Slut Like Me

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The AWARD-WINNING raunchy hit comedy, Slut Like Me, RETURNS at The Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest:

Thursday, January 5 — 10:00pm

Saturday, January 7 — 10:30pm

Award-winning actor Logan Donahoo brings his all-new, tell-all, multimedia comedy romp!
Learn ALL the sexy secrets and skills you need to release YOUR inner slut! Learn to flirt like a pro! Get the most out of your CraigsList ad! Find out what to do when the health department calls!

Take notes, because class is in SESSION!

I had sketched this show at the last Fringe Festive and I know it is hilarious. It offers a crash course on how to survive dating in the Internet age. A this boudoir sketch session Logan read from Joy of Gay Sex as he lounged in his Hollywood style apartment. The book contains explicit pencil rendering of every conceivable sex act. I have to wonder if the illustrator embellished some of the anatomical details. Logan has a fun way of celebrating the joy and pleasure of sex with laughter. I kind of drew the aqua green dildo like a pickle, but it has a more appealing shape with it’s head tilted to the side quizzically.

John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center

812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida 32803

Tickets are available now.

Not a Photo at Henao Contemporary Center.

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On December 9th, I went to “Not a Photo” at Henao Contemporary Center 5601 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32810 on exhibit was a collection of hyper
realistic and photo realistic works from today’s contemporary masters, including David Eichenberg, Matthew Cornell. Exhibit runs through January 7th, 2017.

Matthew Cornell gave a walk through of his paintings which were of all of his childhood homes. He traveled across the country with his wife to find all the places his family lived. One painting, titled Lascaux, showed the stark facade of a home at dusk illuminated by a street lamp. On either side of that  painting were panels that had crayon drawings of dinosaurs. In a video documentary, the story became clear. When he visited this child hood home, the owner offered to show him around inside. In the basement Mathew discovered the drawings from his childhood on the walls. He recognized his own mark making. On the staircase was his name and the names of his siblings. The present owner Could have painted over these child hood drawings, but he felt a need to preserve them.

On the invitation, Matthew had promised cake. Sure enough, he put a bright orange cake on a sculpture stand. It blended in with the photo real theme of the show with perfection. Most people assumed it was art. I wondered if it would eve be consumed. I had to move when a movie screen was lowered to show Matthew’s artumentary. Some people sat down to talk art with me, so I had to keep the sketch fast and abbreviated. The temptation to try and aspire for photo realism had to be resisted. There just wasn’t in our time. Life keeps interrupting long periods of patient mark making.

2016-2017 Arts Advosacy Day in TalIahassee.

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I went on an organized bus trip up to Tallahassee in an effort to convince state legislators to not cut funding for the arts. The bus cost about $1800 to rent for the day and Terry Olson collected money from each passenger to cover costs. We left before sunrise fr the Orlando Rep parking lot. The sun began to rise as we approached the Florida Capital. Passengers split up into group and we were each assigned different Senators and Representatives to visit.

In 2015 Governor Rick Scott vetoed 17 million dollars that was slated to help the arts. In Orange County there are 3,993 Arts related businesses that employ 26,792 people. I am looking for a job in the Orlando Arts Community this year, so hopefully I will be among that number. I’m searching for a reason to stay in the sunshine state other than the sunshine. The creative industries account for 4.3 percent of the total businesses located in Orange County Florida.

The state wide request was for $45 million which would fully fund 532 qualified matching Division of Cultural Affair (DCA) grants. 50 of these grant requests were from Central Florida. 74.9% of visitors to Florida participate in cultural activities. Cultural tourists spend 137% more than residents. DCA grants leveraged over $5 million in other private and matching grants. 7.4 million children benefited and 194,849 artists participated.

Senator Dantzler gave a reassuring speech to the arts advocates at the end of the day. Bright day glow green caps were issued to attendees in the audience. There was bright optimism. Orange County was ultimately awarded $3,066,198 for a total of 38 grants. That is down from the
$4,578,946 grants given in 2015. That was a loss of $1,512,748 for the local arts community.

