Weekend Top 6 Picks

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One last reminder, TONIGHT is the Opening Reception for “A Certain Point of View“, a retrospective exhibit of sketches done by me of the Orlando arts and culture scene. The opening is at Snap Space in the historic Cameo Theater (1013 E. Colonial Drive Orlando FL) from 7pm to 10pm. The show remains up through April 17th. If you can’t make it to the opening then stop by on the weekend. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday, 11AM – 4 PM, and by appointement.

Saturday March 22, 2014

Noon to 6pm Free.  Art in the Park 2. Dickson Azalea Park 100 Rosegarden Drive, Orlando, Fl. Rain or Shine artists gathering to create in nature, in public.

not a vending opportunity. Time to play, and hang out, and talk about ideas.

8:30am to 6pm Mega Con. March 21-23 $25 one day wrist band. Orange County Convention Center, North Building, Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL. Comic book convention.

6pm to 8pm Free. An Evening with Artist in Residence 3 Elysia Mann. Maitland Art Center 231 Packwood Ave. Maitland FL. Elysia will discuss her work and process.

Sunday March 23, 2014

1pm to 3pm Free, just order something. Irish Music. Olivia’s Coffee House, 108 North Bay Street, Eustis, FL. http://www.oliviascoffeehouse.com/

2pm to 4pm Free. Jake Fernandez La Finca de Parchman performance piece. Maitland Art Center, 231 Packwood Avenue West, Maitland, FL. Seven Days and Sixteen Hours at Parchman Farm,” this piece explores
isolation, and what happens to the creative process when the artist is
isolated from all personal interaction. Fernandez will work in a
secluded studio space on the Art and History campus. The studio has no windows;
only bathroom facilities and a cot for sleeping. Fernandez will be
provided with rag drawing paper, water, dried food, a blanket and
pillow. This alternative space will include a closed-circuit camera, so
the process can be observed at http://www.ArtandHistory.org

4:30pm to 6:30pm $12. Roller Derby  OADR vs. Thunder City Derby Sirens.Universal Skating Center 866 S. Goldenrod Road, Orlando, Fl. Come watch the women of Orlando Area Derby Revolution take on the ladies of the Thunder City Derby Sirens. New season, new venue, same hard-hitting derby action!

Snap!

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I stopped by Snap (Cameo Theater, 1013 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, Fl ) on the day before my retrospective exhibit went up. The gallery was open till 4pm. Emily Jordan and Diana Rodriguez were working as interns at the front desk. This was the last day that “Flight” was on display. As I sketched the last of the arts patrons explored the gallery. Three pieces of drywall proclaimed the gallery’s mission statement: Contemporary, Creative and Spontaneous. Patrick Kahn, the gallery’s founder had to step out.

Diana’s son, Josiah Portillo, stopped in and hung out for a while.  As he and Diana talked, he decided to water the potted orchid on the reception desk with his bottled water. He then headed out to hang with some friends in the park. Diana offered him some money in case he wanted a snack but he said he would be fine.

I discovered later from Holly Kahn, that the lamp on the reception desk was from her son Luke‘s room. Emily and Diana were chatting and getting to know each other. Emily is a photographer who takes society shots for a local magazine. Diana is an actress and avid supporter of the arts. When she discovered that Emily had never been to the Fringe, she excitedly explained what the Fringe is all about. Diana suddenly shrieked and stood up. A large puddle had mysteriously formed and was spreading across the table. They both quickly removed books, paper and art. The potted orchid was leaking. Diana put the potted plant on the floor as they mopped up the spill. “How much water did Josiah put in this plant?” Diana said. On the floor the plant was still gushing out water.

Disaster was averted since the angle of the table made the puddle flow away from the art and papers on the desk. Just when things returned to normal, Patrick came back and the women were free to go home. Diana told me about a dress rehearsal for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams, which I will be sketching next week. Patrick explained to me that she is one of the most active supporter of the arts that he knows.

Mark your calendar and come on out to the opening of my retrospective showing of sketches of Orlando on March 21st from 7pm to 10pm at the Cameo Theater (1013 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, Fl). The show will remain open through April 17th.

