Gallery at Avalon Island

On the Third Thursday of every month the downtown galleries have openings for new art on display. I tried to sketch the gorgeous architecture of the Gallery at Avalon Island once before but it was winter and I couldn't finish the drawing with my cold hands. The green building is covered with intricate metalwork. The Rogers building was built in 1886 by architect William Mullins. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

As I sketched the sun slipped to the horizon creating a golden glow. When I finished I went inside to look at the art. On display were photo real paintings by Doug Bloodworth. Many of the slick glossy paintings were done with airbrush. Classic black and white movies seemed to be the predominant theme. If I had a home theater I wanted to decorate, then I suppose they would do the trick.

Terry Olson saw me working and said hello. He was off to see the Red Chairs which were being displayed in City Arts Factory. I had watched Genevieve Bernard as she decorated the Mennello Museum Red Chair with hundreds of red and gold buttons. There was a bustling crowd inspecting red chairs which were decorated by each of the arts organizations in town. Terry wanted me to join her for an Orlando Philharmonic event so I didn't stick around to do another sketch. I quickly glanced at the artwork at Blank Space as I walked back to my truck.

Jeans & Jewels Speakeasy

The Jeans & Jewels Speakeasy was a fundraiser put on by the Friends of the Philharmonic at the Winter Park Garden Club. An old vintage Ford Model T was parked in front of the clubhouse entrance. Terry had gone all out wearing a gold sequin dress she had borrowed from Genevieve Bernard. With her gold turban, gold high heels and long gold necklaces and brooches she was a hit. I was not half as flashy in my black suit. I sketched the band before dinner.

After dinner I decided that dancing was more important than sketching. Terry and I mixed it up with all the other flappers on the dance floor. The room was kept mysterious thanks to a theatrical fog machine. Flappers and gangsters mingled and talked. In the men's room bullet hole stickers punctured the stalls and doorway. There was a wide assortment of silent auction items, the most tempting one being a kitsch oil painting of a monkey dressed as royalty. Many revelers thumbed their noses at prohibition.

When the band began playing again after a break, Terry lounged on the steps in front of the group like she was part of the act. A group of people got up and started shooting photos with their cell phones. Terry blocked her face with her black gloved hands but the photographers persisted. She finally had to retreat off the steps. For the rest of the night we danced to the point of exhaustion. Rainbows End played tirelessly. I recognized the saxophone player from sketches I had done at the Monday Night Jazz sessions at the Grand Bohemian. I kept wondering when police would raid the party.

Philharmonic Rehearsal

I went to the Shakespeare Theater to sketch the tech rehearsal for the Playwrights' Round Table seven short play's launch for 2011. I hadn't been given a time so I was guessing what time the rehearsals would start. Peeking in the theater B, I found the space empty. As I walked out of the building I noticed someone approaching with a large cello. I decided to follow him and he lead me to a room where Orlando Philharmonic musicians were gathering. There was twenty minutes before the rehearsal started and so I sat down and started lightly sketching in the space. As musicians arrived I placed them in the sketch using ink. When everyone was present, conductor Christopher Willams suddenly appeared. The musicians all found a common tone, then Christopher raised the baton and the music began.

They were rehearsing Shumann's Symphony No. 2. There were a few stops and starts but in general the music flowed and I let the lines I was putting on the page flow with the same fluid tempo. When the symphony was complete, Christopher said, "My theory is, that in this room you should just keep playing." I believe he meant, that in such a small room it might be impossible to gauge proper levels to the various sections. After one moving section, he praised the strings and he remarked that they were pulling together as a unified whole.

When the break rolled around I was finished with my sketch and I decided to talk to Caroline Blice for a while. She had been at my 2 year anniversary party for AADW a few days before so we talked about he party.

CFHLA Gala

The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association Gala was held this year at the Brand new Peabody Hotel right near the Convention Center. As Terry and I drove up to the Hotel, we saw a sign for free parking on the right so we took a right turn into the entry and dropped of the keys with a valet. The new hotel's lobby is immense. It has the feeling of a space station with it's tall glass facade and curved oak panels. At first the event didn't seem well attended but when we rounded a corner the crowd of black tuxedos and ballgowns suddenly appeared. People milled around the bars and the tables full of silent auction items. Terry placed a bid on a leather hand bag but was thankfully outbid. There were the usual suspects, a signed basketball, gift baskets and a few art prints.

Elegantly dressed stilt walkers wandered among the crowd. I envied them thinking it would be the perfect angle to sketch the crowd from. Hal Studholme compared the event to a party thrown by Salvidor Dali's wife. While Terry was being a social butterfly finding her friends from the Philharmonic, I agonized about what I should sketch. There was an upper level which would have given me a good overview, but Terry pointed out that the dining room doors would be opening in half an hour. Not enough time for a detailed overview. I bit the inside of my mouth and waited. She had made the right call because only moments later the doors swept open and the stilt walkers tried to convince people to go inside.

