Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill: Poster Evolution

Posted on by Thor

This was my favorite painted version of the poster for the Orlando Shakespeare Center. Lady Day stood in a strong spotlight that broke her into an abstraction of lights and darks. Pinks and blues work together like bold puzzle pieces. The bottle on the table stands as erect and proud as the singer herself.

For the final poster however I needed to move in closer to the singer. Tymisha Harris was likely to be cast in the roll but that had not been established yet. I danced a line between making the singer look like Lady Day and Tymisha. I did like the chance to rework the microphone adding it metallic sheen.

Performances continue through March 5, 2023. I will be sketching a performance next week and I can’t wait.

Bullock and the Bandits

Posted on by Thor

Kangagirl Productions presented Bullock and the Bandits at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. A $10, reusable button is required to enter each performance. You may purchase online or in person at the box office. This show is at the Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive
Orlando, FL.

Step inside the haunted saloon at the World Famous Bullock Hotel for a rhythm and blues, country, and rock fueled ghost rider romp across the Wild West! Orlando Fringe Festival Lifetime Achievement Award recipient David Lee’s new band performs with special guest stars Tymisha Harris and Eddie Cooper.

“I’ve always been fascinated with Deadwood, South Dakota, which is a world-famous destination for ghost hunters. Sheriff Bullock built a hotel there in 1894. It still stands and is known to be haunted with all types of bandits and heroes of the Wild West”, explained David Lee. The talented Bandits band: David Lee, Eddie Cooper, Tymisha Harris, Tanner Kasier, Bryce Hayes, Matt Lyinx, Tom O’Hern, and Randall Scandal.

Tickets are $15. The remaining show dates are today, Saturday 28 May 2022 at 4:15PM and Sunday 29 May 2022 at Noon.

Josephine: a Burlesque Cabaret Dream Play Rehearsal

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Josephine: a Burlesque Cabaret Dream Play is a one-woman musical biographical play about the iconic Josephine Baker. Created by Tymisha Harris, Michael Marinaccio and Tod Kimbro. Book and Musical Direction by Tod Kimbro, performed by Tymisha Harris. Directed and Produced by Michael Marinaccio

I went to a rehearsal just prior to the Fab Fringe 2018 Fundraiser to be held at the Plaza Live (425 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, Florida 32803) on March 5th. Josephine,
combines cabaret, theatre, and dance to tell the story of the iconic
Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar and
one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th Century. Josephine
shatters stereotypes of race, gender roles, and sexuality
in this intimate, charming and haunting cabaret with a twist. Born in
St. Louis in 1906, Josephine Baker achieved only moderate success in the
United States but became an international superstar after moving to
France in the early 20s. She starred alongside white romantic leading
men in films in the 30s, had multiple interracial marriages and
homosexual relationships, and performed in men’s clothing before the
term “drag” existed in the lexicon. Her adopted country of France gave
her the opportunity to live freely without the racial oppression of her
home nation, though she never stopped yearning for acceptance in
America.

The rehearsal was in a small Orlando bungalow just south of Greenwood Cemetery. The band squeezed into the small  living room. There were drums, a guitar, Todd on Piano, a violinist and bass along with an accordion. The conversations between sets offered plenty of saucy humor and the show itself offered the same. I don’t believe I saw the entire run through so I will not venture a review. But I could tell this was going to be a very fun musical review with a serious message.

Hammers and Lambs

Posted on by Thor

On June 12, I went to The Venue, (511 Virginia Drive Orlando, FL) to watch the set up for an improvisational dance performance by called “La Mia Danza“. This was going to be a one time collaboration of improvised Dance and Music starring the captivating
dancer Michelina Wingerter along with live music by Tacatantán Record’s
Abdias Ernesto Garcia.

When I arrived, Abdias greeted me. A rehearsal was still in progress for another show opening the following week. Dancer Michelina was in this production as well, along with Megan Bueto, Tymisha Harris and Blue Star. Called “Hammers and Lambs” this show is produced by Blue Star and is inspired by the paintings of Patrick Fatica. The dance number I saw rehearsed involved plenty of hammers, or croquet mallets.

Hammers and Lambs will begin each evening at The Hammered Lamb (1235 N. Orange Ave.) with a preview of Patric’s newest paintings. There will be complimentary wine and food. Then patrons will be whisked to The Venue by O-cart for the dance performance inspired by Patrick’s work. I love the idea of one art form inspiring another art form.

There are four more performances. The evening begins at 7pm sharp.

June 22, 24, 28, 29

Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 on the day of the show. Tickets are available at the Hammered Lamb or The Venue, or call (407) 412-6895