Composers Salon Concert – Celebrating Central Florida Composers.

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The Central Florida Composer’s Salon Concert was held at the Timucua White House (2000 S Summerlin Ave Orlando, FL 32806.) The annual composer’s salon concert celebrated new music written by local composers in the Central Florida area.

There was food and wine before and after the concert in the entry foyer. I decided to sketch from the upper balcony. An entire orchestra filled the stage to start and I was quickly blocking in the performers. However when they were finished performing their one piece, they all exited the stage. My digital eraser got a good work out.

Marla E. Artist had a Plexiglass canvas set up so that the audience could watch as she worked on the transparent surface lit up by white Christmas lights. She painted a saxophone to the beat of the music. It is always a pleasure to watch other artists at work.

The Central Florida Composers Forum is an organization of composers
dedicated to engaging the creative and larger community of Central
Florida through the promotion of original and innovative music
programming.They strive to be part of a larger cultural conversation where the musical,
visual and other performing arts connect with audiences, foster vital
collaborations, and produce multidisciplinary performances. They are cultivating
an audience for new music through education, workshops and outreach
programs that create memorable artistic experiences for youth and
community members are also central to their mission.

Sam Rivers Tribute Band at the White House.

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The Sam Rivers Tribute Band gathered once again after years of being apart at the Timucua Arts Foundation White House (2000 S Summerlin Ave, Orlando, Florida 32806.) this concert was thrown together at the last minute.  The band had not performed together for years. 

Sam Rivers is one of the greatest jazz legends of our
time, performing for over 70 years. In the 1970’s he was the first
artist to open a jazz cultural arts center in Greenwich New York, which
was used as a venue to help artist exhibit their talents and gain
recognition.

The one of a kind, intensely original compositions of Sam Rivers came to life once again in a rare performance of his 16 piece Rejuvenation Orchestra. (formally known as the Rivbea Orchestra. I sketched Sam Rivers as he performed at the Enzian Florida Film Festival wrap party in 2009.   He was a joy to watch and fun to sketch.   Sam Rivers died on December 26, 2010 at the age of 88 from Pneumonia.

I was excited to see if his magic still infused the Orchestra he had formed when he moved to Central Florida in the early 1990 with his wife Beatrice.  Several platforms were set up on stage for all the horns and saxophones.  Sam performed on bass clarinet, flute, harmonica and piano, but I loved watching him perform on the soprano and tenor saxophones.

I sketched as the orchestra took to the stage.  I recognized the string players but some of the sax players looked like they were still in college.  The performance was aggressively loud, as if each performer was trying to play louder that everyone else.  At times various performers stood for solos.  Rivers derived his music from bebop, but he was an adventurous player, adept at free jazz. He was also an adept composer and it was his sheet music that sat before every performer.  I hope this orchestra performs together more often.  In time they could bring back the polish that helps support the inspiration.  Sam’s parting words at many of his concerts was, “Tell them what they missed.”

Coldharts at the Timucua White House.

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The Timicua White House (2000 South Summerlin, Orlando, FL 32806) is usually host to musicians.  The evening before the home hosted a Composer’s salon.  However on this rare, dark and sinister night this became a place to stage some intimate theater, in a two person show titled, “The
Coldharts: Edger Allen” created and performed by The
Coldharts, Katie Hartman and Nick Ryan, two theatre artists based in
Brooklyn, New York. They create American Gothic-inspired, devised,
music-theatre.

The actors are US and Canada Fringe Festival audience favorites bringing this modern classic piece of theater to the Timucua stage immediately after a four-day run of “The Legend of White Woman Creek” at the Orlando Fringe Winter MiniFest. This was a two­-person, darkly comic musical inspired by the childhood and short stories of Edgar Allan Poe.  This is an astounding piece of intimate theater that can generate laughter in one second and a gasp of shock in another.

Katie began the evening performing on ukulele.  She played the part of a young Edger Allan who bragged of his dominance at an all boys school.  His supremacy was challenged when another boy entered the school and started answering questions intended for him.  The new boy spoke is a loud whisper.  The two discover in the school courtyard that they share the exact same name.  The young Edgar Allen gives every conversation a dark and brooding hidden meaning.  Rather than stay mortal enemies, the new Edgar Allen proposed they become friends.  After much deliberation Edgar Allen agrees.  However the best of intentions takes a twisted turn for the worst.

The scenes play out with exaggerated gestures worthy of a vaudeville act.  The inner working of a young boys mind are clearly sinister.  Children can be cruel but this takes misguided intentions to a new level.  The simple brick walls of the White House were a perfect backdrop to the drama that unfolded and bricks played an important part in the final act.

This piece was a stark reminder that amazing things were happening over at the Shakes at the Winter Fringe MiniFest.  I am a bit sad that I missed what were likely some amazing sketch opportunities.  Katie and Nick will return to Orlando in May for the Orlando International Fringe Festival with another Poe inspired piece, and I want to see what they come up with next. 

