Paula Large gave me a tip on an Event called a Balloon Jam that was taking place at the Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village down by Disney. The event got started at 7 AM, so I rose bright and early to get there. As usual, I got a bit lost looking for the place and when I arrived there were a handful of people setting up tables and putting out brochures. I sat quietly, and waited, to let things get underway. People sat around and talked and I didn’t see a single balloon, so I started to get nervous since I had to get to another event later that day to sketch. Finally a group gathered some chairs and sat around in a circle. They started inflating balloons with an automated inflating device and things got going. Other small groups formed and they taught each other how to make unexpected and strange balloon creatures. The room began to fill with the sounds of balloon squeaks and plenty of conversation.
I spoke with Paul Belanger, one of the organizers of the event, and he explained how balloon twisting has become something of an international phenomenon. He traveled to China and wanted to start an event called a balloon fashion show. People tried to explain to him that the Chinese didn’t like balloons but that didn’t discourage him. He organized the show anyway and now similar events are sprouting up all over China. He unfortunately does not make any money off of these knockoff shows.
One conversation cropped up when a twister asked everyone, “What was the biggest tip you ever got for twisting a balloon?” Answers varied from $20, to a bottle of wine to an airplane ticket. It was agreed that the ticket was the best tip. As I was sketching this group twisting their little bears and snakes, I noticed in the corner of the room something big being built. Instead of using the thin long balloons, they were using fat chunky balloons and chaining them together to form large cylinder shapes. The Great Wandini, Sheree Brown-Rosner, explained that they wanted to use these fatter balloons so the manufacturer would continue making that line of balloons. All the balloons were bright yellow, and for the duration of the sketch, I never figured out what they were building. It wasn’t until I saw a youtube video taken at the event that I discovered what they were up to. Twisting balloons is a whole subculture I was never aware of. Balloon Jams are certainly a fun bizarre experience. I hope I get to experience a jam again when they are in town. Next time I would want to show up later after hundreds of balloon sculptures litter the floor.
MS 150 Bike Ride
I got a tip from Robyn a friend who is helping raise money to battle MS by riding in the MS 150 which is a bike ride that raises money for Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a horrible disease that slowly causes the loss of muscle control. The ride started at 7 AM at Bok Tower Gardens and ended at Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando. I decided to make my way to the finish line to do my sketch. The finish line can be seen in my sketch way in the background at that tower of red balloons. I became instantly fascinated with this massage Triage tent where cyclists lined up to have their aching muscles soothed.
To the left of this massage tent was a huge area where hundreds of bicycles were stored and teams of cyclists gathered at tables celebrating the end of a very long ride.
The excitement around this event raised my interest again in bike riding. I may just have to get my bike repaired so I can take it on the road again. Right now my bike is hanging upside down from the garage ceiling with some broken spokes and flat tires. It deserves the freedom to explore the open roads again.
Well’s Built Museum of African American History and Culture
Since I was not invited to attend the inauguration in Washington DC, I decided to honor Obama by sketching the old Well’s Built Hotel. Built in 1926 this building provided lodging to African Americans during segregation when rooms were not otherwise available. Today the building is a Museum of African American History and Culture. The building was strangely deserted, perhaps folks were at an inauguration party in another part of town.