DRIP Date Night

Posted on by Thor

DRIP Date Night was held around Valentines day at the former grunge bar on International Drive. The black lighting in the venue was a challenge, since I couldn’t judge values or color. It was a grand experiment to sketch that night. DRIP has unfortunately closed so the colored beer bar is a thing of the past.

The evening featured interactive stations, gorgeous performers, a full DRIP show with dancers performing in paint, flying water, colored sand, a live rock band, and a Miracle Berry after party, experimental taste testings, dancing, and a 10 foot paint shower.

The Interactive Stations included:

BLUE STATION: A new twist on Paint and Take. You could be your own artist and show off what you got.

RED STATION: Guests were blindfolded and relaxed as they experienced the touch of your partner. Can it get spicy? Maybe….

YELLOW STATION: Word smiths helped guests refine and express their thoughts and affections. We make it easy.

KISSING BOOTH: A photo booth filled with X’s and O’s was set up for selfies and group shots.

CREATE YOUR OWN VALENTINE: Guests use up cycled materials to craft their own special valentine.

T-SHIRT PULL WALL: Guests could take their chances by picking a crop top to see if they could win the grand prize.

FULL THEATRICAL SHOW: 

The show featured a sordid love story with dancers performing in paint, flying water, and sand to a LIVE rock band. It’s a standing room experience.

THE COLOR BAR: Guests cold enjoy drinks by the color! DRIP’s Color Bar had Red, Blue, Orange and Yellow beer, cocktails, shots, wine and non alcoholic beverages for sale. On Valentine’s Day, a special flight of shots was added that would shock taste buds.

DRIP added some real grit and color to the Orlando night life. It was a shame to see it go.

Ruminations at Fringe

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Presented by the BAAD Project, Ruminations, like the name suggests, is inspired by the ruminations of Alan Wilson Watts. When was the last time you really took the time to stop? Stop thinking, stop doing, just listen. So often we are caught up in the whirlwind of life, always moving from one thing to the next we rarely take the time to settle in, quiet our mind, and observe. Utilizing explosive movement and captivating partnering, we delve into our relationships with each other and with nature; we explore what it means to really be present.

Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best
known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a
Western audience. Interpreting this philosophy in dance offered some fluid modern dance. Dancers reached for the intangible as the philosopher expressed his views of the world. I cant claim to understand all of what was expressed but that might be the point.

I was pleased to see dancer Jesse Sander who has performed as Yellow at DRIP for years. DRIP just recently had its final performance after 10 years. So it was good to see the talent fostered there still influencing the arts scene here in Orlando. Orlando has a strong dance community and it always shines at Fringe.

DRIP is Closing their Internationsl Drive Location.

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I was there sketching as DRIP opened  its International Drive Location with its grunge underground bar vibe, the shows featured modern dance, water effects and colorful paint. The walls were painted black and would get covered each performance with bright splashes of color. After 5 successful years of bringing innovative, edgy dance shows and
art events to the I-Drive area, DRIP will be closing the location to
focus on new projects.

“Closing this location is bittersweet but exciting for our team.  We put
a huge amount of passion into everything created in that space and have
amazing memories from the team interacting with the guests. We had
terrific experiences over the last 5 years and are eager to re-focus and
inject our creativity into the next project.”  explains DRIP founder
and creative director Jessica Mariko. “We appreciate our fans and are
looking forwards to playing with them again soon.”

Since DRIP
opened their International Drive location, they have produced over 700
shows, artistic events, concerts, festivals, fashion shows, private
parties and corporate events. Experiences in the DRIP venue have
included a super-hero show during the Megacon Convention, The Blind Date
experience for couples during Valentine’s Day, the Underground Vampire
Bar experience in October, Gay Days events, Local Art Night, BASE Body
Painting Art Events, and many more. DRIP has also been commissioned to
develop creative experiences for companies such as Timex, Siemens,
L’Oreal, Wrestlemania, and Kawasaki.

The sketch above is from a DRIP Art Night which always featured the talents of local artists. Paint the Trail was using cut out stencils to create quick colorful portraits of celebrities. As soon as he was done spraying another artist would blow dry the paint to get it to dry fast. The same portrait might involve 5 different layers which were built up, one on top of another. A pile of the portraits build up to the table on the artists right. People rifled through the art as the artist worked.

I produced a small book about the history of DRIP. I am amazed that it now documents a past history. The venue did so much to help promote the arts in Orlando. It is a bright beacon that will be missed. I hope that the cutting edge dance company will resurface in a new and unexpected form. The loss of Drip reminds me that I need to continue documenting unique Orlando culture. Even the brightest lights will fade or transform.

The Black Market at DRIP.

