La Granga

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La Granga is one of my favorite spots to grab dinner before going to an event to sketch. It is located across from Full Sail on 436 at the corner of Aloma Avenue. This place serves spit roasted chicken for cheap. A ¼ or ½ chicken meal comes with an inverted bowl of rice and a bowl of black beans. This time I asked for them to leave off the black beans but they gave me two bowls of rice instead. Needless to say there is always plenty of food.

I just ate at a fancy Paris restaurant that also serves spit roasted chicken. I ordered the prix Fix dinner for like 50 Euros and honestly I prefer the chicken at La Granga where a whole meal is only a few bucks. The Paris restaurant also had a hideous five foot high painting of a clown face. That hideous painting, in and of itself could ruin an appetite. Water was served in a clear wine bottle with the label removed. The inside of the bottle was tinged a rust color and the water when poured in a wine glass had a subtle yellow tint. I decided to skip drinking the water that night.

I usually eat at La Granga on evenings I plan to go to Mystery Sketch Theater and I relax to a nice long meal while listening to Spanish TV. The salty black beans and dry rice tend to leave me wanting more Mountain Dew than I get in a single can, so I ration my liquid elixir trying to make it last the whole meal.

Pisa Pizza

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I had intended to do a sketch of a film maker’s panel discussion as part of the Global Peace Film Festival at the Cornell Fine Art Museum on Rollins College. When I entered the museum however, the receptionist didn’t know anything about a panel discussion. She said that a film would be shown and she directed me towards a table behind me. On the table was an admission price of $8 which I didn’t know about. The receptionist then shouted at me, “I don’t think you are allowed in with that artists stool!” She started to call security and I just turned to her and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not going in.” I didn’t feel like fighting to get the sketch.

On the drive home, I decided to stop at Pisa Pizza (7058 West Colonial Drive, Orlando). For me this hole in the wall establishment is where I go when I’m craving the comfort of a steaming hot slice of cheese pizza. There was only two other people in the joint, seated over by the Push Bus Plush Toy Claw Machine.  Periodically the claw would drop and the machine would let out a loud mechanical wheeze. Talking heads on the TV discussed politics. A circular mirror distorted the room.

Half way into the sketch, The Lion King started up on the TV behind me. My heart still swells with pride during the opening sequence. When Simba tucked his head under his dead fathers paw, I wanted to shout out, “I worked on that scene.” The guy that was flipping pizza dough when I walked in, was now lounging in the seat behind me, chuckling as he watched the film. My sketch formed as I listened to a very dear and familiar story. Someday I’ll find my way on the path unwinding.

Authors at the Drunken Monkey

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My plan was to sketch an album release party and concert for Everyday Ghosts. I was early so I ordered some food and an iced coffee at The Drunken Monkey (444 North Bumby Avenue  Orlando). There was a group of authors seated at the table in front of me and I couldn’t resist a sketch. Much of the conversation centered around self publishing and how that has changed the scene for authors. There was some discussion about how social media has changed how they promote their work. Each author had something unique to add based on their experiences. I really should have taken notes. I could have learned a thing or two. A woman who looked like a naval officer had dinner alone while reading her iPad. As a matter of fact all the other costomers were staring at computer screens.

When I was finished, I walked across Bumby Avenue towards the Plaza Theater. I was surprised that there wasn’t a crowd at the entrance. Something was wrong. I stood outside the locked, darkened theater and double checked my calendar on my iPhone. Unbelievable! The concert was NEXT week! I was going to be out of town so I would miss the big premiere. Thank goodness I sketched while I ate dinner.

I no longer go to Drunken Monkey since they used one of my
sketches without consulting me on their Internet welcome page. I usually
support local businesses but I can’t support theft.

