Fun Home

The cast of the New York production of Home Fun presented a stripped-down concert performance of the Tony Award-winning musical as a benefit at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. One hundred percent of the net proceeds of the performance will go to the LGBT nonprofit Equality Florida and the victims of the Pulse shooting. Half of the money raised will be distributed directly to victims and
their families, and half will support Equality Florida’s work to end
discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“I think that it’s one thing to raise money, which is important,” said “Fun Home” actress Judy Kuhn. “But I think it’s also important to show up and say, ‘We’re here and we’re here supporting you.” During the introduction, the words, “We are so sorry.” brought back the tears. As the cast walked onto the stage, they got a roaring standing oration.

Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechel, the show is about a lesbian cartoonist named Alison,  who looks back at her childhood and her sexual awakening in college. Throughout the play, her adult self holds a sketchpad as she sketched the scenes of her past. It seemed appropriate that one person in the audience should be sketching as well. Three actresses perform as Alison. The youngest dreamed of taking flight, and yearned for her father’s attention. The Tom boyish middle Alison intellectualized her sexual confusion until the right girl, Joan, kissed her.  The eldest Alison looked back on her past actions in ever scene often embarrassed by her own diary entries.

The woman seated next to Betsy, was wearing a tuxedo shirt and suspenders. She said, this was the first time she had seen a character on stage who reminded her of herself. The play addresses universal underlying themes of wanting a parent’s acceptance and love only to get their narrow minded ideas of what they consider best. As Alison was discovering she loved women, her father was seeking out young men to have affairs with. As she began to soar, he began to crash. The harsh reality was gut wrenching.

My favorite scene featured  young Alison, Gabby Pizzolo, who sees a woman unlike any she had scene before. The woman was masculine and beautiful, no handsome. For the first time she saw a woman who seemed strong and she saw herself. Her father wanted her to wear a dress and keep her hair back with a beret, but she just saw who she could be. I loved her, for finally loving herself. In a talk back after the show the young boy actor, Zell Steele Morrow, summed it up nicely. You can be who you want to be, and love who you want to love.  The two women seated in front of me held each other close. In the wake of tragedy, love still finds a way in Orlando.

The GoFundMe to help Pulse victims families has reached over 7.3 million dollars breaking all records for the internet startup. Survivors from other mass shootings have come to Orlando to show their support. Some were in the audience. There is no life outside of the need to connect. Theater like this brings a community together and this shared story, about us all, can help us come together and face what we all must overcome, to rise above hate. 

The Orlando Brewing One Pulse Sounds of Our City concert.

All day, acts got on the outdoor stage at Orlando Brewing (1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando, Florida) for the One Pulse Sounds of Our City benefit concert. It was x relaxing afternoon of sipping beer and enjoying music.  I believe this is a sketch of Aaron Fox Marshall. His soothing acoustic vocals eased me into the event. This is a fine example o the grass roots fundraising that rose from the ashes of the Pulse Tragedy. Artists of all kinds rose to the challenge of placing love above hate. It is a quiet well spring that gradually gathers strength to become a raging river. 

Rain threatened and rumbled on the horizon but for the four performances I saw, nature withheld it’s wrath. [ would bet there were misty rainbows rather than torrential rain.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for July 30 and 31

Saturday July 30, 2016

8:30am to 11am Free. National Dance Day opening performances. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, FL.

12:30pm to 8pm Free. National Dance Day Orlando South Campus. Marshall Ellis Dance School 1300 La Quinta Drive, Orlando, Florida. National Dance Day Orlando is thrilled to launch its fourth year of free dance programming with increased educational experiences and community engagement. NDDO is most noted for its free dance classes that engaged 1000+ Central Florida residents and tourists last year. The 2016 celebration has formed a new partnership with Marshall Ellis Dance School to offer more dance and healthy living opportunities through free classes taught by local Orlando dance company directors, choreographers, dancers, and fitness instructors.

FREE CLASSES

Saturday

Ballet Barre 12:30-1:30

Contemporary 1:45-2:45

Body Core/ Conditioning 3:00-4:00

Stretch 4:15-5:00pm

In addition to free classes offered at Marshall Ellis Dance School (South Campus for National Dance Day Orlando), there will be a free showcase from professional and pre-pro dance companies.

 7:30pm at ME Theatre. All classes are open to ages 7 to Adult.National Dance Day Orlando

National Dance Day Orlando is proud to announce its fourth year of free dance programming with increased educational experiences and community engagement.

