Dog Powered Rehearsal

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When I arrived at the Chandler Art Market the entire Dog Powered Robot cast was gathered around a table eating pizza talking and laughing. Fisher, the dog behind the robot was dancing on his hind legs for scraps. He doesn’t seem fazed by his sudden rise to fame. He still appreciates the little things in life like pizza crust. Christie Miga got things started by reading off what robot and set parts people would be responsible to get off the truck during load in. They would only have 20 minutes to get everything off the truck and get it set up in the theater.

For the first part of the rehearsal Katie Green, the stage manager, asked everyone to move all the robots, set pieces, and technological wonders from the back room to the main room. She set the stop watch on her iPhone and shouted go. The cast rushed through the narrow doorway and they scrambled like frantic worker bees to get everything in place. Once everything was in place, they then had to “suit up.” Alyssa Folley who plays Lollybot squeezed into a shiny black nylon or spandex body suit with a hood. Christie was helping her slip on the glove. Center stage Doug LoCicero quickly maneuvered into his Henchbot. Fisher scrambled around until Christie picked him up. They were ready for showtime with time to spare. Of course at the Repertory Theater they would have to move everything a bit further depending on how close they could park the truck. Dog Powered Robot was ready to roll!

At the Green venue at the Rep Theater. Tickets.

5/22 SUN 9:20PM

5/24 TUE 5:15PM

5/26 THU 7:40PM

5/27 FRI 6:40PM

5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Fringe FLASH!

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In the weeks leading up to Fringe an intrepid core group of dancers met on the green lawn of fabulousness to rehearse for a Fringe Flash mob. I promised the PR people that I would not show the sketch of the top secret rehearsals until after the flash mob had actually been performed. Having sketched several Flash mobs to promote tourism in the City Beautiful, I was used to seeing a much larger crowd rehearsing, but what they lacked in numbers, they made up in heart. I donated a design for the Fringe Flash Facebook page to help this grassroots promotion.

The music used for the choreography was from every high school musical film. For the first part of the rehearsal everyone was organized in lines as they followed along. Later they circled around a garbage can which symbolized a fountain that exists at Church Street Station. I particularly liked the music from Fame. I had worked on animation that used this music when I was in college in New York City so the song hits a chord in me of yearning to fulfill ones potential. I can’t help but sing along!

I didn’t make it to the final Flash performance at Church Street Station, but the video shot shows that the Flashers took everyone by surprise. I also got to see a second performance right after the ribbon cutting on the green lawn of fabulousness. I discovered that I messed up this year and I am not a Fringe performing artist like I was last year. I brought you coverage of as many shows as I could sketch last year. It was a magnificent theatrical drawing marathon. This year I feel naked, stripped of my lanyard. Not having a lanyard seems a sure sign that the Rapture is here and I am doomed to five months of torture. I will only be able to beg my way into a few shows where I know the performers. Oh well, there are other events to sketch and besides I need to focus on the Mennello Museum mural. Which reminds me, I plan to sketch particularly outrageous performers on the green lawn of fabulousness for the mural and to help promote their shows. I will be sketching the sensual performers from “Big Swinging Dicks” as well as Voci Dancers. I’m thinking that I should make a T-shirt that says, “Will sketch for tickets.” I need to keep working the angles to get the next sketch.

I was told the Rapture will happen at 6pm today. Since I doubt I will rise to heaven, I should say it will be an honor and privilege to party with all the sinners left behind at the Fringe!

Fringe Festival ribbon cutting.

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The Orlando International Fringe Festival began May 18th. I got to Loch Haven Park around 5:30pm and the Green Lawn of Fabulousness was already crowded. Classic rock musician, John Lowbridge, was playing guitar on the outdoor stage. The large tented area was packed with people sampling food and drink. I rushed past the beer tent, but stopping to shake Mike Maples hand. He was offering red and white wine to help promote the show he is in called “Big Swinging Dick’s Topless Bar and Drag Queen Farting.” The title says it all.

Inside the Shakespeare Theater I bumped into Jeff Ferree who has the smallest venue at the festival, a walk-in closet where he is staging a puppet show. He says 13 people can squeeze in but it looks tight. I arranged to try and sketch his theater between performances. I doubt I could sketch with a standing room only crowd, I get claustrophobic. Then I ran into Pepe who was leaving a trail of white feathers from his flamboyant boa as he paraded back to the outdoor stage. There he took to the stage to announce to all the “mommys and poppys” that the ribbon cutting ceremony was about to begin. The Fringe cheerleaders held the ends of the purple ribbon. Beth Marshall, Matt McGrath and an assortment of board members were on hand. Patty Shehan made a proclamation announcing the beginning of the 20th annual Fringe Festival and with a quick snip the two halves of the ribbon fluttered to the ground.