We sat at the table with the Friends of the Philharmonic. Dinner was decent. I ate quickly and started this sketch in the pauses between courses. Everyone at the table knew of this blog and that they might end up in the sketch. A member of our group joked that I should sketch the woman seated at the table behind us. She had on a tight shear dress and was busty. He said my site would get twice as many hits. I didn't sketch her. On stage there was a billboard sized check to the Orlando Philharmonic for $10,000.

A Beatles cover band performed as we were getting desert. Then a scrim lifted and the Orlando Philharmonic was there as back up. Soon the dancing started but I had a cold so I wandered back out to the lobby thinking I might try a second sketch. I didn't have it in me. I lounged on a large couch and watched a group of 6 or so stilt walkers dressed in 60's rainbow flavored suits as they danced and vogued.

We went up to a friends room upstairs and marveled at the TV inside the bathroom mirror and neon lights under the dresser which were motion activated. Down at the valet we found out parking was actually $10. We were Shang hai'd! My head was ready to explode and I just wanted to rest.

Friends of the Philharmonic Holiday Meeting

Terry invited me to a lunchtime meeting of the Friends of the Philharmonic. The meeting was at the Interlachen Country Club (2245 Interlachen Court, Winter Park.) She informed me that there was going to be a White Elephant Holiday gift exchange that was rather fun.When I walked into the Country Club dining room, I was certain I was the youngest person in the room. I looked around for Terry but didn't see her. After a text and second phone call, I saw her enter the room. She introduced me around and the pre-dinner chatter grew louder. Gretchen was kind enough to compliment me on the sketches that were used on the United Arts Report to the Community. Jenny Rudberger from the Philharmonic played violin the whole social hour walking around the room.

When everyone sat down to eat, Terry told me I could start my sketch. I sat on a couch at the front of the room and got to work. A waitress served me a salad, putting it on the coffee table in front of me. I ate the fruit but didn't eat the whole salad since I wanted to keep making progress with the sketch. The lunch was some rather dry chicken and mashed potatoes with a distinct flavor of liquor. I grew agitated when I couldn't find a watercolor palette and rag. Luckily I had a backup palette and Terry suggested I get some napkins from the men's room.

When I finished the sketch, I joined Terry back at the main table. When the business meeting started up, it was announced that there are 181 members who are Friends of the Philharmonic. The treasurer recited a list of numbers all of which culminate in the fact that the Friends are solvent. Executive Director David Shillhammer announced that the Philharmonic would again join forces with Mad Cow Theater to keep Opera alive in Orlando. Frank McClain will direct La Boheme in April with a limited staged performance at the Bob Carr.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for, the White Elephant Gift Exchange. All the presents were neatly wrapped under a Christmas Tree at the front of the room. At each table people had to figure out who's birthday was closest to December 1st. That person had to hand a rubber ball to the person to their left. The person with the ball could then pick a present from under the tree and unwrap it at the table. Once the present was unwrapped they would hand off the ball to the next person. That person could steal the first present if they wanted or pick a new gift from under the tree. Stealing was encouraged. At our table Dianne Souder unwrapped a small stuffed gorilla that made shrieking gorilla noises when it's tummy was pressed. I didn't feel like stealing it, so I picked a small heavy box from under the tree. I thought maybe it was a golden bar because of its weight, but it turned out to be glass coasters. Useful I suppose, I shoved it towards Terry. Terry got two large, tall oriental coffee mugs with symbols for peace and happyness transcribed on them. They were tasteful and nice. Most presents were tasteless and tacky like a door stop and a gator cup with a ceramic gator head inside the cup which would slowly appear as you sipped the coffee. You can probably tell that I kind of covet the gator cup which was picked by Nancy Phipps. Well maybe she will re-gift it next year.

My Fair Lady

The Orlando Philharmonic along with Mad Cow Theater is presenting "My Fair Lady" at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center (401 West Livingston Street). I went to a rehearsal of this limited staged production and was shocked at the care taken with the set. The whole living room section rolled forward towards the audience. I thought I was going to sketch back stage, but the whole orchestra was elevated making that a challenge. Instead I sat in the front row looking up at the action.
I loved this production it was funny endearing and the singing was great. The sound techs were still working out the kinks on the sound dials for the actors mics. This caused actors to occasionally go mute but I'm sure it will all be worked out by show time. Caroline Blice a french horn player came down to say hello during the intermission. She explained that every instrument in the orchestra had a separate mic.
I loved every second of this production. The performance features Michelle Knight as Eliza Doolittle and Philip Nolan as Henry Higgins. Performances are today at 2PM and 8PM. You will be sorry if you miss this production.

