Solar Games Open House

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At Taste of the Nation, I met Bradley Bulifant, who is the Executive Producer of  The Solar Games. On August 16th, I went to an open house at 37 N. Orange Ave. Suite #603 Orlando, FL where the game was being presented to Full Sail Masters students and faculty. The idea I imagine was to recruit thesr students to further develop the game. At the open house, I got to meet the creative team behind this project.

The game involves solar powered cars racing in an exotic Haiti landscape. The premise is, that, “The  year
is 2033. Global climate change efforts of the past 20 years have
failed. The environmental apocalypse has arrived and its causing surreal
and comedic events. The global community has one last hope by creating
a race for change, an environmental Olympics…The Solar Games. A
social impact video game that creates renewable energy access solutions.

The Solar Games will work to catalyze a sustainable solar program and
partnership network by using 50% OF GAME PROFITS for a 0% interest fund
for micro finance institutions (MFI) in Haiti. This fund will allow MFI’s
and Haitian installers to supply, install and warranty solar systems
for medical clinics, schools and households with electricity access.

The Solar Games Kickstarter has so far raised $13,305 towards the $346,532 goal. This game is the first in a series of planned social impact video games that will ultimately help areas around the world that need access to electricity. This is the first time I have ever heard of video games being used as a power for good.

Alfond Contemporary Art Collection

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On August 19th the new Alfond Inn, a Preferred Boutique Hotel, opened in Winter Park (300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park FL).  Owned by Rollins College, a private coeducational liberal
arts college in Winter Park, The was built with a
$12.5-million grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation.  Net operating
income from the Inn will be directed to The Alfond Scholars program
fund, the College’s premier scholarship fund, for the next 25 years or
until the endowment principal reaches $50 million, whichever comes
later. The 112-room boutique hotel features Hamilton’s Kitchen
restaurant, a pool and fitness center, and 10,000 square feet of
flexible meeting space. The Alfond Inn is poised to become the new hub
of dynamic Winter Park, which The New York Times recently called “a
sophisticated alternative to Disney.”

Baker Barrios Architects of Orlando were responsible for the Inn’s
architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. Built in the
Spanish Mediterranean revival style, The Alfond Inn echoes the classic
look of Rollins College and of Winter Park
homes designed by noted 20th century architect James Gamble Rogers II.
The use of arches, columns, decorative wrought iron, overhanging
trellises covered with flowering vegetation and formal courtyards are
the essence of the elegant Winter Park design vernacular.
Throughout the hotel are artworks from The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art for Rollins College, established by longtime donors and alumni Barbara and Ted Alfond.

Since Orlando has very few museums or galleries, I went to the hotel with the express intent to view the art collection. It is an eclectic collection of modern representational and abstract work.  One piece, by Vik Muniz, was mounted behind glass and was based on “Absinth Drinker” by Edgar Degas. It was created using thousands of images torn from magazines. Had it been the original painting, I would have been impressed. On the opposite wall, “Color Coordinated Currency”, by Michael E. Jone, consisted of a series of images of bills that were the same color framed together.  I asked at the front desk if there was a brochure that showed where each of the pieces from the collection were located. I was told that a brochure was in the works. I’m not sure how much of the art collection I saw.

The new waitress joked with the good old boys seated at the center table. One of them enlightened her on how grits should be prepared. Guests wandered by periodically and several admitted they were lost. I must admit this is a gorgeous hotel. Although there was an introductory “Welcome Rate” at the Inn that started at $99 per night, based on double occupancy, you will likely be charged over $189. I asked about the “Welcome Rate” at the front desk and no one knew anything about it.

Shadow Play

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On September third, I went to Movement Arts Studio (1602 Philadelphia Ave, Orlando FL) to watch a rehearsal of a dance piece by Holly Harris. The two performers were Rebekah Lane and Ariel Clarke. Becky has an acting/puppetry background and Ariel is a contemporary dancer and instructor at Focus Performing Arts Center in Lake Mary. Both are representing Canvas Creative Movement Coalition at The Shift Unity in Motion.

Holly explained the premise behind the creative movement and dance piece. “A year ago I read through some silly fables from a
book called, Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day. A three-line
poem in that book stood out to me called The Shadow.”

‘Once there was a man was was afraid of his shadow.

Then he met it.

Now he glows in the dark.’

