Aloft Orlando Downtown

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There was a Spring Fling presented by Orlando Style Magazine at Aloft Orlando Downtown (500 South Orange Ave Orlando, FL) on April 10th. I didn’t even know that this building nestled between OUC and City Hall was a hotel. The evening was a way to celebrate the opening of the W XYZ Bar and Re:mix Lounge with the City’s Premiere Luxury Lifestyle Magazine. There were select complimentary cocktails and appetizers, live Entertainment, fashion models and more at this Spring’s most exclusive event. The dress code was Spring-Chic but I didn’t get the memo. Neither did Bronze Radio Returns who performed live.

Fashion models were stationed all around the room showcasing skimpy swim suits. For heavens sakes, I could see their ankles! I sat on a couch and immediately started drawing the band. When I stretched my neck, I noticed two models right behind me on a mini stage. I wish I had noticed them earlier, I would have put them in the foreground. The music was lively and entertaining but it ended all too soon. Terry’s office is right across the street, so she came down to join me. She sat across from me on the other couch and fingered her phone. Psi, a former co-worker of hers stopped in and they went outside where it was less noisy to talk.

Several people introduced themselves to me as I worked and I picked up their business cards.  With the sketch done, I went outside to join Terry and Psi. There were so many beautiful people clustered around on the patio. Aloft is also a hotel. A pool sat unused on the other part of the patio. Psi said the rooms at Aloft are rather industrial and not in any way plush. If you want plush, then you stay at the Grand Bohemian across the street.

Emotions Dance Rehearsal

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Emotions Dance Company is rehearsing for the premiere of “Art Evolution“, a collaborative arts experience. Larissa Humiston the Emotions founder and choreographer invited me to be a part of the experience.  At first I thought I would do a series of sketches of the rehearsals but it is a long drive to the dance studio, and I try to reserve Sundays as family time.

Art Evolution is inspired by the famous works of well-known artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, Degas and more. Audiences will experience live contemporary dance by Emotions Dance Company, including a piece created by special guest choreographer, Genevieve Bernard of Voci, and spoken word poetry by artists such as Jessie Bradley, Mark Harriott and more.

I love the idea that the dance is inspired by famous paintings so I’ve started a series of paintings that show the dancers as part of the paintings. For instance the dancers gestures are evocative of the spiraling night sky in Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Video reference of the rehearsals is giving me the luxury of picking gestures that work best for my paintings. In all there will be ten paintings I need to complete that will be displayed at the Shakespeare theater during the show. I’ll likely make affordable gift cards from the series of paintings as well.

 This contemporary dance, visual art, and spoken word collaboration will
be performed twice: Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 8
p.m. at The John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center’s Mandell Theatre (812 E. Rollins
St. Orlando).

Pre-sale tickets for the performance are $18 for General Admission and
$14 for Students/Seniors and will be on sale starting May 1 and will be
available through June 5. After that, tickets can be purchased at the
door for $20 General Admission or $15 for Students/Seniors.

The Solution

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The Solution was an artist collective exhibition held at the Orange Studio ( 1121 N Mills Ave, Orlando, Fl)
on April 4th.
The show represented 6 Different perspectives, 6 different backgrounds, and 6 unmistakable voices in one venue were brought together to show that our differences unite us. These ambitious artists were given no restrictions and total creative control of the 4000 square foot venue. They intended to avoid the feeling of small stale claustrophobic galleries that display limited art styles. The artist invited the public to ignite their senses and experience art in a large open environment coupled with local musical acts, modern dance and local fashion designers. The goal was to showcase the overwhelming creative talent in Orlando and bring together all these different crowds. The exhibition was free and open to the public but only for one night.

 When I arrived about an hour early, the exhibition was still being hung. One exhausted artist was asleep on a couch. Several of the paintings by Genevieve DeMarco on the far wall refused to be hung. A ladder was used to hang one of the expressive paintings high on the wall and when the ladder was put away the painting crashed to the floor. The hot paintings of Natasha Brockman were expressionistic in style. One painting had a woman holding a bird cage which was open, allowing the birds to fly off towards a blazing sunset. Natasha sat at the computer likely firing off last minute invites or checking to see who was coming to the show. Other artists included, Victorious Fidelis,
Marcela Rivera,Yve Illz Tbg.