One Voice Orlando: A Year in Reflection.

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This concert was postponed because of Hurricane Irma.  It was rescheduled for November 4th at 6 pm at the Timucua White House (2000 South Summerlin, Orlando, FL 32806.)   All proceeds benefited Proyecto Somos Orlando (the funds will benefit Pulse survivors and and also Puerto Rico relief efforts). My short film, “Finger on the Pulse,” was also screened.



Leonard Bernstein said, “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, and more devoted than ever before.” This evening was a celebration of Orlando’s community and healing and was hosted by Luis Martinez.

Proyecto Somos Orlando is a one-stop shop wraparound service program created in the aftermath of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy to provide critical support to the LGBTQ+ and Latinx community regarding issues of mental health and education.

The program featured 10 performances of songs from operas and Broadway shows.  My sketch featured soprano Arleen Ramirez.  Jessica Devaney showed a short film called “Love the Sinner.” The filmmaker grew up in a church with strict moral codes.  Later in life she fell in love with another woman and her place in the church was no longer secure.  The church considered her life style a sin.  In an incredible interview with a pastor, she explained to him that she could go to church alone but her partner would feel unwelcome.  He began to question his own moral code.

The final performance of the evening, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel left the tone of hope for the future.  Being a privileged white heterosexual male citizen, I have never had to face bigotry and hatred in person.  Since Pulse, I have heard so many stories of the bigotry that still remains today and is even encouraged by the President.  We have a long road ahead of us.  Every day seems to bring a new storm.  Something somewhere has to give. 

Weekend Top 6 Picks for November 4th and 5th.

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Saturday November 4, 2017

8 AM to 3 PM – Free. Fourth Annual Chalk the Walk. Winter Park Central Park (251 S Park Ave, Winter Park, Florida 32789). This is the fourth annual street painting event held on the first
Saturday of the month of November. There are adult, high school and middle school artists creating art and competing for prize money in a one day
event. It is always a great event to attend and see artists
enjoying the day.

6 PM to 9 PM – Donations. One Voice Orlando Benefit. Timucua White House (2000 South Summerlin, Orlando, FL 32806). All proceeds to benefit Proyecto Somos Orlando (the funds will benefit Pulse survivors and and also Puerto Rico relief efforts). Includes a screening of my short film, “Finger on the Pulse.”

6 PM to 10 PM – $30. Puttin’ on the Ritz Fundraiser. Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center (203 S Magnolia Ave, Sanford, Florida 32771).  Each year the Densch celebrates a decade: this year it’s the flower power fab-1960’s! The street in front of the theatre will come to life with groovy music, classic cars and entertainment. Supporters of the arts don their favorite 60s look and enjoy food from local Sanford restaurants. Inside the rehearsal hall, you’ll find a far-out silent auction. Be the highest bidder for fun, unique and other must-have items. There will be something for everyone. When food and bidding have closed, the fun is moved inside the historic theatre to view a live multimedia presentation highlighting musical talent from the Repertory Company and video reels helping us find our way back to the 1960s!

Sunday November 5, 2017

10 AM to 5 PM – Free Saturday and Sunday. Fall Fiesta in the Park. Lake Eola Park. The free, pet-friendly event includes artist and craft booths, food
vendors, live music, a huge children’s play area and more.

10 AM to 5 PM – $7-$50 Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Fair. 
(12835 County Landfill Road Clermont. FL). Travel back in time to the middle ages and enjoy food, drink, vendors, games, entertainment, and more.

Noon to 3 PM – Donation. Music at the Casa.  Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, (656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789). Guitarist, vocalist, composer George Grosman.

The Composers Salon Concert at the White House.

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At the 4th annual Composer’s Salon Concert, held at the Timucua White House, (2000 South Summerlin, Orlando, FL 32806) I was tasked with hanging the 49 Portraits done by 18 local artists a month after the mass shooting at Pulse. The portraits were created in one evening at Falcon Bar with each artist creating a bout 4 give or take. The portraits were hung on wooden ceiling beams in the entry the home. drink wine and share potluck dishes. It was a challenge climbing up and the ladder multiple times to try and get the portraits hung before the doors opened. The 49 portraits to exactly fill the beam space.

The concert featured seven local Central Florida composers: Eric Brook, Stan Cording, Paul Harlyn, Dr. Chan Ji Kim, Dr. Seunghee Lee, Sharon Omens, and Rebekah Todia, who featured original compositions including local and world premieres in a diverse array of musical stylings. Instrumentation included, piano, violin, flute, saxophone, bassoon, bass guitar, percussion, and electronic music. The most magical and relaxing sound came from a large Tibetan meditation bowl.

After the concert it was rewarding to see people talking about the portraits floating above them. People took iPhone photos of familiar faces. The show came down much faster than it went up but I had to work around people who lingered to the bitter end. Betsy Brabandt helped by removing the electrical dips from each sketch, and slipping the sketches back into the used to carry the collection. It is kind of nice to be the last one to leave such celebration of creativity and community.