Day 350 – Orlando Museum of Art

Orlando Museum of Art

Orlando has obviously more to offer than only theme parks. Sure, Orlando will never compare to NYC, Washington D.C. or Chicago but we shouldn’t overlook culture and art in the City Beautiful. So I encourage everyone to visit the Orlando Museum of Art this Fall to learn a bit more about art and enjoy one of the current exhibitions.

Love Your Body Project

About 2 years ago my work was actually exhibited at the First Thursdays arts party. It was installation art for an arts class project. You can read more about the project and art work here.

First Thursdays is a great event that takes place every first Thursday of the month at the Orlando Museum of Art. Every month it’s a different theme and local artists are encouraged to enter their work for a chance to be exhibited at the museum that night. There is foods and drinks available and music in the back area of the museum. If you ever wanted to experience how it is to party at a museum, this is your chance! The next First Thursdays, “Orlando’s Original Art Party” will take place on October 1st, 2009 (info below). Check out the OMA web site for more information about First Thursdays.

October 1, 2009 “Rach”-tober: Music Meets Art From Rachmaninoff to Rockabilly. How do sound and vision unite in your world? The focus is on music, musicians and art influenced by music.

The Orlando Museum of Art is located in Winter Park. Here is their complete information. Be sure to visit their site to learn more about current exhibitions and programs. They really have a lot to offer!

Orlando Museum of Art
2416 N Mills Ave
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: (407) 896-4231

Day 338 – Orlando Shakespeare Theater

Orlando Shakespeare Theatre

Today we stopped by the Orlando Shakespeare Theater/John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Orlando to check out what’s new now that the new season is going to kick off on September 12th. If you are interested in attending the Gala click here for more info.

The Shakespeare Theater (with its 3 main theaters and other facilities inside) is located across from the Orlando Museum of Art, next to Loch Haven Park and the Orlando Science Center (which was previously located in the current  John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center).

UCF, the University of Central Florida is a partner of the professional Orlando Shakespeare Theater which serves as a faculty member for UCF’s Conservatory Theater and also teaches classes. UCF students often participate in the plays of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater.

What better way to explain what the Shakespeare theater is all about than by quoting the mission statement from their web site:

With Shakespeare as our standard and inspiration, the Orlando Shakespeare Theater produces bold professional theater, develops new plays, and provides innovative educational experiences that enrich our community.

Inside the Orlando Shakespeare Center

There are some very promising plays on the list for the new season and I hope I get to see at least a couple of them. The 2 Shakespeare plays will take place between January and March 2010.

• The Big Bang
• Yankee Tavern
• Every Christmas Story Ever Told
• Hamlet (Shakespeare)
• All’s Well That Ends Well (Shakespeare)
• Shotgun

Here is their info:

Orlando Shakespeare Theater
812 E Rollins St
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 447-1700

Orlando Shakespeare Center

Day 259 – Propagator for the Arts – ArtyGators in Baldwin Park

Propagator for the Arts

This is such a fun project that I came across when walking around Baldwin Park today. It’s called “Propagator for the Arts” and as you can see those are fun alligator sculptures each displaying a different design. As you may know I am fan of anything and everyone promoting art and culture in Central Florida.

Artygators actually had their world premiere at Colonial Town Park in Lake Mary. Their main purpose is to benefit the community. They are meant to local artists’ work, increase creativity and fund 25 non-profit organizations. Through October 2009 the artsy gators will be located in Baldwin Park all along New Broad Street. The makers of the project are now even talking about opening an ArtyGator themed restaurant in the future – how fun!

The next ArtyGator event is the ArtyGator Crawl on June 19th 2009 from 5pm-8pm in Baldwin Park. There will be live music, a karaoke contest, scavenger hunt and of course food and drinks. So come out for a fun Friday in Baldwin Park and support the arts in Central Florida!

Click here to visit the ArtyGator web site for more info!

A 6ft tall ArtyGator!

Day 219 – Musical at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford

Before the Show

The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center is currently presenting the musical Damn Yankees. We went to the opening night and really enjoyed the performance. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality: great actors and despite a low budget a great production of the musical – and best of all, the musical was very entertaining. The musical is the perfect starter for a fun night out in Sanford! I don’t want to give away too much here so just go and see it and tell me what you thought

I was a bit sad to see the theater only half full on opening night! I hope that changes in upcoming performances. I had perviously mentioned the musical before, so click here to read more about Damn Yankees in Sanford

Since we went to opening night we got to enjoy some champagne and free food after the show and talked to some of the very talented actors. We especially liked Jennifer Guhl’s performance as Lola!

Inside Wayne Densch Perfomaing Arts Center

Just like on Hollywood Blvd

Free food and champagne after the show

Day 206 – Mosaic Station in Sanford FL

Mosaic Station in Sanford FL

Mosaic Station is located on Palmetto Avenue in downtonw Sanford FL. The store doesn’t only offer mosaic supplies and custom mosaic art work, it also offers private mosaic classes which I think is a great idea! If you’d like more info about those classes, give them a call at 407.323.3555.

Studio Hours are by appointment only but you will typically find the store open at events like Alive After Five, every second Thursday of the month from 5pm-9pm.