Loose spiraling figurative wire sculptures depicted what I imagined to be dancers. A romantic couple titled “Compromise” by Jamile B. Johnson, held hands while their intestines spiraled free from their severed torsos. They didn’t seem to mind. A DJ set up her station on the white seamless photo corner. As I was finishing my sketch people began to fill in the space and move their hips. Thin fashion models were in the green room being made up. The place was jumping.

Trucks & Tech III : Truckpocalypse

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I went to Truckpocalypse on March 23rd at Lake Eola Park (195 N Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Fl.) From the write up in the Orlando Weekly, I expected to see chrome hub capped monster trucks and a crowd of moaning zombies. My wife walks around Lake Eola every afternoon for exercise. When I got to the park I saw her walking up ahead of me. She walks fast and I wasn’t sure I could catch her. I fired off a text that said, “Look back!” She reached into her pocket to check her phone. She paused then turned to see me walking up behind her. She laughed. Chance encounters are rare and you have to appreciate them when they happen. She had already done a lap around the lake and when I asked about Truckpocalypse she said she noticed some trucks at the south east corner of the park. She changed course and we walked that way together. She hadn’t noticed any zombies other than the regulars in the park.

She stopped to see some baby swans. The little fur balls had just hatched and mom was watching over them with care. Truckpocalypse wasn’t what I expected. The Trucks and Tech event was a mashup of two cultures , foodies and techies. It was the only Orlando event that combines discussion from leaders in the Central Florida tech community with top local food trucks to fill attendees’ minds and stomachs with the best of the best.  Survivors and zombies went head to head in an epic costume contest. I only saw one couple who made a lame attempt to look like survivors. The only zombies I saw were on the Swede Dish food truck.

Terry and I decided to order from the Swede Dish food truck. I had to order the “Thor” which is a hot dog smothered with mashed potatoes and crunchy onions in a wrap. It was a unique and unexpected taste combination. Picnic tables were set up, and Terry and I sat down to have dinner together. It was a romantic meal among the undead. Terry returned to work when we were done, and I decided to sketch the Swede Dish food truck. A zombie had a meat hook jabbed through his eye and his loose black fabric fluttered in the breeze. I sketched the food truck proprietress handing a sandwich to a costumer. It looks like she is handing him a legless zombie. I consider that a happy accident.

pARTicipation

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It had rained all day on Saturday March 29th. An e-mail flash from the Maitland Art Center had said the that evenings “pARTicipate” would go on rain or shine. pARTicipate is an annual fundraiser where local artists are assigned a table to host and decorate. The dress code was cocktail attire, with a flair. The email highly recommend wearing comfortable (flat) shoes. This is a traveling party, and there will be walking on bricks and grass. I considered wearing my hiking boots to transverse the mud but they didn’t quite go with the suit and tie. Guests could take photos at the photobooth, make pieces of art at a creation station, visit any of the artist demonstrations, and bid in the silent art auction.

Terry and I were assigned to Robert Ross‘s table. Amazingly he had small 5 by 7 inch paintings matted as a gift for each guest.  One painting was a colorful plein air painting of a lake and the other had neutral greyed down colors depicting a barn and fence. It had a Grant Wood simplicity. Each wall of the architecture was a single brush stroke. Long after the event Robert contacted me to get a high resolution scan of the painting because he wanted to use it as a study for a much larger piece.

A large tent had been set up in preparation for the rain but thankfully the sky cleared up just enough so that there was I gorgeous sunset over the lake behind the Art Center. Glowing balloons lead guests back to the tent which was outside the Art Center’s fortifications. I didn’t sit for diner. Instead I stood at one of the high top tables to sketch. Three Full Sail students also sat at Roberts table as well as Kelly Canova who was photographing the event.

