Shipyard Brewery

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Allison Stevens has been helping spearhead the creation of a Shipyard Brewery right in the heart of Winter Park (200 West Fairbanks Avenue, the former site of Strollo’s Cucino Due). Fred Forsley, president of Shipyard Brewing company of Portland Maine. Allison, the new brewery’s General Manager, has been doing the whole project of construction, retail, marketing, and menus on her own. When I first visited the Brewery, Allison told me that they had baked 300 pounds of bread the previous weekend. Much of it had been sold to the finest restaurants in town but there were racks of fresh bread lining the baking shelves. She threw large loaves and baguettes in a brown paper bag and insisted I take it. This was delicious European style bread without preservatives. Saturday November 20th, there will be a group of 40 home brewers going for a private beer and bread tasting.

The brewery will feature a 28 gallon brewing system. A hole had just been knocked into the western wall to accommodate the system. When I arrived a cement truck was being used to drop fresh cement into an outdoor shelf on which the equipment will rest. Two workers dragged a 2 by 4 over the wet cement to flatten the surface. Inside a loud metallic screeching noise shattered the relative calm. At the front door Allison was handling business on her cell phone. She high fived me and I walked inside. In the kitchen workers were using a large saw to cut a hole in the foundation. One worker handled the saw while the other slurped up the slurry with a wet vac. They were trying to uncover hot and cold water lines under the building. Once the thick foundation was cut into sections, they then lifted out the chunks and dropped them in a wheel barrel. The saw operator shouted out, “You think I’m making enough NOISE!” I shouted back, “You are getting there.” I considered stuffing two erasers in my ears, but I chose to remain stoic.
I was told that a new counter area would be built in this area. Originally they thought they might have to plumb the new waterline up to the ceiling and over but the owner insisted the new sink be plumbed directly to the main water line below the building. Once the cement was lifted clear, they shoveled out the dirt and found the PVC pipes a few inches down.

The water was turned off for the entire building. I noticed this since I couldn’t refill my watercolor brushes. The new lines were branched off and glued in place with bright yellow PVC cement. While this work was being done below the foundation, an electrician was busy high up on a ladder snaking in new electrical lines.

I told Allison that I was going to get some lunch and come back. She said I could have a hot dog with the crew, so I stayed, continuing on my second sketch. The workers had a BBQ grill set up outside. I ate my lunch like a hungry wolf listening while one worker told a dirty joke that I will not repeat here.

Once completely set up, the brewery will be run by accomplished local brewer Ron Raike. He will brew small batches of seasonal and unique beers based on his inherent creativity and seasonal ingredient availability. Allison told me local home brewers will be invited to share their experiences and findings, making the brewery a creative place of experimentation and discovery.

The Big Wheel Provisions Marketplace will feature a regularly revolving selection of deli items, local produce and eggs, cheeses, hard-to-find specialty food products, cookbooks, food-focused periodicals, and kitchen tools. Alfresco dining, cooking classes, catering, and local delivery service will also be offered. Located right next to Rollins College, I can already imagine this place crowded every evening, becoming a creative social hub.

Kevin Maines

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The headlining act at Back Booth was the Kevin Maines band. The place was now crowded and smokey. Kristen Lippens was kind enough to order me an Orange Blossom Beer and sipped as I drew. The sketch was executed quickly, straight to ink with no planning. The room was dark so I had no clue if the color washes were working. People started sitting in front of me, but I didn’t mind, I just leaned to the side to pick out details on stage as I needed them. The music was fabulous to draw to. I seldom got a good view of the drummer since Kevin was usually blocking my view of him. I finished the sketch before they finished playing their set, so I packed the sketchbook in my haversack and then stood to stretch out and start moving to the music. People were dancing all around me and I lost myself in the beat swaying in time. The fluid riffs lasted for an inspired eternity.

