Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Open today through March 8 – Kids, animals, and rides at the Central Florida Fair

Founded over 100 years ago to celebrate Florida’s agricultural industry, the Central Florida Fair is the largest not-for-profit fair in the state. Adrenaline seekers enjoy thrill rides while the 11-day event awards nearly $200,000 in prize money to exhibitors in creative arts, food arts, horticulture, and FFA and 4-H livestock competitions (featuring 2,500 animals). Live entertainment includes over 100 groups on three stages including R&B singer Ginuwine on March 5 at 7:30 p.m. and James Otto on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. – both shows free with fair admission. Visit centralfloridafair.com

Through March 9 – Breakthrough Theatre presents Jonathan Larson’s ‘Tick, Tick...Boom!’

Before “Rent,” there was “Tick, Tick...Boom!” an autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer and Tony Award–winning composer of “Rent.” The story of a composer and sacrifices he makes to achieve his big break takes us with Mr. Larson from waiting tables to writing the great American musical. (I said it’s autobiographical.) Set in 1990, this rock musical features Rob Guest and Krystal Gillette with the show directed by Wade Hair and musical direction by Justin Scarlat. In performance from Feb. 27 to March 9, make your reservations at 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

March 2 to April 5 – ‘Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly’ at Orlando Rep

Is Spider getting too big for his skin? Will Fly find her super-hero-powers in time to save Aunt Rita? Will Worm learn to stand on his own feet (even though worms don’t have feet)? The Orlando Rep invites your family to take a look at the world from a bug’s perspective – with the message that our lives may not be all that different. Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

March 6 to May 17 – Maitland Art Center opens photography exhibit by Clyde Butcher

Known as the Ansel Adams of the Everglades, the photography of Clyde Butcher will be celebrated with an opening at A&H’s Maitland Art Center on March 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Butcher has been honored by the state of Florida with the Artist Hall of Fame Award. The exhibit will run through May 17. The opening night will also include art installations as guests enjoy live music, food from 4Rivers Smokehouse, films, literary readings and a printmaking activity. Tickets are $5. Visit artandhistory.org or call 407-539-2181.

March 6, 7 and 8 – Orlando Ballet’s ‘Battle of the Sexes’ a new fight

The Orlando Ballet has been fighting the battle of the sexes for years, and this new version brings that artistic dance to the stage of the Dr. Phillips Center. Classical ballet movements are integrated with hip-hop and modern dance set to chart-topping hits and pop/rock anthems, seducing audiences with new choreography and the world premieres of dances created by Robert Hill, Arcadian Broad, Telmo Moreira and Chiaki Yasukawa. Tickets start at $38. Visit orlandoballet.org or call 407-426-1739.

March 6 to 28 – ‘A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine’

This Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is actually two one-act plays in a live double feature more hilarious than any from Hollywood's heyday. The first is a song-and-dance salute to the Golden Age of film musicals, and the second is a fun-filled Marx Brothers farce with live comedy routines for our enjoyment. At the Winter Park Playhouse, call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

March 7 – Orlando Phil presents ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Movies’

John Goberman, creator of “Live from Lincoln Center,” will bring us the magic of scenes from “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” and more – projected on the big screen, with the scores performed live by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Our favorite pops conductor Andrew Lane will bring his own magic to the Bob Carr Theater for two performances on March 7 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. as we enjoy highlights from our favorite movie musicals. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

March 7 – The U.S. Navy band free at the Dr. Phillips Center

Making good on their promise of “arts for every life,” the new Dr. Phillips Center will join with Florida Blue to present a free concert series in the outdoor Seneff Arts Plaza (which can accommodate 3,000 guests). “Florida Blue’s support helps us make the Seneff Arts Plaza an ideal gathering place for the community,” says Kathy Ramsberger, president of the Center. The Florida Blue Free Concert Series will present the U.S. Navy Band on March 7 at 4 p.m. – free and open to the public. No reservations required, but bringing a blanket or folding chairs would be a good idea.

March 7 – Skeletons coming to International Drive in Orlando

Oh, the horror! Flesh-eating beetles are coming to Orlando. But fear not – the Dermestid Beetles are part of the experience at a new attraction coming to International Drive. Opening on March 7 – Skeletons is a museum/attraction exhibiting over 300 (real) skeletons and skulls representing 300 different animal species (including humans). Part of the I-Drive 360 Complex, Skeletons is located at 8441 International Drive in Orlando. Visit skeletonmuseum.com or call 407-766-5179.

March 7 – Norbert Leo Butz – from Broadway to The Abbey

In his new show “Girls, Girls, Girls,” Tony-Award-winning Norbert Leo Butz performs music from Elvis Costello, Loretta Lynn, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. This Broadway star, who took home Tony Awards for performances in “Catch Me If You Can” and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” is bringing his show to The Abbey in Orlando on March 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 or $75 for VIP. Visit TicketWeb.com or AbbeyOrlando.com