On April 7, 2026 I went to City Arts Factory to sketch. Johanna Lung who was performing on the little stage set up in the ground floor café. Coffee, wine and beer can be found at the bar. I was staying at a Thornton Park Air B&B but would have to find a new one for the following week. I wanted to be settled for when Fringe was set up in May so I planned to find an extended stay.
Johanna was performing as part of DTO Live which was set up by the City to offer performing artists opportunities to play while being paid by the city. Joanna Lung is a saxophonist based in Central Florida who plays jazz, pop, and more. She graduated from the UCF School of Performing Arts in 2024, and was winner of the 2023 UCF Concerto Competition, as well as runner-up for the 2023 UCF Performance Excellence Award. She plays throughout Central Florida both as a solo act and with her jazz trio, The Jazz Witnesses.
I always feel a little sad when performers seem to be ignored by an audience that is more focused on their laptops than the music. Of course I was looking at my sketchbook so I was just as guilty. I tend to hyper focus while sketching and the very act of placing lines and washes on paper helps me enjoy the music even more. Jazz in particular inspires me to let the lines dance on the page.
When I completed the sketch, I wandered upstairs to view al the art on display. There is always a large group show going on upstairs. I am guaranteed to see a variety of styles and levels of talent. I wish that large space cold be used to hang a more comprehensive solo show. I like seeing images in sequence all with a similar theme and focus. The great news is that hanging fees have been waved since Orlando Health has funded the expense.