Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

June 1 to Sept. 2 – “Eye-cons” of Florida’s Wilderness

Opening June 1 at 6 p.m. is Lake Eustis Museum of Art’s next exhibit entitled “Jim W. Wilson: Eye-cons of Florida’s Wilderness.” Wilson’s paintings of Florida’s wilderness are striking. His works are rendered with scientific accuracy, as the artist has made a lifelong study of birds, reptiles and plants, while exhibiting his artworks and teaching at art institutions throughout Pennsylvania and Florida. A gallery discussion will take place between Wilson and Museum Director Richard Colvin on opening night. LEMA is located at 220 B. E. Orange Ave. across from the Eustis City Hall. Call 352-483-2900.

June 3 – World Ballet Competition All Stars

This week 120 dancers from around the world are competing for awards and scholarships in the World Ballet Competition. Held at the Bob Carr, winners will join a host of dance stars in the World Ballet Competition All Stars of Dance on Sunday, June 3, beginning at 7 p.m. Gala highlights include Maria Kochetkova of San Francisco Ballet and winner of NBC’s “Superstars of Dance.” Principal dancers Lia Cirio and Misa Kuranaga of the Boston Ballet, and Maki Onuki and Jonathan Jordan of Washington Ballet will make appearances. Edgar Anido and Viktor Plotnikov will present two world premieres, and Joan Boada of San Francisco Ballet will make his Orlando debut. Visit WorldBalletCompetition.com or call 407-849-9948.

June 8 - Summer Music at Art & History Museums – Maitland

The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) will present its second evening of their Summer Concert Series, “Art. Music. Food. Architecture.” at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 8, in A&H’s beautiful Main Garden at 231 W. Packwood Ave. I attended the first of this series and had a wonderful evening listening to the music under the stars. The Mudflappers, a 7-piece mini-orchestra with a reputation for ecstatic live performances, will offer music ranging from Johnny Cash to jazz. Maitland poets and writers and food truck offerings will be on-hand, and the A&H’s Main Galleries will be open for guests to view the exhibit. Admission is $3. Visit ArtandHistory.org or call 407-539-2181.

June 8 – Crealde’s 32nd Annual Student Show

The work of exceptional student artists will be presented in Crealdé’s 32nd Annual Juried Student Show, on display from June 8 to Aug. 31. The highlights of the students’ year — artworks in painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and photography — will be exhibited with many of the pieces for sale. The opening reception will be held on the Crealdé campus on June 8 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Crealdé School of Art is a non-profit arts organization established in 1975 with a year-round curriculum of more than 100 visual arts classes for students of all ages. Call 407-671-1886 or visit crealde.org

June 8 to July 18 – ‘Next to Normal’ at Mad Cow

Get ready to ‘face the music’ as The Mad Cow Theatre presents the musical “Next to Normal,” the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. The winner of three Tony Awards, “Next to Normal” is an emotional rollercoaster with a disturbingly intense contemporary rock score. Featuring Broadway veteran Melissa Minyard in the pivotal ‘Mother’ role, “Next to Normal” runs through July 8 at Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com Be warned: this is definitely NOT your grandmother’s musical.

June 9 – Ms. Jacqueline Jones in Concert

The Winter Park Playhouse kicks off its 10th Anniversary Series with the incomparable Ms. Jacqueline Jones and her trio in concert on the main stage in a one-night-only special event scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on June 9. The concert is a tribute to Ms. Jones’ favorite classics from Broadway to jazz, plus a special salute to Billie Holiday! Ms. Jones has performed across the country, and remains a favorite in her hometown of Orlando with her spirited blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, and contemporary music. The Playhouse is at 711 Orange Ave. in Winter Park. Visit winterparkplayhouse.org or call 407-645-0145.

And not to be missed … June 5 to 10 – La Cage Aux Folles

Three Tony Awards; three Drama Desk Awards; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, and a production starring George Hamilton — “La Cage Aux Folles” the musical comes to the Bob Carr from June 5-10. It’s all singing, all dancing and all fun. Call 1-800-982-2787 or visit FloridaTheatrical.org

Josh Garrick is a writer, photographer, educator, and fine art curator. He is a member of the Curatorial Council for the Museum of Florida Art. Garrick can be reached at [email protected] or 407-522-3906.