Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Current – Chef’s Gala raises $300,000 for United Way

Top chefs from Central Florida’s finest restaurants created another spectacular food and wine pairing on May 15 at Disney’s Epcot World Showplace. Thanks to the generosity of these talented chefs, 95 cents of every dollar raised benefits United Way, providing services to the one in five of our neighbors who are in desperate need. The Chef’s Gala raised $300,000 to benefit Central Florida support programs making it United Way’s largest fundraiser of the year, and you can still help. Should you wish to contribute, please visit hfuw.org or call 407-429-2129.

Now to May 26 – Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival

The often wacky, sometimes weird, and always wonderful festival of plays and musicals called Fringe will present 100 performance groups in Fringe 2015. The oldest, non-juried Fringe Fest in the United States, the Orlando International Fringe Festival’s philosophy is to be 100-percent uncensored, 100-percent non-juried, and 100-percent accessible. In addition to those uncensored performances, Fringe also offers an outdoor stage, Visual Fringe (art-for-sale) and Kids’ Fringe! Tickets are free to $11. Visit orlandofringe.org for a complete schedule.

May 22 to 24 – 63rd annual Florida Folk Festival

Since 1953, folk artists have come together for the Florida Folk Festival, a celebration of the music, dance, stories, crafts and food that make Florida unique. From Irish fiddle tunes and kumquat pie, to the varieties of music brought by immigrants, Florida’s cultural heritage reflects the lives of generations of families and communities. Throughout the Memorial Day weekend more than 300 performances give voice to Florida's heritage at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, on the banks of the Suwannee River. Call 850-245-2157 or visit FloridaFolkFestival.com for a complete schedule.

May 22 to 24 – The Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Jazz enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy an impressive line-up of jazz artists at the 2015 Jacksonville Jazz Festival presented by AARP. Spyro Gyra, Regina Carter, Peabo Bryson with the Jacksonville Symphony and the Tito Puente Orchestra are headliners for three days packed with performances, seminars, a jazz brunch, Jazz After Dark, a piano competition, and youth showcases in a variety of venues in downtown Jacksonville. Get up close and personal with your favorite jazz artists from May 22 to 24. Call 904-630-3690 or visit jaxjazzfest.com

May 22 and 23 – Tampa’s Sunset Music Festival at Raymond James Stadium

This Memorial Day Weekend join Disco Donnie Presents, Sunset Events, and Committee Entertainment at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium for the Sunset Music Festival. Celebrate the holiday with thousands of electronic dance music fans and headliners Skrillex, Armin Van Buuren, and Tiesto for outrageous sound and visuals as this event continues its growth, literally doubling up on the music from last season. Visit smftampa.com (and use discount code “HTG”).

May 22 to June 21 – The tINmAN Charlie Lucas at Gallery on First

Known internationally as “The tINmAN,” Charlie Lucas creates his art from materials that others have discarded. Lucas sees each creation as the result of “intense communion” with his heritage, race, and life-choices. An artist in residence at several schools and universities, Lucas will open an exhibit of his work on May 22 at 6 p.m. at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art in Sanford and then share his art and story-telling in an Artist’s Talk on May 23 beginning at 10:30 a.m. The opening is free; the talk is $10 per person. Call 407-323-2774 or visit jtfolkart.com

May 25 – Memorial Day

May 26 to 31 – Cole Porter’s ‘Anything Goes’ at the Dr. Phillips Center

One of the greatest musicals in theater history, Cole Porter’s musical comedy “Anything Goes” will sail into the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando in a production USA Today calls “glorious and exuberant!” When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette is tossed overboard as two sets of lovers prove that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors. Filled with musical theatre’s greatest hits, including “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “You’re the Top,” and “Anything Goes,” this winner of three 2011 Tony Awards comes with our highest recommendation. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

May 30 – Annual Hurricane Party in Sanford

Sanford’s annual Hurricane Party and Music Festival comes to Downtown Sanford on May 30 with 50 bands on five stages. Food trucks and local restaurants support the event along with artists and vendors and featured drink specials to help audiences enjoy the music as everyone pays homage to Mother Nature for a tranquil hurricane season! Presale tickets at $20 can be purchased online at drinkatwestend.com. Day-of-show tickets are $30. Call 407-322-7475 or visit drinkatwestend.com