Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Nov. 11 to 13 – The Maitland Rotary Art Under the Stars Festival

Beginning in 1976, the Rotary Club of Maitland has consistently produced the only art festival in Florida with nighttime hours. With original, juried art surrounding beautiful Lake Lily, families and friends enjoy the lights that enhance an evening of art buying. Food and drink vendors are on hand as live entertainment from two stages is provided by Performing Arts of Maitland. The 40th season’s poster artist is the enormously talented Ed Myers who will be on hand to sign your poster. Call 407-777-8515 or visit maitlandrotaryartfestival.com

Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day invitation from Little Caesars

Exclusively in Florida – with over 30 locations throughout Central Florida – Little Caesars Pizza Restaurants will offer one free hot-n-ready lunch combo to all veterans and active duty military members all day long on Veteran’s Day with no ID required. The combo includes four slices of Detroit-style deep dish pizza with pepperoni and one 20 ounce cola product. That is free – all day long – no ID required to all veterans and active duty military. Visit LittleCaesars.com

Nov. 11 to Dec. 4 – Breakthrough Theatre presents Cy Coleman musical: ‘The Life’

Presenting a musical somewhat out of the norm for the Breakthrough Theatre, “The Life” depicts the oversexed life around Times Square in the 1980s. With characters called Memphis, Lacy, Chichi, Frenchie, Peaches, Silky and Snickers, the fact that the show is for mature audiences is not surprising. Scenes take place in topless bars, transvestite hangouts, and with hookers working the streets. Directed and choreographed by Angela Cotto, please visit breakthroughtheatre.com or call 407-920-4034.

Nov. 11 to 20 – The world premiere of ‘Grimmly Ever After’

The intrepid voices at Central Florida Vocal Arts invite us to the world premiere of a new operetta that explores “the dark side of the fairytale forest” in “Grimmly Ever After.” Betrayal, unfulfilled prophesies and – of course – love, are twisted together in this operatic fairytale, featuring Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel & Gretel and the Evil Queen. With the music of Lawrence & Fain, Schubert and Humperdinck, and written by Nishaa Carson, Cristyn Schroder and Justin Morrison, this world premiere is directed by Frank Siano. Call 863-510-7236 or visit cflvocalarts.com

Nov. 12 to 20 – The 30th annual Festival of Trees presented by Council of 101

This annual event transforms the Orlando Museum of Art into a holiday wonderland filled with sparkling trees and holiday décor for visitors of all ages. Activities include the Night in White Opening Gala, musical performances and special programs for children. Trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, and gifts are available for purchase. The Council of 101 offers the joy of the season as a way to support the Orlando Museum of Art. Tickets include admission to current museum exhibits. Call 407-896-4231, ext. 254, or email [email protected]

Nov. 13 – National Young Composers’ Composium

The Young Composers’ Composium is a concert and a master class and a competition. It's also dramatic and informative as this free event invites you to hear the winning compositions by America's top young composers discussed, rehearsed, and conducted by Maestro Christopher Wilkins and performed by an orchestra. From chamber compositions to full symphonic works, each young composer has the opportunity to interact with Maestro Wilkins, the musicians and the judges. The top competition for young orchestral composers, the event is presented here in Orlando at 12:30 p.m., and it’s free. Visit youngcomposerschallenge.com

Nov. 13 – The Festival of Bacon at the Dr. Phillips Center

Originally scheduled for October, tickets previously purchased for the much-anticipated Festival of Bacon will be valid on Nov. 13 when thousands will descend on the Dr. Phillips Center’s Great Lawn as it becomes an eight-hour bacon bonanza. Top restaurants and food vendors will create bacon-inspired dishes as they compete to win the coveted "Best of Bacon Award.” Over 5,000 pounds of bacon will be cooked for more than 8,000 bacon lovers who travel far and wide to find a new bacon treat. Visit festivalofbacon.com

Nov. 14 – Orlando Philharmonic’s ‘Glorious Schubert’

With Eric Jacobsen conducting, the Orlando Philharmonic presents the first concert in its Focus Series of 2016 (a series of great classical music performed by ensembles smaller than the full orchestra). The concert begins with the ethereal overture to Mendelssohn’s incidental music to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night's Dream” and ends with the dramatic “Tragic” Symphony No. 4 by Schubert. Performed in the orchestra’s new home at The Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave. in Orlando, call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Nov. 15 – An evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson at the Dr. Phillips Center

In this evening with the brilliant Neil deGrasse Tyson titled “An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies,” the friendly scientist ranges from “Star Wars” to “Frozen” with his entertaining review of the science the movies got wrong, tempered with the acknowledgment they got “some of the stuff right.” Born and raised in New York City, Tyson was educated in public schools eventually earning his BA in Physics from Harvard and his PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia. A VIP meet and greet is offered at a ticket up-charge. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Nov. 16 – The Doobie Brothers at the Dr. Phillips Center

