Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Valentine's Calendar

Let this be the year you surprise your significant other with an evening that celebrates the creativity of Central Florida with tickets to a live performance or one of Orlando’s great restaurants. Here are a few suggestions:

Now through March 9 – ‘The Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Parts I and II’

There is no higher recommendation than – the Florida theater event of the season. A cast of 27 actors play more than 150 characters in this unique, two-part, dramatic and comic masterpiece that captures the genius of Charles Dickens. Combining outrageous characters with theatrical spectacle, “The Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Parts I and II” leads the way to a must-see theatrical event at the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. Visit Orlandoshakes.org or call 407-447-1700.

Feb. 13, 14, 15 – The Candy Bar by DRIP

Thanks to the performance/entertainment group DRIP, you can treat your Valentine to a night of sweets in an evening that combines ‘sweet’ art installations, a live band, dancers, flying paint, water and sand. Local artists ‘create’ with sweet and/or intoxicating edibles for you and your Valentine, including a lollipop tree, marshmallow art, gummy bear cocktails, and life-sized candy board games. On Feb. 13, 14 and 15, each ticket includes a white DRIP T-shirt for you to wear (and take home) as a splattered and ‘custom-cut’ souvenir. Located at 8747 International Drive in Orlando, tickets are available at ILoveDRIP.com

Feb. 14 and 15 – Natalie Cordone and Shawn Kilgore’s Valentine Cabaret

Two of our favorite and most talented singing-actors, Natalie Cordone and Shawn Kilgore, will present a cabaret performance called “Hooray for Love!” Promising a funny and romantic evening of songs to add that ‘loving touch’ to your weekend, the performances bring us many of their hits from the famous New York cabaret club, Don’t Tell Mama. Performances are Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Satellite Event Center at 9501 Satellite Blvd. in Orlando. Visit cfcarts.com

Feb. 14 to 16 – ‘Romeo & Juliet’ by the Orlando Ballet

It’s official – “Romeo and Juliet” is the world’s favorite love story, and the drama of this quintessential classic will be brought to life as Robert Hill, director of the Orlando Ballet, choreographs a new ballet for the “star-crossed lovers.” Set to Prokofiev’s evocative score, this beloved story could serve as the perfect, romantic Valentine’s gift for your love. Call 407-426-1739 or visit orlandoballet.org

Feb. 14, 15, 16 – The Antiques & Garden Show at OMART

If her favorite quality-time activity is antiquing, The Orlando Museum of Art's Council of 101 presents the 32nd annual Antiques Vintage & Garden Show from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16. This year the event falls on Valentine’s weekend with antique dealers from across the U.S. offering antique furniture, paintings, jewelry, rugs, porcelain and collectibles as well as garden inspirations and speaker Cynthia Brumback. The Council of 101 Tea Room will be open throughout the show at 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando. Call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

Feb. 14 to 24 – Breakthrough Theatre presents ‘Bedrooms: 5 Comedies’

In a play called “Bedrooms,” the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park presents a full evening of comedy by presenting five short plays – all in one evening. Written by playwrights Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor, the ‘romantic’ themes range from a potential ménage-a-trois to love in a senior citizen home. Featuring five different casts and five different directors, this evening of romantic comedy runs from Feb. 14 to 24. Visit breakthroughtheatre.com or call 407-920-4034.

Feb. 15 – Warner Bros. Valentine's Date Night

A different – and admittedly quirky – Valentine’s Date Night is offered by the Orange County History Center for an adults’ evening of cartoons offered up from the Warner Bros. cartoon chest. Over time, the Warner Bros. gag-writers, working with gifted animators and designers, won six Academy Awards. The Valentine show will include “Stupid Cupid,” “Porky's Romance,” “Carrotblanca,” and “Bug's Valentine,” among others. With popcorn, wine, champagne and chocolate available, this date night is one for the history books. Call 407-836-8500 or visit thehistorycenter.org

Feb. 25 to March 2 – ‘War Horse’ on the Broadway Series

She’ll have to wait two weeks to use the tickets, but she’ll adore you for sharing this World War I drama of courage, loyalty and friendship in the next offering from the Orlando Broadway Series. Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and caught up in an extraordinary journey as Albert, too young to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to bring him home. This powerful drama, filled with music and song, packed theaters in London and New York. With the theatricality of life-sized puppets that ‘bring to life’ galloping horses, call 800-448-6322 for your tickets.

… and for Valentine foodies:

Now through Feb. 15 – Lovers’ Day at Taverna Opa

Taverna Opa, the Greek eatery on I-Drive, celebrates with a $65 prix-fixe dinner for two featuring libations and traditional Greek cuisine paired with live entertainment. Including ‘A Toast to Love,’ light starters, and a main course of large prawns or double-cut lamb chops, followed by chocolate-drizzled baklava, the menu is a bit of Mediterranean heaven. At Pointe Orlando at 9101 International Drive, call 407-351-8660 for reservations.

Feb. 14 – Christner's Prime Steak & Lobster

Orlando’s justifiably famous steakhouse, will offer a dinner for two, including a bottle of champagne or wine; salad; 8-ounce filet, 12-ounce prime strip, 16-ounce rib-eye or salmon; asparagus, chateau potatoes (so good), sautéed mushrooms, or Osage spinach; and chocolate mousse or cheesecake with berries. The cost is $200 per couple, gratuity included. (A Surf & Turf for Two upgrade is optional!) Call 407-645-4443.

Now through Feb. 14 – A Sweet Deal from 4 Rivers Smokehouse

All of Johnny Rivers’ 4 Rivers Smokehouse’s are celebrating Valentine’s Day at The Sweet Shop, the restaurant’s in-house bakery, by offering complimentary cookies (one per child) to decorate and enjoy on Feb. 14. Children may obtain their ‘cookie ticket’ at any 4 Rivers Smokehouse location, and redeem their ticket for a cookie and decorating supplies at the bakery’s counter. 4 Rivers has locations in Winter Park, Winter Garden and Longwood. Call 407-4RIVERS.

Feb. 19 – United Arts hosts national audience expert Matt Lehrman

Hosted by United Arts of Central Florida, arts consultant Matt Lehrman will bring his Audience Everywhere Workshop to Orlando on Feb. 19. The professional workshop covers everything from attracting attendees, selling tickets, developing donors, to raising public awareness. The workshop is appropriate for executive and artistic directors, as well as marketing and board leadership. The workshop begins at 9 a.m. at the Maitland Civic Center. To register, visit http://bit.ly/AudiencesEverywhere or visit UnitedArts.cc

Feb. 20 to March 30 – ‘Busytown’ (for children of all ages)

Richard Scarry’s stories and characters come to life in “Busytown” from Feb. 20 to March 30 at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. Using imaginative music and movement, Huckle Cat takes the audience on a tour of his neighborhood – introducing Farmer Pig and Grocer Cat, Construction Worker, and Fire Chief – all working together to keep Busytown ‘busy.’ For children of all ages, call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com