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I went to DRIP, (8747 International Dr Ste. 102, Orlando, FL 32819) to sketch a one night only art event called The Black Market, which included a dark art exhibit, fashion show, and a pop-up boutique inspired by
mystery, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, horror, black magic, and all
things dark.

I focused my attention  on this incredible display of designer high heel shoes. They are perfect for any gal or guy who wants to gain a solid foot in height. Some of the heels were elegant as if built at the turn of the century by Louis Eiffel himself. Other were ferocious as if for a Mad Max apocalyptic world.

The proprietor of this set up had his custom built beach buggy parked outside. He had several baby squirrels in a fur hat that he was keeping warm. If one shivered he would pick it up in his cupped hands and blow on it to raise its temperature. He let me hold one and it was incredibly delicate. The squirrels had been blown from their nest by the hurricane force winds of Irma.

His assistant wore black stocking full of holes, along with spiky shoulder pads and a jet black g-string. She could ring up sales on her iPhone using Square and kept busy with that. So many stopped to browse that it was difficult to see everything on the table at the same time. I pieced together the puzzle all night long. There were performances in the other room, but I stayed on task. The entire evening was a fun blend of dark goth, leather and steam punk inventiveness. If you wanted something truly different for the holidays this would have been your best bet.

Other Featured Exhibitors:

Art Exhibit curated by Carl Jordan

Retromended Vintage Fashion Shop

Carmine Oddities Boutique

Shibari Demo (Knot Tying) by Carmine Oddities Boutique

Tarot Card Readings

Coffee Shop of Horrors

Live Make-Up Demonstrations

Dead Snow Cocktail and Rogue Dead Guy Ale

TnT Paranormal Investigators will be running an EVP listening station.

Hand Crafted Costume Pieces for the spooky season!

These themed DRIP art events come up fairly often each year and they are always fun and unexpected.

Base around the World Body Paint Art Showcase.

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The Base Around the World Body Paint Showcase was held at
DRIP (8747 International Drive
Suite 102, Orlando, FL.) This showcase is one of the few places
in the world where guests can witness a body painting event of this magnitude.
Pam Schwartz and I arrived early so I could sketch the amazing models when they were
just beginning to be painted. It is fun to sketch as they
turn into creative living canvases. Each body paint show is centered around a
theme. Each model this evening became a different country or exotic port of
call.

Over a dozen body paint artists’ works could only be seen for several fleeting moments of artistic
completion at the end of the evening. Music was provided by
Dub Masters. Besides the body painters, artists also had tables to sell their
wares.                                                                       

I focused on the models in front of a paint splattered rainbow
of color that had the saying, “What Color Are Your?”  One model was being painted all the golden
colors of the Savannah with a large lion face being painted on her butt.  The other model was being painted with green
flames and a Chinese dragon wrapped around her torso.  

The Orlando
community of body painters spent years gathering in bars or homes to practice
and exhibit their art. Mandi Ilene Schiff founded BASE Orlando in an effort to reach
out to a wider audience and produce events
as a complete art show.  Now three years
later the showcases keep getting better. It is always a sketch opportunity like
none other.

Mark your Calendar. The next BASE showcase is going to be a black light extravaganza held November 30th starting at 8 PM at DRIP (8747 International Drive, Orlando, Fl). I am excited to see the glowing colors in the dark. 

Drip Local Art Nights feature Live Performances.

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At Drip Local Art Nights, local visual artists display their merchandise, and local bands take to the stage. To sketch close to the stage, I resort to shoving pencil erasers in my ears since I need to stand right in front of the speakers to catch the performance up close.

Mark Your Calendar! The next local art night in Orlando will be Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 from 7 to 11 PM. Local
artists showcase and sell art while performers entertain. This is like
an art walk with wine, cocktails and beer. Bringing local
artists together creates such an amazing creative vibe. If you go, There is a good chance you will find me sketching, be sure to say hi.

Local Art Night at DRIP.

Posted on by Thor

DRIP‘s Local Art Night often happens on the fourth Thursday of each month. The event features Visual Artists, Performance Artists, Burlesque troupes, Body Painters, Dancers, Belly Dancers, Art Installations, Etc. The boyfriend of one of the dancers brought in his couch and showcased his work on a makeshift coffee table. The gritty splattered vibe at DRIP (8747 International Dr Suite. 102, Orlando, Florida 32819) is perfect to showcase artists whose work has an edgy urban feel.

The last DRIP Art Night was July 27, 2017. There is always something new to see Art Night so I go to sketch at every opportunity. It is a fun chance to just throw paint down on the page. Being on International Drive, the event allows local artists to showcase their work to International tourists as well as locals. 90% of any art sales goes to the artist.

