Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now to Feb. 22 – Murray Schisgal’s ‘Luv’ at the Shakespeare Center

Murray Schisgal’s “Luv” is a contemporary classic spoofing love and its absurdities in ways that show how marriages are made – and un-made. The misunderstandings mount, and the troubles of the mismatched threesome provided Murray Schisgal’s Broadway debut, for which he earned Tony Award nominations for Best Play and Best Author of a Play. Visit darksideofsaturn.com or call 209-479-9923.

Now to Feb. 28 – Slava’s Snowshow

The multi-award-winning international clown show Slava’s Snowshow has delighted audiences around the globe as the deeply imaginative Slava fuses vaudeville with child-like innocence in his dream-like journey. The performance finds a troupe of clowns adrift in a spectacular snowstorm that becomes a memorable event for the whole family. Get ready for the snow – lots and lots of snow – at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Now to March 22 – ‘Henry V’ takes the stage at Orlando Shakes

Under the direction of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, Shakespeare’s most famous history play tells of the brash, young King Henry V of England as he works to unite his broken nation after a bloody civil war. From Henry's oft-quoted battle speeches to his courtship of the Princess of France, Shakespeare’s “Henry V” explores what makes a man a king, and a king a man. This new production features the brilliant John P. Keller, who portrayed the title roles in “Nicholas Nickleby” and “Dracula.” The production comes highly recommended; call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Feb. 20 and 21 – Concertos by Candlelight with the Bach Festival Orchestra

Celebrating the 80th annual Bach Festival, the Knowles Chapel at Rollins College will be the home of Concertos by Candlelight with a program of signature works including Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E featuring the renowned violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg; the Beethoven Choral Fantasy in C including the Bach Festival Choir; and the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major with soloist William Hudgins. Call 407-646-2182 or visit bachfestivalflorida.org

Feb. 21 – The 15th annual Orlando Wetlands Festival

Feb. 21 is the date for the free Orlando Wetlands Festival at Fort Christmas Historical Park in Christmas. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the “Best wetlands festival in the United States” offers exhibits, door prizes, face painting, country music by Homer Stiles, hayrides, wilderness hikes, photography hikes, bus tours of the wetlands, birding hikes, live animals, tree climbing, and a tree giveaway. For more information, call 407-568-1706 or visit cityoforlando.net/wetlands

Feb. 21 – The first annual Sanford Mardi Gras Sashay & Street Party

It’s more than a touch of N’awlins when the Sashay Parade steps off at 11 a.m. on Feb. 21 from the corner of Sanford Avenue and Sixth Street in Sanford. Prizes are offered for best Mardi Gras attire as Kid Dutch’s Perseverance Brass Band leads the parade with stilt-walkers and revelers to raise funds for Meals on Wheels. Tickets ($20 and $30) get you authentic jambalaya, gumbo, bread pudding and a beer from Magic Hat Brewing. The afternoon offers games, prizes, live entertainment and silliness. Get tickets at West End Trading or online at http://ticketf.ly/1y4TmMB

Feb. 21 – ‘Touch and Go’ – The story of Sanford

‘Touch and Go’ tells the stories of the people of Sanford: their struggles, their victories, their losses and their indomitable spirit. Through the eyes of a Navy pilot, we discover Sanford’s tenacity and courage. This folk-life performance features a cast of local actors of all ages, from all parts of Central Florida, in a full-length production with original music in an original production that is all about Sanford, and all about you. Tickets can be purchased by calling 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org. Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 21.

Feb. 21 – Live from Orlando, It’s Science Night Live!