Changing of the Art

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A retrospective exhibit of the sketches I have done in Orlando will be opening on March 21st from 7pm to 10pm at Snap in the historic Cameo Theater (1013 E. Colonial Drive Orlando FL). I stopped by Snap on the final day of Flight, a group show of photographers and other artists. At 4pm the gallery closed and Patrick Kahn popped the first labels off the walls. He explained that this moment was always a bit sad, like the circus leaving town, but when the walls are bare again, his excitement builds. Its like when you open your sketchbook and are faces with a white page. There are so many possibilities.

The two interns, Emily Jordan, and Diana Rodriguez, who were at the front desk, left at 4pm and then Patrick’s wife Holly arrived with their two children, Luke and Juliet. Juliet saw my open sketchbook on the floor and she crouched down to look. “You drew that right now?” When I said “Yes”, she stood and shook my hand with enthusiasm. I was surprised by her adult politeness and respect. Holly had put on blue surgeons gloves and she flipped through the sketchbook to let her kids see. Their enthusiasm was the best affirmation that I’ve felt in a long time. They have grown up around art thanks to their parents. Holly told me that Patrick used to keep sketchbook journals as a child. He passed on this tradition to his children and apparently Luke has displayed some unique talent in his journal. No wonder the kids loved seeing my sketchbooks.

The large photos were quickly but delicately removed from the walls and packed away. Holly helped Patrick and Vince Santilli at every step while Luke and Juliet worked at their computers, but Luke became impatient. “Mom, when can we go!” he shouted. The question was repeated multiple times until Holly decided to recruit him to do some of the work. She gave him a drill and let him assist in removing some of the screws in the masonry. He climbed the ladder and she climbed up behind him to be sure he didn’t fall and to help with the heavy drill. This was serious “man’s work” and Luke  loved it.

When it came time for the kids to go home, Luke shouted out, “Dad, we are proud of you!” Holly, next to me raised her hand to her chest and sighed. “It’s moments like this when you realize it is all worth it.” she said. It was heart warming to see this family working together to make a dream become reality. The next day, my sketches would go up on these walls.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday March 15, 2014

1pm to 4pm Free. Family Days at the Museum. Maitland Art Museum 231 Packwood Ave W, Maitland, FL. Interactive garden sculpture party with Artists in Action. 2pm Screening of Herb & Dorothy 50X50 film.

2pm to 4pm Free. Train Shots Book Release Party. The official book release party for TRAIN SHOTS, by central Florida’s own Vanessa Blakeslee, presented by Burrow Press and the Urban Think Foundation. Event begins at two. Brief reading and Q&A with author at 2:30 p.m., followed by debut screening of TRAIN SHOTS book trailer, produced by Laputka Films, and book signing. http://burrowpress.com/train-shots

3pm to 5pm Free. Acme’s Urban Toy Art Show. Acme Superstore 905 E. SR 434, Longwood, FL. Art show featuring custom toys, art dolls, designer vinyls with family-friendly activities, face-painting, glitter tattoos, vendors, local professional artists, amateur artists, and student artwork from Millennium Middle School! Custom vinyl and art doll workshops and demos throughout the day! Pam Murray will be doing a demo session from 3pm-5pm working on an assortment of various custom items, while fielding questions and showing techniques on both vinyl pieces and model kits. Followed by the official reception for Millennium Middle School students from 5pm-7pm.

Sunday March 16, 2014

1pm to 3pm Free. Yoga. Every week. Lake Eola near the pagoda.

9pm-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.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday March 8, 2014

2pm to 4pm $5, Free to Mennello Museum members. Gallery Walk and Talk with Valerie Ann Leeds, curator of “Southwestern Allure: The Art of the Santa Fe Art Colony”. The Mennello Museum of American Art 900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, Fl. Join us for a walk and talk through the exhibit with Dr. Valerie Ann Leeds, a New York City-based independent curator, writer, editor and art historian with a specialization in Robert Henri and early 20th-century American art.

