BLU-TET performance at Enzian

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The BLU-TET

Digital Journey: Where Jazz Meets Hip-Hop
Live music at its rawest state. Stunning improvisation and trance-like beasts done by a live band; this event connects the participant with the art in the best way possible, through their ears.

Enzian is a great place for a date night in a cozy atmosphere where it feels like all of the guests outside at the bar are friends. They are known for their indie movies so being new to Orlando, I was delightfully surprised to see a jazz band playing outside while a movie was playing inside. Enzian is now playing two movies called ‘Shame’ and ‘Bach & Friends’ and if you want to learn more about the theater, visit Enzian’s website at http://www.enzian.org. The band playing was called The BLU-TET.

According to BLU-TET’s website, at www.ReverbNation.com/blutet “Jarritt Sheel's BLU-TRIO, and the BLU-TET, is a full fledge jazz quartet based on the Horace Silver groups and the Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers concept, which we feel is the paradigm of performing original and standard jazz literature, while also combining improvisation with Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, and Blues music. To stand shoulder to shoulder with the titans of jazz music while also carving out our own individual niche.” I highly recommend Enzian and the BLU-TET; they’ll be playing there again on Wednesday the 29^th from 6 – 8pm.

Corey and I met with the band members inside for video interviews during the band’s break. Other ArtsFest staff was also there for the ArtsFest event with paper tags guest can fill out that will be hung at Urban ReThink in Thornton Park for display. The crew asked people to write on a tag about why The Arts Matter. You can share why The Arts Matter to you online at www.TheArtsMatter.com as well. I am reminded why art matters at every interview we do with artists, of every kind, who say they knew they wanted to have a career in the one special creative gift they discovered they had as a child. ArtsFest is about bringing families in Central Florida more awareness of the art that is all around them. We are very lucky to live in a city that has a strong cultural support system such at United Arts of Central Florida.

written by Jessica Northey  |  jessicanorthey.com

BLU-TET Band at Enzian

Orisirisi African Folklore and Mead Gardens

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Our second day at ArtsFest has been fun-filled. We wanted to attend a few events that were going on at the same time so we decided to split up. Corey chose to visit the Orisirisi African Folklore event; while I decided to spend the day with mother nature and catch the children having a blast racing their painted rubber ducks for prizes. Mead Gardens put on an event called ‘The Great Duck Derby.’ From the website (www.meadgarden.org): “Get in the race! Come to Mead Garden for another fun filled day at the races. See hundreds of little rubber ducks as they race through the pond while the crowd cheers the lucky ducks across the finish line to win cool prizes!” I would love to hear from the families who attended if you have pictures of your rubber duckies to share with us. We welcome comments about your day as well. I can’t wait until the next race, I’ll be sure to bring all of my nieces and nephews with me.

The first story is about the African drummers and then about the garden. I was able to transform their words to my ears from my eyes to my fingers to write about one of the best stories I’ve ever heard about music, just by listening to Corey retell his experience at Orisirisi and watching the video footage he captured.

Orisirisi African Folklore performed at Orlando Public Library on Saturday, February 18 for ArtsFest. According to their website (www.orisirisi.com), Orisirisi is one of the world’s most preeminent performing arts company, was created in 1986 with the expressed purpose of sharing both the beauty and poignancy of African life and culture.

Co-produced, directed, and performed by a husband and wife team comprised of Nigerian born folk-artist Adetutu Harrell and Don Harrell, a music scholar and performing artist, who is a life-long veteran of stage and screen. Orisirisi (a Yoruba word pronounced o-re-she-re-she) utilizes varied artistic forms to impart folk-knowledge and experiences to and for their audiences.

The duo shared their folktales, legends, and myths from the far corners of Africa with the audience. Their performance is a celebration of music, culture and the recreation of the African storytelling tradition; including drum and percussion instruments, audience participation, and fun learning for the entire family.

