Nude Nite Orlando

Celebrating its 15th year, Nude Nite is a body-themed immersive
pop-up art experience. This talked-about art party, is held in a
20,000 warehouse with over 200 of the best nude artworks for sale
from artists around the country. The event features burlesque stage shows, world
class body painting, interactive installations, performance artists,
acrobats, stilt walkers, aerialists and a cast of painted characters
creating a stunning canvas for Insta-worthy photos. Nude Nite is a
multi-sensory art encounter that leaves you feeling hot with what
you’ve got.

Nude Nite has 3 full cocktail bars, gourmet food for
purchase and DJ music to ignite the vibe. Nude Nite is created with
conscious intention. It is female owned and operated, maintains a gender
equal model ratio meaning for every female there is a male. Nude Nite
models are all sizes, colors and genders. The event utilizes sustainable
products wherever possible.

For me the evening is always an inspiring and awesome sketching opportunity. Immediately when I entered I was attracted to this  antique tub with a woman in it. The tableau was set up by body painter Nix Herrera. He said he had essentially used everything from his outdoor patio to set up the scene. The woman sat submerged in water at first in which floated ferns and flowers. When she stood, she would entice people to come closer like a siren. On her belly and legs were written phrases. I didn’t lean in to read them all and the only ones I put in the sketch was the surprising phrase, “You slut.” On her head was a miniature model of the greenhouse enclosure they were in. Behind her stood a stoic and still couple in masks. On the woman’s head was a crown which looked like a model of a cathedral spire wrapped in fabric. When people were not around I heard her giggle occasionally and touch her hand to her lips which never moved. Later when she looked over my shoulder at the sketch, she spoke and I finally realized that her lips were part of the mask. When posing she tended to curl her toes, which made me wonder if she was uncomfortable or cold. There was a space heater beside her. I also wondered about the temperature of the water in the tub. It is strange what you think about while you sketch.

While sketching, I was joined by local artist Erin Colleen who also had a sketchbook. I am very familiar with Erin’s work because of Facebook and was happy to meet her in person. Strange but because of social media I already thought I knew her, or at least her art. I am an antisocial machine when sketching but I did ask her a few questions. She used to work at Madam Tossauds wax museum painting the skin tones for the figures. She hopes to work with animatronics next which would be a pretty sweet gig. I bumped into her a second time while I was considering sketching Mandi Ilene Schiff who was body painting a golden man with a buddha on his chest.

In the center of the room was a peace and tranquility zone with a woman posed in a cross legged pose with a radiating golden crown. From a distance Erin noticed a photo in the exhibit of a woman covered in honey. She said that the photo was of the woman in the golden crown. I looked back and forth and the resemblance was amazing. I am a doubting Thomas however, so I had to walk up to the model and ask if it was indeed her. It was. Of course an artist who could paint wax figures of celebrities, making them come alive, could pick out a portrait from a distance. Erin is also a portrait painter. I was amazed and tickled. The photo as it turns out was by Mandi who had shot her model from a past body painting session. Photos are the only way to immortalize the art she creates.

I never did do a second sketch, I was satisfied with this one. Of all the art on display, I was most impressed by a painted drawing done by artist Broni Likomanov from Studio City California. Titled Nude 4 it had bold charcoal strokes and acrylic paint that created a vibrant Egon Schiele inspired pose. Everything about the piece was inspiring. If I had $500 in my pocket I would have walked out with it. This was a fun night full of surprises.

Tonight February 15, 2020 is the last evening for Nude Nite.

Admission is $35 and tickets can be purchased at the door. The event will not sell out.

There are cash machines on property if needed.

The industrial warehouse is on the site at the Central Florida Fairgrounds

4603 West Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32808

Open to the public. Because of nudity, the show is 21+ ID required.

Self Parking is abundant and complimentary.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Cell phone cameras are encouraged. DSLR cameras and video is not allowed.

