Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Current – Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts continues to build

The Dr. Phillips Center, already more popular and successful with the public than any projections could have hoped, announced the glorious news that a new, lead gift of $12 million from Chuck Steinmetz and Margery Pabst Steinmetz has assured the groundbreaking of the center’s planned third theater to be named Steinmetz Hall. Center President Kathy Ramsberger announced construction will begin on the 1,700-seat acoustical hall next May. Both existing theaters rely on amplified sound while the new theater will be designed to transmit sound to all listeners without amplification and will be home to the Orlando Ballet and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. We send out a huge thank you to Chuck and Margery Pabst Steinmetz for their extraordinary philanthropy, which will benefit Central Florida for generations to come.

Extended through June 19 – ‘Shrek the Musical’ at Orlando Rep

So popular that it has now been extended for an additional month of performances, “Shrek the Musical TYA” brings the story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on-stage. In a faraway kingdom, that should be the happiest place on earth, (wink-wink) the magic is turned upside down when an ogre rescues a feisty princess! Throw in a cast of fairy tale misfits and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a hero. Luckily, there’s a potential hero stomping around the forest, and his name is Shrek. Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

June 12 to Sept. 6 – Orlando Museum of Art Florida Prize 2015

In the Orlando Museum of Art’s second Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, the exhibit features 10 of the “most progressive and exciting artists working in the state today.” And, one of these artists will be selected to receive a significant monetary award. This invitational exhibit recognizes both the achievement and potential of these Florida artists, thereby encouraging their continued innovation, while celebrating the cultural life of our beautiful state. Highly recommended. Visit omart.org or call 407-896-4231.

June 12 and 13 – Central Florida Community Arts Symphony presents ‘Colors’

In “Colors,” the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra will present symphonic masterpieces in an immersive concert that embraces special lighting, projection, and visual art, bringing both familiar and unexpected music to life before our eyes (and ears). This creative, collaborative, and colorful concert will be performed at Calvary Assembly, located at 1199 Clay Street in Winter Park at 8 p.m. on June 12 and 13. Tickets are $10, and children 12 and under are free. Call 407-937-1800 or contact [email protected]

June 13 – World Ballet Competition’s All Stars of Dance Gala

The World Ballet Competition founded here in Central Florida brings together an impressive array of international talent, all of which culminates – at the end of a week of competition – on June 13 at 7:30 p.m. for a not-to-be-missed All Stars of Dance Gala. Held at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center, the audience is treated to brilliant performances from visiting dance stars who share the spotlight with 2015 medal-winners from the week-long competition. Highly recommended. For Gala tickets, call 407-849-4669 or visit worldballetcompetition.com

June 13 – Blockbuster mummies exhibit opens at Orlando Science Center

The blockbuster exhibit of the summer will open at the Orlando Science Center on June 13. “Mummies of the World” is the largest exhibit of mummies (and related artifacts) ever assembled, showing how science can shed light on history, medicine and world cultures. Real human and animal mummies from South America, Europe and Egypt demonstrate that mummification – through natural and intentional processes – has taken place around the globe. Presented with solemn dignity, the exhibit provides a window into the lives of our ancestors and is highly recommended. Visit osc.org or call 407-514-2000.

June 13 & 14 – The Orlando Gay Chorus sings in One Voice

The concert, titled “One Voice,” by the Orlando Gay Chorus marks the landmark 25th anniversary of this multi-talented group. People from all walks of life are invited to, “Please join us as we share in the friendship, family, pride, and above all else, the love that has been created and shared among our Chorus and our audiences and community for the past 25 years.” Performances are June 13 at 7:30 p.m. and June 14 at 4:30 p.m. at Plaza Live in downtown Orlando. Visit orlandogaychorus.org

June 14 – Saxophonist Matt Festa in Music at the Casa

This series of free music events invites the public to visit the historic Casa Feliz Home Museum on Sunday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m., listen to live music, and take a tour of the museum and the James Gamble Rogers II Studio, led by trained docents. The June 14 event presents Matt Festa, who “cut [his] musical teeth around the likes of Bobby Millitello (Dave Brubeck) and Jay Beckenstein (Spyro Gyra),” pursued his dream and became an accomplished saxophone player and band leader here in Central Florida. Visit casafeliz.squarespace.com or call 407-628-8200.