Here is the business info about Mosaic Station:

Mosaic Station
106 South Palmetto
Sanford, FL  32771
Phone: 407.323.3555
Fax: 407.830.8361
Email Contact: rLandco@yahoo.com

Day 200 – Jeanine Taylor Folk Art in Sanford FL on First Street

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art in Sanford

Right next to Gallery on First in Sanford you will find another great art gallery, Jeanine Taylor Folk Art. Jeanine Taylor is promoting contemporary folk artists at her gallery in order to bring the public closer to Southern folk art and its importance to our heritage. With more than 20 featured artists and 8 working artist studios inside the gallery, you will certainly find some very unique pieces. I am loving the variety and colors and really appreciate that we have such a great place in Sanford! So when you’re asking for things to do during the day in Sanford, stroll down First Street and visit Jeanine Taylor’s folk art gallery. Make sure to bring the kids and show them what Southern folk art is about.

An upcoming event that I found on Jeanine’s web site is set for April 17-19, 2009 as follows (quote):

IRS Event

Date: April 17-19, 2009
Time: Gallery Hours, Friday and Saturday 10a -6p, Sunday 12 – 5p
Location: 211 East First Street, Sanford Historic District
Details: Back for a second year, this short term event (dubbed the Inventory Renewal Show) follows tax day by a hair. So that we can make room for summer inventory, Jeanine will hand pick a variety of art to be offered at special prices. On Friday, pieces selected for the show will be 10% off; on Saturday 20% off; and Sunday, 30% off.

Address and info:

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art
211 E 1st St
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 323-2774

Musical Damn Yankees at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center

Wayne Densch Perfomring Arts Center

From April 24th until May 3rd the Seminole County Repertory Company will be presenting the musical “Damn Yankees”. Friday and Saturdays the event starts at 7:30pm but there is also a Sunday matinee at 2:00pm.

A friend of mine happens to be part of the musical so I definitely won’t miss it! I heard it will be lots of fun!

Here a bit about the musical:

Middle-aged baseball fanatic, Joe Boyd, trades his soul to the Devil for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees, but only to realize the true worth of life (and wife) he’s left behind.

Tickets are available for $23 as VIP, $18 Orch, $15 Balcony and $10 for students. To order your ticket call 407-321-8111. Visit the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center Web site for more information.

Thank you for supporting the arts in Sanford!

Day 163 – Get Inspired at Gallery on First in Downtown Sanford FL

Gallery on First in Downtown Sanford FL

Gallery on First is Sanford’s unique art gallery, a gallery that can almost be referred to as interactive. Why? Because Gallery on First strives to educate the public and open up the conversation between people interested in art and emerging artists. Part of the interaction are classes offered by the gallery and their artists in the respective artist studios within the gallery. From Watercolor painting to Illustration, there will certainly be something for everyone.

The gallery is located in the Hotchkiss building (built 1882) on First Street in Sanford, FL. The gallery is a great place to spend an afternoon to get inspired. A nice, urban touch are the exposed brick walls inside the gallery. They make a great contrast to the often colorful art pieces.
Gallery on First also has various rental opportunities available so give them a call in case you are planning a reception or workshop.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, from 12 – 5pm.

Here is their contact information:

Gallery on First
211 E 1st St
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 323-2774

Day 160 – Orlando Opera at Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

With roughly 2,500 seats, the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center is a Orlando’s venture for opera, theatre, ballet, orchestra or similar events. Today I was lucky enough to receive free tickets from a friend who had a small part in the opera “La Cenerentola” by Rossini, the classic version of the fairy tale Cinderella (with some minor changes in the popular story).

Stage at Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre

The stage was set in Hollywood during the Great Depression with the director searching for beauty, truth and honesty in his new star. The opera was performed in Italian, luckily wit English subtitles. I really loved it, I thought it was a refreshing and different evening. I’m curious now to see what else is coming up at the Orlando Opera Company and I think I may actually go more frequently to enjoy the arts

Here is the current schedule of the Orlando Opera Company in case you would like to experience some culture and arts in Orlando.

Orlando Opera Company
1111 N. Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32804
407-426-1700

And here are other upcoming events at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
401 W. Livingston Street
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 849-2577

Day 144 – Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford FL

Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center

Formerly known as Helen Stairs Theatre, the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center is located on Magnolia Avenue and 2nd Street in Sanford downtown.

For those of you who wonder about the name change, the Helen Stairs Theatre does still exist within the Wayne Densch Perfomring Arts Center. What happened is that Wayne Densch Charities donated the building located right next to the Helen Stairs Theatre. This building is now used for rehearsals, community rentals and storage area. In 2007 a fundraiser initiative was started to renovate the theatre and turning it into the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center. Once the renovations are completed the building of the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center will contain two theatres, the Helen Stairs Theatre and the Ritz Theatre (named after Ritz Community Theater Projects, Inc. who had purchased the building in the 1990s and then started the renovations under the leadership of Helen Stairs).

One of the next events at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center is the musical “Hello Dolly“. It will be performed on stage from February 13th to 22nd. Tickets at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center are very affordable with student prices starting at only $10.

A great idea is the Dinner and Show Deal offered. Selected restaurants offer you dinner at a reduced price after the show. For details call the theatre at 407.321.8111 or visit their web site.

The Seminole County Repertory Company, the in-house theatre group, is also always looking for talent in all age groups. On the web site you fill find information about auditions so you could soon become part of the arts in Sanford.

Here’s a bit more info about the Wayne Densch Perfomring Arts Center:

Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday between 10am and 4pm.
Phone: 407.321.8111

Here is a link to their web site and current calendar of events.

Stop by and support the arts in Sanford!