Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now through Aug. 22 – Winter Park Playhouse presents ‘Dames At Sea’

It’s the best tap-dancing theater in Florida, so it’s no surprise the Winter Park Playhouse is offering “Dames At Sea” as their first production of its new season. Set in New York City, this quintessential American musical features the hottest tap dancing this side of 42nd Street. The story of a small-town-girl who comes to the big city to make it on Broadway, the show offers tap dancing, songs, and boatloads of laughs. The fantastic Michael Edwards directs, Roy Alan choreographs, and Chris Leavy music directs this stellar production. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Aug. 6 and 7 – Central Florida Community Arts’ presents the Brahms Requiem

Joshua Vickery’s remarkable CFCArts will present the beautiful Brahms Requiem with a full chamber orchestra on Aug. 6 and 7 at the First Presbyterian Church of Maitland. Having assembled the libretto himself, Brahms ignored the traditional Catholic Mass (sung in Latin), in favor of a text derived from the German Bible. This German requiem focuses on the living, beginning with the text "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." This theme, offering hope and encouragement, recurs throughout the work. Tickets are on sale at cfcarts.com for $10 per person with children 12 and under free.

Aug. 7 to Sept. 6 – Mad Cow presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Clybourne Park’

Derived from Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 classic “A Raisin in the Sun,” Bruce Norris’ “Clybourne Park” is a hard-biting investigation of race relations in America over the last 50 years. Beginning in 1959, Norris presents a white, middle-class neighborhood in shock over the arrival of black residents. Fifty years later, the neighborhood is predominantly black and facing gentrification. Personalities and prejudices collide in this winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play. Presented from Aug. 7 to Sept. 6, call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Aug. 8 – Celebrated chefs support 26th Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry

Central Florida’s most celebrated chefs will gather on Aug. 8 at the Orlando World Center Marriott to donate their time, talent, and passion for the 26th Orlando's Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry. Forty-four award-winning chefs will showcase signature dishes, accompanied by fine wines and cocktails, to ensure that no child grows up hungry in Orlando. ‘Newcomers’ include Artist Point at Disney's Wilderness Lodge (a personal favorite), Highball and Harvest at Ritz-Carlton Orlando, and Yak & Yeti at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Along with extraordinary food, guests enjoy auctions and entertainment. Please know that every dollar raised fights hunger and homelessness in Central Florida. Tickets are $150. Visit ce.strength.org/Orlando or facebook.com/OrlandoTaste

Aug. 11 – Weird Al Yankovic’s ‘Mandatory Fun’ at Hard Rock Live

Just saying his name makes you smile. After 32 years of making (and parodying) music, Weird Al Yankovic released “Mandatory Fun” – his 14th studio album – and his first No. 1 album in the United States. From the album, “Word Crimes” became Yankovic's fourth Top-40 song, making him one of few artists to achieve such a feat in each of four decades. Then the album won Best Comedy Album at the 57th annual Grammy Awards, Yankovic's fourth career Grammy. Now Weird Al is bringing his Mandatory Fun Tour to Hard Rock Live on Aug. 11. You will be there, and you will have fun … it’s mandatory! Call 407-351-LIVE (5483) or visit Ticketmaster.com

Aug. 13 to 23 – ‘Heathers the Musical,’ at the Dr. Phillips Center

Based on the classic 1989 film, the Florida premiere of “Heathers the Musical” will be presented at the Dr. Phillips Center from Aug. 13 to 23. Westerberg High is ruled by the hottest – and nastiest – girls in all of Ohio – Heather, Heather and Heather. But misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil for a new boyfriend, the dark and mysterious J.D., who puts the Heathers in their place. Social media sensation Thomas Sanders plays the mysterious J.D., and the role of Veronica will be played by Nicole Visco. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Aug. 15 – Volunteer Fest at Barnett Park

If you can listen, build, mentor, teach or guide, becoming a volunteer could make a world of difference, and even change someone’s life in our community. Volunteer Fest is a free event that invites attendees to explore volunteer opportunities available here in our community. Community organization partners will host booths and chat with prospective volunteers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 15 in the gym at Barnett Park. The Fest will also feature food vendors and free family entertainment. Call 407-298-4180 or visit volunteersforcommunityimpact.org