SAFE! Words! Poetry Slam!

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I went to The Milk Bar Lounge (2424 E Robinson St, Orlando, Florida 32803) for a Poetry Slam. The slam featured two rounds with 12 poets. The  winner gets $50 and a chance to feature at a future slam! The headliners for the halftime spectacular were Blue Room Manifesto, two incredible poets who were be touring through Florida in August!

Four people in the audience were selected as judges. They rated poems from one to ten with decimal points so that there would be no ties in the judging. I enjoy sketching these poetry competitions with poets reading their digital devices before they go on stage. Judging is as much about the performance as well as the impact of the poem. M.C. McWin won the prize on this evening. She had a poem about her boyfriend’s analytical coding mind that was both funny and deeply touching. The dog was the real winner all night, getting affection from every poet in the room.

Traditional Irish Music Session.

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Scott Vocca and Vicki Gish who run the Irish music session at the Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub, (4308 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806) bought the pub, recently, only to have the property sold out from under them a few months later. Businesses in the small strip mall were abandoned and several were boarded up. It looks like the whole area will be bulldozed for new development. Inside the pub however the warm inviting music continued. Every other Wednesday these Irish music sessions liven up the pub. This was the last Wednesday session of the year before the pub closes its doors for good.

On this evening there were several soulful solos sung. When I started the sketch, a young woman with jet black hair and a young round face was singing as everyone in the bar stopped to listen. I wish I had caught her in the sketch. A tenor sang a solo in Gaelic and his voice also caused pints of Guinness to pause on their way to lips. The accordion player to my left wanted photos anytime he knew a tune and joined in. A sweet Irish woman to my right was glad to oblige although she couldn’t figure out the buttons on his cell phone camera.

There will be one final blow out Irish party where you can have your last pint at the Claddagh Cottage and listen to The Bronx Boys ring in the new year with traditional Irish and American music. Alan Murray will be joined by Isaac Alderson on uilleann pipes and vocals andAlasdair White on fiddle. This party will be the last day at the original Claddagh Cottage so get out and help them drink everything up! The party starts at 6pm and goes until 3am.

The Claddagh Cottage will be demolished in early 2017 to make way for a Walgreens. Scott and
Vicki, who purchased the pub business in early 2016 are building a new
Claddagh Cottage a mile west at 2421 Curry Ford Rd near Bumby
Ave. Stay tuned for updates as to when the new location will be open.
Meanwhile the temporary home for the Irish session for the first few months of 2017
will be at the sister pub, The Harp and Celt, (25 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801). It will be held on the north
side of the bar (the Harp side) at the regular time and dates. The music starts around 6pm or 7pm and continues until the wee hours of the morning.

Mark your Calendar!

January 11, 25

February 8, 22

March 8, 22

Weekend Top 6 Picks for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

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Saturday December 31, 2016

6pm to 2am Free. New Year’s Eve with the Bronx Boys. Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub 4308 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, Florida 32806.  Come out and have your last pint at the Claddagh Cottage and listen to The Bronx Boys ring in the new year with traditional Irish and Americana music. Alan Murray will be joined by the other 1/3 of the band, Isaac Alderson on uilleann pipes and vocals as well as Alasdair White on fiddle and Anna Colliton on bodhran. This party will be the last day the original Claddagh Cottage so come out and help us drink everything up!

9:30pm to 2am General Admission Tickets: $49 All Inclusive Tickets: $89 DRIP’s New Year’s Eve 2017. 8747 International Dr Suite 102 (Behind Denny’s and Senor Frogs), Orlando, Florida. Celebrate 2017 on New Year’s Eve in Orlando rock ‘n’ roll VIP style complete with glamour stations, champagne cocktails topped with rock candy, fabulous people, interactive adult painting, gorgeous performers, raw theatrical show, dancers performing in paint, flying water, colored sand, live rock band, a LIVE performance leading up until midnight, after party with dancing and SO. MUCH. GLITTER.

