Robots and Rainbows at BART.

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Wednesday November 18th was the opening for Robots and Rainbows at BART, (1205 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL).  This show is a joint effort of the husband and wife team of Evan an Christie Miga  These are the artists who brought the blockbuster Fringe show, Dog Powered Robotto life. When I arrived, Evan was closest to the front door. He explained that he created all the robots, and that Christie art directed his paintings of laughing sun and puckering moon. He also made rocket ships out of simple plastic cups and slinkies. When the slinkies were jostled, they made a sound much like Star Wars sound effects. Later, Christie informed me that this was actually the first time Even had shown his work other than on the stage.

I figured it made sense to sketch robots digitally. Working on a tablet kind of blows my cover. People looked over my shoulder more than usual and I kept having to explain what kind of tablet I was working on. People must be attracted to the glowing screen, or perhaps the ghost in the machine lures them in. I had several pleasant conversations that put the sketch on hold, but in the back of my mind, I was concerned that the tablet battery would die before the sketch was complete. I also experienced several technical issues That I will not go into. But I resolved the problem by saving the sketch and working on it in another program. Pencil and paper never has these types of technical glitches.

Terry arrived and sighed in disgust when s saw the tablet in my lap. She prefers my watercolor sketches and feels I’m going to the dark side ever time I do a digital sketch. She took a look a the show and the shouted to me, “Should I get one!” “Sure Dear.” I yelled back. Christie shouted to me, “Tell her to get a big one!” “Get a big one!’ I shouted to Terry. Terry picked the big pink robot that looks a bit like Lollybot. Its head is a cylinder shaped hat box and its body a simple box. Its eyes have cute round lenses and there are three yellow buttons on her chest. I should really stop calling her “it”, she deserves a name. I’ll name her when she gets home.

The show is up for one month, right up until the week before Christmas. If you want to buy something truly unique for Christmas how about getting your loved one a robot or perhaps a genuine unicorn shoe. You will find one of a kind gifts, perfect for the holidays or just to keep for yourself. Both of the soft donut pillows sold immediately, but Christie says she will consider taking orders. She also has a line of hand made ornaments that will add sparkle to any tree.  Make this a Robots and Rainbows Christmas.

The Maker Faire at the Orlando Science Center showcased innovations and inventions.

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The Orlando Maker Faire was held on September 13th and 14th at the Orlando Science Center (777 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL). I went both days to see and sketch some of the cool stuff being made and showcased. I immediately went to an upper balcony overlooking the show room floor. The first thing to catch my eye was this huge roller coaster. The coaster would slowly rise up the ramp and then scream downward at top speed. It went through two loop-de-loops before returning back to the station. There was always a crowd surrounding the coaster and kids would sit on the floor to watch with rapt attention.

On the upper right of the sketch I caught a few people who were spectators of the Nerdy Derby. A large table was set up so kids and children at heart could build their own derby car. A long ramp was set up so contestants could face off to see who had the fastest car. There were bleachers set up for the screaming fans.

As I sketched, I heard R2D2 clicking and beeping at guests. He was very popular and everyone had to have their picture taken with him. It turned out that there were close to a dozen R2D2’s at the Maker Faire. Some were only partly assembled, so it was possible to see the servos and circuitry that made him run.  Dog Powered Robot and Lollybot were on the show room floor and they were so mobbed with photo requests that I felt it was to crowded and hazardous to sketch. Fisher, the dog who powers the Dog Powered Robot was complacently panting and enjoying the attention. Evan and Christie Miga who created the Dog Powered Robot franchise were a bit overwhelmed but happy about all the attention their blue boxed robot generated.

Drip’s Prison Party

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Drip’s Prison Party was held in a top floor of a downtown Orlando business sky rise. The floor to ceiling windows had a magnificent view of the new Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center construction site as well as an amazing view of Lake Eola where a splash water skiing event was taking place. The idea of the prison themed fundraiser was that “prisoners” could not leave until they raised enough money so they could post bail. Of course “prisoners” were having so much fun, they wouldn’t want to leave. There were live performances through out the day along with food, drinks and massages.