Kick off the morning of July 30 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as they partner with Dizzy Feet Foundation for a dance extravaganza that will move and shake the heart of our city! The morning dance celebration will take place at Seneff Arts Plaza from 8:30-11AM. Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer from So You Think You Can Dance will lead the official National Dance Day routine for all ages and abilities to participate in together. Interactive dance programming, choreography demonstrations, and featured performances from Orlando Ballet, Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts, and many more will take the stage.

NDDO is most noted for its free dance classes that engaged more than 1000+ Central Florida residents and tourists last year. The 2016 celebration has formed new partnerships with Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts, Emotions Dance Studio, Marshall Ellis Dance Studio, and Studio K to offer more free educational opportunities to the Central Florida community. More than fifty dance classes of various genres and levels are available for non dancers and dancers to participate and celebrate together. Participants can register for free afternoon dance classes hosted at the four campuses below:

North Campus: Emotions Dance Studio

Central Campus: Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts

South Campus A: Studio K

South Campus B: Marshall Ellis Dance School

For more information regarding the Orlando Celebration at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

8pm to 11pm Free, but order food or drink. Jazz Saturdays. Cork & Fork American Grill5180 S. Conway Road, Belle Isle, FL. Jazz Saturdays will feature live entertainment by Jazzanova musicians.

Sunday July 31, 2016

All day. Free. Random Act of Kindness Day. Do something nice for someone you don’t know.

1pm to 5pm $50.  Pints for Pulse: a community event. Orlando Drink and Draw is being held at this event. Festival Park 2911 E. Robinson St., Orlando, Florida.

beer | art | music | you

A craft beer community event that raises moneys to help the pulse nightclub victims 80+ breweries, food trucks, food tents, burlesque shows, drag shows, and many more amazing and wonderful things – all to help raise funds for those affected by the pulse night club tragedy.

All proceeds from this event will go to OneOrlando

Where can I buy tickets?

Online pre-purchase only at the following link:What does my $50 ticket get me?

+Unlimited pours of beers from the breweries listed below

+Live Music

+Samples of small bites

+On site raffle of rare beers (1 raffle ticket included with entry)

+All proceeds of the entry will go directly to the pulse nightclub victims, victims families, and employees.

Food can be purchased on site from the following food trucks, all of whom will be donating a portion of their sales to OneOrlando:

+Da Kine Poke (Hawaiian poke bowls)

+Little Blue Donut

+Jamaica Jamaica (Jamaican jerk + curry)

+Treehouse Truck (burgers, cheesesteaks)

+Dixieland Diner (cajun cuisine) 

Raffle:

Various baskets containing rare beers will be raffled off donated by members of the Florida beer community. These baskets will include and not limited to beers like:

+Cigar City Hunahpu 2016

+Cigar City California Brandy BA Hunahpu

+Cigar City Kalvipoeg at the Gates of Hell

+Cigar City Cheers! b1 (2012)

+Cigar City Cheers! b2 (2015)

+Westvleteren 12

+Cantillon Iris

+Snowed In

+Last Snow

+2011 Black Ops

+2013 Black Ops

+2014 Black Ops

+Black Tuesday 2015 

Breweries:

+10 Barrel

+B Nektar

+Barley Mow Brewing Co.

+Barrel of Monks Brewing

+Bell’s Brewery

+Big Storm Brewing Co.

+Big Top Brewing Company

+Bold City Brewery

+Boulevard Brewing Company

+Bowigens

+Brew Bus Brewing

+Brew Hub

+Bugnutty Brewing Company

+Cask & Larder

+Central 28 Beer Co.

+Cigar City Brewing

+Concrete Beach Brewery

+Coppertail Brewing Co.

+Craft Brewers Alliance

+Crooked Can Brewing Co.

+Daytona Beach Brewing Company

+Dogfish Head Brewery

+Dunedin Brewery

+Elysain Brewing Company

+First Magnitude Brewing

+Florida Beer Company

+Goose Island

+Green Bench Brewing Co.

+Green Man

+Guinness

+Harpoon Brewery

+Highland Brewing Company

+Infinite Ale Works

+Intuition Ale Works

+JDub’s Brewing

+Keel and Curley Winery (Madman Ciders)

+Lagunitas Brewing Company

+Left Hand Brewing

+Lexington Brewing

+Lost Coast Brewery

+Magic Hat Brewing Company

+MIA Brewing

+Motorworks Brewing

+New Belgium Brewing

+Orange Blossom Brewing

+Orlando Brewing

+Oskar Blues Brewery

+Peak Organic Brewing Co.

