The In-Between Series where you can expect the unexpected.

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The In-Between Series takes place every month on the Monday before each Third Thursday at The Gallery at Avalon Island (39 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, Florida). Thad Anderson’s Sextet performed in January 2015 to kick off the monthly series of New Music. When I hear sextet, I imagined classical musicians with violins, cellos and flutes. This sextet however was all about pure primal new age drumming. A large Critique computer screen was set up in front of the phalanx of drums to display the sheet music.

Ashley Equality Inguanta created an installation stage set that had a small porcelain Virgin Mary with a small vile of perfume or holy water, and rose pedals on the alter and floor. A small rug was set up in front of the alter so that anyone could kneel down if they wanted to. Unfortunately no one stopped at the alter long enough to be included in the sketch.

La Empanada Food Truck was parked in the alley next door, so there was plenty of good food available along with drinks from the Avalon Bar. Sketching to the drums beat loosened up my lines and made me throw washes down with much more vigor.

The next concert at The Gallery at Avalon Island will feature Chris Corsano and
Bill Orcutt on Monday December 28th. The doors will open at 7pm and the
concert will begin at 8pm. All ages are welcome. Click here to check out the event Facebook page for more information.

The Perfect Gift exposes raw human emotions for Christmas.

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The Perfect Gift is written and directed by Winnie Wenglewick who also plays Stacia in the show. Winnie cut her teeth in theater at the Orlando Fringe for the first 10 years when it was still downtown. She moved to Denver Colorado, where this play is staged, and established Dangerous Theater in 2007. Although Winnie has just moved back to Orlando, she is keeping Dangerous Theater open in Denver. The Perfect Gift was first performed four years ago in Denver. In fact they have their own production of The Perfect Gift runring as well this season. If all goes according to plan, Winnie will be opening Dangerous Theater here in Orlando around Fairbanks and Edgewater in about March of 2016.

ME Theater (1300 La Quinta Drive Orlando FL) isn’t easy to find among the stretch of warehouses. Look for the tall ME Dance flag. I slipped into the theater, a bit early to get a jump on the sketch. I considered sitting in the front row, but decided against it, since the front row would most certainly fill up. Christmas songs from all the quirky 60s animated films livened up the room. I found myself humming along as I sketched. When the house opened, only two patrons sat in the front row.

The play opened with Stacia and Winter (Thomas C. Taffinder) sitting on a park bench. Winter was a homeless man with a quirky sense of humor. Staciawho had shared sandwiches with winter  on more than a few occasions, recalled warm childhood memories of Christmas, but the holiday didn’t hold the same magic now that she is an adult. The memories we incredibly funny and although there were as many people in the audience as on stage, we were laughing out loud throughout the show. Winter, though he had little, decided to invite Stacia to a holiday dinner with a friend under a bridge.

His friend was named Karma (Kim Stone). Also homeless, she was an avid Broncos fan, wearing a football jersey and a colorful tutu. Both Karma and Winter had imaginary friends, so the table had to be set for five. Karma had a childish charm about her as she related a story of a Christmas donkey who had very large ears. Conversation over the humble dinner turned to memories of loss and sadness. The “Guardian Angels” managed to bring some peace into the lives of Winter and Karma who had little to loose yet could still find pockets of happiness. We all could all use a guardian angel in a world that seldom plays out like A Wonderful Life.

The fellowship and friendship found under the bridge managed to shine a bright light on the true meaning of the holiday season far removed from the commercialism in the malls. Life, love, and loss are universal. This was a rare show that had humor laced with sadness. As we grow older material gifts aren’t as important as having a close friend to share memories with. Being part of the small audience actually made the show more magical since our laughter was contagious and filled the room. I hope more people discover this holiday gem from a director who has just returned to make her mark in Orlando.

December 3rd – 20th
Thursday Friday and Saturday @ 8:00
Sunday @ 4:00
NO performances on 12/5 & 12/17

Tickets $20.00
$5.00 discount for students, seniors, military
and anyone wearing a Fringe Button from any year.

The N Tunes performed at Maitland Art Center’s Culture & Cocktails Summer Concert Series.