When the band finished, I texted Terry and she responded that she missed me. I said goodbye to Dina Peterson who has become my guide and mentor to the best of Orlando’s music scene. I must say she has never steered me wrong. If heaven is a smoke and music filled bar, I had arrived!

Diocious – Back Booth

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Dina Peterson had gotten tickets to Back Booth (37 West Pine Street) for Terry and myself. Terry decided not to go because she can’t stand cigarette smoke. When I arrived I handed over my ticket and was given a smokey gray wristband. I started to walk in, when I heard Dina say, “Hey!” She was seated right next to the ticket lady and I was so focused on the ticket process that I hadn’t noticed her. It turns out we were both on time which for a club, is too early. Inside Diocious was finishing up its sound check. Even Kevin Maines, the headlining act was waiting outside where it was actually a bit cold. I was anxious to start my sketch and we all headed in. I imediately loved the vintage look of the stage with raw wood, billowing drapes of red curtains and a circular stage that jutted out onto the dance floor. Wires snaked all over the stage in apparent chaos.

Dina introduced me to a dozen or so friends and the members of the band. Alex Robertson was on Guitar and Vocals, Josh Hoffman played Bass and Vocals and Partin Whitaker played Drums and Vocals. Diocious described themselves as a psychedelic Funk / Rock band. I found it unique that Partin on the drums often performed as the lead vocalist. They played for well over an hour giving me time to finish the sketch. The room was so dark that I really didn’t see what colors I was using. A flash photo let me see the finished sketch for just an instant. The place became packed. The music had a driving forward momentum with plenty of percussion. I let the music affect how the lines were put down. For me it had a jazz like improvisational feel with occasional sound effects thrown in. It was a great time. Next up was the Kevin Maines Band.

Britt Daley

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I had just finished up a Doctor Sketchy’s drawing session at Tatame Sake Lounge (223 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park.) As I packed up my supplies, a woman walked in carrying various band equipment. After she leaned the equipment against the wall, she stood in the doorway. I recognized her, but I couldn’t place her in a recognizable context. I must have been staring because she finally pointed to me and said, “We met at Evan and Christy Miga’s house. The light bulb flickered on. Her name is Britt Daley and she helped Evan out by singing backup vocals for the hilarious, Dog Powered Robot.

She and her drummer Scott Christy began setting up on the small Tatame stage. I threw my backpack over my shoulder and started for the door. I planned to sketch at Tanqueray’s where Kaleigh Baker was performing. Britt caught me and said, “Your not leaving are you? You haven’t seen me perform.” I told he I had been sketching when she was interviewed on Orange TV. Then I agreed to stay and watch one set. Britt has been writing songs for years. Many deal with heart ache and not being able to let go. Her voice is silky smooth and the songs left me quietly sad. She shouted out, “I am dedicating this song to Christina, it is called ‘It’s Too Late’.” This song about a couple at a crossroads left me truly sad, there was only a faint quiver of hope that could only be found in the harmony itself. I was caught off guard. I didn’t expect to find original music with this much emotional depth to be sung in a small sake bar. I was struck to the core.

Between sets, James, the guitar player and drummer, sat next to me. He checked out the sketch and I explained that I didn’t have the time to get him in the sketch yet. He assured me that they would perform again. As “Sunlight in Her Hair” performed, I took the time to add color washes in the background. When Britt Daley took to the stage again, she noticed me sketching. She asked, “Are you sketching us?” When I nodded my head, she turned to the audience and said with childish delight, “Thor is sketching us!” Then she turned to me and said, “I want to see that when I get off stage.” The second set was just as good as the first. I felt emotionally drained when the sketch was complete. I did show her the sketch before I left, and she seemed pleased. I asked her for her cards, so I could learn more about her music. Listen to her songs online, you will be glad you did.