Senor Frogs on Interntional Drive.

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I drove down to International Drive thinking I might sketch a monthly Drip Artist showcase event. Unfortunately the events are now bimonthly so the venue was closed. Rather that just leave, I decided to sketch Senor Frogs the restaurant that is in front of Drip. This place is always bustling with tourists who go for the sweet drinks and balloon hats. I have never eaten at Senor Frogs but I have always been curious as to what the appeal is.

The last Drip artist event I am aware of was in April. There is a Facebook page for artists interested in future events at Drip. If you haven’t been to a Drip show yet, you really need to make the trip to International Drive. It is a sexy dance experience that will rock your world. Water, sand colored light, a live rock band and plenty of dancing provide an amazing interactive experience. Every member of the audience is in the splash zone. If Orlando is now known for its rainbows, Drip explodes that rainbow with a wild splash.

DRIP Presents The Blind Date Experience.

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Last year I painted nude couples portraits on Valentines Day. This year I went to DRIP (8747 International Dr Suite 102, Behind Denny’s and Senor Frogs, Orlando, Florida 32819) to sketch couples embracing during The Blind Date Experience. It was a challenge to convince couples to hug for ten minutes at a time. The black lighting in the venue added another challenge, since I couldn’t judge values or color. It was a grand experiment and I plan to try again despite the challenges. I’m thinking of working digitally next time working with filters to push towards a fast finish that I can paint and manipulate. It is worth experimenting.

Featuring interactive stations, gorgeous performers, full DRIP show with dancers performing in paint, flying water, colored sand, live rock band, and a Miracle Berry after party experimental taste testing, dancing, and 10 foot paint shower!

INTERACTIVE STATIONS

BLUE STATION: A new twist on Paint and Take. Be your own artist and show off what you got.

RED STATION: Come in blindfolded and relax as you experience the touch of your partner. Can it get spicy? Maybe….

YELLOW STATION: Know what you want to say, but cannot come up with the words? We make it easy

KISSING BOOTH: Snap all the selfies and group shots that you want in the photo booth area that is filled with X’s and O’s

CREATE YOUR OWN VALENTINE: Use upcycled materials to craft your own special valentine for your sweetheart.

T-SHIRT PULL: Feeling lucky? Take your chance at the T-shirt pull wall. Pick a crop top and see if you win the grand prize!! (Additional fee per pull)

FULL THEATRICAL SHOW

The show features a sordid love story with dancers performing in paint, flying water, and sand to a LIVE rock band. It’s a standing room experience. DRIP’s live rock band played.

THE COLOR BAR

Enjoy drinks by the color! DRIP’s Color Bar has Red, Blue, Orange and Yellow beer, cocktails, shots, wine and non alcoholic beverages for sale. This Valentine’s Day, a special flight of shots will be added that will not be as they appear to the eye.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

All Tickets Include:

-A Blind Date Blindfold to use at the event and take home.

-Special Edition DRIP Blind Date Experience T-Shirt for you to get colorful that night!

-Paint Station to paint yourselves and your sweetheart

-Kissing Booth

-3 interactive stations with souvenirs to take home

-Make your own upcycled Valentine station

-Full DRIP show with dancers and live band

-After party featuring the Miracle Berry

-Dancing

-Interactive Paint Shower

All Inclusive Tickets also include:

-Custom t-shirt cutting (have your special edition Blind Date shirt turned into a tank top, dress, corset, etc.)

-DRIPdanna Headwrap for you to wear and paint

-All you can drink until 11 PM (2.5-3 hours)

-Free pull at the T-Shirt Wall to win a prize

THE BLIND DATE TICKET PRICES

*Limited to 40 couples per show

General Admission Tickets:

Feb. 10: $39

Feb 11-25: $49

All Inclusive Tickets:

Feb. 10: $79

Feb 11-25: $89

More Info and Tickets.

Drip Art Nights

Posted on by Thor

I went to DRIP (8747 International Dr #102, Orlando, FL 32819) to sketch their local Art Night.   The event features Visual Artists, Performance Artists, Burlesque troupes, Body Painters, Dancers, Belly Dancers, and Art Installations. It is an all ages event.

Set-up for artists began at 6:30 and the doors opened to the public at 8
PM. Artists brought in tables, walls and other ways to display their
art. I decided to sketch artist German Lemus as he worked on a painting. of course painting at a crowded event like this means having to break away from the creative process quite often to answer questions of prospective clients.

As always the DRIP art night was action packed with plenty of dance and music. The usual DRIP performance is no longer staged on Art Nights, which means the main performance space can be opened up to artist vendors. Mark Your Calendar! The next DRIP Local Art Night is September 22.