Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Nov. 8 through Dec. 15 – “Steppin’ Out with Irving Berlin”

Ten years ago Winter Park Playhouse Artistic Director Roy Alan created an evening in honor of Fred Astaire that was so successful that now Roy Alan will be joined by mega-talents Chris Leavy and Todd Allen Long to create a show in celebration of the life and career of Irving Berlin. This new song and dance tribute will feature songs including “Blue Skies,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” in world premiere performances now through Dec. 15. It’s highly recommended. The Playhouse is at 711 Orange Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Nov. 9 and 11 – Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro”

The Orlando Philharmonic has done an extraordinary job of creating brilliantly sung opera performances with the orchestra onstage. On Nov. 9 and 11, the Philharmonic will present Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” featuring singers who have performed with the world’s most renowned opera companies. This perfect Mozart opera is filled with seduction, lust, infidelity, love and forgiveness – woven together with some of the most beautiful music ever written. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, the opera will be performed at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

Nov. 9 – Greece in Photographs with Josh Garrick

I invite you to a one night only exhibit of my photography on Friday, Nov. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. Honored to begin the new season of Culture & Cocktails at A&H Museums – Maitland, my exhibit is called “From Both Sides Now – Photographs of the Treasures of Ancient Greece.” Recently I was blessed with unprecedented access to the Parthenon and the new Acropolis Museum, and I’ve prepared an exhibit that pays homage to the greatness of Greece’s heritage while also showing the Athens of today. There will be art, music, food truck fare, poetry readings and the unveiling of a new work to enter the Permanent Collection of A&H - Maitland. Call 407-522-3906 or visit artandhistory.org/?page_id=146

Nov. 10 to 18 – Orlando Museum of Art’s annual Festival of Trees

The very best way to get into the true holiday spirit is a visit to the annual Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art from Nov. 10 to 18. This year’s theme – Once Upon A Time … A Fairy Tale Festival –– transforms the museum into a holiday wonderland. A major fundraiser for the museum, the Festival brings thousands of visitors each year to marvel at (and bid on) the dozens of trees and decorations. This year’s theme will incorporate favorite fairy tales into the décor. We can delight in The Enchanted Boutique, Fairy Tale Toyland and the Gingerbread Village shopping areas. Special days include Senior’s Day on Nov. 14 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Peter Pans PJ Party on Nov. 14 (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.); and the Holiday Stroll on Nov. 16, along with daily entertainment. Call 407-896-4231, extension 254, or visit omart.org/programs/festival-trees

Nov. 10 – Complete Beethoven Sonatas to be performed

Critically acclaimed since his debut recital (at age 12) in his native city of Montevideo, Uruguay, Leonidas Lipovetsky will perform a series of the complete Beethoven Sonatas on Nov. 10. Presented by the Florida International Piano Competition, Lipovetsky has performed with major orchestras throughout the world. He has recorded for the BBC, Radio Moscow and PBS; he was the first recipient of the Van Cliburn Scholarship; and taught piano at Florida State University until his recent retirement. The concert, including both the “Pathetique” and the “Waldstein” sonatas, will take place at the Shakespeare Center at 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando. Call 407-447-1700 or visit floridapiano.org

Nov. 11 – The Winter Park Concours d’Elegance

This decidedly elegant car show has risen in notoriety to become one of the most highly regarded exotic car shows in the United States. Staged in a setting of Winter Park elegance, six blocks of Park Avenue are closed to traffic on Nov. 11 to welcome more than 120 of the world’s most prestigious automobiles. Tents of patrons line the tree-shaded avenue showcasing products and services as nationally recognized judges spend the day examining each show car until the award winners are determined. Then it’s off to the awards dinner. Visit winterparkconcours.com

Nov. 17 – Grammy-winning pianist with the Orlando Philharmonic

Grammy award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman will join the Orlando Philharmonic for a performance of Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto” under the direction of Maestro Christopher Wilkins. Bronfman, who has wowed critics and audiences worldwide with his recitals, orchestra engagements and recordings, was born in the Soviet Union. He immigrated to Israel in 1973 and studied at Juilliard, Marlboro and the Curtis Institute. In 1997 he won a Grammy and was nominated again in 2009. The concert on Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. also features Elgar’s ”Enigma Variations” and will open with the world premiere of “Into Light,” a new work by composer Stella Sung, honoring longtime Orlando Philharmonic supporters Lynn and Charles Steinmetz. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org