“Josh Recommends” for the week of July 23, 2021 by Josh Garrick 

Harold Garde at the Mills Gallery – Opening August 7 from 6 to 8 pm
We can all be proud that American painter and printmaker Harold Garde chooses to spend a significant part of each year as a resident of Central Florida. At the age of 98, this wise, prolific, and remarkable Artist has been painting since his service in World War II – and he still paints every day. To spend any time with ‘Harold’ is an education. Consider that this gentle man was painting – abstract expressionism – at the same time as Pollock, Rothko, and those Artists responsible for moving the world center of Art from Paris to New York. The Mills Gallery will have the honor of opening his third exhibit at this forward-thinking Gallery on Saturday, August 7 from 6 to 8 pm. Titled “They Art Us,” the work to be shown shows the “persistent innovation of his mature artistic experimentation.” The Public is invited to the Opening. Should you wish to meet the Artist, please keep in mind -- his fans are legion.

“The Bodyguard” at the Garden Theatre (Winter Garden) now through August 8
I am a huge FAN of the new LIVE performance version of “The Bodyguard” based on the 1992 film currently LIVE at the Garden Theatre. The big question before entering the theatre is – “Could they find a person who could sing the Whitney Houston ‘song-book?’ – especially THAT SONG – by Dolly Parton. Virginia Roebuck rocks it like it’s 1992 and then has the acting ‘chops’ to carry off the role of “superstar Rachel Marron.” Rachel refuses to believe she’s in danger, but her bodyguard thinks otherwise. A true romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features an incredible list of early 90’s hits including “One Moment in Time,” “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and one of the best-selling songs of all time: “I Will Always Love You.” If you are a fan of Whitney Houston, you owe it to yourself to experience this wonderfully entertaining musical. Highly Recommended – Masks required. Call 407.297.8788 or visit gardentheatre.org

“Community: Five Years After the Pulse Tragedy” at the Orange County History Center now through August 15
Created to memorialize the victims and show the outpouring of love following the events of June 12, 2016, the concept of “Community” refers to the feelings of community in Central Florida after the Pulse Tragedy, as residents came together in an extraordinary show of unity. The LGBTQ and Latinx “communities,” having lost so many, were profoundly affected by the tragedy. This exhibit features artifacts selected from the “One Orlando Collection,” which consists of over 12,000 artifacts, photographs, and oral histories preserved by the History Center. On this fifth-year anniversary, the History Center invites us to visit this exhibit and once again come together as a community to mark the solemnity of the tragedy while remembering the lives of those no longer with us. Call 407.836.8500 or visit thehistorycenter.org

Earth's Voice: An Environmental Art Exhibit at the Orlando Science Center
Artist-Painters Katie De Bari and Michelle Irizarry believe that Artists can make a real change when we focus on restoring our Earth. By curating their multi-media, environmental art exhibit – currently at the Orlando Science Center – a group of diverse artists address a variety of environmental crises. The curators hope to show Artists as the ‘ultimate translators’ of the human condition in the belief that helping Nature survive is the answer to that which supports our own survival. Considering both the resilience and fragility of our planet, the exhibit was created to “wake up humanity to the severity of our current situation and inspire people to act.” “Earth’s Voice: An Environmental Art Exhibit is at the Orlando Science Center now through August 22. Call 407 514 2000 or visit osc.org

Photo: Artist Lisa Simon with her work “Save Our Bees”, used with permission.

A Classical Conversation: Jack Hill and Edson Campos at the Polasek Museum Now to October 3
In the current exhibit at the Polasek Museum in Winter Park, two of the most accomplished Artists of Florida work with contemporary forms of Classical beauty. This first-time dual exhibition showcases the work of artists Jack Hill and Edson Campos, whose realist, and sometimes surrealist, views of the human form are executed with “hyper realism.” Both artists are inspired by classic works from Ancient and Renaissance masters, and both artists acknowledge the “dialogue” that comes from placing 16 pieces of Hill’s sculptures and 12 of Campos’ paintings beside each other. A highlight of the exhibition is Campos’ favorite work, “Fall of a Dream” that won him a Gold Medal at the Grand Palais in Paris. Call 407.647.6294 or visit infoatpolasek.org

Coming Soon --- “Crazy for Gershwin” at the Winter Park Playhouse from July 30 to August 22
Winter Park’s professional music theatre, dedicated to producing musical theatre programming for Central Florida residents, always features outstanding professional talent. The Winter Park Playhouse’s multi-talented Music Director Chris Leavy has been immersed in our great heritage of Broadway song and dance all his life.  Now Leavy invites us to “take a stroll down memory lane” as the Playhouse pays tribute to two of America's best loved – and most prolific – composers of all time, George and Ira Gershwin. This high-energy song and tap dance celebration is so filled with great songs that Leavy says, “You don’t need a plot line.” It really is “all singing and dancing" from some of Broadway’s greatest shows. “Who could ask for anything more?" Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

“3rd Thursday” – Monthly at City Arts
Now that the ‘masks’ are coming off – and we understand that for some people large groups are still ‘mask events’ – the “3rd Thursday” event hosted monthly by the Downtown Orlando Arts District is a great way to work your way back into being among people. The always diverse crowd is friendly, and the art on the walls is as diverse as the crowd.  Changed to a different theme each month the Art is on two floors at the historic and uniquely green building called the Kiene Building. Philanthropist Ford Kiene donated the building to the City of Orlando to be used to promote the Arts. 3rd Thursday is a FREE event, and the Art is affordable to collectors in any price range. The next 3rd Thursday is August 19. Call 407.648.7060 or visit downtownartsdistrict.com

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators