Dickens by Candlelight rehearsal.

Posted on by Thor

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.

Posted on by Thor

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.

Posted on by Thor

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’.

Posted on by Thor

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.

Weekend Top 6 picks for December 5th and 6th.

Posted on by Thor

12-20-09NutcrackerSaturday December 5, 2015 

8:45am Free. 63rd Annual Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade, Park Avenue Winter Park, FL. Each year the event attracts thousands of spectators who look forward to and enjoy the pageantry of the parade as the festive holiday season begins. We are proud to be a part of this event. Make a memory or continue the tradition!

6pm Free. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. Band shell Lake Eola 195 N Rosalind Avenue.  The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will kick off the holiday season with the sixth annual WKMG News 6 Holiday Concert benefiting the Salvation Army Angel Tree, a spirited performance of holiday-inspired classics at Lake Eola Park. In celebration of the holiday season, the event will be broadcast live by WKMG Local 6, and will feature all four orchestras of the FSYO.

“It’s a highlight of our year to partner with WKMG and have our student musicians provide live music in the annual holiday concert at Lake Eola,” said FSYO President Stephen Schenck. “This concert gives us the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with the community and at the same time help the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, which provides children in our community gifts to open Christmas morning. Gifts they would not normally receive.”

Hosted by WKMG the News 6 Morning Show talent, Bridgett Ellison and David Hall, the concert will feature holiday sing-alongs and a very special appearance by Santa Claus. Admission is free to all, but a monetary donation or unwrapped toy donation for the Salvation Army is encouraged.

7pm to 9pm Free. Shuffleboard at Orlando’s Beardall Courts. Orlando’s Beardall Courts 800 Delaney Ave Orlando FL. Shuffleboard at Orlando’s Beardall Courts at 800 Delaney Ave on the 1st Saturday of each month. The next Shuffle will be Sat., Sept. 6, at 7 pm. Free fun! https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoShuffle?notif_t=fbpage_fan_invite

Sunday December 6, 2015 

10am to 5pm SPARKLE handmade art market. Dandelion Communitea Cafe 618 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, Florida. Sparkle is an outdoor event featuring unique, talented, CF artists and their handmade goods. Come peruse the best hand made jewelry, organic body products, pottery and much more. Eat well and shop handmade! This event has free parking.

10am to 12:30pm $10 Crealde Sketch Class. Crealdé School of Art, 600 St Andrews Blvd, Winter Park, FL. Life drawing from  a nude model.

7pm to 9pm Free. Angel of Hope. Sunshine Park, Altamonte Springs, FL. A candle-light ceremony for women who have lost babies.

The Orlando Magic against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Posted on by Thor

On the day after Thanksgiving, Terry got tickets to the Orlando Magic Game at the Amway Center. She wanted to treat my sister Pat Boehme who was visiting for the holiday. The Magic were going to play the Milwaukee Bucks. Terry had access to the Bank of America Box which could accommodate 16 individuals. The box is usual used to impress prospective clients. This was the first time I was invited. we got there a hour early and parked in Terry’s work lot. I had forgotten my sketchbook, so I did this sketch on the back of the tickets. Kim Buchheit a dear friend was also invited and she livened up the box by cheering shouting and dancing in the aisles. A financial advisor from the Winter Park office had three of his clients, and a co-worker of Terry’s was there with a friend  and his wife. There was also a well dressed Indian couple seated right in front of me. I sat at a counter which was a perfect little surface to sketch on.

There was complimentary pulled pork sandwiches and beers in the refrigerator. I just sipped Pepsi to get my nervous lines jumping. A large indoor blimp circled the stadium as the players warmed up. In the first quarter, the scores stayed rather close. I recall the score being tied at 43 to 43. Then the Magic started pulling ahead. My sketch was finished by half time, so I relaxed in the second half and just watched the game. The stadium was maybe half full and there was a lackluster energy through the whole game. I rather prefer to watch the antics of the Magic mascot who would wander through the crowd every quarter and throw a whipped cream pie in the face of the first fan he saw wearing a Milwaukee T Shirt.  He tended to hit fans in the bad row of the first section. I pointed out two of the unlucky fans in my sketch.

The final score was 114 to 90 with the Orlando Magic winning the game. Last year the Magic only won 25 games with 57 losses. It was an embarrassing season. This year with 8 wins and 8 losses, they are having a much better season. Perhaps if the wins keep happening the Orlando fans might work up some energy. They tended to shout louder for the free T shirt cannons then for the team on the court.

Little Women at the Breakthrough Theater in Winter Park.

Posted on by Thor

The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park (419A W. Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park) presents the Peter Clapham play, “Little Women“, based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, and directed by Wade Hair from December 4-14, 2015. I went to the first dress rehearsal and the stage set was close to completion. The walls had just been sponge painted and only two set piece remained to be set up, a fireplace and bookcase, and a small table for tea. I started blocking in the set as the actors got into costume.

Little Women is a coming of age drama tracing the lives of four sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. During the American Civil War, the girls father is away serving as a minister to the troops. The family, headed by their beloved Marmee (Dina Najjar) , must struggle to make ends meet, with the help of their kind and wealthy neighbor, Mr. Laurence, and his high spirited grandson Laurie. The March home is always overflowing with life.

The theater is intimate with only 40 seats. This makes you feel very close to the action on stage.  The eldest daughter Meg March (Ashlee Degelleke) paused before stepping on the stage. “Is it all right if I get on stage?” Being the only person in the audience I said, “of course.” She was probably asking the director. In a red dress, she is a beauty, and runs the household when her mother
is absent. Meg fulfills expectations for women of the time, she is already a nearly perfect “little woman”. She sat at the piano and performed as the other actors got ready.

