“Josh Recommends” for the Week of May 13, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

The 6th Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast and Awards
May 16 at 8 am (that’s 8 AM!) 
Awards are presented to exemplary individuals who work and advocate for the lives of the Orlando LGBT community as The Center hosts one of Orlando's most anticipated LGBT events, The Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast and Awards. Held this year at Dubsdread Catering at 549 West Par Street in Orlando. 2018's awards include: Champion of Equality; LGBT Ally; LGBT Trailblazer; and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Tickets are $45 at Eventbrite. 

RDV Sportsplex to Host Inaugural “Movers and Shakers” Event
May 17 at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd in Orlando
The RDV Sportsplex will create its first group fitness and cocktail social benefitting the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the charity. A food sampling (from 8 pm to 9:30 pm) will include cuisine by the Tap Room, Season’s 52 and Sam Snead’s Grill while the main event features group fitness options for attendees including Yoga, Fight, Training for Warriors, Cardio Tennis, Aqua Fit and a Zumba Dance Party. Workout attire is required with registration online for tickets at $55. “Movers and Shakers” is an RDV Sportsplex signature event as hosted in other cities, but is new to Orlando. For tickets, visit rdvmoversshakers.com. 

‘Fast Forward’ with the Orlando Ballet Youth Company
May 18 at 7:30 pm 
There are several award-winning young dancers in the Orlando Ballet Youth Ensemble, and by that I mean awards from the most prestigious competitions in the world. This is your chance to see these “dancers of tomorrow” along with repertory favorites by Robert Hill and new works by Gonzalo Espinoza and Olivier Munoz. Accompanied by the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, this collaboration of live music and dance will be presented at the Bob Carr Theater in downtown Orlando. Tickets at $15 are available by calling 844.513.2014 or visiting drphillipscenter.org 

‘Music to the Rescue!’ Presented by the CFCArts Young Artists Orchestra
May 20 at 6 pm 
With great music comes great responsibility. The young musicians will perform some of the most recognizable movie themes from everyone’s favorite action/adventure films including Batman, Spiderman, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Wonder Woman, Dr. Strange, and more!!! Do not miss this larger-than-life performance by the CFCArts Young Artists Orchestra at Apopka High School at 555 Martin Street in Apopka. For tickets, call the CFCArts Box Office at 407-937-1800 x 710

Orlando Science Center Presents the “Hall of Heroes” 
May 26 to September 3
Become part of the world of superheroes, crime-fighters and spies in the Hall of Heroes! Find yourself right there – in the action through several themed adventures with surprises around every corner. Combine science and science fiction and discover your own super powers as you push boundaries to become a true HERO! Can you defuse a bomb? Can you ‘stay cool’ -- like James Bond – in the Laser Lab. You’ll see the Batmobile – WITH an interactive Batcave and other movie props with something for the whole family at the Science Center in Loch Haven Park, visit osc.org or call 407.514.2000 

Second Harvest Food Bank presents: Disney Boardwalk Resort Chefs
May 31 from 6 pm to 9 pm 
Chef's Night is an evening at the food bank featuring some of Florida's best chefs and cuisine, all to benefit the Community Kitchen's Culinary Training Program. The Training Program provides economically disadvantaged adults with the culinary and life skills training needed to pursue a career in the food industry. Support of Chef's Night change lives, helping those in need out of poverty. The Disney Chefs will be led by Andrew Larkin, Executive Chef of Disney's Boardwalk Resort. The $75 ticket includes 5-course dinner, drinks, wine, and beer at Second Harvest Food Bank at 411 Mercy Drive in Orlando. Call 407.295.1066 or visit feedhopenow.org 

Star Trek meets Mozart in “The Abduction from the Seraglio”
May 31 and June 2 at 7:30 pm at The Plaza Live 
Going “where no opera has gone before,” our adventurous Opera Orlando will present the East Coast premiere of the Pacific Opera Project’s ‘unique’ production of Mozart’s comic opera. Debuted in 1782, “The Abduction from the Seraglio’s” mix of comedy with Mozart’s music made it a major hit, (shocking audiences with references to the exotic harems of the Ottoman Empire. Up-dated to the ‘near future,’ Opera Orlando finds the dastardly Klingons have abducted Lt. Uhura. But take heart. Our stalwart opera company will join the Starship Enterprise to rescue the beloved communications officer. Josh Shaw, who conceived, scripted, and directed the adaptation, will be the stage director for the Orlando performances, (sung in English). The Orlando Philharmonic will perform, conducted by Opera Orlando’s music director Robin Jensen. For tickets visit OperaOrlando.org or call 407.512.1900.

CFCArts 4th Annual (Theatre) Fundraiser
June 1 at 6 pm 
If you want to help out the ‘Theatre’ part of the CFCArts phenomenon, sign up for the fundraiser for CFCArts scheduled for June 1. The evening will include light hors d’oeuvres, cocktails (for purchase), Live Performances (and I’m really hoping that will include Trevor Southworth singing “Being Alive” from their recent production of Company!!!); Awards for Season 3, and the announcement of their 4th Season. Held at The Mezz in downtown Orlando valet parking is available, but there are lots of parking garages nearby. Call the CFCArts Box Office at 407-937-1800 x 710

‘RENT’: 20th Anniversary Tour at Dr. Phillips Center 
June 5 to 10 
In 1996, a rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize and several Tony Awards. Having changed the landscape of American theatre more than two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak to audiences across generations and around the world. Now that award-winning musical returns to the stage in a not-to-be-missed 20th anniversary production. A contemporary take on Puccini's “La Bohème,” RENT follows the lives of seven struggling artists whose message of hope reminds us of the one thing that truly matters – love. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

On-going … 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Garden Theatre 
NOW to May 27 
Based on the Victor Hugo novel, with magnificent music from the Disney film by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, this epic musical finds the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral longing to escape his captivity by the religious hypocrite Archdeacon Frollo. During his one night of ‘freedom,’ he is treated cruelly by the people of Paris until a beautiful gypsy comes to his rescue. Her beauty and spirit captivate the bell-ringer, the lecherous Archdeacon and the Captain of the Guard. In the end all three must deal with the complex emotions she evokes. At the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators