Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now through March 7 – ‘My Dear Watson’ – a New Musical

This new musical, written in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Estate, follows the exploits of the iconic Sherlock Holmes and his comrade Dr. Watson. Conceived by Jami-Leigh Bartschi while pursuing her Master's Degree at Rollins College, Watson will be played by Kyle Stone and Holmes will be played by John DiDonna in performances dedicated to Broadway veteran and former Rollins Professor Kevin Gray. At the Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park in Orlando at 8 p.m., call 407-328-9005 or visit Orlandoatplay.com

Now through March 13 – The 104th annual Central Florida Fair

This year the Central Florida Fair runs to March 13 offering old-fashioned family fun-time with everything from a rooster crowing contest to rides, arts, food arts, livestock shows, demonstrations on quilting, calligraphy, and origami to stage concerts included in the admission price. Concerts include: Pop Evil (March 4) and Jory Boy (March 11). The fair awards over $280,000 in scholarships annually to local students. Call 407-542-2931 or visit centralfloridafair.com

Now through March 13 – The Plant City Florida Strawberry Festival

This top-40-ranked fair is the perfect time to appreciate ripe, luscious strawberries alongside the farmers who brought them to market. More than 10,000 acres of strawberries are planted in 2,800 farms in Central Florida, the best of which come to the Strawberry Festival that also offers exhibits of agriculture, livestock, and art. This is real Americana with parades, contests, youth programs, and big-name entertainment. Admission specials are offered along with daily headline concerts at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Three thousand free seats are available for all shows with reserve seats at $15 and up. Visit flstrawberryfestival.com

Now through March 27 – Shakespearean repertory with ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Pericles’

Orlando’s Shakespeare Theater began its annual repertory season with Shakespeare’s final play “The Tempest,” which is now in repertory with a fun-filled production of “The Adventures of Pericles,” a modern verse translation of the play by Ellen McLaughlin. The two plays have curious similarities, and the audience is invited to arrive 30 minutes before each performance – when an actor will lead the audience through a discussion of the plays – and that is time well-spent. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Now through April 3 – SkippyJon Jones – The Kitten ‘Chihuahua’

Continuing the Orlando Rep’s series of Children’s Theater (with a message) is a rambunctious Siamese kitten with big ears and an even bigger imagination. When his mother puts SkippyJon in time-out, his imagination takes him to Mexico, where he pretends he is a swashbuckling Chihuahua. With Disney as a sponsor for the run of this show, this sweet, silly tale celebrates the power and mucho fun of imagination. Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Now through May 30 – Walt Disney World’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Celebrate spring at Epcot with Disney’s world-famous Flower and Garden Festival. Stroll through topiaries, gardens and living sculptures shaped as Disney characters while sampling foods and beverages from 13 different countries in outdoor kitchens. On weekends, learn from gardening gurus about how to make your outdoors bloom like Disney and then share the love with legendary rock entertainment at the Outdoor Showcase. Throughout the festival enjoy kid-friendly fun in play areas and exhibits created especially for the young ones. Most events included with theme park ticket. Visit disneyworld.disney.go.com

March 4 to 6 – Orlando Home & Garden Show with celebrity appearances

They promise, “problems solved,” as this season’s Home and Garden Show features TV personalities Jeff Lewis of Bravo's “Flipping Out,” Food Network’s Chef Emily Ellyn (the Retro Rad Chef), and Tom MacCubbin from “Better Lawns & Gardens.” At the Orange County Convention Center, the show features three days of home and garden experts, kitchen and bathroom contractors, interior designers, and exhibits of everything from entrance décor to gardens, landscapes, and water features; health screenings; an art, gift and gourmet area; and a kid zone. Visit orlandohomeandgardenshow.com for special ticket offers.

March 5 – Karen Mason as Judy Garland circa 1961

A tribute to one of the most beloved singers of all time, this Orlando Philharmonic concert relives the highlights of Judy Garland’s 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall. Broadway, television and recording star Karen Mason brings to life favorite tunes including “Puttin’ on The Ritz,” “After You’ve Gone,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and of course, “Over The Rainbow.” Two performances, on March 5 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., are at the Bob Carr Theater. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

March 5 – ‘Portrait of a Queen: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin’

The queen of soul, Aretha Franklin, taught her listeners how to ‘Think’ and demand ‘Respect’ while riding down the ‘Freeway of Love.’ This Broadway-style revue presents award-winning songstress Cece Teneal taking music lovers on a trip through stellar hits from Aretha Franklin’s 50-year entertainment legacy at 7 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

March 6 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Winter Park

The city of Winter Park will present the 37th annual Winter Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade – the only St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Central Florida. Wear some green (it’s like a law) and enjoy the parade, which begins at the Country Club at 2 p.m. and proceeds down Park Avenue. Seventy-five groups and floats will participate, and in addition, there will be Irish music and step-dancing on Central Park’s main-stage. Visit cityofwinterpark.org/events or call 407-599-3334

