Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Current – Mayor Dyer and the State of Downtown Orlando

It is no secret to my readers that Mayor Buddy Dyer is a hero to any of us who appreciate or create art. In his recent State of Downtown address, Dyer reflected on a decade of accomplishments (since taking office in 2003) that includes the completion of 50 cornerstone projects representing nearly $2 billion in investment and the new Amway Center. He also got to look ahead to 2014, a year that will include See Art Orlando, Orlando’s eight new privately funded public art sculptures; SunRail beginning operations; and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts opening to the public. Find the speech at tinyurl.com/Mayor-speech

Oct. 24 & 25 – Christopher Leavy in Cabaret at the Winter Park Playhouse

“Feels Like Home” is a perfect title for the cabaret performances by Christopher Leavy in his one-man cabaret act set for Oct. 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. Having performed in more than 35 musicals, dozens of cabarets, and as music arranger for the Playhouse’s original musical tributes for the past seven years, Leavy certainly “feels like home” at the Playhouse. “Feels Like Home” offers songs from Broadway and film that inspired Leavy’s personal musical journey. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Oct. 25 to Nov. 17 – ‘Got ART?’

Sanford’s Gallery on First artists will hold their 2013 Got Art? Holiday Extravaganza from Oct. 25 through Nov. 17 with an opening reception Oct. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. Offering art objects (suitable for gift-giving), including jewelry, ornaments, mixed media pieces, sculptures and paintings, it’s good to arrive early for this selection of popularly priced works from the resident artists. It’s free and open to the public. Gallery on First is at 211 E. First St. in Sanford. Call 407-323-2774 or visit galleryonfirst.com

Oct. 25 – Mother-in-Law’s Day

Did you know that we actually have a Mother-in-Law's Day? Celebrated the fourth Sunday in October, it’s curious that the day should show up (coincidentally) one week before Halloween! Draw your own conclusions; I’m just the reporter …

Oct. 25 and 27 – Opera in Orlando thanks to the Philharmonic

Entering its 21st season, the Orlando Philharmonic will produce Rossini’s comic opera “The Barber of Seville” with performances on Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. “The Barber of Seville” is funny even when you don’t understand Italian (there will be English translations above the stage) with a story that tells of how Figaro (the barber) helps the young Rosina escape an unwanted marriage to her elderly guardian, Dr. Bartolo, while helping Count Almaviva win Rosina’s heart through a series of disguises. Everyone will recognize Figaro’s aria, “Largo al factotum,” one of the most popular in all of opera. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org/opera

Oct. 26 – The Winter Park Museum Hop

Proving once again that Winter Park is a treasure trove of art and cultural institutions, we are invited to a guided tour of seven outstanding museum and art spaces on the Winter Park Museum Hop on Oct. 26 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tour stops include the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, Winter Park History Museum, Casa Feliz, the Polasek Museum, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Winter Park Public Library (home of the Sidewalk Art Festival “Best of Show Collection”), and The Alfond Inn Collection of Art. A ticket for $20 includes bus transport, breakfast, lunch and snacks. Call 407-623-3279.

Oct. 26 – Cows ‘n Cabs – a charity culinary festival

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits’ David Larue and celebrity chef John Rivers return with the third edition of Cows ‘n Cabs, with its signature rustic theme. Inspired by local cuisine, and working to break the cycle of poverty in Central Florida, 100 percent of ticket sales benefit the Community Food & Outreach Center and Elevate Orlando. Along with top culinary talent, attendees enjoy live music; a photo booth; a game of “Wine Ring Toss” (where guests can win bottles of wine); and a silent auction. Admission is $110. Visit cowsncabs.com or email [email protected]

Oct. 27 – Breakthrough Theatre’s Cabaret Series

Breakthrough Theatre’s new Cabaret Series will present “The Songs of Stephen Schwartz” in its overflowing-with-talent format that brings together the voices of many Breakthrough ‘alumni.’ For one night only – Oct. 27 – Josh Breece, Maria Cavanaugh, Emily Dykes, Krystal Gillette, Wade Hair, Lori Babson Jessup, Jon Jimenez, Babetta Popoff, Justin J. Scarlat, and Rachael West will perform their favorite Stephen Schwartz songs from classic Broadway and film titles including “Godspell,” “Pippin,” “Wicked,” “Children of Eden,” “The Baker's Wife,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and others. Call 407-920-4034 for reservations.

Oct. 29 – American Guild of Organists’ free ‘Spooktacular’ organ concert

We’re invited to get into costume and get a preview of Halloween’s thrills on Oct. 29 (beginning at 7 p.m.). The Central Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present the ‘spooky’ aspects of the Trexler Memorial Organ in the Chapel on the 18th floor of the Lutheran Towers at 300 E. Church St. in Orlando. A reception will follow. Call 352-787-3192 for information.

Oct. 29 – ‘The Traveling One Show’ heads back To Orlando

The international One Show Awards is headed back to Central Florida with a screening and gallery exhibition of the year's best in creative advertising from across the globe. The “Traveling One Show Orlando” will be held Oct. 29 beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a creative party featuring live jazz, appetizers and a cash bar at The Orange Studio at 1121 Mills Ave. Featured guests will include One Show award-winners David Suarez, former UCF student from Oviedo, and Dan Gonzalez, former FSU student from Miami. Both won three gold and two silver awards for their work on Ragu. Register to attend at orlando.aiga.org or call 407-895-5360.

Oct. 29 to Nov. 10 – ‘The Book of Mormon’ knocks on Orlando’s door

Having won the best musical Tony Award, NY Drama Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League Award, and the Grammy for best musical, one might think this musical has brought us the ‘Rapture’ … if it weren’t for the blasphemy! “The Book of Mormon” features a book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, the creators of “South Park.” It’s still difficult to get tickets on Broadway, and now we can get our tickets right here in Orlando for performances at the Bob Carr. Get yours at Ticketmaster.com, Broadway box office at 100 S. Eola Drive, the Amway Center Box Office, or by calling 1-800-982-2787.

Oct. 29 & continuing – ‘Lullaby and Goodnight’ at the Morse Museum

On Oct. 29 the Morse Museum in Winter Park will open an exhibit based on three author/illustrators noted for their early contributions to children’s literature. “Lullaby and Goodnight—Children’s Literature from the Morse Collection” shows how the whimsical prose of late 19th-century children’s literature had a grand plan “to instill beauty from the earliest years.” Kate Greenaway (1846–1901), Mary Dow Brine (1836–1925), and Eulalie Osgood Grover (1873–1958), members of the Aesthetic movement of the late 1800s, sought to infuse all objects with beauty, thereby elevating the readers’ quality of life. Sounds good to me. Call 407-645-5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

Nov. 1 and 2 – ‘After These Messages...’ Music that made television history

If you remember that “Diamonds are forever” or understand the connection between a pint-sized Darth Vader and a Volkswagen, then this concert by Central Florida Community Arts is for you. Called “After These Messages,” the concert will feature history-making music from television commercials with performances on Nov. 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Baptist Church at 120 E. Pine St. in Orlando. Tickets are $10; and children ages 16 and younger are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased online at cfcarts.com/after-these-messages or at the door on the night of the performances.

Nov. 2 – ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ dances into Hard Rock

“So You Think You Can Dance,” the 11-time Emmy Award-winning show that sparked America’s fascination with dance, is celebrating its landmark 10th season. As part of the celebration, the season’s Top-10 finalists are dancing across America showing off their most popular routines as well as original pieces created for the tour. Tickets for SYTYCD are available at Hard Rock Live or by visiting fox.com/dance