Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on November 15, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Saturday November 16, 2013

10am to 8pm Rotary’s 3rd Annual Art, Craft and Wine Festival. Free to attend. Cranes Roost Park (274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs, FL). Join us on November 16th and 17th for the 3rd Annual Rotary Art, Craft and Wine Festival! It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the cooler weather and
a great opportunity to start your holiday shopping!
This festival features 120+ talented artists and crafters offering
original and unique items. Setting this event apart from other art and
craft shows is
the special Wine Stroll taking place both days. Map of Event. http://www.aacwf.com/

10am to 4pm Commander’s Call. Free. Museum of Military History (5210 West Irlo Bronson Hwy Kissimmee FL). This ongoing program is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month is designed to appeal to families, military memorabilia collectors, history buffs, re-enactors & others interested in military history. In addition, persons interested in displaying, trading or selling their military items such as honor coins, swords, photographs, military buttons, scale model boats & planes, military art, uniforms or other equipment register in advance by calling the museum to reserve a spot. Re-enactors and veterans are welcome to come in uniform to add to the history & authenticity of the military experience. Non-military booths such as health care providers, home improvement, local attractions or other businesses are invited to be vendors for minimal donation. www.museumofmilitaryhistory.com

9pm to Midnight Out Go the Lights, Thee Wilt Chamberlain, The Haroux. $5 The Space (above Anthony’s Pizza) on the corner of Mills/50. Thee Wilt Chamberlain, Casual Creatures (Miami), The Haroux, Rebel (Miami). Plus an art show featuring: Alana Questell, Guillermo Casanova, Brandon McLean, Adam Lavigne, Dnl Hrs. There will be and merchandise, Relief in Abstract table, and UCF Print Collective table in the art room

Sunday November 17, 2013

3pm to 6pm Yelp’s Bohemian Bash. Free, but the event is full. $10 suggested donation to the Harbor House. Waiting list RSVP. The Acre (4421 Edgewater Drive Orlando, FL). You won’t want to miss this exhibition of excitement including crafty cocktails, nifty nibbles and eclectic entertainment!

5pm to 9pm Orlando Food Truck Bazaar. Free to attend. Fashion Square Mall (3201 East Colonial Drive Orlando FL). Imagine a parking lot full of food trucks filled with delicious gourmet, ethnic, BBQ and desserts. No beer, no music, no bounce houses. No fluff, just good food. (And bring your chairs!) Now
imagine the entire parking lot picking up and moving to a different
city night after night: that is The Food Truck Bazaar! This event
travels just like a food truck does!

9pm to 11pm Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Natura Coffee and Tea (12078 Collegiate Way Orlando FL). 407 482-5000

The Asparagus

Posted on November 14, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Mayor Buddy Dyer and former Mayor Bill Frederick hosted the illumination ceremony for the “Tower of Light” on Nov 12. The sculpture by artist Ed Carpenter, was commissioned and
installed in 1992 under the leadership of then Mayor Bill Frederick. The
original halogen lighting failed in 1994. Many attempts at funding a
relighting project were discussed in the interim but the sculpture remained dark and neglected for 20 years. In fact, due to lack of funding, especially during the
economic downturn, there was little to no maintenance at all performed
to the sculpture or base. The light less Tower of Light’s 102 glass panels weathered under the
Florida sun growing dull over time. Its steel framework corroded.

Knowing that the City’s See Art Orlando
project was slated for debut in late 2013, the Orlando chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)
pledged to raise a minimum of $50,000 to clean and light the sculpture
and rework the basin. Sitting on the Plaza in front of City Hall, the
sculpture celebrates the intersection of private and public interests in
the City of Orlando and is a symbol of the asparagus in our
community. Including donated labor, the renovation cost an estimated $152,000, none of it from taxpayers.

The 63-foot glass-and-steel spire received a makeover including 650 watts of programmable LEDS with full color spectrum, data cabling and a wireless controller. The controller can be programmed with numerous pre-sets (length and color of display) and can be accessed via the Internet on computer, phone or tablet. Sir Terrance Hummel added mosaics to the seating at the base of the sculpture.