3pm to 8pm Free. Frankie’s BIG FUN Market. 659 Bryn Mawr, (College park), Orlando , Fl. Every second Saturday. The grand opening of the new Apartment E location! In the coming months we will be growing into an all out sidewalk party, and the event will in time include all businesses that are located up and down beautiful Edgewater drive. Participating businesses are encouraged to co partner with creatives, host the entertainment in their location, or present creative entertainment in any way that “fits” with their business. This is the main goal, to “match creatives with the businesses that are already there, but that it is not the only aspect of this MARKET. There is no charge for creatives (artists,writers, musicians, arts groups, etc) to participate, no commission or entry fees will be required to be paid to APARTMENT E or any other director or sponsors.

8pm to Midnight 21+ Pre Sale: $30/person At the door: $40/peron The Great Orlando Mixer. Orlando’s largest cocktail party will be in Orlando’s most elaborately decorated vintage venue, complete with 1920s costumes, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and craft cocktails from the city’s top bars and bartenders.Throw on your best Prohibition-era garb and come out to sample the tastiest craft cocktails! A LIMITED number of tickets are available for this exclusive event. It WILL sell out!

Visit www.TheGreatOrlandoMixer.com to purchase tickets today!



Sunday March 9, 2014

10am to 6pm Free to attend. 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. Space for artists is limited, First Come First Served. ARTIST FAQ’s.

3pm to 5pm 5 cans of food. Spring into Music with the FSYO Annual Children Helping Children Concert. College Park Baptist Church, located at 1914 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL . The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, in partnership with The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, presents their annual Children Helping Children Concert on Sunday, March 9, 2014. FSYO’s pre-professional Symphonic Orchestra, with special soloists and Concerto Competition Finalists: Rebecca Edge and John Horzen, will perform in hopes of introducing young concertgoers to classical music while increasing awareness, raising funds and collecting donations for Second Harvest Food Bank. An ongoing partnership, all proceeds of this event will go to The Second Harvest Food Bank as they fight to end hunger and feed hope.

4pm to 6pm Free. Art and History Museum’s Art Car Party. 231 W. Packwood Ave. Maitland FL.

It’s time to see what the Orlando local muralist, Andrew Spear, has come up with! Join us as we unveil the finished exterior of the A&H Art Car. Did you collaborate the the inside? Come revisit your contribution! What else will be going on at this party?

Music by DJ Nigel , food from Creations Catering, drinks and a talk on creativity by Andrew Spear.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday March 1, 2014

2pm to 6pm Free. Artist Colony Day. Maitland Art Center, 231 Packwood Avenue West, Maitland, FL. 2-6pm Open Studios and hands on activities

2-6 MAC Wrap: help wrap the Maitland Art Center.

6 Founders tour Peter Banca.

2pm to 5pm $20.00 per Workshop. $35 for 2, $40 for all three! Dr. DJO BI teaches drumming and dancing at the Jammin! School. The Aikido Orlando Dojo 3764 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792. Dr. Djo Bi has a unique talent and understanding of the rhythms and sounds of his culture. His parents were musicians, and he had a drum in his hands since he was a toddler. Around age 5, he was performing in church; and by the time he was a young teenager, he was invited to begin a professional career as a musician/artist among seasoned adult musicians and dancers. Having lived in Paris, France, for a dozen years, he was able to involve himself with a wide variety of musical experiences. He was even involved with the African Museum in Brussels, Belgium, as part of a research group with Curator Anne Marie Bouttiaux returning with him to his village to learn about mask dance culture. He is the preeminent Zaouly Mask Drummer in the United States.

7pm to 9pm $15. What’s Your Story? East End Market 3201 Corrine Dr., Orlando, Florida 32803. The Orlando Story Club (www.orlandostoryclub.com) is an organization formed to arrange storytelling events in various forms for the enjoyment of the Central Florida community. For their inaugural event they have joined forces with Jennifer Marvel and the Audubon Park Garden District (www.apgardens.com). The event will start at 7pm and will run for approximately 2 hours.

Anyone who wishes to be a storyteller will be invited to put their name in a hat starting at 7pm when the doors open. At 7:25p a local comedian/host will get the festivities started. He will select 10 storyteller names from a hat. He will also nominate 3 judges at random from the audience giving them each a set of scorecards. The first storyteller will start at 7:30p.

The stories are limited to 5 minutes. They must be told without notes and connect to the theme of the evening (Wild Adventures). The theme for this first event will be Wild Adventures. At the end of each story the 3 sets of judges vote and the total score is recorded on a scoreboard at the front of the room. Between each story our comedian will help bridge the gaps as the next storyteller gets ready and the judges tally their scores.

After 5 stories there will be a 15-minute intermission (for more drinks to be ordered). This is followed by the remaining 5 stories. At the end of the night the scores are added up and a prize is awarded to the best storyteller of the evening.

Sunday March 2, 2014

 10am to 4pm Free. Lake Eola Farmers Market. Every Sunday. The South East corner of Lake Eola park.

11am to 4pm Free. Art and History Center Art Car Day. Maitland Art Center, 231 Packwood Avenue West, Maitland, FL. Help Andrew Spear create the Art car.

11am to 6pm Free. DeLand Indie Market Spring Edition. Deland Indie Market at Artisan Alley Artisan Alley, DeLand, Florida 32720. The DeLand Indie Market is a curated event that is held 4 times a year showcasing Artists, Boutiques, Vintage and Handmade Vendors.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday February 22, 2013

1pm to 7pm Free. Art in the Park Redux. Dickson Azalea Park 100 Rosearden Drive, Orlando, FL. An informal gathering of visual artists creating in the park together.

6pm to 9pm An Evening With Fabulous Friends. The Alfond Inn at Rollins College, Winter Park FL. Each year, The Friends of The Mennello Museum of American Art host an elegant gala to raise funds for the museum’s collections, exhibitions, and programs. The Eleventh Annual Gala celebrates The Mennello Museum of American Art, located in Orlando Loch Haven Park, which is owned and operated by the City of Orlando. The Gala also celebrates the passion of its founders, Michael A. and Marilyn L. Mennello. For additional information and to purchase tables or tickets to any of the Friends of the Mennello Museum events, contact Elise Frost, by phone 407-246-4278, ext. 4870, or email themennello@gmail.com.

7:30pm to 11pm Free. Contra Dancing. Secret Lake Park, 200 N Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry, FL. Contra dance is … Easier than walking. More exercise than jogging. More fun than you can imagine. Sample of dancing with caller. All Ages Welcome – Instruction Provided at 7:30 pm

No partners necessary.  http://orlandocontradance.org/schedule.shtml

Sunday February 23, 2013

10am to Noon Free.  Super Joy Riders. Eastern entrance of the Lake Eola Farmers’ Market. You + Superhero Costume + Bike = Best Sunday Ever. Participants dress as superheroes and ride en masse around the city as they check off their scavenger hunt-like list of Do Gooder Duties; collecting litter, helping senior citizens cross the road, returning shopping carts, basically performing small acts of kindness for an hour and a half of hilarity and love. The Super Joy Riders: Do Gooder Bike Ride is an exercise in community organizing and active engagement. We hope to use the ride as an opportunity to show how helping people can be simple, fun, and easy, especially while wearing a cape.

http://www.superjoyriders.com/

1pm to 3pm Free. Yoga. Eastern shore of Lake Eola, Lake Eola Park, Orlando, FL. Weekly free yoga in the park.

1pm to 3pm  Free, but order some food. Irish Music. Olivia’s Coffee House, 108 North Bay Street, Eustis, FL. http://www.oliviascoffeehouse.com/

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday February 15, 2014

9am to 11pm. Free for spectators. The Chocolate 5k. Jay Blanchard Park 2451 North Dean Road, Orlando, FL. NR Road Racing presents a chocolaty good time. We are offering you a sweet treats to keep you going throughout the 5k. Yes there will still be water stations, but for those of you with a sweet tooth, you can also have a little piece of joy. Enjoy a family friendly three mile course with your friends, family, and other choc-aholics strangers. Doesn’t matter how fast or old you are; everyone is welcome to participate and join in the fun!

1pm to 3pm. Free. Family Days at the Maitland Museum. Maitland Art Center 231 Packwood Ave W, Maitland, FL. Families will enjoy making Jasper Johns style flags together as they learn about this unique artist. Families are encouraged to stay and enjoy the A&H museums after the program concludes. Family Days at the Museum is held on the 3rd Saturday of every month, and each program is held in a different location within the A&H Museums. Join us for this afternoon of family fun!