Redlight Redlight

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Terry had a tip from someone that there would be pirates at Redlight Redlight (72 Bennett Road). She was right, as soon as we entered we were faced with pirates galore muscling up to the bar. One pirate with a patch over his eye was a former Disney Feature Animation artist named John Hurst. John and his wife bought the Cameo theater on Colonial and he has turned it into an amazing raw venue where I often find myself sketching. Terry pulled out her real fencing sword and challenged a pirate who pulled out his musket. “you should never bring a foil to a pistol fight” he said. Outside a group of pirates were setting up a 5 pound cannon and aiming it at the Roxy night club across the street. They set the charge and then waited for traffic to clear. The blast took me by surprise and I almost spilled my beer.
I stalked pirates all night but they were constantly on the move. I finally decided to sit on a comfy couch and I sketched Rick Jones’s birthday, his girlfriend Katherine Sullivan was at his side. Everyone at the table wore newspaper pirates caps which Rick continued to fold as needed. Hannah Miller stopped in and sat on the couch with me for a while to talk, then she joined the party at the table for the rest ot the night. I was drinking a light tasting honey ale and I liked it. I expected a band of pirates to gather in the background at any moment but they never did. Later Chad Bruce explained to me that pirate garb is rather heavy and hot so they were most likely outside to stay cool. An important lesson learned if you want to sketch pirates in their natural environment.

Truth or Dare with Pepe

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Terry and I went to The Peacock Room to catch Pepe. We entered and paid the five dollar cover to Mike Maples who had on a very stylish fedora. At the bar we sat next to Devin Dominguez and Shannon Lacek who was just getting up to leave. Devin and Terry talked about the various boards they work for. Rob Ward was greeting people up and down the bar. I ordered a Corona and relaxed.

I decided not to sketch until the show started so I sat back and enjoyed the social interactions firing up all around me. We waited for quite a while since some of the guests for Pepe’s show hadn’t arrived yet. Aradhana Tiwari breezed up to the bar and ordered a cosmo. The bartender wouldn’t accept any of her credit cards so she had to go out to her car to get cash.

Terry and I were some of the first people to enter the backroom performance space. I collapsed into a beanbag chair at Terry’s feet. The set had gotten much more elaborate since I had been on the show many months ago. A gorgeous red patterned couch filled the stage along with Pepe’s giant red pump chair. Pepe’s co-star for the night was Blue Star from VarieTEASE Dance Company. Megan Boetto dressed in a tight red corset was the evenings Jello shot girl. Guests of the show were Beth Marshall and Mark Baratelli.

Mark arrived late and sober so he started sucking down jello shots one after the other. When asked by Pepe if he wanted to pick Truth (gasp from crowd) or dare. Mark picked Truth. Everyone was very disappointed. He related a story about someone who stole a show idea intending to use it as a fundraiser for a cause but then the individual pocked the money. It was a true arts community scandal. Beth Marshall was asked to pick someone from the audience to some on stage and she picked Air who had to be just about dragged up on the stage. She complained, “I have been up since 7:30 this morning, this isn’t fair.” She was offered the truth or dare challenge and she picked dare. Pepe explained, “I have a privacy screen behind this chair and I will allow you to sit behind it and then verbalize your best orgasm.” She asked, “Do you want the whole thing or just the ending?” He pulled the screen out and set it up in front of her. She gave a performance worthy of that deli scene in “When Harry Met Sally.” I was shocked and amazed. Directors are mighty fine actors.

Two men were pulled from the audience and one was told to do a lap dance for the other. Mark kept shouting out, “Take off the shirt!” When the shirt finally came off the crowd went wild. The two men were then given a slip Jim meet stick and told to chew from either end until their lips met in the middle. his was another hilarious moment. At the same time Beth and  Blue Star were doing something involving a banana on the other end of the couch. A woman at the back of the room started to dance to the song, “Put a ring on it.” She shouted out that her name was Snipples. Megan started doing the dance on stage with plenty of hip action. When jello shots were thrown out to the crowd again, Pepe offed a toast, saying, “To the arts community in Orlando, may it thrive!” I raised my shot high in the air and sucked it down by shoving my tongue all around the rim dislodging the tasty jiggling mass.

