Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Opening tonight through Aug. 18 – A Clandestine Take on RENT!

Central Florida’s newest theater company – Clandestine-Arts – opens its first season tonight with Jonathan Larson’s rock opera “Rent.” Directed by Derek Critzer, “Rent” is the cutting-edge musical – based on Puccini’s opera La Boheme – that tells the story of seven friends in the AIDS-ravaged New York City of the 1990s. With music direction by Beth Atkins, “Rent” runs through Aug. 18 at the Shakespeare Center. Visit clandestine-arts.com

Aug. 9 – Mayor Ken Bradley’s “Coffee Talk”

Good Morning Winter Park – taking place on Aug. 9 beginning at 7:45 a.m. – is the monthly breakfast gathering where residents and community leaders converge at the Welcome Center in Winter Park. Friday’s speaker is Mayor Ken Bradley, who will provide his perspectives on community issues while interacting with community members and business professionals. Good Morning Winter Park is free, open to the public and includes a complimentary continental breakfast at the Center at 151 W. Lyman Ave. in Winter Park. Visit winterpark.org

Aug. 9 – Music, Art & Fun in Maitland

The Art & History Museums – Maitland’s (A&H) Summer Concert Series continues on Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. with the popular Loria Brothers. Held in the Museum’s Main Garden at 231 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland, the series is presented in partnership with Performing Arts of Maitland. Entertaining audiences since childhood, Mark and Dominick Loria share the stage as an acoustic duo, delivering unplugged versions of classic rock favorites. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair, and a bar is available. A&H’s Main Galleries will be open for guests to view the current exhibit. Call 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

Aug. 10 – Taste of the Nation – Helps end childhood hunger

It’s difficult for most of us to comprehend that one out of five people in Central Florida – more than 732,000 people – needed food assistance in Central Florida last year. But it gladdens the heart to know that in the past year Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida distributed more than 35 million pounds of food to our hungry neighbors. That is 732,000 reasons to support Taste of the Nation Orlando on Saturday, Aug. 10 when our finest chefs come together to donate their talent to help end hunger. Tickets are $150 with 100 percent of proceeds going directly to Second Harvest Food Bank and the Coalition for the Homeless. Visit tasteofthenation.org/Orlando

Aug. 11 – Music at the Casa presents Violinist Victor Bowers

Violinist Victor Bowers is known for both his technical abilities and interpretive sensitivity. Having begun his musical studies at age 6, he gave his first public performance, on television, at age 8. Victor has played for evangelical crusades, Florida's Governor Charlie Crist, Sea World and Walt Disney World, while remaining a regular performer for Super Channel WACX TV. We are invited to hear his heart-felt interpretations from noon to 3 p.m. on Aug. 11 as part of the Music at the Casa Series at Casa Feliz in Winter Park. The event is free; donations are accepted. Call 407-628-8200 or visit casafeliz.us

Aug. 12 – Photographer Winnie Gustafson’s Unique Works of Art

The Fine Art Group within the Orlando Camera Club presents monthly tutorials by Artists who use the camera as their medium. On Aug. 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m., the Club will present Creating Unique Works of Art - A Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear by Winnie Gustafson, who began her photographic career in 2004 when she joined the Camera Club. She immediately began successfully competing in the Club’s competitions while developing a personal style creating designs from light. She has created three educational videos designed to teach photographers how to use their own rejected images to create unique works of art. Space is limited. Please RSVP to [email protected] and visit winnieg.com

Aug. 16 to Jan. 5 – Eugene Savage: The Seminole Paintings

In 1935 American artist Eugene Savage made the first of many journeys into the Florida Everglades to study the Seminole Indians. Over two decades, he created an extensive series of paintings of the Seminoles in works that reflect his deep concern for the plight of their native culture. Depicting the way in which tourism and land development threatened their traditional way of life, Savage’s paintings will be presented at the Mennello Museum beginning Aug. 16 and running through Jan. 5. Call 407-246-4278 or visit mennellomuseum.com

Aug. 16 to Oct. 6 – A&H Museums – Maitland Celebrates Eatonville

On Aug. 16, the A&H Museums – Maitland will open two exhibits featuring the City of Eatonville. Images of Eatonville: Then & Now will be presented in the A&H’s Center Galleries from Aug. 16 to Sept. 29 while the exhibit Founding of Eatonville may be seen in the A&H’s Historical Museum from Aug. 16 through Oct. 6. The communities of Maitland and Eatonville have a history of strong ties – from the early formation of Eatonville to the friendship between the A&H’s founder André Smith and writer Zora Neale Hurston. Eatonville is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary as the oldest incorporated African American municipality in the United States. Call 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

And Looking Ahead …

Sept. 7 – ‘Lace Up’ for the Greater Orlando Heart Walk

Looking to raise funds while increasing awareness of heart disease, the American Heart Association is looking for over 18,000 ‘Walkers’ to participate in the Greater Orlando Heart Walk. On Sept.7 at 7 a.m., the Walkers will start at the UCF Memory Mall, at 4000 Central Florida Blvd. in Orlando with a fundraising goal of $1,500,000, making it the largest one-day fundraiser in Central Florida. Combining fitness and philanthropy, the annual Walk brings together corporate sponsors, walk teams, individuals, and heart disease survivors to raise funds to combat heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 4 leading killers of American men and women. Visit greaterorlandoheartwalk.org or heart.org