Before I die at First Thursday

Posted on by Thor

The theme at 1st Thursdays at the Orlando Museum of Art (2416 North Mills Ave Orlando,
Florida) was “Before I Die:
Ultimate Celebration of Life”. This theme invited artists to submit their
version of a life well lived. On the “Before I Die, I want to…” wall, guests
could write their aspirations. Quotes I saw on the wall included, “Visit the Holy land”, “Become more ambitious”, and “Repeat all the good
again.”

On the first
Thursday of each month, you can discover local artists, listen to live music
and mingle with an eclectic mix of people. There are cash bars serving wine,
beer, soft drinks and water, and café offerings from area restaurants.

There
was music by DJ Atnarko Bear, Food by Hawker’s Asian Street Fare, and a Time-lapse
by Chalk Whisperer Kim Panella. Admission for museum members was free and $10
for visitors.

Orlando Director’s Forum

Posted on by Thor

I went to the Orlando Director’s Forum at Valencia College East Campus (701 N Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, Florida 32825). The forum featured a group of Orlando’s most stylistically diverse stage. This was a great opportunity to hear unique perspectives on inspiration, casting, rehearsal process, trouble-shooting, and overall creative process of directing. Seth Kubersky hosted a moderated discussion followed by a questions and answers with attendees.

The event featured (in alphabetical order)…

Rob Winn Anderson: Consulting Artistic Director – Garden Theatre

Mike Carr: Artistic Director – SAK Comedy Lab

John DiDonna: Program Chair of Theater – Valencia College, Director/Creator – Phantasmagoria

Pam Harbaugh: Director – Theater on the Edge

Beth Marshall: Producing Artistic Director/Theatre Artist – Beth Marshall Presents

Eric Pinder: Director in Residence – Opera Orlando

Donald Rupe: Director of Theatre – Central Florida Community Arts

Jeremy Seghers: Independent Producer and Director

I love these kinds of events because listening to these directors talk about the creative process reminds me that all the arts share the same creative challenges. It offered inspiration to keep sketching and painting despite any setbacks. I have seen and admired the work of each of these directors in turn as I sketch the arts scene around Orlando. Orlando has such a vibrant theater community since so man actors come to Orlando to work for the theme parks. Those rolls offer limited artistic challenges, so they are always looking for more edgy options to test their chops.

Axium Coffee

Posted on by Thor

I went to Axium Coffee (146 W. Plant St Winter Garden,
FL 34787)
to sketch and sip. This used to be a place that artist Larry Lauria like
to hang out and sketch. After leaving Full Sail University, I was shocked to find out
that Larry had died. I came to his old haunt to sketch in his honor. I was also
working on a book about sketching in cafes so I was exploring all the best
local cafes to try their best coffee and soak up their ambiance as I sketched.

Axium Coffee was founded in 2005. 
They envisioned a gathering place for the community.  It is not just about the coffee, tea,
smoothies, pastries, and desserts, but also about coming together around a
cause.  It is a place about giving
instead of taking, about helping those in need: locally, nationally and
internationally. Here guests are not just numbers, but people with stories to
tell.  They wanted to find a way to
tangibly touch the lives of people in need: orphans, human trafficking victims,
the poverty-stricken, those without potable water, while creating a place that
unites the local community.  So, they
decided to give all the profit away in hopes of changing the world…one cup of
coffee at a time.

The name was born out of this dream. Axium is a city in Ethiopia.  In Axum,
there are 45,000 people.  The is no fresh
water, inadequate medical care, 1000 orphans on the streets and 1000 beggars
who are old, blind or physically impaired in some way.  Most people walk over 5 miles each day to
collect water from a reservoir that then needs to be boiled to be relatively
safe.  Over the next 10 years, with the
right funding and committed people they can bring fresh water to the city,
enhance medical care, sponsor orphans back into homes of relatives or friends
and help care for the old, the poor, and the blind.  The hope is to bring total transformation to
the city and the impact could be felt for generations to come.  Hopefully in 10 years this will be this
café’s story. The goal is to change lives one city at a time!

I didn’t know about Axium’s mission s I sketched, but I am
happy that choosing to sketch there helped their mission in a small way.

