Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Current – ‘Kids House’ of Seminole wins Victory Cup Initiative and $20,000

The inaugural event of The Victory Cup Initiative in Winter Park took place on Feb. 4 when 10 Florida non-profits were asked to share their message (in less than 3 minutes) to an audience of Central Florida business leaders. The audience vote awarded Kids House of Seminole the first place grant of $20,000. The aim of the Victory Cup is to celebrate the much-needed work being performed by non-profits in Central Florida every day. Kids House is a safe environment where child victims of abuse find the services they need. Visit kidshouse.org


Feb. 19 to 21 – Antiques Vintage & Garden Show

Presented by the Orlando Art Museum’s Council of 101, the Antiques Vintage & Garden Show has been raising funds for the Museum since 1983. Featuring dealers offering an array of fine antique furniture, paintings, silver, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, rugs and vintage decorative objects, the three-day event also includes inspiration from garden and floral designers as well as an opening preview party (Feb. 18), guest speaker & book signing, appraisal days, mystery home tour (Feb. 20), tea room and daily show features. Call the Council of 101's office at 407-896-4231, ext. 254, or email [email protected]

Feb. 19, 20 and 21 – Silver Spurs - A weekend of ride ‘em cowboy fun

Round up your little doggies and come see the country’s top rodeo professionals at the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee. The spectacular events include bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and bareback riding, along with the crowd-favorite cowboy clowns. Fans and cowboys alike enjoy the climate-controlled facility boasting 8,300 extra-wide seats, and when you purchase a rodeo ticket you’ll receive free admission to the Osceola County Fair located right next to the Silver Spurs Arena. Call 321-697-3495 or visit silverspursrodeo.com

Feb. 19 to 29 – The Breakthrough Theatre presents ‘The Heidi Chronicles’


In a series of interrelated scenes, “The Heidi Chronicles,” by Wendy Wasserstein, follows the life of art historian Heidi Holland as she watches her friends move from the idealism of their college years through feminism and then back to the materialism they had sought to reject. The play won the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, N.Y. Drama Critics Circle Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. The Theatre is located at 419A W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Feb. 19 to March 20 – ‘Painting Churches’ at the Mad Cow Theatre

In Tina Howe’s prize-winning comedy “Painting Churches” artist Mags Church returns home to paint a portrait of her aging parents while she still has them around, but her canvas may not be big enough to capture the poetry, outrage, and zest of Fanny and Gardner Church. An Obie winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist, the play has been described by The New York Times as, “A theatrical family portrait that has the shimmer and depth of Renoir portraits." Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com.

Feb. 20 – Orlando Wetlands Festival

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites friends and families to the 16th annual Orlando Wetlands Festival, a free event including bus tours, photo hikes, bird and plant identification excursions and other wilderness tours. There will be live country music by Homer Stiles, and the city of Orlando Parks and Recreation Department will give away free trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Youngsters will enjoy live animal demonstrations, face painting, games, bounce houses and more at Fort Christmas Historical Park at 1300 Fort Christmas Road in Christmas. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 20. Call 407-568-1706 or visit cityoforlando.net/wetlands.

Feb. 20 – Windermere Art Affair

The town of Windermere will host its first annual Windermere Art Affair in their Town Square on Feb. 20 featuring both local and fine artists from around the world. The event is free and open to the public with over 50 exhibit booths from renowned artists to event sponsors. Live music, food, “and a fine glass of wine” will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 20 at this pet-friendly event. The Windermere Downtown Business Committee organizes the Art Affair. Call 407-448-0244 or visit windermereartaffair.com

Feb. 20 – Patti LaBelle at the Dr. Phillips Center

The incomparable Patti LaBelle is a soulful songbird whose name is synonymous with grace, style and class. The amazing vocal range that allows her to belt out classic rhythm and blues, pop standards and spirituals has created the unique performance versatility for which Ms. LaBelle is known and revered. Save Feb. 20 for this special evening filled with classic songs, incredible vocals, and inspiring energy at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Feb. 20 – Science Night Live at the Orlando Science Center

Live from Orlando, it’s Science Night Live! This evening is reserved for adults to enjoy our Orlando Science Center with grown-up-inspired programming. We get to view stars and planets through the giant refractor telescope, catch the films in the CineDome, experiment in Dr. Dare’s Laboratory, play science trivia, and enjoy food and adult beverages from Hard Rock Café. There’s even a guest speaker – Derek Demeter – who will present “Our Sky, Our Universe” at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, and OSC members get in free. Call 407-514-2000 or visit osc.org/snl

Feb. 21 – The Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Anna in the Tropics’

“Anna in the Tropics” by Nilo Cruz, winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is set in Ybor City, a section of Tampa and the center of the cigar industry at the turn of the 19th century. In the play, a reading of “Anna Karenina,” deeply affects the characters' lives, leading their relationships to spin out of control. In two performances at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

Feb. 22 – National Margarita Day at Cocina 214

I’ll have mine “shaken, stirred or blended” on Feb. 22 when I join several judges for the 2016 Margarita Madness Competition at Cocina 214 at 151 E. Welbourne Ave. in Winter Park. We’re all invited to imbibe and participate at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 as we seek the “best original margarita recipe of 2016.” The winner receives a $100 Cocina 214 gift card, and the drink will be the featured margarita on the restaurant’s menu. Have the winning ingredients? Pick up entry forms at the restaurant or visit cocina214.com. Finalists will compete in the live margarita contest on Feb. 22.