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Art and History Museums (231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL) has a Summer Concert Series as part of their monthly Culture and Cocktails event. This sketch of the N Tunes was done at the July 2014 event. When I arrived the band was still setting up the sound equipment. It was the golden hour, a time when the warm light gets more intense and orange as the sun sets. Large live oaks and palm trees kept the stage shaded, but a bright magenta stage light illuminated the stage. By the time the band started performing, the stage and background were blocked in with pencil.

As with most Culture and Cocktail events, there was also poetry being read across the street in the Mayan Courtyard. New art exhibits had also opened to the public. Although I would love to be everywhere at once, I have to limit myself to focusing one one thing a a time. Sketching takes time.

N Tunes website describes the band as “performing songs from Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Adele,
Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, Kid Rock and everything in between that’s
currently topping the charts, this 5 piece powerhouse of a group
lays it down with style. Having the N-Tunes perform at your venue or
event is like having all of the current top 4Art the consummate party band. With a wealth of popular material to pull
from, they can tailor their performance to meet your needs.”

Finding information about the performers wass close to impossible. All I could find out online is that the lead singer is Natalie Wright.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 12th and 13th.

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Saturday December 12, 2015.

 6:30pm to 9:30pm Free but get a bite eat. The Fine Art Nude by Doug Heslep: Shades 2.0. Maxine’s on Shine 337 N Shine Ave, Orlando, Florida. SHADES 2.0 is an ENCORE presentation of ’50 Shades of Black and White’, my Central Florida debut exhibit this last April at Aloft Orlando! Come see what the HYPE was all about and spend the evening at your favorite neighborhood hang, Maxine’s on Shine, while viewing a diverse selection from The Doug Heslep Fine Art Nude Collection! There will be live music from the awesome Justin Kangraga… with a complimentary wine tasting all evening from Coastal Wine and Spirits, featuring Kim Crawford Pinot Gris, jammy Brazin Zinfandel, plus a mystery selection… and simple hors d’oeuvres until 8pm.

If you also want to satisfy your palate from their unique dinner menu, reservations are recommended. Click the link… or call 407-647-6841.

8pm to 11pm  $25 Science Night Live! Craft Beer Edition. Featuring some exBEERiments like the science of craft beer and food pairing with Brown Distributing!

Join us for an evening reserved only for adults and enjoy everything you love about Orlando Science Center with grown-up-inspired programming. It’s social, it’s science, it’s Science Night Live!

Orlando Science Center will be transformed into a bier garten oasis where guests will discover the perfect food and beer pairings from food partners and 10 craft brewers from around the country pouring samples of their finest brews. Discover different combinations that can enhance both the dining and drinking experience and change perceptions of beer’s place at the table.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a presentation from our special guest speaker

• Delight in 20-30 minute “mini” craft beer seminars

• Sample craft beer from local and national distributors (nominal fee required)

• View stars and planets through the giant refractor telescope in the Crosby Observatory

• Conduct lab experiments in Dr. Dare’s Laboratory

• Participate in Science Trivia

• Delight in food and adult beverages available for purchase

PRICE

• General admission to Science Night Live is $15

• Adult Ticket + Craft Beer Sampling is $25*

• Members can enjoy Science Night Live for FREE

• Member Ticket + Craft Beer Sampling is $10*

Craft beer sampling includes 12 two-ounce pours and can be shared.

Limited tickets are available so purchase today at www.osc.org/science-night-live/

No one under 21 admitted.

9:30pm to 11:30pm Free. “Violectric Holiday Show”. Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park, 99 N Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Florida. Central Florida’s Top Strings Rock Group Return to the Walt Disney Amphitheatre and Offer a Fun and Free Concert Featuring All Your Favorite Holiday Tunes with a Twist.



Sunday December 13, 2015. 

10am to 6:30pm Free. Grandma Party 2015! Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 Winter Park Rd, Orlando, FL. It’s time for another rad Grandma Party Bazaar! If you are looking for unique gifts from local artisans, live music or just a fun time, come see Grandma! Local, handmade, vintage, good music. 100% awesome. This year WPRK will be broadcasting live from the bazaar. DJ Nigel John will be spinning to start the day off right and there will be performances by Lavola, Summer Spiders, The Secret People, Timothy Eerie, Wet Nurse and Polylust! Grandma Party is you and me and all of us making it happen.

