Josh Garrick: Culture for your Calendar

Tonight, June 9 – Cyndi Lauper at the Dr. Phillips Center

Iconic performer and musical chameleon Cyndi Lauper will tour in support of her recently released studio album, “Detour,” on a 19-city tour with a performance in Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center at 8 p.m. on June 9 and concluding June 12 in St. Augustine. Lauper’s musical journey takes a seriously Southern turn on her 11th studio album, which finds the Grammy, Emmy and Tony-winning singer-songwriter putting her signature on a dozen classic country songs. “Detour” showcases Lauper’s unique voice on country classics from the ’40s through the ’60s and features guest turns from country music royalty. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

June 10 – Mako the Shark Roller Coaster to open at SeaWorld

SeaWorld is calling Mako the longest, tallest and fastest coaster in Orlando. With a track 4,760-feet-long and the first lift hill topping out at 200 feet, Mako will reach speeds up to 73 mph. Theme-park guests will be able to board the shark-inspired super-coaster on June 10. Constructed near the park’s famous Shark Encounter, with the ride in and around an area that was backstage, we are told the ride will have a near-pass experience with the park's Kraken coaster. Visit seaworld.com/mako and enjoy the test ride experience at youtube.com/watch?v=tPntOFcGvHw

June 10 – Opening night of ‘Pop Art Prints’ at Mennello Museum

In 1962, New York art dealer Leo Castelli first showed pop art in his gallery, and it was immediately embraced by the audience who responded to its bright colors and commentaries made on the culture of the time. Printmaking was an ideal medium considering that print editions made the work affordable to a larger audience. “Pop Art Prints” at the Mennello presents 37 prints from the Smithsonian Museum’s permanent collection. The opening reception will be held at the Mennello Museum at 900 E. Princeton St. in Orlando beginning at 6 p.m. on June 10. Admission is $5. The show runs through Sept. 11. Call 407-246-4278 or visit mennellomuseum.com

June 10 & 11 – CFCArts’ Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Symphonic Cinema’

It’s an epic finale concert for the Central Florida Community Arts’ Symphony Orchestra as they invite you to be swept away by the most beautiful film scores ever composed. Featuring iconic music from unforgettable films such as “Back to the Future,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “Titanic,” and many more, this concert offers your favorite music from your favorite movies performed live by Central Florida’s largest Symphony Orchestra. “Symphonic Cinema” will be performed on June 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. at Calvary Orlando at 1199 Clay St. in Winter Park. Tickets are $10 and $15 each. Call 407-937-1800, ext. 710, or email [email protected]

June 10 to July 11 – ‘The Brothers Size’ at Mad Cow Theatre

The Chicago Tribune calls “The Brothers Size,” "The greatest piece of writing by an American playwright under 30 in a generation or more." Living in Louisiana, big brother Ogun is hard-working and independent while younger brother Oshoosi is just out of prison and aimless. Elegba, Oshoosi's old prison-mate, is a mysterious complication. Tarell Alvin McCraney crafts symbolism and ritual into a tough/tender drama about the unbreakable bond between brothers. Call 407-297-8788, ext. 1, or visit madcowtheatre.com

June 11 – Fly Into Summer free day at Florida Air Museum

The Aerospace Center for Excellence will host Fly Into Summer at the Florida Air Museum in a family-friendly event including free admission to Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum. Participants will enjoy STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) based arts and crafts and a scavenger hunt for free Gelati Joe's. Movies will be shown at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; refreshments will be available for purchase. The Florida Air Museum is at 4175 Medulla Road in Lakeland. Visit sun-n-fun.org

June 11 – Chris Botti and Joshua Bell with members of the Orlando Philharmonic

Grammy Award-winning musicians Chris Botti and Joshua Bell will create a night that crosses all musical boundaries including classical, rhythm and blues and jazz. After his sold-out concert at the Dr. Phillips Center last year, Chris Botti returns, bringing with him one of the greatest violinists in the world, Joshua Bell. Their one-night only concert at 8 p.m. is sure to be a highlight of the season. Chris Botti is the largest-selling American instrumentalist while Joshua Bell was named “the greatest American violinist active today” by the The Boston Herald. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

June 12 – Sounds of Freedom fifth anniversary concert

Promoting acceptance, equality and visibility through music, entertainment and visual arts, the Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Color Guard, Orlando’s only LGBTQ+ band, will celebrate their fifth anniversary with a concert, “Looking Back, Marching Forward” at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. The concert will recall favorite music from five years of concerts – from classical to Broadway and Hollywood to jazz. Tickets are $10 online at CFSOF.com or call 407-619-5036. Children 12 and under are free.

June 13 & 19 – Cupcake Lovers Day and Dad’s Day

National Donut Day was only a few days ago, but National Cupcake Lovers Day is June 13, and in honor of cupcake lovers everywhere, Sprinkles will kick off two weeks of “off-the-menu” flavors. Beginning June 13, check Sprinkles’ Facebook page – facebook.com/sprinkles – to see the special flavor of the day. Then, on Father’s Day, June 19, Sprinkles will offer dads and kids who visit the bakery together a free cupcake, cookie, scoop, sundae or shake with the purchase of any one of these items. Call 407-560-9192

June 16 to July 24 – ‘Beauty and the Beast’ for young people at Orlando Shakespeare

Based on the traditional fairy tale, and re-interpreted by children’s playwright Brandon Roberts, the play is set in an enchanted castle in a far away land. “Beauty and the Beast” tells of a young Beauty locked away by a terrible Beast, but the young woman’s love and caring for the unsightly Beast becomes a gift of kindness that brings magical results. This new telling of the classic tale is 50 minutes in length and is suggested for children ages 3 and older and their families. We suggest you come a little early and “shake out the sillies” by joining cast-members for some interactive pre-show fun. For tickets, including group tickets, call 407-447-1700, ext. 1.

June 16 to 25 – The St. Augustine (classical) Music Festival

Now in its 10th year, the St. Augustine Music Festival is the nation’s largest free classical music festival. SAMF was founded in 2007 by Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra members Jorge A. Peña (viola) and Jin Kim-Peña (cello) to “entertain, educate and elevate through music.” With opening night featuring Bach and Mozart, find all of the season’s programming on the website listed below. The historic Cathedral Basilica at 38 Cathedral Place in St. Augustine provides excellent acoustics and the backdrop for the festival where concerts are free and no tickets are required. Call 904-347-6260 or visit staugustinemusicfestival.org

June 17 & 18 – The Mascot Games at the Amway Center

The Mascot Games feature more than 30 mascots from sports teams across the country competing in games that are fun for the whole family. Experience the thrill of pulse-pounding competition as mascots from MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA and the Arena Football League battle through gladiator-themed games to support New Hope for Kids, an organization that provides support to children and families grieving the death of a loved one and/or grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in Central Florida. Visit newhopeforkids.org

June 18 – The World Ballet Competition in Orlando

Orlando has the honor of hosting the 10th anniversary of the World Ballet Competition – “the Olympics of ballet” – concluding with a gala performance to showcase a not-to-be-missed evening of talent. The first part of the evening sets a new level for youthful performance as it consists of the winners from the week of competition. The second half of the gala presents guest artists from around the world in their “star-turn” performances. Unique to this season, the WBC Gala is thrilled to announce Orlando’s own beloved ballet stars Katia Garza and Israel Rodriguez will — for the first time ever — perform the “Spartacus” pas de deux. The performance is at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center at 9800 International Drive in Orlando. For tickets, visit worldballetcompetition.com