+Persimmon Hollow Brewing

+Red Cypress Brewery

+Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour and Brewery

+Samuel Adams

+Sixpoint

+Southern Tier Brewing

+SweetWater

+Tampa Bay Brewing Company

+Ten10 Brewing Co.

+Tomoka Brewing Company

+Two Henry’s Brewing Company

+Uinta Brewing Co.

+Vermont Hard Cider (Woodchuck)

+Victory Brewing Company

+Wynwood Brewing Company

Peace, Love, Pulse!

10pm to Midnight Free. Comedy Open Mic. Austin’s Coffee, 929 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL. Free comedy show! Come out and laugh, or give it a try yourself.

One Pulse Sounds of Our City

On Sunday, I went to One Pulse Sounds of Our City at Orlando Brewing (1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando, Florida). The concert promised stellar local musicians with the proceeds to benefit the victims of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. This musical event was hosted by Shadow Pearson and featured some of Orlando’s best musicians, writers and artists. It was exceedingly hot. The One Pulse Logo above the stage consisted of Mylar balloons. A large
tent was set up in front of Orlando Brewing, and an ice cream truck
offered cold refreshments.

The highlight of the afternoon’s performances was the Orlando Gay Chorus. They have been been performing non-stop at benefit after benefit. The chorus perform in two parts, the all male chorus and then the mixed gender chorus. Both sang uplifting songs that had the audience singing along. The Orlando Gay Chorus is the face of love, and they are the voice of hope. Don’t be afraid of the dark.

The Monthly FAVO Art Market

While at the monthly FAVO art market, artist Denisse Berlingeri was nice enough to compliment the sketches that Imdo day to day. I ultimately decided to sketch in her studio since she appreciates my work. Her work is bold and colorful with plenty of primary colors. I caught a patron in a very fancy hat as she admired the work.

  

Denisse was born and
raised in Orocovis, Puerto Rico and is an award winning fashion designer and artist. Known locally for her ceramic sculptures,
paintings and mosaic art. Her work has been exhibited throughout the USA
and Puerto Rico. Her artwork is very much a reflection of her
personality, coming from a small town and a large family, inspired by
nature and her roots. Her technique has evolved as a result of
experimentation and her extraordinary talent and sensitivity of design.
She has focused her work on the combination of bright colors with rich
texture surfaces, incorporating glass mosaic and other materials into
it, creating a unique effect that has gave her unlimited possibilities
for exploring, the result has been an intriguing expression of her love
and passion for what she does.

The first exhibit of 49 portraits at the Orlando Science Center.

On July 3, 2016 Orlando artists gathered at Falcon Bar to create portraits of the 49 victims of the Pulse tragedy. The goal was to create 49 portraits in one night. Eighteen artists answered the call and the portraits were completed. It was an emotionally charged and creative labor of love. On July 19th, the collection of portraits was exhibited for the first time at the Orlando Science Center during their OneOrlando fundraiser.

I dropped off all the portraits and the hanging hardware. The sketches were simply hung, clothes line style on fishing line with electrical clamps to suspend them. I had prepared labels the evening before, but the museum printed even better labels on vinyl. I got choked up just counting out all the clamps. Precious human life was reduced to the number of clamps needed to showcase the art.

When I arrived at the museum, staff were quickly putting up the name tags. Each person’s name was listed along with their age. I have re-written the list of names several times and the shear number is always overwhelming. People would stop in groups to look at the display. Plenty of cell phone photos were taken, One woman walked by and purposefully touched a portrait which must have been someone she knew. Terry, my wife, stopped by to let me know that the portrait exhibit was a good idea. I was at a loss for words so I continued to sketch.

Siclaly M. Santiago-Leon, is the sister of Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon whose life suddenly ended along with his partner Jean Carlos Mendez Perez at Pulse. Siclaly came to the exhibit to see the portrait done by Plineo Pinto of her brother for he first time. I was excited to meet her since she has followed the portrait project from the start. I was about to leave the exhibit to go upstairs and sketch another aspect of the event. I bumped into her on the steps. She held out her hand and said “People call me Lolly.” She introduced me to her husband and then they went down to see the exhibit. Her brother’s portrait was right on the bottom row next to his partner. Lolly walked up to the portrait and then leaned against her husband as she cried. He held her close. I got choked up as well and wiped my eyes on my sleeve. I looked at Jennine Miller, who had helped coordinate the exhibit, and we both smiled as we fought back the tears.  The couple continued to embrace and I finally realized I should slip away so they could soak up the exhibit in private. This moment made all the hectic planning worth while. Lolly later found me as I was sketching a rainbow colored dinosaur. She hugged me and thanked me for the exhibit and once again I had to wipe away tears. My contribution seems so small compared to the unimaginable loss.