The Way of the Cards

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There was a staged reading of a new play by Aradhana Tiwari in the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, in the Goldman. The stage set consisted of a simple card table and a small smack table behind it with cereals and an assortment of snacks. The play has a fascinating premise being built around the idea that poker terms also apply to the dram unfolding in a rather dysfunctional family. The mother of the family named Sass Arlington was once “The First Lady of the Vegas Strip” but over time she became a tired hack player on a riverboat. Each scene is first narrated by Tip, the oldest son of the family and thus the man of the house. The scenes are built around the Blind, the flop, the turn, the river and the showdown. Tip is the most stoic of the family members. He is seen most times munching on a bowl of cereal sullenly ignoring the drama that unfolds. His sister Tally tried to fill the shoes of a nagging mother but few of her commands are ever heeded. The youngest sibling is Lucky who is innocent in many ways but has just started to learn to cheat at poker.
The play takes several dark and unexpected turns as the family struggles to stay afloat. Sketching was a real challenge since the house lights were almost always off and I didn’t have a book light since it was being used for a show I would be putting on in the Shakes. Since I only got a half decent sketch, I decided to go to an Irish bar where Texas Hold ‘um is played every week. I figured life must surely imitate art in this case.
Aradhana’s play was very well written with imperfect characters that had life and breath. Sass at the end of the play is put to the test after she leaves the family to win big in Vegas. Although she might have won cash, she lost so much when she returned. Often a player will reach a point where they know they are going to loose and yet they can not help but keep betting. This was the case with her. She knew she had so much to loose because she was concerned about her family’s welfare but she couldn’t stop betting which meant she wasn’t home to keep the family on a steady track. The play is tragic on many levels. You can catch the last FREE performance of this amazing play tonight at the Shakespeare Theater (810 East Rollins Street) at 8:00PM. I intend to watch it a second time with a new cast to appreciate the play’s nuances even more.

Suzi Fox Fashion Show

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I went to The Peacock Room (1321 North Mills Avenue) because I got a tip that there was going to be a fashion show. There was a $5 cover at the door and for once I decided to splurge. I almost immediately bumped into George Wallace who seemed to know what was going on. He walked me over to a pool table covered with shiny and colorful underwear. Everything looked like it was made of satin but he went on to explain that this was a new material developed by Suzi Fox. He pointed out some men’s running shorts and for a moment I was interested since I have been running in the mornings for the past few months. The running shorts were however so tight that they left nothing to the imagination. I didn’t want to look like a zealous British tourist running through my neighborhood. There was a group of women dressed in this Liquid Vinyl Clothing and they were posing for a photo while sitting on the edge of the pool table. Of course I wanted to get a sketch of this group but they were clustered in the corner and I figured that after the photo was taken they would wander off. George told me there was going to be some staged readings on the back room stage so I decided to bide my time and wait.
Michael Pierre, a local comic, got up on the small sage and introduced each performer.
Rachel Kapitan got behind the mic dressed in a provocative skin tight outfit. She started to read a poem that got hotter and racier with each stanza. I suddenly realized this wasn’t going to be the usual night of open mic poetry. She thrust her hips from side to side delicately stroking her belly as she read. The poem built to its climactic conclusion. I was glad I was sketching since it kept me a touch distracted.
Next on stage was Keri Sardone. She was dressed in a skin tight liquid blue dress and she read an account of a woman executive who got what she wanted from the young male stud in the office. Herow voice was silky and smooth – just like the clothing being modeled. According to Michael most of these accounts had been written that night at the bar with only a brief rehearsal prior to the reading on stage. He read a descriptive account and the whole time a woman dressed in a skin tight gold dress stood behind him. As he read about her exploits she clenched her fists and subtly spread her legs at just the right moments. It was a delicate use of implied erotica. As each woman read, videographer Myk Freitag, circled them recording every juicy moment.
I wasn’t too shocked by the show, because when I lived in New York City I had a gay friend who wrote all the pornographic letters to Oui Magazine. He would write one letter from a man’s perspective and then write the next letter from a woman’s view. He had a real knack for writing the hot woman’s letters. I had arrived expecting a typical fashion show but I got so much more!

