Fringe: Greek Food

Posted on by Thor

No, Greek Food is not the name of a show at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. Besides running from show to show, there are moments when it is good to stop out on the Green Lawn of Fabulousness for a drink and food with friends. I could do a whole series of sketches of all the food trucks on the lawn and the endless dramas that play out as people wait in line.

For instance, I wanted to get an ice cream and to do so you are given a beeper after you pay. As I was waiting, Zelda Grey who is the powerhouse singer from Liquid Sunshine 2, stopped to say hello. I am a huge fan of her singing prowess and I was shocked and pleased that she knew about my theater sketch habit. Just as we started talking, the buzzer started going off in my pocket. Should I ignore it? I really wanted to find out what was happening in Zelda’s life. Her show is part concert and part a joyful exploration of what it takes to find meaning and balance in life. There is no better subject for conversation.  The buzzing continued. She must have heard the tell-tale buzzing from my pocket. Is that a buzzer in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? I finally excused myself and rushed to the counter to get my 2 scoops of ice cream. When I rushed back Zelda was gone. I must have seemed so rude, a fan who chose ice cream over conversation.

I settled in under a tree to enjoy my treat and then set up do this sketch of the Greek Food booth. I did order Greek food on another day at the Fringe. I had a lamb Gyro and wrestled with the large pita sandwich with Tzatziki flowing down my finger into my palms as my friend confided that there were huge changes occurring in life. I licked my fingers and slurped the sauce out of my palm as I listened. One napkin wasn’t enough for the mess I was making. I have been through similar seismic shifts, so there was plenty to talk about.

I have settled into my art studio rental, just north of Lake Eola and go through each day in complete silence. I don’t have a radio or TV set up. I do have a TV room which only has a TV which has never been plugged in or used. I was given the TV by a past roommate who was given a huge wide screen by a sibling. I will have to get a couch if I ever want to use that space as a normal Living room.

The point is, that I have grown accustomed to the quiet. I am learning how to switch over to a plant-based diet which should improve my health. I am also scrambling around each day shopping to find things that will get my studio space up and running. It is strange to be nesting after traveling and living out of a back pack for so long. I don’t even have an easel or lights for the painter’s studio room. I ordered three sets of curtains for three windows. I picked up the curtain order from Home Depot and found I only got 3 curtains which is only good for one and a half windows. I was very clear that I had 3 windows that needed 3 SETS of curtains. No one seems to listen when I communicate.  Better to just keep painting and writing, casting thoughts into the void with the hope that someone will eventually hear.

Fringe: Liquid Sunshine 2

Posted on by Thor

I got to sketch Zelda Grey‘s one woman show, Liquid Sunshine last year and fell in love with her soul-filled performance. I wondered if I should sketch Liquid Sunshine 2 this year and decided to take the chance. I am so glad I did, because this year’s performance by Zelda Grey was a world different that the solo show she did last year. This year she had a full band, The You Know Whooz. They performed original songs from Zelda as well as lead guitarist Jeremy Lovelady and bassist Brian Byle. The drummer is Derek Engstrom.

There was a relaxed vibe between the band members and Zelda. They were so well rehearsed and I could feel feel their joy. As I sketched I was tapping my toes and rocking to the beat. Zelda knew a couple of the female artists in the front row, and she got them involved in the chorus of one song. One artist resisted, but then shouted out the lyrics of the chorus and the audience went wild.

The sketch I did was very different than any other sketch I did at Fringe this year. When I searched through my art bag, I discovered that I had left my pens and brushes back at the studio. I just had a tin of colored pencils. The music was so inspiring that I didn’t consider that a setback. I picked up colored pencils at random, and the lines danced on the page. Honestly, I should work like this more often. I cared less about accuracy and let the music establish the flow.

Zelda really pumped up her singing performance when she stripped off her guitar. She became a fierce singer, and she had the audience in her grip. I was mesmerized. I stopped sketching when the performance reached a fevered pitch, and I let the power of her singing just wash over me.

There is only one more performance of Liquid Sunshine 2. You don’t want to miss this performance. They will blow you out of your seat. As a matter of fact, you might find yourself wanting to get up and dance to let the music flow through every fiber of your body. Though I didn’t get up and dance, I felt the lines I was putting down dance to the beat. This show is pure unfiltered passion. If you are seeing several shows in a day, then Liquid Sunshine should be your concert intermission which will rejuvenate your soul with pure joy.

The final show for Liquid Sunshine 2 in the Brown Venue in the Shakes. The show is rated 13 and up and runs 60 minutes. Tickets are $12. Be sure you have your Fringe button for admittance.

Sunday May 24, 3:00pm

Fringe: Liquid Sunshine

Posted on by Thor

My favorite FRINGE show so far has been Liquid Sunshine featuring Internationally known local singer-songwriter Zelda Grey.

She was quietly strumming her guitar and singing as the audience made it’s way into the Brown Venue. Zelda has a way of acknowledging every person in the room so that you feel like she is singing just for you.

Her song, “I’m not playing by Your Rules” felt like an anthem for living life with absolute honesty on your own terms.

After finishing the sketch, I decided to put the sketchbook aside and lean forward and listen intently. I hung on every word. She music spoke to me in a way I didn’t expect, mesmerizing me. Her acoustic music has a way of seeping deep into your soul.

This small little venue is the perfect space to experience her music since the intimate room allows for a chance to escape the noise of life and focus on her words. Her final song, “10,000 Tiny Birds” was written while she was alone in the woods. She allows herself to feel deeply and that shines through in every song she sings. This humble folk singer is my FRINGE Crush for 2025.