“Rumor del Viento”

The last performance at Love By Design was singer, songwriter Ka Malinalli along with Leo Aether who’s latest album “Vuelo al Sur“is being released this month. It was getting close to dusk. The audience had thinned out, and volunteers began packing away tables and chairs.  

As part of the Swamp Sistas Songwriters Circle, a gathering of women under the
lead of  Beth McKee, Ka had written a song about the Pulse Tragedy. The song was written in Spanish, so before it was performed, she strummed the chords, as Leo read the translation. With Ka’s permission, I will share it here. 


“Rumor del Viento” (Whispering Wind)


The voices of the ones who fell travel in the whispering wind. 

The loves were silenced under fierce attacks of fire.

Joyful advocates of unconditional equality, transcendental essence of love.

They are victims of hatred deeply embedded in our history, invoking the light of humanity.


The grief of the ones who remain is kept by the whispering wind. 

They keep in their breath the names that inspired a grand movement, of strong defenders of unconditional equality, transcendental essence of love. 

And those who hate without thought,

will be blind as we march together,

beaming with this immense light of humanity.


We’ll be a great mountain. 

We’ll be a great wall. 

We’ll be a great canyon.

The whispering wind will find a refuge in the hearts

of those of us that can still appreciate the time given and look for reason.

And we will transform the songs of love,

into echoes of fight and revolution. 


Sung in Spanish the song was even more beautiful. Looking around, I realized there were only a handful of people experiencing this amazing moment. The lyrics quietly faded away in the early evening breeze. I was so glad that I stayed as long as I did. This song encapsulated the day. My eyes burned as I stood and clapped. There was a quiet beauty in the moment. Creativity flourished even if largely unnoticed.


 

Circa at Love By Design.

In response to the tragedy at Pulse, AIGA Orlando invited the entire city to Love by Design, an event that will inspire and empower us all to stand against discrimination. Even more than a reflection on this tragic event, Love by Design will be an all-day celebration of The City Beautiful’s talent, diversity and resilience. Local artists and designers will donate original work for sale and auction. Food and entertainment will be provided by local musicians and food trucks. Proceeds will benefit OneOrlando, the fund formed by the mayor’s office to respond to the needs of our community in the wake of the Pulse Tragedy.

Circa was a solo act with plenty of heart. What made the performance so endearing was the fact that every song was directed to the performer’s girl friend seat in the front row. She beamed with pride as he sang and he looked he ” the eyes with every romantic note. Perhaps love can someday overcome hate.

I was drinking pear ciders and by this time, my sketches were loose and fluid. I got to enjoy the performance with Ka Malinalli and her daughter. Ka was the next performer in the line up. She referred to her daughter as the “barnacle” since the two of them are inseparable. Little did I know that it would be Ka’s performance that would bring home the meaning of the day’s fundraiser. Her original song “Whispering Wind” written in the make of the Pulse tragedy caused all the emotions to flood back…

Trajan’s Temple in Pergamon Turkey.

Roman Temples are found all along the coast of Turkey. The Temple of Trajan, also called Trajaneum, is one of the most
spectacular structures in Pergamon‘s Upper Acropolis area. It is also
the only Roman monument in this location. The construction of the temple was initiated under the Roman emperor
Trajan (hence it’s name) and completed by his successor Hadrian. The
purpose of the temple was to provide a venue for the religious cult of
both rulers as well as Zeus. Since Hellenistic times, the worship of
rulers as gods had become customary in Asia Minor. As the monument of
Roman domination, the Trajaneum’s purpose was to strengthen the bonds of
Pergamon with Rome and with the Imperial family. The Trajaneum’s
position, dominating the summit, was like a propaganda statement
concerning who was the ruler of the city and the province. The Temple of
Trajan was the fourth imperial cult temple to be built in the province
of Asia.