Central Florida Homeless Person’s Memorial

Posted on by Thor

1 of 5 Print SOLD

I went to a Central Florida homeless person’s memorial service at St. James Catholic Cathedral (215 N Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida 32801) which recognized the lives of persons who died this year in Central Florida after having experienced homelessness.

During the service, the names of homeless persons who died in 2018 were be read aloud, and a candle was be lit to recognize and pay tribute to our neighbors who died on the streets or in emergency shelters.

The service began with a hymn and a few words from a pastor. Then the 81 names were slowly read with a bell sounding after each name. It reminded me of the bells being rung for the 49 lives lost a Pulse at the Vigil at the Dr Phillips Center. At that time 49 names seemed to take an eternity to read. 81 names take an even longer. It is sobering that so many lives are taken due to homelessness. Suicide, the elements and a lack of medical care all take their toll. 

People who knew the deceased then stood to have a candle lit and they held that candle as they stood at the front of those gathered. The stage grew crowded as people stood shoulder to shoulder with their candles a glow.  Then people were invited to say a few words about the people they had lost. One woman spoke about a homeless man who fell in love with her. He said he would win her heart and someday she would come homeless with him. She did indeed fall in love with him. She knew what a tortured soul he was and she felt he might have finally found peace. I got choked up listening to her. Her grief was overwhelming. Another man bedded down for the night in a friends driveway and in the morning, that friend accidentally backed up over him with his car.

Some on the list had been granted dignity by getting a roof over their heads.  A volunteer spoke about how a homeless man began sleeping in his neighborhood and the neighbors, knowing her worked with homelessness asked him to talk to the man. “Why don’t you talk to him? He doesn’t bite.” They wanted the man removed, but over time they began to offer him food and showers. When he moved on, another person took his place.

A volunteer from IDignity spoke about how important it is to give someone back their identity by recovering important documents. They host a monthly identification clinic where people can receive
free assistance obtaining identification documents. Only with an identity can you start life over.

Homelessness is a real problem here in Central Florida. It is important to treat people going through tough times with respect and dignity. Embrace every one of your neighbors with curiosity and an open heart. As I left the service, it was encouraging to see several police officers at the back of the congregation. They get to interact with homeless individuals more than anyone else.

6th Annual Derby on Park

Posted on by Thor

I went to sketch Derby on Park, Orlando’s Premier Kentucky Derby Party:
Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Orlando and Anthony Dinova, Realtor at the Winter Park Civic Center (1050 W Morse Blvd, Winter Park, Florida 32789). I met Melissa Marie McClain there. She had built an immense derby bonnet that had to be twice the size of any other bonnet there. It was vibrant green with a bright pink fluted lining that made it resemble a huge mushroom. Large feather thrust up to complete the look. There was a Best Hat Contest with a $500 cash prize. Melissa was sure to win. I had on a very floral dress shirt and a bow tie with a loud confetti pattern. I felt this dapper look might help me blend in.

I sketched all the ladies gathered outside at the tables. A gentleman wore a hat with a horse perched on top. It was encouraging to see a man embrace the hat contest. There were mint juleps and champagne along with plenty of food vendors. Everyone was dressed in their favorite derby attire, ready to cheer for their favorite horse.

As I was working on this sketch the Derby started inside the Civic Center. I could hear the roar of the crowd. While people were inside I tried a few of the outdoor food vendor booths. Always Dreaming won the 143rd Kentucky Derby it was over in an instant. Then came the real competition. All the ladies had to register on stage for the hat competition.

Long story short, Melissa’s huge and vibrant hat did not win the competition. The prize instead went to the wife of one of the sponsors. People kept approaching Melissa to compliment her hat. They were all sure she had one. When she explained that she didn’t win they were shocked. It wasn’t a popular vote however. We have all seen how that can go in the general elections.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 22 and 23, 2018

Posted on by Thor

Saturday December 22, 2018

8am to 1pm Free. Parramore Farmers Market. The east side of the Orlando City Stadium, across from City View. Purchase quality, fresh and healthy food grown in your own
neighborhood by local farmers, including Fleet Farming, Growing Orlando,
and other community growers.

 

9am to 2pm Free. Sanford Farmers Market. Magnolia Square East 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771.