Feb. 23 to 28 – Broadway in Orlando presents ‘Kinky Boots’

Inspired by true events, the musical “Kinky Boots” tells the story of Charlie Price, who is looking to save the family shoe business. Charlie turns to a fashionable friend — cabaret star Lola — who gives Charlie the idea that could change both of their destinies. Featuring a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, a book by Tony-winner Harvey Fierstein, and Tony-winning choreography and direction by Jerry Mitchell, the musical turns out to be about finding friendship and inspiration where you least expect it. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

Feb. 24 – Free Lecture at the Morse Museum

In the first in a series of free lectures at The Morse Museum of American Art, we will learn about the famous lamps produced by the Tiffany Studios and which make up a large part of the Museum’s comprehensive collection of works by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. Margaret Hofer, vice president and museum director of The New-York Historical Society, will speak on, “A Collecting Odyssey: The Tiffany Lamps of Egon and Hildegard Neustadt” on Feb 24 at 2:30 p.m. The Museum is at 445 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park. Admission is free and the event will be followed by a reception. Call 407-645-5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

Feb. 24 – The Jerusalem Symphony in Daytona Beach

In a rare opportunity to hear music performed by the Jerusalem Symphony, the Orchestra celebrates its 80th year on American shores. Presented by the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, this one-performance-only event will include works by Tchaikovsky and Saint-Saens, in which the Grammy-nominated Conductor Dmitry Yablonsky will also perform as soloist. The program will conclude with the thrilling Brahms Second Symphony. This event comes with my highest recommendation. Call 386-671-3460 or visit peabodydaytona.com

Feb. 26 – The Moscow Festival Ballet to present ‘Giselle’ in Daytona Beach

Merging the highest classical elements of acting and dance from the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies, the Moscow Festival Ballet presents the most perfect of Romantic ballets – “Giselle” – in one performance only at the Peabody in Daytona Beach. Poor Giselle dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover is betrothed to another. Summoning Giselle from her grave, a group of supernatural spirits targets Giselle’s lover for death, but her great love – and forgiveness – frees him from their grasp. Call 386-671-3460 or visit peabodydaytona.com

Feb. 27 – The 13th annual gala to benefit the Mennello Museum

‘The Friends’ of the Mennello Museum invite you to their annual gala to benefit the exhibitions and education programs of the Museum. Along with celebrating the Museum, the evening honors community leaders Susan Porcaro Goings and Rick Goings, chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands. Tickets to the Gala start at $375. The event is at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27. Call 407-246-4278, ext. 4113, or visit facebook.com/MennelloMuseum

Feb. 27 and 28 – Scribes of Central Florida present CalligraFaire

In the free two-day CalligraFaire event we are invited to watch the learned members of the Scribes of Central Florida as they demonstrate the ancient, and the new, art of calligraphy. Members will write your name on free bookmarks, discuss the history of calligraphy, offer items for sale – along with a pop-up store for calligraphic supplies – and offer 50-minute intro-classes so you can try your hand at calligraphy. Classes, geared to beginners, are $5 and include all materials. CalligraFaire will take place at the Maitland Civic Center in Maitland from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 and 28. Visit ScribesOfCentralFlorida.com

Current – New health care business offers new health care options

myDirectMD, a new health care firm with a unique business model, has picked Orlando for its first location. myDirectMD is a doctor's office that provides traditional primary care services, but instead of relying on insurance, myDirectMD enrolls patients who pay a set monthly fee for continuous primary care services from board-certified doctors. By eliminating overhead costs from insurance companies, myDirectMD charges $10 per month for children and from $50 to $214 per person per month depending upon age. There are also affordable options for businesses. myDirectMD is at 7350 Sandlake Commons Blvd. Visit mydirectmd.com

And looking ahead…

March 2 – An evening with Josh Groban at the Dr. Phillips Center

We’re sharing this news early, because if I waited, there wouldn’t be any tickets left. The Dr. Phillips Center invites you to an evening with the incomparable Josh Groban. This international singing phenomenon has more than 25 million albums sold worldwide, including five multi-platinum albums and huge hit songs such as “You Raise Me Up,” “You Are Loved” and “The Prayer.” Groban’s latest album, “Stages,” quickly reached the top of the charts and features a collection of some of the greatest music theatre songs of all time. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844-513-2014.