As the sky grew dark, a crowd of 50 or so people gathered first on the balcony of City Hall and then in the City Hall square beneath the sculpture. A news helicopter hovered above City Hall for quite some time waiting for the sculpture to light up. Terry came down from her office and went across the street to see what was happening. She came back with a small squeeze bottle of disinfectant which I guess was swag at the event. She asked around to find out if any of the sculptures that are being placed all around town as part of “See Art Orlando” were by local artists and she was told that none of them were. My research showed that one sculptor, Jacob Harmeling, is from Orlando. His sculpture can be found in Lake Eola at Central Boulevard and Osceola Avenue near Publix. I haven’t seen it yet.

Buddy, bathed in bright light gave his speech with the usual decrees. Actually I couldn’t hear anything he said from my perch across the street as I sketched. A passenger in a car parked at the red light next to me asked what was the building with the cylinder shaped tower. I pointed out city Hall and said the other building was just full of lawyers. At the proper moment the crowd grew still and the sculpture was illuminated for the first time in two decades. It glowed green and then the color shifted to blue and purple. Great, I thought, what color should I paint? I went with the first color that blazed bright. There was applause and people slowly dispersed. Josh Garrick approached me wanting to see what color I chose to use when illuminating the sculpture in my sketch. “Ah, you chose green, which makes it look all the more like an asparagus.” said Josh. On Facebook that night everyone seemed to refer to the statue as “The Asparagus”. Now I can’t think of a better name.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on November 8, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Saturday November 9, 2013

8am to 3pm Fifth Third Bank Second Art Market, (Fifth Third Bank Coloinal Branch, 3244 E Colonial Drive Orlando, FL). Free. On the 2nd Sunday of every month Gallery Fresh Art Markets and 5/3 Fifth Third Bank (Colonial Branch) proudly present our “Second Saturday Art Market” This outdoor event will showcase 20 to 30 artists and fine crafts persons located at 5/3 Bank Colonial Branch, Directly Across From Orlando Fashion Square, from 9am to 3pm in an outdoor setting with AMAZING ART, music, food trucks, and fun! Join Us!

10am to 5pm The Festival of the Masters. Downtown Disney 1780 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL. Free. The 38th annual Festival of the Masters is Nov. 8-10 in the Downtown Disney Area. Dazzling works of art from more than 150 Master artists. One of the largest displays of official Disney Art in the Disney Artist Village.

7pm to 11pm The Master Class Event. Just bring canned goods for the food drive. Through philanthropic events and the sale of items from our Conscious Boutique, Conscious People LLC strives to support a community of mindful, healthy, and socially responsible people. The theme of this Master Class event is: Be Conscious to Local Hunger Issues, an Art Show and Food Drive benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank. Genevieve DeMarco will be the featured artist of the night. All new work will be presented throughout the venue. Music performances from MoZaic and Purple Kloud.

Sunday November 10, 2013

10am to 6pm Fashion Square Art Fair. Free. Orlando Fashion Square (3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, Fl). This is an indoor event showcasing 30 to 60 artists and fine crafts persons located throughout Fashion Square Mall.

12:30pm to 4pm Florida Gospel Jam. Grab a drink or some food. Fish on Fire 7937 Daetwyler Drive Belle Island FL.Non Denominational Gospel open mic Every 2nd and 4th Sunday.

9pm to 11pm Non Denominational Gospel open mic. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday. Free. Natura Coffee and Tea 12078 Collegiate Way Orlando FL).

Clandestine-ARTS “Sweeney Todd” Auditions

Posted on November 7, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

On September 30th, I went to Lake Howell High School Oviedo, FL to sketch Clandestine-ARTS auditions for the upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim‘s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street“auditions. Derek Critzer the director, had given me the green light to come out. Music Direction in the show will be by Colton Brooks. Auditions were by appointment only.As I walked towards the High School Theater, I passed a Drum Corp rehearsing.

Sweeney Todd is a 1979 musical thriller with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and libretto by Hugh Wheeler. The musical is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond. Set in 19th century England, the musical tells the story of Benjamin Barker, aka Sweeney Todd, who returns to London after 15 years’ transportation on trumped-up charges. When he finds out that his wife poisoned herself after being raped by the judge who imprisoned him, he vows revenge on the judge and, later, the whole world. He teams up with a pie maker, Mrs. Lovett, and opens a barbershop in which he slits the throats of customers and has them baked into pies.