Emily Carr

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Emily Carr read from her book, “Directions for Flying: A Young Wife’s Almanac” at Cavanagh’s Fine Wines (1215 Edgewater Drive). I rather liked the intimate warmth of Cavanagh’s. There were a few tables nestled between the free standing wine racks. I ordered a house white wine and blocked in the background before Emily started to read. The proprietor bought a bowl of popcorn and placed it on my table. Most of the people who came for the reading were still crowded around the bar located in the far corner of the establishment. Darlyn Finch, an amazing poet in her own right, said hello and joined me at my table.
When Emily stood up on a small step stool to reach the microphone, she seemed small and delicate. Her right arm is decorated with a poem she wrote over time line by line, each line being tattooed in a new color. The upper part of the tattoo has a tree branch and a lone sparrow. This collection of poems she explained tells an ongoing story which changed with the seasons. The book of poems is broken up into months from April to March with three poems per month. One poem involved thoughts behind sitting in an abortion office and realizing that she must follow through. The myriad of thoughts and rationalizations hit a deep human chord. Many of the poems were dark and brooding yet a sparrow seems to light up each unexpectedly. “Directions for Flying” won the 2009 Furniture Press Poetry Award.
Emily is the current resident author at the Kerouac House. At the Kerouac House I got to see “The Nest” which is a spot in the corner of the living room where Emily placed a mattress on the floor . She surrounded this spot with knick knacks she has gathered in her travels, a heart shaped snow globe, an Elvis post card and tiny glass figurines. The nest made for a cozy little artistic fortress.

Biker Bar

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Karen Cali (KC) has a knack for finding Orlando’s true dive bars. She invited me to come out on a mini SketchCrawl at a biker bar located in a Howard Johnson’s , Crossroads Bar and Grill (2801 East New York Avenue, Deland). The music was blazing as we walked in. We walked from table to table trying to find a good vantage point from which to sketch. Tables at the back of the place were so dark that it was impossible to see the sketchbook. We tried sitting at about 4 different spots before finally deciding to sit at the bar itself to sketch the band and patrons. The bar had bras hanging from the ceiling along with an American flag and then a confederate flag proudly displayed behind the stage. We both ordered a beer and got to work.
There were free wings that night and the guy next to me was enjoying a drum stick. His frayed denim jacket announced that he had been at Bike Week in Daytona. The band was all high energy singing rock and roll cover songs and I later found out the lead singer was exactly my age. Between sets the bass guitarist with the long black hair came over to KC to see what she was working on. They talked for a while and she put in a song request which was the first song they performed when they started playing again.
A competition was announced and a call for volunteers went out. I was surprised when KC got up and walked to the stage to participate. The competition involved holding two buckets filled with beers and ice above your head. The one who held them up the longest would win. KC competed against two other women in the women’s round. As they struggled everyone in the bar started shouting out encouragement. KC won. When she sat back down, she said her arms were shaking, which might make it difficult to draw. The men’s round which I refused to volunteer for went on for a long time. They guy who won had huge biceps. KC had to compete against him in the final round. She put up a good fight but he won.
Several friends of KC greeted us and started admiring our work. Other bar patrons asked to see the sketchbooks and there was much appreciation. When the first sketch was done, I wanted to with another sketch of the huge bikers hidden in the shadows with long gray beards and gorgeous tattoos. That sketch will have to wait for another night since we both agreed we had sketched enough. The place was a gritty down to earth blast. When I got home I realized my sketchbook smelled like cigarette smoke.