Thursday T&A

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I went to Graffiti Junction (900 E Washington Street, Orlando) for Thursday T&A (Trivia and Arts). I arrived a bit early right after work. T&A happens each Thursday from 7 to 9PM. I decided to sketch the ornate fountain that slows traffic through the Thornton Park District. I wonder how many drunk drivers ran into the fountain before they decided to put all those steal barricades around it. I leaned back against the new Mother Falcon Bar. Tables were being set up outside anticipating the evening crowd. Melissa Felcman who is an amazing supporter of the arts, came out and shot a photo of my sketch in progress. For once I didn’t feel like I was in the way. I heard the announcer across the street and when I finished the sketch, I went inside Graffiti Junction for a burger and Trivia.

They were just starting the second round of T&A when I arrived. Here are some of the questions. If you know the answers, you can leave them in the comment section. People were instructed to close laptops and put away cell phones to avoid cheating. The Mission Impossible theme kicked in.

What character smoked a hookah pipe in Alice in Wonderland?

What gives the Red Sea its red tint?

What is the Indian Religious concept called in which a soul returns to a new body?

What is the hormone responsible for male sex characteristics?

Word Jumble! NAIGLCABN

Snoop Dogg changed his name to what?

True of False. Wimbledon games are played on a grass surface.

What is the State capital of Washington?

What makes women more creative? Flowers, loose shoes, or chocolate chip cookies?

What comes after the turn in Texas Hold em Poker?

True or False. The Grey Wolf is also known as the Timber Wolf.

Lets Make a Movie!

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I  stumbled across a meet up group online that was meeting at Perkins Restaurant and Bakery (6425 University Boulevard, Winter Park) . A guest speaker, Todd Thompson of Stars North Productions, a locally based independent film company, was lined up.  He outlined a long list of credentials. He made his first three movies by the age of 11 using his Grandfather’s Super 8 movie camera, using action figures and stop motion animation. He worked on the Tom Hanks mini series, From the Earth to the Moon in 1998. He worked on The Green Mile in 1999. He was told that producing independent shorts was the best way to break into the industry. So he did just that, and won awards along the way for films like Time & Again, and Once Not Far From Home. Chance meetings at film festivals lead to other contacts and productions. It seems film making is all about persistence, drive and chance encounters.

His current project, The Highwaymen, sounded like it could be a fantastic film. The film centers around a talented African American painter named Alfred Hair, who is unable to show his work in galleries because of his race. He meets a white landscape painter, A.E. Backus who taught him everything he knew about painting. He took this information and taught 26 other African American men how to paint. They produced over 100,000 paintings which they would sell on the road side for like $20 a painting. A.E. Backus would produce maybe one painting a month whereas these guys were producing at least a painting a day.  Some of the Highwaymen could produce up to 30 paintings a day, working in series. The paintings were quickly executed Florida landscapes. An art critic “discovered” the work and after he wrote an article, the price of the work skyrocketed. Highwaymen paintings are probably still scattered in peoples attics with the owners having no idea as to the value of the work. I love the premise of this film, the mentor ship, and overcoming the racial divide. The original artists have been interviewed and a huge wall was set up that follows their intertwined lives. I’d love to sketch and document the shooting and post production of this film.

People began introducing themselves and discussing their interest in film production. The introductions weren’t in any order and perhaps half way through, order broke down and lively discussions erupted. A short script for a SPCA public service announcement was on the table and I believe a number of people in the room were going to be involved in shooting the project in an animal shelter. When I realized I didn’t have to introduce myself, I slipped away.

A Taste of Jazz

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Every Monday starting around 9pm there is free jazz at Taste (717 W. Smith Street, College Park). When I arrived, the drum set was just starting to get assembled. I ordered a beer at the bar and started sketching the empty stage and the paintings on the walls. All the paintings were of celebrities. Who actually hangs a painting of Marilyn Monroe or Marilyn Manson above their couch? As more musicians arrived, the buzz began to build in the room. A tall African American man, named Zion, entered the room with a leopard skin cap and an open jacket with no shirt underneath. He was shouting and happy. He shouted, “I will be throwing money on the stage tonight!” He had been given a watch by his woman and he wanted the world to know. He showed me his watch and it was as big as a saucer covered in gold and silver.  The inner gears were exposed. He shouted out, “look how beautiful she is!” as he gestured to the woman in the doorway, and she smiled. Then, as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone.

I heard the drummer say that all The Jazz Professors from UCF were going to perform. Jeff Rupert, the program director was on tenor sax, Bobby Koelble was on the guitar, Per Danielsson on the keys, Richard Drexler played bass, and Marty Morell, the band leader, was on drums. Flying Horse Records put out a live recording from the UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival of this group, The Jazz Professors remained on the Jazz Week charts for 17 weeks, peaking at 19. The music began and my lines danced as I tapped my foot and swayed to the beat. These guys were great! I had stumbled upon an amazing performance. People were shouting and clapping in appreciation. Everyone was lost in the free flowing adventure of smooth improvisation. The air was electric. With my beer and sketch finished, I decided to leave after the first set. On the drive home, I realized I was hungry for another taste.

Downtown Pour

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I was invited by Jesse Newton, the director of operations and partner at AURA bar & restaurant, to sketch the downtown pour between two and six p.m. Parking was hard to find in the neighborhood around South Eola Drive and Central. I dropped my wife Terry off near the event then wandered up and down the blocks looking for an open space.

The event was surrounded by fencing and each opening had a guard. Since we were trying to get into 101 South Eola Drive rather than the free booze on the street, the guard let us in. In the lobby of the building, the guard was hesitant to let us up to the fifth floor. After a phone call, we finally got into the elevator.

There is a pool, bar and lounge on the fifth floor and twenty somethings relaxed soaking up the sun. There was just one spot which gave a decent view down the street. A potted tree offered partial shade. Terry was arranging to get our press passes and she decided to go down to the street while I sketched.

Each tent offered free beer and liquor from different bars in town. People were given cups on lanyards that could be worn like necklaces. The Broadway across America tent had a Lion King poster. I texted Terry when the sketch was done and went down to the lobby. When she saw me, she shouted, “Downtown pour rocks!” She had been having a good time going from tent to tent.

She introduced me to the folks at the Orlando Weekly tent and she explained that a DVD of the movie “Tinker Taylor, Spy” was being raffled off and she just asked for it and got it. She told me I had to try a blueberry beer and I got in line at the red tent to get my cup and a taste. The beer was sweet and delicious, tasting more like a soda than a beer.

We decided to relax and sat on a curb. A guy dressed all in white said to Terry, “Looks like you found your other half. I saw you walk by before in those hot boots but then I saw your wedding band.” The back of his shirt had a black dragon on it and it said, “Master of the grand dragon.” Terry was flattered. We couldn’t decide if he meant she was hot or just her boots. Either way, the compliment made her feel like a school girl. A little compliment can go a long way.

There was only drinks available for the four hours of the Downtown pour. We decided to get some dinner after I tasted a second blueberry beer. We walked up to a fish and chips restaurant right next to Urban ReThink. As we ate, people began to pour past the restaurant. Some were happy and a few staggered. The restaurant grew loud fast.

Political fundraiser for Martha O. Haynie

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My wife, Terry, suggested I come out to sketch a political fundraiser for Orange County Comptroller Martha O. Haynie at the Abbey, (100 South Eola Drive.) The scene didn’t look that much different than sketching in any bar except folks were dressed in business attire and they all had name tags. Martha was very cordial and introduced herself to me. She immediately found common ground with me when she said that she missed former United Arts CEO Margot Knight.

Terry arrived and waved to me. She moved around the room from one conversation to the next, meeting everyone as I sketched. Janet and Geoff Benge, who lead the Silver Fern Writing workshops sat down at a central table. Terry started attending these workshops after one of my sketchbooks was used as a writer’s prompt. She sat with Janet and Geoff and the laughter grew louder.

