offering 9 acres of cornfusion and fun! Purveyors of ‘agritainment,’ they combine a 9-acre corn maze full of twists and turns, live entertainment (including the loudest donkey around) and family fun including a Jack and The Cornstalk kiddie maze, new furry friends, corn cannons, duck races and more. General admission of $9 is cash only with ATM on site. Visit sycofarms.com

Oct. 3 – Award-winning pianist in concert to benefit Harbor House

In tribute to Harbor House of Central Florida during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, pianist Ravé Mehta will offer a piano concert infused with inspirational insights for unlocking the secrets to human potential. On Oct. 3 at 8 p.m., guests will enjoy a musical experience that will “open their minds and inspire the very essence of their being.” Award-winning composer, pianist, speaker and bestselling author, Mehta has performed around the world, his music ranging from classical piano to full electronic dance productions. The performance will take place at the Dr. Phillips Center. Visit aspireshow.com

Oct. 5 – Andrea Canny ‘What a Diff!’ at The Abbey

Andrea Canny knows “What a Difference a Year Makes!” and we know Ms. Andrea Canny is one of the great performers in our talented community. Andrea will bring her star power to the Monday Night Cabaret Series at The Abbey on Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. In 1991 Andrea opened the “Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage” show in the role of Belle at Disney's MGM Studios, and over three decades of entertaining, she has performed with theatre greats Jerry Orbach, Davis Gaines, Betty White, Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. Beginning Oct. 5, Andrea will play a recurring role on Nickelodeon’s new “WITS Academy.” Visit TicketWeb.com or AbbeyOrlando.com

Oct. 6 – Orlando Ballet’s ‘UNCorked’ returns to The Abbey

Orlando Ballet’s “UNCorked” offers an insider’s look at ballet, and this popular intro will be back at The Abbey on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. with arabesques, chassés, pas de bourrées, (and some hip hop popping). The program brings audiences up close to see what goes into the creation of a ballet allowing for an intimate experience and a question and answer session. Don’t tell anyone, but we may actually learn something – drink in hand – in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Visit orlandoballet.org or call 407-426-1739.

Oct. 6 to 8 – The 2015 Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show

In the restaurant and foodservice industry, professionals constantly look for new ideas, new products, and new trends. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Show at the Orange County Convention Center will offer educational programs, new food products, equipment and services from over 450 industry suppliers. Competitions, awards, and educational sessions on excellence, winning teams, maximizing profits, menu planning, marketing, social media and more will be offered by leaders in the field. The show is sponsored by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (frla.org). To attend, visit flrestaurantandlodgingshow.com

Oct. 9 to Oct. 31 – Phantasmagoria VI ‘The Darkness Returns’

Direct from performances in Atlanta, Phantasmagoria Orlando/DiDonna Productions will present Phantasmagoria VI “The Darkness Returns” to celebrate the 2015 Halloween season. Mysterious live performers will offer new stories of terror, ‘Phantastic’ dance, stage combat, large-scale puppetry, aerial performance, and horror as they relate literary tales of terror from around the world. This is theatrical story telling of the highest order, created with power and magic at the Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park, and it is highly recommended. Call 407-328-9005 or visit OrlandoAtPlay.com

Oct. 10 to Jan. 4 – History-making art exhibit opens new Henao Art Gallery

Two years ago I had the unprecedented honor of making history as the first non-Greek artist in the world to exhibit in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. The exhibit has returned from a two-year-tour of Europe to open the new Henao Contemporary Center in Orlando on Oct. 10 with the opening night a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida. The generous people who attend the opening will be the first Americans to see the exhibit with the works for sale with a percentage of all sales benefiting Ronald McDonald House. Call 407-522-3906 or visit henaocenter.com

Oct. 10 and 11 – Celebrating Florida artists at the 42nd annual festival

Each year on the second weekend of October, Florida artists are celebrated as the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce hosts the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival. The only juried art festival to feature Florida artists exclusively, this community-oriented sidewalk show presents visual art and live entertainment for the whole family in Winter Park’s historic Central Park. This year the festival will expand to feature 180 artists competing for prizes from a pool of 450 applicants. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 11, admission is free.

Oct. 11 – Historic Capen-Showalter House to open at the Polasek Museum

The public is invited to the free “Celebrate the Capen Open House” as this historic home opens at the Polasek Museum from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 11. Facing demolition in 2013, community supporters rescued the home by raising $450,000 to relocate it to the Polasek Museum. To move the 200-ton building, contractors floated the home across Lake Osceola in an event that attracted national news coverage and won an award from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. An exhibit on the history of the home and its heroic salvation will open on the same day at 633 Osceola Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-647-6294 or visit polasek.org

Oct. 11 – Pixar in Concert with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

From the “Toy Story” trilogy to “The Incredibles,” Pixar has forever changed filmmaking while giving us some of the most beloved characters in cinema history. Now Pixar is coming to Orlando in concert with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in a multimedia family show featuring clips from every one of Pixar's 14 films. That includes “Cars,” “WALL•E,” “Finding Nemo,” and “Monsters, Inc.” – all accompanied by the Orlando Philharmonic. These great movie scores have won 10 Grammys and three Academy Awards and have received 10 Oscar nominations. In performance on Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct. 13 – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer hosts second Orlando Speaks

On Oct. 13, Orlando Mayor Dyer, city commissioners and Police Chief John Mina will join residents for the second Orlando Speaks workshop. Using communication to foster citizen engagement between Orlando residents, the city and the Orlando Police Department, Orlando Speaks was created to serve and celebrate the community’s diversity while bringing the community closer together by sharing personal stories and increase awareness and understanding of policing practices. Seating is limited, so participants are asked to register by Oct. 2. Visit OrlandoSpeaks2015.eventbrite.com or call the city of Orlando at 407-246-2500 to reserve your space.