Grown-ups take over the Orlando Science Center when it’s reserved strictly for adults on Feb. 21 beginning at 8 p.m. Adult-inspired programming includes access to all four floors of exhibits; viewing planets and stars through a giant telescope; 3D films; hands-on lab experiments in Dr. Dare’s Laboratory; science trivia; and adult beverages (for purchase). Admission is $15, parking is free, and the dress code is science nerd. Call 407-514-2000 or visit osc.org

Feb. 21 and 22 – The Downtown Food and Wine Festival at Lake Eola

Loverboy will be working for the weekend at the Downtown Food & Wine Fest at Lake Eola on Feb. 21 and 22 as more than 30,000 foodies and wine lovers experience unique local cuisine paired with wines from around the globe. The two-day fest features dishes from 30 of Orlando’s premier restaurants (including 2014 Foodie Award winners), domestic and international wines, and live, headliner entertainment including Lifehouse and Loverboy. Admission is $20 per person, per day; children under 12 are free. Food and beverage offerings range from $1 to $8. Call 407-919-1048 or visit DowntownFoodandWineFest.com

Feb. 21 and 22 – Meyer conducts Tao with the Orlando Philharmonic

The next featured concerts in the Orlando Philharmonic’s search for a new conductor will present German-born Dirk Meyer conducting music of Mozart and Strauss, and featuring young piano star Conrad Tao performing Mozart’s “Elvira Madigan” concerto. Strauss is represented in the tone poem “Don Juan,” followed by his variations on the Viennese waltz in “Der Rosenkavalier Suite.” The dates are Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. and 22 at 2 p.m. at the Bob Carr Theatre. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Feb. 26 – ‘Wild’ author Cheryl Strayed at Women’s Leadership Luncheon

In the midst of despair, Cheryl Strayed decided to change her life by hiking the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail – alone. That hike became a No. 1 best-selling book, and the book became a movie starring Reese Witherspoon. The Heart of Florida United Way will host the eighth annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon featuring Cheryl Strayed as the keynote speaker on Feb. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Call 407-835-0900 or visit HFUW.org

Feb. 27 – The Florida Blue free Concert Series’ first outdoor concert

The Dr. Phillips Center will launch a two-year partnership with Florida Blue Foundation with their first outdoor concert featuring Tiempo Libre on the Seneff Arts Plaza at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27. Free and open to the public, this concert is part of the Center’s stated mission – “arts for every life.” Heirs to the musical traditions of their native Cuba, this Miami-based group explodes on the stage with irresistible, “gotta dance” mixes of R&B, pop, jazz, and Cuban songs. No reservations required – it’s free.

Feb. 27 to March 1 – Mad Cow’s Science Play Festival

A unique theatrical experience will be presented by the Mad Cow Theatre in an interactive festival that explores science through staged readings of plays about science. Discussions follow each reading and feature experts in the fields of science and art. Readings include “Headstrong” by Patrick Link (Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m.); “God and Stephen Hawking,” by Robin Hawdon (Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.) and “Copenhagen” by Michael Frayn (March 1 at 7:30 p.m.) All tickets are an affordable $10. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Feb. 28 – Mayor Dyer’s ninth annual Blues & BBQ

The world’s best mayor, Buddy Dyer, invites residents and visitors to the free ninth annual Blues BBQ in downtown Orlando. The free concert features performances by Grammy Award winning R&B singer Betty Wright, the Gerry Williams Band and other acts, plus seriously tasty BBQ available for purchase from Mister BBQ, Serena’s BBQ, Smokey Jay’s BBQ, Blazin Bones BBQ, Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ and Johnny Henry’s BBQ. It’s held at the City Commons Plaza at 400 S. Orange Ave. from 4 to 10 p.m. Please help Pathlight Home end homelessness by recycling your unwanted cell phones, iPads and iPods at the event.

Feb. 28 – Orlando’s second annual Recycled Fashion Show

Keep Orlando Beautiful tickets are on sale for the Trash 2 Trends runway event, Orlando’s second annual Recycled Fashion Show on Feb. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. Bringing the fashion and art world together with the environmental community, the show features 30 local fashion designers who have created wearable fashions made from materials that would otherwise be headed to the landfill. Judges will choose winners in the categories: Top Design, Avante Garde, Most Wearable, Best Use of Materials and Audience Choice. Call 407-246-2752 or visit cityoforlando.net/kob