5pm to 8pm $10. Jingle BellaSutra Concert and Fundraiser. The South Lounge! Corner of Hampton Ave and 1U, Orlando, Florida.  Join us for a super fun night of BellaSutra music!

This is a concert and fundraiser to help us produce our first CD. Be part of the journey with us!

$10 at the door includes one delicious beverage.

Cash bar. Silent Auction. All your favorite peeps will be there.

Please park in the parking lot at First Unitarian Church, 1901 S. Robinson St. 32803.

7:30pm to 9:30pm Free. Beth McKee. The Timucua Arts white house 2000 S Summerlin Ave, Orlando, Florida. Beth will range her performance from solo to full band and will include special guests at this world class “House Concert” Venue. Artist Bethany Myers will be creating a live contour painting, onstage during the performance. http://www.timucua.com/

Art of Medicine Gala at the Orlando Museum of Art.

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Local physician Cindy LaRoe, wife to
First GREEN Bank’s CEO, Ken LaRoe, was an avid cyclist until she crashed hard
at a race. She recalled the day in some detail in a video presented at the Art of Medicine Gala at the Orlando Museum of Art, (2416 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL) on October 15th.  It was getting near the end of the ride when she let a group of young cyclists pass her. They swerved and crossed each others paths in ways that aren’t allowed in a professional race. They got tangled together and went down hard right in front of Cindy. That is the last thing she remembered. Sadly, she suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her
unable to work as a physician, which prompted her to focus on her
passion for art. 

Ken recalled trying to find a good physician who could treat Cindy. The first physicians they faced were more interested in biking than in diagnosing Cindy’s symptoms. The misdiagnosis and delay lead to Cindy’s condition not getting treatment in time for a full recovery.  The accident encouraged Cindy to bring awareness to
the brain injury community in Central Florida. The

Art of Medicine Gala on October 15th benefited the
Brain Injury Association of Florida which supports thousands of people who have found relief through the organization. 

Cindy’s artwork was bright, bold and realistic with detail stripped a way. A large painting of Lance Armstrong tied in well with the theme of the evening. All of the artwork on display in the front gallery of the museum was by practicing physicians practicing physicians. It makes sense that physicians would have a taken for art.

I sketched the Jazz Fusion band performing in the museum’s lobby. I recognized the saxophone player. The tall table I worked at turned out to also be right in front of the stage where Cindy and Ken spoke. Actually Cindy had no desire to speak in front of a crowd, but her quiet presence and her art inspired many to give to the cause. When the auction kicked off, I took that time to look at the art in the then empty gallery. Her work does stand out. He large canvases inspired me to want to work larger. Funds raised at the Gala will help the Brain Injury Association of Florida raise the $250,000 goal needed by June of 2016.

Loves First Kiss.

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Rusty Pliers returned to Stardust Video and Coffee (1842 E Winter Park Rd, Orlando, Fl) to read a short story entitled “Love’s First Kiss” at an open mic night.  I worked with Rusty Pliers back when Disney Feature Animation created films the old school way with millions of drawings done by hand. A small army of artists were required to make the films. I’m fascinated at how the many talented artists re-invented themselves after animated films turned to computers rather than drawings. Rusty Pliers took up the pen an started writing. At the first reading he explained the his alias Rusty Pliers came from a sideline career as a porn star. There were some rusty pliers on the set and they were used in ways that are probably better left unsaid.

This second reading on Memorial Day was much softer and innocent, recalling his first love in high school. She loved horses and although he considered horses to be monstrous beasts, he told her that he adored horses to get close to her in the barn. Their first kiss was tender and sweet and it stirred feelings below the belt that he didn’t expect. It was abruptly cut short by the girl’s father however. The young pair drifted apart and never rekindled that moment.

Another author told a story that resonated for Memorial Day. She had a career in the military and was good at he job. She got married and was starting he new life. Her husband was in the military as well, and they were not always stationed together. Life was good, but then she got news that changed everything. She had Multiple Sclerosis and this would take away her mobility. She eventually got medical disability. She moved and open boxes lay everywhere. She didn’t know what to do with the rest of her life.