“When Larissa asked me to present an
experimental movement piece for The Shift, I immediately went to my idea
board to find this poem. I thought I could lead an audience on an
imaginative journey of sight, sound, and feeling through the art of
creative movement. In the beginning of the duet, you see Becky reading
and as she yawns she suddenly takes notice of her shadow for the very
first time. She is connecting the black mass that is seen on the stage
floor with the light coming from the lamp and it confuses and frightens
her. One minute into the piece, her shadow is personified by another
dancer, who at first alarms her but then reveals that she is simply an
abstract continuation of her body and mind as they move in sync
together. As the piece continues to develop, the shadow guides Becky
into exploring the mysteries of the world that often go by unnoticed
like a solitary shadow.”

This rehearsal space is inside a huge warehouse with tapestries and gilded mirrors on the walls. Large blue fabric was draped elegantly over the long dancer’s mirror. The rehearsal involved Becky and Ariel developing the first three minutes of the piece.One particularly memorable moment involved Becky walking in a wide arc ad Becky as her shadow matched her steps as she rotated on her hips on the floor. Movement was developed in a playful collaboration. Holly watched the dancers shadows to be sure everything worked.

Mark Your Calendar!  The Shift which involved pieces developed by six dance companies will be September 13th and 14th in the Goldman Theater in the Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 E. Rollins Street Orlando FL) at 8pm. Tickets at the door are $20.

Mary Love Projects

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On August 18th, I went to the Center for Contemporary Dance off Aloma Avenue in Winter Park to sketch a Mary Love Dance Projects rehearsal leading up to “The Shift, Unity in Motion”. For that particular show, she is doing some solo works, so there were only one or two dancers at rehearsals. This dance company has six company dancers and two apprentices.

 Mary Love Dance Projects will be doing three dances in The Shift, all are solos and distinctly
different in their tone and emotion. Mary Love choreographed two dances, but at this rehearsal she was learning “Young and Beautiful” choreographed by Jennia Shanley.  Jennia greeted me at the front desk when I arrived at the dance studio.

The two dancers warmed up and stretched for a bit and then Jennia set up her laptop on a chair in the corner of the dance studio. She played a video of the “Young and Beautiful” dance routine which was about  three minutes in length. The goal for this rehearsal was for Mary to learn the entire minute routine. Jennia had improvised sections of the routine so she had to refresh her memory using the video periodically.

The music for this piece was by Lana Del Ray. Mary Love began in the chair admiring herself with a hand mirror and then the dance spiraled outwards like a nautilus shell. Every moment seemed physically demanding yet graceful. When Jennia stopped to go over a new section, Mary had a moment to regroup and catch her breath. I was astonished at how fast Mary retained the physical memory of each and every movement. Lana sang “Will you still love me when I’m not young and beautiful” with her sultry voice as Mary moved her arms in graceful arcs. Though just a rehearsal, moments gave me chills.

By the end of the rehearsal, Mary was spent, lying on her back to catch her breath.  She had learned the entire routine and will continue to rehearse this piece at least once a week if not more until the
show. Mark Your Calendar!  “The Shift, Unity in Motion” will feature six local dance companies on September 13th and 14th in the Goldman Theater in the Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 E. Rollins Street, Orlando FL) at 8pm. Tickets at the door are $20, and $14 for students and seniors.

Sara Knee-ds You!

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On August 13th I went to Redlight Red Light (2810 Corrine Drive, Orlando, FL) to attend a fundraiser for barkeep Sara who had an unfortunate accident. While working out at the gym, she tore the lateral meniscus in her right knee almost in half. The injury left her unable to work, walk, or bike (which is her only form of transportation). The surgery and physical therapy required to get her back on her feet is going to cost between 7,000 and 10,000 dollars. While she has the love and support of friends in the time being, surgery is imminent and will need to take place in the near future to avoid permanent damage. Being that the price tag is a wee-bit heavy, Redlight Red Light hosted a benefit in her honor to help her raise the funds she needs to recover to get back to slingin’ beers and stealthy biking.

Some special kegs were tapped and all of the proceeds were donated to her surgery. Since I’m a fan of drinking for a cause, I ordered one of Sara’s beers to sip as I sketched. Erica Abalos-Hernandez, formerly of Bee’s Knees had some huge chocolate chip cookies for sale. She explained that there was a dash of sea salt on them which compliments the sweetness. I had to try one. It was so good, especially washed down with the beer. Later she walked the room with someones child on her hip. Sarah took her place behind the chocolate chip station with her crutches leaning up against a table next to her. I spoke with her briefly about biking in Orlando. She lives downtown and used to bike everywhere. She knows all the back roads routes to Redlight Red Light. She described her knee injure in some grizzly detail and I was glad I could help out in my way. The room grew crowded as I sketched. It was heart warming to see so many people coming together to help someone in the community.