After the ceremony most people went inside the Shakespeare Theater for the Fringe Gala Show in the Margeson Theater. John the guitarist started packing up his amplifier and the endless miles of electrical cords as he got ready to leave. We talked for a bit about music and art and then I packed my things to see if I could get another sketch inside the Shakes of the Gala show.

Team Dog Powered Robot

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I went to some of the final rehearsals for Dog Powered Robot. Rehearsals were held at the Chandler Arts Market in Winter Park where Christie Mega works. Joey Corcoran was busy building a bot as the actors started to rehearse. The robot’s skeleton was being built from pvc tubing. Joey measured his own leg and arm bones and then transferred those measurements to the PVC. He cut the PVC using a circular saw which was outside the back door. . With all the bones cut, he assembled the skeleton in minutes using PVC elbow joints and T-joints. Then the skeleton had to undergo numerous tweaks to to give the bot just the right crumpled gesture. Fisher, the dog behind Dog Powered Robot pranced around the rehearsal space inspecting all the action.

The rehearsal involved the actors practicing the choreography involved in the epic fight scenes. It felt more like elementary playtime rather than a serious rehearsal as the actors moved in slow motion pretending to be huge menacing robots. No one was “suited up” since they wanted to practice the movements without the bulky robotic limitations. Joseph Geoghagen jotted down notes whenever any improvised line seemed particularly funny. I’m sure when the actors are encased in the incredible robot suits, the scenes will become even more epic. Everyone in the room was laughing.

This is one Fringe show you do not want to miss. I predict that these shows will sell out. I would get tickets early, or you might only hear rumors of the awesomeness as you drown your sorrow at the beer tent for having missed a historic Fringe sensation.

Show times are…

5/20 FRI 7:55PM

5/21 SAT 12:00PM

5/22 SUN 9:20PM

5/24 TUE 5:15PM

5/26 THU 7:40PM

5/27 FRI 6:40PM

5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Fashion Funds the Cure

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Terry asked if I would like to sketch a fashion show at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Florida Mall. I approached Saks from inside the mall and found the gate had been pulled down and a sign put up announcing a private party. I had to backtrack a bit then walk outside to enter Saks from the parking lot. The women at the reception table searched for my name on the list and they couldn’t find it. I had been invited so I stubbornly told them to check again. They finally just let me in. There was food and drink but I wanted to get right to work. Most of the seats in the front rows had reserved signs on them. I fount a seat right next to where the models entered the runway. From my seat I could see the models backstage as they prepared.

The event was a fundraiser for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. This organization launched a new clinical trial to treat 18 children with relapsed Acute Limphoblastic Leukemia or ALL as it is commonly called. Each child’s treatment would cost $13,000. My father had died from Leukemia shortly before I moved to Orlando so I know first hand how this disease can ravage and deplete a family member.

Eight year old Gina Marie Incandela started things off by singing “Baby you’re a Firework” by Katy Perry. She had sung the National Anthem at a Magic playoff game I recently attended. Her song began tentatively then when she marched down the runway with her hands raised the audience was hooked. I wasn’t ready for what followed. Angelys, an adorable young eight year old girl, made her way down the runway with her mom escorting her. Angelys along with all the other young models is battling Leukemia. The girls were smiling as they sported beautiful oufits down the runway. Several girls had lost strength in their legs and they still made it down the runway with adults escorts supporting them by the elbows. They exhibited strength and beauty.

The host, Brandi Williams would announce some enlightening snippet for each girl. One girls simple bio read, “I am so much more than my cancer.” I saw women across the runway dabbing their eyes and I struggled to keep my eyes clear so I could sketch. Terry had to leave since the scene made her sad. For one shining moment every one of these survivors were superstars. A young girl got to the end of the runway in front of the video cameras and she did an extra sassy hip move that bought a loud cheer from the audience.

Then came an auction. A woman won an amazing week long trip to Colorado for just $2,000. A trip to Paris France had me tempted to bid. When the auction was over, the area quickly cleared out. Melissa Kasper was nice enough to bring me a plate of food as I finished the sketch. The pork and mashed potatoes were amazing. I got up to get a second plate. I found Terry talking to Rachel Kapitan who was helping Ella Kapul at Chocolate Provocateur.When Terry went to hug Jessica Mariko of Drip Dance, a martini glass crashed to the floor. Never a dull moment. We laughed so we wouldn’t cry.

Four Rivers

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I am now on a quest to sketch the longest lines in Orlando. I put out a Facebook status asking where I should look. I got thirteen responses and four of those suggested I sketch the line of people waiting for Barbecue at Four Rivers Smokehouse (2103 W Fairbanks Ave.) I had been to Four Rivers before and indeed the line went out the door. Excited, I decided I had to sketch that night. Terry was at a writing workshop in the same neighborhood, so I planned to stop by and visit once my sketch was done.

It was a hot muggy evening. I sat in the shade of a church across the street. Sadly there was no epic line of people waiting. There was a steady stream of people coming and going so I figured the line might develop and grow as I sketched. Dave from the Auto Spa of Winter Park diagonally across the street from Four Rivers took an interest in what I was doing. He said, “You know that place is the best thing to happen to this neighborhood in 20 years. The place was intended to just house a catering business, but people kept stopping by for BBQ. The owner is a religious man and he had a vision of eventually owning 24 stores. He never wants to franchise. So within one year, he now has a place in Winter Garden and another one opening in Altamonte Springs.”

When I finished my sketch I decided I had to order something. I got a “Burnt Ends” sandwich with beef brisket and pork together. I ordered a small side of macaroni and a Mountain Dew as well. The sandwich was good with a subtle lingering heat that warmed my throat. The macaroni and Dew helped cut the heat. I was full after finishing half of the sandwich. There were some hot sauces on the counter outside but I’m not that adventurous. Eight picnic tables were arranged out back and they were all occupied. I watched as people came and went from the gravel parking lot. Misters and industrial fans kept things cool.

Orlando Home Grown Show

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As part of the week long Snap Photography celebration, there was to be an exhibit of photography from Orlando locals at the Orlando Museum of Art as part of First Thursdays. Johannah O’Donnel was there and I was told she helped organize the exhibit. On exhibit in the front gallery were paintings which all revolved around an urban theme. I made my way back towards the sound of music. I bumped into Joe Rosier who was promoting his one man storytelling show in the up coming Fringe festival. I am trying to arrange to sketch Joe since he has so much character.

In the central room of the museum with the giant blue blown glass sculpture by Dale Chilhuly a simple two man band was warming up. Adriaan Mol was playing guitar in his laid back fashion. The bands name was, Please Respect our Decadence. There was a nice tall cocktail table right in front of the stage so I started to sketch. I always get nervous sketching in museums now and I kept tracking the museum guards movements as I worked.

Jared Silvia said hello and he let me know where the photography exhibit was. When I finished sketching I went to the back gallery where the photo exhibit was hung. Jared let me know where his wife Silvia’s piece was hung. She was near her photo talking with friends. I jokingly asked her to stop crowding the art so I could get a look. It was a stark almost black and white photo of a woman in a flowing white dress lying in a stream. I couldn’t see the woman’s face. It looked to me like a murder scene. I talked to Jared about it and he said I was wrong. It was a more romantic and symbolic image with personal significance. I mentioned Dustin Hoffman floating in the pool in a scene from “The Graduate.” I hit much closer to the mark with that visual analogy.

Snap was like a week long shot of adrenalin. This dynamic, inspiring event shook me to the core making me realize the importance creative media can have to affect positive change. The city of Orlando really needs events like this to challenge, provoke and inspire creative change.

Flight out of Panama

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Terry and I piled into a cab outside Alison’s apartment building at four in the morning. The streets of Panama city were relatively quiet. At the airport there was a long line at the American Airlines counter. Why were they all up so early for? We waited to cheek our bags. Security was the usual hassle, removing shoes, getting the tablet PC into a separate storage bin to go through the x-ray machine. My assortment of art supplies usually sparks curiosity and a second search. This time I just had to put up with a pat down. Terry said the female security officer felt up her breasts.

Terry is usually nervous flying so she took a prescribed tablet to calm her nerves. We checked into the Admirals Club which is much quieter than waiting at the gate. Terry was out like a light. She slept while I sketched until a patch of sunlight crawled along the wall and then shined right into her eyes. At the gate people pushed and formed a long line when section A was announced for boarding. I stood at the back of the line and Terry walked up to the front of the line. She waved me up. She asked several people if they were in section A. They weren’t. We cut in front of everyone. Terry explained that she had lived in Venezuela for a year and in Latin America everyone pushes to the front of the line. Bureaucratic courtesies like road signs were ignored.

