Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Tonight through Jan. 11 – The Circus Brings XTREME to Orlando

“The Greatest Show On Earth” continues to amaze as Circus XTREME turns audiences into adventure-seekers from Jan. 8 to 11 at the Amway Center. An all-female troupe of Mongolian riders, freestyle BMX riders and tumblers, and Circus elephants are the headliners at the Circus this season. The party begins an hour before the show at the pre-show (free with ticket purchase) as your family gets to meet the performers, get up close to the animals, and even try on circus costumes. Tickets at ringling.com or ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000 or 407-440-7900.

Jan. 10 to March 31 – Leu Gardens Presents ‘Ribbit the Exhibit’

Leu Gardens will begin 2015 with a whimsical display called “Ribbit the Exhibit” featuring twenty human-sized sculptures located throughout the Gardens in a family-friendly event. Giant frogs created by Artist J.A. Cobb will be presented at the Gardens from Jan. 10 to March 31 along with classes, programs and a family-friendly scavenger hunt to encourage green gardening and an appreciation of our favorite amphibians. Visit leugardens.org

Jan. 10 to 18 – Art Exhibit Inspired by Winter Park’s Historic Architecture

The Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum will host an art exhibit in all mediums to celebrate Winter Park's historic architecture and to recognize the importance of historic preservation. “Evoking a sense of Winter Park’s historic architecture,” the artworks will be displayed from Jan. 10 to 18 with a Free, Public-Invited Opening Reception held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 10. Call 407-628-8196 or visit casafeliz.us

Jan. 10 – Richard Colvin Exhibit at Leesburg Center for the Arts

An art exhibit – Local Colors: Richard Colvin – will open with a reception on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Leesburg Center for the Arts. We know and respect Richard from his role as Executive Director at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art, and highly recommend this series of paintings reflecting the local color of Lake County. The exhibit is on display at the Gallery at 429 W. Magnolia Street in Leesburg through Feb. 21. Call 352-365-0232 or visit leesburgcenter4arts.com

Jan. 10 – The Orlando Philharmonic presents ‘Sheherazade’

In a season in which the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s search for a new music director has chosen five finalists, the Orchestra offers its audience each of the finalists conducting a program during the current season. The most exotic program of the season will be conducted by interpretive dynamo Eric Jacobsen. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Bob Carr PAC, the program includes Debussy’s “Afternoon of a Faun,” Chinese composer Zhao Jiping’s “Concerto for Pipa,” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Sheherazade.” This program is highly recommended. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Jan. 13 – The Orlando Ballet is Uncorked at the Abbey

A popular evening of “insider ballet” offers wine and “a little dance” at The Abbey as Uncorked! presents The Art of the Swan on Jan. 13 beginning at 7 p.m. It’s the black swan versus the white swan as the Orlando Ballet dancers’ work and motivations are demonstrated and explained. Followed by a Q&A session, there is limited seating; advance reservations are recommended. Visit orlandoballet.org or call 407-426-1739.

Jan. 15 to March 22 – The Art of the Highwaymen at the History Center

In the 1950s and 60s, a group of self-taught African American artists known as the Highwaymen began selling their Florida landscape paintings from town to town, offering artwork from the trunks of their cars or sitting beside the highway and selling to tourists. By the 1990s, articles in magazines brought the Highwaymen new acclaim – and new collectors – making their works highly collectible. On Jan. 15, the Orange County Regional History Center will open an exhibit of 14 paintings by 12 of the original Highwaymen Artists. Call 407-836-8500 or visit thehistorycenter.org

Jan. 15 & Jan 29 – Art for All Spaces Presents Reviving the Ancients

In a celebration of the enduring relevance of past cultures and ideas, Art for All Spaces invites the Public to the Opening of Reviving the Ancients on Jan. 15 beginning at 6 p.m. at the CityArts Factory in Orlando. Featuring the work of 24 Artists, the works explore ways in which the human race has addressed questions of existence through image-making. An additional event is planned for Jan. 29, when Artist/Scholars will conduct tours of the exhibit, offering insights from the perspectives of History and Psychology. Call 407-450-2255 or email [email protected]

Jan. 15 to Feb. 14 – ‘The Rat Pack Lounge’ at Winter Park Playhouse

Frank, Dean and Sammy may be in heaven, but in the Florida Premiere of a new musical at the Winter Park Playhouse it would seem they have some unfinished business back on earth and they’ve got one night to make it right. With over 30 hit songs including My Way and Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime, this melodic new musical – “The Rat Pack Lounge” – will transport you back to the days of highballs and high rollers. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Jan. 17 – Christner’s to Raise Funds for Three Charities

Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster, Central Florida’s premiere steakhouse, is refreshing its bar menu with new cocktails set to unveil at Christner’s Craft Wars on Jan. 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. “It’s all about the Bar” as three Christner bartenders go head-to-head creating craft cocktails with the Winner accepting bragging rights and donations for charity. For $20, guests gain access to the event as the bartenders raise $ for the Central Florida Food and Outreach, Florida Hospital Diabetes Institute and Runway to Hope. Please RVSP via email to [email protected]