What made he story so compelling is that she would occasionally stop reading and just relate her story from memory. The point of her story was that although her life was upended she needed to find a way to restore order. She started with a task that many overlook. She began organizing her spice rack in her apartment filled with unopened boxes. She cried as she worked, but with that one task done she could move on to the next. She was a brave veteran who had found a way to reinvent her life after all the structure and discipline of the military and she wouldn’t let MS define her life. Clearly as a writer she had rediscovered a way to let her spirit sour.

Dickens by Candlelight rehearsal.

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This Dickens by Candlelight rehearsal took place at a gorgeous home in Belle Isle Florida. I almost wanted to sketch outside because large illuminated candy canes lined the walkway to the front door and every eave was lined with icicle lights. Only white lights illuminated the house which made the place feel like a refined crystal palace bed and breakfast.

Having been performed since
1997 at locations such as the the Dr. Phillips Center on Lake Ivanhoe,
the Dr. Phillips Victorian Mansion, the Whispering Heaven Tea Room, and
in private homes, it is once again returning to the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare
Center, 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida. The interactive show providing
theater-goers with a delightfully unique opportunity to experience A
Christmas Carol the way it was intended to be told: as a Ghost Story.

The tale cleverly envelops the audience as the characters move through
and around the guests who are seated at treat-laden tables. John
DiDonna, Morgan Russell, and Monica Long Tamborello,
three talented Orlando actors, portray all of the roles and artfully
transform themselves from character to character and stave to stave. Seeing the tale told in a private home was perfect. John as the giddy transformed Scrooge hugged my bald head in delight. Since the show is small and intimate, you will find yourself very much a part of the story.

The best way to witness visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past,
Present and Future is while enjoying homemade cookies and a pot of
freshly-brewed hot tea. The cast and crew is often available before the
show for a steaming cup of wassail and caroling. Opening Night this year
includes a full dinner before the show. For tickets or more
information, call 407-222-7669; or click DickensbyCandlelight@gmail.com to send an email request.
To order by credit card, check out Orlando at Play.

Shows are December 11 – December 22.

SPECIAL OPENING NIGHT MEAL AND PERFORMANCE

Fri, December 11

Crachit Christmas Feast begins at 6:45 pm

Performance begins at 8:00 pm

Tickets $75

TRADITIONAL  DICKENS BY CANDLELIGHT PERFORMANCES

Sat, December 12, 8:00 pm 

Sun, December 13, 2:30pm  

Fri, December 18, 8:00 pm

Sat, December 19, 4:00 & 8:00 pm

Sun, December 20, 2:30 pm

Mon, December 21, 8:00 pm

Tue, December 22, 8:00 pm

All tickets for Traditional Performances $35

Group rates available

No refunds or exchanges

All performances at the

Lowndes Shakespeare Center

in the Patron’s Room

at Loch Haven Park

812 East Rollins Street

Orlando, Florida

The Creative City Project brings downtown Olando alive for a night.

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In July of 2014 I went to a meeting at The Gallery at Avalon Island (39 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL) where Cole Nesmith discussed his idea where the Creative City Project could bring together all the separate arts groups in together to stage multiple performances on on night in Downtown Orlando. Cole is a well versed public speaker and he did a great job expressing his excitement for the project. At this early stage there was much work to be done trying to get grants so that some of the artist could be paid. Not all artists live on sunshine and dreams.

I considered the idea of being part of the Creative City  Project, by doing life sized standing portraits on a large sheet of brown parchment paper. I did something similar to this at Drip with chalk on the black walls. I could knock out a portrait about every ten minutes. In the rush of doing my daily sketches, I lost track of this idea.

When the Creative City Project hit Downtown Orlando, I documented it with my usual sketch. Artist named Plinio Pinto and Melissa Marie from Falcon Bar set up a mini art studio in the street with a UHaul truck as a backdrop. They had a model in a mechanic’s outfit posing with  a motorcycle and they invited anyone to stop and draw. It was a great idea. Unfortunately when I arrived, the model had just taken a 20 minute break and I barely caught a glimpse of her as she walked away. Another great sketch opportunity lost. There were plenty of other sketch opportunities however since there were multiple stages up and down Orange Avenue for about 5 blocks.

Plans are already in the works for next year’s Creative City Project.

Thanksgiving at home.