Aug. 15 and 16 – Lakeridge Winery’s 21st annual Harvest Grape Stomp

The grape harvest season has arrived, and it's time for the fun and the thrills of real grape stomping competitions. Along with the courage to “stomp,” this perfect family event offers continuous live music throughout the weekend; Lakeridge wine, beer, soft drinks and a variety of foods available for purchase; along with complimentary winery tours and tastings. Your $2 donation at the gate will benefit The Boys & Girls Club. The Stomp will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 15 and 16 at the Lakeridge Winery at 19239 U.S. 27 North in Clermont. Call 800-768-WINE or visit lakeridgewinery.com.

Aug. 16 – Boy George & Culture Club at Hard Rock Live

There isn’t a rock fan in the world that doesn’t know the names of Boy George and Culture Club. The Grammy Award winners sold over 100 million singles and over 50 million albums; achieved seven Top-10 hits in the UK; and nine Top-10 singles in the U.S. They had multi-platinum album sales across the world and were the first group since The Beatles to have three Top-10 hits in America from a debut album. Now for the first time in more than 14 years, the original band members Mikey Craig, Roy Hay, Jon Moss and Boy George will perform together again at Hard Rock Live on Aug. 16. Call 407-351-LIVE (5483) or visit Ticketmaster.com

Aug. 17 – Rimma & Friends presented by the Orlando Philharmonic

The Orlando Philharmonic proudly honors its brilliant Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. … and Rimma has lots of friends. Rimma will be joined by Alexander Stevens, violin; Mauricio Céspedes Rivero and Peter Dutilly, violas; Grace Gavin and Nick Curry, cellos; Colleen Blagov, flute; Nikolay Blagov, clarinet; Mark Fischer, horn; Gabriel Bergeron-Langlois, bassoon; and Keiko Andrews, piano, in a veritable chamber orchestra to present Mozart’s Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Piano Quintet in B-flat Major, and Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence.” Call 407-896-6700 or visit orlandophil.org

Aug. 20 – The Baldwin Park Sip – Cocktails and dreams

The Sip is a nationwide tour with events promoting local business growth with philanthropic roots. Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, The Sip in Baldwin Park is an evening of fun – and introductions – with over 20 businesses offering 2-ounce samples of wine, 3- to 4-ounce samples of craft beer, 2- to 4-ounce samples mixed cocktails, and food samples. The purchase of any ticket ($15 via Living Social until Aug. 17) comes with a $5 food voucher to be used at any participating restaurant. Tickets will be full price on the day of at $25. Businesses from The Osprey Tavern to Yogurtland get new patrons while guests enjoy an evening sampling beverages and meeting new people. Visit thesipevent.com/events/baldwin-park

Aug. 22 – Red Bull BC One’s North American Finals at the Dr. Phillips Center

North America’s best break dancers will compete in Orlando at the new Dr. Phillips Center on Aug. 22. With its original one-on-one knockout battle format, winners here will go on to compete in the BC One World Finals in Rome, but all tickets have been reserved for this event. So why am I giving you this info? I’ve been told that all ticketed guests must check in by 8 p.m. on Aug. 22 to guarantee entry. The show begins at 8:30 .m. “Reserved tickets not scanned 30 minutes prior to show time will be released to the public.” So there you have it – should be an amazing, gravity-defying event – up to you to decide what you’re willing to do to get a ticket. Visit redbullbcone.com or drphillipscenter.org

Aug. 24 to Sept. 30 – Orlando's Magical Dining celebrates 10th delicious anniversary

Magical Dining is truly magical. Beginning Aug. 24 and running through Sept. 30, we all get to select from over 70 participating restaurants to enjoy three-course dinners for $33. And there’s more – in celebration of the 10th anniversary Visit Orlando has lined up more newly opened fine dining restaurants than ever before. There is no better time for foodies to enjoy Orlando, named one of 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations for 2015 by Wine Enthusiast, as well as one of The New York Times' 52 Places to Go in the World. Bottom line – we get to choose among great restaurants and enjoy a three-course meal for $33 from Aug. 24 to Sept. 30. A full list of all participating restaurants is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com