Chris Leavy was at the piano. Most of the actors auditioning were young women who would be auditioning for the part of Joanna Barker, (a Soprano, 18-early 20’s) who is Sweeney Todd’s daughter, a ward of Judge Turpin. Beautiful and pure-hearted. The actress I sketched that was wearing the red dress had a very sweet voice. Monica Titus ultimately got the part. Wyatt Glover will play Sweeney Todd and Jessica Hoehn will play Mrs. Lovett. The other actress I sketched in the yellow dress was wearing high heel shoes and the director asked her to take them off when she performed her second song. Another actress was so nervous that Derek felt bad for her. He tried to get her to relax. It is hard to be on your top game when there are butterflies in your stomach. Auditions must be nerve wracking for any performer. Any slip up could result in their not getting the part. Everything is on the line.

Performances will be being held at The Venue, (511 Virginia Dr Orlando, FL). January 9,10,11,12,16,17,18, and 19th. Sweeney Todd will be presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on November 1, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Saturday November 2, 2013

6pm to 8pm Run Nona at Night. Laureate Park, Crescent Park, (Lake Nona Tavistock Lakes Boulevard Orlando, FL 32827.) Cross the line into an epic block party fueled by 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Samuel Adams, energetic music and incredible lights. Enjoy 4 Rivers Smokehouse specialties all included in your 5k entry fee! Pulled chicken sandwich, chips and lemonade, sweet tea or beer! For non-meat lovers: veggie skewers or chopped salad. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Tavistock Foundation. The Tavistock Foundation serves programs and organizations in the communities where it has significant business interests.

7pm to 11pm Neanderthal Ball. $150 General Public, $100 Science Center Members. Orlando Science Center (777 Princeton Street, Orlando FL.) Step into the Past as we support the future at the Orlando Science
Center’s Neanderthal Ball! Set amongst the prehistoric setting of
“DinoDigs” and the Ice Age theme of “Our Planet, Our Universe” exhibit.
Enjoy delectable food and wine choices under under the star lit sky on
the beautiful SunTrust Terrace. Chisel out your mark at the silent auction. Dress code is cocktail
fun with an accent on “cavemen couture”, with an animal print necktie or
leopard pattern cocktail dress!

8pm Jessica Earley Art Opening. Free. Buy a beer or some art. The Falcon 819 E. Washington Street, Suite 2, Orlando, Florida

Sunday November 3, 2013

11am to 6pm $3 Greek Festival Saturday and Sunday. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (1217 Trinity Woods Lane Maitland FL). All things Greek!

9pm to 11pm Comedy Open Mic. Free. Austin’s Coffee (929 W Fairbanks Ave Winter Park, FL 32789.) Come out & laugh, or give it a try yourself.

10pm to Midnight Sick Of It Presents: Rancid karaoke cover set. Free. Will’s Pub (1042 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803.) You come up out of the crowd and sing your favorite Rancid songs with a live band…YOU’RE the singer!

Zombie March

Posted on October 31, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

The Zombie March happens every year as part of Spooky Empire’s Ultimate Horror Weekend. This year the convention of horror was being held at the DoubleTree By Hilton at Universal (5780 Major Blvd. Orlando, FL). This is right across the street from Universal Studios which is perfect if people wanted to check out Halloween Horror Nights at Universal.

The Zombie March was scheduled for 4pm on Friday October 25th at Hooters which is about a quarter mile north.of the Double Tree on Kirkman. I arrived about an hour early and zombies were milling around in the parking lot. Two zombies stood curb side moaning and flailing at passing buses. It was hot in the sun although temperatures are just starting to dip in Orlando. Make up artists were set up on the Porch of Hooters transforming people into zombies.

I sat at a table with a sheriff whose facial skin had been ripped off leaving red bloody pulp in its place. We talked for a bit. He has been coming to Spooky Empire for the past four years and he has seen the convention grow exponentially. He said that the money spent on alcohol probably has kept the convention growing. Attendees can rub shoulders with stars of horror. For instance he bragged that he got to chat with Shannen Doherty one year at poolside. He told me that the make up artist at the far end of the porch was doing the most detailed work, so I thanked him and moved closer to sketch the artist at work.