           

They presented the rich history by sharing with us that the stories are traditionally told during the evening by elders. The stories always had a way of explaining why things were the way that they were as well as teaching lessons about the difference between right and wrong, how to be a good friend, how to respect yourself and others, and especially to respect their elders. The stories included the playing of drums and singing and funny voices, which was very entertaining to watch. They wrapped up each story with a moral or cultural value.

            Orisirisi shared a few more stories with the audience on Saturday’s celebration of ArtsFest. I will leave it up to you to reach out to Orisirisi to hear more of their fantastic folklore. They enjoy teaching about their culture and were an educational and entertaining way to learn about the world around us and it’s rich history.

            Over at Mead Gardens, I was not able to film the race itself. I decided to stay and capture the beauty of the nature surrounding me while a few of the festivities were still happening. There were families all around who were having fun and enjoying the atmosphere of the Gardens. Not far from where the race took place, I found the amphitheater where symphonies play music and couples get married. 

written by Jessica Northey | jessicanorthey.com 

Orisirisi African Folklore

Mead Gardens

 

CityArts Factory & SAK Comedy Lab events

    CityArts Factory --> is our first stop on our adventure of celebrating United Arts of Central Florida’s ArtsFest throughout the month of February. This year the ArtsFest blog is presenting 10 videos from a variety of events by Corey Link and Jessica Northey. We are both Full Sail students who are volunteering our time to dig into what ArtsFest is all about. Corey is the editor and I am the Producer and blog Writer. We’re excited to find out more about the artists, staff, and businesses who make ArtsFest possible.

    Our first video has interviews with local artists and other activities not caught on film. I was able to hunt down the staff and gave my business card to register to win a gift pack including tickets for two to both SAK Comedy Lab and Jazz Brunch at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. You can also leave your information if you do not have a business card, anytime throughout ArtsFest of February 2012.

    In addition to the amazing artwork and smooth, drumming tunes of the evening, we signed up for the free headshots offered that night only.  We scored on free professional headshots and are expecting the photos by Wednesday of next week. We’re willing to choose one of each of them both to that we’ll share with you here on the blog, so be sure to subscribe to ArtsFestFl.blogspot.com to get your updates.

    Each artist was asked about where their creative inspiration originated from. We enjoyed hearing many stories about how the spark was discovered in their childhoods. It brings my attention to how important it is to encourage children to be around creative outlets where they can discover their own talents. Today the world is changing from creative being a choice to being in demand. Our country is still leading today because we allow people the freedom of expression. As long as we allow ourselves to connect with our creativity, we can continue to discover ourselves and continue innovation.

    Several artists were interviewed at the CityArts Factory. We spoke with a photographer, Kamran Malik, and Dlynn Roll, owner of Candlelite Gallery. Other works shown at the art gallery were by Urban Contemporary, David O’Keefe, and Curt Littlecott.

Duel of Fools Show

     Moving forward to the next event of the evening, conveniently located next door to CityArts Factory is the SAK Comedy Lab. A favorite routine of the actors is the SAK Duel of Fools show. Enjoy the video posted here showing clips of this high-energy improv comedy competition, featuring audience judges, the Pink Shoe of Salvation and the Scum Box with plenty of free Tootsie Rolls. After their free ArtsFest performance, we were able to interview Mike, one of the seasoned professional actors of the SAK Comedy Lab. 

   

    Be on the lookout for our next video adventure blog. In the meantime, enjoy the videos from the CityArts Factory gallery of immensely talented artists, including interviews with some of the local artists. The gallery has a variety of types of artistic styles. I had a great evening and highly recommend visiting during a future ArtsFest celebration. Be sure to hop over next door to SAK Comedy Lab to cap the evening with laughter and entertainment. The comedy performance involves the audience in a creative way to use puns and funny wordplay with the suggestions from a variety of ways.

    Now in its 10th year, ArtsFest is a free annual event showcasing local arts and culture available in Central Florida, continues this week and throughout the month of February. Presented by Bank of America, ArtsFest has something for every artistic taste and pocketbook. This year ArtsFest is offering more than 300 FREE events in over 80 venues across four counties. Flor more information and to view the full schedule of events, please visit ArtsFestFL.com. Stay connected by following on Twitter @ArtsFestUA and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArtsFestFL.
   