Voci dance performed a ritualistic dance accompanied by a drum. Terry and I explored the auction items inside the museum. Terry did place several bids but didn’t win the items. It was shoulder to shoulder standing room inside the museum. This annual gala is really a highlight every year to see what Orlando visual artists are doing. Dawn Schreiner‘s table was a playful pop up book style map of Orlando. Another table had art supplies so that guests could create.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday May 10, 2014

8am to 2pm Free. Second Seconds. The Carousel Emporium 2000 Alden Road Orlando FL. Monthly antique Flea Market.

2pm to 11pm $15 at the door. Smashington Music and Art Festival. 3301 Gardenia Ave, Orlando, FL. Mission Statement: Separated we are artists, together we are a movement.

Smashington: A progressive collection of Orlando’s music and art culture, spotlighting the most popular and emerging local artists.

Join us we undertake an epic collaboration of your city’s most brilliant minds and fuse them into one awesome festival. This smorgasbord of artistry, musicianship, and entrepreneurial originality encompasses our ever evolving scene.

The goal of Smashington, is to create more consumer awareness in Orlando. By connecting local bands, artists and businesses and allowing them to share one another’s fan base/clients, the growing audience/scene is able to connect with these unfamiliar outlets. A “Cultural Marketplace.”

This years festival will feature over 60 acts, dozens of local businesses and the biggest mix of Central Florida’s talent to be collectively combined. We will be showcasing Urban and Street Art styles by incorporating a graffiti wall, a sticker wall and spray painting a school bus! Featured on 3 stages will be; hip hop, live performance art, acoustic duos, bands improv comedy and a collection of central Florida’s rising musical groups! Keep up to date with everything at http://soulofdacity.com/

This is our story, it’s time to be heard!

7:30pm to 9:30pm  Free. The Geek Easy with Amy Watkins and Open Mic. The Geek Easy

114 S. Semoran Blvd Winter Park Fl. Featuring Amy Watkins and Superhero Poetry. Open to all: Musicians-Lyricists-Artists-and Poets of all kinds. Bring out the cape and have some fun

http://poetry.meetup.com/362/


Sunday May 11, 2014

10am to 6pm Free. Fashion Square Art Fair. Orlando Fashion Square 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, Fl. On the 2nd Sunday of every month Gallery Fresh Art Markets and Orlando Fashion Square Mall proudly present our “Fashion Square Art Fair.” This is an indoor event showcasing 30 to 60 artists and fine crafts persons located throughout Fashion Square Mall.  http://www.galleryfreshart.com/gfam-fsaf-info.html

9pm to 11pm Free. Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Natura Coffee & Tea, 12078 Collegiate Way, Orlando, FL. 407 482-5000

9pm to 11pm  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.

33 Variations

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On March 28th I went to The Winter Garden Theatre to see 33 Variations written by Moises Kaufman and staged by Beth Marshal Presents. I had been to a dress rehearsal and hopefully that write up generated interest for this incredible production. Though it was the second to last performance, I had to see the set and lighting to feel the shows full impact. Aradhana Tiwari directed this stellar cast in this show about Beethoven’s struggle to create late in his career as he went deaf and a modern day researcher obsessed with understanding his motives as her health also fails. The 33 variations were written by Beethoven based on music written by a lesser known composer and music publisher.

I was touched by the idea that the music researcher felt the need to travel to Vienna to see and touch Beethoven’s original sketchbooks. I wrote out every compositional idea, so the sketchbooks were a way to see his every thought. The minimalist set acted as a multi media projection space at times covered in notes and in one scene becoming a bustling subway. At one point a ghostly silhouette of Beethoven was projected walking from stage left to stage right. The sound, lighting and projections became a creative escape into two tortured minds.  Modern day events and historic Viennese events overlapped and intermingled. I was swept away.

Peg O’Keef who played Katherine Brandt, the music researcher, did an astonishing job performing with the advancing stages of sclerosis. After the show, she explained to me that she had found a series of You Tube videos made by a gregarious and vibrant man who recorded himself repeatedly as he succumbed to the muscle debilitating illness.  In one daring scene Peg disrobed for an MRI. In the nude isolation, she and Bethoven were back to back.  The magical moment wag gone in a flash.