Josephine March (Allie Novell) , the principle character, is a strong and willful young woman, struggling to subdue her strong
personality. Her lack of success in this renders her more realistic and
contributes to her charm. The second-oldest of four sisters, Josephine March is the boyish one; her father likes to refer to her as his “son Jo”.  Jo loves literature, both reading and writing. She composes plays for
her sisters to perform and writes short stories. She initially rejects
the idea of marriage and romance, feeling that it would break up her
family and separate her from the sisters whom she adores. The actress had a wonderful way of hunching her shoulders making it clears wasn’t comfortable in women’s gowns. When her long braids are shorn later in the play, she seems more beautiful in he short hair.

Elizabeth March (Abigail Marotta) contracts scarlet fever and the household is bereft since there is nothing they can do to save her. Darkness turns to light and joy seeps in. They celebrate Christmas while singing together around the piano. Although some of the dialogue seemed stiff , formal and affected, which might be true of the times, the show has heart.  This is clearly a show written for women, but I found myself beaming as I rooted for the characters and actresses.  If you want to see a show that can warm your heart this Christmas season, then Little Woman is a must see. The show showcases the value of virtue over wealth.

Show Dates and Times:

December 4-7 (Friday-Monday) and 10-14 (Thursday-Monday)
(Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.)

Ticket Prices:

$20.00 general admission
$18.00 senior citizens
$15.00 students
$12.00 Monday and Thursday performances
$10.00 Breakthrough Alumni cash only at the door or online at www.breakthroughtheatre.com

RESERVATIONS: 407-920-4034

CAST:

Josephine March: Allie Novell

Meg March: Ashlee Degelleke

Beth March: Abigail Marotta

Amy March: Mackendrick Zavitz

Marmee: Dina Najjar

Laurie Laurence: Joshua Huff

Mr. Brooke: Ryan Roberson

Aunt March: Eileen Antonescu

Mr. Laurence: John Moughan

Hannah: Carol Jacqueline Palumbo

Mr. March: Anthony Marando

Horror Movie Poetry Night 2: The Return of Bloody Verse.

Posted on by Thor

Writer’s Atelier 336 Grove Ave, Winter Park, Florida. The Drunken Odyssey: A Podcast About the Writing Life presents another evening of verse inspired by that most poetic of film genres: Horror!

Featured artists were,  Mark Purcell, Teege Braune, Anna King, Vincent Crampton, Genevieve Anna Tyrrell, Tom Lucas, Susan Fallows, and the host, John King.

One of my favorite stories was about Rosemary’s baby told from the viewpoint of the adoring mom. She felt that her love could sway her son from his demonic future. All the store related to Horror films that we all love or hate. It was a fun night of horror stories right before Halloween. 

Third Thursday at 55 West.

Posted on by Thor

On the Third Thursday of each month, the Downtown Arts District, (29 S Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida, comes alive as all the downtown galleries open their art shows with a Gallery Hop, Tech Meetup and Business Networking events.

 On a typical Hop, a series of galleries and non-traditional art venues (think restaurants, boutiques, and salons) spotlight the best of established and emerging Orlando-based artists as well as the works of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists.

Venues include:

Aloft Orlando Downtown 500 S Orange Ave

Art for all Places 55 West Church St.

City Arts Factory 29 S Orange Ave

The Falcon Bar and Gallery 819 E Washington St.

Gallery at Avalon Island 39 S Magnolia Ave.

Grand Bohemian Gallery 325 S Orange Ave

Loft 55 Gallery 55 West, Breezeway, Church St and Pine

NV Art Bar 27 E Pine Street

It was threatening to rain on this particular Third Thursday, and I got as far as the breezeway at 55 west Church Street when it started to rain. Janae Corrado who is a regular at the art market was set up along with Christian Rivera. There was only other vendor set up. It was a surprisingly small turn out. Usually there are at least a dozen artists set up outside at church street across from the railroad station. I guess local artist know to stay home if there is the threat of rain.  Artists in the breezeway at least had a roof over their heads. Christian’s work was playful, seeming to be inspired by modern pop Japanese imagery of mystical pandas and ferocious cats. He worked on his canvas whenever there was a break from potential customers. On this rainy afternoon, he had plenty of time to focus and work. 

A creative crowd at the Dribbble Meetup at Envy Labs.

Posted on by Thor

I went to sketch at Envy Labs (618 E South Street · Suite 620 Orlando, FL)  for an event called the Dribbble Meetup. Every one was scribbling away on graphic design concepts when I arrived. They were working on spec to create a new Orlando Designers logo. I was please to see many of the designers working old school putting pencil to paper. The venue provided dotted paper. There was drinking and drawing with the hope to win more than bragging rights. I’m not sure what prizes might have been offered, but wasn’t tempted. I have my own agenda. If someone wants to design a logo they would need to hire me.

Many artists were more interested in hanging out rather than focusing on design. The open bar in the corner was constantly busy. Carlos Basabe an amazing illustrator who attends my Drink and Draw events stopped by to say hello. It is wife is a designer so that is why he gets the invites.  I’m not sure how I was invited, but it was fun to see a crowded room full of creatives. Music set the beat to the evening. An MC named Daisy stood at the front of the room with a megaphone. She let everyone know how much time was left to create. I timed my sketch to her announcements. She then walked around the room, still projecting her voice with the megaphone. She was quite funny.

There was apparently an art swap going on as well. Designers were encouraged to bring in any stray prints they might have to swag with fellow artists.I didn’t actually notice any swapping going on. Dribbble is a growing artistic community. If you are a creative, you should look them up. And there are indeed three bs in Dribbble.The hand writing recognition on this Windows 10 tablet sucks. I may need to get a wireless keyboard and learn to type. The ghost in the machine keeps changing what I write.