Sanford Farmers Market in the heart of historic downtown.

10:30pm to 12:30am Get a drink or bite. Son Flamenco. Ceviche Tapas Orlando, 125 W Church St, Orlando, FL. Hot blooded Flamenco dancing set to acoustic guitar.

Sunday December 23, 2018

10am to Noon Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class. University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources.

10am to Noon Get a coffee. Irish Music.  Olivia’s Coffee House, 108 N Bay St, Eustis, FL.

10pm to Midnight. Get a coffee. Comedy Open Mic. Austin’s Coffee, 929 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL. Free comedy show! Come out & laugh, or give it a try yourself.

Drunken Spelling Bee

Posted on by Thor

I went to The Falcon Bar and Gallery (819 E Washington St, Orlando, Florida 32801) for the inaugural Drunken Spelling Bee. The master of ceremonies was “Kirk” holding a megaphone to announce if the spelling was correct or wrong. Any contestant who got a spelling correct got a free shot of Sake.

Contestants had a chance to impress the crowd with their amazing spelling skills. For the low price of $5 contestants got entry into the competition, a draft beer of your choice, and a sake shot between rounds to keep it interesting. I found a small spot by the front door for an angle to sketch the contestants.

Words to be spelled started off easy and grew progressively harder. One woman traced the letters in the air with her finger as she saw the spelling play out. The bar was packed full of people waiting for their turn. It was certainly fun to watch people agonize over their answers.

The Neighborhood Meet-up in Audubon Park

Posted on by Thor

Domu presented The Neighborhood Meet-up at East End Market (3201 Corrine Dr, Orlando, Florida 32803). Love wine? Love bottomless wine? Love bottomless wine, sangria, and draft beer? Well…
look no further! You are invited hang out in the Audubon
Park hood each and every Wednesday… because the Audubon Park
neighborhood is awesome and you deserve it mid-week.

Weekly feature (from 5:30PM-9:00PM):

– Bottomless wine (reds, whites, and sparkling)

– Bottomless sangria

– Bottomless select draft beer

– Complimentary finger foods (based upon availability)

– Live entertainment

– Large outdoor patio + garden

– The awesome people of Orlando!

$15 per person before 6:30PM • $20 after.

Check-in table will be at the entrance of East End Market by the outdoor garden!

I sketched the third installment of this neighborhood event. These early meet-ups were a clear success but I have not been able to find proof that they continue to this day. I decided to host a 10 X 10 Urban Sketching Workshop from this location. It is a great spot to overlook people relaxing as they sip their drinks, work  and chat.

Milk Carton Superstars

Posted on by Thor

The Milk Carton Superstars performed at The Geek Easy (114 S Semoran Blvd, Ste 6, Winter Park, Florida 32792). The band formed in 2007 when old friends Guy Larmay
(guitars, bass, more) and Jim Myers (vocals, drums, other) began writing
songs together for the first
time. They are often joined for live
shows by Jeff Boyce on bass. They have released four studio LPs, a two-song single, and – most recently – a digital-only live album. 

This is a fun local rock group who seem to be everywhere I like to sketch. The songs are original and quirky. 

Artway to Haven

Posted on by Thor

Catch 22 Events,  Central Florida Monthly Magazine, D.W. Events Management, and Gateway Orlando presented a monthly art stroll at the
HAVEN Orlando Nightclub (6651 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822),  called “Artway to Haven.” It was held every 4th Tuesday from 5pm to 9pm. There was a smattering of tents set up in the empty parking lot. A guitarist and percussionist set up at the far end of the lot to perform.

The press release promised that this was, Orlando’s newest art stroll, located at the upscale and
off-the-charts-cool, Haven nightclub on Semoran. Patrons could enjoy the mind-blowing,
inspirational and surreal artwork of local artisans and sculptors,
while experiencing live music. Admission was FREE and open to
the public. Food and drink was available from Haven Orlando. A highlight was wine and cigars.

Personally I found it a bit sad that experiencing art and culture in Orlando needs to be relegated to empty parking lots. This event has gone the way of the Dodo bird and is now extinct. With my sketch done, I left the parking lot as the sun set.