Stage Shows begin at 9pm, 10pm and 11pm. Entertainment on the floor is ongoing throughout event.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for February 15 and 16, 2020

Saturday February 15, 2020

Noon to 8pm. $20 Orlando Wine Festival.  ICON Park 8375 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819. Let’s Make Pour Decisions Together. The 3rd Annual ORLANDO
WINE FESTIVAL benefiting the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. 
35+ vineyards, wineries, 100+ wines to try, Pet Adoption Puppy Park, A ride on The Wheel included with every paid ticket, Themed photo booths, Rosé Garden, Wine Classes.

1:30pm to 3:30pm Free. Playwrights’ Round Table February Play Writing Workshop.  Art’s Sake Studio 680 Clay St, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Open to the public, play writing workshop for present and future playwrights.

6pm to Midnight. $35. Nude Nite Orlando. Warehouse on the site of the Central Florida Fairgrounds 4603 West Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32808. Celebrating its 15th year, Nude Nite is a body-themed immersive
pop-up art experience. Join this talked-about art party, held in a
20,000 warehouse with over 200 of the best nude artworks for sale
from artists around the country. Experience burlesque stage shows, world
class body painting, interactive installations, performance artists,
acrobats, stilt walkers, aerialists and a cast of painted characters
creating a stunning canvas for your Instagram-worthy photos. Nude Nite is a
multi-sensory art encounter that leaves you feeling hot with what
you’ve got!

Nude Nite has 3 full cocktail bars, gourmet food for
purchase and DJ music to bring the vibe. Nude Nite is created with
conscious intention. It is female owned and operated, maintains a gender
equal model ratio meaning for every female there is a male. Nude Nite
models are all sizes, colors and genders. The event utilizes sustainable
products wherever possible.

Sunday February 16, 2020

10am to Noon Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class. University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources. 

10am to 4pm Free. Lake Eola Farmers Market. Lake Eola Park, 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801. Local produce and goods.

Noon to 3pm. Donation based. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. Members
of the public are invited to visit our historic home museum on a Sunday
afternoon to listen to live music and take a tour of our historic home
museum and the James Gamble Rogers II Studio by trained docents.

Nude Nite 2019

Nude Nite Orlando was held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds on February 14-16. Pam Schwartz and I went on Valentines day, the opening night. I wanted to go nice and early to sketch before the place got really crowded. A ticket at the door is $35 and I didn’t have that much cash on hand. We had to get cash from a cash machine in the parking lot. Note that the bar a Nude Nite also only accepts cash. I didn’t get a drink since I was sketching the whole time I was there.

Nude Nite feels so much smaller than past years. It was at the fairgrounds last year as well, but I didn’t sketch because I got the dates wrong. My feeling walking around the event was that the event had grown smaller in scale. I have to say however that artists were just setting up for the night. I quickly decided to sketch Mandi Ilene Schiff as she was body painting. She was set up right in the middle of the warehouse which offered easy sketching access. She was painting a tiger face on they model’s chest. The color she added was a greenish glitter paint.

An art installation by Aubry Roemer consisted of a long roll of white paper on the floor. He painted nude models with blue paint and had them lie on the white paper to create body prints. He then also outlined the prints with large blue brush strokes. He also wore a mask although I am not sure why. A coffin with a plastic skeleton was set up. The premise was that guests could write notes on pages from a book and then put them in the coffin.  The notes would be burned after Nude Nite. I suppose that burning negative thoughts could be a form of therapy.

As we were getting ready to leave, one performer, Sarah Jade, languidly hung from the ceiling with an aerial sling. She did splits and spun. When her routine was finished she gracefully floated down to the floor as if weightless. Performances were just beginning.

My favorite art was simple nude sketches on some form of Mylar. They were on sale for only $150. On the far wall behind Mandi was a huge photo mosaic for about $5000. A woman arched her back as if the Pieta. Another similar mosaic had lots of Bambi fawns. I lost interest since performances didn’t get under way until after 9pm. We decided to go out for dinner to finish off the Valentines evening. We went to Phò Vinh (657 N Primrose Drive Orlando Fl 32803) and I had Bún Càri Gà which is a delicious soup with rice vermicelli with chicken in a coconut curry broth. It was sooooo good, the highlight of the evening.

WeekendTop 6 Picks for February 17th and 18th.