He was busy adding bruising to the cleavage of a woman who had on a Wonder Woman T-shirt. He had her tilt her head back and then poured blood down her cheeks and neck. Her skin was chalky white and there was a bite wound on her forehead and breast. Zombies don’t understand social boundaries when it comes to feeding. Jason stood rock still watching the make up artist work. Talk powder was added to her hair so she looked like she just rose from the grave. Wonder Woman put on her red cape and vogued for photographers along with her friend who were all zombie super heroes.

I was still sketching as the make up artist packed away his supplies. I should have come earlier to get several sketches. Zombies got riled up at the sound of a chain saw and they all began to shuffle down Kirkman towards the hotel. Several make up artists remained on the porch painting Day of the Dead ornate flowery skull make up onto the faces of Hooters waitresses. When they all were painted, they posed for photos, being sure to lean forward to showcase their exposed v-necked supple slopes.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on October 25, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Saturday October 26, 2013

10am to 6pm Central Florida Veg Fest 2013. The event is free! Parking for attendees is $5 per vehicle at the west side of Festival Park. From N. Primrose Drive, head east on E. Livingston Street to the parking entrance at the midpoint of the park on the right. Please carpool or ride your bike to the free bike valet off Festival Way. Orlando Festival Park near downtown Orlando. The event will include healthy living and eco-friendly exhibitors, speakers, and presentations; non-profits; fun and games for kids; dog and cat adoptions; restaurant booths; food preparation demonstrations, and live music and entertainment. Central Florida Veg Fest will draw both committed vegetarians and those who want to learn more about how to protect our health, the planet, and its inhabitants. You can promote your business or group to thousands of people who want to learn more about vegetarianism and the varied products and services that support a veg-friendly and an eco-friendly way of life. All money raised will be used for local vegetarian education and outreach.

11am to 8pm. Spooky Empire. The Double Tree By Hilton at Universal (5780 Major Blvd. Orlando, FL). One day tickets are $45 at the door, or $65 at the door for a weekend pass. Spooky Empire has quickly become one of the most respected horror event
promotions companies in the United States, bringing to life two of the
most popular horror conventions in the nation, with fans attending from
all over the world.

9pm to 2am. The Biggest Halloween Party of the Year Returns! Free. Put on your dancing shoes and do the Monster Mash for a night of dancing, drinks and fun at Eden Bar. We will have horror films on the big screen outside, a DJ spinning all night long, specialty Halloween cocktails and jello shots, and delicious treats like hot dogs, loaded tots and dirty chips. Throughout the night, secret judges will be roaming the party for the best dressed gal or ghoul. Winners will be announced at midnight and prizes will be given to the winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd). During the party, there will be a midnight screening inside the theater of EVIL DEAD II. Tickets for EVIL DEAD II are $10 for general admission, $8 Students/Seniors/Military and $7.50 for Members of the Enzian Film Society.

Sunday October 27, 2013

10am to noon. Super Joy Riders. Free. Eastern entrance of the Lake Eola Farmers’ Market. Participants dress as superheroes and ride en masse around the city as they check off their scavenger hunt-like list of Do Gooder Duties; collecting litter, helping senior citizens cross the road, returning shopping carts, basically performing small acts of kindness for an hour and a half of hilarity and love. You + Superhero Costume + Bike = Best Sunday Ever

11am Maitland Symphony Orchestra. Free. Maitland Presbyterian Church (341 US Highway 17-92 Maitland FL).

1pm to 3pm Irish Music. Free, just order a beer. Olivia’s in Eustice (108 N. Bay Street Eustice FL). http://www.oliviascoffeehouse.com/

WPRK Local Heros

Posted on October 24, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Daniel Pacchioni, the host of 91.5 WPRK Radio’s “Local Heroes“, suggested that I sketch the newly renovated radio studios, “Hey, by the way if you ever want to come and sketch at WPRK again let me know. We added a new studio, studio B in the CD library and also my show does all the live performances there. Just let me know, you are welcome to come any Wednesday at 5pm.”The station is located in the basement of a building in Rollins College in Winter Park. Julie Norris of “Front Porch Radio” was just getting off the air. Carolina Suarez-Garcia was in the studio with Julie probably offering plenty of information about the exciting Dia de los Muertos and Monster Factory Exhibit and Block Party coming up October 17th starting 6pm at the City Arts Factory (29 S Orange Ave Orlando, FL). I rushed in to say hello to Julie as she was leaving.

