“Josh Recommends” for the Week of September 13, 2019 By Josh Garrick 

“TASTE” – Central Florida’s Ultimate “FOODIE” Event 
This Weekend – Saturday, SEPTEMBER 14 beginning at 6:45 pm 
You’re a real “Foodie” only if you and your significant other will be at the Orlando World Center Marriott tomorrow evening – SEPT 14. This all-volunteer event, along with tremendous in-kind support from local businesses and restaurants allows every dollar raised to provide relief for the children of Central Florida who face hunger on a daily basis, and I hate to have to type that “Childhood hunger touches thousands of residents in Central Florida EACH YEAR!!” Featuring Central Florida’s most accomplished chefs, brewers, and vintners, TASTE! Central Florida invites us all to an evening of tastings of signature dishes and fine wines, craft beers, and specialty cocktails. This annual celebration of culinary excellence is volunteer-driven by local chefs, brewers and distilleries donating their time, talent and food creations to make this event one of the largest fundraisers of the year for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. Visit tastecfl.org

The Orlando Philharmonic – 2019 Season Opening Night 
September 28 at 8 pm at the Bob Carr Theatre 
The Orlando Philharmonic opens their new season with Richard Strauss’ revolutionary tone poem, “Don Juan,” a tour de force masterpiece that established Strauss’ status as a composer. America’s most acclaimed saxophonist, Branford Marsalis, joins the Philharmonic with Ibert’s Concertino da camera for alto saxophone and eleven instruments. In conclusion, Music Director Eric Jacobsen leads the orchestra in Ravel’s mesmerizing and powerful Boléro.
STRAUSS– Don Juan
MAHLER– Rückert-Lieder
IBERT– Concertina da Camera for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
CLYNE– Masquerade
MAHLER– “Urlicht” from Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”)
RAVEL– Boléro
Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

“Ragtime the Musical” in Winter Garden
Performances ADDED -- NOW to September 22 
Based on the novel “Ragtime” by E. L. Doctorow, we find ourselves at the dawn of the new century – 1900 -- where in the ‘melting-pot’ of New York City anything seems possible. An upper-class wife, a Jewish immigrant, and a young Harlem musician are brought together by the promise of the future and by interlocking stories of compassion, courage, AND some historical figures, this is an amazingly well sung and inspirational ‘portrait’ of America. With racial slurs, and violence, please use your judgment as to your child’s attending. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

Deep Purple: The Long Goodbye Tour with Joyous Wolf
Sept 26 at 8 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center 
The contribution Deep Purple has made to rock music includes having sold more than 100 million albums. The British radio station ‘Planet Rock’ named the group the '5th Most Influential Band Ever’, while VH1 ranked them #22 on its 'Greatest Artists of Hard Rock' list. These legends of “rock royalty” were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. With a body of work spanning seven decades, Deep Purple has helped define the hard rock genre. To see them LIVE call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Dane Cook Live – The “Trouble-Maker Tour” 
September 27 at 7:30 pm 
Dane Cook, an intrinsically funny man, has maintained his reputation as one of today's most prolific stand-up comedians while also maintaining a career as a versatile actor in a variety of film and TV projects. Cook recently returned to the stage with his direction of ‘Troublemaker,’ which premiered on Showtime. The show features Cook's acerbic wit and comedic insights while exploring the hilarious aspects of everyday life. VIP packages are available for this performance. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

“Tuck Everlasting” (Young Audiences Edition) at Orlando Rep 
 NOW to Sept 29
Young Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure, but not until she becomes entwined with the Tuck Family does she get more than she imagined. As the adventure unfolds, Winnie faces the impossible choice of returning to her ‘normal’ life, or continuing with the Tucks on their magical journey. Based on the best-selling novel by Natalie Babbitt, “Tuck Everlasting” has enthralled readers for over 40 years and NOW Orlando Rep presents this classic story with MUSIC! Recommended for ages 9 and above, visit OrlandoRed.com or call 407.896.7365 

“Enchanted Fairy Doors” at Leu Gardens 
NOW to Sept 30
Back by popular demand -- a visit to Leu Gardens is in order as this ‘exhibit’ of 15 “Fairy Doors” has found its way back to the Gardens. Located at 1920 N. Forest Ave in Orlando, the beautiful 50-acre gardens (where the fairies live) will inspire your child’s imagination as you work together to find the ‘enchanted’ doors and let your child’s creativity do the rest. Admission is $10 adult, $5 children (ages 4 to 17). Leu Gardens’ Members and children 3 and younger are FREE. Visit LeuGardens.org or call 407.246.2620 

EVITA at Orlando Shakes ! 
NOW to Oct 6 
If Shakespeare had been able to see into the future, he would have written Evita, the ‘rags-to-riches’ tale of Eva Duarte Peron and her rise from being an illegitimate child from the slums to becoming Argentina’s First Lady and the most powerful woman in the world. In a series of brilliant performances Central Florida is LUCKY to have such greatness in this all singing / all dancing show. SUPER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, DO NOT MISS this theatrical greatness at Orlando Shakes! Visit orlandoshakes.com or call 407.447.1700 x1

“Desperate Measures” at the Winter Park Playhouse 
Sept 20 to Oct 13 
This critically acclaimed Off-Broadway musical comedy is set in the 1890s and is inspired by Shakespeare's “Measure for Measure.” When the ‘dangerously handsome’ Johnny Blood puts his fate into the hands of a ‘colorful’ cast of characters (a wily sheriff, a saloon-girl-gone-good, and a nun out of the habit), will they pull off the greatest caper yet, or will Johnny be left hanging? Winner of the 2018 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, for tickets visit winterparkplayhouse.com or call 407.645.0145. 

“White Canvas Party” hosted by Mennello Museum of American Art
October 4 beginning at 6 pm 
Presenting the inaugural “White Canvas Party,” the Mennello Museum will present the commissioned work of 30 Artists on their lakefront site in the Marilyn Mennello Sculpture Garden. Celebrating the Museum’s mission, the evening will present the work of the local artists for sale to benefit the museum while supporting the artists. Tickets include valet, food & drinks from partnering restaurants & bars, and more. Tickets at mennellomuseum.org 

“DeathTrap” in Winter Garden
Oct 11 to 27 
Sidney Bruhl will do anything to publish the next great play – (he would even kill for it). Ira Levin’s famous dark-comedy-thriller has audiences laughing one moment and screaming in terror the next … as Sidney discovers he may not be the only murderer in the room. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

Alison Krauss at the Dr. Phillips Center
Oct 19 at 8 pm 
Having sold 12 million records to date – and honored with 27 Grammys – Alison Krauss became a member of the Grand Ole Opry at age 21. See this penultimate country singer LIVE at the Dr. Phillips Center on October 19. Call 844.513,2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

The Tony Award Winning Musical Phenomenon, “Les Miserables”
October 22 to 27, 2019
Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune called “Les Miz” one of the greatest musicals ever created,” and I completely agree. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, single tickets are now on sale at the Dr. Phillips Center. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

… and tickets now on sale … 
 
Opera Orlando presents Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”
November 1, 2, 3, and 5 
Sung in Italian with English sub-titles in the charmingly intimate Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators