Wine and Art in Downtown Lake Mary.

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WineArt Wednesdays at Downtown Lake Mary (101 North 4th Street Lake Mary, FL) is a monthly event. Enjoy a beautiful stroll through the park and the sidewalks of Downtown merchants lined with displays from local artists. Relax and unwind to some live music while sipping a glass of wine from the new beer and wine garden in Central Park or dig into some eats from some of the best food trucks and newest restaurants in town.

This year the even keeps the awesome live band, but, every other
month or so instead of the band they will have “A Movie In The Park”. A
gigantic outdoor movie screen playing a great movie in the tranquil
setting of Lake Mary’s very own Central Park. So bring your favorite
picnic blanket and enjoy!

Check the WineArt Wednesday Facebook page, to see when the next event is being held. Get out and check out the art.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for April 9th and 10th.

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Saturday April 9, 2016 

5pm to 7pm Free. Jill’s Cashbox. The lawn in front of the Dr. Phillip Center for the Performing Arts 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL. Kick up your heels on the lawn to this good tin country band. 

7:30pm to 9:30 pm Reserve your Free tickets and hall pass. On the Bridge between Science and Music Concert Presentation with Hana Zimmer, Kip Thorne, and Paul Franklin. Walt Disney Theater Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 S. Magnolia Avenue Orlando FL. 

10:30pm to 12:30am Free but order food and drink.  Son Flamenco. Ceviche Tapas Orlando, 125 W Church St, Orlando, FL. Hot blooded Flamenco dancing. 

Sunday April 10, 2016 

9am to 11am Free for spectators. $30 for participants. Walk for Trees. Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin 4990 New Broad St, Orlando, Florida. In Fall 2015, Orlando Mayor Dyer launched an ambitious goal to strengthen Orlando by building our urban forest and expanding the tree canopy.

To achieve this goal, the City of Orlando launched the ‘One Person, One Tree’ program, an effort to engage private residents in creating a cooler and greener future for The City Beautiful, and help grow our urban tree canopy to 40% by 2040.

This April 10th, IDEAS For Us and the City of Orlando will launch an inaugural “Walk For Trees event” around Lake Baldwin to support Orlando’s tree programs, with a goal of raising enough funds to plant 1,000 trees in Orlando!

The event will have local celebrities, elected officials, nonprofits, food trucks, and more.

Orlando is proud to be a Tree City USA since 1976, named a Sterling Tree City USA in 2011 and received a Tree Growth Award every year since 1990.

3pm to 5pm Reserve your Free tickets and hall pass. Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band Concert. Walt Disney Theater Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 S. Magnolia Avenue Orlando FL. 

5pm to 7pm  Reserve your Free tickets and hall pass. Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra presents a concert for expectant Parents. Alex and Jim Pugh Theater Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

445 S. Magnolia Avenue Orlando FL.

Drip Local Art Night featured Public Record.

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Drip Local Art Night features Visual Artists, Performance Artists, Burlesque troupes, Body Painters, Dancers, Belly Dancers, and Art Installations. 

This is an all ages event. Set-up for artists started at 6:30 and doors for the public opened at 8pm. Drip is located at 8747 International Dr #102, Orlando, F, behind Denny’s and Senior Frogs. Access is via a loading dock. 

Artist rent tables at this bimonthly event for $10. Artists get 100% of all sales. It is a pretty sweet deal for the artists and the crowds that show for this event, keep getting larger. Jessica Mariko‘s husband David Travers is in the band Public Record.  This band accepts ideas from social media about their fans favorite albums. They perform the entire album in order, live.

Mark your calendars! The next Drip Art Night is April 28, starting at 8pm. Check out the hottest scene in Orlando. 

Alone is to premiere at UCF Celebrates the Arts.

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Cindy Michelle Heen, the choreographer, invited me to a rehearsal of Alone at Studio Two in the Performing Arts Center at UCF12488 Centaurus Blvd, Orlando, FL. This piece will be part of Theater UCF presents Dance 10 which will be performed on April 8th at 7:30pm in the Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This is part of 9 Days of Free Events starting April 8th through April 16th. In order to enter the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, you must have a free ticket for an Event or a free Hall Pass. A ticket grants you entrance to a specific event at a specific time. A hall pass is valid for the entire festival and allows you to enter the center without a performance ticket’ When an event is sold out of advance tickets, a wait line forms an hour before the performance begins’ Patrons must have a hall pass to join the wait line. In 2015 all patrons in the lines got into performances.

Alone tells the story of a young woman finding her way in the world. Cindy explained that it reflects her own experience as a young dancer starting out in Orlando. Times were hard and finding refuge was difficult. Friends helped keep her spirit afloat. Now she is interconnected with so many people and she struggles just to keep up with the creative possibilities. At times the dancers moved on the stage with militaristic straight lines. At all times, the female lead was clearly defined, she was part of the crowd and at other times she was alone. Separation is hard, it is painful and yet sometimes it is needed for growth. The caged bird never flies.

Artist Critique and Converstion at the Maitland Art Center.

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The quarterly Artist Critique and Conversaion took place in the Germaine Marvel Building (210 West Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL). Critique and Conversation is an exciting initiative to assist in the professional development of local artists.  A bar was available with beer, wine, water and soft drinks. Artists of every medium and skill level are encouraged to participate in the critiques. Each critique reviews up to 9 artists, and all artists must sign up in advance.

The June session focused on commercial art. Illustrators, graphic designers and commercial photographers were invited to have work reviewed by our guest panelists. Everryone was invited to hear the panelists’ insights and learn how they balance artistic vision with client expectations.

The guest panelists were

Doug Berger (REMIXED, Agency Partner). Remixed is a full service, multi-disciplinary marketing design agency that develops marketing strategies and brands. They incorporate a ten-step process to develop comprehensive marketing initiatives with award-winning designs that meet strategic goals.

Scott Donald (Art Director) – Donald is an illustrator, painter and designer. His works are part of a larger narrative involving myth, inherited memory and transient glimpses into nature’s connectedness.

Jim Hobart (Commercial Photographer) – Jim is the man behind Macbeth Photography, a distinctive studio that provides portraits, architectural, product and commercial photography, with offices in Orlando and New York City. His passion for architecture is reflected in his fine art photography.

Angela Henson, an interior designer, showed photography of Roman ruins. The best show depicted the huge shadow on a sculpted angel on the walls of a church. Mike Tipso who shoots event photos for the Orlando Weekly, had some vice photos off a farm to table event that took place during the golden hour as the sun set and everything turned to gold. Delores Haberkorn showed a large painting of a dancer gesturing towards a bird surrounded by Greek columns. Steve Parker, I believe is the artist depicted in my sketch. He showed a painting of a friend of his who has a phobia of moths. There were moths all over the man’s red shirt and around him as well. Some moths were painted so photo real, that they seemed to be standing on the surface off the canvas.

Red Bull One North American Final.

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Terry scored tickets to the Red Bull One North American Final in the Walt Disney Theater in The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The main floor was full, so we ended up in the nose bleed section. I rather liked the view looking down on all the action. Two B-Boy dancers would face off at a time, gesturing and getting in each others faces. Then each dancer would show off his moves. A TV camera sat on a rail rotating around the circular stage to catch all the action and show M on two big screens above the stage. Photographers snapped shots constantly from the front row, and iPhones caught the action from just about every seat in the theater.

Legendary radio host and MTV star Sway hosted the evening. Phife, of A
Tribe Called Quest, entertained with a set of some of his classics. The
crowd was in for a night of surprises, with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
Grandmaster Flash, Hip Hop pioneer DJ Charlie Chase, and legendary NYC
Hip Hop Photographer Joe Conzo all hitting the stage to show support.
The four elements of Hip Hop were alive and thriving in Orlando.

I could hear how each dancer was doing by the audience reactions. The level of athletics and balance was astonishing. I remember local boy Vicious Victor Montalvo from last year’s competition. He always had that extra spark and insane moves that would get the crowd screaming. It came as no surprise the he won round after round and was the ultimate victor for the day. He successfully defends his title in his hometown of Orlando
in front of a 3,000-person crowd at the Dr. Phillips Center for the
Performing Arts, making history as the only B-Boy to win consecutive
titles.

The one-on-one battle format pitted 16 of the best U.S. and Canadian
breakers against each other. Victor pulled out some of the best moves in
his repertoire, including back flip flares, backspin air babies, and his
completely unique style of form spins. “It feels so good to win this year because Orlando really supported
me, more than I ever could have imagined,” Victor said. “They were
screaming for me like crazy, and that got me hyped. I gave it all I had,
and it means so much to me that I won here.” Vicious said. Several months later, Vicious Victor went on to win the World Championship in Rome.

Red Bull BC One at Snap

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Red Bull and SNAP! Space, (1013 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL) presented the Official Opening Night for Red Bull BC
One North America Finals and a special hip-hop vintage photography
exhibit by Bronx photographer Joe Conzo. 

Special guests,included B-Boys performances, music by DJ Lean Rock,  DJ Rasta Root and cuts by Urban Stylez Barber Lounge. The event was free and open to the public.

This was probably the biggest crowd I ever saw at Snap. The black and white photos documented the early years of graffiti art and the emerging hip hop scene in NYC. B-Boy performances would break out spontaneously in different corners of the venue and a large crowd would gather around as if stopping traffic on a crowded sidewalk. The DJ outside kept the beats pumping. I settled in near the barber lounge to sketch people getting free haircuts. The cuts happened fast and furious. I didn’t linger too long after the sketch as done. I was going to the B-Boy Finals the next day and would catch all the dancing on the main stage at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Overlooking the Göreme Open Air Museum.

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Terry and I hiked up to a trail along the tops of the rock formations around the the Göreme Open Air Museum. The Steep winding trail snaked along the top ridge of the white Hill. I slipped on the loose pebbles and caught myself as I slid down a rocky slope. My left hand got scrapped up but not bloody. Having already hiked every hill, staircase, cavern and church in the open air museum, I decided to to stop and sketch an overlook. Terry continued hiking the trail, but, I decided, that I would hike back on the paved road.

The Open Air Museum, is listed as a World Heritage Site which is is a place (such as a building, city, complex, desert, forest, island, lake, monument, or mountain) that is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as being of special cultural or physical significance. It is clearly a popular tourist destination since the parking lot was full and the trails were crowded.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for April 2nd and 3rd.

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Saturday April 2, 2016

7pm to 9pm $30 per person. Price includes all paint supplies, canvas and a free glass of wine. Wine and Paint with Bethany Myers. Vinyl Arts Bar 75 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida. This is a fun and interactive experience where you get to be the artist. Guided by a professional artist, you’ll get to paint your own piece of artwork and bring your canvas home with you. This event is great for couples, girl’s night out, or just a group of friends wanting to socialize and meet new people.

Please arrive 15 minutes early. The painting begins at 7pm sharp.

About the Artist Instructor:

Bethany Myers is an Orlando artist best known for her brightly colored blind contour paintings and also works in photo realism, mixed media and line drawing. She has taught art to elementary school kids, senior citizens and all ages in-between. Project driven, Bethany has painted street art boxes for the Mills50 organization in downtown Orlando and completed a project in which she produced one painting a week for a year. She is currently working on a mural for a local women’s/children’s shelter.

9pm to 11pm No Cover. 1st Saturday Jamboree with the Bloody Jug Band (Special Guest Will Brack OMB). St. Matthew’s Tavern at the Orlando Beer Garden 1300 N Mills Ave, Orlando, Florida. The Bloody Jug Band has Partnered Up with St. Matthew’s Tavern at the Orlando Beer Garden for a MONTHLY Event. We’re Calling it the ‘1st SATURDAY Jamboree’ and will be Not Only performing at the Venue Each Month, but ALSO inviting a Local Musician to come Join the Jamboree with us.

8pm to 11pm Free but get food and drink. Jazz Saturdays. Cork & Fork American Grill 5180 S. Conway Road, Belle Isle, FL. Jazz Saturdays will feature live entertainment by Jazzanova musicians.

Sunday March 29, 2016

1pm to 3pm. Free. Reflecting Florida: Storytelling through Image and Word. Bookmark It 3201 Corrine Dr, Ste 109, Orlando, Florida. Bookmark It’s Reflecting Florida author series returns with a double book launch event for both Gary Monroe’s “E.G. Barnhill: Florida Photographer, Adventurer, Entrepreneur” and Jeff Kunerth’s “Forty: Newspaper Stories 1970-2014”. Looking back at Florida’s unique history thought the public lens of journalism and tourism, these books each capture the art of storytelling through image and written word.

Author Q&A and booksigning to follow presentations. Rick Kilby, author of “Finding the Fountain of Youth: Ponce de Leon and Florida’s Magical Waters” will be moderating the event.

4:30pm to 6:30pm $8 Orlando Roller Derby: Arkham Assailants VS. Sunnyland Slammers. Semoran Skateway 2670 Cassel Creek Blvd, Casselberry, Florida.Come watch Orlando Psycho City Roller Derby! Get ready for a KILLER rematch! The Sunnyland Slammers will be taking on the Arkham Assailants! Doors at 4:30pm, first whistle at 5:00pm. It’ll all go down at our home rink, Semoran Skateway.

Food and BEER will be available at the snack bar; all beer and wine charitable contributions go to benefit the Greyhound Pets of America, Senior Sanctuary.

Help Orlando Psycho City Derby girls LIGHT IT UP BLUE!!! We will have a 50/50 raffle, bring some cash! Half will go to the winner and the other half will go to Autism Speaks! This internationally recognized charity raises funds for Autism Research. In March 2014, Autism was a part of 1 in 68 children’s lives. Now that statistic is said to be 1 in every 45. Help bring awareness and funding to this cause by participating in our raffle and our donation station at the merchandise table!

Remember to bring your own chairs; chairs with rubber bottoms are allowed on the track, high heels are not.

10pm to Midnight. 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.

The Göreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia Turkey.

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Cappadocia lies in in the heartland of what is now Turkey. Fairy Chimney rock formations are scattered all around the town of Göreme. Though still cold, pink blossoms were bursting open in some trees while most trees were barren. The time that the Göreme was first settled is unclear, but it could date back as the Hittite era,
between 1800 and 1200 B.C. The location was central between rivaling
empires, such as the Greeks and Persians, leading the natives to tunnel
into the rock to escape the political turmoil. Christianity prevailed as the primary religion in the region, which is
evident from many rock churches that can still be seen today.

After the sketch was done, I met Terry to tour the inner carved rooms, halls and churches. Signs help tourists on the in self guided tours. I can’t imagine that living in these stone caves could have been  comfortable. It must have been drafty and cold in the winter. Our hotel room was carved into the rock as well. A large bathroom was the primary room carved out and there was a honeycomb of notches carved into the walls which made for convenient storage for towels and clothing. With modern electricity and plumbing cave living can be quite luxurious.