Josh Garrick: Culture for your Calendar

Some very special things happened in the past week for some very special people. It is my great pleasure to begin this week’s column with congratulations to …

Congratulations to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer — the greatest mayor in the world — as he receives the Harvey Milk Diversity Awards’ much-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award for “his constant efforts to create an inclusive government that promotes diversity and embraces change.” He has put Orlando on the map with a perfect score of 100 in the 2015 Human Rights Municipal Equality Index.

Congratulations to Allison Walker and Ted Torres – so very much in love and married on a perfect Central Florida day – May 15. There is so much love and so much talent between the two of them; all your multitudes of fans send you love and wishes for nothing but happiness together. Allison is the beautiful, Emmy award-winning entertainment reporter for News 13, winning the Emmy for her high-profile “On The Town” franchise while Ted is the heartthrob singer who travels the world channeling and paying remarkable tribute to Elvis.

Congratulations to Gretchen Hahn — owner/creative director of Green Grass Marketing — who has been appointed to The Mennello Museum Board of Trustees. Appointed by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Gretchen was chosen based upon her experience, integrity and involvement in the community. So true – Gretchen has the kind of real-world, hard-work attitude that is so needed in advising a museum in the 21st century. The skills Gretchen brings to this position in marketing and communications will help the museum reach a wider (and more aware) audience.

Congratulations to “Dream Catchers” Lillian Verkins and Fay Samimi — multiple award-winning artists and friends. Lillian Verkins, painter; and Fay Samimi, ceramic sculptor, will share the Henao Contemporary Center’s main gallery space with their new exhibit, “Dream Catchers.” Their opening night – with the public invited – takes place on June 4 beginning at 7 p.m. with the exhibit running through July 17. Lillian and Fay invite everyone to the opening at the Henao Center at 5601 N. Edgewater Drive in Orlando. Visit henaocenter.com

Congratulations to Katia Garza and Israel Rodriguez for sharing their extraordinary talent as special guest stars of the 10th anniversary World Ballet Competition Gala performance to be presented on June 18 in Orlando. Not only has Katia’s film come out recently in Blu-ray but Israel, the first American to dance the full-length “Spartacus” in the U.S., will join his wife Katia — for the first time ever — performing the “Spartacus pas de deux” at the Gala. The one-performance-only event is at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center. Visit worldballetcompetition.com

Congratulations to Disney World for making it real and opening the Springs.

Disney Springs, the magically transformed Downtown Disney, opened the last of its four districts on May 15 including an indoor/outdoor mall with new retailers and a new town center. Disney designed every building to relate to the Springs including the happy surprise that the new parking garages are (currently at least) free. The landing area includes most of the new dining options including the spectacular boathouse (with the 1960s cars that travel on water). When completed, the Town Center will house 35 new retailers including a new Sprinkles and a Coca-Cola attraction store complete with rooftop tasting bar. See my review of Sprinkles online at bit.ly/SprinklesDisney

The Orlando International Fringe Festival’s 25th anniversary season

Proving once and for all that there can be too much democracy, the Orlando Fringe Festival takes over Loch Haven Park for the last two weeks of May with 800 non-juried and non-censored performances (say what?), an outdoor stage, Visual Fringe, Kids’ Fringe (surely there’s “censorship” here?! Stop calling me Shirley) and a beer tent. As there is no way for any journalist to predict the winners and losers, I choose to give you a few performances that I guarantee will keep your attention (for one reason or another). As to all the others – set out, explore, and report back to headquarters … if you make it through.

May 18 to 28 – Orlando icons Elizabeth Murff and Peg O'Keef Fringe together again

You know Elizabeth Murff and Peg O’Keefe better than you think. Either or both are brilliant, and together they became Orlando Sentinel's "Best of 2015.” They reunite with playwright John Ryan in a deliciously dark comedy about the spunky spirits and lascivious lunatics that go ‘bump in the night’ inside the creepiest funeral home in Central Florida's swankiest town. Once this playlet works on your head, you’ll reconsider those heels before you sashay away down Park Avenue … after dark … you big silly.

May 18 to 29 – Breakthrough Theatre presents Tom Eyen’s ‘Women Behind Bars’

Breakthrough brings Tom Eyen’s classic comedy "Women Behind Bars" to the Fringe’s Red Venue. Breakthrough Artistic Director Wade Hair directs this uproarious satire of B-movies of the 1950s in which pathetically innocent Mary Eleanor lands in the Greenwich Village Woman's House of Detention. The jail is presided over by a massive matron with a taste for sadism who forces our heroine to learn about life “The Hard Way.” All tickets are $11. The Red Venue is within the Shakespeare Center.

