Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now through Feb. 7 – Tables extra Extraordinaire

Decorators, brides, wedding planners, hostesses and art collectors will be thrilled with a visit to the Holy Trinity Conference Center in Maitland for Tables Extraordinaire. This inspiring four-day “fun-raiser” offers tours of 30 lavishly decorated theme tables and homemade Greek cuisine reminiscent of a trip to the Greek isles. This year the event includes a gallery of the works of Josh Garrick, recently exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. Visit Tables Extraordinaire on Facebook, or call 407-333-3895 or 407-774-2744.

Now through March 7 – The ‘real’ Wives of Windsor

Centuries before the “Real House Wives of Atlanta,” Bill Shakespeare introduced us to the “Merry Wives of Windsor.” Now Orlando Shakes places the play in small-town America, where the old bachelor Falstaff pursues two wealthy housewives. Shakespeare's comedy meets 1950s sitcom in this spirited romp filled with mistaken identities and canned laughter! The comedy begins 30 minutes before each performance when an Orlando Shakes actor leads the audience through a discussion of the plot and of the play. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Feb. 6 – Paula Poundstone at Plaza Live

Thirty-two years ago comedian Paula Poundstone climbed on a Greyhound bus and traveled across the country stopping at open mic nights at comedy clubs as she went. A high school dropout, she went on to become one of the great humorists of our time. A regular panelist on NPR, she still tours regularly with her unique brand of self-effacing intelligence and wit. This comic legend will welcome us to Plaza Live in east Orlando on Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. Visit plazaliveorlando.com.

Feb. 6 to 22 – ‘Doubt, A Parable’ Directed by Beth Marshall

Opening Feb. 6, the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning drama “Doubt” takes the stage at the Winter Garden Theatre. Leaving audiences with questions to ponder long after the curtain falls, this fictional drama follows a Catholic high school priest's battle for truth while fighting gossip … and doubt. Written by John Patrick Shanley, and directed by Beth Marshall, Doubt will run through Feb. 22. Call 407-877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Feb. 6 to Feb. 28 – Heart and Soul

Orlando’s ambassador of love is also Orlando’s famous heart-artist, and she creates an annual HeArt exhibit during the month of February. The lady is Donna Dowless, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to squeeze into the gallery at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando on Feb. 6 beginning at 5:30 p.m. to see what wonders she has created. Joined by Canadian artist Amber Higgins, visit heartartist.com or call 407-581-4801.

Feb. 7 – Free Valentine's arts and crafts for kids at Artegon

While experiencing Orlando’s most artistic’ shopping venue, visitors to Artegon Marketplace are also treated to an on-going schedule of special events and activities. On Feb. 7 from noon to 5 p.m., children can make cards for loved ones and enjoy activities including face painting, a bounce house, arts and crafts and live music in a free Valentine's arts and crafts kids' program. Visit artegonmarketplace.com

Feb. 7 – Arturo Sandoval and the Orlando Philharmonic

Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer Arturo Sandoval has won 10 Grammy Awards, and been nominated 17 times. He performed at the Academy Awards with Celine Dion and at the Grammys with Justin Timberlake. On Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., this jazz legend will perform with the Orlando Philharmonic at the Bob Carr Theatre. The program will include Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture,” John Williams’ “Cantina Band” and much more. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Feb. 7 to May 3 – ‘And Still We Rise’ exhibit at the History Center

Presenting the art-medium of story quilts, “And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations” narrates four centuries of African-American history, from the slave ships to the inauguration of an African-American president. Sixty-nine quilts created by the Artists of the Women of Color Quilters Network reveal stories of freedom that hopefully further racial reconciliation in America. At the Orange County History Center, call 407-836-8500 or visit thehistorycenter.org

Feb. 8 – Tim Dorsey signs his new book – ‘Shark Skin Suite’

New York Times bestselling author (and resident of Tampa) Tim Dorsey is back with his gloriously unrepentant Florida serial killer Serge Storms in “Shark Skin Suite.” In this latest comic-thriller, Serge realizes, after binging on legal movies set in our beloved state of Florida, that his life-long calling is to become a lawyer (and not worry about law school or a degree). Complete with real Florida movie trivia, Dorsey will read from and sign books at the Orlando Public Library on Feb. 8 at 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 8 – Michael Andrew’s Valentine’s greetings for Winter Park

In honor of Valentine’s Day and the Bach Festival Society’s 80th Annual Festival, members of the Bach Festival Choir will join Michael Andrew and Swingerhead for a first-of-its-kind performance in Winter Park’s Central Park. Presented by the Park Avenue Merchants Association, the event is a Valentine gift to the community. The free event begins at 4 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of romantic music. Call 407-644-8281 or visit experienceparkavenue.com

Feb. 9 – 12-year-old gives children in need a chance to dance

Founded by 12-year-old Georgia Bernbaum, in partnership with The Center for Contemporary Dance (CCD), The Dance Happy Project brings dance education to children in need. Bernbaum began providing dance classes for children living at the Coalition for the Homeless in classes led by CCD Artistic Director Dario Moore. The Dance Happy Project will host a fundraiser on Feb. 9 at the Shakespeare Center in an evening combining a silent auction and dance concert. With proceeds supporting the Project, tickets are $10 and $15. Call 407-695-8366 or visit thecenterfordance.org

Feb. 11 – Diana Ross

If ever there was a performer who deserved one-name recognition, it should have been Diana – Ross that is. Now, for one night only, the original dream-girl — Diana Ross brings her In the Name of Love Tour to the Dr. Phillips Center on Feb. 11 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Is this highly recommended? You can bet the house. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 11 to 16 – Valencia College Theater presents original docudrama

After conducting hundreds of hours of interviews, theater students from Valencia College created the docudrama “Division: The Trayvon/Jordan Project.” Exploring events surrounding the deaths of Trayvon Martin in Sanford and Jordan Davis in Jacksonville, “Division” uses the words of lawyers, media personalities, political activists, professors, students and people involved in the two tragedies to become a play written by John DiDonna, chair of Valencia’s theater department, in collaboration with his students. At the Valencia East Campus, call 407-582-2900 or visit valenciacollege.edu/arts

Feb. 13 – An evening with Chris Botti

As a perfect prelude to Valentine’s Day, the Dr. Phillips Center presents an evening with the top-selling instrumentalist in the world, Chris Botti. The platinum-selling jazz trumpeter began his rise to fame touring with Sting and has since performed with Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, and Josh Groban. Botti, who earned the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album, will present an evening of Billboard-topping hits on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 13 to 22 – Murray Schisgal’s ‘Luv’ at the Shakespeare Center

In a new production, Murray Schisgal’s “Luv” will open over Valentine’s weekend. This contemporary classic examines love by spoofing its absurdities in ways that show how marriages are made – and un-made. As the misunderstandings mount, the troubles of the mis-matched three-some provide the audience with painful laughter. “Luv” marked the Broadway debut of Murray Schisgal, for which he earned Tony Award nominations for Best Play and Best Author of a Play. Visit darksideofsaturn.com or call 209-479-9923.

Feb. 13 to May 17 – Repurposed art at Ringling Museum of Fine Art

Over 100 years after Marcel Duchamp changed the course of Western art by joining together ordinary objects, contemporary artists regularly use materials considered garbage, trash, or rubbish to create complex works of art. “Re:Purposed,” at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, will explore trends of identity and environment as potent reminders of our connection to the materials we use to facilitate our lives – and then discard. Call 941-359-5700 or visit ringling.org