As Comptroller, Martha keeps an eye on Orange County finances and she makes sure that money spent is accountable. This doesn’t stop politicians from miss spending money, but it does mean their actions are accountable come election time. Marthe joked that it might not be wise to check the finances of the sheriff’s department since they carry guns. She checked their books anyway. There is someone running against Martha in the upcoming elections so she has to be diligent in letting people know she is doing a good job. Her address to the gathered crowd was short sweet and to the point.

Terry was hungry, so she went down the block to Mucho’s to get some takeout tacos. She returned with two boxes of tacos and we shared with Janet and Geoff. By this time, my sketch was done and most everyone else had left. Martha stopped over and she had a taco with us as well.

Yum-mi Sandwiches

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I had several hours to kill before meeting actors at the Peacock Room. I had seen the work being done to modernize this Yum-mi Vietnamese Sandwich Shop on Mills Avenue. I figured it would serve holistic healthy food so I went inside for a taste and sketch. The warm glow looked inviting as I approached. I read the menu for a while, not sure what to order. I finally decided a, “Miss Piggy” sandwich sounded good. It would have pork in a sweet sauce along with plenty of greens on French bread. I like coconut, so I ordered a coconut freeze to drink. Rosa Phan asked if I would like tapioca in the drink. “Sure”, I’ll try anything.

I sat in a corner booth and started sketching while I waited for my sandwich. I paused after my first bite wanting to spit it out. “Miss Piggy” seemed to be full of thick slabs of raw bacon. I gagged. The fat was rubbery and difficult to chew. The next bite surprised me with a flaming hot jalapeno. I politely pushed my sandwich aside and took a quick sip of my coconut freeze to cool my mouth. The straw had a really wide diameter and I immediately found out why. A quarter inch wide black ball of tapioca was the first thing to pop into my mouth. It was like sipping in a dead jelly fish. I chewed the rubbery mass hoping its slimy exterior housed a tasty treat inside. No luck. I gagged again. Since all the tapioca was on the bottom of the cup, I lifted the straw and sipped just the drink which was passable. I nursed the drink and ignored the sandwich for the duration of the sketch. I tend to be like a famished dog ready to devour anything. I was shocked to find food that I just can’t swallow. People were asked how their meals were and there were polite responses of, “wonderfull” or “fine”. Could they have tasted the same food? I’m not likely to return. I rushed down the street to the Peacock Room to get a beer to cleanse my pallet. I hoped the enzymes in the beer would keep me from being sick.

County Morgue Make Up

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We found a table at Antonio’s across the street from Stardust. I ordered a pesto pasta dish that had absolutely no flavor. The place was getting packed. I sat across from Terry facing a wall. A table behind me filled up with zombies. I didn’t know zombies ate spaghetti. Perhaps it wasn’t spagetti hanging out of their bloody mouths. It might be veins or the flesh of the living. After our disappointing meal we walked out into the night. The undead were everywhere. A group of zombies stood outside the liquor store but the proprietor wouldn’t let them in. The undead had to recruit the living to buy alcohol.

The corner of Corrine and Winter Park had three gas stations which separated and illuminated three large gatherings of zombies. The parking lot outside Park Avenue CD’s had food trucks and two stages where the undead could perform music. Terry stopped to pet a living dog and I hunted for a spot to sketch. I settled on the County Morgue Make Up tent. For $15 people could get a scar or deathly make up. I focused most of my attention on the make up artist with the Mohawk. He carefully crafted a deep gash into a woman’s cheek. She was delighted when she saw how horrifying she looked. Wendy Wallenburg who lives in the neighborhood had no idea what was going on. Some zombie’s car was blocking her driveway and she was suddenly surrounded by the undead. Terry and Wendy wandered while I sketched.

Halfway into this sketch, I realized I should be getting the undead to pose for quick sketches. Terry could wrangle the subjects and I could crowd the undead together into a single sketch. Terry lost patience with me and went home. I considered getting one more sketch but I felt defeated and left. I had to get home before all hell broke loose.