    Support your local arts and enjoy the family events with the children in your life. You could be making all the difference in a child’s life by exposing them to the wonders of artistic delights and endeavors.

written by Jessica Northey  |  jessicanorthey.com

CityArts Factory

SAK Comedy Lab

Event List for ArtsFest Feb 2012

Please subscribe to the blog for upcoming videos being produced for ArtsFest this year by Jessica Northey along with Corey Link. We're both Full Sail U students and are excited about covering the events this year. The following events are a list of the specific events we will be attending for a video blog entry.

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CityArts Factory
29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, 32801, 407.648.7060

Wed. 2/1 - Sat. 2/4: 11 am – 6 pm
Tues. 2/7 - Sat. 2/11: 11 am – 6 pm
Tues. 2/14 - Sat. 2/18: 11 am – 6 pm
Tues. 2/21 - Sat. 2/25: 11 am – 6 pm
Tues. 2/28 - Wed. 2/29:  11 am – 6 pm

Explore CityArts Factory
Stop by CityArts Factory to enjoy works from local artists and get registered to win a gift pack including tickets for two to both SAK Comedy Lab and Jazz Brunch at the Grand Bohemian Hotel.

Thurs. 2/16: 6 - 9 pm
Free Headshots 
Free professional headshots with CD of your pictures on the way out!
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SAK Comedy Lab
29 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801, 407.648.0001
Thurs 2/16: 7:30 - 9pm

SAK Duel of Fools
Our seasoned professionals duke it out in this high-energy improv comedy competition, featuring audience judges, the Pink Shoe of Salvation and the Scum Box with plenty of free Tootsie Rolls.
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Mead Botanical Garden
1500 S. Denning Dr., Winter Park, 32789, 407.599.2800
Sat. 2/18: 10 am - 2 pm

The Great Duck Derby
Kids and adults alike can enjoy this free event or purchase a duck to paint and race through Winter Park’s hidden treasure, Mead Botanical Garden.
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Orisirisi African Folklore
at Orlando Public Library
101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801, 407.835.7323
Sat. 2/18: 11 am - noon

Orisirisi Drum Sermons: Folktales,
Legends, Myths from the Far Corners of Africa
A celebration of music, culture, and the recreation of the African storytelling tradition; including drum and percussion instruments, audience participation, and fun learning for the entire family.
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Orlando Science Center
777 E. Princeton St. 407.514.2000
2/19 10am-5pm
Explore & Discover Together - Museum
Where else can you pet a gator, make lightning, visit new worlds and come face to face with a T-Rex?
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Urban ReThink
625 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801, 407.704.6895
Sun. 2/5 & Sun. 2/19: 11 am - 7 pm

Human Library
Peruse fascinating stories from over 30 “human books” to discover the living truth of experiences like publishing a book, conducting an orchestra, or climbing Mount Everest – directly from the people who lived it!
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The BLU-TET
Enzian's Eden Bar - 1300 S. Orlando Ave. Maitland
2/22 6-8pm
Digital Journey: Where Jazz Meets Hip-Hop
Live music at its rawest state. Stunning improvisation and trance-like beasts done by a live band; this event connects the participant with the art in the best way possible, through their ears.
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Clouds in My Coffee Theater
at Dex Imaging Skyline Club at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium
1610 W. Church St., Orlando, 32805, 407.970.1550
Sat. 2/25: 8 pm

Clouds of Love
Clouds of Love includes Orlando’s best spoken word and live music featuring Mozaic.
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Orlando Youth Circus
101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801, 407.855.5457
2/26 1:30 - 2:30pm

Orlando Youth Circus
Participate in the fun of circus arts at this interactive demonstration of skills by Orlando Youth Circus.
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Winter Park Historical Association
200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park 32789, 407.647.2330
2/29 10am - 4pm

The Way We Were: Park Avenue in the '60s and '70s
Take a step back in time and learn about the people and shops of Park Avenue during the 1960s and 1970s.
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