The Doobie Brothers have been delivering roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll for over four decades, selling more than 48 million albums and winning four Grammy Awards. Beginning with their multi-million-selling sophomore collection “Toulouse Street” (1972), the Doobies have three multi-platinum, seven platinum and 14 gold albums. Join them live at the Dr. Phillips Center at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Nov. 16 – Billy Collins at the Winter Park Institute at Rollins

Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003), and Senior Distinguished Fellow of the Winter Park Institute, will present “The Rain in Portugal — Reading and Discussion” in the Tiedtke Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16. Our hometown bard Billy Collins is the winner of the 2014 Norman Mailer Prize for Poetry and was recently inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. This event is free with premium seating available at $25. Call 407-691-1995 or visit winterparkinstitute.org

Nov. 16 & 17 – Laura Hodos cabaret at the Winter Park Playhouse

Another “feel-like-you’re-in-New York” entertainment option at The Winter Park Playhouse is the Cabaret Series in their piano bar where the charming Laura Hodos is the featured cabaret performer for November. A three-time Carbonell Award nominee and frequent performer with the Orlando Philharmonic, Laura has created seven solo cabaret shows, and she is thrilled to be the first performer to create a solo cabaret show for Walt Disney World. Tickets are $20 with reservations strongly recommended. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Nov. 17 – ‘Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis’

University Club member and Observer columnist Chris Jepson reviews “Hillbilly Elegy” by R. D. Vance, a book that describes the author’s journey from an addiction-torn Appalachian family to Yale law school. Shocking, heartbreaking and funny, “Elegy” is a provocative look at America’s white poverty, which is usually hidden from view. Offering genuine hope in the form of hard-hitting honesty, the talk is set for the University Club of Winter Park at 841 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park. Free to members; a $5 donation is requested from guests. Call 407-644-6149.

Nov. 18 & 20 – Donizetti’s ‘Don Pasquale’ by Opera Orlando

Opera Orlando’s first full season opens with “Don Pasquale,” a delightful comedy, which the company is cleverly sub-heading "Pride and Foolishness." This luscious comedy from the 19th century will feature Metropolitan Opera singer Peter Strummer and Dennis Jesse as Malatesta. A duo of emerging artists, David Margulis and Bridgette Gan, play the young lovers. It’s laughter mixed with the beauty of bel canto from opera's golden age. Call 844-513-2014.

Nov. 18 to Dec. 18 – George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ at the Mad Cow Theatre

Yes – this is the George Bernard Shaw play that gave us “My Fair Lady” – this time performed as Shaw wrote it. Without the songs, we get to more clearly see Shaw’s observations on the British class system, gender stereotypes, language, and middle-class morality. Shaw’s most popular play – that gave us Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle – is a most entertaining holiday treat from the elves at Mad Cow Theatre. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Now to Nov. 20 – ‘The God Game’ at Mad Cow

This sounds strangely familiar! When running for political office in the U.S. of A, the public knows or can learn anything about a candidate from his/her workout routine to religious beliefs. So, what if your candidate is an atheist? Playwright Suzanne Bradbeer poses this question in “The God Game” in performance at the Mad Cow Theatre. Bradbeer presents this test of American politics in an outrageously timely exploration of the limits of truth, ambition, and faith. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Now to Nov. 30 – ‘Sea Creatures’ – The photography of Ruth Petzold

Inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame in April 2016, Ruth Petzold has devoted her life to exploration, conservation and photographing nature and wildlife – both above and below the water. From Africa to Antarctica and from the Pacific Rim to the Caribbean, Petzold has pursued the beauties of nature on seven continents and in the world’s oceans. Her exhibit is on view at the Orange County Administration Center at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. in Orlando. Visit RuthPetzold.com or call 561-351-7904.

Now to Dec. 11 – ‘A Marvelous Party!’ The Noel Coward Celebration

When Noel Coward reigned supreme, high society meant hats and gloves, and the brilliance of the English language. Now The Winter Park Playhouse invites you to “A Marvelous Party” in celebration of Noel Coward. As sparkling as a newly popped bottle of champagne, this party is a musical romp featuring 33 tunes and a bevy of sketches, anecdotes and musings by the incomparable Noel Coward. You are invited to the party of the year! RSVP by calling 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Now to Dec. 18 – Harry Connick Jr.’s ‘The Happy Elf’ at Orlando Rep

From the Grammy-winning musician, this joyous new musical is about the happiest elf at the North Pole. He is so happy that his constant exuberance wears others out. Still he believes if he can restore joy to the town of Bluesville, he will win a spot on Santa’s sleigh (his ultimate dream!) Teamwork and faith are wonderful gifts to be shared in this story of elfin magic, and Harry Connick Jr. has written a wonderful score for the Happy Elf’s story. Experience it by calling 407-896-7365 or visiting orlandorep.com