GLITTER & GLAM STATIONS

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INTERACTIVE ADULT COLORING: Try out a new larger version of adult coloring with a table top sized design and paint!

GLAMOUR STATION: Be pampered at the Glamour Station by getting glitter nails, lips or even a sparkling temporary tattoo!

GRUNGE VS. GLAM WALL: Add the things you want to leave behind in 2016 on the Grunge Wall and then write your dreams for 2017 on the Glam Wall. Later that night, you’ll be able to destroy the Grunge Wall with paint balloons!

PHOTO BOOTH: Snap all the selfies and group shots that you want in the photo booth area that is filled with sparkling textures and props!

FULL THEATRICAL SHOW

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Enjoy a full theatrical love story with dancers performing in paint, flying water, and sand to a LIVE rock band. It’s a standing room experience with performances happening in front of you, behind you and in between you! DRIP’s live rock band plays the soundtrack to colors that fly with abandon creating unique works of art on your special edition NYE shirt!

THE COLOR BAR + THE CHAMPAGNE BAR

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Enjoy drinks by the color! DRIP’s Color Bar has Red, Blue, Orange and Yellow beer, cocktails, shots, wine and non alcoholic beverages for sale. This New Year’s Eve, a special champagne bar will be added featuring champagne cocktails topped with rock candy of all colors!

WHAT’S INCLUDED

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All Tickets Include:

-Special Edition DRIP NYE T-Shirt for you to get colorful that night!

-Paint Station to paint yourselves and your friends

-A Glamour Station treatment (Glitter nails, lips or tattoo)

-Photo Booth

-Grunge/Glam Wall

-Table Sized Adult Coloring with Paint!

-Full DRIP show with dancers and live band

-Countdown performance to Midnight

-Champagne Toast at Midnight

-After Party with dancing

-Interactive Paint Shower

All Inclusive Tickets also include:

-Custom t-shirt cutting (have your special edition NYE shirt turned into a tank top, dress, corset, etc.)

-DRIPdanna Headwrap for you to wear and paint

-All you can drink for 3.5 hours.

More Info & Tickets.

6pm to 2am $46.46 Midnight Masquerade – New Year’s Celebration. Route 46 Entertainment District 4316 W State Road 46 Sanford, FL 32771.  Come as you are… or as someone else!
Live Music & Dancing with Rockit Fly and TC and Sass.
Party favors and Champagne Toast at Midnight!
Best Masquerade Mask Contest!LIVE MUSIC and DANCING

with Rockit Fly on the Main Stage

and TC & Sass in the Auto Display DINING RESERVATIONS REQUIRED / $46.46 per person

Seating at 7PM & 9PM in Monroe’s & The Saloon

Enjoy a three course dinner (appetizer, entrée and dessert)

and live entertainment.



Sunday January 1, 2017 

10am to 2pm Free. 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.

2pm to 4pm Free. Yoga. Lake Eola Park, 195 N Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL.Every week.

4:30pm to 6:30pm  Free. Market2Park. Shady Park Hannibal Square New England and Pennsylvania Aye. Winter Park.

Mimi’s Christmas Birthday Party.

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Mimi Hwang lives on beautiful Lake Sylvan in Winter Park. Finding her house number was a challenge but there was plenty of side street parking once I got off the main road. Her back yard sloped right down to the lake’s edge. The night tin view off the lake we gorgeous with all the home lights adding a romantic glow. It was a chilly night and no one else used the rented tables and chairs she had set up on the hill. I poured a Proseco and started the sketch. The table was pitched an angle, so the wine glass kept inching down the table towards my lap. I found it could be stabilized by wedging a pine branch under the leading edge.

The back porch of her home had a DJ and a fire pit. It was also mission central for the bar which supplied champagne all evening. Candle light and Christmas lights supplied the only illumination. Mimi had tons of rich sweet roast duck and plenty of side dishes. A piano player performed holiday favorites which everyone sang along to. I finished the low light digital sketch in record time, so I could get back inside and warm up. Wendy Wallenberg pointed out all the walls of the home that she would rip out if she were to buy the home. She also took selfies with just about everyone at the party. By the time the birthday cake rolled out, every one was stuffed, drunk or both, and the cake went uncut. Being able to party outside in December is why we all love to live here in Central Florida.