Saturday February 17, 2018

4 PM to 9 PM Free. 4th Annual Sanford Mardi Gras. West End Trading Co. 202 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, Florida 32771. 4th Annual Mardi Gras benefiting Meals on Wheels, Etc. at West End Trading Co. Sashay (walking, golf cart, biking parade) at 4pm sharp at the corner of
6th and Sanford Ave. March down to the 2nd and Palmetto Ave where the
party begins! Kid Dutch
and his brass Perseverance Band will take the stage directly after the
sashay, followed by local bands. Emcee work from everyone’s favorite local
Michael Nall of Park and Seventh!!! Check out all the vendors and attractions like face painters, stilt walkers and more! Food trucks provided Kona Food Truck Luaus, so plenty of choices!! Party sponsored by Magic Hat Brewing Company!!

6 PM to  Midnight. Saturday and Sunday. Nude Nite Orlando.  Warehouse – Central Florida Fairgrounds 4603 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808-8158. America’s Largest Nude Art Exhibition is more than an art show.
It is an annual art and entertainment event showing over 200 juried art
works for sale, world class body painters, national burlesque acts,
interactive installations, performance art, cirque performers and a cast
of strolling characters both in costume and out…. 21+

7 PM to 9 PM Free.  UCF Symphony Orchestra. Rising Star a Local Legend. Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church (2021 West SR 426 Oviedo FL.)  UCF Symphony Orchestra. Rising Star a Local Legend Chung Park Director with guest composer Stella Young.

Sunday February 18, 2018

Noon to 3 PM Donation based. Music at the Casa. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. Members of the public are invited to visit our historic home museum on a
Sunday afternoon from 12 to 3 pm, listen to live music and take a tour
of our historic home museum and the James Gamble Rogers II Studio by
trained docents.

7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Free. Concert.  Winter Park’s Central Park Main Stage. Park Avenue.

Celebrating 10 seasons of Winter park Institute.
Bob James Jazz Trio
Chip Weston and the Gazebos
Will Patrick
Rich Walker
Shannon Caine
Rollins student will play City of Winter Park Fanfare by Dr. John Sinclair.

10 PM to Midnight. Free. Comedy Open Mic. Austin’s Coffee, 929 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL. Free comedy show! Come out and laugh, or give it a try yourself.

Nude Nite Orlando.

Nude Nite Orlando is at the Central Florida Fairgrounds & Expositions Park (4603 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida) this year. It was scheduled to happen at Artegon but Artegon closed it’s doors for good. Nude
Nite is a dazzling pop up gallery, an art and entertainment event
celebrating the beauty of the nude. It brings together hundreds
of artists for three evenings of visual art, performance and a cast of
characters both in costume and out. Open to the public, tickets can
be purchased at the door. Show is 21+

I walked the event quickly and settled in to sketch the incomparable Nix Herrera who was doing exotic Art Nouveau body paintings, The woman was painted all black with golden stenciled patterns on her belly thighs and forearm. A heavy set man was being painted all bronze. They both had black fabric helmets. The woman had a thin face guard similar to a football he met and the bronze man had aviation goggles. The woman held an illuminated globe. Futuristic golden triangular forms were mounted around her nipples. She wore an expressions white mask giving her a statuesque flair. 

Selfismo had a painting with a man with an enormous penis. The penis looks like it is sticking out of a woman’s head in me sketch. A little for the back in the scene there was a confession area. Fire curtained booths allowed for the most sordid confessions. One confession read, “I an tucking my fiance’s best friend.” Another, promoting the confessional said, ” I showed my mom’s deck picks to my class.”

A common theme in the visual art displayed was of nude women under water. There must have been at leas ten photos and paintings of the aquatic setting. A very ugly mermaid was at another body painting station. A nude woman on stilts wandered through the crowd waving sinewy rainbow scarves. 

Tonight starting at 6pm is the last night to experience 25,000 SF of Nude Art and Entertainment.

WHEN: February 18 – 2017

WHERE: Central Florida Fairgrounds

4603 W. Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32808

TIME: 6pm – 12am every nite

TICKETS: Available at door  (ATM onsite) $35

WHO: 21 and Over, ID Required

PARKING: Complimentary Abundant Self

FOOD: Provided for Purchase