Philharmonic Concert

My wife had tickets to the Tribute to Leonard Bernstein concert at the Bob Carr performing arts center. We were seated back in row N. I felt quite claustrophobic, unable to move my arms without bumping the person seated next to me. Terry also acknowledged that these seats were a tighter fit than usual. I knew what to expect with the first half of the concert since I had sketched the rehearsal the night before. When the intermission rolled around I was glad for the chance to stretch my legs and arms. Terry lead the way up to the patrons lounge where people were lined up for champagne and wine. When we returned to the theater, we sat in the front row so I could do a quick sketch of this historic performance.
This was the last performance by conductor Andrew Lane at the Bob Carr. He was resigning from the Orlando Philharmonic which he had helped foster and grow for the last 17 years. For this reason the concert had a bitter sweet feel to it. When Andrew waved and walked off the stage it was for the last time. The orchestra and audience gave him a long standing ovation. Toasts were offered in his honor at the back stage gathering after the concert. There were plenty of rumors circulating about reasons for his departure, but the bottom line remains the same, Orlando has just lost a great conductor who helped inspire the orchestra to push themselves to new heights. I for one will miss him.

Philharmonic rehearsal

I went to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center to watch a rehearsal for "A Tribute to Lenny" conducted by Andrew Lane. In the lounge there was a younger crowd than usual having sandwiches and drinks prior to the rehearsal. I thought I was going to an event that is usually attended by board members, where the board members are invited to sit on stage right next to the performers. I quickly made my way onstage. I was surprised to find none of the other patrons back stage. I got a chair but when I sat down, I couldn't see over the whole orchestra. I decided I had to sketch standing up.
This concert was a tribute to Leonard Bernstein, with selections from Candide, On the Town, and West Side Story. I love the overture to Candide and it helped me relax as I blocked in the sketch.
Soprano Angela Mortellaro was standing right behind me as I worked. I started feeling self conscious thinking I might get kicked out of the wings when Union stage hands realized I was in the way. I even thought Angela might ask me what I was doing and ask me to leave. When she walked onstage to sing Glitter and be Gay from Candide, she turned to me and smiled as she walked by. I realized she had much more important things on her mind. Her performance was stunning she has a range that the music fully put to the test. The song left me felling joy and excitement mixed with a deep sadness.
As is typical in a rehearsal there were many stops and starts. The harp player didn't play for the longest time. I had planned to sketch her playing but instead she sat through most of the rehearsal reading a magazine. I patiently waited to catch her performing and then I sketched frantically thinking she might stop before I finished. The same was true for the string players who would remove the instruments from their chins and hide it in their laps. I was just about finished with my sketch when half the program had been performed. The orchestra went on a break and I put down my final washes and packed up. I decided this sketch was enough for one night. I planned to see the concert the following evening with my wife.

Russian Masters - Rehearsal

After an Orlando Philharmonic Board meeting, board members and friends of the Philharmonic were invited to sit on stage during a rehearsal for a concert of Russian Masters on October 30th at 8 PM at the Bob Carr. Christopher Wilkins who has just signed a five year contract to conduct the Philharmonic, talked for a while about the concert and introduced the pianist for the evening, William Wolfram. Christopher explained that Shostakovitch's Symphony No 5 in D minor is one of the iconic symphonies. The other piece to be performed was to be Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2 in C Major. When the Pianist William Wolfram was out of the room, Christopher explained that he and the pianist had worked together several times but this was the first time the pianist would have performed in Orlando. Chris also said that in the past the Pianist had played a practical joke on him and that tonight he hoped to play a practical joke in return. In the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto, Chris asked the whole orchestra to play their parts a quarter note higher than it is written in the sheet music. That way when the pianist, began to play his part, it would sound all wrong. The practical joke worked as planned. When William Wolfram began to play the piano part, the conductor had to stop everyone and he said to the pianist, "Well these things happen". What was fun was that the rehearsal came to a screeching halt a second time before the pianist realized he was being toyed with. He and the conductor shook hands and had a good laugh as did the whole orchestra. The pianist then stood up and began jokingly walking off stage saying "Well goodnight everyone."
There were 3 rehearsals for this concert. One rehearsal was canceled in order to save money. The Philharmonic is proud to have balanced it's budget as of June 30th of 2009. Next year the Phil will be staging several partially staged operas to help keep opera alive as an art form and to nurture the community's passion for opera. Carmen and Porgy and Bess will be staged with the orchestra being placed on the stage rather than hidden in the pit.
As the orchestra began to perform the Second Concerto, Christopher Wilkins interrupted and shouted out" You have to be more forceful. You have to punch it in the face!"