June 16 – Free seminar: Build your marketing toolkit

Small businesses and organizations find themselves seeking strategies to make their marketing efforts effective, but with so many marketing activities available, this free presentation uncovers core concepts to show that a little bit of marketing knowledge can go a long way. Attendees will learn: what marketing really is; how marketing has changed in ways that benefit small businesses; the importance of setting goals and The Four Pillars of Marketing Success. This free seminar at 8:30 a.m. on June 16 is run by Ken Countess of Constant Contact and will take place at the Microsoft Store at the Mall at Millenia. Call 855-783-2308.

June 17 to July 12 – ‘The Flick’ at the Dr. Phillips Center

Winner of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “The Flick” by Annie Baker, is a comedic drama about three misfits working in a run-down movie theater in rural Massachusetts. These underpaid employees tend to the last 35-millimeter film projector in the state where their cares and heartbreaks turn out to be more interesting than the second-run movies on screen. “The Flick” will have its Florida premiere at the Dr. Phillips Center from June 17 to July 12. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844-513-2014.

June 18 to July 12 – B-Side Artists group exhibit at CityArts Factory

As part of Orlando’s 3rd Thursday Art Celebration, the much celebrated and always original B-Side Artists will present their annual group art exhibit, this year titled “B-Side Artists’ Awareness Month.” Opening with a free public reception on June 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the CityArts Factory in downtown Orlando, this year’s roster features core members with large works and the wow-factor that has brought this group to the attention of Cosmopolitan and the Huffington Post. Expect new works from Swamburger, Chris Tobar, SKIP, Lucy Fur, Peterson Guerrier, G Lemus, Peter Van Flores III, Tr3 and Jon Glassman. Recommended. Visit facebook.com/thebsideartists

June 18 to July 26 – ‘The Frog and the Princess’ at Orlando Shakespeare

Based – loosely – on the story by the Brothers Grimm, and adapted by Orlando’s own very clever Brandon Roberts, Prince Gerwyn wants to marry the beautiful princess – but her evil stepmother casts a spell that turns Gerwyn into a frog forever. Is this happily ever after? Children will love this interactive fairy tale packed with magic … and slime and a character meet-and-greet after each performance. Visit Orlandoshakes.org or call 407-447-1700.

June 19 – The Abbey presents a double ‘Grease’ sing-a-long

Back by popular demand, The Abbey presents the Newton-John/Travolta fan craze “Grease” sing-a-long on June 19 at 7:30 p.m. Enhance your Pink Lady or T-Bird wardrobe with prizes for best costume while you and your plus-one sing along to the most successful movie musical of all time. Tickets are $15 or $20 are at TicketWeb.com. Visit AbbeyOrlando.com

June 19 – Rodney Carrington at the Bob Carr Theater

Rodney Carrington has been making audiences laugh for almost 20 years with his unique brand of countrified singer-songwriter comedy. He’s sold more than two million copies of his eight comedy albums and recently started his own record label Laughter’s Good and a new YouTube series in 2014 called Bit By Bit. Carrington will be at the Bob Carr Theater on June 19 at 7 p.m. with an audience meet-and-greet after the performance. For tickets, visit drphillipscenter.org

June 21 is Father’s Day – Just a friendly reminder.

Good deeds – Chipotle donates to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS

This week Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a partnership with (RED) to support the fight against AIDS. For the month of June, Chipotle will offer a (RED) gift card, available for purchase in restaurants. Chipotle will donate a portion of the sales value of every (RED) gift card purchase of $25 or more to the Global Fund, up to $100,000. The company has also partnered with 11 celebrity chefs to create special recipes to support the EAT (RED) DRINK (RED) SAVE LIVES campaign. Each unique recipe is inspired by Chipotle’s ingredients and will be featured online at chipotle.com/RED. Also visit red.org