Violectric at Lake Eola.

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The popular electric string quintet with keyboards and drums known as “Violectric” rang in the holiday season with their exciting annual “Violectric Holiday Show” presented by the City of Orlando Families, Park and Recreation at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park, (99 N Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801). Free and open to the public, the concert featured traditional holiday songs like “Jingle Bells,” “O Christmas Tree” and “Hanukkah, O Hanukkah” mashed up with classic rock tunes like “Kashmir,” “Born to Run” and “Sweet Dreams”, plus modern hits, delivering a fun-filled, energetic, and highly-unique holiday show unlike anything seen and heard before.

Violectric teamed up with Old Forrester who hosted a VIP “Backstage Speakeasy” Pre-Party including a special behind-the-scenes with a band and a “End of Prohibition” After-Party open to all with a cash bar and 1920’s costume contest. Guests were also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the concert, which would be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Formed in 2008, the accomplished members of the “Classic Musicians Who Rock!” Violectric have been performing in various groups, orchestras and together for over 20 years across the globe.  Led by Grammy Recording Artist “Vinylinist” Michelle Jones, Violectric is a unique fusion of the passion and beauty of classical string instruments with the excitement of cutting-edge modern technology and effects.  Violectric’s custom arrangements of classic and modern rock tunes like “Billie Jean,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Moves Like Jagger” and “Chandelier” cannot be heard anywhere else.

Violectric has a signature look in that the violins are illuminated by neon. Of course Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance towards the end of the concert. That couple certainly gets around. They have been at just about every holiday event I have sketched.

Angels at Pulse.

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December 12th marked six months since the horrific shooting that took 49 lives and ruined counties others at Pulse Nightclub.  Pulse owner Barbara Poma opened the chain link fence surrounding the club to the first time, at 2am for family of victims and then later that evening for the general public to mourn. The angels gathered, holding candles at Pulse along the Orange Avenue length of fence. Purple neon glowed above the entrance to Pulse. Media and passers by shot photos.

One reporter from Channel 13 News, John Davis,  was curious about my digital sketch and he interviewed me the next day as I hung 18 sketches at City Arts Factory that document Orlando’s attempts to heal since the mass shooting. The city will never be the same.

At the entrance there was prayer and then song. One song was Wind Beneath My Wings, which seemed perfect for the angels in attendance.

The da Vinci Robot at Otronicon.

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The Orlando Science Center (777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803) hosts Otronicon each year. Otronicon is a celebration of interactive technology that takes place
each January at the Orlando Science Center. It offers a glimpse into the
future and a demonstration of how interactive technology will impact how
we work, learn and play. At Otronicon, guests walk on the cutting edge
through state of the art video games, digital media, digital art, and
workshops – not to mention military and medical simulators typically not
available to the public.

The da Vinci Surgical System is a robotic surgical system made by the American company Intuitive Surgical. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000, it is designed to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach, and is controlled by a surgeon from a console. The system is commonly used for prostatectomies, and increasingly for cardiac valve repair and gynecologic surgical procedures like hysterectomies. According to the manufacturer, the da Vinci System is called “da Vinci” in part because Leonardo da Vinci’s “study of human anatomy eventually led to the design of the first known robot in history.”

 If you have a passion for technology, simulators, and video games in general, mark your calendars for the most interactive technology expo in Central Florida – Otronicon. This event takes the world of video games and simulation, and transforms them into in-depth immersive experiences.

There will also be classes in video game creation, as well as exclusive peeks at simulators created by experts in the field. This is the one weekend when the Orlando Science Center leaves its doors open for extended evening hours, so be sure to plan on experiencing all of the interactive fun at Otronicon.

Otronicon will run from January 13th to 16th, 2017. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (All Ages)
Tickets are available online.