Philharmonic After Party

After the performance of the Orlando Philharmonic, Board members, donors and friends of the Philharmonic are allowed to go back stage for a meet and greet. Champagne is served along with fruit punch and deserts. Terry and I always attend these gatherings and since Terry is a true social butterfly, we are almost always the last to leave. This time I walked up two steps on the stairway to the dressing rooms to get a good overall view of the crowd. This sketch was certainly a challenge since people were constantly milling about and moving from group to group. I am pleased with the result since I can pick out individuals I know and it gives a good feeling of what this crowded event s like.
The time just flew by, and several children became curious and wanted to see what I was up to. The featured pianist Joyce Yang even wanted to see what I was up to so I got to talk to her, which I usually would not do since the featured performer is almost always surrounded by a crowd of admirers. This sketching at social events has turned out to be a great way to meet talented and interesting people.

Orlando Philharmonic Performance

Terry and I attended the concert that the Philharmonic had been rehearsing for. The concert was entitled "Mozart and Mendelssohn". Joyce Yang was the featured performer and she played piano for the Mozart Piano Concerto number 24. For the first half of the concert we sat up in the balcony and when I got my sketchbook out I suddenly realized that I had forgotten to bring my eye glasses. The glasses allow me to see objects at a distance clearly. I let out a huge guttural scream and everyone in the audience turned to look. No that didn't happen, I just resigned myself to my blindness. Looking at the stage I could barely make out dark and light blurry shapes. When the house lights dimmed I also could not see the sketchbook. I put the book away and closed my eyes and enjoyed the music instead.
When intermission came, Terry and I moved down to the front row. We had the front row entirely to ourselves. For whatever reason people do not sit that close. From this vantage point I could see all the performers and the stage lighting allowed me to see what I was drawing.

The Orlando Philharmonic

The Philharmonic offered the Board of Directors a chance to experience the music up close and personal. After a small sit down dinner in the atrium of the theater, Christopher Wilkins, the conductor, explained that in these hard economic times the Orchestra has had to cut back on the number of performances but the organization still stands on solid ground. He said the Orchestra is starting to reach out and involve the community in new and creative ways.
The Orchestra had to rehearse for the final performance of the season. The members of the Board were offered a chance to sit next to their favorite instrument. A Magic game was also going on that night and Christopher said "The Magic never offers it's fans the chance to go right down to the court and experience the game next to the players."
Since my wife plays French Horn, I decided to sketch the brass players. I was sitting right in front of the Timpani drums and a Cello player suggested I get some ear plugs from stage right, which I did. The orchestra rehearsed Dances of Galanta by Kodaly. There were many stops and starts but I must say it was exhilarating! Sitting among the players surrounds you with sound in a way even the best stereo can not duplicate. The Timpani was indeed very loud but I didn't want to dull the experience by using the ear plugs. I have known many of the players for years so sketching them came second hand. I hope Christopher Wilkins will consider letting me sketch during rehearsals more often because this is a great subject to observe and draw.

Sweeney Todd

The Orlando Philharmonic and Mad Cow Theater joined forces to bring Sweeney Todd to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Davis Gaines performed the title roll and Faith Prince performed as, Mrs. Lovett. This production far exceeded my expectations. Gaines voice resonated with loathing and impatience. Faith also had a magnificent performance. Having seem Tim Burton's movie last year, in which a girl with a thin mouse of a voice sang as her window, I cringed at the thought of listening to Christina's song again. However, Shelly Cooper performed with a warmth that mesmerized. The whole cast deserved the standing ovation that they got. The hall was as full as I have ever seem it.
I quickly sketched the stage before the play started and when the lights went down, I had to stop since I could no longer see the sketchbook. I tried lifting the book off my lap up to my chest to catch some ambient light off the stage, but the man seated in front of me was tall and had a huge head. His head eclipsed all available light. The lady seated beside me seemed amused with my contortions. During intermission she asked "Are you a stage designer?" I replied "No I am a blogger". She pulled out her iPhone to show me the picture she had taken of the stage. Although I might complain, I prefer the challenge and personal view point of a sketch. Besides before the play starts they always announce that there is to be no photography. They never say no sketching.

Fat Tuesday

David, the executive director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, hosted a Fat Tuesday party at his home. The Friends of the Philharmonic and members of the Board of Directors were in attendance. David decorated his home by perching glittery bowler hats in unexpected places and hanging beads from chandeliers and furniture. David barbecued a huge slab of brisket and guests each bought a side dish. While doing the sketch I met a woman who worked as one of three graphic designers for Tupperware many years ago. Today she says Tupperware employs 35 graphic designers. This is one good thing about sketching at a party, people interested in art will introduce themselves to you. The sketch was started after dinner. When I began the room was packed. However in Orlando guests do not tend to linger at a party, they want to rush home. The fellow in the black pin striped suit was in costume as a gangster, his wife had a wonderful flapper outfit on but she never entered the room while I sketched.