March 6 – Vox Audio – By popular demand

Born as ‘Toxic Audio’ at the 1998 Fringe Festival, the concept was to create a fun show where the star was the human voice. An instant hit, the group was hired to perform at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and were soon named ‘Best Pop Group in America’ on Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star. In 2004, Vox Audio opened to rave reviews Off-Broadway followed by national attention on ABC, FOX, and ESPN. Soon Vox Audio was performing for sell-out crowds in Vegas, Asia, South America, and Europe. Welcome them home to the Garden Theatre at 3 p.m. on March 6 by calling 407-877-4736 or visiting gardentheatre.org

March 8 – The Moody Blues ‘Fly Me High Tour 2016’

The Moody Blues have distinguished themselves through five decades of performing rock music. Since the ’60s, as a part of the historic ‘British invasion,’ The Moody Blues have lit up the hearts of rock fans around the world with anthems such as “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon” and “I’m Just A Singer in a Rock And Roll Band.” Decades later the band’s unique style consistently finds airplay on radio stations and in concert arenas around the world. They will perform at the Dr. Phillips Center on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. A ‘Meet-the-Artist’ VIP package is available. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

March 9 – Butterflies, pollinators, and beneficial insects in the garden

Kelly Greer of the Orange County Extension Service will talk about the very real benefits of how to create and maintain ‘Florida-friendly landscaping’ with earth-smart practices as she instructs her guests on how to attract and keep butterflies, pollinators, and beneficial insects by nurturing Florida’s best host plants. The talk is free, and will be presented at the Mead Botanical Garden at 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park at 10 a.m. Call 407-644-5770 or visit meadgarden.org

March 9 – Tony Bennett live at the Dr. Phillips Center

To say Tony Bennett is a legend doesn’t begin to cover this icon’s decades of success along with his present popularity as one of the most celebrated artists of all time. From 1949, when he was discovered by Bob Hope, to his 18 Grammy Awards, his Emmy award-winning TV specials, his 24 top-40 songs, and his legendary duets with everyone from Aretha Franklin to Lady Gaga, no one else in popular American music has recorded for so long and at such a level of excellence. This is your opportunity to experience Tony Bennett live at 8 p.m. March 9. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

March 10 – Il Volo at the Dr. Phillips Center

The magnificent, operatically trained voices of the opera pop trio Il Volo released their fifth studio album “Grande Amore” last fall and followed that with a 35-date tour across the U.S. 
Il Volo will bring their impressive talent and youthful charm to the Dr. Phillips Center on March 10 at 8 p.m. for one-night-only. Join them to experience the group that “defines the Operatic Pop movement.” For the best seats, and more, check out the Grande Amore VIP Meet & Greet Package for the ultimate Il Volo experience. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

March 12 – The big (Easter egg) hunt in the big field

If you wish to step back to a “simpler time,” you can’t do better than packing the family in the car and accepting the invitation of the Reformation Lutheran Church’s “big hunt in the big field.” In addition to the free Easter egg hunt, the day offers clowns, games, a photo booth, face painting and more. But what is most impressive is to see how the congregation – led by the minister – joins in to make this special for the children (ages 1 to 12) who ‘hunt’ for their little treasures. At 800 E. Michigan St. in Orlando, please bring a basket for each child. Call 407-425-7771 or visit Reformation Lutheran Church on Facebook.

March 12– UnWrapped Live! – A free music experience

A free music experience fusing R&B, Latin, soul, hip-hop and jazz will be presented by the Dr. Phillips Center with Hidden Beach Experiences. The free concert at 7:30 p.m. on March 12 features an all-star band that ‘re-imagines’ hits made popular by Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Eminem, Nelly, Drake and more. The roster of renowned artists includes Grammy-nominated percussionist/vocalist Sheila E., composer Roy Ayers, violinist Karen Briggs, Grammy winning producer and bass player Andrew Gouché, Grammy-winning drummer Brian Collier, guitarist Yohei Nakamura, keyboardist Chris Turner and turntable legend DJ OG One. To RSVP for your free ticket, visit drphillipscenter.org.

March 15 to 27 – Dixie's (almost real) Tupperware Party

When Dixie Longate got her start with Tupperware in 2001 (her parole officer mandated that she get a job), within one year she was among the top sellers in the nation. Dixie’s ‘very special’ Tupperware parties were presented Off-Broadway in 2007, for which she garnered a Drama Desk Award nomination, thank you very much. Now listen … Dixie has been known to use ‘adult language,’ but she’s a good girl at heart, and since some of her guests even get to purchase on-stage seats for her parties … well … be prepared is all. Y’all can call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org for tickets.

Current – March is National Nutrition Month

For National Nutrition Month 2016, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right" by taking time to appreciate the pleasures, flavors and social experiences food adds to our lives. Not only does food nourish our bodies; it provides fuel to help us thrive and fight disease. It is a fact that family meals promote healthier eating and strengthen family relationships, especially when we take the time to appreciate flavors, textures and the ‘eating experience.’ Visit eatright.org