When I ordered a second beer, my sketch started looking pretty good. Donated beer bottles filled a pew and several tables. There were silent auction items such as gift baskets, a meal for two at The Table (a value of $240) and $100 meal at Eola Wine Company. Donated items also came from Black Bean Deli, Will’s Pub, Dear Prudence, Oblivion Taproom, Wild Ocean Seafood, the Enzian, the Gnarly Barley, College Park Yoga, Stacole Fine Wines, Imperial, Sushi Lola’s, Lineage Coffee Roasting, and others. Artwork was also being auctioned off.

The Sara Knee-ds You! Fundraiser was a huge success. With everyone’s
generosity,  $6,500 was raised towards barkeep Sara’s
knee surgery and physical therapy. Sara said, “To
everyone who attended on Tuesday, donated, raffled, drank some beer,
brought me coffee, drove me around, made me food, offered me a piggy
back ride, or sent some thoughtful words my way, my sincerest gratitude.
Because
of the overwhelming amount of support I’ve received from friends,
patrons, and small businesses in our community, I will be able to fund
my surgery. I wish I had more than words to express how
thankful I am. Witnessing the generosity in people has been a wonderful,
humbling, life changing experience. There is no feeling more amazing
than realizing you are not alone. Thank you.”

Barnes & Noble

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I went to Barnes and Noble
in Plaza Venezia
(7900 W. Sand Lake Road Orlando, FL) on a Sunday afternoon to do a sketch for a London Publisher for a book fair. My job was to be sure I caught plenty of people looking through the books. The coffee shop was crowded, but they didn’t want it to seem like people were reading a whole book while sipping coffee without paying. I wandered the isles and confronted with the terrifying fact that the place was largely deserted. Only one guy sat on the floor in the business section devouring a book. I circled him but decided that the business section was too barren a landscape.

I finally settled into the bargain section of the bookstore figuring people might consider these marked down books as a present.  The counter where they were selling Nooks was one isle to my right. That digital devise is slowly making bookstores obsolete. I’m guilty of getting Terry a Nook as a present and she just packed it in her luggage, happy it weighed less than any book. At the end of isles were end cap displays which publishers have to pay extra money to showcase their books. The books available in the end caps that I could see were classics like Frankenstein and Pride and Prejudice. Many of the books to my left were self help books. One young woman flipped through a book called “Bad Girls, Great Sex” for the longest time. To my right were the Bargain Basement Books.

A woman looked over my shoulder for a bit and then told me, “I was just just been talking to my girl friend about wanting to do pen and ink drawings with watercolor washes, and then here you are!” She shouted to her friend, “Hey Sally, get over here! Forget that, come here, you have to see this.” Her friend confirmed their conversation. I explained that my sketch was about half done. They asked what the sketch was for and I explained that it was to promote a London Book Fair. “You mean London England, not London Illinois where I’m from right?” It felt good knowing she would likely go home and pick up her sketchbook and start filling it with lines and washes.

My butt was aching from sitting on my artists stool by the time the sketch was done. I probably spent more time on this sketch because I had to capture so many books. There was a low rumble of Thunder and lightning flashed outside.  I decided the sketch was done, and I ran out to my car before the skies opened up.

New Moon Circle

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On August 5th, I went to Dandelion Communitea Cafe (618 N Thornton Ave, Orlando FL) to sketch the New Moon Circle. Each and every New and Full moon, people gather to celebrate the cycle of time. The Moon Circles are non-religious, and open for people of any walk,
faith, race or creed to come and enjoy. This a sacred space where you
can express your true self with music, rhythm, dance and trance. These rhythm circles are geared for musicians that play softer drums
like frame, tabla, jugs, bells or any other type of light percussion
instruments. Guitar, sitar, didgeridoo, signing bowls, flute, harmonica,
signing and laughter also have a home under the Bodhi Tree which is in the garden beside Dandelion Communitea Cafe. The circles are a way to celebrate harmony in the community.

Borrowing from Native American, East Indian, Middle East and Celtic
traditions the music experienced here excites, sooths and nourishes
and your mind, body and soul. The Drum circle is organized by the Florida School of Holistic Living. The school, seeks to connect our community with the planetary cycles that affect all of us, even in urban environments, such as seasonal cycles, planting cycles, and lunar cycles. They believe that by living in greater harmony with the natural cycles that guide us, we develop a greater relationship to the planet and thus it becomes easier to walk our path lightly upon her.