After the show, Aradahna hooked her arm in mine and asked me to have a drink with the cast at the bar next door. I only stayed for one drink but the party was just starting. It seems sad that such an amazing show should have such a short run. But, like Beethoven, a creative life can’t last forever. The music and inspiration does last forever. There is a link above to all of the 33 Variations. I suggest you listen to it while your surfing the web or social media. They are inspiring in their entirety.

SunRail

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Walking down Church Street, I noticed that the old railroad station had been “modernized” with some aluminum awnings. It seemed like overkill since the entire station is designed to protect passengers from the elements. A sign conveniently instructed me to “Look”, so I sat down to do just that. The new SunRail commuter train has begun its service and the train is completely free from May 1st to May 16th. I need to get on board to sketch. The free service is
designed to allow passengers to experience the comfort and ease of
commuting on SunRail, and become familiar with SunRail schedules and
cost-savings prior to purchasing or activating more than 12,000 pre-sold
passes on May 19.

During the free trial period, SunRail ambassadors will be available at
each station and on board trains to answer any questions that SunRail
riders might have. The Ambassadors will also be available on May 19, and
for several weeks thereafter, to assist customers with pass purchases
at Ticket Vending Machines located on each platform, and to remind
riders to “Tap On” at ticket validators before boarding SunRail, and to
“Tap Off” at their final destination. The SunRail Ambassadors will be
easy to spot in black polo shirts with the bright SunRail logo, and black
pants.

The SunRail train runs from DeBary in the North,  to Sand Lake Road in the South. There are 12 stations in all. SunRail trains will arrive at each station every 30 minutes during peak
service times when traffic on the roads is typically at its worst.
During non-peak periods, trains will operate every 2 hours. Initially,
there will be no service on the weekends. If you’re looking for a free adventure in the next week, then hop on board!

Howl at the Moon

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Howl at the Moon, 8815 International Dr, Orlando, FL, was bustling on the evening I decided to stop out and sketch. Inside people had obscenely large tropical drinks and the piano was blazing. A large party of people from the Orange County Convention Center were stuffed inside. I sat outside and sketched the crowd of people at the entrance. I found it ironic that a full moon was in the sky right behind the logo of a howling wolf perched on a piano.

Howl at the Moon rocks International Drive! the high-energy dueling pianos and awesome events make the dueling piano bar the coolest spot for Orlando nightlife! From corporate events to happy hour with friends to bachelorette parties,
the party is always at Howl at the Moon.

I keep thinking that I will return someday to sketch inside the piano bar, but I dread driving or International drive and parking around there. My car was towed once from a parking lot on International Drive, so I am very cautious, anytime I park there since I suspect that cars that are presumed to belong to tourists are targeted with the intent to make hundreds of quick bucks by seizing and holding cars hostage.  It is business as usual in Orlando.

Art Car

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March at the Maitland Art Center involved a solid month of artistic events called Art 31, meaning 31 days of art. On March 25th, I arrived early for the Artists Critique and Conversation in the Germaine Marvel Building, 210 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland. Artist and muralist Andrew Spear had covered a Toyota with symbols and patterns inspired by the many sculpted patterns on the Maitland Art Center campus. The car was silver and some of the panels had been painted white to accentuate the line work added to the car. He made a wonderful use of just one color, orange which  showed up throughout. The car had a pizza delivery or taxi signage with information about Art 31.

Although we never experience fall or winter here in Central Florida, there were plenty of leaves blowing around the carport across from the Art Center. Which reminds, me, it was a very windy day. A couple had taken the afternoon off and were bringing their ten year old son to the museum. He noticed me seated in the car port and kept his eyes on me. His parents never looked anywhere but straight ahead. The building had recently been covered with blue plastic as part of the 31 days of art. The plastic rustled and snapped in the wind.

I was one of the first people to arrive at the Critique which was a blood bath.