Our Top Stuff Editors’ Picks This Week

Wednesday August 4
Art and soul
Downtown CityArts is teaming up with Tyla Harrington for a new monthly music / art series aptly dubbed Art N ‘Soul. The first show features Central Floridian soul singer Jarred Armstrong and the ethereal, bluesy SoulBase. This series is to be added to your recurring calendars.
8:30 p.m., CityArts, 39 avenue S. Magnolia, eventbrite.com, $ 10.

Thursday August 5
1st Thursday: Crealdé Night Out
“Orlando’s original art party” returns with a cover by artists affiliated with the local Crealdé art school – whether instructors or students – showcasing original works of visual arts and crafts. On site, the Peru Power food truck will distribute snacks and live music will be provided by singer / songwriter Daniel Drnach. All this plus free guided tours of the museum.
8 p.m., Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., omart.org, $ 15.

Friday August 6
Deicide
When you live your life serving The Horned, a little thing like a pandemic won’t stop you from spreading the musical anti-gospel. Therefore, these death metal legends from Central Florida kick off their North American tour right here in the beautiful city. Is it fair or not to brag about being the only Florida show on the tour? Also of note, the ridiculously stacked lineup of tour openers: Kataklysm, Internal Bleeding (!!) and Begat the Nephilim.
7 p.m., The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive, eventbrite.com, $ 25.

Friday August 6
Space balls
Listen, it’s time to start re-prioritizing outdoor events. Sorry. We don’t want to be out in August either, but events like this can be a great way to get out of the house and be surrounded by people who are more concerned about their safety. And although this removal of Mel Brooks from Star wars hasn’t exactly aged like fine wine, Rick Moranis is transcendent as a Dark Helmet and at least there’s no Jar Jar Binks. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Limited capacity show. 8:30 p.m., Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., leugardens.org, $ 6.

Saturday August 7
Hip-hop is dead
Not to take anything away from the other performers of the nine days of the Daze Between festival at New Standard, but this collaboration between star percussionist Rashid Williams (John Legend, Common) and New Standard owner Nate Landwer intrigues us, promising to take the music and Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead and add a modern spectrum of hip-hop flavors and beats. You will never hear “Dark Star” (fingers crossed) this way again.
11 p.m., The New Standard, 1035 Orlando Ave., Winter Park, newstandardwp.com, $ 10- $ 60.

Saturday August 7
The 1st annual Xplosion of bass and R&B
Hopefully this is the first in a long series. Take in the fresh air while discovering a classic lineup of music heavyweights including Lyfe Jennings, Trina (!), Adina Howard (!!), Lil G of Sylk, Young Bloodz and Brother Marquis of Florida, the pioneers of hip-hop The 2 Live Crew. Parquet.
4 p.m., Tinker Field, 287 S. Tampa Ave., campingworldstadium.com, $ 55 to $ 175.

Monday August 9
Monday evening gross
The large-scale wrestling fueled by WWE has reverted to touring shows with real audiences, unlike the Thunderdome (s) being built in central Florida to deal with the pandemic. No matches have been announced at the time of writing, as that’s not how the fed rolls creatively right now, but odds are you’ll see Damian Priest, Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles and three of the most impressive wrestlers in recent memory – offspring of ring royalty Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley and Asuka.
7:30 p.m., Amway Center, 400 W. Church Street, amwaycenter.com, $ 20-250.

IN PROGRESS

Until August 8
I don’t behave badly
Famous musical tribute to the work of Fats Waller and the swing musicians who followed his example during the Harlem Renaissance. Athens Theater, 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand, athensdeland.com, $ 26- $ 31.

Until August 8
The bodyguard
Musical version of the classic Whitney Houston / Kevin Costner. Garden Theater, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, gardentheatre.org, $ 25- $ 40.

August 6-16
Clybourne Park
Local production of Bruce Norris’ play, which serves as a sort of sequel to the iconic A raisin in the sun. Penguin Point Productions, 1220 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo, penguinpointproductions.com, $ 20.

Until August 8
Crazy for Gershwin
An evening of music from the American giants of songwriting George and Ira Gershwin and tap dancing galore. 7:30 p.m., Winter Park Playhouse, 711 Orange Ave., Winter Park, winterparkplayhouse.org, $ 20- $ 45.

Until August 15
Baskervilles Hound
A reimagining of Sherlock Holmes’ brooding supernatural thriller as a ‘crazy comedy’, with three actors playing 16 breathless roles. Extended race! $ 30 to $ 52. The Harriett at Mad Cow Theater, 54 W. Church St., madcowtheatre.com