Serafina Shiano, who was the actress who brought Lollybot to life in this years Dog Powered Robot show at the Fringe, performed a sensuous belly dance for the prisoners. Brandon Roberts, dressed as an 0fficer would set of a siren and announce a “Prison Break” about every hour. “Prison Breaks” were a time to stretch legs, grab a drink and enjoy a performance. The walls of the prison were covered with doodles all in a prison theme.

Each team of prisoners sat at a table and artistic thermometers gauged their fundraising progress.  The first team to raise $50 would be celebrated with confetti blasts. A young woman wandered the room in bright orange stilts.

I heard that Drip Dance has finally been granted all their city ordinances, so they will be going live on International Drive soon. The Drip bar will offer brightly colored brews as guests explore the dark and hip space. Drip is sure to become a hit among Orlando tourists who want to escape down a dark back alley to find some of this town’s most edgy, sexy and colorful dance. Watch art come alive!

House of Blues

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I heard that Andy Matchett & the Minx were performing at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. Traffic on the Disney roads was really backed up. I’ve never seen so many cars on the road, and I worked down there for ten years.

I also heard there would be plenty of robots from Dog Powered Robot. Last year, Dog Powered Robot made a surprise visit with the band at House of Blues. Fisher, the Pomeranian who powers the robot, was unfazed by all the commotion. The stage manager at House of Blues had a fit. There is a “no pet” policy at House of Blues. There wasn’t much she could do since the crowd loved them. You couldn’t exactly have a Dog Powered Robot without the dog.

Even after breaking all the rules, the robots were back, but this time the friendly Blue Pomeranian powered robot wasn’t in the mix. The curtain opened and Andy was bound center stage, being held captive apparently by a robot with a grudge. I didn’t follow events closely, but I believe Lollybot must have saved him. I’m sure her robotic claw could have cut through the ropes. Terry was on her feet shouting, “I love you Lollybot!” She had on her Lollybot t-shirt and was as rabid as any Beatles fan. Andy Matchett & the Minx began playing and confetti canons blasted it’s colors over the crowd. Balloons and beach balls were then surfed over the crowd. People went wild. Balloons were popping everywhere and strobe lights made me dizzy as I worked on the sketch. Then, just about every robot at some point danced on stage. Ninja Noids were up on the balcony level and they wafted large hot dog shaped balloons over the crowd. A large parachute was unrolled over the crowd and Andy jumped down off the stage to join the audience as the dance under the undulating canopy. Oh yea, there was also plenty of hard driving fun rock & roll! An Andy Matchett & the Minx concert is a guaranteed good time.

Dog Powered Robot Build

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Dog Powered Robot will be returning to the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2012 with an all new adventure. After a very successful fundraiser at Stardust Video & Coffee, the crew is now busy in the robot lab building all new robots for the new show. A mockumentary was made of the DPR cast and crew and the Florida Film Festival expressed interest in screening it. The top secret DPR Robotics Lab is full of gizmos and gadgets galore.

Evan Miga showed me a schematic for the robot they were working on. It was a female robot that is the antithesis of the sweet and quaint Lollybot. This purple bot has a very angular attitude. Evan was constructing her head which featured some deep purple eyes. Christie Migawas busy deconstructing an old robot and salvaging any usable components. The laser cannon was still workable. Jeb Britt was working out the delicate geometry of the robots body and skirt. Occasionally Christie would try on the skirt and body parts to see how they fit. Cardboard boxes were stacked halfway to the ceiling in the center of the lab.

Charles Smith whipped together some robotic headphones in no time flat. Some very serious weaponry hung from the ceiling. The large laser cannon has some high tech weaponry which will shock any Fringe goer. A new red white and blue astronaut bot was already constructed. After the work session, Evan demonstrated the bot. It’s arms move in a wacky rubbery way that is hilarious. Glowing plates and neon edging make this bot a sleek and sexy addition to the cast. Fisher, the dog behind Dog Powered Robot, entered the lab several times to supervise.