6pm to 11pm. $25 Nude Nite. 639 W. Church St. (Large Blue Warehouse) Orlando, FL. The largest nude art show in the
country. Since 1996,  Nude Nite represents a new class of art show
inspired by the original inspiration, the nude. A nouveau art event
showcasing hundreds of fresh and sophisticated works and performances to
quicken the pace of your heart. Held annually in both Orlando and
Tampa, Florida the 3 nite visual event you don’t want to miss.  Visit http://www.nudenite.com or Become a fan at the Nude Nite Facebook page or keep up with NN on Twitter @nudenite. This is one event I never want to miss.

Sunday February 16, 2014

2pm to 4pm. Free, just grab a beer. Got Game? 😉 Red Lion Pub 3784 Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park, FL. Poker, board games, card games, Twister, etc. If you have a particular game that you want to play, bring it. I have poker chips, Scattergories, Scrabble, Pictionary, Fact or Crap, a question game (can’t remember the name), Uno, and a few others. Don’t have Twister anymore (you don’t want to know why, trust me). Oh, and feel free to bring your pet. ♥

5pm to 9pm. Free, but get some food! Orlando Food Truck Bazaar. Orlando Fashion Square, 3201 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL. A parking lot full of food trucks! http://www.thedailycity.com/2011/05/thedailycitycom-food-truck-bazaar.html

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.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday February 8, 2014

10am to 5pm Free. Saturday and Sunday. Orlando Folk Festival. The Mennello Museum of American Art 900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL. Art, crafts, music and dancing. http://orlandofolkfestival.wordpress.com/

7pm to 9pm Free. Swingout Saturday. 644 Florida Central Parkway, Longwood, Fl. The music is hot and the dance floor will rock!  Beginner dance lesson at 7pm. Dancing from 8 to 11pm. http://www.facebook.com/events/155347454601985/    More info: http://www.SwingoutSaturday.com/

8pm to 10pm $20 at the door.  Untold Stories Emotions Dance. Orlando Repertory Theatre Blackbox 1001 E. Princeton St. Orlando FL. Emotions Dance looks at the depth of the human condition in Untold Stories. From topics such as grief and addiction, to connection and hope, the company brings to light some of the deepest of human emotions and experiences in their fourth installment of this celebrated performance.

Sunday February 9, 2014

10am to 9pm Free. Gallery Fresh Art Markets. Orlando Fashion Square 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, Fl. On the 2nd Sunday of every month Gallery Fresh Art Markets and Orlando Fashion Square proudly present “Show Your Art.” This free to the public, indoor, non-juried art event showcases 60 to 90 local artists and fine crafts persons and is located throughout Orlando Fashion Square.

1pm to 3pm $5 Film Slam. Enzian Theater, South Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL. Originally a project of University of Central Florida’s Downtown Media Arts Center, Enzian became the home of FilmSlam when DMAC closed in 2006. Now in its fifth year at Enzian, FilmSlam continues to be a popular outlet for indie and student filmmakers throughout the State of Florida. FilmSlam will usually be held on the second Sunday of each month at 1PM at Enzian.

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.

Monday Night Jazz Jam

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Monday Night Jazz Jam was founded by the late pianist Billy Hall. This event has provided Great entertainment and supported numerous charities since 2008. The event happens on Monday nights at the New Mingo’s Restaurant, 100 South Eola Avenue Orlando FL, in Downtown Orlando.
Networking happens between 7 and 8pm and the Jam runs from 8 to 11pm. Several TOP Musicians and Vocalists including
Joseph Jevanni on the keys, Don Black on the Sax,
Jacqueline Jones-on vocals. The evening is hosted by Yvonne Coleman of Jazzy103.com

I arrived early and got a table near where the performers would set up.  The drums were piled in and set up. The drummer asked if he could borrow my table for a second. He rolled his drum sticks on the table I assume to get a feel for their balance. Yvonne welcomed me. When the music fired up, the place came alive.  I ordered a drink and settled into the sketch.

I sketched through the first set and finished up during the second set. Different musicians rotated in throughout the evening. There were plenty of singers who rotated in as well. There is an undeniable energy to these Monday night Jams. I didn’t stay until the end. Once the sketch was finished, I headed home.