I recently read a novel that completely pulled me into the universe –and what a universe it is! Fling!, the new novel from writer and educator Lily Iona Mackenzie, is set in many countries. It’s at once a glimpse into new, interesting characters - and new, interesting worlds. It’s a saga that spans time, all at once. It’s color, and cold; light, and dark; memory, and forgetfulness; mothers, daughters, granddaughters; culture, and chaos. I love it.

As the economy rebounds, business people have begun to travel again. A little more money to spare and a wider base of interested clients have sent business travelers back to the skies, making new connections all over the world. The New York Times reported that travel spending is up 4.3 percent, for an annual total of $273.3 billion.

Florida Culture for the Week of July 13, 2015 by Josh Garrick

July 13 & 14 -- An Historic Literary Event from Harper Lee 

Charlotte Chen was born in New York. Growing up, she embraced both Chinese and American culture through her living and learning experiences in both countries. She is a rising senior studying computer science at the University of Pittsburgh. Currently she is interning as a programmer in Washington, DC. Charlotte is passionate about arts and exploring international culture. She recently studied abroad in France.

Edinburgh in the Shadows: stories the travel brochures will never reveal. A spoken word journey of death, drugs, and disaster exploring Edinburgh's lesser-known miscreants, unfortunates, and flawed geniuses.

Joseph Zhang has a PhD in Power and Control Engineering. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in April 2015. He is originally from Shanghai, China and has been in the U.S. for 4 years. He is currently working in Pittsburgh. In his leisure time, he enjoys biking and exploring nature. 

Florida Culture for the Week of July 6, 2015 by Josh Garrick

July 6 -- The Girls’ Club from the Orlando Philharmonic 

Back by popular demand, an All-Woman team of Orlando Philharmonic musicians will present a concert of works composed by and performed by women, including Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, Libby Larson, and Billie Holiday. The concert is scheduled for TODAY, July 6 at 7 pm at the Plaza Live Theatre in East Orlando, currently under-going renovations as the new home of the Philharmonic. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org