Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Sept. 7, 8 and 9 – Disney On Ice

Disney princesses will unite once again as Disney On Ice presents “Rockin’ Ever After!,” a new show featuring Ariel, Belle, Rapunzel and red-headed Merida from Disney Pixar’s “Brave” in her ice debut. The all-star lineup includes Sebastian and the daughters of Triton from “The Little Mermaid,” the pub thugs from “Tangled” and the enchanted servants from “Beauty and the Beast.” Mickey and Minnie will be there, but all eyes will be on Merida and her archery contest. “The most exciting part of bringing a fearless and independent character like Merida to the ice for the first time is knowing that she has a powerful and inspiring message to deliver about finding the courage to determine one’s own fate,” says producer Nicole Feld. “Rockin' Ever After” comes to the Amway Center with shows from Sept. 7-9. Call 800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster.com

Sept. 8 to 30 – “Rubble Rousers” at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery

The exhibit “Rubble Rousers” will present the Central Florida debut of Gainesville artists Lorelei Esser and Susan Nash. This unconventional exhibit will be on display during the month of September, with an artists’ reception on Sept. 8 from 1 to 5 p.m. Another opportunity to meet the artists will be during Sanford’s Fourth Friday Art Walk on Sept. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. The show will feature found and repurposed art; the stray strip of rubber, the rusty funnel, the lost fork and the bone, whose history has been re-invented in the vision of two junk connoisseurs. The exhibit is at the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery at 211 E. First St. in Sanford. Call 407-323-2774 or visit jtfolkart.com

Sept. 12 to Oct. 7 – “The Complete Works of Shakespeare” … Abridged

Think Shakespeare as performed by the Three Stooges, and you have a handle on what this totally irreverent version of all of Shakespeare’s works performed in one evening is like. Three buffoons in tights with tongues firmly planted in their respective cheeks, fumble their way through all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in a wild ride that will have you falling out of your seat with laughter. Any prior knowledge of the Bard is unnecessary – and for this show – may actually be harmful to your brain. Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, with his bottomless bag of directorial tricks, is the perfect director for “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged).” This is a family show and is suitable for most audiences. (Note to Teachers: Student matinees are available). The act is presented at the Orlando Shakespeare Center at Loch Haven Park. Call 407-447-1700 or visit Orlandoshakes.org

Sept. 13 to Oct. 6 – Pete ‘N’ Keely at the Winter Park Playhouse

The Winter Park Playhouse continues its 10th anniversary season of musical theatre with “Pete ‘N’ Keely” from Sept. 13 to Oct. 6. Originally produced Off-Broadway in 2000 and nominated for Best Off-Broadway Musical, the show reunites America's sweethearts Pete Bartel and Keely Stevens for a live 1968 television special re-living their illustrious careers. The catch is… they haven't spoken to each other since their big breakup at Caesar's Palace five years ago. Featuring the hit songs “Fever,” “Black Coffee,” “Besame Mucho” and more, this musical comedy features Playhouse favorites Heather Alexander and Christopher Alan Norton. “Imagine Steve & Eydie with the antagonism of Sonny & Cher, and you’ll love this hilarious musical send-up of ’60s TV variety show specials,” says Dr. Judith Marlowe. The Playhouse is at 711 Orange Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Sept. 15 – A Night in Havana

The Performing Arts of Maitland promises an evening of Latin love on Sept. 15 for its fundraiser A Night in Havana. This romantic evening of concert and dance begins at 7:30 p.m. with Merengue lessons by Nanette's Ballroom Dance. The evening continues — from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. — with music and dancing as performed by the Performing Arts of Maitland Stage Band. Then, in true Latin fashion, the music heats up ‘til midnight with salsa from the Salsa Heat Dance Studio. Performances by professional dancers will be featured throughout the evening as we bid on gift certificates from Maitland’s finest restaurants. Tickets are $15 per person in advance or $20 at the door, and are available online at pamaitland.org, at the Maitland Civic Center or by calling 321-303-1404 or 407-375-3915.