Orlando Story Club Concluded Its Season With “Best Of 2017.”

Posted on by Thor

Orlando Story Club is held quarterly at The Abbey, 100 South Eola Drive, Orlando, FL 32801. The December 2017 edition of Orlando Story Club featured the  2017 winners who shared their best personal narratives in hopes of being crowned the
best storyteller of the year. All qualifying storytellers are given the
opportunity to put their name in a hat, and chosen individuals are
selected randomly to share their stories for the enjoyment of the local
community. The December event theme was “Best Day Ever” and the
benefiting organization was ArtReach Orlando.

All
storytellers who placed in the top three during one of the 2017 events were invited to compete in the finale. Three randomly selected judges
scored the storytellers. First, Second, and Third place winners
received a prize. Drinks, refreshments
and laughter were available in abundance. Each event throughout the year had
a different theme and all proceeds raised support different Orlando
philanthropic causes.

Jack Graham told a story of a road trip to see the total eclipse of the sun. The eclipse totality could be seen in a 500 mile wide stripe that ran cross the united states. It crossed over Charleston South Carolina which is where I went to see the once in a lifetime event. Jacks road trip was filled with laugh out loud suspense and a rouge police radar tracking device. Clouds threatened to hid the sun but at the last moment the clouds parted to allow for a clear view. The world grew dark and the birds became silent and creatures of the night began their songs. The real magic of it all however was sharing the experience with friends.

Jesse James story of “The Impossible Dream” garnered a higher score from the judges. He spoke of his longing to start a family but realizing that he could not father a child. He met a woman who shared his dream and together they started the long arduous process of adopting a child. When he spoke of his trip to Korea to finally pick up the child his voice choked up as he recalled the incredible moment when he saw his daughter for the first time. Hearing such inspiring stories is what Story Club is all about.

Janessa Gursky explained the focus of the December charity partner which was ArtReach Orlando, which promotes
creativity and art projects that in return develop a positive platform
and chance for self-expression for children in underprivileged areas of
Orange County. The grant program, ArtReach Orlando Artist-in-Residence,
supplies teachers with additional content and learning material that
fosters comprehension among children, while encouraging and supporting the
teachers and students involved. The organization aims to empower its
participants and children as it maintains a focus of improving youth’s
self-esteem, self of being and belonging in the community. These lofty goals are the reason I tend to sketch each and every day.

Here is the schedule for 2018:
January 17: This is Orlando – benefiting Zebra Coalition
April 4: Make My Day – benefiting Summer of Dreams
May: Fringe TBD
July 18: What a Mess! – benefiting Pet Alliance
Oct 10: Down to the Wire – benefiting Homeless Coalition
2018 Championship Dec 12: My Favorite Things – benefiting ArtReach Orlando

Orlando Tech Week at Church Street Marketplace.

Posted on by Thor

I walked over to Church Street Marketplace (101 S Garland Ave Orlando FL 32801) for what I thought would be a tech demo. The place was deserted except for the caterer. I asked him what he knew about the event and he was pretty clueless. A large screen was set up, and when I arrived, it was projecting a computer desktop. I figured that had to be my center of interest.

Procreate, the digital sketch program on my iPad had updated several days ago and a new feature showed up called the perspective tool. It allows you to place several vanishing points on the sketch and the program automatically sets up a perspective grid to use as a drawing guide. I used that feature for the first time on this sketch, which is a pretty high tech leap for me. I was utilizing a bit more tech to cover Tech Week.

Only later that night did I learn that what I was sketching was the Black  Orlando Tech Hip Hop Happy Hour. DJ Nigel John shouted up a welcome to me, shouting “Thor!” I shouted back and then sketched him as he set up his DJ mix station. Janessa Gursky must have been an event organizer because she also greeted me. About six round high top tables were set up and slowly people started to arrive. This was slated to be the
chillest, happy hour event of Orlando Tech Week 2017. It was a chance for everyone to unwind from the
nonstop tech events of the week with a drink and conversation. I was a little disappointed not to walk away with some miraculous tech enlightenment but the music was pumping as I left for dinner.