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My sister Pat Boehme drove to Orlando from Port Charlotte to spend Thanksgiving with Terry and I. We sat around the dining room table going over old family photos. Pat was able to identify some people that to had not been able to identify. For thanksgiving all went to Mitchell’s Fish Market (460 N Orlando Ave #122, Winter Park, F) in Winter Park Village. The reservation was for 2pm and at that time, the restaurant was less than half full. Driving on Thanks giving Day was an absolute joy because there were no of the cars on the road. Orlando was a ghost town.

Mitchel’s had a traditional Thanksgiving diner for $27. The appetizer, had was a seafood gumbo the was absolutely delicious. Honestly I was satiated after the gumbo, but the turkey dinner was so good, that I managed to wolf half of it down. Desert was a slice of pumpkin pie. Terry had purchase an apple pie and a pumpkin pie a Publix, and we had baked the pumpkin pie the night before, so I knew there as a whole pie cooling down at home. After going out for dinner, we sat around the living room watch in movies and trying to digest all the food. Pat’s Stomach started rumbling and we didn’t have any Pepto-Bismol, so we gave her a heating pad to put on her tummy and that seemed to help.

Terry had rented two movies. On was “Far from the Madding Crowd” this is definitely a Victorian Era woman’s film. The female lead planed by Carey Mulligan  meets three men each of which asks for her hand in marriage almost immediately. Life just doesn’t work that way, although maybe it did way back then. Pat and I watched the film while we waive for Terry to gel home, then after our Thanksgiving meal Terry wanted to watch the film. That is when I got my sketch done for the day. 

Snap! Space presents : ‘WILD IS THE WIND’.

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On Friday November 20, Snap! Orlando (1013 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida) presented ‘Wild Is The Wind,’ an unconventional visual exploration of freedom and innocence by selected international photographers and contemporary artists. The exhibition captures an ethereal sense of the interaction between humankind, native environments, and the creatures that inhabit them, through the inspired work of celebrated international artists. Many artists were present on opening night. Craft cocktails by The Courtesy Bar and music by DJ Nigel John.

This multimedia exhibit, including photography, digital art, projection, oil painting, and water color, curated by Holly and Patrick Kahn, features works by:

• Julien Nonnon (France. Works from series ‘Urban Safari’)

• Tom Chambers (USA. Works from series ’To The Edge’)

• Heather Evans Smith (USA. Works from series ’Seen Not Heard’)

• Cameron Bloom (Australia. Works from series ‘Penguin the Magpie’)

• Elicia Edijanto (Indonesia. Works from series ‘Natural Connections’)

• David Olivera (USA. Works from series ‘Duality’)

• Martin Stranka (Czech Republic. Works from series ‘I Found The Silence’)

On the evenings following the opening night, Snap! invited guests to join artist Julien Nonnon, as they will traveled with him to produce new digital projections in specific architectural locations throughout Orlando. Locations were be announced through social media prior to the evening of the event. This was the premiere behind the scenes of the making of his new “Urban Wild‘ series, created for the first time in the US. Details to follow!

The exhibition will be on view through January 16th, 2016 during gallery hours Thursday – Saturday, 11 AM – 4 PM, and by appointment contact: info@snaporlando.com

Beatrice Carmen Miranda was wearing a hat that resembled high tech Mickey Mouse ears. She explained the she ran across this unique hat in Brooklyn NY and she simply had to have it. It seems to be made from the support wires found in bras, but its inner structure is covered with a black felt fabric. I couldn’t stop looking at her so the hat certainly attracts attention. Her friend Richard Wahl was surprised to find that he was also in the sketch. We exchanged business cards. He is the coo and principle at Findsome and Winmore, a digital marketing agency. Sketching digitally, kind of blows my cover.   When I work in a sketchbook, I’m usually ignored. But when I work on a tablet everyone wants to know who kind of tablet I’m using, and what software is creating the art. I want to reply “The medium isn’t the message, it is just a tool like a pencil.” People seem l be attracted to The ghost in the machine, like moths to a flame.

After the sketch was complete, I had a stiff drink and then sat down with Swami World Traveler and got to see a 3D rendering program that he is writing code for that creates 3D representations of mathematical equations. The sample he showed me featured pyramids built from just a few block and then progressing to thousands of blocks. Had there been programs like this when I was a kid I might have had more interest in math.