Terry immediately fell asleep on the plane. An hour late, the plane taxied out to the runway and stopped. Half an hour later the pilot announced that one of the six fuel pumps wasn’t working. The air on the plane shut off. The cabin gradually started to heat up. I wished I had worn shorts. I started sweating. People stood in the aisle talking nervously in Spanish. The plane taxied back to a runway and continued to wait. Still there was no air. I was getting lightheaded. There was less oxygen and too much CO2. I calmed my nerves. I might be hyperventilating. They could always deploy the oxygen masks, couldn’t they? I was seated right next to one of the exit doors over the wings. I imagined I could force open this emergency exit before I passed out. But what if I passed out first? Terry was sound asleep. The pilot announced that they hoped to get a portable air system trucked in from another airline. An hour later the air turned on. Everyone raised their hands to check the flow of air. Several people stood putting their faces up to the air nozzles inhaling deeply and turning their faces into the breeze.

I don’t know if they ever fixed the fuel pump. Three and a half hours late, we accelerated down the runway and took flight. We missed our connecting flight in Miami and had to get our bags to go through customs and head through security again. This time I had to stand in one of the new full body scanners. A bright light bar whirled around me as I stood with my arms up in the sign of surrender. I didn’t get to see my nude scan, I was curious. At the Orlando airport we waited forever at baggage claim. Terry’s bag arrived early in the process. Everyone else picked up their bags and left. Then an orange cone that said, “Last Bag” showed up on the moving beltway. We went into the office and found out that my bag was still in Miami. I had left a camera in that bag so I didn’t have to carry it. What a mistake! A day later my bag was delivered to my doorstep with several new rips and the zipper handles removed. Luckily the camera, which I never did use on the vacation, was safe and sound in it’s protective case.

On the Tip of Your Tongue

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Mad About Words sponsored a writing workshop with Ellie Watts-Russell the current writer in residence at the Kerouac house. She organized the workshop to explore the power of taste, sound and touch as artistic triggers. The workshop began in the Kerouac house living room where she asked everyone to introduce themselves and point out one quirky fact from their lives. Ellie worked in a men’s prison. The man in front of me said the smell of bacon always reminded him of his time in the navy. A woman related that she electrocuted herself in the kitchen once. Every person offered a fascinating taste and I wanted to hear more. An excerpt was read from several authors who explored the senses in their writing. One paragraph was from Jack Kerouac’s Darma Bums, where he described his ascent up a rocky mountainside. It was vivid and clear. Ellie had a sweet British accent, and she would acknowledge writing she loved as “Brilliant.”

Ellie then asked everyone a series of questions which would help indicate if you were a visual, aural, or tactile author. One question was, after buying an item of IKEA furniture would you,
A. Read the instructions.
B. Ask a friend for advice or
C. Start building and learn as you go.
I was sketching but I am fairly sure I am a visual person. Besides I haven’t fully smelled anything since I moved to Florida.

Ellie then invited everyone to the back room of the house. There she had items to stimulate the senses. For smell there was a large Magnolia blossom floating in a clear bowl of water. For touch there was a brown puddle in a paper plate that held it’s form when lifted like some primordial ooze. For taste there was some cotton candy which had collapsed in the Florida heat forming compact pancakes of multicolored sweetness. Ellie was mortified and put out some fresh “candy floss” but everyone picked up and tasted the hardened masses. On the wall there were photos. A man pushed a large block of ice. A long line of people struggled up a dune. A young girls face was illuminated by her laptop.

Then everyone sat down to write. Many authors sat outside to enjoy the beautiful day. I finished my sketch as they wrote. I wanted to get home to Terry so I didn’t stick around to hear what everyone wrote. I thanked Ellie for letting me sit in and started home. On the drive back I passed a black limo and a hearse. It seemed sad that only two cars followed. Later a gleaming white hearse and limo made a left turn down the Orange Blossom Trail. A large white SUV screeched to a halt in the middle of the intersection and two men in white suits jumped out to direct traffic so that the insanely long line of cars could breeze through. As an artist or author we always hope we can touch many lives with whatever we create. I wondered if my funeral would have one car or a long line in tow. It is a vain glorious thing to ponder but what matters is that I leave something behind, and that I never let my senses grow dull. Howl at the moon and rush off in search of the next sketch.