Rogers Building Celebration.

Posted on by Thor

I was hired to document a celebration at Avalon Island Gallery for Mr. Ford Kiene, chairman of City Beverages, who just donated the historic Rogers building to the City of Orlando under
the condition it be used for the arts for the next 20 years. I worked a bit larger that I usually do in an 18 by 24 inch sketch pad. Earlier in the day I purchased a frame and cut a white mat on which people could share their thoughts and well wishes for Mr. Kiene. At the end of the evening, I framed this sketch in the mat and it was presented to him as thanks.

This celebration was well attended which made the sketch a challenge. When Mayor Buddy Dyer took to the podium, I was faced with a wall of backs. I stood on tip toe to get the sketch of him and Mr. Ford at the microphone. The mayor pointed out that it is rare for the city to receive such a donation. Built in 1886 by Englishman Gordon Rogers and investors, the iconic green tin sided building,
which sits at the corner of Magnolia and Pine, will officially be
renamed  the Rogers Kiene Building. When Mr. Kiene took to the microphone, he described the painstaking work that went into preserving the 1886 floor boards.

The building is now managed by the Downtown Arts District (DAD) but their management agreement only runs through June 30, 2018. Barbara Hartley, the DAD executive director said that the building will remain a hub for the arts. Patrick Greene, who oversees the gallery, hosts monthly cutting edge music sessions in the venue between the hanging of art shows. This, “Inbetween Series” brings experimental contemporary music to downtown. It is unclear if the venue will keep producing such edgy programs after June. I have sketched so often in this venue over the years, that I could easily compile a retrospective book that documents the arts events held here. Just sketching every day, I have seen far too many arts venues fall to the wayside. Hopefully the building will continue to further our city’s efforts to expand our arts and culture scene.

Nakatani Gong Orchestra.

Posted on by Thor

The Inbetween Series at The Gallery at Avalon Island (39 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, Florida 32801) features experimental music Inbetween he times that shows are hung in the gallery. An art exhibit titled Atelier was hung and ready for the November 20th opening, the show featured the works of Edson Campos and Kathleen Brodeur. The nude paintings added a pinch of creative class to the evening.

Earlier in the day, Tatsuya Nakatani had offered a gong workshop for fourteen Central Florida celestial, sonic jockeys. Using bows mallets the performers became a gong orchestra. Artist Lesley Silvia was one of the workshop attendees. She had never performed with a gong in her life, yet she seemed to blend seamlessly into the Gong blend.

Tatsuya began the evening with a solo performance. In his pre-show chat with the audience, he confided that being a gong virtuoso isn’t exactly a lucrative wasy to make a living. He used multiple gongs and a small drum set in his orchestrated piece.  I sketched him in several of his signature poses as he performed. At one point gongs crashed to the ground and it was all part of the creative din.

The Inbetween Series, David Vassalotti.

Posted on by Thor

The Inbetween Series, (The Gallery At Avalon Island, 39 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL) hosted David Vassalotti. The Inbetween Series happens once a month when one art show is removed from the gallery walls, and another show goes up. Unique musicians use the venue as a small concert hall. Several simple lamps acted as stage lights. A skull was on the floor with the brain cavity open.

David’s music was hard edged and seemingly improvised. At times he would get on his knees to play, while electronic reverb pulsed through the foot-switch console. The friend I was with didn’t much like the music, feeling it was “masturbatory.” I let my mind wander as the lines danced on the page, and the electronic music helped keep the flow spontaneous.

Mark your calendar. On March 22, The Gallery at Avalon Island screened Fargo in the upstairs screening room. Fargo is the original Coen Brothers classic about “Homespun murder.” The plot centers on an ill-fated plan of greed, kidnapping, extortion, and a trusty wood chipper. Doors open at 6pm, film rolled at 7pm.

The Inbetween Series at Avalon Gallery is a hidden gem of the Orlando Music scene.

Posted on by Thor

On February 15th I went to the Gallery at Avalon Island (39 South Magnolia Ave, Orlando, Florida) for the salon style in-between series. Patrick Greene, Avalon’s curator host this music series between art exhibits on the week before Third Thursday when all the downtown galleries have opening for their new exhibits. This group featured a bass guitar, drums, a xylophone and a cello. There was no cost to attend, but donations are always welcome. I set up to sketch behind the drummer and sketched with vigor through the performance. The group was known as “Attached Hands“. The experimental music felt new age and melodic. It soothed and felt improvised.

The hippest folks in Orlando can be found at Avalon once a month.The In-between Series just won the “Best New Imaginative Music Series” by voters of The Orlando Weekly.  The series is cultured, it’s progressive and it’s free. The next performance will likely be August 17th but that is unconfirmed since the invitation isn’t out yet. It is a relaxing way to start out a Monday evening once a month.