Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now through July 28 – ‘Ladies of Eola Heights’ – a Wanzie Comedy

Director Ken Howard takes on this re-envisioning of Michael Wanzie’s wildly successful comedy with a cast of Central Florida’s favorite actresses, including Peg O'Keef, Beth Marshall, Blue Star and ‘Miss Sammy’ Singhaus. “There is more than steel to these Magnolias” in this story of sisters who come together after years of being apart. Comic references to a community within walking distance of the theater make for some very funny art-imitating-life moments. In performance through July 28 at The Abbey, visit abbeyorlando.com for tickets.

Through Aug. 10 – Maitland exhibits recognize 70th anniversary of D-Day

The Art & History Museums – Maitland has devoted its museums to exhibits related to war and conflict in a manner unique to each museum’s core experience. Highlights include:

• “Battlefield” at Maitland Art Center: This thought-provoking exhibit brings together works by J. André Smith and his experience as an artist sent to the front lines, in contrast to a broad range of artworks by contemporary artists.

• “Veterans Remembered” at Maitland History Museum: Remembering local Maitland veterans, this exhibit features letters, photos and oral histories.

• “Signal Corps Phones” at Telephone Museum: Signal Corps phones are vital to troops during major conflicts, and this exhibit shows how this technology has saved lives.

• “Waterhouse at War” at Waterhouse Residence Museum: Five generations of the Waterhouse family lived in this home before it became a museum. Guests discover these early inhabitants’ service and sacrifices for their country. Visit artandhistory.org or call 407-539-2181.

Through Sept. 7 – ‘Curious George’ live at the Orlando Science Center

The insatiable curiosity of Curious George – the little monkey who has captured the hearts of millions of children for 65 years – is at the Orlando Science Center in the exhibit, “Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!” Leading young visitors on a fun math-science-and-engineering-based adventure, the exhibit is on display through Sept. 7. Call 407-514-2000 or visit osc.org

July 18 to Aug. 3 – ‘Crazy for You’ (and more) at The REP

Populated with Follies girls, cowboys and urban socialites, the Orlando REP’s Youth Academy (grades 7 through 12) will present the Tony-Award winning musical “Crazy For You” from July 18 to Aug. 3. A huge hit from the Gershwin brothers, “Crazy For You” is packed with favorite Gershwin tunes including “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” “Embraceable You” and “I Got Rhythm.” To check out these triple-threat young performers, call 407-896-7365, ext.1, or visit orlandorep.com. You may also wish to mark your calendar for the weekend of July 26 to 27 for The REP's Birthday Celebration! Single tickets for “Crazy For You” are $15, and “The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful (and Her Dog!)” and “Leslie and Lolly Make Stuff Up!” are $10. Multiple Show Summer Passes are also available.

July 19 – Jazz Jams Uptown (in Altamonte Springs)

WLOQ and the city of Altamonte Springs bring an impressive array of music to Crane’s Roost Park including a free concert at 7 p.m. on July 19 by bass player Gerald Veasley. With a resume including tours with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, Gerald also shares his talent as a teacher and artist-in-residence while building the audience for his own band in Europe and the States. Visit jazzjamsuptown.com

July 21 – The Orlando Philharmonic Sounds of Summer Concert Series

With each concert featuring a different theme of instruments, composers and musicians, this season’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series will be performed at the Orchestra’s new home at Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave. in Orlando. On July 21 its “There’s Nothing Like A Dame!” In an evening of music composed by women and performed by women, Joni Hanze Bjella, Olga Ferroni, Karen Peters, and Maureen May perform piano and string music by Jennifer Higdon, Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, and Cecile Chaminade, along with the songs of Barbra Streisand and Carole King. Visit OrlandoPhil.org, twitter.com/OrlandoPhilOrch or call 407-770-0071.

July 31 to Aug. 23 – ‘Backwards in High Heels – the Life of Ginger Rogers’

In a Central Florida premiere, the life of legendary actress Ginger Rogers comes to life onstage at the Winter Park Playhouse. The Playhouse has a well-earned reputation for creating this kind of “intimate musical.” Dancing its way through Ginger Roger’s life with unforgettable music and show-stopping numbers, the story chronicles her journey from hometown to Hollywood. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Through Aug. 31 – The Allure of Ancient Rome

Showcasing prints, drawings, and an illustrated book from the Cornell Museum’s permanent collection, the Cornell’s new exhibit highlights the significance of Roman antiquities in Europe and the role played by printed images in sharing knowledge about those antiquities. This exhibit coincides with the loan of a Roman sarcophagus to the Cornell with the print-works dating from 1540 to 1750. Admission is free. Call 407-646-2526 or visit Rollins.edu/cfam