Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Let’s call August the party month

I can only report this phenomenon one time in our lifetime, so here goes …When you check your calendar for August 2014, you will find that this month – August of 2014 – has five Fridays, five Saturdays and five Sundays. Curious, you say? Yes, indeed. This happens only once every 823 years, and aren’t we lucky it’s a month in which many of us take a vacation. Party on, dude!

Now through Aug. 3 – ‘Crazy for You’ at The REP

Follies girls, cowboys, and urban socialites meet up as the Orlando REP’s Youth Academy (grades 7 through 12) presents the Tony-Award winning musical “Crazy For You” through Aug. 3. A huge hit from the Gershwin brothers, “Crazy For You” is packed with favorite Gershwin tunes performed by extraordinary young performers. Call 407-896-7365, ext. 1, or visit orlandorep.com

Through Sept. 7 – OMA presents the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art

On June 20, the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) presented The Orlando Museum of Art Florida Prize in Contemporary Art to Agustina Woodgate. Drawn from a particularly striking exhibit of 10 Florida artists working in diverse mediums, the varied imagery reflects the dynamic – and challenging – nature of art today. That exhibit – highly recommended – remains at the Museum through Sept. 7. Call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

July 30 to Aug. 3 – LeakyCon in Orlando

Special guests from “Harry Potter,” “Doctor Who” and “Supernatural,” along with young adult literature authors, will be on-hand for LeakyCon, the Sci-Fi fantasy film, TV and book convention that comes to the Convention Center in Orlando from July 30 to Aug. 3. Panel discussions, workshops, live performances, music concerts and a special private event at Universal Studios featuring the newly opened Diagon Alley will be offered. Visit LeakyCon.com

Aug. 1 to 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, the story chronicles her journey from hometown to Hollywood. Directed and choreographed by Roy Alan and with music directed by Christopher Leavy, call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Aug. 2 – An evening for artist Emily Jones

We are invited to a one-night reception for Emily Jones – an impressionist artist with the strength to overcome epilepsy. Emily received her arts degree at Santa Clara University and also studied in Florence, Italy, eventually travelling Europe – studying and painting along the way. Emily's reception begins at 6 p.m. at the Winter Park Beer Company at 1809 E. Winter Park Road in Orlando. For information, call Boris Garbe at 407-234-7033.

Aug. 2 – Maxwell’s Summer Soulstice Tour comes to Orlando

Maxwell, the platinum soul-singer known for his impeccable vocals, his connection to the audience, and the physicality of his performances, will perform at the Bob Carr PAC on Aug. 2. His Grammy-nominated “Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite” achieved double-platinum status while his 2009 album, the "unapologetically deep" (LA Times) “BLACK Summers' Night” debuted at No.1, winning him two Grammys and another platinum award. Visit ticketmaster.com/Maxwell

Aug. 4 – The Orlando Philharmonic Sounds of Summer Concert Series

With each concert featuring a different theme of instruments and musicians, this season’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series is performed at the Orchestra’s new home at Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave. in Orlando. The Aug. 4 concert is called Seasons of the Soul as Olga Ferroni, Victor Ferroni, Douglas Pritchard, Doug Mathews, Sergei Kossenko, Jonathan Stilwell and Sandra del Cid-Davies come together for a cross-genre program of chamber music both old and new. Visit OrlandoPhil.org or call 407-770-0071.

Aug. 5 – National Night Out

Keeping communities SAFE is the theme of National Night Out 2014, and Aug. 5 is Orlando’s night to shine! Crime prevention block parties will take place throughout Central Florida with advance planners ready to be ‘judged’ on theme, creativity, neighborhood and local business involvement, and education. Winning parties will receive prizes and a visit from the NNO Caravan with Mayor Buddy Dyer, Police Chief John W. Mina, and Fire Chief John Miller on-board. Call Neighborhood Watch at 407-246-2369.

Aug. 7 – Art in Equality at Orlando Museum of Art

Currently celebrating its 90th anniversary, the Orlando Museum of Art will host Art in EQUALITY as its next 1st Thursday event. The Museum is exploring ‘inclusion,’ and the event on Aug. 7 – beginning at 6 p.m. – will include the idea of equality in gender, race and sexual orientation. Understanding that inclusion is paramount to a well-rounded community, artists will showcase diversity and equality through their art. Entertainment will include Blue Star; Tod Kimbro; Mark Wright; and the Orlando Gay Chorus. Presented in association with Rick Singh, Orange County Property Appraiser, call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

Aug. 8 – Good Morning Winter Park

Good Morning Winter Park is the popular, monthly breakfast gathering where residents and community leaders interact for insights on timely topics and networking. Free and open to the public, the meeting on Aug. 8 begins at 7:45 a.m. with a complimentary continental breakfast. At 8:15 a.m. Denise Weathers will speak to the group about affordable housing, defining the community land trust's role, and historic preservation – at the Winter Park Welcome Center. Call 407-644-8281 or visit winterpark.org

Aug. 9 – Taste of the Nation – Orlando

On Aug. 9 at 6:45 p.m., Taste of the Nation brings together the area's top chefs who donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger in Central Florida. Along with extraordinary food, guests sample select wines while enjoying auctions and entertainment. Please know that every dollar raised fights hunger and homelessness in Central Florida. Tickets are $150. Visit tasteofthenation.org/orlando and/or facebook.com/OrlandoTaste. We can all buy a ticket and help.