On this evening several dozen people gathered in a circle which was lit with an LED light strip. In the center of the circle was a  metal bucket full of candles. A young woman lit the candles as it grew dark. Storm clouds gathered darkening the sky early. I used my weather radar app on my iPhone and it looked like a small storm cell was heading our way. I sketched as fast as I could. It began to rain with sporadic large drops at first and then a waterfall. I put up my umbrella and kept working. A tent was erected and the remaining musicians huddled under it. Despite the thunder and lightning several women danced in the rain lifting their arms to the sky as they spun. The candles had long since been snuffed out by the rain, but when the rain stopped, they were dried off and re-lit. The drumming and dancing continued as I left with my soggy sketchbook.

Mark Your Calendar! On Saturday September 21st, 
the Largest Drum Circle in the World  will happen as people around the world drum on Peace One Day 2013. Drumming in Orlando will begin at 10:30am. The exact location has yet to be determined.

Casselberry House

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The Florida Painters Group had their annual exhibition at the Casselberry House (125 Quail Pond Circle in Casselberry, Fl) in June. The show included paintings from 15 artists, who are mostly landscape painters. I went to the opening reception to see the work.

Show participants were: Ann Gale Holstein, Robert Ross, Carol Platt, Cathy Hempel, Cori Garret, Diane Walters, Gary Rupp, Gary Sisco, Karen Minnigan, Kim Ashby, Laura Bates, Lynn Tolar, Lynne Polley, Mary Martin, Orit Reuben, Rosa Bujali and Seemi Usmani.

The paintings that most caught my eye were by Robert Ross. He did a painting inside the  Capen House. This historic Winter Park home was slated for demolition, but locals are raising funds to save the house and float it across the lake Osceola to the Albin Polasek Museum where it would be lovingly preserved.

After viewing the paintings I decided to sketch Louis Alfredo playing guitar. He was quite good and several people actually danced as he played. For the most part however people shouted at one another in the crowded space and didn’t notice the incredible talent in the corner.

Cami Smith who is an industry outreach liaison at Full Sail introduced herself. When she found out I had worked at Disney Feature Animation, she asked me if I knew Aaron Blaise. Of course I knew Aaron who had co-directed “Brother Bear“. He had taken a research trip to Alaska for that film and his sketchbook from that trip was absolutely inspiring. Aaron had gone on to work at Digital Domain in South Florida but that company went bankrupt before they could finish an animated film about an elephant. I heard Aaron was returning to Orlando. Cami informed me that he is hoping to produce a Computer Animated film called “Art Story” about a boy and his grandfather who travel into the worlds of famous paintings. She showed me the Kickstarter page and Aaron has successfully raised the $350,000 needed to further develop the story. I like the story’s message, “Life is a blank canvas, now go paint your masterpiece.”

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Weekend Top 6 Picks

Saturday September 7, 2013

7pm Silent Auction, 8pm Show PLAY-IN-A-DAY 2013 (Season Kick-Off). $15 Lake Howell High School Theatre (4200 Dike Road, Orlando FL). Beth Marshall Presents is thrilled to once again be in partnership with Lake Howell High School and Penguin Point Productions for our second year to be kicking off our 2013-14  season with a long-time theatrical community event: PLAY-IN-A-DAY! A group of 100 artists coming together to write, direct, act and fully produce 9 different short plays all with the same theme (given 24 hours in advance) to present an evening of fun theatrical enjoyment for the community.

11am to 6pm Big Bang Bazaar.  $5 Maitland Civic Center (641 S. Maitalnd Ave. Maitland FL). Local Arts and Crafts.

8pm Orlando Drum Circle. Free.  Orlando Brewing (1301 Atlanta Avenue Orlando FL).

Sunday September 8, 2013

Noon to 4pm Raul Colon Show. Orlando Museum of Art (2416 North Mills Ave Orlando FL). Children’s book Illustrator. On view through November 3rd.

1pm to 3pm Film Slam. $5 Enzian Theater (1300 South Orlando Avenue  Maitland, FL). Films by local film makers.

10pm to Midnight  Sick Of It Presents: Rancid Karaoke Cover Set. Will’s Pub (1042 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, Fl). You come up out of the crowd and sing your favorite Rancid songs with a live band…YOU’RE the singer!