The Temple of Trajan was uncovered and examined in the years 1879-1880
and 1885 by an architect H. Stiller, but for decades the ruins were left
as they had been found. In the 1960’s the Turkish Administration
initialized the process of its restoration. The challenge was taken up
by German Archaeological Institute (DAI) that provided the initiative to
re-examine the building. Preparations started in 1965 and in 1976 the
restoration program was approved by the Turkish Directorate of
Antiquity. The reconstruction started with the halls which would be
easier to re-construct because of the weight and dimensions of working pieces.
Due to the preservation of complete pieces, columns in particular, the
northern hall offered the most promising preconditions. The
reconstruction lasted until 1994 with the cooperation of architects,
archaeologists and stonemasons from various European countries working
with numerous Turkish specialists. The Trajaneum was splendidly
reconstructed through anastylosis (the reassembly of existing, but
loose parts) by German archaeologists.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for July 23rd and 24th

Saturday July 23, 2016

7pm to 9pm Free. Get Lei’d at Fairvilla: A Summer Surf Party. Fairvilla Megastore, 1740 North Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida. Get Lei’d at Fairvilla Megastore as we celebrate summer with a retro-themed surf party.

Enjoy complimentary cocktails, groovy games, a sexy swimwear fashion show sponsored by Mapale by Espiral Lingerie, raffles and kisses at the Pug-Kissin’ Surf Shack to benefit the Pug Rescue of Florida, a retro-surf-themed burlesque by Lexii Rose of Blacklist Babes Cabaret and so much more.

Let your creativity shine in a homemade bikini contest: Put together a bikini using anything BUT traditional fabric and we’ll reward the best of the best with awesome prizes, including Fairvilla gift cards, a Fifty Shades of Grey by Lovehoney prize pack and more!

Your co-host for the night is Josh Pinkman from Real Radio 104.1’s Philips Phile. When you see him, say, “Hey bud, let’s party!”

7pm to 11pm Free. Ybor City Art Walk. Featuring a number of arts organizations and artsy businesses, be sure to R.S.V.P. here to get the official map for the walk!

This event will begin at 7pm and end at 11pm (or maybe there will be an after party!)

Here are the participating locations:

The Bricks of Ybor

Bloodline Tattoo

Ybor Arts Colony

Hot Wax

Wandering Eye Art Gallery

Dysfunctional Grace

Moon Over Havana Arts Gallery

Live Arts Labs

There will be other businessess joining the lineup so stay tuned! For any questions please feel free to contact the Ybor Art Alliance here through Facebook.

Expect to be wowed!

9pm to 2am Free but get a drink or two. BAD SANTA & the ANGRY Elves: XMAS in July (One Night Only!) with special guest DJ Sleigh. St. Matthew’s Tavern at the Orlando Beer Garden 1300 N Mills Ave, Orlando, Florida. Bad Santa and the Angry Elves are getting the f*ck out of the North Pole and coming down to O-town to blow the doors off St. Matthew’s Tavern at the Orlando Beer Garden! ONE NIGHT ONLY! Join Bad Santa (Christian Kelty), CC DeElf ( Craig Cobb), Elfie Nicks (Steve Hebert), & Elf Playcool (Daniel Wilkerson) for what is promised to be a legendary night in the annals of “XMAS PUNK ROCK BAND HISTORY”!

DJ SLEIGH (Kris Kokopelli) will be in the house spinning tunes to get you in the xmas spirit and there are bound to be more than a couple surprise guests!

So come on out and get your stockings stuffed!

You don’t even know how bad you need it.

Ho. Ho. Ho.

Sunday July 24, 2016

Noon to 2pm Free but order food. Florida Gospel Jam. Fish on Fire 7937 Daetwyler Drive Belle Isle FL. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday.

2pm to 4pm Free but get a coffee. Olivia’s Coffee House, 108 N Bay St, Eustis, FL.

7:30pm to 11pm  Suggested donation . Living Room Screening – The Man with Elephant Hands. Homegrown Local Food Cooperative 2310 N Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida. Jack Graham, Banks Helfrich and Tisse Mallon present independent local films in your living room. Living Room Screening events go beyond movie night and into a shared experience which includes the film, the creator and the reflections and thoughts of the audience.

This intimate experience consists of a number of previews, one short film, a feature and a conversation.

A few things for you to know:

– Due to the nature of this performance space, no late arrivals can be accommodated.

– While not lewd or vulgar, these films are recommended for ages 18 and up.

– The films lasts approx. 80 minutes.

NOTE: Due to limited space, we can only accommodate a certain number of people. If you have a plus one, we welcome them with open arms but please let your host know so that we have space for everybody!

The Man with Elephant Hands

Sid hates his hands; he thinks they look like elephant feet; so he hides them from everyone including himself.

Teaser 1- Meet Clyde