Art After Dark at the Copper Rocket..

Posted on by Thor

I went to The Copper Rocket Pub (106 Lake Ave, Maitland, Florida 32751) on a Tuesday night for Art After Dark, a showcase for artists of all media to come and strut your stuff. Vendors were on site, fine arts, street performances, fire breathing
demonstrations, handmade goods, and more on display. Free
Vendor spaces were available.

Ages 18+. Free Parking, and smoking allowed on outdoor patio.

I arrived early and watched the vendors set up. People sat outside drinking and smoking until the open mic began inside. OrlandoBands.com hosted the open mic. Performers were asked to sign up day of show. They had to bring their your own guitar amps, and outboard gear. Any tracks, were on on CD and USB jump drive. The waitress seemed to recognize me. I think she is a dancer with one of the local dance companies. I didn’t stick around for a second sketch inside. I was satisfied to just get a sketch done outside as people gathered and socialized.

Florida Film Festival Industry Party at the Copper Rocket

Posted on by Thor

On April 11th I went to the Florida Film Festival Industry Party at The Copper Rocket, 106 Lake Avenue Maitland, FL. It was a chance to hang out with Festival friends and chat about all the amazing films. Each Film Festival guest got one complimentary beer and live music all night long. There was a table set up at the entrance and I got an arm band. At 8pm the place was pretty empty. Drew Yardis performed on the stage in the corner and I started sketching him. He performed covers of popular songs while adding his own inflections and personality to each piece.

Journalist Michael McLeod joined me at my table. He explained that Susan Sarandon was giving a talk at the Enzian Theater across the street. That program which also featured a screening of one of her films, wouldn’t let out until after 10pm. That is when The Copper Rocket was going to get mobbed. I wondered if I should hang out just in case Susan decided to get a drink in this local dive. Denise Sudler also stopped by our table and we chatted while I continued to sketch. We discussed the notion of my doing an evocative sketch for her. It would be an edgy commission that might spur others on to consider the idea.

The filmmakers of Druid Peak sat at the table next to us. The film was written and directed by Marni Zelnick. Executive producer Maureen Mayer explained the film to us. It is set against the backdrop of the wolf reintroduction program in Yellowstone National Park. It is a coming of age story about a troubled teenage boy (Andrew Wilson) who finds a home for himself tracking wolves in the wild. The production was partly funded by a one hundred thousand dollar grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. It is a story about the why of conservation, not just the how.