May 21, 22, 28 & 29 – Phantasmagoria – ‘Wickeder Little Tales’ at Orlando Fringe

In four performances only, "one of the most unique theater troupes in the country” will present

Phantasmagoria’s “Wickeder Little Tales” to celebrate Orlando Fringe’s 25th anniversary. With their haunting and whimsical tales of horror, Phantastic dance, music, stage combat, large-scale puppetry and seductive storytelling, the troupe will perform at the Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Tickets are $11 and may be purchased at orlandofringe.org or at onsite box offices. Visit PhantasmagoriaOrlando.com

May 20 & 21 – Special Olympics Florida 2016 Games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports

This weekend, 1,800 athletes from across Florida plus 1,500 coaches, volunteers, and family members will enjoy the Special Olympics Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Disney World Resort, and all events are free to the public. Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training to children and adults with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers. Please see specialolympicsflorida.org for a detailed schedule of track and field, cycling, soccer, tennis and volleyball.

May 20 – Live jazz concert under the stars with dinner and more

The Alfond Inn’s new “Get Your Jazz On” season features the Chris Cortez Quartet on May 20 in an event for all the senses. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with the music of guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Chris Cortez celebrating his recently released sixth solo CD, “Aunt Nasty.” The concert is accompanied by wine, spirits and seasonal cocktails, roast chicken, smoked pig, vegetarian selection, cigars and valet parking. Tickets are $45 online or $50 at the door with all profits endowing Rollins College scholarships. Visit thealfondinn.com or call 407-998-8089.

May 21 – Casa Feliz hosts 10th annual James Gamble Rogers Colloquium

Celebrating Winter Park’s rich architectural resources, Casa Feliz will host its 10th annual James Gamble Rogers Colloquium on Historic Preservation featuring preservationist Donovan Rypkema, principal of PlaceEconomics, speaking on the topic “Historic Preservation and Economics: Recent Lessons from Home and Abroad.” After lunch at Rollins College, the day will conclude with “Grande Dames of Winter Park,” a charter bus tour of some of the area’s oldest and grandest homes. Full day ticket with catered lunch is $75 each. For more, contact Betsy Owens at 407-628-8196 or [email protected]

May 21 – ‘Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live!’

The legacy of Mister Rogers lives on with the hit television series “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” airing daily on PBS KIDS. Now, Daniel and his friends are coming to the Dr. Phillips Center at 3 p.m. on May 21 to delight young audiences with “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!” Daniel takes the audience on an interactive musical adventure in his neighborhood of make-believe, sharing themes of friendship, helping others, and celebrating new experiences. This live theater production, filled with singing, dancing, laughter and surprises, will thrill your young theatergoers. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

May 21 – The Heart of Florida United Way’s 24th annual Chef’s Gala

The preeminent foodie event of the year, the Heart of Florida United Way’s annual event features 25 of Central Florida’s finest chefs at their most creative preparing gourmet tastings (and desserts!) each paired with a hand-selected wine to complement their creation. The festivities begin May 21 at 6:45 p.m. as the sparkling wine begins to flow (along with a silent auction) at Epcot Center at Walt Disney World. All this wonderfulness provides funds to benefit health and human service programs vital to Central Floridians in need, and – with the purchase of a ticket to the Chef’s Gala – we can help! Call 407-429-2129 or visit hfuw.org

May 21 through the summer – The puzzling Mindbender Mansion at Orlando Science Center

Visitors to the Mindbender Mansion at the Orlando Science Center are greeted by the wacky Mr. E., Master Brainteaser, who explains how to gather hidden clues and secret passwords. Perfect for the whole family, visitors find tabletop brainteasers they can solve on their own and larger group challenges including the Feeding Frenzy Kitchen, a Flying Machine, Spelling Fever Hopscotch (with letter squares that light up), and the Amazing Maze. There are 40 brainteasers and five full-body-and-mind activities in this exhibit. Complete the tasks and your young ones can add their portraits to the “Wall of Fame.” Visit osc.org

May 26 to 29 – MegaCon at the Orange County Convention Center

MegaCon is a comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Orlando packed with family-friendly activities, celebrity guests and super-fans in costume. The pop culture extravaganza is host to thousands of fans at the Orange County Convention Center, this year offering a world premiere screening of “Star Trek Continues,” a real wedding ceremony, celebrity photo and autograph sessions, a special ticket Jay & Silent Bob Evening, panels, Q&As, Artist Alley, small press pavilion, tattoo pavilion, costume contest, kid’s zone, and over 650,000 square feet of celebrity spotting and shopping madness. Visit MegaConvention.com