An it turned out, the Wednesday I went to the radio station was the one day that there wasn’t a band playing live in the new studio. Instead, I crowded into the old studio to sketch Daniel conducting interviews. Nick Palmer and Shea O’Rourke from Real Feel Recording got behind the mics. The recording studio, located at 182 Oxford Rd. Casselberry, FL is one of the finest most affordable recording studios in Central Florida. They were having an open house to show off their studios to the public.

I was called up to the mic for a quick interview as well. never hurts to introduce a new audience to the site. Daniel threw me for a second by asking what my favorite sketch subject has been. With well over a thousand events sketched and documented it is close to impossible to pick any one, but I recovered and simply talked about my mission and passions. I have a book being published called Urban Sketching in several months, why on earth didn’t I think to promote that? I suppose it doesn’t help to second guess the interview. It was what it was.

Next up behind the Mics were Alex Lenhoff and Andi Perez from The Orlandoan, which is a local events blog. They came up with a great T-shirt that simply says “Orlando Doesn’t Suck.” Their blog offers plenty of ideas about what to do in Orlando under a $20 budget. They spoke briefly about Page 15, which is committed to providing supplemental reading and writing education
for all students living and attending public schools in Orlando,
Florida. Their FREE after-school tutoring and creative writing workshops
are dedicated to enhancing communication skills, encouraging personal
creativity, and inspiring a lifelong passion for the language arts. Phil Zoshak has started a new program that inspires kids to be creative using his passion, video games.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on October 18, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Saturday October 19, 2013

10am to 2pm. 4th annual Asian Cultural EXPO. Free. Village Lake, Downtown Disney West Side Walt Disney World Resort. Showcase the Culture of China ● Japan ● Philippines ● Polynesia ● Taiwan through exhibitions, performances and crafts. Bring your lawn chair to enjoy these exciting performances. http://asiatrendmagazine.com/asian-cultural-expo.html

3pm to 7pm. Cruisin’ Downtown DeLand Car Show. Free. East Indiana Ave Downtown DeLand, Deland FL Classic cars & rods. Live DJ, giveaways, shopping & dining. Fun for the family! Every 3rd Saturday night.

7pm to 2am. Haunting at The Haven. Free. Haven Lounge 6700 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, Fl. An all night, exclusive Costume Party. This 18 and up event will feature some of the hottest and most controversial artists in underground music as well as a costume contest with a grand prize of 2 FREE passes to Halloween Horror Nights 23 at Universal Studios Orlando! First runner up will receive a gift card of $25 to spend as they like!

Sunday October 20, 2013

5pm to 9pm. Orlando Food Truck Bazaar. Free to enter. Fashion Square Mall 3201 East Colonial Drive Orlando FL. http://www.thedailycity.com/2011/05/thedailycitycom-food-truck-bazaar.html

9pm to 11pm. Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Free. Natura Coffee and Tea 12078 Collegiate Way. (407) 482-5000.

10pm to 12am. Sick Of It Presents: Rancid Karaoke Cover Set. Will’s Pub 1042 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, Fl. You come up out of the crowd and sing your favorite Rancid songs with a live band…YOU’RE the singer!

Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop

Posted on October 17, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Carolina Suarez-Garcia held a Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop in CityArts Factory (29 S. Orange Ave, Orlando FL). The dozen or so attendees learned how to make sugar skulls using sugar and then how to decorate the skulls using colored icings. Kattya Graham performed traditional songs on guitar as everyone worked on their skulls.

All the skulls decorated All were eligible to be exhibited in the 4th Annual Dia de los Muertos and Monster Factory Exhibit on October 17th. Carolina explained that sugar Skulls are decorated in a relatives memory. The relatives name is often written on the back of the skull. It is believed that the gates of heaven are opened at
midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased
children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families
for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults
come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.

In most villages, beautiful altars (ofrendas) are made
in each home. They are decorated with candles, buckets of wild marigolds mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of turkey mole,
stacks of tortillas and big Day-of-the-Dead breads called pan de muerto. The altar needs to have lots of food, bottles of soda,
hot cocoa and water for the weary spirits. The living feast on the alter at the end of the evening.

Sugar art was brought to the New World by Italian missionaries in the
17th century. The first Church mention of sugar art was from Palermo at
Easter time when little sugar lambs and angels were made to adorn the
side altars in the Catholic Church.